A brief update from the solo developer of Exil, Napat Saeung.
Today we return to talk about Exil, the captivating and epic post-apocalyptic Metroidvania solo-developed by Napat Saeung (you can find all the information about the game in our main coverage, here).
The project, inspired by acclaimed indie masterpieces such as Hollow Knight and Cuphead, had captured our attention thanks to its magnetic anime-style aesthetic, engaging gameplay mechanics, and, most notably, the outstanding effort the developer was investing in the title.
In May 2023, the solo developer launched a crowdfunding campaign for the project; unfortunately, it was not funded and did not conclude as we had hoped. Below, we provide the update published by Napat Seung at the end of the Kickstarter campaign:
“Hey everyone,
Firstly, let me say a big thank you to all of you for backing my game. Your support in Exil is deeply valued, even though we didn’t quite hit our Kickstarter target.
Just a few days into the campaign, I noticed that things weren’t going as smoothly as I’d hoped. Instead of pushing harder on promotion, it felt crucial to figure out and address the underlying issues. After sending out surveys and going through your invaluable feedback, it seems ‘consistency’ was a recurring concern.
When I revealed the game last year, I had a vision. But in retrospect, I can see that my reactions to the online comments and feedback led to some drastic changes. Some of these changes, such as the addition of even more epic bosses, enhanced the game. On the other hand, changes like the strangely ‘cutesy’ elements in the boss fights fell flat.
While I’m really proud of how the game looks, I also see there’s room for it to get even better. My personal style and skills have evolved over the years, and this evolution has unintentionally added to the game’s inconsistency.
So, what’s next? I’m all set for a significant revamp. Part of this plan includes recreating the demo and sending it out to influencers to garner more feedback and exposure. Thankfully, the tools and methods I’ve built up over the years will help make this process efficient. My focus will be on aligning all the game elements to create a more unified experience.
This might seem like a hiccup, but I’m choosing to see it as an opportunity to fine-tune the game. I can’t make any firm commitments now, but I’m hopeful about a possible relaunch early next year.
Thanks again for sticking with me. We may not have reached our Kickstarter goal, but this journey is far from over.”
Since that update, published on June 27, 2023, the developer had gone off the radar. However, a few weeks ago, Napat resurfaced to share brand-new updates on his project, along with new information and an important announcement on X, confirming that Exil is still alive and ready for a comeback, stronger than ever.
In a dedicated post on X, the solo developer reaffirms that the development of Exil is ongoing, despite the various challenges Napat has faced in recent months. He assures the community that the game will be completed soon, at any cost, no matter what.
So, Exil will return, hopefully in Q1 or Q2 of 2024, with the launch of a new Kickstarter campaign, featuring a substantial revamp aimed at addressing its weaknesses, refining its game structure, and, perhaps, aiming to impress us even more than its original version did.
Until that anticipated date, all that remains is for us to extend our best wishes to the developer for the future. In the meantime, you can track his progress on his X page and stay informed with us.
Thank you for following us this far. Talk to you soon.
Grown up with MediEvil and DOOM and fascinated by the video game world since 1998. This passion stems from a desire to discover and research the videogame at 360 degrees, with particular attention to the Indie scene.
