SWASHPAWS
SWASHPAWS /

A development journal by Jeremy Robards

Behind the scenes.

From the first idea to the final rescue.
The decisions, the experiments, and the work in between.

Phase 1 in progress

Concept and visual design are approved. We’re giving the adventure a home.

Updated October 18, 2026

Field notes from the build

The journal

Written as the project takes shape.
One day, one continuing record.

The whole voyage

Production map

Design is complete. A checked step means verified work,
not a promise about a finished game.

8 / 70 steps complete
8 of 70

Game deployment is the final phase.

00Concept ideation and design6 of 6 steps completeComplete
  1. P0.1Join the multiplayer challenge
    Complete
  2. P0.2Choose SWASHPAWS
    Complete
  3. P0.3Define the pirate adventure
    Complete
  4. P0.4Design the playable cast and NPCs
    Complete
  5. P0.5Design the connected world
    Complete
  6. P0.6Approve the visual direction
    Complete
01Coming Soon site and daily BTS publication2 of 7 steps completeIn progress
  1. P1.1Write the prologue and production plan
    Complete
  2. P1.2Connect the domain and hosting
    Blocked
  3. P1.3Create the website artwork
    Complete
  4. P1.4Build the Coming Soon landing page
    Ready for review
  5. P1.5Build the BTS blog and checklist
    Ready for review
  6. P1.6Publish the marketing website
    Blocked
  7. P1.7Verify the public visitor journey
    Planned
02Project foundation and multiplayer slice0 of 7 steps completePlanned
  1. P2.1Confirm the tools and technical rules
    Planned
  2. P2.2Build the project foundation
    Planned
  3. P2.3Prepare the game publishing setup
    Planned
  4. P2.4Build the overhead view and controls
    Planned
  5. P2.5Prove the fox model and animation pipeline
    Planned
  6. P2.6Test two-device multiplayer combat
    Planned
  7. P2.7Test joining, trading and reconnecting
    Planned
03Character wardrobe and asset production0 of 9 steps completePlanned
  1. P3.1Finish the fox rig and animation standard
    Planned
  2. P3.2Model the other seven pirates
    Planned
  3. P3.3Animate the complete playable roster
    Planned
  4. P3.4Build clothing and accessories
    Planned
  5. P3.5Build five regular baddies
    Planned
  6. P3.6Build the bosses and princess
    Planned
  7. P3.7Build weapons and tools
    Planned
  8. P3.8Build treasure and collectibles
    Planned
  9. P3.9Build destructible props and debris
    Planned
04World and level construction0 of 7 steps completePlanned
  1. P4.1Build the modular environment kit
    Planned
  2. P4.2Block out all thirteen areas
    Planned
  3. P4.3Build the cove, cavern and ship
    Planned
  4. P4.4Build the lock chamber and raft launch
    Planned
  5. P4.5Build the deeper cavern and checkpoint
    Planned
  6. P4.6Build the arenas and rescue chamber
    Planned
  7. P4.7Dress, light and optimize the world
    Planned
05Adventure gameplay and multiplayer systems0 of 8 steps completePlanned
  1. P5.1Finish movement, combat and enemy behavior
    Planned
  2. P5.2Build inventory and match upgrades
    Planned
  3. P5.3Finish destruction and loot rules
    Planned
  4. P5.4Finish rooms, invitations and reconnecting
    Planned
  5. P5.5Finish trading, emotes and secret crews
    Planned
  6. P5.6Finish recovery and final-gate rules
    Planned
  7. P5.7Finish rescue victory and awards
    Planned
  8. P5.8Test saved match state and recovery
    Planned
06River bosses and ending0 of 7 steps completePlanned
  1. P6.1Finalize river controls and recovery rules
    Planned
  2. P6.2Build the branching river course
    Planned
  3. P6.3Build steering, drops and floating coins
    Planned
  4. P6.4Test dead ends and raft recovery
    Planned
  5. P6.5Finish the Ironclaw encounter
    Planned
  6. P6.6Finish the Nameless One encounter
    Planned
  7. P6.7Finish the princess rescue and ending
    Planned
07PvP interface sound and presentation0 of 6 steps completePlanned
  1. P7.1Finalize the separate PvP rules
    Planned
  2. P7.2Build and test the PvP session
    Planned
  3. P7.3Finish selection, wardrobe and room menus
    Planned
  4. P7.4Finish the gameplay interface
    Planned
  5. P7.5Finish audio, effects and accessibility
    Planned
  6. P7.6Check touch controls and presentation
    Planned
08Verification optimization and release candidate0 of 6 steps completePlanned
  1. P8.1Test two, four and eight players
    Planned
  2. P8.2Test trading, privacy and timing edge cases
    Planned
  3. P8.3Test phones, weak connections and recovery
    Planned
  4. P8.4Optimize graphics, downloads and memory
    Planned
  5. P8.5Complete full playthroughs and fix blockers
    Planned
  6. P8.6Prepare the contest release materials
    Planned
09Game deployment and contest release0 of 7 steps completePlanned
  1. P9.1Verify the production publishing setup
    Planned
  2. P9.2Deploy the multiplayer service
    Planned
  3. P9.3Publish the game
    Planned
  4. P9.4Enable Play and test invite links
    Planned
  5. P9.5Test the complete public multiplayer journey
    Planned
  6. P9.6Submit the contest entry
    Planned
  7. P9.7Publish the release story and checklist
    Planned

Phase 0 records the work before this checklist. Future plans can change as testing teaches us more. This page reflects the last reviewed update.

The visual direction

From the sketchbook

Approved concepts guide the build.
These are illustrations, not gameplay screenshots.

A pirate with personality — SWASHPAWS concept illustration
A pirate with personalityOne of eight playable animal-pirate designs.
A cavern worth exploring — SWASHPAWS concept illustration
A cavern worth exploringA deeper underground landing and checkpoint concept.
A few wrong turns — SWASHPAWS concept illustration
A few wrong turnsDrops, branching waterways and floating treasure.

Beyond this chapter

On the horizon

Future plan

After the contest

Fixes, player feedback and the next approved adventures. Scope and dates will follow what we learn.

Future plan

Behind the scenes on video

Future video segments will join the written development journal when they are ready.

Future plan

Returning to other worlds

S33k3r’s Ghosts is preserved for a possible return in 2027 or 2028, depending in part on whether Liminal Sin enters production first.