About Further Development
Added 2017-04-22 20:45:49 +0000 UTCSo McFly asked a great question on the Community page here on Patreon.
It has also came up in the past by OZ among others.
Currently, developing Episode 2 takes 7 out of 7 days of the week. Of course I take breaks sometimes, but there isn't a single day I'm not working on the project.
So what can I do to reduce workload so I won't die of either overworking myself, or my girlfriend killing me for not spending enough time with her?
First
About rendering and the new workstation. Well numbers are easily understandable, so I'll put it that way.
When I started, as I said, I saved up for a nice rig over the months, and as I use CUDA cores for rendering I'll use those as numbers for "rendering power". There are many other factors there, but let's keep it simple. I started with 2560.
When the workstation is finished, there will be 14,336 cores. That's a big jump in horsepower.
Second
Episode 2 is huge. I almost bit off more than I could chew. These things happen, as you guys get enthusiastic about a new episode and so do I, and I try to pack everything I can in it. And sometimes I overestimate what can be done. I don't have any stats yet, but I roughly estimate 2-2.5 times the content of EP1. I will still aim to release as much content as possible. Just within reasonable limits.
Third
There are a lot of new things. A new game mechanic. The partial voice acting. New characters, setting up new environemnts and a lot of behind the scenes stuff, like looking for a reliable coder, who can do it faster than I can, (so I can use that time to make images and write the story), gettin my idea across so he understands. Look/listen through 25 applications for voice acting, only to find I'm not satisfied with any of them. These take time. These take days.
BUT! These only have to be done once. Now I need something coded fast, I have a go-to guy. I need new voice lines, I have my VAs.
Fourth
As I write the script, from Episode to Episode, it becomes easier and faster as well, because I'm laying the foundation for everything in these first few hours of the story. When I wrote the script for Episode 2, I also set up a lot of things for EP3, EP4... even the Final Chapter. I can build upon those easily.
Fifth
Hiring help. This is a big one. Right now I'm doing everything on my own, aside from the game mechanic done by the coder and the voice acting. Even the game mechanic is just a framework. I have to put the pieces together.
But after EP2 is released, I'm getting help with some of the time consuming 'mundane' tasks. (Trust me, there are a lot of those)
And finally, a good developer works hard and does his job.
A great developer however, innovates. And of course, has a few cool tricks up his sleeve. Currently I'm pumping out the story progression as much as I can, to get to a point where the game can transition to what it is truly meant to be. More fun gameplay and story, and I can finally have time to go to the cinema with my lady :)
As the saying goes: All beginnings are difficult. But we are soon past that.
And I'm sure you already guessed but I aim to be a great developer and make a great game for all of you.
TL;DR: Yes. I plan to do monthly content.
This was just kind of a bonus post that wasn't in schedule, but I felt like I have to make.
Dev Update and news coming Monday.
I hope guys are having a great weekend!
And as always, thank you everyone who supports and comments and messages, it makes a big difference!
-Sin
Comments
New Episode release is 29th. OZ meant Development Update post, that is today :)
Lewdlab
2017-04-24 15:00:19 +0000 UTCYeah 0.2 Game update release is on 29th. But today is monday. And following good traditions, monday is DEV UPDATE day :-D
OZ
2017-04-24 14:59:49 +0000 UTCUpdate is on the 29th isn't it?
2017-04-24 14:57:44 +0000 UTCYeah! Thats the atitude we need ;-)
OZ
2017-04-24 14:21:17 +0000 UTCHmm?!...*snooze*...Uh...*yawn*...Update...*jump*...*cheer* ๐
2017-04-24 10:27:36 +0000 UTCGuys, today is UPDATE day! :-) No excuses for not leaving your beds ;-P
OZ
2017-04-24 09:21:06 +0000 UTCThank you!
Lewdlab
2017-04-23 18:12:26 +0000 UTCGratz
Justanx
2017-04-22 23:10:37 +0000 UTCIn my opinion monthly releases are better than squeezing every little bit of content in you can imagine. Lets be honest: If you release a version, everybody will play it as soon as it is for them possible. Maybe we play it a second or third tuime a few days later ... and that it is for the version. This means that the last playthrough is followed by, lets say, 25 days of nothing. Its not important if there is content for 1 or for 2 hours. Thats how thinks look, at least in my opinion. If you would release every second month ... this would cause a long time of nothing ;-)
OZ
2017-04-22 22:20:54 +0000 UTCYou are right. That's what I meant when I said I almost 'bit off more than I can chew'. Keep in mind I still had to work at my regular job until April 1st, so yeah, that took away a lot of time. Still, I understand what you are saying, but as you can see I'm doing my best to release monthly, and I'll make the necessary adjustments and actions to do it. :)
Lewdlab
2017-04-22 22:03:50 +0000 UTCOn topic: If think you are totaly right regarding the "foundation" thing. Its logical that everything has to be build up from ground. Once u build a new room and light, there are many possibilitys for later action in this enviroment. The better you do your groundwork, the easyer it will be for future things. Its always a shame when you have to go back to correct already done work. Second) In my opinion this is a little bit too much. Its not that i dont want to play as much as possible of your game ... but you have to keep in mind that one month is one month ... from 0.1 to 0.2 was much more time. Even if you set up the foundation correctly,... you wont be able to deliver such a huge amount of game every month. Be careful here ;.)
OZ
2017-04-22 21:54:52 +0000 UTCYeah something like 15k) Travel to the moon :-P If this goes on with such a speed, you will run out of ideas for new goals :-D
OZ
2017-04-22 21:48:19 +0000 UTCIt's all thanks to you guys! Looks like I have to set up some new goals soon! :)
Lewdlab
2017-04-22 21:43:27 +0000 UTCThank you! I'm happy it helped:)
Lewdlab
2017-04-22 21:41:42 +0000 UTCBefore i read the text ;-) HAPPY 4K to you :-) I know ... this isnt an official goal, but i am so happy that it would be a shame to "overlook" it :-D
OZ
2017-04-22 21:36:03 +0000 UTCWow, talk about going above and beyond! Thank you so much for the well thought out/detailed response. I think I can speak for everyone when I say your transparency with the community is awesome! I like the way you summed it up; Build a great foundation to alleviate future work. This post cleared up a lot questions. I am so looking forward to what's coming in the near future. Thanks again, Sin. Now go enjoy the cinema!
McFly
2017-04-22 21:31:34 +0000 UTCThank you! I really like the community that has gathered here, and it's awesome to read the comments! Cheering up/motivating achieved! :D
Lewdlab
2017-04-22 21:21:27 +0000 UTC
