The Artist
Early access since Jun 2023
Do you feel good where you are? Some people do, some don't even if they have everything in the world. Does love fix that sort of feeling, even if such feelings feel so hard to grasp and such love could be toxic to yourself? What is a loving muse to the artist who paints them?
78% positive · 128 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
The Artist launched into Early Access on June 29, 2023, with Act One available to play for free. The store description explicitly outlines a three-act structure: Act One is available, Act Two will continue the story, and Act Three will conclude it. A fourth component — bonus DLC content — was also promised.
Following launch, the developer (Grotslot) posted weekly development updates through August 13, 2023, reporting strong progress on Act Two. As of that last post, they had completed the full script for Act Two and were roughly halfway through posing and rendering the visual assets. They were also exploring improved animation tooling and had recruited a Chinese translator. The team was actively hiring a second artist to help accelerate production.
However, all communication stopped on August 13, 2023. There have been no developer posts, patch notes, or announcements of any kind since that date — a period of silence lasting until today, June 21, 2026. This is a stark contrast to the consistent weekly update cadence the team had maintained since before launch. Acts Two and Three remain undelivered, and no explanation has been provided for the halt in development or communication. The game's status is deeply uncertain.
Evidence
Last developer communication. Team reports being nearly halfway through posing and rendering Act Two assets, with improved animation tools and a Chinese translator already working through Act One. No updates have followed since this date.
Store description confirms the game is in Early Access with only Act One available, and explicitly states Acts Two and Three are planned, with Act Three described as 'the final release of The Artist.'
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Details
Developer
Publisher
Grotslot
Achievements
10
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player
About this game
Step into the shoes of a successful lawyer in ‘The Artist’, a gripping and dramatic visual novel that puts story and character above all.
Experience a mix of humour, romance, and drama as you navigate your relationship with Ava. With multiple possible endings depending on the choices you make, ‘The Artist’ takes you on an emotional and thrilling journey through the depths of love and trust.
After a run of bad luck on the dating scene, and having seemingly explored every avenue available to you, you unexpectedly meet a woman named Ava who captures your heart and attention.
You find yourself falling into a deepening relationship that is hard to get a grasp of. Ava is an utterly mysterious muse that brings curiosity and so many feelings out of you that make you second guess yourself endlessly. She is the kind of woman that will make you question everything you know about relationships.
Will you stay by Ava's side, even as the evidence against her mounts? Or will you cut ties and move on with your life?
The Artist is currently in Early Access, and the first act of the story is available to play for free. The current version features:
- Over 1,200 static renders
- Over 26,000 words of dialogue
- 12 Animated Scenes
- Jam-packed with Meaningful Interactions
- 10 Achievements to Unlock
- In-game Gallery
There are three major updates planned for The Artist, and these will be delivered in the form of 'Acts'.
- Act One is available for free to give you a chance to play the game, get a feel for the story and characters, and ultimately not waste your time and money.
- Act Two will continue where we left off, and will be around the same length as Act One
- Act Three will be the final release of The Artist, and will see the end of the story.
- We will be releasing bonus content in the form of DLC that go directly towards the production of The Artist and all future stories we choose to tell.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content