0.5.1 Preloader Test (Patreon)

Just to be clear:

There is no new content in this release! This version is intended to test a solution to a problem that only affects some people. Please only play this version if you're interested in testing out the feature!

TL;DR: This version tests out something that may help people who started experiencing brief freezes when transitioning between maps in versions 0.4 and beyond.

Longer story:

In 0.4, I started using a plugin to enhance my maps that relies on a bunch of small image files (Yanfly's Grid-Free Doodads, if you're interested!). Whenever you go to a map that uses them, the plugin loads up the images and places them in the appropriate spots, and voila! - you have cool stuff on the map. Apparently, though, the game loads these resources as they're needed, not at the beginning of the game. 

If you have a computer with a fairly fast SSD (like the one I develop on), you probably aren't even aware this is a problem. If, on the other hand, your system uses a lower-RPM Hard Disk (like 'green' and laptop drives), you may experience strange lag when switching maps, as the game goes through your hard drive looking for all these files.

This version might fix that problem by loading all those files into memory when the game starts. Though there are a fair number of them, they aren't very large, so I doubt it will take up all that much memory. It might, though, or it might affect performance in other ways, which is why I'd like people to test it.

What I'd like to know:

• Did this fix the 'lag between maps' problem?
• Did you experience any other issues?
• Is performance worse, better, or the same compared to other releases?
• Did the game consume an unusual amount of memory?
• Did the amount of memory consumed by the game increase significantly over time?

Thank you for your assistance and support!

Preloader Test Release 

PS - are you guys okay with getting messages for test releases like this through the normal patreon feed, or would you rather I find some other channel to avoid cluttering up your inbox?