- Episode 1 ~ Waltz v1.2: Audio Bug Patched - 6 June 2026
Patch Notes:Footstep SFX no longer sound repeatedly when there is lagOne text adjustmentBecause this game runs without lag on most machines, most people should not have encountered the audio bug. As of v1.2, it's fixed regardless!(If you experience lag, reducing the resolution in Window Settings is still the recommended workaround.)My work is now largely focused on Episode 2 ~ Reharm. Development updates for Episode 2 are posted to its store page, here:Please let me know if you experience any issues. Thank you for playing!
- Tabling at FanimeCon 2026! - 16 May 2026
Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz will be tabling in the Indie Games section at the FanimeCon 2026 gaming hall!If you're attending, please stop by and say hi. I'll have:A short version of the demo to play through in personAll of the notebooks with the physical art I hand-drew for the gameBandcamp album download codesIf you happen to be attending next weekend, I'll see you there. And don't forget to Wishlist Episode 2 if you haven't yet!
- Thank you! + Franchise Page Now Up - 10 May 2026
There's now a franchise page for Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee! If you'd like one place to check the current state of the series, look no further:https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46102296-Amadeus-A-Riddle-for-Thee/đș One place for all future episodes đș Demos & soundtracks too đ Highlights deals/discountsThis was made in preparation for Episode 2 ~ Reharm's new store page. Thank you so much for wishlisting this past week to help support the page launch!With this launch behind me, I'll be refocusing on Episode 2's development. There's one more piece of news for Episode 1 happening this month, but that announcement will be coming next week. Until then...
- 20% Off Episode 1! Celebrating Episode 2 Store Page Launch - 5 May 2026
I'll keep it short! Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz is on sale for 20% off until Sunday, May 10 to celebrate the launch of....The Episode 2 ~ Reharm Store PageEpisode 2 ~ Reharm on Steamâwishlist now!You can also check out the Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee Franchise page as a hub for all future episode releases.Thank you for your interest!
- Episode 2 ~ Reharm Status Update - 16 April 2026
The bulk of development progress that occurred since the last post can be summed up in this screenshot:Solea has in-game legs now!Episode 2 has its first fleshed-out background image!And... that pretty much covers it.I do have 2 big announcements to make soon (one of which may be exciting for California convention-goers...), so stay tuned for those. As far as what's concretely been accomplished: see above.If you're interested in a significantly longer version of this update, you can read it on itch.io. That, and everything Amadeus-related, can also be accessed at linktr.ee/amadeusgame.Thank you for playing Episode 1 ~ Waltz! I hope you like Episode 2 ~ Reharm when it's ready.
- Episode 2 Title Reveal & Sneak Peek - 9 March 2026
The same foundation... but a new perspective.đ” ReharmMake a song more âjazzyâ â that is, more harmonically and/or structurally complex; Personalise a song and make it your own.đȘ Re-harmTo harm again.Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 2 ~ Reharm is coming along much faster than anticipated. There is so, so much to be done, but I didn't realize the full extent of what can be re-used, and how much the storyânow that I know everything importantâis basically writing itself.The Steam page will be up early and soon, but there are a few more things needed in order to do that!Here's what was accomplished though:DESIGN - Made a key decision that is a primary reason I can't create a Steam page just yet. Store page can't go live until I have screenshot mockups for this.MUSIC - Wrote the composition that will serve a similar function to Spellbound Mischief (working title "Bearer of Mine"), featuâŠ
- Soundtrack Out Now - 7 February 2026
Release includes mp3s with unique track art, plus a "wav" subdirectory with lossless files if you prefer. Free. With this, Episode 1 is fully completeâthank you for playing!Add to your library here.Next update will be focused on Episode 2. All other Amadeus resources: linktr.ee/amadeusgame
- Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Status Report - 3 February 2026
Amadeus Episode 1:v1.1 out as of January 28, 2026Patch notes hereAll major pain points addressed; Episode 1 ~ Waltz is complete!Episode 1 Soundtrack:Coming FREE to Steam very soon. The page is up, so if you like, you can wishlist to be notified on release.Also on Bandcamp and YouTube for in-browser listening.Episode 2:Development has officially begun!High priority is getting a Steam page up ASAP so you can wishlist and curate visibility of development updates to your liking. This does require some groundwork first, so can't guarantee when that goes live just yet.For now, development updates will shift to a ~6-week timeline rather than the monthly format for Episode 1. (This may change based on how it feels.)I may do one more quick announcement to confirm when the OST is fully live on Steam, but other than that, expect the next update in about 6 weeksâshould be fully focused on Episode 2âŠ
- v1.1 Patch Notes - 28 January 2026
Bugfix patch is live! It is 100% compatible with existing save files, but please let me know if you experience any issues.Fixes:Piano tuning is now correctNotebook glossary navigation works properly when entries are added out of orderPiano scene now only cues 1 text box when multiple keys are pressedCertain images no longer scroll offscreen when idling for a long timeReplaced Dissociative Fugue intro loop with OST version"I'm done" button now cannot be invoked when a menu is openMinor text editsThe following bugs are known and will not be fixed:There is one "extra" seed you can collect that does not have the same payoff as the rest. Consider it a secret bonus.If both the notebook and settings menus are open at once, both can be navigated simultaneously. The notebook menu displays underneath and does not impact gameplay, so this is considered non-essential, and will not be fixed.From herâŠ
- Thank you!! (Launch Week Recap) - 1 December 2025
Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz's launch week has exceeded all of my expectations and provided what I need to prepare for Episode 2. Thank you so much for your support! The numbers are humble, but as this is only part 1 of a much bigger story, it's a very promising start.Some exciting milestones:Sufficient revenue to cover app fee + compensate live music performers for Episode 21K+ outstanding wishlistsâhighest number to date10+ reviews (all positive so far!)In the launch announcement, I mentioned I will aim to upload a patch addressing major bugs/feedback concerns, as well as a public OST release, in Q1 2026. Currently, the following bugs are known:Interactive piano tuning is incorrect1 seed is not properly implementedIf you discover any additional bugs or issues, please report them.The positive feedback I have received on releasing this project has been incredibly heartâŠ
- Episode 1 ~ Waltz Available Now! - 21 November 2025
The moon Aska rises full this night.Amadeus, our titular 16-year-old werewolf, makes a(n inadvisable) deal out of desperation. He sells his own memories to a Witch, in exchange for a notebook and a promise...Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz is now available to the public! There is also still a free demo, now updated to reflect the finished game.The episode includes:Twenty-four original music tracks, 6 of which are dynamicA pathfinding algorithm for the point-and-click movementFlexible control scheme supporting any preferred combination of keyboard/mouseSound design sourced from recordings of shattered porcelain & a broken piano"Seed" mechanic inspired by Professor Layton hint coinsOpening cinematicFifty hand-drawn, scanned, & edited images as a backdrop for the story; 13 of which are detailed point-and-click backgroundsLayers of foreshadowing for reveals in future episodesâŠ
- Steam Deck Compatibility - 8 November 2025
UPDATE: As of November 16, 2025, the on-screen mouse click calibration issues on Steam Deck have been fixed.--After some thorough playtesting, in my opinion... it runs very well! Because the game is designed around using whatever combination of PC mouse and keyboard controls you like, it translates well to Steam Deck's built-in controls.Performs smoothlyFully playable with touch controls onlyMostly playable with button controls only, using modified community layout (Y, X, and B mapped to respective keyboard keys, and L4/R4 mapped to "N" and "I" respectively)Supports any combination of the twoThere are currently no plans to make further adjustments to "officially" support the console. Key icons will still look like PC keyboard keys, not the buttons they have been mapped to, etc.It feels great on handheld, as the gameâheavily inspired by DS visual novels like Professor Layton and Ghost TrâŠ
- Episode 1 Coming November 21, 2025 - 2 November 2025
I'll keep it short! Episode 1 is just about ready and will release on November 21. The build does need to be reviewed by Steam but barring something major we should be set to go for this date.Thank you for your continued interest! In the time leading up to release I will be updating the store page with new screenshots, trailers, and a more up-to-date build of the demo. I'm very proud of how the game came out and I hope you enjoy playing it.
- September Devlog: The Home Stretch - 2 October 2025
The game is being playtested and is in the final stage of development.Early in September, I created a checklist of tasks to complete in order to ship Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz. That checklist is now halfway complete, which means I am on track to finish the game in October for a November release.The precise date will be announced in next month's devlog. For this month, a brief status update follows.September accomplishments:Countless narrative revisions, asset improvements, and implementation tweaksSound design in menus/UIAll menu functionality implemented (including fullscreen/window resolution options)Remaining tasks:Further revisions, asset improvements, and implementation tweaksAddress feedback from playtestingFix inevitable bugs discovered in playtestingIf you're interested in a longer essay-format update, including a reflection on this final phase of developmenâŠ
- Hungry Ghost Festival live! - 10 September 2025
Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz is one of many game demos in the Hungry Ghost Festival presented by Southeast Asia Game Aesthetic! While Amadeus is included among with many games from all over the world, the festival is focused specifically on highlighting horror and mystery from SE Asia. Definitely check it out and support devs from SEA.
- News; Portraits; Pathfinding - 3 September 2025
The pathfinding for Amadeus's point-and-click movement scheme has now been significantly improved so it can handle complex geographies like the WASD scheme.Check out some gameplay footage of this in the area by the Watchtowerâwhich the old (and very rudimentary) pathfinding could not navigate properly!This update is not currently reflected in the demo, but will be in the full game release; coming very soon.Other August milestones:Finished more art assets, including portrait expressions for SoleaBug fixingRelease of a side projectThis next month's goal is to get the game fully playtest-ready to meet the end-of-2025 anticipated release. You'll get an update on how that's shaping up in the next devlog.If you're interested in a much more long-form update, including some process photos for the new Solea art, you can read this month's update on itch.io here. If not, stay tuned for next month.âŠ
- Good News - 3 August 2025
Development update: Started working on an improved pathfinding algorithm for the point-and-click scenes Did not meet other benchmarks due to illness, but... IRL Situation update: The developer has been placed on administrative leave and is probably fired from work for trying to unionize So, I have decided to spend the next few months unemployed and full-time focused on game development I look forward to some major progress next month. Thank you for your continued interest. Please enjoy this original art of Amadeus and Solea unionizing.
- Episode 1 ~ Waltz... Is Built! - 14 July 2025
The long and short of this update is that, as of the end of June, Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1~ Waltz is built. It was such a relief to reach this milestone that, after reaching it, posting the announcement here slipped my mind. This update is a confirmation that we are on track in development. This month and next I am working on finalizing music and art assets, as a break from the focus on mechanics and game builds for the past six months. I will have a more concrete update on how these final steps are coming and an anticipated release timeline in this month's development log. For those interested, a significantly longer version of this update with more information on the next steps of development can be read on itch.io. That, and all resources related to the game, can also be found at: linktr.ee/amadeusgame
- OST Update; Two Scenes To Completion - 5 June 2025
Devlog TLDRBandCamp album of the soundtrack has been updated with all tracks & discounted to $5Track embeds with art & story snippets can be accessed on my website hereGame is now 2 scenes away from being built (with placeholders)I have played through all of it and am confident in the current stateRead on for more details. If you'd like to easily find these links later, all resources for Amadeus can be accessed at linktr.ee/amadeusgame. OST UpdateTo celebrate Amadeus reaching over 700 outstanding wishlists on Steam, and also to celebrate the fact that I am almost finished building the whole thing; I've updated the soundtrack album on BandCamp. It now:Contains every track in the current demo; andPreserves tracks from obsolete demosI have also updated the embedded version on my website, which is probably the best way to experience the audio-visual atmosphere of Amadeus other than playingâŠ
- Indie Assemble! (+ Updates) - 8 May 2025
First: Amadeus is part of Excalibur's Indie Assemble, a Steam sale celebrating indie games all over the world, which you can check out right now here! Second: below is an overview of last month's work to show that the game is on its way to done (exciting in its own way). I will keep it relatively short, because now that I am in the home stretch of building out the entire game in fullâplaceholders, polish, and playtesting notwithstandingâI don't want to spend too much time writing about the process. I would prefer to get back to work on the game and finish. The broad strokes of progress are as follows. Built 3 more scenes, including my favorite scene in Episode 1. Implemented script and mechanics for each. Game is 100% playable from the start through these new scenes. Fully rendered 1 new detailed background image. Revised script to tighten the narrative. Coded and implemented a unique mâŠ
