SummersGone
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Chapter 4.5 - Dev Log #3
🕑 Added 2022-08-19 17:13:52 +0000 UTCHello,
It's me again... Ya boi.
So, today I have quite a few topics to talk about.
Prepare for a long boi.
1. General development
2. Python, writing & music
3. Victoria & Mila sculpts
4. Previews
5. Outro and something personal
1. General Development
I finished another 5 animations for SG. The ones I finished now weren't planned buuuut you know how it is.
And in general, the development process of Chapter 4.5 is excellent.
2. Python, writing & music
So... transparency is key... Let me tell you about my recent game-related improvements.
I think we can all agree that I know how to render now... But there's more to a VN than just pretty pictures.
For those of you that don't know, I'm not a native English speaker, and it's very challenging to write some scenes if I can't find the right words.
So, I'm currently working on improving two other skills.
Python
Renpy is based on the programming language Python. And as many here know, I'm a fucking bibi when it comes to programming. I'm more of an artist.
But, I decided to step up my game in every way.
I'm currently taking a Python master course and I already have learned so much. It will help me a lot with the upcoming phone and its apps.
Besides that, learning a programming language is always a good investment.
Writing
I feel very insecure when it comes to my writing. Not in a sense of people might not like it but in a personal sense.
Trying to find the right words, etc. sometimes leaves utterly confused.
The best way to improve my English would be a move to an English-speaking country. Which I will consider at some point.
But it's not just about the language itself, I want to improve my ability to handle a story... To build, execute it, etc.
I will soon take an advanced English course. Specifically made for writing.
More about this in 5. Outro and something personal.
Music
I signed a new license contract with The Intangible.
I started to very much dislike the uncertainty that came with mutual agreements. Artists could revoke permission to use their music at any time.
Back then it was the only way for me to acquire quality music without going into debt.
But from now on, every single song I'll add to the game will be added under a written contract that makes sure I don't lose the license in a few years.
But as you all know, music licenses are really expensive... So for Chapter 4, I just did what any reasonable creative person would do... and created my own music.
Instead of paying 200$ for each license, I create 3 songs for the DnD session myself.
It took me like 2-3h to create those songs and I saved like 600$.
While I give no focus to the self-made music aspect, I will still create little soundtracks here and there to save a lot of money, and to slowly discover a new creative outlet.
3. Victoria & Mila sculpts
So, I got a few DMs and comments on Patreons/SS that made me aware that I might have fucked up the tiddy sculpts of Vic and Mila.
I didn't actually increase their boob sizes but instead sculpted with the "Clay" brush. This brush adds layers... and after hours of sculpting in low res, I might have lost the novelty and sense of how it was supposed to look.
Low res sculpting is an absolute pain in the ass, I was justifying it to myself to not have to go through it again... But here I was... Conflicted.
So I did it again... I went back to an older version of Vic and Mila and Zbrushed them from the ground up... in low res.
This time I used a variety of different brushes and made sure to keep the layer at the same level.
It took me around 12h to sculpt both. I had to start over multiple times again because suddenly they either looked like pancakes or actual ballons.
So half of the update will have the old sculpt. I'll certainly not go back and redo it.
The other half has the improved sculpt.
Here's Vic with her new sculpt
Ofc, Mila still has very big boobs. That's just what Mila's supposed to be. The definition of curvy. Big assets but still a rather slim body.
4. Previews (High res attached)
Alrighty, let's get to some previews. (As with the last WiAB Dev Log, I'm introducing 'Explicit renders', they were always a part of the 10$ tier rewards, but I did never stick to it.
I do plan to give more rewards for the higher tiers. And this is one of them.
You can find (2) explicit renders HERE
But let's get to the normal previews... And what I can tell you right now is... I'm in my element right now.
There's nothing I dig more than night ambient renders.
Let's start with the Cheeto.
But today's previews are focused on Mila.
Mila and Vic lovers have a good chance of getting their poison.
I really enjoy this type of ambient rendering. It really makes me happy.
But this update is the beginning of something 'new'. We'll enter a new set of circumstances.
5. Outro and something personal
So, we have arrived at the end of this Dev Log...
My personal improvements and the results that came with them are beyond what I expected, but there's still something really affects my productivity and well-being in general.
Back in 2021, I moved from Berlin to west Germany again, back to my hometown as I couldn't afford the rent anymore.
Since then the support has risen significantly and I have the ability to move back... Which I will and have to do in the near future.
Moving back to west Germany has exposed me to a new problem... Loneliness and social deprivation.
I left my circle of friends and moved into an environment of... unsatisfying social stimulus.
And after I started to improve myself... I recognized the impact this situation has on me.
It sometimes causes me to feel stuck.
And the solution is obvious, move back into an environment that pushes me to be proactive and grow.
As I mentioned in the writing thingy. As soon as I'm back in Berlin, I will take an advanced writing course there. There's just no way to do it here.
Normally, I wouldn't share something this personal with the internet, but I think everything that affects the game is relevant.
The game dies or rises with me.
And yeah, this has been tormenting me for a while now and kept me from building a good sleep schedule.
Anyways, there's always a solution and I'll soon act on it.
I will be on vacation (for the first time in 4 years) from the 21st to the 28th of August.
Soon afterward, WiAB Chapter 2 will release.
- Ocean
Comments
Kal Al
When update is expected? Can't wait to see Mila 😍
Rednek
Kinda preferred Victoria's ch4 size before this change.
