Public Version Released, Patreon Release Coming 3/30/2024
Added 2024-03-07 14:27:27 +0000 UTCWe are pleased to share that the latest Free version of the Court Magician (ver 0.9) is now available on itch. We are currently planning the next Patreon release for 3/30/2024.
We have some ambitious targets for the next version, and as always we are going to include an animated, interactive lewd scene. We also have a ton of new art to integrate and a new, lewd-filled questline. Finally we are going to update the skill progression of the Tarot system so that you get better at using the cards over time.
Two big complaints that we have received are 1) bugs and 2) art clash.
Regarding the bugs, our valiant programmer is developing an entirely new and more robust dialog system to replace the old one which was held together with shoe string and duct tape. Once fully integrated, this will remove the dreaded black-screen bug that occurs sometimes with dialog. It will also make dialog much easier to write and implement new dynamic quests.

In regards to Art Clash, there are several types of art clash here: placeholder art, default assets and art style.
The first is due to placeholder art. These are almost all completely gone from the game. There are only 2 placeholder portraits remaining and these are minor npcs that you may never even see.
The second type is due to using some rpgmaker default assets. There are only a couple of map sprite npcs who use this default art type, and they will be gone soon, but they are lower priority. We also use Rpgmaker battlebacks as the backgrounds for the NPC portraits which we may replace at some point in the future, but again, it is lower priority.
Finally we have a clash of art styles from my earliest art in the game to my latest art. My vision for the game has always been to have a combination of 90s Sierra adventure game style mixed with 90s Disney/western comic style. While I think I have achieved a functional Sierra style, my animated portraits were a mixed success. The Disney look is actually very difficult to achieve (which is why it was one of the hardest studios to get into in its glory days), and I did not have the artistic ability to mimic it, let alone create my own disney style characters. It is actually much easier to do a pseudo-realistic look (some of described it as early Elder Scrolls style cover art). So my earliest art in game looked like this with heavy shading and rendering and realistic proportions.

I have been formally studying art for a few years now though and recently I have had more success at achieving the Disney look. So I am working on unifying the art style with this look. Some of my early supporters really liked the old look and dont like the new look and I'm sorry about that. I will incorporate a feature to toggle between the art styles in future versions.
Thats is it for now. Thank you all for your financial and spiritual support, its what makes doing this worthwhile!
Updates for Next Version:
*Maid FAP
*Dialog Reliability/interactivity, new system
*Lewd Drawing Quest
*New Slave Portraits
*New Baroness Portraits
*Tarot Skill Progression
*Dungeon Map
Stretch Goals:
*BJ Scene
*Win Conditions
*New Spell
Comments
I like both art styles. But I didn't like the art clash at all. As long the art is congruent, I would have been fine with the old more unique style, too. But I'm also very much happy with the Disney style (which is still very much popular after all) as long all other characters will be drawn in this style too. Thanks for getting rid of the previous art clash!
Ragnarök
2024-04-02 08:50:19 +0000 UTCI like the "Disney" look. Good stuff.
magnetic14
2024-03-18 22:50:21 +0000 UTCTo be honest, I am running at a significant loss and I don't expect to make a profit. If I wanted to make money doing this, I would pay someone to make anime art and use rpgmaker default assets on a mindless jrpg. Ugly bastard games are not popular and I'm very grateful for the support that I do have. I will try to have an option to keep the old art for those who like it. Thanks again for your comments and your support!
New Guy
2024-03-07 21:36:05 +0000 UTCUnless you are akabur, money does not flow with Disney. You are 10-15 years too late. But it is entirely up to you which money you want to earn, and which you do not :)
waffel
2024-03-07 21:18:55 +0000 UTCThanks for your comment (and for your support!), there are others who prefer the old style too. However, its been an aspiration of mine to be able to draw in the Disney style and it took a lot of work to achieve, so I'm happy with it.
New Guy
2024-03-07 21:09:24 +0000 UTCBetween the old and the new style, I would choose the old style any day, more unique, more flavour, she look like a lady. The new is a style used all over. It is boring and uninspiring. Probably just me tho...
waffel
2024-03-07 20:08:09 +0000 UTC