Wow…. this GameJolt site redesign is tripping me up. For all you not familiar with that site, it is an indie Video Game Community. Since they tried their new layout, I found out the exact day that I committed to this project. ////Development StoriesEpisode 4 is 100% written, 80% Programmed, and 70% Artworked. If I can keep my focus for a couple more days, it’ll easily be released for the deadline. Have you ever worked on something so hard that you physically feel ill when you just sit down, and think about working on it? That’s the stage I’m at right now. But I don’t hate this project. I just need to get a breather. Though, it's surprising to see so much traffic coming to my site.... I'm glad I spent a significant time in the redesign.... but BOY, there is so much to do. ////History I’m pretty thankful for having a blog update on this site. You can see all the progress, or distractions that I ventured in. Gosh…. I’ve been so distracted… well, I guess I always had a larger idea for this, but it grinds my gears just to work on just one piece of it the entire time. I’d rather just do a variety… but then I never finish anything. Gosh! Self-discipline is HARD! :( ////Vision As for where I was two years before when I promised my grand vision (artwork, choices, story, gameplay)… I’d say… I’m about 50% there. After all the experience and practice I’ve gotten through writing so much, I feel like I’m miles from where I was before. I don’t think the first stories I wrote were very engaging at all. I’m still working on it, but for all you who have been with me since Day 1, it’s night and day. Episode 4 is going to be even better written. But writing a visual novel is just half the story. What I never factored in was the effective placement of cutscenes and character movement/emotion. That really is the other 50% that makes Visual novels so enjoyable. I never knew that when I started, but since practicing, I’ve gotten some of the understanding of it…. Need to work on it a bit more… Programming is the skill I’ve really grown the most in. Hopefully this version will have better performance than the others and more solid saving/loading (a feature that I have historically struggled with). Art is WAY behind where I wanted to be. I haven’t even been able to draw in the art style that I really want to, and it drives me up a wall (I'm referring to the "Canterrella" or "RG Veda" manga art style). I’ve put in 100 hours at least trying to get art style right, but all I am is a little faster, but not much better. I think that’s the biggest thing that’s been holding me back… I just need to really practice and take more time with cutscenes. One day, I’ll get to the point where my artwork will look good and be fast, and episodes will come out much quicker… but I don’t think that’ll happen too soon. ////Future Episode 4 will still be released December 14th. After that, I’m going to take a break for the immediate future, and return to development January 5th. What happened, you may not ask but possibly thought about, is this: I chose the second option, and it destroyed my social life. I need some time to piece it back together and learn to re balance my life. Work is killing me too (even if this says college).
Plus, I want to make a simple card game. I've already had the idea done, I just need to finish the artwork. It'll have characters from this series, but I just need time to create it. Then, I want to get some Dorian-Gray artwork done too. That story is not dead. Just takes some time to get the right anime-feeling to it. Hahaha. Anyways, time for me to pass out. Peace ~Rox Game Dev
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It's my Birthday, so I'm totally going to post an update.
Development of A Long Journey, Episode 4 is going by swimmingly. Hopefully, the programming majority will be wrapped up by this Sunday. The framework code took 3 times longer than I expected it and it's made things a little tough now. Also, I've had to alter my original plans since I goofed off way too much in the beginning (Like, I should have been programming a while ago). Episode 1 remake will have to be saved for later down the road. Well, see you guys later. |
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