Weekend Update (Patreon)

I made one minor update to Episode 8:  To correct an issue where one of the new characters in Episode 8 was causing a conflict with the Profile image of Francois (waiter from Episode 6).  So nothing major and certainly nothing worth re-downloading the updated version.

I've also added a compressed version (lower quality / smaller download size) and a partial compressed version (Episode 8 in full, episode 1-7 compressed).

So far, feedback on Episode 8 has been very positive, so glad to hear that people like it.

As suggested prior to release, it was larger in size (2700 lines of dialog code vs. 2000 in Episode 7) and had more renders:  Over 200 vs 170 in Episode 7 and 145 in Episode 6, plus it had our first animation.

It was a difficult episode to write because unlike previous episodes (gradual progress with some characters and one-off plot elements), this had to be a self-contained episode (beginning, middle and end), so I wasn't used to that.  But based on the feedback, it turned out OK.

And I want to give a big shout out to Aeilion - Without his help, this episode would still be in development (for another week or two) and when released, it would have had poorer quality artwork, so it really has been a huge help to have him on-board.

My only concern with the upcoming Episode 9 is that will revert back to the same style of pacing (with increased progress obviously) as episodes 1-7, so it may not seem as much as a full-stand-alone package as Episode 8, but I'll let you folks be the judge of that,  The good news is that Jenna & Monica will be back in Episode 9 with some development for both.  

I am still pissed that one of my Patrons is pirating my game as soon as it's released.  I am not naive enough to think that the game won't be pirated, but I am annoyed that the "supposed" fan is prioritising the piracy without even taking the time to play it first.  It was pirated literally within minutes of my releasing it!

But I do feel a bit of sympathy for this person as it's obviously an important outlet for them to get some sort of positive emotional/social response for themselves. (Maybe their life really is that pathetic and if that's the case, who am I to judge...).  so my only ask to that person is that if you really are that hungry for attention, try creating something  yourself OR at least give your fellow patrons a few days to enjoy the reward of early access that they are entitled to, before you pirate it.  

And lastly, just so that I'm not keeping any of you in the dark regarding my work-rate....  Unfortunately I won't be spending much time on the game over the next 8 days (mini-hiatus).  There's a few things going on in my life (work, family, relationship) that I need to catch up on.  Nothing tragic / negative (or worthy of any well-wishing), just normal real-life shit that has been neglected over the past few months that i need to sort (before a risk of losing any/either work, family, relationship, etc. happens :) )

This is only the second time (in the 9 months since I started) that I've taken more than a 3-day break.  However, I do intend to get back to full pace again on my return.  And it won''t be a complete blackout for the week, I'll still be online, can still resolve any issues / respond to comments and will still be jotting down ideas/ script for Episode 9 and Aeilion (because he never seems to sleep at all) is busy working on some new artwork, including creating Elaine from scratch!

Too early to predict a release date for Episode 9, other than to say it will be  a December release.

And to finish with a quote from our old friend William CockSpeare:

"When I saw you, I fell in love.  And you smiled because you knew. (that you were getting fucked tonight!)"

And an apt quote for my special "fan" hibc4 

"I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed."