Development Update: 26/02/2022

Happy Saturday everyone,

I will probably be moving these updates to the Saturday rather than the Friday. With the recent increase in work load on Fridays it would be easier to have a 'day off' (what's that?) to make these posts.

Especially as I like to make them somewhat entertaining as well as informative.

So what do we have this week, Well, to start, my render queue has increased - I currently have 46 scenes waiting. I am ahead in the writing and am working on a 'psudo-freeroam' for the upcoming chapter.

I know some of you will be recoiling in horror at the idea of a free roam, no, Dreams of Reality is not going sandbox. However, the game already has a free roam event, two to be precise.

In chapter three you are presented with various options from calling Jacob or Markus, to spending time behind a set of decks. These were of course presented as choices - however you could only do 3 of the 5 before the game would move on.

There is also, the 'Maze' area inside the Gallery which again is a choice driven free roam.

I plan to have a similar system in chapter four, but this time the choices will be represented via a graphical map, where you can click on an area and you will go there to advance the story. This allows for some uniqueness to your progression, as certain story elements may play out differently based on where you have been before.

It's easy to make this an intensely over complicated system - however, I will be going for a simple approach. Two years ago, the idea that I could even begin to implement something like this would be a dream. I am now at a stage where I have the understanding and knowledge to make the system work how I envision.

I will be producing a full write up on this new system when I have it in place and ready to show you all. I am genuinely excited for you to try this and look forward to the feedback. Speaking of which, if you have any views, please let me know in the comments below - I read every comment I get. (which up till now, has been easy!)

I will be recording and releasing the final? part of the "From design to production - Scene Building" YouTube video later this week. I need to get the environment done as part of it is required for the aforementioned free roam graphic.

As it is the start of a new month (next week) I will be releasing the bonus images of Louise. I have one more to design and render for those on a higher tier of support. I will also be starting to work on the bonus scene (Boss scene in Ch1) that will be added in the next update.

For now, no matter where in the world you are, stay safe.

Cenc