4.0 - the final stretch (Patreon)

I am officially in the final stretch of Life Sim 4.0.  This was, on my end, the largest update since the Intelligence + Shop + Job update a while back.  I will be 100% crystal clear: on your end it is not as big of a difference.  This is because I essentially recreated the game's structure to cut the number of passages from 229 to UNDER 100.  (All while adding MORE content to the game.) 

Those who are familiar with Twine will understand why that's a huge deal.  For those who aren't...  let's just say that the overall structure of the game has been made more than 2x as efficient.   That is where the majority of development time has gone.  I understand it might be frustrating since you won't tangibly see much difference from that, but it was essential for the future of the game; just ask anyone who opened it up in the original client and had the storyweb literally lag from scrolling due to the number of passages!

But with that said, 4.0 will still play very differently from earlier versions.

Here's a list of things that are new in 4.0 (this is a non-exhaustive list as I've honestly forgotten some new stuff)

- Game is now in the new version of Sugarcube, making the UI nicer and implementing a in-browser back-page function.
- There is now a Time system.  All major activities take a certain amount of time.  Exercise takes 2 hours, work takes 8 hours, etc.  This makes the world feel a bit more real, and also makes it much easier to manage atrophy.
- Strength, endurance, and flexibility now have a linearly growing "experience point" requirement.  For example, for Strength, it's currently set at 10 points for level 1, then an additional 5 points at each higher level (level 2 = 15; level 3 = 20; so on and so forth.).  The player's requirements are 2x as high.  
- Offset this by giving your girlfriend supplements, genetic therapies, and personal training to increase the amount of experience she gains.  The player doesn't get these bonuses.  Leveling him up will be slightly closer to building muscle IRL.
- New shop: Chance's Cubical Clinic.  You can purchase an Analyzer that will show just how much experience the girlfriend/you need to level up.  Also shows precisely what is gained from each workout.  Additionally, Chance performs surgeries (height, intelligence, and bonus points to strength experience gain)
- Endurance now gives a penalty or bonus to strength experience gain  (idea being she can workout longer/harder with more endurance.  this MIGHT be scrapped for balance reasons)
- When your girlfriend lifts weights alone, you now join and guide her.  You start off as an amateur, but you can increase your own personal training ability at the new Community College shop.
- Workouts in general have been improved to be a bit more dynamic.  (It now says like, "Her thin, trembling arm" for bicep curls at an early level;  "Her bulging, menacing bicep" at a higher level, etc.)
- Your home gym can now be upgraded 3 times to challenge your girlfriend all the way up to muscle level 40.  The gym can be used up to level 40 now.  Potions/magic/inventions are still needed to go past 40, and can be used the same as always.
- A few new descriptions added.  Descriptions go up to girlfriend muscle level 45.
- Girlfriend says new randomly generated things at the living room screen - she generally recommends things to buy, lol.
- Sleep screen slightly more dynamic
- Wrist weights + ankle weight equipment that will provide passive strength points early on and ward off atrophy.
- New endurance-focused invention(s)  (still finalizing this)
- 2 new pieces of art by Ritualist (these are more interim levels, sorry hyper-muscle fans!)

So when is this coming out?

Well, I am simply going to work on it until it's finished at this point.  Which means that could be later tonight, or even in the early AM tomorrow.  Either way, I will be generating a pledge on the Game Patreon at around ~11PM EST to determine "What I'll do next"  (update 4.1 will be Competitions, so this will decide what comes after that.)  Once it is finished, ALL patrons who have processed a $10+ pledge will automatically be invited to the beta testing, as will those who actually helped in prior beta tests.  (If you helped in a prior test and I miss you, feel free to send me a note - I almost certainly genuinely forgot.)

If you want to modify or remove your pledge, do so before then.  And if you want to become a new patron, same applies.

AFTER the beta testing is complete (usually takes 2-3 days) then the $10+ pledgers will receive the game for a 1 week exclusive period.  During which I'm sure more bugs will be found, lol.  Then after that 1 week period I will release the game on DA.

So, it will look something like this:

Game Released: May 1st
Beta Period: 1-3 days (presume 3 for this example)
Exclusive Period: May 4-11th
Released on DA: May 12th

If you pledge $10+ before that ~11PM EST window tonight, then you will be automatically invited to the beta + early access.

Thanks for your support everyone, and I hope you enjoy everything to come!

- Magnus