0.8 Update
Hey guys,
I wanted to give you an update on things and about what is going on at the moment with the build. It has been a debate for a while as to whether or not bring this up, but unfortunately I think things have been pushed far enough that I can no longer not explain the situation.
What's going on?
For September and the 0.8 build I had hired a writer (the same one I had hired previously to do a few bits of work on the project with extended scenes and such). I did this so I could do some additional work on my other projects while making sure that UD would progress at its normal rate. They would be handling a large chunk of the Mom & Sydney progression dialogue and I would edit what was necessary and add in any extra bits I felt was needed after the fact, while also being able to make any coding changes / bug fixes needed in time for the end of September.
Unfortunately, the writer hasn't delivered on what was tasked. A few bits have been completed, but nothing to the extent I was expecting and it seems like I can expect nothing more in the short term either. Although I had hoped things would be delivered perhaps a little late at worst (a couple days / week at most) it has become apparent that is not the case.
It's not my policy to discuss the private matters of people I work with so I won't be going into details in that regard. But be assured I won't be working with them again. I am not trying to shift the blame, the onus for the delay of this build is completely on me. After all I choose who I work with and I decided to work with someone who turned out to not be as reliable as hoped.
Again, I can only apologise for this and the delay this has caused to 0.8.
How do we fix this?
I'll be taking over the writing for this build, and it's going to be my full focus going forward until its complete. The necessary coding changes for a new feature (text messages) has been complete as well as the main bug fixes, so fortunately it's just the dialogue to go.
Although I am still keen to not give ETAs on builds, I think in this instance because things are quite out of the norm I will make an exception. My current plan is deliver 0.8.1 towards the end of next week that will have Mom's full final progression, and then 0.8.2 the week after for Sydney's full final progression.
It feels like the best solution I can offer at the moment and I apologise it isn't more a lot sooner.
The people that pledged last month will gain access to both 0.8.1 & 0.8.2 and they will be placed inside the folder you would have received via SS message.
The extra scenes for Donna & Dizzy will unfortunately have to be put on hold for now, but hopefully will make it in for 0.9!
My apologies
I can only offer my most sincere and full apologies for this delay. As I said before, I take full responsibility for the delay that has occurred with this build, but I hope this post can at least be of a small assurance that progress is being made in the correct direction, with the intention to fix this as quickly as possible.
I still believe our goal of getting 6 builds out this year will be achieved, as 0.9 is on the horizon for November featuring two fan favourites, Mrs Jennings & Mrs Amos.
To alleviate any concerns there, I will be handling the writing for 0.9, so things should (hopefully) go smoothly.
If you have any further questions please feel free to ask here or in the discord server. But for now I'll be typing away getting this build complete!
- Nergal