Log inGreetings Passengers of Flight 172!
It has been a minute since our last update in March. While I usually aim for a monthly cadence, a mix of extenuating circumstances and a major pivot in production caused a bit of a delay. However, the wait comes with a significant silver lining regarding the long-term quality of Flight 172.
It has been a minute since our last update in March. While I usually aim for a monthly cadence, a mix of extenuating circumstances and a major pivot in production caused a bit of a delay. However, the wait comes with a significant silver lining regarding the long-term quality of Flight 172.
Update Progress
Total Render Count: 265 (+39)
Total Animations: 13
Total Dialogue Word Count: 17,893 (+1,144)
Total Text to Speech Words Spoken: 9,611 (-439 words, mostly due to cleaning up and tightening the script)
Total Animations: 13
Total Dialogue Word Count: 17,893 (+1,144)
Total Text to Speech Words Spoken: 9,611 (-439 words, mostly due to cleaning up and tightening the script)
The "Bad" News
You’ll notice the render count hasn't jumped as much as expected. Here is why: 54 renders into the next scene, I had to face a hard truth; my original airport map fucking sucked.
It was limited to just a check-in area, a lobby, and a gate. Since the entire Prologue takes place here, covering everything from Passenger Drop-off and Security to Duty-Free and the Jetways, the original "piece-meal" approach felt like a Frankenstein’s Monster of assets. It wasn't seamless, and it wasn't immersive.
The Pivot: I have partnered with my friend and modder Xoa to build a massive, bespoke Airport Map. It is a single, cohesive environment that looks and feels like a real international hub.
The Cost: I had to scrap those 54 renders to ensure visual continuity.
The Silver Lining: I still have the scene files and poses. Re-rendering them in the new environment will be significantly faster than the initial creation, and every scene moving forward will benefit from a much higher standard of quality as well as not as much time spent on scene setup.
The Great News
While the map was under construction, I wasn't sitting idle. I commissioned developer F to overhaul the game's interface. The UI is now officially completed and fully integrated.
Character Profiles This is my personal take on a "gold standard" UI. Every Female Lead, Supporting Character, and Special Guest has a dedicated profile.
Character Profiles This is my personal take on a "gold standard" UI. Every Female Lead, Supporting Character, and Special Guest has a dedicated profile.
- Dynamic Updates: Profiles evolve based on story progression.
- Stat Tracking: View a dynamic synopsis of character stats and their current standing with Xander.
- Wardrobe: You can unlock and swap outfits directly through the UI.
Achievements are now built-in (ignore the placeholder images for now!). If you are struggling with a specific unlock, clicking the "Help" icon will provide a subtle hint.
Accessibility with granular options. Flight 172 features extensive accessibility and TTS options, we have split the settings into three clear categories: Audio, Display, and Preferences. I have also added "Info" buttons to more complex settings so you know exactly what you are toggling.
Accessibility with granular options. Flight 172 features extensive accessibility and TTS options, we have split the settings into three clear categories: Audio, Display, and Preferences. I have also added "Info" buttons to more complex settings so you know exactly what you are toggling.
Where do we go from here?
As soon as Xoa delivers the final map assets, I’ll be diving back into the engine to re-render the scrapped scenes. This pivot definitely pushed back our immediate timeline, but for the sake of the project’s overall quality and "feel," it was the only right call to make.
Onward through the new terminal!
Safe Travels,
Grizzlebubs
Onward through the new terminal!
Safe Travels,
Grizzlebubs
