DevLog #69: January 2021 (Patreon)

Hi everyone 😉 So, here's the first DevLog of the year 😊

Light Fairytale Episode 1

While working on the Nintendo Switch port, I've been playtesting the game a lot, so I've decided to implement quite a few new things 😅

So, I've switched back to the Steam version, as it is easier for implementing new features.

The major new change is the increase in font size. It's now much more readable on small handhelds down to 5.5".

I've implemented Kuroko's personal skill: Hack - efficient on machines.

There's an aura on the top of the screen that fades from green to red when walking in a known battle zone, so you can now tell when the encounter will happen.

You can now check the various online leaderboards on the title screen.

You can now toggle the elemental orb on your weapon in-battle by pressing L1 / R1, for the left / right hands.

The field menu / pause screens now actually pauses the rendering of the game - saving battery life and making the menus much smoother on low specs devices.

New graphics option: target framerate - for proper support of framerates from 30 to 120 FPS.

And a few more things here and there 😊

I plan to update the Steam version first - including proper Steam Deck support - in a few days.

The console versions will follow a bit later.

The Nintendo Switch version is looking and feeling great too 😁

Here's a couple screenshots captured directly from a devkit in handheld mode - the lowest quality mode.

Docked mode will be superior to this as it have double the performance.

Super Night Riders S1

The Steam page is now live 😊

Please check it out and add it to your wishlist:

store.steampowered.com/app/1836660 

Learn more on my plan with the Super Night Riders series on the updated official website:

neko.works/SNR 

As S1 is meant to replace the original - especially on new platforms where the original will never be ported, I've decided to still use the old key artwork for the game's cover, as I think it's beautiful and would be a shame not to.

Though, I've commissioned a new illustration from the same artist for the soundtrack's cover.

Initially, I was planning on using a 3DCG render that I made myself to reduce costs, but I then thought that an Anime illustration is really needed - also suggested by your votes in Patrons Survey #7.

Bonus

So, here's this month's 4K wallpaper - the full illustration of Super Night Riders S1's soundtrack cover. I hope you'll like it 😉

What's Next?

I'll be updating Light Fairytale Episode 1 on all platforms early next month.

I should also complete the Nintendo Switch port around the same time - though I'm not familiar with the platform in term of publishing, so I'm not sure if I can get it released next month. I'll try 😁

I'll then switch (no pun intended) to Episode 2 implementing all the new improvements from Episode 1 on all platforms, including the new Switch port. This will probably happen around March though.

That's about it for the next 6-8 weeks or so 😊

On the long term, I'm still planning to release Super Night Riders S1 around Q2, and return working on Light Fairytale Episode 3 soon after until its release - probably around Q1 2023. Again, sorry for the wait 😢

As always, thank you so much for your continuous support. See you next month 😉