MoolahMilk Mondays Episode 5
Added 2022-02-21 22:36:12 +0000 UTCHello peepos!
It's time for another Monday post. I will try to write as succinctly and clearly as possible. Try to keep it short and sweet, at the same time, with enough details so that you guys can have transparency and understand what is going on behind the scenes.
Okay, lets get the update stuff first!
- Update Release/First tier issues
For first tier (Harem King/ Watchmaker), if you see the schedule I posted right before, it is due to release to you guys on 20th. I am going to have to combine your tier with Deviants which means you guys get it on 23rd. Everyone else except first tier remains the same and it doesn't affect you. I need a couple more days to make it absolutely perfect.
Now I know some of you are gonna ask. Oh no Moolah! Why did you announce a release date again? Have you not learnt your lesson? What if you miss it?
Well, the reason is because the month is ending and I want everyone from every tier including the lowest tier to be able to access the update. Especially after the first delay. I have no choice but to release it this month regardless.
That means we have limited amount of time to spread out the releases to make it fair to every body. I have to compress release dates from the first tier to lowest tier.
I will provide more details below!
- 0.6 Update
Okay regarding the update, just to recap for those unaware or are new, I've released the initial version for first tier and beta testers. After a round of testing, we've had to pull back because of various issues with the repeatables. Another issue was that I focused a lot on Moon's event this update and it doesn't end with a lewd payoff. (She's a main character). Okay I won't elaborate on this because I've mentioned this multiple times.
I will discuss about the extra work we've been putting in. We've beta tested a couple of rounds to fix issues with the house actions. Also, with the help of feedback from awesome supporters, we've decided to add extra event that involves a massive lewd scene so that players will have *ahem* a sense of completion and a better feel for the update.
I've spent the past few weeks working on this event almost around the clock. It is a very very heavy workload. Even with my current full time status, there's only so many hours in a day!
I do not have time to beta test the new events so be prepared if it takes a patch or two to be perfect.
- Moving forwards, challenges and plans.
Okay, here are the challenges I'm facing after 1 year development and how I hope to deal with them moving forwards.
- Game structure
I hope to come up with a better structure for each release. A game like DA, is not very patron structure friendly. There will be times where I have to spend a lot of time to tweak certain mechanics or work on various parts of the game which results in a very disjointed feel. It's more or like a passion project or a game that you sell after it is completed. It doesn't convert very well to a patron system.
So a major goal I will have after this release is to come up with a better way to structure the updates. I have received recommendations from some of you and I will continue to find a better way to structure these updates to better suit a patron system which would help with patron retention and also satisfy fans of the game who are eagerly awaiting every update!
The good news is that it seems new players are really enjoying the game so there is that. It gives me confidence that the game will develop into a smexy game when all is said and done.
- Delays/Inconsistency
Okay regarding delays, there have been some complaints. I know majority of you are amazing and have been longtime supporters, but of course, there is some discontent.
We've encountered some delays with recent updates and missed announcement dates. That's true. It's something I will work on and I will probably scrap giving dates altogether for most releases.
But please remember, these schedules are announced by me! I want to be able to give you guys a timeframe to look forward to.
It will be the exact same thing if I simply do not announce the dates. It will not make the update come faster. In fact, many developers will refuse to announce pre dates before hand for this very reason.
Would it be better if I don't announce the dates? There will be no delays then, right?
Please be aware that it is VERY difficult to give a timeframe. Especially if you're making a game like DA. This is not a visual novel where u can plan each episode and be done with it. Sometimes, you can be stuck on one coding issue or whatever for weeks!
There are also instances where I do not want to put an update out for various reasons (bugs, tweaking events, adding events, changing things, things not working, etc etc.)
Do not let these "delays" cloud your judgement on the work done on the game. I have never put out an update with minor content. (Even back in the early days where we are putting out 1 month updates with a fulltime job, we still have sizeable content.)
I know some of you might be feel unhappy regarding "delays" but don't worry, its coming along. This game is basically my life now that I've moved to the city.
Again, to emphasize, 90% of developers will not give you a date no matter how many times you ask.
I urge you to look at the content we have covered (Not forgetting the complexity and quality of renders), and compare it to any other game within the same time frame. I can safely say we are among the top 10% most content filled for the time we spent in development. We have never been inconsistent with content.
In fact, if you can think of one game that has more content within the year (Not counting games made by teams or more than 1 person and taking into account complexity and level of renders), please show them to me. I will personally look at the updates and see how much work is put into it. If it's true that they work at a faster pace, I will look to outperform them.
**Also, for those who pledged just to get 1 update and are not fulltime supporters, I have always guaranteed that if I missed an announced date, you will still be able to claim the update even if you leave. (Other devs wont allow claims despite delays.)
- Types of content
I also care deeply for the project and I want to make a game I am actually proud of. Not just some patron feeder game. So that means trying new things and putting out content that I actually enjoy and not just because majority request for it. Sometimes that means working on mechanics that players might not have the patience for. I know you guys want more story progression, and more lewds. But I have a vision for the game and plans on how I would like to accomplish it.
The past few updates have been all over the place recently as I find myself pushing more and more to satisfy the general public and it really hasn't been good. To be honest, it's been a little depressing.
I want to go back to what made this game successful in the first place and create content at my own pace with elements that I personally want and enjoy. I like puzzles, I like stats and I like freeroam. I like choices with meaning behind them and various branches that could change things. I also love mystery and of course, we all love lewds. Even though this means sometimes, the game might feel a little disjointed, it will be all worth it in the end. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine and I love it. And if you guys are here, well I guess you like them too! So we will keep doing what it is we do best.
I'm really looking forward to 0.7 as its the first update where I will have complete freedom with fulltime status and all the weeds sorted out. It will be fun.
If you have any questions, I'm always here to respond as best I can. (as usual, discord dms are preferred over patron messages as I can respond faster.)
Again, thank you for supporting the game this past one year. We would have never made it this far without all you guys. And I won't be here, being able to work on this game as a fulltime job.
I'll continue taking time out for Monday posts to communicate with you all better. I think its nice to have Mondays. One day, there will be a last Monday we will ever see so it's best to appreciate the wonderful day.
Till next time peepos!
Much Love
Moolah Milk.
Comments
pretty sure this was it for now.
Hans-Olav Tangen Bråtun
2022-02-26 12:20:34 +0000 UTCis there any update on whats going on now?
Matt Vazquez
2022-02-25 23:39:12 +0000 UTCI think releasing the percentage finished (coding, dialogue, rendering) is the best practice. Then the update can ultimately sit at 100% with the status "final polish, to be released soon" for 1-2 weeks without people getting mad. But announcing an actual date *is* a commitment, as simple as that, and people are right to complain if a dev repeatedly doesn't release on the target date. There is nothing stupid about complaining about a missed date (as some people here seem to think), because the person who did the announcement should've been sure in the first place, or not have made the announcement at all. Even in personal life, not keeping dates is unacceptable. You can't tell your child you'll go visit a holiday park tomorrow, only to delay it again and again when the day comes. It can happen once, but it has to be the exception. And in professional relations, dates are even more important than privately. All that being said, Moolah explained himself well and his product is pretty great, no matter the release practice. I have no hard feelings and just look forward to the new content. Let's all keep calm.
Steven W.
2022-02-24 18:19:39 +0000 UTCMaybe just do the % bit with rough estimations based on writing, dialogue, rendering, gameplay, minigames, and such until you beta test? That seems to work well for games like Being a Dik which seems quite successful. Also, bellyaching, like politics, always exists, and both are more about displacement of folk's other life frustrations they lack control over than about the game. Gripers wont sink the community as long as there is transparency and patron financial recompense if there are significant personal delays. You are doing well in these endeavors, so thank you!
Civil
2022-02-24 05:47:27 +0000 UTCLol as if that will shut people up. On the contrary, that might cause more people to ask about about the release dates since it's not provided at all. Not even a tentative one. You can't shut people up on these things. I suggest to just do what could please your clients more and learn how to deal with the dumb ones. Also, yes there are other quantifiable parts of the update but the release date is what causes the discord server to be active again so I'd say it's the most important one for patrons. I wouldn't bat an eye on what's new if I don't know when I'll get it. To wrap this up, if that's how you operate, that's fine. But I know I'm not the only patron who subs/unsubs depending on how far the release date is. I'd like to support him all the way but I have to manage my funds. So for patrons like me, release dates are important.
ThisKuro
2022-02-24 02:26:04 +0000 UTCThere are plenty of quantifiable updates that don't include dates. number of scenes, animations, characters involved, etc. that can be relayed on what is being added. I also said I'm for deadlines, we just don't need to know what they are. I'm against releasing dates because if you've read any of the updates Moolah's given since, I don't know, August, he has to spend half of each post plus going on and on and on about inconsequential numbers didn't come true to satisfy a group of people that are incapable of being satisfied and just want to whine and pontificate about what a lazy piece of trash he is. If it doesn't matter if he misses the date and "they just have to take it" Then there is no reason to post them. We could instead get updates that actually focus on what is updating instead of mollifying the screaming masses endlessly.
Perniciousducks
2022-02-24 02:10:54 +0000 UTCIf updates should be relayed, then it'd also be best to relay the dates. One of the few quantifiable parts of an update. If he wants to deliver it on a certain date but he's unsure whether he'll make it or not, he could say that it's a tentative release date. Deadlines help set a goal. Which is important if he aims to maintain his work ethic. I don't understand why you're so against dates just because of some dumb people in the internet. That doesn't make sense. If he misses his tentative release date, he could simply say "Sorry I missed it. I encountered some issue. I might release on ____" and they'll just have to take it. I don't get what's the problem with that.
ThisKuro
2022-02-24 01:50:57 +0000 UTCI said nothing about denying patrons information about the update, what is going into it, what the difficulties have been, etc. All of that is good and should be relayed. Don’t post dates. Especially this early in a project when there are too many moving parts. Perhaps in the future when the big parts of functionality are done and development cycles are more routine.
Perniciousducks
2022-02-24 01:38:18 +0000 UTCIsn't that why he keeps some posts for patrons only? I believe that all patrons are his clients and it's good practice to keep your clients updated. It's true that some patrons could be assholes but I don't think he should deny them an update. As for non-patrons, it's a good idea to let them know about key milestones. In my case, I was not a patron until I saw news that he'll release. I might not have considered it if I had an impression that the release would still be months away. A lot of people in the internet are dumb. Learn how to deal with them. If you're in discord, there'll be one every now and then. Moolah and the mods deal with them well. Denying them updates just because you get easily offended sounds like a bad defense mechanism imo especially for him where his ability to deal with dumb or rude people may directly affect his income.
ThisKuro
2022-02-24 01:32:16 +0000 UTCDeadlines are important, it's not important to tell them to the public. Telling the dates to every little internet troll and half-wit gains you nothing. If the game comes out on time, then, what exactly? What is gained? Nothing. People play the game. If people know the date ahead of time, vs. not knowing the date you get the same result. They play the game. If they know the date and because coding is difficult things don't go as planned they lose their 3 brain cells they call minds and spew garbage into every location that hosts this game and actively hurts potential income. You're a software dev, should game makers post their internal milestones publicly for every little patch? No, because it's asinine.
Perniciousducks
2022-02-24 01:21:35 +0000 UTCAs a fellow software dev, I'd say release dates are important. It's a sign of commitment and it helps him set realistic goals for what needs to be in the update. For example, if he only has 3 months to deliver the next update, his plans will be different than if he only has 1 month. Compare the mindset if he aims to deliver by end of February vs not having a release date in mind. He might fail in delivering it in time but that's always better than not having a release date. Basically, I just rationalized why deadlines are important and why it's best if he keeps it. Especially here in Patreon where his patrons may sub/unsub depending on his pace.
ThisKuro
2022-02-24 01:14:11 +0000 UTCDon't. Announce Dates. Use the old staple of Soon(tm). It's a waste of time and energy, you gain nothing and only have to deal with idiots whining if you miss a date. The update will be done when it's done. When it is actually done, then you can list dates and it'll be fine. You mentioned that 90% of devs won't give you dates, there is a reason for that, and it's not because they don't work hard. They're just tired of getting kicked in the balls by piss babies that can't think for more than 3 seconds about how creating code even works.
Perniciousducks
2022-02-22 22:08:41 +0000 UTCThanks for the supports Reclusive. No worries, I'll be grinding hard this year and we'll see where we are at the end of 2022 <3
MoolahMilk
2022-02-22 16:02:28 +0000 UTCYes. I will do that in future. Just in certain occasions like this month I want to release it up to bottom tier before the month is over. Also its february so its a little annoying the month ends early.
MoolahMilk
2022-02-22 16:01:10 +0000 UTCHow about you don't release it when it's ready? I know it sounds stupid but we don't need to know if the game was ready two weeks prior release. Just let the file rest on your desktop until the patreon release.
Redjs
2022-02-22 14:04:56 +0000 UTCNo worries man, people are impatient but if you rush it and put out lower quality they will just bitch about that too. Take your time, if you have to delay a release then just let us know. I personally would rather a delay than receive a buggy or unfinished release.
Psychopathicaly Delicious
2022-02-22 11:16:49 +0000 UTCat first i just wanted to pledge a the lowest possible to get the updates, but seeing you post and how much work you put into this kinda changed my mind a bit. beginning with my next paycheck ill move up a tier. you deserve it.
Reclusive Raiders
2022-02-21 23:59:23 +0000 UTC<3 <3
SpartaKus
2022-02-21 23:42:29 +0000 UTC
