Chapter 5 - Devlog 4
Hello everyone!
It's already been three weeks, so it's time for an update on RomCom:Divergence Chapter 5's development!
April had a pretty rough start, with lots of things happening at once, and while I still haven't managed to find a proper new workflow... I think I avoided the worst!
What's Been Done?
- ~140 renders and 1 animation
- All planned outfits are done
- Polished the writing a bit
- Lots of code overhaul
GIVE ME THE DEETS PWEEEEASE!!!
- +180 layered assets (≈110 new renders, 15 old renders replaced), 12 full renders
- Around 13–14 new outfits for mobs and characters... maybe more?
- Lots of minor adjustments (like improving character lines to better fit their tone, or updating them to match new renders)
- Started splitting most newly created renders into layers, the amateur way~
- Rearranged my code to better accommodate all those future layered assets; also found a simple way to add them to the current gallery (Phew)
- Converted all audio files to .ogg to reduce file size, and adapted my code accordingly
What is a Render?
Last week, while organizing my notes, I thought I should touch on this subject in my next devlog.
It's something that's been bothering me since I started my career as a wannabe indie dev...
But what defines a "render"?
How does one count them to provide the famous "render count" everyone loves so much?
Is it every single image file displayed?
Then what about slight variations? Do those count as whole new renders?
What about different poses under the same camera angle?
Or the same pose under different camera angles?
Should the elements that compose the render be counted too, or should they be ignored?
Do 35 poses of a character under the same camera angle count the same as one pose under 35 different camera angles?
Is one beautiful render worth the same as one of a random character walking down those same school corridors you've seen billions of times?
At that point... isn't the whole concept of a render count completely meaningless?
Maybe I should do the same as Japanese VNs and count base CGs (+ variations)?
...But what even is a CG in a VN that only uses full images and no sprites?
If the angle is the same, is Maya on the rooftop part of the same CG as Maya in the classroom?
Damn, that sounded more like a rant than I planned.
Anyway, all this to say that I've started splitting my renders into more layers for this chapter.
And while that should save a lot of dev time, reduce lighting-related headaches, and shrink the game size in the long run...
My wannabe indie dev self is sad that I won't be able to increase my "render" count with simple screenshots anymore.
I really should have gone with character sprites and simple backgrounds...
What's next
I decided to put the rewrite of the last 6 events, and any behind-the-scenes work, on hold for now.
The reason being that I'm having a hard time finding enough time to devote to this project on a regular basis right now, and I want to have actual progress I can share with you.
Takeshi's Cultured Preview (Tier 3+) was supposed to come next Saturday, but it might be a bit tight for me, so it may get pushed back a little.
I'll also be extending the Scene Scribbles to June 6th, since development won't be finished by then.
ETA?!!!
End of June... I hope...
I'm trying not to think about it too much, to be honest... I really want to start Episode 2 this year.
And That's All for Today!
Sigh.
These devlogs sure are getting more and more depressing, huh?
These devlogs sure are getting more and more depressing, huh?
Don't worry though!
Even if it doesn't fully come across in these devlogs, I'm having a lot of fun making RomCom:Divergence... And I think the next release will feature some of the best scenes I've done yet!
Even if it doesn't fully come across in these devlogs, I'm having a lot of fun making RomCom:Divergence... And I think the next release will feature some of the best scenes I've done yet!
And before you know it, your favorite gal will be doing the preview for the next release!
Now, a big thank you for following and supporting RCD, and to everyone playing along!
For Tier 3 supporters: Takeshi's Cultured Preview will probably come in two weeks, though I'll do my best to make it for Wednesday the 29th.
For everyone else: I'll see you in three weeks, on May 9, for the next devlog.
For everyone else: I'll see you in three weeks, on May 9, for the next devlog.
Thank you for your time.
-Haptales
P.S. Join the Scene Scribbles and carve your name into RCD's story: Here
P.S.S. Join the discord here: https://discord.gg/PRFGVqjWXV
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