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Alpha 4.1 Update - Plans and Changes
🕑 Added 2019-05-25 18:37:31 +0000 UTCHey guys this is tiarawhy, I wanted to update you all on the changes we’re planning to make towards the lewd scenes of the game. This sudden change is coming from me primarily and because of that Alpha 4.1 unfortunately won’t include the lewd scenes but the new library date will be released as planned.
Please direct your concerns/flames to me as this was out of Scion’s/Spooky’s hands and something I dropped them towards the end of the month because I felt that if we didn’t change course now then the game would keep being delayed, and the actual development side becoming bogged down as I began to feel frustrated with what I was making and I really did not want this game to sink.
These are my reasons that I feel require the change:
The game normally is a mix of visual novel and choose your own adventure kind of thing in town exploration (with minigames/character stars which we want to implement). Early on we had a few ideas of how lewd parts of the game would work, and without putting more discussion into it we decided that I’d just animate the scenes and have it be like like those old flash games Mittsies and myself used to make. However, months later into this process something began to feel off to me. Learning unity enough to animate in was in itself a process, and making things in Toonboom/cutting up sprites/exporting and then readjusting/rebuilding them in unity was also a huge deal.
Animating in unity is a lot more challenging to me than originally thought as well, and due to it all being tween/curve based there were many adjustments which I did not expect I’d have to fight with to make it work (and any changes/adjustment to the rigs requiring editing elsewhere/re-exporting/readjusting, it’s not like you can draw/make assets inside of unity).
The time required to produce such a scene, and so the length of time kept growing more and more to the point of where it’s been months. The creation of dates/interactions with ponies were relatively fast to make, but the lewd parts were not. Creating the art/dialogue for those dates/scenes were also fun for everyone involved, and to me personally I enjoyed making the assets for that.
Despite all of this, we managed to put the lewd animation into the game, and then we played the scenes and to me that’s where it really fell apart.
Leading up to the lewd part, you have a cute moment with twilight and dialogue/choices going on, but then there is a sudden jump to the idle animation without any real dialogue/description, and instead it’s a purely visual thing. The feeling of interaction with the pony flipped on its head and that is the problem that stands out most to me, I just don’t feel like I’m interacting with the same character for the lewd part due to lack of the dialogue/cute faces/descriptions/reaction/etc.
We also spent a lot of time trying to making interactive items, and I think that’s a good thing to have but just in smaller doses and for very specific areas (like the hair brushing could be a smaller thing in a specific scenario of a character minigame, or like butt slaps for a scene where for a certain character’s story that we have planned), but just trying to implement heavy interaction for a full sex scene is quite a lengthy process.
So what I’m proposing is this:
Instead, the lewd part of the game instead be more like the date side, where the art assets change depending on the dialogue/interaction, and there is heavier focus on the dialogue/description to go with the lewd visual imagery instead of it being an animation. We would move the current animation to be an easter egg instead having it be part of the main story.
The animation side is fun and nice and I love it (as an animator), but I really think we should try the storyboard/VN style of lewd scenes, and then if we have additional budget/team mates go back and add animated sequences in certain places to aid the visual static interaction.
This way we can get back on track of having much faster updates instead of a 3-4 month wait or more for an update/lewd part, and we can actually get through the all six ponies in a more timely manner so that we can explore the lewder/fetish additions and other characters (cause at the current rate it will be literally years before we get through all six ponies).
I know this will likely upset a lot of supporters and I’m fully prepared to take the brunt of that since this decision to change is coming from me, so please again feel free to message me over it (I’m available in Discord or by emailing Tiarawhy@StudioWhy.net anytime).
Comments
Conative Care
I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I definitely enjoy the interaction with the characters. I just played the game for the first time last night, and the interactions were delightful. Purple was adorable. And in hindsight, the transition to animation was abrupt. On the other hand, however, I really enjoyed the animation. Motion helps A LOT in bringing the scene to life and helping it feel real. And the abrupt shift didn't really jar me in the moment since it felt somewhat typical for the genre. I guess the ideal answer would be to somehow combine the two: have dialogue and facial expression and such during the animations. But that sounds really difficult, and I definitely don't want this game to die. Maybe consider doing the game script and image-based scenes now (the current plan), then coming back around to animations once that is done and give each character an animated scene that takes place in addition to the original ones? Like a DLC, almost. Then if you burn out it won't affect the full game, and you'll have more time to get acclimated to the Unity stuff. Just a thought. Either way, great game so far!
Becks
People who might be interested in story would rather choose to watch the series again in my opinion. Even if it takes long, most people appreciate the effort seeing the unique creations / animations from you. And that was something, at least in my opinion, which made this game unique n its own way. I'm just guessing but I think most people come for the lewd part which is something "different" for them because it usually doesn't exist.
Anon 26182
As a player I wouldn't mind the game taking longer to make in favor of animation over VN style. I really liked the style of the scene with Purple since what style it would be was one of my bigger questions going in when I saw this was in development. To see that being the part that gets the downgrade is very disappointing, but if you as the developer prefer that method, it is your game and your time to do with as you please.
Hello. They will be focusingon Text rather than Animation like you said. They will put some animated scenes that aren't related to the story, into an easter egg. I think they want to focus getting a proper story line and when the story line is nearly finished, they will add some lewd scenes. I hope I answered your question. If I was wrong, you will see a StudioWhy comment replying on yours xD (I feel the same as you man)
Сергей
Please forgive me for my poor English. From all of the above I understand that you want to give up animated scenes in favor of text? Am I right? It's frustrating. I ask the developers to think about the fact that some users find it difficult to read not in their native language and think again before giving up Animation. My respect to you.
StudioWhy
The current scene will eventually be turned into an easter egg once Tiara finishes with the rewrite.
Okay so, I have a suggestions regarding the scenes. What if you put all the scenes in the game but as an extra? There will be a button leading the lewd archives were you can select a scene. Even the scenes that don’t relate to the story. It would be pretty cool to have that. Let me know what you think :D (not all scenes need to be included in the stoty but can be put in the extra’ menu)
I agree with the changes if the animated scenes are taking way too long. I'll enjoy the game a lot with these changes as long as the dialogue and descriptions for the lewd scenes is well written and the cg is high quality art. You have my support Tiara!
John Goodman
This is the change that needed to happen 100%. Just give us 4-10 CG's per-scene and it will be fine. However "Alpha 4.1 unfortunately won’t include the lewd scenes" Is more then a little disappointing. How can you fuck up so bad that you can't release either scene?
Fah Kanchanakul
I understand.
Rios Sumari
Im gonna chalk this up to quality over quantity, in which case I can wait a little longer. Just try not to take too long.
I understand your opinion. But animated scenes, wonderful sprites and story ... that is what make this game unique (for me) , so yeah .... it`s kinda sad.
Trinnean
As long as we get stuffed pones, worth the wait.
Uncreative Anonymous Name
I totally get the changes, and you being this transparent as a developer means a lot to me as a consumer! I've been a fan for years, and I totally trust your judgment. Good luck with the new workflow!
tiarawhy
I feel that animated loops can add a lot, but its just that right now more descriptive would be the better choice as it goes hand in hand with games theme. Still sprite/transtioned art also works really well for that <3
tiarawhy
I think so too, but coming back and making animated loops later on is also not out of the question :D!
tiarawhy
I get that, but there is a limit it peoples patience. If there arent regular updates out, especially now that show is ending, people can be lead to believe that so is the game. So to me its essential to continue work like this and to show active development that people can experience.
tiarawhy
Short loops is something I'd like to come back and do when we have time in the future once more routes are fleshed out
Lamana
Try adding a short loop in. But hey, if that takes to long,do what you got to.
DoomMaGeddon42
Well, it's disappointing. There's many H-VNs, so the animated lewd scenes, made this one pretty unique... Honestly, I think it's worth waiting longer for better content.
JLucci
I have a suggestion even though I'm not a patron (sorry, too many artist I'd like to support, not enough funds to go around). Switch to the VN style for any story based scene, including any lewd stuff that happens, but save the animated/interactive scenes like the current one as unlockable repeatable scenes. With the library date as an example, it will be VN style, but once done you've now progressed with Purple enough to then say, visit her room at night and trigger the animated lewd scene whenever you want. It won't be as jarring as it currently is because it won't actually have any story attached to it. Just straight to some lewdness. This way you can just focus on character/story progression and at a later date insert the animated scenes where you think they'd fit.
Ktmax
Tba i didn't really enjoy the animated scene all too much! its like you said it kinda felt jaring and not natural. so i'm all for ditching the animations in favor of VN style lewd scenes as long as they look good that is XD
Gong The Hawkeye
That was exacly my problem with Purple but I kept silent because I thought I was alone in this manner. Good idea and good luck!
Waldo
I've seen other creators take a similar route. you're probably doing the right thing
Dion Starfire
I've yet to encounter animations that actually added anything to the scene. At best, they don't take anything away. Quite often, though they either detract from a scene, or dev's rely on animation as a substitute for good dialogue/descriptions. Please don't require complex interactions during sex scenes, and certainly not relying on mouse movement or clicks.
randylj17
I myself have come to a realization that description beat out animations anytime. I have played quite a few Adult games, and I enjoy the ones that have great descriptions. Ones that change as the relationship between MC and Partner mature. So as the scenes feel new a second, third or forth time (But the artwork is still the same). Down the road, if your group wishes to add animation, then I won't feel any different about the game. Its a very good scene with Purple, then lewd, then over. So I definitely get what your saying.
To be honest, I think I prefer fixed drawing for lewd scenes instead of animations, so it's a big yes for me !
Dakota Moritz
That kinda sucks but if it means faster updates, im all for that. Thanks for the heads up and all of your hard work. <3
Firestorm "Danger" Dash
I just like horse games. <.>
M2
Little dissapointing but totally understandable, rock on dude. 👍
Got the same feeling with the Twilight animation it just felt somewhat "off" for me at least it is not the animation that is driving factor in these game.
Karuosu
I would be fine with that proposition.if anything it will give a more traditional visual novel feel
