Chapter 5 - Devlog 9
Hello everyone!
It's been three weeks... and yes! I know I'm a day early (more on that below).
But now, it's time for a second July devlog!
What's Been Done?
- ~115 renders(?) and 1 animation
- Lots of code (around ~4-5k lines?)
GIVE ME THE DEETS PWEEEEASE!!!
- +160 layered assets (static images + animated ones)
- Got the first 9 events into a "playable" state
A bit less work on renders and animations this time around, as I mainly focused on integrating what I've made so far into the game's code.
Coding?! WHO CARES!
I know working on code is always hard to sell, renders and animations are flashier, but well...
RCD is still a visual novel, not a CG set ^^
Since I'm dividing my renders into different assets, it allows me to customize them more without bloating the game's size.
Adding a few variations of Misaki blushing?
Now I'm only displaying her face on top of the rest of the scene.
Now I'm only displaying her face on top of the rest of the scene.
But that means the workload gets redistributed to retouching the images I'm generating in Koikatsu, and to the code side.
For example, displaying a simple render in Ren'Py is just this:
> scene amazing_render_1
Now it becomes something like this:
> scene amazing_render_1_background
> show amazing_render_1_maya
> show amazing_render_1_misaki
> show amazing_render_1_misaki_blush
> etc.
> show amazing_render_1_maya
> show amazing_render_1_misaki
> show amazing_render_1_misaki_blush
> etc.
(Note: both examples are oversimplified and not representative of the final product. I don't claim to be great at coding, please don't send me death threats in Python.)
So yeah, a lot more lines for the "same" thing.
But now I can just show/hide misaki_blush instead of generating two nearly identical renders.
It also allows me to apply transformations via code (black & white, blur, etc.) instead of making new renders.
But now I can just show/hide misaki_blush instead of generating two nearly identical renders.
It also allows me to apply transformations via code (black & white, blur, etc.) instead of making new renders.
I could also theoretically reuse assets if I reuse camera angles...
But sadly, I'm still not organized enough to fully take advantage of that.
But sadly, I'm still not organized enough to fully take advantage of that.
All in all, it feels like a real step up from what I was doing before.
Still not flashy enough to justify three weeks of work though, huh?
Pics
Today it's MC daydreaming instead of paying attention in class.
Had to make another full render with the cowgirls... just to crop it into that bubble.
Damn, I want to cry.
Legend says a 4K version of that dream might come out for the anniversary... who knows~
Maya's preparing everyone's bento... specifically kneading dough.
Scenes like this, with lots of interactive elements, are where layered assets really shine.
Though I wish I had the drawing skills to enhance things a bit, like adding details to that dough...
Well, maybe in another life.
What's next
...Lots of work.
So, about this devlog coming out on Friday instead of Saturday:
I still have some events to rewrite, and even if I have plenty left to render before reaching them, I'd like to finally check that box.
I still have some events to rewrite, and even if I have plenty left to render before reaching them, I'd like to finally check that box.
That's why I'm planning to go fully offline this weekend and focus on writing.
Also, something I'll explain better after Chapter 5 releases:
Over weeks/months of development, some outside influences can muddy the writing.
And with recent events... yeah, I really want to lock Chapter 5's story in now.
Over weeks/months of development, some outside influences can muddy the writing.
And with recent events... yeah, I really want to lock Chapter 5's story in now.
So this weekend = rewriting those final events.
After that: full-speed rendering.
After that: full-speed rendering.
August will be a bit weird for me schedule-wise, but hopefully that means good progress.
ETA?!!!
No exact ETA, but I'm confident I'll be done by October at the latest.
Not gonna lie, everything planned after Chapter 5 has been pushed back to the drawing board.
But, the one thing I won't compromise on is the 2nd year anniversary and it's Christmas event.
And That's All for Today!
RCD is something I make for myself first, as a hobby after work, but it always warm my heart to see people waiting for the next release.
That said...
I'm still stuck in a heatwave, so I'd really like to release the update ASAP, I definitely don't need more warmth right now :(
I'm still stuck in a heatwave, so I'd really like to release the update ASAP, I definitely don't need more warmth right now :(
Thank you...
...for following and supporting RomCom:Divergence, and to everyone playing along!
For Tier 3 supporters: Takeshi's Cultured Preview will come the week after next devlog (should be the last one).
For everyone else: I'll see you again in three weeks (+1 day), on August 22, for the next devlog.
For everyone else: I'll see you again in three weeks (+1 day), on August 22, for the next devlog.
Thank you for your time.
-Haptales
P.S. Join the discord here: https://discord.gg/PRFGVqjWXV
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