Update
Long wall of text ahead, TLDR at the bottom
1. Long overdue returning update:
I wanted to write an update upon returning but didn't really know what to write as well as taking some time to get back in the groove of things. So first of, I'd like to thank everyone that stayed as well as welcome all the new subscribers to my page! I didn't expect so many people to sub while I was away.
While I was on break, I still took some time to look at different methods to improve my content, for example, the new format for comics moving forward(comic tier subs will have already seen from the early access). I've always wanted to make traditional panel-style comics even before I started this journey, and there were a few things that held me back before because 3D rendering each individual panel differs a lot from traditional 2D drawing comic panels, but I think I've finally figured out a feasible way to do it. There's actually a lot I have to change/learn in terms of workflow so the first few comics from the time of writing this might feel a bit rough –which is also why, I chose to use the upcoming comic: "Agents: Fantasies" to test things out on, as it's a kind of "side story" to the main story–so still relevant, but not TOO important. It's also perfect because it allows me to do some world building, that the Agents series kind of lacks because as I've mentioned many times, I didn't expect Agents to be this drawn out, so coming up with future chapters is a bit difficult when there's almost nothing to build upon T_T. Anyways I digress, the format change is just one of the few things I've researched and implemented. There may be some people that don't like it and I apologize if you prefer the "full page render" comic style.
Another thing I was able to do was upgrade my rig to a highest-end tier 5090 setup! And it's all thanks to you guys. I said I'd put all funds to improving future contents, and among buying different things like software from time to time to improve things, I've finally made the "ultimate investment". It's allowing me to render almost 2-3x faster than before, but the funny part is because of the new format change, the actual final production speed is pretty much the same, if not slower, because of the amount of extra time I have to put in to the post-production workflow -_-''. Oh yea, and I have to use a buggy alpha version of 3D rendering software because the original software doesn't yet support the 50 series, so that doesn't help either. But again, I just want to thank all of you that made this possible, and look forward to more(and higher quality) comics!
2. Price + Content Scheduling Changes
So as mentioned in my "taking a break" post, some changes need to be made in order to not burn myself out again and make things more sustainable. This part of the update I had to wait a bit before giving a proper update, because I can't actually change the price of/remove tiers myself as long as there's subs in said tiers. I understand this is probably some prevention for creators from stealth increasing the price and possibly scamming subs, but I don't see why lowering it would harm anyone, but anyways I emailed support to see if they could help me otherwise I'd have to make new tiers and and things would just get messier if I eventually end up having 20 different tiers, but of course no reply. So, I have to resort to making NEW TIERS to "lower" the prices of existing tiers. Feel free to change your tier accordingly.
The changes are:
1. Comic tier: From $10 -> $7
2. Pinup tier: From $5 -> $3
Reasoning behind this, firstly for the Comic tier: I've realized 1 month is a bit of a ridiculous timing to create a full comic, even more so with the new format, so I've decided to extend the production duration, which means I'd have to lower the sub price as well. At the current pace I'm making Agents: Fantasies I'm thinking comics should roughly be around the 2 month mark, give or take a few days. "But Argunaut, wouldn't it then be cheaper to just wait and buy the final product from your store?" Yes, it would be if you just want the final comic. The exclusives of this sub tier would be early access to a portion of the comic, and to just support me and my content in general. Comic's in the store could also be more than $10 depending on how much time I put into it. (Nothing ridiculous, possibly max $15)
Secondly, the Pinup tier: I've stopped the weekly pinups as there didn't seem to be much interest in them and actually took a lot of effort to make, however I'll still be making random pinups(e.g. the recent Supergirl, Melody, Iris pinups) likely once or twice a month as I still enjoy making random things that aren't comic related, and that's what this tier is for. Basically less consistent scheduling than before but cheaper, and quality still remains.
As I can't get rid of the $10 and $5 tier until there's 0 subs in said tiers, I won't say no if you want to stay in them just to support me :D, but yes I'll remove them when it does happen.
General Updates
So in more recent news, overtime I've slowly grown more and more frustrated at 3D rendering(specifically DAZ) for comics, because many ideas I have just simply can't be implemented or just look bad due to technological limitations(e.g. the squeeze on skin from bondage), but I've realized I still enjoy making sexy comics of hot girls being defeated, bound and banged, which is why I've decided to take up 2D drawing. This also contributes to the slower pacing of future contents, as now I split roughly 80/20 of the time I have from making 3D content to practice drawing. But 2D drawing is a very difficult skill, especially to reach a standard where I'm content with selling to the public. It may take years, hell I might even give up halfway, who knows, but don't get your hopes up for anything soon :P. TBH I've always loved 2D more than 3D rendered comics, in fact all of my favourite comics are 2D, so it was bound to happen in this journey at some point.
When I post this update, I'll also set myself to "Vacation" mode again UNTIL CHRISTMAS, PURELY TO PAUSE BILLING, as there's no other way to pause billing on this platform. Reason being, just yesterday I had an idea for Christmas themed content, and 1 week isn't much time to make a comic, so I'll have to devote all my time to this if I want to make it on time. So if I'm not currently working on the Agents comic, then it's not fair to charge you guys. It'll be a free, Christmas themed, special short comic featuring Supergirl and WonderWoman, length still TBD.
TLDR:
1. Future comics will adopt the traditional western panel-style comic
2. Next comic is "Agents: Fantasies", a side story in the Agents series.
3. Pricing change of Comic and Pinup tiers, introduced as NEW TIERS because I can't change the prices of existing tiers, so feel free to change your tier accordingly.
- Comic tier from $10 to $7
- Pinup tier from $5 to $3
Reason:
- Comics will now take roughly 2 months to produce, give or take a few days. Buying from the store will USUALLY be cheaper if you just want final comic, but the subscription will give you early access to a portion of the in-production comic, and to just support me and my content in general. Store comics may also be more than $10 depending on how much time I put into it. (Nothing ridiculous, possibly max $15)
- Pinups will no longer be weekly, but still aiming to make one or two a month, quality still the same. (e.g. the recent Supergirl, Melody, Iris pinups)
However, of course I won't say no if you want to stay in your current tier to support me :D
4. I'm setting myself to "Vacation" mode again, JUST TO PAUSE BILLING UNTIL CHRISTMAS, because there's no other way to pause billing on this platform, as I'll be devoting all my time to make a Christmas special short comic featuring Supergirl and WonderWoman that'll be free for everyone and putting a pause on "Agents: Fantasies" until then. Billing will resume after Christmas.