Updates

Yes, it's been awhile since the last update here. Work and stress were getting to me a little too much, and it was hard to work on the game systems even in the rare spots I had free time. Been trying some things to help with that.

I know many want the next build, and it's close, but to keep enjoying myself I usually try to add features I want or experiment with new ideas rather then fight the Unreal packaging system. It's more soothing for me, but I realize that does not really bring much joy here, so I need to be better about talking about what I am working on. Discord is the best place to usually see what I am doing, but I know not everyone here uses my Discord. So here is a little rundown of some new things.

(Disclaimer. All these GIFs I am about to post will be on my discord later in the game-dev channel if you want a better view experience.)

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1) Camera.  Not sure if I mentioned it here, but awhile back I decided to make the main game a top down perspective. Have always been a fan of RTS or top down RPGs so it felt natural to make that the focus. There will still be first person and over the shoulder options, but they will be more for fun in areas like the playground rather then a part of the gameplay loop.

After tweaking, I ended up using a tilt shift style of perspective. Tilt shift makes things seem a little more miniature based, but you can still zoom in if you want to.

Now I am sure you are asking how it works with walls and stuff. Even the preview has some rocks and stuff almost get in the way, but I worked that out with a toggle I call the "Magic Eye".

It's still experimental but allows you to see through most walls and some props.

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2) Better Placement.  The playground has not changed much, but I added some improvements to how things can be moved around the scene. You now hold SHIFT to actually pick up a group. Once picked up you can adjust some position options using the mouse wheel, rotation by default and up / down by holding CTRL. You then hold SHIFT again and click to finalize. There is also a much more tactile feel to the process, with both a small animation and sound effects. (Can hear in video on Discord)

As you can see, it also works with certain prop items, like the torches. This was added to help with more scene customization.

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3) Gaze.  My gaze system got some improvements. It now utilizes a slider rather then a toggle, giving you the ability to choose how intense you want it to happen. You can also switch her eye view to remain on her scene partner or look down at the action.

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4) Face.  This one might be noticed in the gaze area, but I felt I wanted to give it a bit of it's own shout out. To make the face more interesting I added a sequence randomization that will give more expressive options to the chain. You might start a scene with a bit more pensive look, but after a minute may look more pleasured, or even a little coy, or back again. Plan to add a lot more to the system, and it works independent for both face and eyes.

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5) Better Menu.  On much request I got a better when it comes to adjusting settings. Sound still utilizes it's own channels so if you really hate listening to manly moans you can just turn them off.

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6) General

• Style improvements have been done to fit more of the feel I want. I know this feels like it happens all the time but I feel I am the closest I have ever been to the feel I wanted.

• Fresnel has been fixed up and now sits only slightly over the emission channel, so the glow only happens strongest when under scene lights and not glowing in the dark. Am thinking of adding a slider for the process though.

• Tried to better optimize the models for performance without losing too much. Adjusted LODs to fix a few issues with model alignment.

That is all I can get to today, but I hope to update you guys more often even if I may be lagging on the build. Remember, if you want to see these GIFs as videos, please check out the Discord. Thanks again to all those that stuck it out with me all this time.