Weekly Progress Report
Added 2024-06-20 15:58:01 +0000 UTCHey everyone!
Time for the Progress Report!
TLDR Version:
Thank you all for your support and patience
Changed the name of a few Membership Tiers.
Version 0.03.02 Release went well, no game-breaking bugs reported.
Version 0.03.02 Release will be available to Benefactors tomorrow.
Next release will be content, not features.
Already working on the next release.
Poll results so far
Random notes for you regarding future development.
Huge Thank You
Guys, I know this release took a while, and you guys were probably worried for a while. I can't thank you enough for sticking around.
I believe in this project, and I know that you do as well. I'm not going anywhere.
Having said that, PLEASE spread the word about this game. In a world where I can develop on this full-time, or even better, higher a team to help me - then
New Member Tier Names
Hopefully it's not too confusing for anyone, but I changed the names of some of the tiers to better reflect the meaning of what they represent.
Visionary = Old "Super-Sponsors"
Sponsor = Stayed the same
Backer = Old "Sustainer"
Benefactor = Stayed the same
Supporter = Stayed the same
Release v0.03.02 Status
The release went well. There have been very few bugs reported. The MAJOR one is a design flaw on my end. Sara Bellum gives you TWO jobs (back to back) when you first talk to her, and they are both located in the same location. Upon completing one job, you get a "Job Complete" notification. This gives the impression that you are done and can return back to her. Oops.
Thankfully, there have been no game-break bugs reported. Just some visual bugs that I'll have patched for tomorrow.
v.0.03.02 Availability
By now, all Visionary, Sponsors, and Backers have access. Tomorrow (June 21), Benefactors will be given access. Supporters will have access next week.
Please consult the Master Link Directory to download the latest.
Next Release!
I'm already hard at work on the next release. This is a huge deal, because it should be the first release that is ONLY concerned with content.
Past releases have been a mix of content, adding features, addressing bugs and technical debt, design changes, quality-of-life improvements, or expanding the capabilities of the code. For instance, Sara Bellum required the integration of 3 new job types that I had already created, but never included: Deliveries, Scrubbing/Cleaning, and Posting.
The current build is beginning to have a completed feature set for Phase 1, and all major bugs have been addressed.
That is what I mean that this next release will be the FIRST release where all I have to worry about is the content. (Dialogue and storyline, Character models and textures, Environment models and textures, Character rigging, character animations, and the H-Scene set-up, design, directing, animation and rendering.)
The only programming I'll have to do is to implement the content and creating the AI for Lois.
(By the way, Lois is the next character up to bat.)
It's still a big job, but it won't be encumbered by technical responsibilities.
So that's why it's a huge deal - essentially it will tell me how quickly I can get characters into the game, and therefore what pace can I realistically achieve.
What I Worked On This Week:
Addressed some minor bugs reported from the latest release.
Redesigned all the artwork for all of my front-facing content (Patreon banners, itchIO screenshots, etc..). Just a lot of marketing responsibilities
Created the Edgeville Master Link Directory - along with pages for each tier to download important files. I think this is as good as I can make it when working with Patreon and keeping things organized.
Completed the dialogue for Lois. Woohoo!
Poll Results (So Far)
Polls are a huge part of how I get valuable feedback, so make sure you're participating if you get the chance.
So the poll panned out very close to what I already assumed. Which is good, because it means you and I have a finger on the same pulse.
It seems that Exploration and Dialogue are the two most important factors so far.
Exploration makes sense to me, and I feel like the environment is something that I would love to put more emphasis on.
There were also a lot of good ideas in the comment section. If you haven't read through them, you probably should. Also, don't be afraid to put in your opinion and thoughts as well.
What's next for Dexter's Mom, Mrs. Incredible, Sara Bellum, and Glass?
Their stories are not over. Here are some random/sporadic notes for you to know:
After their initial welcome chapter (which is ended by their first H-Scene), they will EVENTUALLY be interactable through the Dating Sim Mechanics.
The Dating Sim Mechanics represents Phase 2 of the development. Working on it in the background.
SOME Characters will have more than one H-Scene before they fall into the Dating Sim, SOME won't have an H-Scene at all until you date them properly.
Dating Sim Mechanics will require more effort on your part. Buying them gifts, taking them on dates, doing more work.
Dexter's Mom's H-Scene will be redone. To get her out quicker, I had to cut corners. Not happy with it so eventually I'll fix them.
Helen Parr/Mrs. Incredible will be completely redone. New Character Model, rendered scenes, etc.
Sara Bellum and Glass will be central characters.
Sara Bellum trying to become Mayor will lead to more jobs, and will provide more of the overarching storyline.
Glass will be eventually get a new Character Model, and unlockable H-Scenes. She provides the continuity between Dexter's genius and the rest of the world.
Francine will be hidden, but may appear just as Lois did - only as "eye-candy" at first.
There is another character that I'm working on - but this one is closer to the "Furry" kind. We'll try one out and see how everyone responds.
Going forward, a lot of the Characters will be self-contained. Meaning you won't have to complete anyone else's storyline before getting to that character.
