brickdoorway
patreon
Dilemma with 0.4.5
🕑 Added 2017-11-27 20:22:58 +0000 UTC Hi everyone,I want to communicate what's going on with 0.4.5, explain why it's been delayed, and ask how everyone would like to proceed moving forward.
Some of the early fans of The eWardrobe may recall me mentioning that the barn party on Friday night of the first week almost burned me out. I haven't gone into a ton of detail about it, but at the time I thought it would take me a day or so to write that scene. I anticipated that at the most it would take me two and a half days. Instead, it took me almost three weeks. I didn't appreciate how long it would take me to write scenes from multiple perspectives, with several activities, branches within the activities, side-characters, keeping track of variables and continuity, making choices feel real while also leading to a common outcome, etc.
Since then I've been a lot more careful about not biting off more than I can chew. But when I sped up the story timeline I moved one major event up a bit, and set it during the same week as the live-reading and the kickball tournament. I didn't realize how bad it was going to be until I finished Mon-Thurs of Week 5. Mon-Fri is over 30k words (the last three updates have been ~30k words each) and there's more to come. This update could easily hit 60k words, if I give every scene the level of quality I want to.
I wrote the story outline for The eWardrobe to be similar to a TV show season. Each week is an "episode" in my mind. Right now it's like the 5th episode has unintentionally bled past 40 minutes of run time to 60, with more still needed.
It's the 27th of November and I'm not ready to release this update to the proof-readers and bug-testers, assuming the goal is to finish through Sunday. The way I see it, I have four options, but I'd like to hear what you all think first.
Option 1) Release the update when I've finished writing through Sunday.
The downside to this plan is that I will likely miss a November release date.
The upside is that the story will read as normal; cliffhangers and pacing will continue on as they should. My "vision" will remain in tact.
Option 2) Release what I have now, then release the rest (the weekend content) as soon as it's done.
The downside is that the pacing will be thrown off, and we'll be well into December before I start the next week (0.5.0).
The upside is you don't have to wait any longer than is necessary for content.
Option 3) Release updates on a set day of the month, regardless of their size/progress/pacing.
The downside is that pacing will be thrown off, and the story will flow strangely (cliffhangers with immediate payoff, interruptions in the middle of scenes, some paths being longer than others).
The upside is there shouldn't be more delays. On the __th of every month I sent whatever I got to proofreaders, and then on the __th everything is released.
Option 4) Put in "placeholder" scenes on what isn't there in 0.4.5, and release through to Sunday.
The downside is that a scene or encounter may get hyped up, but when the page arrives it's a short "insert scene about XY here." Pacing will feel off, and major interactions may feel hurried or incomplete.
The upside is that I can focus onto the next week, not letting myself get significantly slowed down by any one scene. When the game is in beta (so the end has been published) I can go back and fill in the missing scenes.
While it's important to me that the story pacing and events flow a certain way, it's equally important that supporters get their money's worth. I'd like to hear input from anyone who wants to offer their opinion. I could even put up a poll with those options outlined, and let the community vote.
I am deeply apologetic that I'm not ready on time. Writing isn't my full-time job (some day!) no matter how much I wish it was, but I still want to treat this with the same professionalism and work ethic that I bring to my 40 hour/week position.
I apologize again, and I hope patrons' enthusiasm for this project won't wane over this.
-brick
Comments
^ This exactly. I support you as one of only 2 pledges because what you delivered so far is simply THAT good. Option 4 is simply out of the question as it would be akin to "Scene Missing" Title Cards in the Cinema for a Regular Showing, and 2/3 while not sacrificing on quality like Option 4, would compromise the experiance nontheless. I'd rather see a month here or there go by without a release than with a compromised one, which i would have to ignore to get the intended experiance later.
I'm more into option 1, i prefer to get great, completed content instead of unfinished one. Take your time and don't push yourself too hard.
J
I'm fine with all of the options, but my preference is 4. I can fill in with my imagination if I get a "oops dick in mouth happens here" spot in the story, and this way I'll still know what happens plot wise. Added bonus, other writers could offer passages for those scenes, and if you like them it will save you work.
J
I'm fine with all of the options, but my preference is 4. I can fill in with my imagination if I get a "oops dick in mouth happens here" spot in the story, and this way I'll still know what happens plot wise. Added bonus, other writers could offer passages for those scenes, and if you like them it will save you work.
I'd say option 1, it's better to wait for the finished product which we all know we'll be great and worth the wait. :)
Option 1. I won't lie and say the wait isn't hard, but that'll make it all the sweeter when it comes out. I'd much rather play an awesome game like this or Weekend and wait a little longer for updates than a game that updates twice a week but is ultimately generic and forgettable.
Kellianne
Option 1, we are patient, stay true to your vision :)
Option 1, don't mind waiting a bit longer for the complete package
Robert Maxwell
I am a fan and would love to see updates from you on a set schedule, but as a fan, I'd rather see a complete scene than running across "Add Scene about ..." Just curious about a possible option 5 - you release a scene for one play-through, and the next release is the alternate timeline. Of course I have no idea if that would eliminate stress, or cause you to lose track of the story. As I understand there are still really only two arcs, although many different scenes within them. You could let people know this is an update of Kickball through Sunday of week 5 or abbreviate it something like V.0.4.5k (for 4th version of the game and updating Kickball story line in the 5th week) and V.0.4.5j if the same time period is covered and the release concentrates on Justine or some other character. Just speaking as a ravenous fan that wants to see anything you offer. As often as I can. But the key here is YOU feel comfortable about what you release. I, being a typical American consumer what it all, I want it now, and I want more once I consume it. You gotta do what is right for you.
Dino
Option 1. And I definitely think you should be careful with fixed dates, because the first time you miss it, it leaves you less time for the next. And the next and the next. And so on.
I would say #1 so long as the release schedule keeps to the 4-6 week time frame. I don't mind waiting a little extra but if there is a delay don't beat yourself up about it just let us know what is going on as communication is key. If you feel like that is becoming a struggle to maintain quality vs pace then I would opt for the pay per major release option that one of the other posters mentioned (a good compromise so you can work at your pace).
Dani
Option 1. I'd sooner have complete content that flows with the story than not.
Vasadariu
option 1. if the "fans" can't wait for a few xtra days then they have some real issues. take your time the game actually being done and not abandoned like so many other projects is more important than putting out something that is going to upset u and make u consider dropping the game. as long as its being worked on i dont mind the wait.
