Development Update #5 (October) (Patreon)

Running a bit behind on Patreon posts in general, so I apologize for that! ^^" It's a busy month as we prep up the content for our next release, but even outside of the project, it's a busy time of the year with family birthdays and events, classes, etc.

That's besides the point! I want to do one more tiny development update this month, it won't be huge or exciting as the other ones. Just briefly showing our progress and some light goals for content we're seeing if we can squeeze it in with the next release as bonus pieces of content.  

Below is our updated progress!

-Final editing pass. 100% done.
-Engine transfer. 80% -> 95% done.
-New assets added/functioning correctly. 100% done.
-New feature/systems testing. 75% -> 90% done.
-General testing pass. 50% -> 80% done.
-Release.

As you can see, we're pretty much done with what's needed with the new content and so our focus right now is trying to see what little things we can add into the release while finishing the bulk content focus being Episode 5.

In case you're not aware, v0.20 will feature the continuation from the end of Episode 4 into Episode 5. Without major spoilers, the new episode focuses on Brandon and his buddies being given the green light to officially join clubs. Previously, it was up in the air with the school if the guys should be allowed to take part in clubs until they've updated some basic rules to make it work and even then, there's some exceptions to limit the guy's choices.

Episode 5 will focus on following Brandon and his buddies along to check out different clubs with new and familiar faces appearing! By the end, what club will you decide to join?

This is the end of the common route, not to scare anyone.. This is about 1/3rd of the way through the game as a whole. With Episode 6 onward, these are route focused episodes that are smaller in scale, but focus more purely on each given character. So, Miki's Ep 6 vs Erika's Ep 6 content are very different and this is expected with all characters as we follow their individual story. 

There's a total of 12 to 13 episodes, with 7-8 of these episodes being route episodes. The only content in route episodes that's shared between each other is main story events, where these moments will be fitted into each route in a fitting way to not feel out of place with what's going on with route stories.

Enough of my rambling.. ^^"

Our goal right now is adding in this prologue scene to the game that acts as one of the first things players will see upon starting a new game. This is mainly meant for brand new players to MA, but the whole thing is to warn players what they're getting themselves into for game content. Besides that, it'll mention official means to support us or obtain downloads, etc. (Sounds boring, huh?)

Don't worry! The prologue scene itself is meant to fit in terms of feeling like it's actually part of the game in terms of being fun and keeping new player's attention, but not overstaying it's welcome in order to let players dive into the actual game. It features a special cg scene with Erika and Miki that has fan service front and center! :P

It also acts as a brief, general impression of what new players can expect from MA as a game experience right from the start with seeing Erika and Miki interact as they would in-game normally. Compare that to a brand new player having to spend upwards of a full hour before having met Erika and Miki in the first episode. ^^" Quite a investment to ask of new players who might get the wrong impression early on when a lot of the focus begins with Brandon and his buddies, then the teacher and rules, etc. before finally at least coming across Erika.

Anyways! We're working on including this prologue into the game to be ready with Episode 5.