Progress Report #128 - Great news!

Hey lads!

I've been dealing with kidney stones again (they returned after 3 months) over the last few days, and I also needed a break after releasing v36. But I'm back now and already working on fixes for v36a and features for v37.

I have some great news! I managed to get a partial refund on some of my meds (they cost a lot!), so I can save a bit more money each month. It's not great, but not terrible either. Also, all your yearly pledges and bonus tips were a huge help, so my financial situation isn't critical anymore, at least. Thank you all for your support!

So, in return for your support and trust in me, and to show that your money isn't going toward my private jumbo jet, but toward my living expenses and into this project:

Firstly, I'm introducing the three-quarter front character view. This feature will be huge and game-changing, but it will require a lot of time and "a bit" of funding before it's fully released. So, I'll release it in small parts for Extended versions as an optional feature, so testing this buggy and unfinished stuff won't be forced upon you. Initially, you'll get to test it without any clothes or character customization options, and with some very basic animations. As for the timeline, I have no clue. I've already added partial support for new angles, but making it work properly, learning how to animate and use it, doing it for both genders, adding clothes & facial expressions, experimenting with it (new body types?), optimizing it (yes, I'm looking at you, Android), and so on, will take a lot of time... and money. But of course, I'll keep you updated on all the progress I make on it.

Secondly, I bought Spine 2D and I'm going to create new animations with it. But there's a small problem - I can't use it to create animations for the side view, as it would break all existing animations. So, only new front & back views will be created with Spine, while the side view will remain with my old animation tool. It will take some time for me to learn Spine and then integrate it into my project, but I believe it will be worth the wait once I'm done. Don't worry, I'm not going to dedicate all of my work time to Spine, so you'll still get to see monthly updates, but they might be a bit smaller, I guess. Well, I'll see how it goes.

And something you definitely won't like, because I like to kill all the fun in my posts - my wife got mad at me because of my constant crunch in March/April, so I'm kind of prohibited from staying up late working. So, from now on, expect small delays and a lack of precise release dates (yeah, as if they were ever precise to begin with, lol). My wife will give birth in August, and lately, she gets easily triggered by every minor thing... Sigh. Don't worry, it won't slow down too much from now on, just a bit.

The first three days of May are considered holidays in Poland, and people usually spend them grilling sausages outside. I wanted to do the same, so I might be a bit absent during that time. I'll probably release v36a this weekend, though.

The Steam store page still isn't up, but it's about 95% done, so maybe next week? For the Steam release, you'll still have to wait until late Summer probably.

Cheers!

Progress Report #127 - v36 in a few days

Hey lads!

Change of plans again. Instead of releasing v35b, I'll be releasing v36 in a few days. This won't affect Patreon/SubscribeStar users much, but itch.io and public release users will get v35a much sooner. I've put a lot of work into this update, and it would take me some time to release another one, so users on itch.io and public release would have to wait much longer (until late May) for anything new. That's why it wouldn't feel right to label it as v35b. Ye, I'll need to update my roadmap accordingly now, lol. Anyway, v36 on Patreon/SubscribeStar & 35a on itch.io both in a few days, and then public release of v35a Basic for everyone a week later (end of April). Enjoy!

Added tabs to the stats window, as you can see on the screenshot. Buff duration (with effect info) is visible now. I still need to add weekly buffs and tweak some other stuff, but I'm already pretty fed up with doing UI... :v

I'm working on a feature that lets me mix animations by overwriting some parts, which resulted in this short preview of the NTR glory hole event below, where Jane's current partner has a chance to call her while she's "working". Additionally, there's a work-in-progress feature with added shake to all cumming animations. This feature is in its early stages and reserved for EX only for now. Though it won't be visible on the majority of animations due to screen fade-ins and might not work well with all animations, especially BJs. It's optional, and I plan to finish it in v37 and include it in BA, as originally planned. But feel free to test it if you want.

https://mega.nz/folder/TzgwETCQ#NUHWYfhbKVAj76MMC94IMg

Once I release v36 I will go for some mini tutorial in the form of short events which will try to remind players on stuff they can do, existence of features, places to visit or some basic explanation of mechanics. Many people aren't even aware of Event Sheet or Glossary, so I need to do something about this.

And then there's another thing I've been planning for years - a main quest or goal for each character's backstory. As you know, Jane escaped her village and moved to The City for various reasons, which differ based on her chosen backstory. The main purpose isn't just to add locked-behind-story sex content, but to increase replayability, give each backstory more depth than just a few sentences about the past, and show how it continues to affect Jane in the present. This will also provide clear goals for Jane to chase after. Right now, Jane has to visit each place and look for 'stuff to do' there, without any clues or hints, which makes it feel like a bad RPG without any sort of main story. I wanted to make it truly open-world with a lot of freedom, and while I initially focused more on sex content due to the nature of the game, it needs a main story as much as any other game. Finishing these storylines won't trigger a game end, but I won't spoil anything (and the event sheet won't either), so you'll have to try them yourselves once they are added.

People often ask me why I keep working on various features instead of setting a solid goal and focusing on it, ignoring everything else. And I respond with, "And how many big projects developed for years do you have around that aren't making huge amounts of money?" It's simple - the majority of people would already be burned out if they were in my place. That's how I prevent myself from burning out. I'm primarily a game designer, and then a programmer. I've never been a writer or animator. I've always found inventing new features and programming game mechanics entertaining, and I believe that you prefer me to add some new feature rather than watch a movie on TV, because depending on the feature and the movie, one can be more enjoyable to do than the other. I'm a workaholic, but I can't force myself to work only on animations or writing for 8 hours straight. My workflow is basically jumping between multiple tasks all the time, it's really chaotic, but this way I can always find something that I want to do instead of slacking. I know I'm a weird fellow, but that's how I roll.

Back to work!

Cheers!

Progress Report #126 - Steam release, upcoming content & more

Hey lads!

Firstly, thanks a lot to everyone for pledging lately, especially to those who tipped me some extra on itch.io, chose the highest tier on Patreon, or pledged for a whole year. As I'm currently struggling financially, it was a huge help and allows me to continue working on this project. Cheers!

I'll start with the poll results. I used weighted votes and combined results from multiple platforms. Not gonna lie, the winner was pretty obvious, but I'm surprised a bit by other votes, especially the sex shop beating the hospital.

I've already started working on the exhibitionism and asking random NPCs for sex, since I plan to use a similar system for both features. This will overwrite old dialogues and trigger new scenes based on the NPC and location. For example, flashing to the customer at the table will result in a short touching scene while a man is sitting (similar to the Bald Guys event at the diner), while flirting with him will end up with a quickie in a toilet. There's a lot of NPCs and locations, and they need to be somewhat distinct from each other, so it's a lot of work. Some of it you will get to see in v36, but I won't be able to finish it for all locations in one update, since I have other stuff to work on. However, I aim to release one major update each month.

Since NTR ranked high in the poll, I'll focus on expanding current scenes with NTR, starting as early as v35b. Lesbians is a significant feature, but it received fewer votes than the majority of options, so it will be delayed until the summer (or later?). Eating and sleeping, as well as clothes and local shop jobs, received the least number of votes, so I won't prioritize those for now. Streaming/dating app ranked pretty high, so it will likely be the next thing I focus on after introducing exhibitionism and flirting. Working at the sex shop and hospital are also on the list, but creating new workplaces is a significant endeavor, so the sex shop might be introduced in the summer, while the hospital will have to wait until late summer or early autumn. Adding the possibility to work somewhere is one thing, but adding multiple events to make it entertaining is another. So that's more or less how the upcoming months are going to look, although other features will come along as well!

Here's a short preview with videos: https://mega.nz/folder/SnoGyRQS#b1tCwrgSfzP4P4Ni4mXlzw

v35b will be delayed a bit (up to a week). Initially, I wanted to release it this Monday, but as I work on v36 simultaneously, I won't make it in time. What will it offer? Quite a lot - Gynecologist check-up event, updated female feet art (still WIP), gym shoes, multiple tweaks or remakes of existing animations (idle, walk, run, glory hole sex etc.), mini NTR scene where Jane's boyfriend calls her during sex at glory hole, visible buff duration & current weekly buffs, tweaks to trait experience, mother backstory, birth counter, traits, perks, weekly buffs and more. I'm not sure if I overdid it with the content for this update, but I'm not a fan of holding back finished features for larger releases when they're ready and can be released earlier, so enjoy :P

I forgot to apologize for the lack of communication lately. As my wife's pregnancy progresses, I find myself constantly running between my PC and our child, especially when she gets a fever or decides to throw a tantrum, which requires a whole legion to stop her. And it will only get worse, but in August, I'll finally have a son :) I'm not planning on having a third child; I'm too tired :P

Another reason for the lack of communication is that I've spent the last few days trying to set up my game on Steam. Yesterday, I finally managed to send them my game for verification, and it might take from a few days to a few weeks. It will follow the same rules as on itch.io, so for $20, you will get the latest non-beta Extended version. It will use automatic regional pricing (with my small adjustments), so expect the game to be much cheaper in some poor countries. The only exception is Poland, since Steam charges us 15% more, while we aren't richer than the USA, so my fellow countrymen will pay only half the price.

All in all, Patreon devs rarely release games on Steam or itch.io because it's totally not worth it. Steam charges REALLY a lot, then add regional pricing, and for selling your game in some countries, you can get less than $1. It totally doesn't work if you are working on one big project for years without any DLCs or microtransactions. That's why Patreon & SubscribeStar work the best (and charge the least). But that's what a lot of you wanted, and I listen, so here you are :)

I don't need millions, and I will keep working as long as my family can make a living out of this project. The release is scheduled for this summer, as I need to polish the game more. Don't mind the screenshot; it's just a draft.

Changing the game release schedule. Steam & itch.io will be released together with the beta release on Patreon/SubscribeStar, but downgraded by one major update. The public Basic version will be released a week after Steam/itch.io and also downgraded by 1 major update, and the Cheats version will be downgraded by 2 major updates. So, if v37 comes out on Patreon/SubscribeStar on April 1st, v36x also becomes available on Steam/itch.io, and then on April 8th, there's v36x Basic and v35x Cheats released to the public for free.

It was another long progress report, so I guess I'll stop here. Sorry!

Cheers!

Progress Report #125 - New game version with cheats only!

Hey lads!

I'll be brief, as I want as much stuff done for v35 as possible, and then I'm gonna disappear for 2-3 days (we have Easters).

I've just added new Patreon & SubscribeStar tier for version with Cheats that is cheaper than Extended version but without experimental stuff from it. It will be also available to the public, but downgraded by 2 versions (public Basic version is downgraded by 1 version).

For v35 there will be as well - further CPU & RAM optimization, event sheet update (more readable), female face art update, 2 new (rounder) female foreheads & chins, 1 new female freckles, male beards & mustaches available in Basic version, unique clothes (tattered, diner, nurse) from homeless for high reputation, usable items during dialogues (like aphrodisiac), updated flavor text of items, toggleable pregnancy for money, being able to get job at Kevin's Diner back, updated flavor text of items, and some other stuff.

As mentioned earlier, cut-in view feature won't appear in initial v35 release, and will be added later, although it's a lot of work and I don't know if it will appear as a part of one of v35x updates. Also, stats window will be split into tabs in v35a.

I have some bad news. There won't be the gynecologist check-up event in v35, because as I tried to recruit a promising 2nd writer for the project, I gave him this event to write and he ghosted me... Thus no 2nd writer and no gynecologist event for now, as I won't have enough time to do it myself. Sorry.

And lastly, after living for a month in a bigger flat with my own room redesigned into a personal office sure is a great morale boost and makes my workflow easier. Although my kiddo and wife (in the middle of pregnancy) can turn my average day upside down and unleash an utter chaos (just like that), and it will only get worse in the upcoming few months... :P

v35 (Patreon & SubscribeStar) and v34d Basic public release are scheduled for March 30th (late night).

P.S. I might have some good news in April, but need to verify it, first!

Cheers!

Hey lads!

I've been so focused on moving to a new flat, then working on v34, and dealing with my sick pregnant wife and kid last week, who both dumped all tasks on me, and now I'm also sick since yesterday (no fever, just annoyance), and have been busy as hell. I totally forgot about writing a progress report... Sorry...

Since it's been a month, this post will be long, so brace yourselves!

Works on v34 are finished, and it works pretty well. There have been no reports about issues with stability or performance, which is great. I was a little bit annoyed after releasing v34b due to its lack of content, so I smuggled in an additional event with v34c (see screenshot). And now I can safely move on to working on v35.

For v35, I aim to continue with free-roam events, allowing Jane to encounter various (repeatable & low requirement) events simply by walking across The City. At this point, the game already has many sex scenes, although many are locked behind higher requirements or choices, making it difficult for players to experience them all. However, for the initial release of v35, I plan to prepare 3 sex events (since I already have the dialogues done for them) - Returning to work at Kevin's Diner after getting fired. Lovey-dovey (first time) sex with Ben. Check-up at the gynecologist (which will provide a long buff). Additionally, the gynecologist will offer the option to enable/disable pregnancy for a fee.

Furthermore, the game lacks a proper tutorial, and that's another aspect I want to focus on for v35. I'm considering implementing pop-up windows instead of forcing players to click on highlighted elements, but I'll see how it goes once I start working on it.

Another planned addition for v35 is an update to the female face art and a remake of the feet. You can see a comparison between v34 and the work-in-progress (WIP) v35 in the attached screenshots.

Additionally, I plan to release mustaches & beards as part of the Basic version, since we have just fixed them, meaning they will no longer be in the experimental state. There will be 3 variants of mustaches and 3 variants of beards, so the total number remains unchanged. Furthermore, we will add 2 rounder variants of foreheads & chins, as they seemed lacking in variety.

With my sick UI skills, I'm striving to enhance the readability of Event Sheets. Now, all events are sorted by location, and clicking on a location will show or hide its connected events. I've removed the events' location while checking whether they meet requirements, so events in different locations won't turn red anymore (though this can be restored with the Toggle Locations button). Events now display the current chance to trigger, and some unnecessary information can be hidden by turning off debug mode (F4 button). If there are no events for a location, it will be hidden. You can also manually hide locations by clicking on their names. However, there's an issue with duplicates since one event can happen in multiple locations, causing the same event to appear in each location. Searching for events with quotation marks " " will now search for an exact match.

Speaking of events, I aim to make them more obvious and easier to trigger in many cases. I plan to remove penalties from some choices and backstories while adding multiple bonuses via backstories, stats, perks, traits, etc., to make gameplay smoother.

I'm also making unique clothes obtainable from hobos with high reputation. The fastest way to acquire them would be cooking for the hobos, but triggering hobo events could also work, though it would take much longer. Currently, this includes nurse and two diner outfits, but drifter/homeless clothes will also be included.

In two weeks, we have Easter, and I'd like to add something small despite having a lot of work. However, I'm currently clueless. If anyone has ideas, feel free to share them with me.

There's a roadmap mentioning much more stuff for v35, which you can read about my main goals for 2024 on Discord (https://discord.com/invite/47mBKMnh9c). However, there's only so much I can do in one go, so expect more as part of v35 in April, while some will be delayed until v36.

Now for some bad news. With all the fees, taxes, meds, and price increases this year (and more to come in the upcoming weeks/months), it's getting harder to run this project. It's common knowledge here in Poland that running your own business is difficult (and kinda shunned by society for some magical reason), and that's why you hardly see any projects like this here, despite a population of 40 million. I'm not going to increase pricing, add microtransactions, DLCs, or other monetization schemes, but I might be forced to look for a part-time job if things get really bad. This means I'll have less time to invest in this project, as I have a family to feed. Naturally, I'm still going to do my best and keep working.

On a brighter note, with the v35 release, I'll be adding one more game version - CH (Cheats). It will be a middle ground between BA (Basic) and EX (Extended) for people who only care about cheats and not about my experimental and unusual features. It will be priced at 10 euros on Patreon and $11 on SubscribeStar. So what does this change for you? If you don't care about cheats, or if you are interested in special features from EX, or you bought the game on itch.io - then nothing changes. However, if you only care about cheats and nothing more, then you can freely downgrade from the 15 euro version to the 10 euro version and save some money. I'm just hoping that all of you won't instantly downgrade, because it will definitely hurt funding for this project even more, but I leave the choice to you ^ Additionally, I'm going to release CH to the public as well, but downgraded by 2 versions (instead of 1 like in the BA case). So you will get to see public v35 CH together with public v36 BA. Enjoy!

Now, I really don't want to sound ungrateful or greedy, as I simply try to make this project as transparent as possible by staying honest and communicating about any problems. I've already started working on the new character angle, but since I'm really struggling financially right now, I'm unable to pay my artist for it. It involves re-making ALL of the character art, for both female and male, including clothes and other details from scratch and in more detail, since the side view is the least detailed angle, and I have to repeat it for every new angle. So I'm really sorry, but I can't pull it off right now.

Obviously, the second project is on hold, because if I can't afford to hire freelancers for this project, then I won't do it for a lower priority project either.

One of my dreams was to develop a big project and support it for ages, like, you know, one guy (or a very small team) spends years on it and keeps expanding it even after a release, like Kenshi, Dwarf Fortress, etc. While I never wanted (or even thought about it) to become a hentai dev, still after like 5 years spent with this project, with its ups and downs, I've become rather attached and fond of it. So I would really love to continue working on this project because thinking about what it could become after another 5 years gets me really excited, especially after polishing out the game's foundation. Really, compare v34 with v30, or some older builds like v0.27 & v0.01, a lot has changed.

v35 (Patreon & SubscribeStar) and v34c public will be both released on March 30th, while v34c EX will be released on itch.io on March 17th.

P.S. Looks like an event in v34c is bugged and won't trigger (it's a dumb oversight, my bad), but its second variant that's a bit harder to trigger (requires buying clothes) works fine. There's no way for me to release v34d, as I've already started working on new features for v35 and can't roll back. Sorry!

Cheers!

Hey lads!

v34 will be released on Patreon & SubscribeStar on February 18th, along with v33c BA going public. Then, on February 19th, I'm moving to a new flat (originally scheduled for March, but the previous tenants left earlier), so I won't be available for a few days due to moving and lack of internet access.

I've tested v34 on multiple devices, and it runs remarkably well, better than ever before. No more long loading times, low-resolution art, or crashes. It can run smoothly even on low-end devices, just like Unaware of the World did.

The logic for buying/selling traits is complete, but I still need to make some adjustments. The initial release of v34 won't include any new events because optimizing the game, implementing the traits system, and updating the art were quite demanding tasks, leaving little time to script events. However, I'll focus on adding new events in v34a and v34b, as we already have multiple events prepared with Mr. Writer.

I initially planned to split character stats, perks, buffs, etc., into multiple tabs, but I'll save that for v34a.

Cheers!