Status report
Added 2024-05-21 20:10:47 +0000 UTCHey guys, I'm sorry for the lack of visibility recently. I’m working constantly on the game. I keep feeling like I’m one day away from having a clear and concise progress report, and I’ve kept pushing it back.
1.21 STATUS
All the art for 1.21 is done* (and looking greta, as usual). I’ll release the episode before the end of the month.
LIFEPATH STATUS
Based on the feedback here and on Discord, I’ve decided to go ahead and restore the Lifepath next. Here’s my plan for how it will work.
Release schedule
The Lifepath will be released in four separate chunks:
Lifepath 1/4 will cover character creation and early backstory. The current version only supports UK characters; we’ll add support for the other four 5 Eyes nations, and also activate the character sheet, stats and skill systems (which are working in the code base, but not activated in the current game).
Lifepath 2/4 will cover the heroine’s backstory between age 18 and going to university/college. This section is where the heroine has her formative sexual experiences, and goes on a foreign adventure (either in Switzerland, Africa or Greece). This is complete in 1.11.
Lifepath 3/4 will cover the heroine’s university/college experience. We have a partly complete version of this in 1.11 – which I think was too detailed and on rails. We should base this more on the content from 1.6 (which is complete).
Lifepath 4/4 will cover the heroine’s recruitment and induction into her national intelligence agency. A complete version of this is in 1.6, and we can roll in the Christmas episode (Zero Kate Thirty, which is also complete) as an optional early career experience for especially badass heroines.
I want to make a few targeted changes (for example, I want to insert into an opportunity for the player to set the heroine’s preferences regarding anal sex, you could say I want to squeeze it in) but the structure is largely there to be drawn from instead of created from scratch.
After these 4 chunks are released, we’ll return to the Bangkok storyline. To make this part less boring to replay we will add in some extra branches, decision points, flavour text and dice rolls (so there’ll be something new to experience in each of the Bangkok episodes).
These will be small changes – don’t expect major rewrites or huge structural changes – but I feel like some episodes could be made twice as good with just a few extra choices and improvements. Also, some flab can be trimmed to make this part of the game progress a little faster.
GAME STATUS
As prep for restoring the Lifepath, I replayed the game from the start.
That’s what’s caused this delay – as well as figuring out how to implement the Lifepath, I’ve been reflecting on the pace and direction of the next part of the story, and working out how to make it better.
Although I knew the correct thing to do was push this thinking back until after releasing 1.21 – I just wasn't able to ignore it.
The truth is that I feel that I’ve put a lot of flab in the Bangkok episodes, and haven't focused enough on pacing and player experience. The heroine doesn’t have enough choices or opportunities for characterisation; the bar scenes get repetitive and don’t progress quickly enough; there aren’t enough spy/action scenes to balance out the sexy scenes; the sexy scenes aren’t hot enough and are too railroaded. I'm just unhappy with the state of the game.
I’ve been working obsessively for the past couple of weeks on my plan to fix this going forward. (Like up at 0600, work ’til I drop kind of obsessive. It gets to the end of the day and I’m too fucking tired and blasted to write the amazing dev report I should be prioritising.) I’ve overhauled my plans for the remainder of the barmaid story arc, and identified areas in the existing episodes where we can quickly add some new choices and branches to make the game experience much more personalised and hot.
I’ve written more than 60 pages of notes so far. I’m currently weaving and editing this big block of content into a tighter, more fun structure that I think will turn the rest of the Bangkok arc into what I always wanted the game to be: an action-packed, sexy blast with a customisable waifu heroine.
I’m sorry I haven’t kept everyone updated while I've been working through these issues. Ultimately I can’t keep making the game if I don’t love it. I feel like what I’m doing now is absolutely crucial story planning and strategy, and I think everybody will like the result a lot. You guys, of course, will be the judge.
More info and episode 1.21 to follow shortly, I just wanted to post an update with the current status. 🦀❤️
__
* except one thing
Comments
So... tonight? Just after the midnight, to not meet any deadlines? Can we consider this fashionably late? 😭
One of billions
2024-05-31 09:57:32 +0000 UTCTotally agree. I prefer new content, but ultimately want you to succeed. Whatever you decide go for it - there will always be people who disagree, don't let it grind you down and keep on writing great stuff.
discotuktuk
2024-05-28 12:04:00 +0000 UTCSee, development time is a meta-problem. The game could be completed in five years or ten years, and what would be better; a perfect game that adheres to the writer’s vision and took forever to roll out, or a game that was rushed to cater to an impatient audience? Haste makes waste. I’ve been waiting on Nintendo to make Metroid prime 4 since MP3 came out, and even though they totally cancelled development and started over that just makes me more excited because the final product will be amazing. I waited an *entire* decade for Attack on Titan to finish, and what a worthwhile wait it was. It’ll be fine, just don’t hyper focus on it so much and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you randomly decide to check it one day and oh shit there’s a ton of new content
Khitraya
2024-05-27 08:00:07 +0000 UTCI really like the life paths but I can understand why people want new content What I'd like to say is, everyone really likes the game and thinks it's amazing. That's why they're so desperate for it and for new content. They have a right to voice their opinions but don't let it get you down. I'd love new content and a continuation of the story but more than anything I want this project to continue and succeed. I hope you don't get put off by people
Alice
2024-05-26 23:28:09 +0000 UTCIf you started playing FA only a week ago, then I envy you, this game is really good. Also this may be the reason you don't see a problem with LIfePath. I am one of those skeptical about switching to LP, because the main problem is development speed. The longer a single update takes to produce, the more we expect of it. Like over-hyped AAA games. And LP is probably gonna take a long time and we'll see almost the same content again. It all comes down to even less new content over time, at least that's what I'm afraid of. It has nothing to do with the LP itself. I like LP and want to see it magically finished and integrated into the game, but the only way I see it happen is for Crush to delegate some writing to another author. Not sure if it's possible. But hey, the decision has been made, we'll wait and see what comes of it.
One of billions
2024-05-26 19:00:57 +0000 UTCI expect nothing good shall come from this decision. In all evidence, this is far from the best way to deal with writer's block, given the author's developer style and its notorious flaws. Either a Lifepath 2.0 version is eventually restored that is as flawed and ineffectual for a linear game as the first one. It pleases or helps no one except the few that like to play it for flavor's sake. Alternatively the effort to make the whole game more open-ended goes nowhere and collapses under its weight, and development eventually has to switch back in a hurry to the main story to salvage the project. We have seen all of that happen already.
Novamarauder
2024-05-26 15:40:25 +0000 UTCIf you count the comments and the upvotes they got in the last couple posts, it gives a different picture. The pattern in Discord is the same. But in the end, it matters little since the author is choosing to see what he wants to see and doing what he wants to do anyway.
Novamarauder
2024-05-26 15:33:56 +0000 UTCI dont think thats fair to assume, since every single patreon post Crush posts, gets around 70 likes. The Lifepath post got 91. So obviously, there is more likes on that post than on the more generic status update posts, but not overwhelmingly so.
Worldknower
2024-05-26 13:49:26 +0000 UTCLet's assume everyone for Lifepath liked main post and everyone agains it liked most popular post against it (no sense to count every like on every post, because of duplicates). That would make ratio 2.6 : 1 for Lifepath. And that matches closely to ratio of actual messages; 2.875 : 1 for Lifepath. Anyway, I just hope Crush makes a game he likes and doesn't try to please everyone, that would just lead to a game that's not for anyone.
HRTC
2024-05-26 10:43:53 +0000 UTCAnd how many "likes" did the negative comments have compared to the positive ones? The highest "liked" comment has 35. Its a comment thats not at all postive. Now, obviously, there is a decent chunk of people who are happy with this announcement, the post itself has a big number of likes.
Worldknower
2024-05-26 01:33:15 +0000 UTCFunny, I had opposite feeling. So, I went and counted comments; 23 for Lifepath and 8 against Lifepath. 12 comments were neutral. (these are only Patreon comments, I have no idea what kind of chaos it has been in Discord)
HRTC
2024-05-25 20:48:05 +0000 UTCFirst off, ignore the haters. The silent majority is perfectly fine with this. The only thing I would say is that while I enjoyed it, the current life path was rather disconnected from the main storyline. A character’s backstory is important, it determines literally every aspect of that character, but the audience does not necessarily need to see it. I would personally think that making sure every aspect of the life path ties into the main story is paramount. When I played the life path information about high school and such felt extraneous, and I would be more interested if the life path STARTED in college and ended with recruitment. And I don’t even think you would be amiss if you simply started the day before someone reached out to recruit her. James Bond has zero backstory, and that’s the most popular spy series of all time. There are plenty of opportunities to customize the heroine in the same way that the life path handles it, without necessarily starting at the beginning. Retroactive character creation, as it were. I do like how the character creation happens very gradually and earlier than the shower in Malaysia, though. That works great and makes more sense. There is some fat that you could trim in the main storyline, but I only just started this story a week ago and though the fat was noticeable it did not reduce my enjoyment of the story. Instead of trimming fat, in fact, I might recommend you keep the fat and add on the side missions to it, so that the fat serves as a bit of introduction to the meat. If that makes any sense. Also, I must remark on your work ethic that, while, extremely admirable, is probably not sustainable. Working from 0600 till you drop will likely induce burnout, which I believe you’re already experiencing, and you may want to reevaluate your work schedule, or perhaps even institute one lol. I know the spotlight is on you now and people are very demanding and you feel like if you don’t deliver you’re scamming all the generous people who are supporting you, but just take a deep breath and make sure you’re healthy as well. I can feel the stress and doubt in your words but you are making the best smut this side of the Mississippi lol and whether the finished product arrives sooner or later doesn’t matter to me or most likely all of the silent majority. I just pop in every once in awhile to see if there’s an update and if there isn’t I don’t miss a single dollar per month one bit. Taking breaks and taking time for yourself will certainly clear your head and make it easier to write because your brain will have an opportunity to sit on what you want for the story, even if you’re not actively focused on it. Breaks are amazing for achieving clarity. Be well. You are doing an excellent job and your story is going very well. And don’t forget that you’re in charge and you don’t have to people please for the horny masses who just want moar smut and don’t care or even understand the writing process.
Khitraya
2024-05-25 16:15:15 +0000 UTCFocus on the story bro not lifepath
Anthony387
2024-05-24 18:00:06 +0000 UTCI've supported this shtick long enough.
Shipwreck
2024-05-24 17:21:46 +0000 UTCHonestly, I do not see all that support in the fan/patron community for the return of the Lifepath right now, since most of feedback here and on discord registered as negative or mixed to me. I think this is a wrong turn on the author's part and he choosing to see what he wants to see and doing what he wants to do anyway, regardless of the prevalent wishes of the fan/patron community. As far as I am concerned, I have no interest whatsoever in the author spending what in all likelihood is the rest of the year and the next year re-writing and re-re-writing existing content to the expense of no progress in the main story. This is not what I am interested about the game and supporting it for. If the author plans to take this ill-advised course, I am seriously considering suspending my contribution until development returns to the main story. Endlessly reworking and tinkering with existing content for years on end, on top of all the frustrating delays this project already got, is far from the best use of the author's time or my money.
Novamarauder
2024-05-24 14:43:21 +0000 UTCAh~ J.Alba….. let me burn that scene into my mind forever!
Xcribar
2024-05-23 10:13:27 +0000 UTCLook... Crushstation, you're a damn fine writer. The writing is what gets people hooked on this story, so that's good. But game design is not your area of expertise. And frankly, I don't see this working out too well. As I've stated before, the main story doesn't need a Life Path. Stitching the two parts together will require time; time that will not be spent on the main story. Please reconsider this ill-fated decision.
Heresiarch
2024-05-23 09:47:09 +0000 UTCIm honestly surprised. To me, the feedback on the previous post and on discord have not at all been positive about Lifepath. At best its been mixed. I'll even argue that there has been more posts, upvotes, comments, etc asking for you to not do Lifepath right now.
Worldknower
2024-05-23 03:11:17 +0000 UTCI've loved all the content you released but you seem to have become crippled by your own doubts and indecision. I've been a supporter for years, and almost a month without a status update is not a good look. Hearing you're probably going to spend the next year re-writing and re-re-re-re-rewriting content that has already been released is a little disappointing.
Jillsandwiches
2024-05-23 02:50:46 +0000 UTCWell, this is great for people dying to play the first half of the game *again.* I'm excited to see what this next update brings, as always, but I just don't see how reworking what's already finished is a good use of your time or my money. I really want to support your work, but you aren't really delivering, so I'll be canceling my sub after the next update.
SonjaB
2024-05-22 16:36:25 +0000 UTCI loved the life path. I'm happy to see it return. Yep things that need squeezing in and a preference for them should be a choice rather early. It is for many / was for me. I look forward to the content. Reading the feedback, folks seem to think, smaller updates more frequent would be welcome. Not sure how that happens, but distilling comments I'm getting that vibe. This is one of my favorite female protagonist mental corruption games ever. You were right wanting to add more spy missions to balance the sexy ones. Each added spy mission could be a monthly minor content release that raises the content release schedule while not interrupting your planned story arc. Please keep it up. Huggles!
Chloe
2024-05-22 14:37:30 +0000 UTCI'll be happy to see this plan working out, but I'm not counting on it. The current release speed is 3 updates per year for the last 2 years. Lifepath is planned to take 4 releases + at least one to update the rest of the game. This means rewriting / rebuilding till the end of 2025, if everything goes according to plan. But estimation precision diminishes as project scope expands. It's your game and I'll be happy to see it become better, but I don't feel that constant rebuilding / rewriting / rethinking is the way to go. Reflection is important, but it is counterproductive if it replaces action. At least build proof of concept / test versions of your ideas, show them to the public, iterate, don't be locked inside your head. Look at Lust Campus. The development was slow from the start, but there was progress. Then an illustrator left the project, and they decided to remake all the illustrations from the start, to release all the chapters again and make them better while at it. A couple years later they're still at it. And there was not that much content in the game. Why the team did not continue building new chapters with new illustrations while gradually replacing old ones - no idea. When you build software you learn something new all the time, and often you want to go back and redo you previous code, but most of the time it's not feasible and/or not really needed. Just build new stuff with your new knowledge. I hope to be wrong, to see Lifepath integrated at a fast and stable pace, making the game better, more diverse.
One of billions
2024-05-22 10:25:02 +0000 UTCThis is your novel, you have the final say. But I have the final say about my wallet, so when you return to the main line, when will I recharge.
轻巡海伦娜
2024-05-22 08:40:46 +0000 UTCAlthough I neglected to say so when you asked it, I do like the Lifepath idea. Will the decisions and preference choices in this portion have an effect (provide more options/alterations etc) during the Bangkok chapters?
MonkeySpittle
2024-05-22 06:28:14 +0000 UTCHappy to hear and quite excited for the return of Lifepath. Thank you very much
lorsi
2024-05-22 05:30:50 +0000 UTCYou mention similar things to what I have been thinking when playing the game. It must be very hard to figure out how to weave together the story while giving players the ability to choose things, so I am happy to hear that you are on a good path to figuring it out.
Carsten
2024-05-22 05:22:35 +0000 UTCYou do you! We aren't going anywhere.
Maxxy
2024-05-22 04:02:08 +0000 UTCI'm looking forward to seeing the results of 1.21 and the 4 part reintroduction of the lifepath. Loved playing both versions and I'm very curious to see how it'll turn out. Have fun and always take the time you need to feel good about the results. 😉🙃🙂
Iseniell
2024-05-21 22:17:56 +0000 UTC
