Dev Update #25 (Patreon)

What a week. First, let me explain the progress graphic, because it is a bit misleading this week. I did NOT magically go from 42% remaining to under 20% in the span of a week. I'm not that good. I ended up cutting a large scene, and replacing it with a much smaller one. Details aren't important, as that large scene may work its way back into the story. But that is how I made such a jump. Good news is that I now don't have much left in terms of renders remaining.

Before anyone gets too excited, there is a bit more work to be done after the renders before I can begin the beta. Likely nothing lengthy, but just something to consider when you're guessing when a release might be coming. My beta team will have a lot of proofing and checking to do also as we are getting into game territory where paths really matter and change a LOT of content. I've got some hopefully good changes for them this time to make the beta easier, but we are still working out the kinks there. I truly appreciate their time and patience with me. They make sure that you have something that is polished, even if we occasionally miss something.

If you're in the Discord and are a patron, you've seen some new experiments I've been working on. Don't get too excited, as nothing is game ready yet. But I'm very close on some things that I've been working on for a long time. I'm not saying anymore, as I've learned previewing anything that isn't definitely going to happen within a known timeframe bites me in the ass.

Speaking of patrons, $10+ patrons got a poll this week to choose a character to get a bonus scene in Chapter 7. I'm looking forward to writing that here soon.

Finally, I'm starting to get a bit smarter with my renders. For the longest time, I've written scenes as I felt they should always be, without any regard to what assets I'd need to purchase, etc. No longer. My wallet and my time are both tired of it. I'm going to be a bit more conscious, starting with Chapter 7, in where my characters interact, and how I can make that still believable and immersive, but without adding hours to setup times for renders. Long story short, I've learned why most VNs take place in homes and workplaces, usually just 2-3 characters at once, with very rare trips outdoors. LOL.

I'll be back next week with another update. In the meantime, enjoy the preview (and for patrons, previews…). It feels nice to be seeing the end in sight for Chapter 6!

ONE LAST THING: If you're a patron, don't forget the Q&A that starts tomorrow at 1PM US Eastern time. I'll be posting the link in the Patron only section of Discord and on Patreon right around that start time.