Weekend Update 07/31/2022 Talking about the new ToyBox (Patreon)

This month I've been working on overhauling the toybox, and that process is taking a lot longer than expected and the changes being made aren't at a point where they're demonstrable.  So I thought I'd write up a post detailing what's going on with it as well as a second post detailing what my plans are for the future of SmutCube.

The toybox overhaul is going to be a change focused on making the toybox easier and more intuitive to use. The current implementation has been called clunky on numerous occasions due to some design flaws.

Problems with the Toybox
First and foremost is the camera, which was modeled after the camera in Illusion games. It's unlike any other camera from other games which means if you haven't played Illusions games or FuckNAF before the camera has a learning curve to it. For such a basic feature that isn't acceptable.

Second, the way toys are moved is also problematic, having to explain to users that they need to "click and hold on the torso" is confusing. Again, like the camera, if the user is used to this system (as I am) this is fine, but this update is aimed at eliminating the learning curve.

Third, selecting an animation is tedious and clunky. The process of getting a specific game over scene to play is terrible. For new users, you have to learn what "Lock on and sync" means, figure out what toys pair together, and then figure out what animations in each toy correspond with an animation playable in the other toys synced to it.

Fourth, the toy box barely ties into the meta reward system. Toys have a price tag, but it's confusing to new users that the "money" used to purchase toys isn't actually spent, your money only acts as a limiter on the maximum number of bots.

To address these issues
First the camera will be replaced with the new game over scene camera, changing the controls in the toybox that previously conflicted with the camera.

Second, toys will have transform handles added that allow players to click and drag toys around the toybox and have the toy go where there mouse goes. The goal is to imitate Unity's controls which are much more intuitive.

Third, the way sex scene animation data are stored is being completely overhauled. This is the process that is taking the longest as all of the FuckNAF scenes are being implemented into a new highly extensible architecture that I plan to use in every game I make in the future. I'll post more details on the discord in the "Boring math stuff" channel for those interested.

Fourth, toys will start costing money. Player's will be able to buy the toys or rent them, renting will cost 1/10th the buy price but must be paid every time the toybox is opened. Buying the toy will allow it to be used continuously regardless of the player's current money.