EPISODE 1 - Chapter 1 - Development Progress - July 2022
ABOUT ME

I realized that those who follow me didn't know much about me so unlike previous development posts, this one will only be oriented towards certain aspects of my personal life that I would like to share with you for the sake of clarity. and transparency. Because, there are certain elements of my IRL life right now that are evolving, and so this invariably influences the development of the game.

Here is a photograph of me from a few years ago when I was still a fiery young policeman on patrol. Yes, for those who did not know, I am a police officer. But those who don't like the police don't judge me too quickly, I'm not the type which bullied and hurt visible minorities for free or shoot anything that moves!


CHANGE OF ACCOMMODATION
Lately, I have been in the middle of looking for a new place to live, because the one I currently live in is tiny. Indeed, I lived like a real police geek in a micro studio full of ashtrays filled with cold cigarettes and empty cognac glasses that were moldy in the sink. I stirred, quit smoking and drinking, and eventually found what I was looking for. A much better comfort for my wife my dog

and me. I am therefore actively preparing for my move. This period of research followed from the move itself, has a direct impact on the current game development.


CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
In addition, my assignment to the specialized investigation unit in charge of the events which occured at the Stade de France (the 28-29 of last may) left me little respite. Indeed, I am working on the arrest of the groups and gangs that targeted English and Spanish fans during the Champions League football final and all of Europe is watching our results. We are therefore directly in contact with the authorities, but above all with the victims in order to do them justice by finding their attackers. It's very interesting and rewarding work, but it takes a lot of time and energy so I'm not going to lie to you, the progress of the game has necessarily suffered.

However, be aware that this investigation group is temporary and exceptional. Things should be back to normal shortly. I also made a request for a spontaneous transfer to a brigade with an extremely interesting work cycle 3/2/2/3 which means 3 days of work followed by 2 days off followed by 2 days of work followed 3 days off! Suffice to say that if my request is accepted it will give a good boost to the production of the game, because I would have a lot of time to code!


PROJECT PROGRESS
Despite these IRL setbacks, I did my best to keep moving forward on the project, including putting some systems in place and reorganizing my production tools, folders, pending images, etc. I am therefore in the middle of a transition period, but understand one thing: once everything is stabilized, my progress will be much better.


THE TRAIN, WAGONS AND RAILS

This first big update after the prologue is going to be very important and I don't want to rush it under pressure. So it's also the one that will take the longest to release, because I'm not just creating the content, I'm also creating mechanics and support systems.

So let me tell you in a colorful way, how, at the present time, I see things. We can imagine that the game is a train. The already released prologue is the locomotive and wagons are all the next chapters to come.

But this train needs rails to move forward.

I've done very little work on the next wagon itself lately, but instead I've been building and placing more and more rails. That is to say, whatever I am currently doing will be beneficial and useful for all future chapters, not just the next one. Whether it's the generic systems that have been implemented in the code itself or all my IRL decisions to give me more time for the game, all of these are as many rails that will allow me to go faster and further when the train will start by increasing my pace of creation in good conditions to produce the following chapter.

So, for the next updates, I wouldn't have any more tracks to build and I could just work on the wagons (scenes: dialogue + rendering of each new chapter). So the chapters will come out faster (and really much faster if I generate enough funds to quit my job, let's be crazy and dream a little).

It's true that I had to make a big effort of adaptation, restrictions and reframing to orient myself towards something simple and specific that adapts (up to a certain point) to what the majority of players wants (roughly: less sandbox and more story).

So don't worry if this first update takes a while, it's completely normal considering the circumstances. Things just need to fall into place. And whatever happens, I will continue the efforts!

See you soon,