Development Plan for 2023.

Just over a week ago, I wrote about the progress of Dreams of Reality over the course of 2022. Today I'm going to go into some detail about my plans for 2023.

My goals for 2023:

- Chapter Four completed, work on the final Chapter Five started.
- Patreon support hit's 60.
- Increase youtube subscribers
- Chapter One optimisation and remastering.

Chapter Four:

I will be giving a more detailed progress report next week to supporters. The biggest challenge I have is that the story is now at a point where each of the branches requires a lot of time and effort to flesh out. It's easy enough to write scenes but when you have to write 4 different 10 minute scenes that are on 4 different paths or branches, then you only really have 10 minutes of play time (not 40).

This is the side effect of a true multi-path story, each path requires its own code, its own variables and more importantly, its own images. That's a lot of time, for not a lot of progress.

This is the bed I have made, and I shall continue to lie in it. Not everyone is a fan of branching stories (despite them wanting 'choices' in their games). The FOMO (fear of missing out) can be strong in these types of games. However, I will not sacrifice my vision for the game and my plans for the story just to cater to a small and seemingly vocal group on some forums..

Chapter Five is intended as the final chapter, I am toying with the idea of additional content after the final, this would be non-canonical things that players might like to see. This is something that can work well as by then I will be moving into a new game.

Yes, there will be a new game after this one. No, I have no details to give you. My focus is on Dreams of Reality.

Patreon support:

It's cliché, but I really am bowled over at the idea anyone can support my work. we hit 50 supporters last year and I'm confident (and hopeful) I can hit 60 this year. I know it's a small milestone, but for me, who didn't think I'd get any supporters. It's a hell of an achievement.

YouTube:

The videos I make are always secondary to the game development, they tend to be 'when I have time' I do have many fun ideas and a whole list of collaborative ideas that I'd love to share. My YouTube channel is not monetised (maybe one day) but I would like to see the support for it grow. I have had an idea for a set of quick / short tutorials focussing on one specific thing in Daz - this is a series I am in the planning stages off, so for those interested - check back on the channel soon.

Chapter One:

I've made mention to going back and re-mastering some of the images and animations used in Chapter One. Some of this work has already been completed. Now, with the power afforded me from my new GPU, I plan to go back and work on more of the images, including re-doing many of the animations.

If time permits, I am also considering re-editing those scenes and perhaps even adding alternative camera angles. This does, of course, rely completely on how much time I can devote to this.

So, that's 2023 sorted. Right?

Stay safe all,

Cenc