mid-march update...
Added 2017-03-19 12:05:19 +0000 UTCJust an update to let those who care that I'm still alive and busy.
Wrapping up Babe Runner logic and gameplay mechanics proved to be "challenging" to say the least...To the point I cannot really stand calling them "minigames" anymore, considering the huge amount of coding they've brought to us, so far.
Main issue was they're not meant as "stand-alone" minigames but they're interdependent in ways that would most surely give headaches to us both in case I'd try to go into details...So I won't (even considered I had to plan all this in writing first, so I had my headaches share already. lol).
I don't know if Babe Runner's gonna be one of the "best" western Visual Novel ever, but sure as hell is gonna be one of the most complex (if not the most complex) in terms of gameplay mechanics and base code logic.
Luckily enough, it seems like we're nearly done.
As of now I'm focusing on reviewing expressions and proofreading the 6k-something words I wrote for the Prologue chapter, while Xela expects to be done with reviewing parts of my (messy) code by Thursday.
And that's it for now...
Hope you're doing great on the other side of the screen!
Love you loads.
Comments
Initial release. Anything I've mentioned (doll/wardrobe/FPS and RPG mechanics) is already there and working. We're currently wrapping all this together to make it feel like a proper intro and not just stand alone features ^^
TheWorst
2017-03-21 06:13:18 +0000 UTCShiiiiiit! I lost my nerve just listening to you describe all that! :P Sounds like true programmer / artist Hell! And just to clarify, all these elements are going to be in the initial release or is this just part of the general "groundwork", intended for subsequent releases?
Mr. Stibbons
2017-03-20 23:58:13 +0000 UTCThanks Mr.Stibbons! ^^ Well, the above picture "intricacies" involve a bunch of JSON overrides and exceptions. Basically the whole doll is coded upon both exceptions and overrides through an adaptive code which shows what you're wearing (and in which color). All of this is predicted with logic to fit every gesture/pose, sparing me the pain of drawing a gazillion different combos for the same gesture/pose. ^^ Not to mention the clothing logic itself: "You cannot really sport a police badge on your belt if no pants are on" is one out of many exceptions we had to code for this....But that's a different story, tho: the actual "intricacies" we're dealing with involve stats binding for both Firing Range (FPS mechanic) and Turn Based Battles (RPG elements), and it's more of a "game design" debating rather than a proper coder-block. ^^ In other words, we're nearly done with brainstorming (aka "fighting each other in an orderly fashion", lol) and Babe Runner will soon emerge victorious! lol
TheWorst
2017-03-20 13:05:23 +0000 UTCOooh! This looks gorgeous, man! As a coding layman, I can tell you two things - A) I can only imagine what hell all these menus and features and intricacies must be to manage in a coherent and functional whole and B) rest assured that high quality, even though when not consciously understood by the player, is deeply appreciated. In other words, keep up the awesome work!!
Mr. Stibbons
2017-03-20 11:33:36 +0000 UTCDon't be. I'm sure you've put everything into it, I'm also sure you're going to have good people telling you what's wrong and what's great about it (including me). So, rest assured, I'm sure you'll do fine :D
Rwede
2017-03-19 14:47:49 +0000 UTCHa! Thanks Rwede, I hope so too. Unfortunately I'm also aware that "how much" I've been putting into the game would count nothing in the end. The question is: was that "much" put to good use? Would it "feel" as good as it looks? I mean, if it'd take just CGs and animations to call it "a game", then me (and pretty much any game dev with enough conscience and self-criticism) would sleep a lot "quieter" at night, because a world where players go like "Game's awesome because those 3D textures looks awesome! No matter the frame rate sucks, there's clipping anywhere, the story is pointless and gameplay is hard as f**" pretty much resembles any game-dev ideal world. lol Not saying BR suffers from any of the above mentioned issues (there's no 3D either, lol) it was just an example of how many aspects need to be taken into consideration before I feel comfortable with unleashing pure enthusiasm about my work. :D So then again...I remain (prudently) confident and we'll see what the answer would be. ^^
TheWorst
2017-03-19 14:41:06 +0000 UTCI'm sure you'll do just fine :D Considering how much you put into the game, it will be awesome, I'm sure of it <3
Rwede
2017-03-19 14:00:09 +0000 UTC
