jimdattilo

1st-person point-of-view for a main character

For the story of the month, the top votes went to a first-person point of view story.

We can now vote for a main character. I thought that this could be one that we create together, or we can pick one of the popular characters in the MC's group.

If the top vote of this poll is "A new main character", I will post subsequent polls for you to customize the character.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 4 Test Version (May 25, 2024)

Here's the link:

Test version (click here)

Part 4 is over 568,000 words! Please check the log notes after loading the page above.

I am using a new site for this test version. On CoGDemos, you must create a free account to save your game!

Guidelines

• Please do not share details outside of here.

• Keep all comments...

  2024-05-25 17:52:59 +0000 UTC View Post

Stronghold Content Sneak Peek

Since I have wrapped up the nephew mission for Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, I have been working on Stronghold.

The scene below is from chapter 4. You and your group are trying to cross a walkway that is guarded by soldiers as you escape a horde of zombies.

---

The walkway to Zone 2 is blockaded by three armed guards, clearly intent on enforcing the closure. Siena steps next to you and whispers their names. Rollins stands front and center, a tall, barrel-chested white man with ...

Woody Commissioned art

Here is a sketch of Woody from Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven. This is an early sketch and the artist can make changes. What are your thoughts on this representation of him?

Description (for my visually impaired readers): Woody is shown with shaggy, unkempt dark brown hair and a full, bushy beard. He is wearing a faded blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a single chest pocket on the left side. His shirt is partially open, revealing some chest hair. He has on b...

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Nephew Mission, RO Conflict

Welcome to my 80th newsletter! 

The word for this month is inspiration. Since I finished the university mission, I have started on my list of smaller missions. I will review this in the Safe Haven section below, but I wrote out a nephew training mission this month. It was one of the most enjoyable missions to write. To be able to write interactions with the nephew is so much fun!

Aside from that, I have been working on Stronghold and feeling equally excited. Chapter 4 is extr...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Poll

As many of you know, I’m a fan of the slow burn approach in storytelling. I love weaving together multiple storylines, allowing them to develop over time, and ultimately delivering a satisfying payoff. Today, I want to discuss a highly requested topic: drama between romantic interests.

Imagine your character is romantically involved with two or more partners, showing interest in each. Naturally, this might not sit well with one or both of them, leading to tension. I’m excited to cre...

Zombie Exodus: Stronghold update!

Zombie Exodus: Stronghold has been updated and now includes chapter 3. Outfit your character with new weapons and accessories, and meet a brand-new character exclusive to this version on Hosted Games.

Public test link

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Poll

As I continue to work on the game, I plan to add specific content such as age customization in the future. Additionally, I’d like to enrich earlier parts of the game with new content. This includes expanding content for Challenges, adding new conversations between the MC and NPCs, and introducing random events throughout your time at the junkyard.

The challenge is deciding when to work on this new content. While my goal has been to focus on adding to the main game, I realize it may be...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 9

continued from scene 8

Rachel secures her weapons and heads out the front door, her steps purposeful. First stop - Bailey. The poor girl is likely beside herself, holed up wherever she's renting these days. Rachel cuts across the lawn to her camper trailer parked in the driveway, throwing open the rear hatch and tossing her duffel bag inside before securing it again.

The distant roar of ...

Content Sneak Peek

This next scene contains a spoiler, but it's a great example of the scene I'm writing between the MC and the nephew (from the Dependent challenge).

The MC is taking the nephew out into the middle of the woods for some survival training. As they make their way into a grassy meadow, the MC pitches the idea to lure a zombie there, so the nephew can practice killing the infected.

---

The acrid smoke has scarcely begun wafting over the meadow when a lone, shambling figure emerges...

Game updates

This month, I'm focusing on Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, particularly a special mission involving the nephew. If you're taking on the Dependent challenge and enjoy your nephew's company, this scene is tailor-made for you. Please note, the following details contain spoilers.

In this mission, you'll take your nephew just outside the junkyard for survival training. The journey includes scavenging, trapping, forest navigation, foraging, exploration, and even some zombie encounters. 2024-05-10 19:45:17 +0000 UTC View Post

New story poll

Here is the poll for the original story this month. Please feel free to make suggestions for new story subjects in the comments below.

This month, I am also going to offer a new style of story — a first-person story from the point of view of a main character, starting in Part 1.

Content Sneak Peek and Poll

I am currently writing a scavenging and survival training trip that the MC can take with the nephew. After searching an area around the junkyard, the MC and nephew spot an abandoned shack. Here is the first draft of the section and the choice (note: ${dep_name} is a variable expression that represents the name you chose for your nephew):

---

As you make your way down the slope, the shack looks more dilapidated than you thought. What was once a sturdy wood cabin now sags, its roof ...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 8

continued from scene 7

Keeping the pistol firmly pressed against the back of Briggs' head, Rachel starts leading him backward, putting distance between them and the other soldiers. Their focus is divided between the new zombie threat and the standoff unfolding before them.

As they round the corner of the building, briefly out of sight, Briggs tenses. "You won't get away with this," he sa...

Outbreak Scenario 10

Three months into the apocalypse, you've settled into a semblance of stability, living with a group of ten on a small farm. You all work hard, raising animals and tending to the fields, although the crops are stubbornly slow to yield their first vegetables.

Recently, another group of survivors moved into the area, setting up camp not far from your farm. Initially, the presence of more people so close did not cause any problems. But as days passed, the proximity created contention.

Schedule for May, 2024

5/2 -- Outbreak scenario poll (Free tier)

5/4 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 8. ($3+ tiers)

5/6 -- Content Sneak Peek ($3+ tiers)

5/8 -- Story of the Month Poll ($10+ tiers)

5/9 - Game updates (Free tier)

5/11 -- Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork poll.  ($10+ tiers)

5/13 -- Content Sneak Peek ($1+ tiers)

5/15 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 9. ($3+ tiers)

5/17 -- Content poll (free tier)

5/18 -- Chara...

Elsie, Continuing the Start of the Outbreak

continued from Part 1

I collapse on the cool tile floor of the camping store, my breathing heavy, trying to make sense of everything. Bob is gone. The world outside possibly crumbling. It takes a few minutes for my heart to stop racing and for the silence to sink in.

Slowly, I push myself up and gather what I'll need. I wipe the hatchets clean, the blades sliding through a rag with a whis...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 4 Test Version (April 25, 2024)

Test version (click here)

Part 4 is over 547,000 words! Please check the log notes after loading the page above.

I am using DashingDon's new site for this test version. On Moody, you must create a free account to save your game!

Guidelines

• Please do not share details outside of here.

• Keep all comments in thi...

  2024-04-25 17:58:31 +0000 UTC View Post

Zombie Exodus: Stronghold Content Poll

For those of you who have played Stronghold, you already know the general plot of the game. For those who have not, or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not proceed as this poll involves large spoilers about what happens to the MC at the end of chapter 1.

.

.

<SPOLERS BELOW>

.

.

As you know, at the conclusion of Chapter 1, the character you control inevitably becomes infected with the Zeta virus. This is a designed part of the game that cannot be a...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 4 Content Poll

As I am wrapping up the Central Colorado University mission, I am preparing to write smaller missions and random events going forward. Which of the following would you like me to start on next?

As a reminder, here are the planned random events:

Medical Emergency

A couple on the road as their vehicle parked right outside the main road leading to the junkyard. When they are discovered, you find a pregnant woman inside, giving birth. You must decide to either h...

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Beta Feedback

Welcome to my 79th newsletter! This month has been a struggle for me in my writing. I have still been productive and am close to my goal for both ZE:SH and Stronghold. However, my regular job has been so busy that I am more tired at night when I usually write. I've also had no days off from work (other than the normal weekend days). Unless I'm physically unable or in the hospital, I will meet my monthly writing quota. But if any of you are thinking of starting to write a novel or choice game,...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Poll

Which group are you most interested in encountering again in Part 4?

Billie from Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven

Description of the image:

Billie has a fair complexion and a fit physique. Her hair is styled in a wavy bob, with light brown tones. She has defined cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips.

She's dressed in a rolled-up, long-sleeved safari shirt tied at the waist, revealing a slender midriff. The shirt is a light khaki color, with prominent chest pockets. Her shorts are a matching khaki, sitting just above the knee, with a utility pocket on the right thigh. They are secured by ...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 7

continued from scene 6

Rachel's shoulders slump in a display of submissiveness, but her eyes remain alert, carefully watching Sergeant Briggs' every move. She makes no attempt to comply with his order to lie on the ground, her mind racing as she calculates her next steps. I'm running out of time here. Need to get away from these blokes before more of those infected show up.

Zombie Exodus: Stronghold update

Chapter 2 has been added to the test version of Zombie Exodus: Stronghold. A change log has been added, which shows major updates. However, a few choice options were added in chapter 1.

Content Sneak Peek and Poll

One of the new developments I am planning for Part 4 is to have a new kind of alliance between different groups that are managed by the main character's group. Once a group becomes an ally of the main group, they may be offered to work more closely with them. Such an arrangement would involve the main group managing the others, trading resources and personnel, setting up outposts, and offering mutual protection.

I think this is a major step towards building up a full society and one tha...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork poll

My artist is finishing Billie and is getting started on Woody. Who should come after that?

New story poll

Here is the poll for the original story this month. Please feel free to make suggestions for new story subjects in the comments below.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Sneak Peak

The last few days I have been working on a path involving a character that you meet at the college campus. In this specific path, you can choose to rob Alexey, who has turned the library into his safe haven.

I thought you may be interested in seeing the code that handles the fight scene you have with Alexey. In this specific scene, you attempt to pull out a weapon, while Alexey tries to disarm your character.

The code below shows what happens for each class of firearm, a bow, pepp...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 6

continued from scene 5

Rachel slowly extends her arm, holding the Glock parallel to the ground in a gesture of surrender. "I mean you no harm," she says, her voice steady despite the rifles trained on her. "I was only trying to save that man's life."

"On your knees! Now!" the soldier shouts his finger tight on the trigger. Rachel complies, lowering herself to the pavement as she places t...