Haystack Village (Alpha Release)
A downloadable game for Windows and Linux
This build is still in alpha - Please be aware that some game features have not yet been implemented and bugs may be encountered. Some of the character portraits are still in progress. I apologize in advance for any issues encountered.
Overview
Seeking a peaceful life, you move to Haystack Village, a small farming town secluded from the rest of society. But upon arrival, you discover that there are dark secrets hidden underneath it’s serene surface.
Unravel the town’s mysteries while starting a farm, befriending the locals, and ensuring the survival of not only yourself but the people around you!
Notes
Thank you for playing my game! I've been learning Unity and working to become a game developer for a couple years now and this is my first real foray into the field. There is still a lot to add so I enjoy hearing feedback and comments. If you're interested in working on Haystack Village, message me about joining the project!
Credits
Game created by Jake Gosche
Character portraits by Iweta Grodecka
Game Testing
---
Dustin Gilchrist
Eddy Duryea
Joe Pedersen
Justin Leonard
Katie Wadsworth
Matt Gosche
Mikey Mieszkowski
Stefano Ajazi
Links
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Hi, again! It's been a while, but I'm back now. Are there any updates about the game's progress?
Hey Emily, I'm really sorry for the VERY late reply here, I missed this comment and I feel awful about that. I took a pretty extended break from working on the game because my life got pretty busy and wasn't in a great place mentally. Recently I've been able to get back into working on Haystack again consistently; I've got a list of changes/bugs that I've been working through and it feels good to work on this game again. I'll post an update soon!
I completely understand, don't worry about it! Yay!
hiya there! I saw you were looking around for help with art, and was wondering if I'd be able to assist you! I would usually try to reach you on a social media platform, but considering your last twitter post was from 2020 I thought it'd be better to reach out here :P
if you'd like to see examples of my work though my art twitter's handle is henbys_projects (my main is just henby_ , and tbh if you wanted to chat on twitter you should message my main lol)
and apologies for the plug in your comments lol, lemme know though! and if you're not interested I'll delete my comment so you don't got someone lowkey advertising here lol
Hello! Just messaged you on twitter. You are correct that I'm pretty inactive on there, but I still use it for messaging haha.
please ive been playing this for hours where is susies father
What part of the game are you in? What does your current objective say? Hopefully I can help you!
im still just trying to meet everyone,, i saw a cutscene with who i thought was susies dad, but i have looked EVERYWHERE and i cant find him
Her father Ron is the blonde man with a baseball cap. Other than in cutscenes and the festival, I think I've only ever seen him at home. He tends to spend his mornings there before disappearing for the rest of the day.
Hi, again! This is the same user from the comments section of Nino Kito's video. I was just wondering if you were notified of my last comment. If not, here's a copy of it in case any of it might be helpful: (spoilers)
Note: Never mind about digging for the sunstone, I just got it! Also, when I tried to get the staff and was caught again, I restarted the day with that item and my objective was still to pass the barrier. I was also wondering if it's possible to uncover more about Marion's backstory and if the main story will eventually be expanded in some way.
You're welcome! As for digging in the area where it's buried a few times, did you mean the same tile or both that and the surrounding tiles? Should the specific area be dug several times per day or once each day until it appears? So far, I've tried all of those and I'm currently attempting to till every unplanted tile in one day. (Edit: I don't know how long that'll take or if it's even possible because I just tried with full stamina and 73 burgers, but could only till about 12 by 16 tiles before 11:00 p.m. I'll remember to skip plant and animal care next time.)
Edit: I just noticed a glitch in which the word day and the number overlap on screen. It happened sometime after I started raising my stamina to the maximum by waking up, lifting weights, sleeping, and repeating until 500 was reached. It remained for several days before temporarily disappearing, eventually returning, and so on.
I noticed another glitch or oversight in which you can't meet Rusty after 8:00 p.m. unless you've noticed that his door is locked and spoken with Elizabeth about it.
Also, when I let Rusty catch me just to see what would happen, the restarted day still had my crops watered and the rocks near Orchid's cave cracked, but the money I earned disappeared and the affair-ending cutscene eventually replayed.
Yesterday, I forgot to mention that the objective reminder tends to run off the esc screen. Ex, "Find a way to break the boulder in front of the".
My character is also racing to date everyone, lol. When the option to play as a woman is added to the game, which players will become datable?
(Note: The edits were made to the YouTube comment, they were just mentioned here. These notes were the actual edit to this comment.)
"Hi, again! This is the same user from the comments section of Nino Kito's video. I was just wondering if you were notified of my last comment. If not, here's a copy of it in case any of it might be helpful: (spoilers)"
Hello again! Sorry I missed your comment on the Youtube video, I've been out of town. Hopefully it's ok that I answer you here.
"Note: Never mind about digging for the sunstone, I just got it! Also, when I tried to get the staff and was caught again, I restarted the day with that item and my objective was still to pass the barrier. I was also wondering if it's possible to uncover more about Marion's backstory and if the main story will eventually be expanded in some way. "
Glad to hear you eventually found it! I'll have to look for ways to make it easier to find in main releases of the game. I recently had somebody else mention a bug they ran into with the staff so I'll have to double check on that. Marion's backstory will definitely be expanded upon, I'd like to make him a more tragic character.
"Edit: I just noticed a glitch in which the word day and the number overlap on screen. It happened sometime after I started raising my stamina to the maximum by waking up, lifting weights, sleeping, and repeating until 500 was reached. It remained for several days before temporarily disappearing, eventually returning, and so on. "
Oh, good catch! I might end up putting a cap on max stamina but I haven't seen that bug so thanks for finding it.
"I noticed another glitch or oversight in which you can't meet Rusty after 8:00 p.m. unless you've noticed that his door is locked and spoken with Elizabeth about it."
I did want to make sure the player tried to enter Rusty's house first and met everybody before continuing the story, but I agree that it needs to be done in a smoother way.
"Also, when I let Rusty catch me just to see what would happen, the restarted day still had my crops watered and the rocks near Orchid's cave cracked, but the money I earned disappeared and the affair-ending cutscene eventually replayed."
Thanks for catching that. It would appear that the "game overs" present some issues with resetting the day.
"Yesterday, I forgot to mention that the objective reminder tends to run off the esc screen. Ex, "Find a way to break the boulder in front of the".
Ah, I'm guessing it perhaps isn't correcting properly to different resolutions, I'll make note of that.
"My character is also racing to date everyone, lol. When the option to play as a woman is added to the game, which players will become datable?
(Note: The edits were made to the YouTube comment, they were just mentioned here. These notes were the actual edit to this comment.)"
My plan right now is to have Orwin, Isabella, Fred, and another character or two that hasn't been added yet to be dateable as a woman. A couple characters might be slightly re-designed to make them more appealing lol.
It's alright, neither of those things were an issue!
As for making the sunstone easier to find, perhaps the last five hoe strikes could produce spreading marks like the breaking boulder?
When you answered the Marion question, I wondered if that may have implied plans for an "Ashanna Route" and a "Marion Route"?
As for stamina, I thought 500 was already the maximum because of a notification that says you can no longer lift weights?
When you answered the dating question, for some reason, I started wondering if someone will eventually make a mod in which Marion is dateable or could be forcefully adopted like a pet, lol.
I also had some questions about the dark figures in the maze. Were those also villagers? If so, why would they do that and how did they enter before the player?
Edit: I just got the machine!
As for the comment about Rusty's house, that came from my second save file in which I already knew to visit at night. Something similar I just noticed was that when I read NALBA on the second save file without having the dream, the secret room won't unlock.
Edit #2: I also forgot to mention that if you break into the mayor's house after Joe's memory cycle (for lack of a better term) and touch her dresser, her disembodied voice will still ask you to stop.
Edit #3: Even after you start dating Rusty, he might ask if you're interested in being more than friends.
Edit #4: In the first save file, Orwin and Joe died. In the second one, it was Orwin and Ron. Are any other death combinations currently available? Speaking of death, the only downside about resurrection for me is that the villager deaths currently seem to be less important. Are there any disadvantages that I haven't noticed yet?
Secondly, I'm having trouble with 12 9. Should I keep moving and digging in different combinations like the other tasks or am I missing something? Does it require more than six strikes?
Thirdly, I was wondering how many secrets are left to be discovered.
Lastly, which types of project assistance would be beneficial? I doubt that I could help with anything else, but some other people might read about it and become interested.
"It's alright, neither of those things were an issue!
As for making the sunstone easier to find, perhaps the last five hoe strikes could produce spreading marks like the breaking boulder? "
That's a good idea! I'll write that down.
"When you answered the Marion question, I wondered if that may have implied plans for an "Ashanna Route" and a "Marion Route"?"
It is not something I've but much thought into, but I do like that idea.
"As for stamina, I thought 500 was already the maximum because of a notification that says you can no longer lift weights?"
Just checked and you are correct, I forgot I'd set a maximum. So I'll have to look and see why the text is getting distorted once it reaches the maximum.
"When you answered the dating question, for some reason, I started wondering if someone will eventually make a mod in which Marion is dateable or could be forcefully adopted like a pet, lol."
Marion as an adopted pet would be hilarious! I love the idea.
"I also had some questions about the dark figures in the maze. Were those also villagers? If so, why would they do that and how did they enter before the player?"
They are supposed to be all of the villagers under Marion's spell. Them entering before the player is something I've considered but haven't found an elegant solution for yet. Perhaps I could make the rest of the villagers unable to be found and all of the houses locked during that portion of the game.
"As for the comment about Rusty's house, that came from my second save file in which I already knew to visit at night. Something similar I just noticed was that when I read NALBA on the second save file without having the dream, the secret room won't unlock."
Yep, similarly to thing you noticed about Rusty's house, I added this to prevent the game's sequence from breaking. But it's something I'll put thought into changing.
"Edit #2: I also forgot to mention that if you break into the mayor's house after Joe's memory cycle (for lack of a better term) and touch her dresser, her disembodied voice will still ask you to stop.
Edit #3: Even after you start dating Rusty, he might ask if you're interested in being more than friends."
Both good catches, thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Edit #4: In the first save file, Orwin and Joe died. In the second one, it was Orwin and Ron. Are any other death combinations currently available? Speaking of death, the only downside about resurrection for me is that the villager deaths currently seem to be less important. Are there any disadvantages that I haven't noticed yet?
This is another thing I've gone back and forth with because I want to be able to allow the player to play "normally" after the completion of the story and keep working on their farm but I agree that it does cheapen the deaths. It might be worth coming up with another disadvantage.
"Secondly, I'm having trouble with 12 9. Should I keep moving and digging in different combinations like the other tasks or am I missing something? Does it require more than six strikes?"
It should only require 3 strikes. I just looked at the location and I'm not sure why the clue suggests 12 9, as it's been a while since I worked on that portion. 15 10 seems more accurate,
"Thirdly, I was wondering how many secrets are left to be discovered."
It sounds like you've discovered a lot what the game has to offer, but there might be some random easter eggs that you haven't found. If you haven't yet, try striking a tree repeatedly with an axe. :)
"Lastly, which types of project assistance would be beneficial? I doubt that I could help with anything else, but some other people might read about it and become interested."
You've provided a lot of assistance to me already, and I'd like to include you in the credits for the game, if that's ok with you. As far as additional help, the main thing I'd need right now would be an artist for the game's scenes/items/characters or somebody who has some experience with C# and/or Unity. Let me know if you think you could help me there! I can pay but unfortunately it wouldn't be much right now.
I recently discovered the rest of the tree secret after reading someone's comment. At first, I only got to the notification that said striking the tree wasn't going to work. When I found the other part, it was even funnier because the tree was dead!
As for the credits, it'd be alright to include me!
When it comes to additional help, I don't think that I'm a good enough artist to contribute, sadly. Even if I was, I'm sure I'd be rusty. However, I've been wanting to try making fanart for fun. If any of it turns out to be surprisingly good to the point where you'd like to use it, then you'd be more than welcome to! Just out of curiosity, which assets are still needed and for lack of a better term, which characteristics would make them technically and/or thematically addible?
Edit: For some reason, I'm still struggling to decipher 15 10. I've tried using both the door and the ghost as starting points for different combinations.
Secondly, I found some more money in a tree by the river! Who keeps hiding money and why?
Thirdly, how long should it take for sick animals to recover? Do they need to receive all of their missed feedings or do they require less than that?
Fourthly, Orwin tried to give me a burger from a messed up order, but he accidentally gave me pumpkin seeds.
Fifthly, after you dig in the lower right corner of your farm, you can still receive hints about that.
Sixthly, long after the story has ended, Millie will still occasionally invite you to take refuge in her home if needed. Parker will also talk about how the library might have a secret.
"When it comes to additional help, I don't think that I'm a good enough artist to contribute, sadly. Even if I was, I'm sure I'd be rusty. However, I've been wanting to try making fanart for fun. If any of it turns out to be surprisingly good to the point where you'd like to use it, then you'd be more than welcome to! Just out of curiosity, which assets are still needed and for lack of a better term, which characteristics would make them technically and/or thematically addible?"
I would love to see fanart! In terms of fanart that would thematically work in the game, I was planning on re-doing the dream images of Marion and Ashanna, since currently it's just distorted versions of their sprites. But if you do decide to make some fanart I can find some way to incorporate it into the game, regardless of what you makes. :)
"Edit: For some reason, I'm still struggling to decipher 15 10. I've tried using both the door and the ghost as starting points for different combinations."
Ah, sorry, it sounds like it's bugged. I'll do some testing and determine why it isn't working, thanks for your patience.
"Secondly, I found some more money in a tree by the river! Who keeps hiding money and why?"
Haha, there's no reason narrative reason, as of now. I thought it'd be fun to hide a few things for the player to find. :)
"Thirdly, how long should it take for sick animals to recover? Do they need to receive all of their missed feedings or do they require less than that?"
The animal feeding system probably needs to be re-worked a bit. Animals start out with a "mood" rating of 5. Each time they're fed, their mood improves by 1. Missing a feeding decreases their mood by 5. As long as their mood is >= 5, they'll stay healthy. What I likely need to do is add a cap on mood rating and cause the animal to die if they aren't fed for a couple days in a row.
"Fourthly, Orwin tried to give me a burger from a messed up order, but he accidentally gave me pumpkin seeds.
Fifthly, after you dig in the lower right corner of your farm, you can still receive hints about that.
Sixthly, long after the story has ended, Millie will still occasionally invite you to take refuge in her home if needed. Parker will also talk about how the library might have a secret."
Duly noted! Thanks again, I've compiled quite a list of things to fix with your help. :P
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
I find this game so incredibly fun! The characters are all lovely and the overarching storyline is very interesting. The little tree joke was a pleasant surprise, hehe. Sadly, I am not able to fund the game right now, but I do hope to see it finished someday, and would love to be able to keep up with updates on it. :)
Though I do seem to have found myself a little bit stuck on the "where the red rock and small tree meet" riddle, meaning that I basically have no clue how to go about it :,) I'm not sure if I'm silly or if it hasn't been implemented yet, both of which are perfectly alright :p
But even though it's just an alpha release, I will be sure to replay it to try and advance quicker and to romance a different character (current girlfriend is Susie Jay, she is so lovely).
I also have a question! :D In the full game, will we be able to decide the character's name, gender and appearance? Or is this Michael's story to tell?
Thank you for this gem of a game, developer, and thank you for your time if you spent the time reading all of this :)
“I find this game so incredibly fun! The characters are all lovely and the overarching storyline is very interesting. The little tree joke was a pleasant surprise, hehe.”
Wow, thank you so much, that makes me so happy to read! I’m very happy you found the tree joke! Just to confirm, did you keep trying after the tree asked you to give up? If not, I would recommend it. :P
“Sadly, I am not able to fund the game right now, but I do hope to see it finished someday, and would love to be able to keep up with updates on it. :)”
Don’t worry at all about funding game. This is just a passion project for me, not a way to make money, so knowing people are playing and enjoying the game is enough for me.
“Though I do seem to have found myself a little bit stuck on the "where the red rock and small tree meet" riddle, meaning that I basically have no clue how to go about it :,) I'm not sure if I'm silly or if it hasn't been implemented yet, both of which are perfectly alright :p “
It has been implemented, although I will test tomorrow to make sure it isn’t bugged.
Hint: You’ll need to dig to find it, and look for objects on your farm that stand out. (If you want any further hints/clarification, I’m happy to oblige!)
“But even though it's just an alpha release, I will be sure to replay it to try and advance quicker and to romance a different character (current girlfriend is Susie Jay, she is so lovely).“
That would be awesome. If you have any suggestions/comments, I’m always happy to hear them!
“I also have a question! :D In the full game, will we be able to decide the character's name, gender and appearance? Or is this Michael's story to tell?”
Yep, you will be able to decide all of those things in the full game. Michael is more or less a stand-in character, I want to make sure that in the final version of the game, players can customize name, gender and appearance to create the main character they want. :)
(I plan on having more dateable options as well to appeal to a larger amount of people)
“Thank you for this gem of a game, developer, and thank you for your time if you spent the time reading all of this :)”
Thank YOU for leaving such a wonderful comment, it made my night. :)
Fun little game!
I would love to see it completed.
Thank you so much! I'm currently working on another project right now but I should be returning to this soon. It will be completed! :)
You are welcome. 🙂