sandlustgames
patreon
Status update
🕑 Added 2020-08-29 14:49:24 +0000 UTCAs you might have noticed, every month we keep increasing the scope of our updates and they take more and more time. For example, 0.29 has about double the amount of code/text compared to an average update. When we used to release every update on the 5th of the month, we often had to cut parts of the content and add them later into the game. So we've moved away from a specific date, but didn't stop making updates bigger and bigger, which meant updates kept being released later and later into the month. Naturally, eventually we've ran out and we won't be able to release everything we've planned for 0.29 in August. But please don't get your pitchforks yet, we have a solution that you might find acceptable. The problem with us not meeting deadlines is us constantly making bigger and bigger plans. We don't work less on updates, we just release them less often. It might only be a couple of days less often per update, but those add up quickly on a 30 day schedule. Seems like a problem with a clear solution then, isn't it?
As you know, we've designed Glamour so it can easily update itself automatically (as long as you're logged in). The always online version sometimes lags since it requires constant connection with our server, so recently we've decided to try out the offline version. Thankfully, you haven't ran away and keep supporting our work, which we really appreciate since we're all big fans of not starving to deaths. Now, we call it the offline version because it doesn't have DRM, but it still supports automatic updates. So, here's our proposition: instead of releasing one ever growing update per month with several series of events, maybe now we could start releasing those series of events independently, right after they're done. So the updates will become more frequent (but, of course, smaller) and you won't have to wait for updates as long. The total amount of content per month we produce will stay unchanged.
Currently, we'll be switching the protagonists after each update, so both Kate and Max will get some content every month. Patrons will get to vote on events we will be making before every update. So Patrons will get multiple updates per month, more polls and therefore more decision making, and you'll be more up to date on what exactly we're doing at any moment.
For now we'll stick with the 1:1 Kate/Max ratio since that was the last poll result, but we can adjust the ratio after another poll at a later date, the everlasting tug of war between different fans has nothing to do with the new update format.
Along with adding our usual new content, our programmer is working on adding cloud save support for our "offline" version. Still work in progress, but we hope to release it around 0.29. And, of course, as we've mentioned before, the images are converted into webp so the game will get several times lighter. The Android offline version should be released around 0.29 too.
Now we stalled long enough, it's time to talk specifically about 0.29 and it's completion status. These events are already done: meeting Kate when Alice invites her to the villa; buying her a maid uniform; a series of events with Kate cleaning in full uniform; a series of events where Kate isn't wearing panties; a series of events in the massage parlor. All this should be released tomorrow. Hopefully :) Then we will finish up the new events we won't spoil in the post, and then we'll be done with 0.29 and start working on shorter updates with a poll being a step one. Now just to be clear here, the new series of events is 83 images long and is a full update worth amount of content, so it's not just an afterthought. And since images already have been rendered, writing text/code/translation shouldn't take much time so don't worry about waiting another month until it's released. All the earlier stuff about cloud save sync and the Android client will be will be released alongside with the later part of the update, not tomorrow.
We also haven't updated the walkthrough in a while (like, two years) because we've added the questlog in the game. But it is just a text file that doesn't require any technical implementation into the game. It doesn't take much time to write and we'll try keeping it up to date after every update from now on. It takes next to no dev time but can help players if anyone gets completely stuck and the questlog doesn't help.
Let us know what you think about more frequent but smaller updates.
Comments
lothian53
When I launch the offline version, I see that it says v0.29.
lothian53
Perhaps it counts as today if it is still today in the Midway Islands in SST timezone?
That does sound like a sensible way forward. Smaller but more frequent updates covering both characters means less wait for your favourite character overall. That should keep both camps happy.
Squark
Running out of time for there to be an update today. If the server is in Russia, then they're looking at 10:10PM.
Hmm Hmmsen
Smaller updates more frequent, and maybe work on a larger update on the side on a specific spot in the story
Giannix
Yes
Will the update come today?
Wolfhound
This. I did restart Max's story since there isn't a lot of it yet. The offline client is so much better in terms of response that I can't tolerate the online one any more. Kate will have to wait until I can migrate her saves to the offline client. Haven't even completed the v28 content because it's so infuriatingly slow - life's too short.
Spoonman
Love the idea of smaller more frequent updates, and love the 1:1 Max/Kate ratio. Now that their stories are interleaving, it's even more fun. I want to play the offline version but can't bear the thought of starting over from scratch, so I'm eagerly waiting for the save migration. Thanks for all the great work.
lothian53
I started over and found that it was still fun to go through everything. Some things have been improved and some bugs fixed so it was a new experience. Also having no lag time made it fun.
A lot of time wasted for migrate save .... But it's not really bad to start over from the beginning ... No?
The Riddikk
My personal preference is for one larger monthly update... I guess I'm just used to that for this game! :)
Bobbo69
To be honest with myself, I'd rather having it once a month for the longer updates instead of having bits and pieces of 15min. of playtime for every updates and hope that more people will vote this way as well
Motors for the Masses
Can someone please explain simply how in the offline version I can continue and don't have to start from the beginning each time?
holymoly35cb
All of the Kate events listed above have already been released in earlier updates.
MindWright
Continuous deployment isn't just for websites anymore. I support your project because I want to see you keep working on it. Can saves still sync to the server when a connection is available?
Squark
Also be sure to actually test new releases for bugs in playing. I don't mind waiting a bit longer for that to happen.
I think is the best solution.
lothian53
Make sure that as you release content, that you pay careful attention to the quest log. It would be great if it was always updated to show my progress in all quests
Martin Larsson
It really doesn't matter to me. I generaly skip 4-5 updates, and play for a longer time once there's more content added to the game.
Geo
I start awhile back as a patreon with your off line version and the lack of lag is great. I changed over to your on line just for the auto updates but spent a lot of time bring that up to the same point as the off line. Yes the lag is annoying but you get use to it. Now you are talking off line with updates which is ok from my stand point if you get the support you deserve. My problem is how do I get my current saves from the online to an offline game. If you provide clear directions for that I would support any decisions.
Kvadning
That does sound like a sensible way forward. Smaller but more frequent updates covering both characters means less wait for your favourite character overall. That should keep both camps happy.
Hello, i have downloaded the .28 version offline but i cant see any of my .27 version saves in the saves list , can you please tell me how to fix the issue? thanks
flanby
I think is the best solution :)
Comma28
I think you came up with a great solution for your “update problem”. Looking forward to the new versions🙃👍
