Dev Update 23/11/2019 (Patreon)

Update time!

This week was... rough. After spending a long while trying to force an idea I liked to work, the time has come for me to realize it's holding the game back. Putting this in writing will pretty much force my hand to find a better alternative, so here's what it could have been, but will not be: 

I wanted to have a language barrier serve as a major mechanic in the game, with the player slowly learning the girls languages to progress. Problem is, no matter how I spun it. It meant the first run through the game will always be basically blind and stilted. Any characterization I put into the girls will be lost due to the language barrier and it would inevitably lead to a game that isn't fun to play at the start. And while I'm sure some of you would have plowed through and got to the fun part, I see no reason to shoot the game in the foot like that. No concept is worth it.

I'm scrapping that idea, which means I'm going to have to take a step back and rework several things. Luckily this is early enough so not a lot of time has been dedicated to this concept, and all of the girls characterizations hold well without it (another sign that it didn't belong to begin with), but this is a setback. I'll rework the roadmap and update you all in the next update or two. It shouldn't be a huge delay though.

On the bright side, I've continued working with Phoenix on the next character concept. She completed the initial sketch and we're headed in a great direction with this one. I think she can give "ballet girl" (real name reserved) a good fight. 

All in all, this week, hard as it was, will help make for a better game in the long run. I'll do what needs doing to get over this hump and deliver a more positive update next week, so for myself and for you:

Have a great week!