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Games by JimD Newsletter – Safe Haven Timeline

Welcome to my 67th newsletter! After sharing my journey as a fiction writer in the previous issue, I was thrilled to receive numerous positive responses. It was intriguing to witness the reactions and discuss the extensive effort involved in crafting these games. If you haven't read that newsletter, I highly recommend you do, especially if you aspire to be a writer.

With Safe Haven as my top priority, I'm currently managing several key tasks that I'll outline below. Lately, it's been qu...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

Rachel is one of the most popular characters. This sneak peek is a look at part of her speech if she is elected or reelected leader of the group in chapter 14.

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"My friends," she begins, "I am honored that you've chosen me to lead our group. As you know, I have not always been forthcoming about myself, and at times I have pushed people away from getting to know me. This was not done out of malice but in the hopes of earning your trust naturally. Believe it or not, people treat ...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Character Poll

People seem to be enjoying these character polls that help define how characters are going to develop as the story goes on. We have done Tommy and Rachel so far, and next up is Woody.

I know he is the builder for the group, but I'd like to expand his character in another direction. This will be for his character development outside of a relationship with the MC (you will understand why I mention this in the poll).

So, how would you like to see Woody develop in Part 4?

Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison 6

Continued from scene 5

Madison looked up at the gate, assessing its height. "We need to climb over," she declared, taking a few steps back to gain momentum. "Brody, cover me."

Brody nodded, his grip tightening around the lacrosse stick as Madison ran towards the gate. With practiced ease, she grasped the bars and hoisted herself up, her sneakers scrabbling for purchase. Brody kept watch,...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

I am back to coding missions in chapter 14, and am starting back up with Brody and Madison heading to the stripmall. In the parking lot are numerous zombies, and you must decide how to handle them. 

One of the options is to shoot them with ranged weapons. Below is the start of the option. I thought it would be good to show you, because it introduces a minigame. As you will see, the twins challenge you to a zombie killing contest. The game tracks how many you kill against Brody and ...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork poll 4

This poll is coming earlier than expected, because my artist is ready for another commission. Please vote for who you would like to see her draw next.

New story poll

This is a poll where you vote for the story you would like to see next. If you have any ideas for future stories, I would love to hear them.

Brody Commissioned Art

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StoryLoom Poll

If you have been following my newsletters or social media for the past few months, you will know that I have been writing for a new company called StoryLoom. They asked me to create a series of short interactive stories for a new platform they are launching.

So far, I have created one story (Your Trial) that has reached chapter 10, with each chapter being roughly 10 minutes of time...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 4 Sneak Peek

If you have been following sneak peeks from earlier months, you'll know that I am writing a new election into Chapter 14. Many people have asked if the main character will be able to influence the vote, which is a feature that did not exist in the previous election in chapter 5.

I'm happy to say that I have coded such a feature. Below is the section leading up to the choice.

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"Sounds good," Reilly replies and then turns to the survivors. "If you need a pen, come up and ta...

Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison 5

Continued from scene 4

Brody and Madison surveyed the barricade in front of them, realizing that there was no way they could continue driving to their Uncle Nate's house. The towering barrier of vehicles and debris seemed impassable, leaving them no option but to proceed on foot.

"Alright, Maddie," Brody said, determination in his voice. "We'll leave the car and find a way around this ba...

Schedule for April, 2023

4/3 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Brody and Madison) scene 5. ($3+ tiers)

4/5 -- Content teaser. ($3+ tiers)

4/8 -- New story poll. ($10+ tiers)

4/11 -- Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork  poll.  ($10+ tiers)

4/13 -- Update & Sneak Peek ($1+ tiers)

4/15 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Brody and Madison) scene 6. ($3+ tiers)

4/17 -- Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Character Poll ($10+ tiers)

4/18 -- Content teaser. ($3+ tiers)...

Rachel, Recruitment

The sun hung low, casting long shadows across the Joint Intelligence Training Group (JITG) facility in Chicksands. The sprawling compound was a hub of activity as military personnel honed their intelligence gathering and analysis skills. Vince stood beside Rachel's commanding officer, Captain Jameson, as they observed the young woman at the center of a complex signals intelligence exercise, her focus entirely on deciphering encrypted messages and processing the incoming data.

Rachel's e...

Free Visual Novels

I have been working on 2 virtual novels over the past few months. It would help out if people played through them. I'm trying to increase my readership to prove to the company to invest in me for future projects.

It's completely free to play. When you sign up, you receive 100 coins that you spend on chapters.

Even if you have no interest, if you can share it with someone who may want to play them, that would help.

2023-03-27 18:45:19 +0000 UTC View Post

Brody Commission so far

My artist provided a sketch to show progress on the Brody art commission. Next, she will start coloring it and providing more detail, such as muscle definition.

How do you think it looks so far?

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

Here is another of the 5 speeches that have been written for the elections in chapter 14. Since my last post was the moral speech promoting unity and cooperation, here is the opposite style of speech for those playing a ruthless MC who demands loyalty and tribute from other groups.

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    You look out across the ragtag group of survivors gathered in the junkyard, their eyes filled with fear, anticipation, and determination. You feel the weight of leadership on...

Games by JimD Newsletter – Safe Haven, My Journey of Writing

Games by JimD Newsletter – Safe Haven, Other Projects

Welcome to my 66th newsletter! I have been working hard this month on multiple projects and my regular job, which takes up much of my energy. Most days, I work at my typical 9-to-5 job, while nights and weekends are devoted to writing. I have several writer friends who have similar work schedules. Those that have quit their regular jobs to go full-time at writing have to grind out a lot of words per month to support themselves. I...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

As I continue writing the new election content, I wrote 5 different speeches the MC can choose to give to the group based on personality. Here's the one that promotes unity and cooperation.

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 You   stand before the group of survivors, their faces looking up at you expectantly. The sun dips behind a bank of clouds, casting eerie shadows across the junkyard that has become your refuge. You take a deep breath and begin your speech, aiming to ignite a spark of hope i...

Brody Art Commission

Next up for artwork is Brody. Is there an actor or model who embodies Brody? How should he be posed? Lacrosse stick?

Madison Commissioned Art

Madison is all finished!

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Character Poll

In last month's character poll, we talked about Tommy and his plans for the immediate future after dealing with the people that killed his mother. For this poll, we are going to move onto another character – Rachel.

Rachel has had an interesting character arc throughout the game, but I don't want her to get stale. That is why you are going to help shape her going forward. In this poll, choose the goal she sets for herself for Part 4 and beyond.

Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison 4

Continued from scene 3

Brody and Madison exchanged glances as they approached their mother's Mercedes-Benz, its sleek exterior reflecting their worried faces. They hesitated momentarily before opening the doors, the gravity of their situation sinking in. Neither twin had ever driven a car before.

"All right, Maddie," Brody said, taking a deep breath as he slid into the driver's seat. "Ju...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

Many of you were interested in my last sneak peak related to changes in leadership for the main group. One path particularly interested people — taking over as leader by force. I thought you may be interested in seeing how that path is going. Below is a scene from chapter 14. I took out the code that checks for certain people being in the group, so you can read the plain text. Also, I am providing the path in which Rachel has been leader, and the MC is trying to take over.

Choices are...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork poll 3

My artist is close to finishing the portrait from Madison, who you selected in last month's poll. Since we have already had 2 female characters selected, for this month's poll, you will choose from a list of male characters.

Since the most popular characters are also romantic interests, we are going to work on artwork for them first.

New story poll

Please vote for this month's story.

Notes:

1. If the story, How would a survivor go on a date with the MC?, wins again, Madison will not be eligible since her story appeared last month.

2. If you have ideas for stories, please let me know.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

In chapter 14, a new vote for leadership will take place. However, the MC may attempt to take over the group without a vote or even attempt to appoint someone leader without a vote. Some of you may wish to take this nondemocratic approach to the leadership of your group while others may wish to have the group vote on a new leader in a election.

The text below is a sneak peek at a specific branch in which Rachel is currently leader. The MC has declared their intent to take over as leader...

Jillian Storyline

For those of you who are playing through the Part 4 beta, there is a storyline with Jillian that has raised some concerns. I'm interested in making changes to that storyline and would like your opinion. 

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE SPOILED BY PART 4 CONTENT, READ NO FURTHER!

As it stands in the current version of Part 4, Jillian is pregnant with Lyle's baby, regardless of the actions of the main character. I am proposing two new scenarios that provide...

Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison 3

Continued from scene 2

Brody looked at the zombie in the bikini top and glanced over his shoulder at his sister. “That girl, I know her from Spanish. What’s her name?”

Madison wanted to yell at him, but didn’t want to alert the crazie. “Her name doesn’t matter, but it’s Sarah Miles. We have to do something.”

Sarah lifted her head with a twitch and slowly turned towa...

Schedule for March, 2023

3/2 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Brody and Madison) scene 3. ($3+ tiers)

3/5 -- Content teaser. ($3+ tiers)

3/9 -- New story poll. ($10+ tiers)

3/12 -- Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork  poll.  ($10+ tiers)

3/14 -- Update & Sneak Peek ($1+ tiers)

3/15 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Brody and Madison) scene 4. ($3+ tiers)

3/16 -- Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Character Poll ($10+ tiers)

3/18 -- Content teaser. ($3+ tiers)...

A Junkyard Date with Madison

Three weeks into the outbreak, and you're worried about a first date.

Sure, there are better things to worry about. The front gate has a hole the size of a trashcan lid from a fallen tree branch in the storm two nights ago. Rainfall has left muddy puddles throughout the junkyard, and the number of mosquitoes has tripled. Your group has one week of rations left, but do you ever have more than that? Yet, here you are, piecing together a picnic for a date with the hottest girl from Chipper...