Hi everyone, I'm Yanko Peralta Salinas, one of the creators behind Latus Adventure, a small video game demo that began as a personal experiment and ended up becoming an unforgettable experience. Today I want to share with you my reflections on this project, from its conception to the most unexpected moments that taught me valuable lessons.

It all started a while ago, when I decided to dive headfirst into creating a video game that combined my passions: 2D art, level design, and programming. That's how Latus Adventure was born, a game that, although modest in scope, encapsulated many of the ideas and concepts I wanted to explore. From the beginning, I took on multiple roles: I was the programmer, the 2D artist, the level designer, and even the person in charge of animating both the main character and the enemies. It was a huge challenge, but also an incredible opportunity to learn and grow as a developer.

The process wasn't easy at all. There were days when I felt like every line of code was an insurmountable obstacle, and others when drawing a sprite became a creative odyssey. However, little by little, the game began to take shape. I designed levels, thinking about how to guide the player without being too obvious, and I worked on fluid animations that brought the characters to life. Every little detail was important, because I wanted Latus Adventure to convey that sense of care and dedication that only a project made with love can possess.

When we finally finished the demo, we uploaded it to itch.io and the Google Play Store. Seeing it available on these platforms was an indescribable feeling. It was like throwing a letter into the sea, hoping someone would find it and enjoy the message I wanted to convey. And, to my surprise, responses soon followed. One of the most impactful moments was when I received a message from a publisher interested in bringing the demo to Nintendo Switch. They offered to port the game to the console, something that, at first, sounded like a dream come true. But this is where the story takes an interesting turn.

Although the offer was tempting, something didn't add up. It wasn't clear how much I would receive in terms of revenue, and my gut told me something wasn't right. Researching Reddit revealed that other developers had had similar experiences with this publisher: some mentioned low payouts, while others even spoke of practices bordering on scams. Listening to my intuition (and that of some friends in the industry), I decided to decline the offer. I explained that this demo had been created primarily as a studio project, rather than a formal idea ready to be marketed. It wasn't an easy decision, but I know it was the right one.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2023, I had the opportunity to present Latus Adventure at Gamedev Fest, a video game fair held in Rancagua. It was an incredible experience to be able to show the game in person, receive direct feedback from players, and connect with other developers. Talking to people who actually played the demo and hearing their comments was invaluable. I realized that, even though the game was small, it had a genuine impact on those who played it.

Looking back, I can say that Latus Adventure was much more than a simple demo. It was a constant learning journey, where I faced technical, creative, and even ethical challenges. I learned to trust my instincts, value teamwork (even when that team is just me), and not lose sight of my principles. I also understood that, in this world of video game development, not everything is as gleaming as it seems and that you always have to be alert to the signs.

If I could give advice to my past self, it would be this: "Don't be afraid to start small, because even the most humble projects can open unexpected doors. But never forget who you are and what you want to achieve."

So here we are, closing this chapter of Latus Adventure, but with our eyes set on the future. This demo was just the beginning, and I'm excited to see what comes next. Thanks to everyone who played, commented, and joined me on this journey. See you in the next project!