v2: Update #01

Hey everyone,

My work on 2042 v2 is still ongoing in the background alongside the release of the archived materials, which I must say a very grateful thank you to you guys for picking them up, even if they aren’t as polished or complete as a final product. Hopefully there’s something in there you can enjoy regardless.

I want to keep things as spoiler-free as possible while still sharing stuff about v2, which has left me limited to what I feel I could show you up until now. Typically I complete the crucial shots first, i.e – the ‘action’, the sequences, etc, and work on the images in between, the exposition, setups, etc, closer to the end of production.

So all I can show you guys for now is the protagonist of the first release and her (subtly) updated look. No surprises here but it’s none other than Miss Amber herself. ><

Here you can also see a little bit of the new dialogue style I’m using, replacing the comic-style bubbles of v1. These are more like tabs, and in my testing they work nicely both for on-screen and off-screen / POV dialogue (something I never felt looked great in the previous style).

I can also mention I’ve made decisions on the following, however I’d like to know your thoughts on these ideas:

The Choices System

Each release will see you assuming the role of the featured character, be it Amber, Cora, Dani, whoever, and so your choices in essence are their choices. You will have the opportunity to set the tone you wish by determining their emotional responses to different scenarios, such as comments and actions of supporting characters, so for example through your choices you can have Cora present herself as an ice-cold bitch who regards her lovers as nothing more than notches on her bedpost, or a kind-hearted angel with a soft spot for particular guys and girls. You will also use choices to take action to influence the outcome of an interaction, e.g- leaving conversations early, initiating that scandalous affair, risking pregnancy, etc.

Workload and the Variants Dilemma

Currently there are 12 images in this pack, including 4 different possible endings, with Amber seen in various ‘states’: differing body shapes, and clothing amounts. Depending on your choices there is a sequence that occurs. There are also very mildly animated elements throughout for every new image. A lot of time has been put into these aspects of production already, and I simply don’t have the resources to also offer variants of every image in this pack while also working out the new steps in my production workflow, which now include coding and testing.

Packs Won’t Be Dependent On Each Other

While I still intend to explore alternate pathways as a result of choices, I feel it’s best to keep every pack independent from a functionality standpoint. I had considered the possibility of containing 2042 v2 in one single executable file, with every pack acting like a DLC add-on to a base game, but doing so would introduce too many conditions for things to work, such as requiring ‘Amber Pack 1’ to load ‘Amber Pack 2’, etc. Keeping them independent allows you to pick and choose what interests you without being forced to purchase anything you’re not into, though I would like to include some means of pointing you towards relevant packs within that particular timeline.

Sorry I’ve kept you waiting so long on any new information! Thank you for your patience as I continue my work on this. I hope to have more to discuss and show soon.

Regards,
Mono