nottravisgames
patreon
News, news and more news!
🕑 Added 2019-09-05 16:02:44 +0000 UTCI have some news! In case you haven't gathered :)
General gubbins
So I'm still rendering away, which I'm sorry about, but it is looking good. Like really good. I don't why it's all suddenly clicking but every render I seem to touch is just so much better than anything I've done before. It's not as though I've upgraded anything either. Probs some more experience and Jaffa cakes?
Anyhoo.....*cough*
Some of you were curious about what my actual system rig was. So...(and please don't laugh too hard...)
Anyway, that isn't what I wanted to talk about.
Progress
Quite rightly you want to know about progress with Four. So, I've still more renders to kick out then it's off to playtest. I've more playtesters than before so we shouldn't get any of those annoying bugs. Given the complexity of the game and the number of paths (36 at the end of Four) it does get harder to pick them up so more eyes on it will certainly help.
But that's not the principle reason I want more playtesters tbh. It's about sex. Well my artistic (oooo get her!) work on it. Y'see I'm really quite happy with what I've done - but that's not really the point is it? No point in me being content if you guys won't be. So what I'm also looking for from my playtesters is quality review. Is it hot? Does it work? Are they...shocked?
Shocked? Um...There are a couple of scenes which are a bit....hardcore? Like very. Now that's fine. I've got gates in place so that you should never see anything you don't want to. You know me by now and content choice is -very- important to me. But even so I want some feedback on the scenes before it goes out wider. There's a lot of stuff in Four I don't think has been done anywhere else so....Let's say I want to be happy you guys will be happy y'know?
Anyway, I'm hoping to get those scenes out some time next week parcelled up and we'll see what people think. Which then leaves me...
The remaster
Um...I've sorta got better at the art since I started. Like a lot better. I shudder when I look at One and Two these days. Parts of them just look awful and indeed grainy.
So I had a little play around with the old scenes just to see what they would look like if I did them now.
Er...very different. Very. Have a look at what I mean. (in each sequence the remastered one is shown first vs the current version)
Vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
It's like looking at a different game. You'll notice I haven't changed the actual scene. Just the background and lighting.
Now I'd always planned to remaster at the end. But the longer I leave it the more I'll have to do, especially if I plan on changing the colour scheme and backgrounds like in the above (and I so prefer the new look to old grey walls).
Y'see the thing I can't quite get my head around is why H5 isn't played. And comparatively it isn't and it doesn't seem to matter how good the writing is. Oh, it's a factor for sure, but when you consider Bored Pilot alone has smarter content than most releases it's obviously not an important factor to many.
Sex and pictures on the other hand are important.
Now I'm a writer first and foremost and nothing is going to change either the story or indeed the way I tell it. Nothing will change the content either. But given that the adult content is going to explode shortly there is a very real risk that the earlier graphics and the UI, to an extent, will put people off despite that- and H5 is a game to be played.
Y'see it doesn't matter that I have to spend say four times as much time to make a piccy as a super rigged dev. That's not a factor in peoples consideration. No one goes "well considering she's got an etch-a-sketch and a packet of crayons that's not bad" (well except you lot!). No, they look at other game's graphics and go "That's poo...".
So , once Four is out and people hear of all the naughties - interest may well be regenerated in the game - until they open it...and it's not much use saying "yes but in Chapter Four it looks great!" because that won't I suspect cut it. People don't have patience.
So I want to remaster before I release Four.
Now I realise this will go down as well as Marcus offering you vitamin tablets (and what is it with you guys not trusting him?) but I feel it has to be done. You've all seen what the game could look like. Indeed should like.
I know this is will be an unpopular call. I know that. I know also it will cost me patronage and cash. I know that too. But the longer I leave the remaster not only will it take more and more time to do later down the line (and thus delay the next game - plus bore me to tears as I redo absolutely hundreds of images for an audience that's already played the game), but it also doesn't change the fundamental structural image problems we have at the start of the game. Structural problems that prevent people playing it.
There is an upside to you in me remastering now of course. For a start no more grey hallways, plant room etc and the whole thing will pop more and put H5 more on a level with other games image wise.
But how long will it take?
I'm not sure. I want to finish Four and get it to playtesters first and there is a lot in One, Two and Three that are quite passable. It's mainly some of the internal Vanguard shots, the hallways, the plant room and the MC's room that are the main problems I think. Although the rest could no doubt be improved they're not as critical really.
I -think- I can do it for the end of September. If I can't I'll let you know before the end of the month so you can consider your patronage for October. I'm not going to milk you guys or make you feel scammed. And if I can't make the end of the month we'll have another discussion more generally anyway.
Don't hate me too much? I do try...
Comments
Nottravisgames
*grins.....*
Nottravisgames
Thank you for this - and I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier. My apologies. I think you're right in that I need to push H5 a bit more and get out of my comfort zone. I think once I have it all nice and sparkly post remaster that might be the time to try and promote it wider. Thank you for this.
Nottravisgames
Thank you - and my apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I just got wrapped that up in trying to remaster things and get my head around how long it would take I let time get by me. I am sorry *apologises a lot!* But you're right in that now is better than later. My original plan was to do it at the end but...that would be over 10,000 renders *eeks!*. Most importantly though, thank you for your kind words. I'm a writer first and foremost and to see someone enjoying my story brings me great joy. Truly.
RDog
To be honest i prefer the original renders .your sent out on a routine mission the ship pressed into service late things not working ship looks a bit of a wreck it gives you a sense that things are not going to go quite according to plan . However if you feel you need to change this i will stick around. Better to do it now rather than later in the game. when it will give you a ton of extra work to do.Me i'm here because i love the story you are telling so far, So renders for me are secondary providing they are not completely dire which yours are not i can live with it .Keep up the good work .
"Shocked? Um...There are a couple of scenes which are a bit....hardcore? Like very." Ha. That s a very dangerous comment to make... beings that we all have a different level for what we'd consider shocking (and what hard core is).. Challenge accepted... shock me.
acac
Just my 2 cents: Your content is really good, story-wise, rendering-wise, gameplay-wise. That being said, I think maybe you suffer from a lack of advertising. Browsing some forums, I had a hard time finding your game. How do you feel about regularly posting on a few forums, and then let some of us avid fans know where. We could discuss the game there, which could generate more exposure and interest.
DA22
You do what you feel is needed. :)
Quinfax
I already hate myself enough so no hating you notty. Well we can hope that this will bring all the boys to the yard. Just remember that a game/update has to be released at some point otherwise you'll keep finding new things that need to be done and then it'll never get released. Excelsior
Nottravisgames
*chuckles*
Chapter Four will come out, when Chapter Four comes out, and we will all be grateful. Remember, the first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club.
Nottravisgames
Thank you. But I'm fine - other than being annoyed with my own work :)
Anyhoo - with you till the end! ♥ (you probably already read my detailed opinion (*there*), so i won't repeat it here^^) please take care of yourself and don't overburden yourself. We believe in you and know we are part of sth very special here! ♥
Nottravisgames
*curtsies*
Nottravisgames
*is her own worst critic?* But thank you. Also as a comic fangurl I totes got that lot :) But aye the consistency was on my mind. Having seen what the scenes could like I want to use them in Four too as it will all look so much better. But yeppers, a lot will still be staying it really is the "grey wall" stuff, the power plant and some of the interior vannie shots.
Huitieme
All has been said already, here and somewhere else. You do what you think is best because what you think is best is most likely indeed to be best. For the game, for you, for us.
Juicy
Might help to mention that of the pairs of images, the top one is new, while the bottom one is old. Seriously, your old renders weren't half as bad as you think. That's for a large part your self-criticism making you look further than the gamer. You have minutely set up each scene and investigated each image at 300%. Yes, your new renders are way better. But your old renders are already way above avarage. It's like comparing the drawings of comics: Stickman vs Donald Duck vs Buck Danny vs Storm. Donald Duck could be considered very acceptable. Buck Danny is a notch above that, being more detailed and more realistic. That's where you already were when you started. And now you moved up to somewhere between Buck Danny and Storm quality, featuring even more detail, more elaborate lighting, etcetera. The main reason why I think it's a good idea to do the re-master now, is for consistency of the backgrounds. It'd be odd if one chapter that hallway is metallic gray, and next chapter it's suddenly white with red stripes. So, I would suggest skipping those environments where such changes would be less apparent, and save those to remaster later. So just do them when time permits. :)
Nottravisgames
*chuckles* Fair enough! But remember I started with a 2Gb card :)
TotesNotThea
PS Your GPU is better than my MX150 with its 2GB!
Nottravisgames
Thank you and I appreciate the understanding on this one. Really
All content is optional, but hating you isn't an option. It's a good decision and I'm looking forward to replaying the early chapters of Heavy Five in their remastered form. (I wanted to do it anyway to reorganise my saves so...it's actually convenient. ;) My prime motivation for patronage is to see you reach the top potential with your game. Given how much better you've got with better equipment and experience, this remaster is perfectly aligned with that goal. :)
Nottravisgames
Too kind, but I'd totally understand if people were annoyed with me over this. On the other hand I really do feel it needs to be done. A step back for a leap forward y'know?
TotesNotThea
We don't hate you! Well, at least - I - don't hate you! ;-) You'll still have my backing for as long as you keep making the game! :-)
Nottravisgames
Thank you. Believe me I want to get Four out as much as you guys want to play it but I feel this is something that has to be done y'know? And the longer I leave it the worst it will get.
MedicBear
I think this is a good choice. I told you before when I first played H5 that what put me off trying it before was the preview pics looking a bit.... bleh. Much as I want to play the next chapter asap, you do what you have to.
