Chapter 5 - Devlog 7
Hello everyone!
Another three weeks have passed, so it's time for another devlog!
What's Been Done?
- ~150 renders(?) and 12 animations
- Reprocessed all Chapter 5 animations
GIVE ME THE DEETS PWEEEEASE!!!
- +300 layered assets (static images + animated ones), 1 full render
- Re-exported animations with improved compression settings, and fused the face and body back together on some of them
Animation rework?! Again?!
Looks like I celebrated a bit too soon last time, because I found out Ren'Py really doesn't like keeping multiple animations synchronized.
My original plan was to have separate animations for the face and body, but I couldn't find a way to stop Ren'Py from messing things up with random delays or during rollbacks...
So since Ren'Py clearly couldn't handle my incredible creativity, I decided to port the whole game to Unity!
See you in 3–5 years for the reworked prologue!
See you in 3–5 years for the reworked prologue!
...
...Yeah, no.
So I cut my losses, fused those animations back together, and used the opportunity to apply better compression to all Chapter 5 animations so far (saving up to 70% disk space... yes, I somehow didn't notice until now).
Don't worry though!
It sounds like a lot of work, but it actually only took an evening.
It sounds like a lot of work, but it actually only took an evening.
I didn't redo the animations themselves, just changed the settings and adapted the code accordingly.
Also, this only concerns animations where two were playing side by side at the same time.
Also, this only concerns animations where two were playing side by side at the same time.
Renders using animated parts combined with still images work just fine. (Phew)
Chapter 5 assessement
I didn't run into any major issues this time around, just the usual grind, so I figured it was a good moment to check where development stands.
Based on previous devlogs, we should have:
- 03/28: +180 layered assets (~140 renders and 1 animation)
- 04/18: +200 layered assets (~150 renders(?) and 13 animations)
- 05/30: +200 layered assets (~88 renders(?) and 8 animations)
- 06/20: +300 layered assets (~150 renders(?) and 12 animations)
Total: ~880 layered assets (~528 renders, 34 animations)
Please note the "~": everything is approximate. I honestly have no idea of the exact numbers and don't want to spend time counting every variation.
I did manage to pick up the pace a bit these past weeks, but I'm afraid this is probably my current limit with the little time I have after work, and assuming no major roadblocks.
Pics
And here they are!
Our marvelous heroines doing nighttime shenanigans!
This render also marks the end of an event that felt like it took an eternity to render and animate!
For this second pic, I hesitated about showing a preview of the "dollhouse POV" thing I mentioned last time...
But I think it's better not to spoil the surprise and let you experience it in-game!
But I think it's better not to spoil the surprise and let you experience it in-game!
So instead, here's another poster that will be used as an asset in some renders.
I didn't double-check, but I think there's only one left I haven't shown?
What's next
I estimate I'll need another 1500–2000 renders to complete Chapter 5.
...Don't quote me on that, though!
I'm really bad at estimating things!
...Don't quote me on that, though!
I'm really bad at estimating things!
I'll have the next two weeks off before starting my new job, so I'll do my best to make a dent in that number.
Other than renders, here's what still needs to be done before release:
- Finish rewriting the last 6 events
- Find a quick solution for the gallery, or hide it again before release
- Change how old chapters interact with the patch
- Proofread Chapters 2 and 5
- Add Chapter 4 summary (reportable)
- Test a better UI for the language selector (reportable)
- Playtesting and final adjustments
ETA?!!!
June flew by, and July probably will too...
So maybe Aug-
Yeah... better not.
Sorry, no ETA!
See you again in a colder month/year/decade!
See you again in a colder month/year/decade!
And That's All for Today!
This devlog was a bit hard to write because, well...
Not much to say, I guess?
Not much to say, I guess?
It kind of feels like driving at full speed on an empty highway, while knowing you'll still arrive late no matter what...
Anyway, it's starting to get really hot here, and I can feel the temperature rising whenever I launch Koikatsu...
So I hope it's cooler where you are!
So I hope it's cooler where you are!
Thank you...
...for following and supporting RomCom:Divergence, and to everyone playing along!
For Tier 3 supporters: Takeshi's Cultured Preview will be postponed until after the next devlog, as what I currently have is still too similar to what I've already shown.
For everyone else: I'll see you again in three weeks, on July 11, for the next devlog.
For everyone else: I'll see you again in three weeks, on July 11, for the next devlog.
Thank you for your time.
-Haptales
P.S. Join the discord here: https://discord.gg/PRFGVqjWXV
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