TonkatsuCHAN
patreon
2025 resolution: More reasonable work schedules and better game progress.
🕑 Added 2025-01-02 13:50:25 +0000 UTCHey folks.
As I've hinted at in my discord server, as we enter 2025, I'm going to make some changes. Now, don't worry. Nothing drastic is changing. In fact, my goal is to make sure that I keep producing the same content but in a way that is more "reasonable" for my physical and mental health. So please bear with me, and read the following (It's long I know :p ).
So here goes:
This isn't actually the first time I had to try adapt things.
In 2023, I introduced two changes to allow for a more reasonable workload and also add a new type of content: OC image sets (in addition to regular image set, before 2023 there were only the regular set).
The goal was to make to produce very short sets instead of long ones to allow this (and give me enough time to also work on game dev). This is important to remember, because it's this "reduction" in size, that was supposed to make room for both regular sets and OC set.
If you're interested, you can find the original post here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/important-news-81733454
As time went by, it became clear to me that these smaller image sets were "fine", but not great either. Nowhere near as good as the "standard" sets. Which could range from 60 to 100+ pages long.
So... over time, I have gradually moved towards making two large images set per months (Regular set + OC set) and had to somehow find time to also do game dev.
For a while I hustled and worked with this very tight and unforgiving schedule. To be honest, I was afraid to let you folks down and because I was in a lot of financial difficulties. I was too scared to make any drastic change. So I pushed myself to the limit.
However, the nasty side effects of this very intense work schedule has resulted in two nasty side effects:
1) I barely had any free time for myself. Often I would have to work on weekends (including sundays) to keep with the two image sets schedules. And if I had unforseen problems (Getting sick, familly emergencies), this would have very bad consequences on my schedule. In october, I started to show signs of a burnout (hence why I too a brake on 3072 AD after the patch release).
2) Time that should have gone to game dev, usually got axed to make room for the two large sets per month. At minimum, I should work 10 days a month on just game content. But the two sets often meant I needed to chip away more days to finish both in time. So on most months, I would only get a week. If not just 3 days.
Now, don't get me wrong...
I LOVE what I do, and I'm very thankful for that. But it is still work, and the stress of meeting tight schedules is still very much a thing. It is not uncommon for content creators like me to burn themselves out. And it is something to watchout for.
So, I took the last three months to reflect and find a solution to keep providing you with the content you expect and deserve from me.
But in a way that is more "realistic" and sustainable. While making game dev progress more consistent (Not having to sacrifice time that should be on game dev to finish two image sets per month).
And unlike in 2023, I'm not going to try to make content "smaller". Or remove content. I want to keep the nice juicy image sets you've been getting lately while improving the rate of game dev progress.
So, I'm moving to a new work strategy this year. A "20 days for sets and 10 days for game progress" work schedule. In other words. Every month, I allocate 20 days for image sets (First the regular set and then OC set). And after 20 days, not matter what, I switch to game dev for the remaining 10 days of the month.
This will of course reaquire that I make a few ajustements, so I'll go through what changes (or doesn't change) for you the content consumer based on the type of content.
1) Regular image sets
This one is easy, nothing changes. 20 days is more then enough to produce one Image set monthly. a single image set usually take me 8 to 15 days to make (Varies depending on how complex the set is etc...)
So, if you love my regular image sets, the polls, the discussion sessions, etc... Nothing is going to change on that type of content.
2) OC image sets
This where some ajustements must be made. I've considered changing it from "image set" to just "3 detailed images per character, per month. With not text or story.
But, I think most folks made it clear that they like and want the traditional "Image set" here as well.
So, I'm keeping it the OC content as an image set on the same level of quality as the regular image set.
That being said, it is VERY difficult for me to produce two full image sets every month of this level of quality. And I can't keep doing it without putting my health at risk (Or axing game dev time).
So, I'm going to spread the delivery time into two steps.
- First month: I focus on drawing shading the main images needed for the set. No story writing yet. Once I reached the 20 days max limit. I switch to game dev mode no matter what. Some of the key finished images will be posted for all to enjoy as a sneak peak until I move on to the actual story writing phase.
- Second month: After finishing that month's regular set, I resume and finish the work on the OC set. (Finish whatever images are left to do and writing the story). This is when the actual finished OC set is posted.
In regards to OC raffles with this change: Of course, if I kept raffles as they are now with this change, someone with just an OC in one category (Like just one Female or Femboy OC) would have to wait four months before they get a chance at a raffle (as opposed to every two months as it is right now). To make sure that doesn't happen. I'm going to consolidate both the Femboy and Female OC raffles into a single raffle. That way, everyone who has either a femboy, or Female OC will still get to participate in a raffle every two months like before.
Obviously, consolidating both categories for the raffles means that overall probability will be affected per raffle, and I'm also aware that one category might win more often (because more participatants in that category).
So to reduce the impact of this and make sure femboy OC's still get a fair shot, I'm going to add a "category boost" point system. I'll get more into it next month, but the basic idea is that If one category wins (Say a female OC wins), then the participants that have an OC in the other category (Femboy in this case) will get a VERY big temporary boost to significantly increase the chances that this category wins on the next raffle. This should make sure we still have a good influx of femboy content but it will also bring back the probablities to good levels to the other category on the next raffle. Once the "other category" wins a raffle, that boost is reset. (Boost keeps applying until the "other category" wins).
If you are already participating in raffles. Know that the way you get points, and your current points will not change. The basic system remains the same.
The only two key changes here are that raffles will now consolidate both categories, and I will apply a "category" point boost when a category "looses" to give them a much higher chances on the next raffle to keep things fair.
I know some would much rather that I produce two image sets per months to avoid all this, and I wish I could. But I've reached the point where, if I keep doing this, both my mental and physical health are going to suffer. (Already has to be honest.)
So this is the best compromise to keep the OC set content going with minimal changes to your enjoyment (Both as just a consumer of OC sets and a OC owners participating in the raffle).
Note: If the sets are shorts, it is possible for two sets to be done in a single month, but it won't be the standard anymore. If I need more time to finish the OC set, I'll move the remaining work to the next month.
3) Game dev
By going for a the new 20 days: Image set + 10 days: Game Dev schedule, game progress is going to be vastly improved and steady. (which was the goal of my 2023 proposed changes that did not work out.)
Now... that being said, remember that making a game takes a LOT more time. So please do not expect a patch every one or two months. (That just not possible, even if I had all the time in the world.)
I'm just saying that progress will be more steady, which should results in a big a improvement in content delivery compared to 2024.
The main focus will remain 3072 AD. With this year's goal being: Doing the Barb warrior ash route, Doing the Spallter remaster. And beginning work on the next boss after that.
Squeal little piggy is now going to become a more integral part of the game dev cycle, and you will see more progress on that front too. Thanks to the more flexible work schedule, I should be able to improve both 3072 AD's and SLP development. (No escape reality is not forgotten, but will only get back to finish that after I at least get the Splatter remaster and Squeal little piggy demo's out).
4) Extra occasional content.
Sometimes, I need to draw something that isn't just "work" for my subscribers. Just a little thing for fun that doesn't take much time. That I can do on my own time on "off-work" days.
Because the new schedule will reduce the stress and anxiety on me, I should be able to do these a bit more often. These would side content made exclusive early access to all patreon members, before I eventually post them in my socials (Like DA, Pixiv, etc...)
(Femboy fans, I got you covered in that regard as well)
A good exemple of this is the Ellen image I did : https://www.patreon.com/posts/maids-work-is-112500191
So yeah, these changes should allow for more stuff like that to pop-up for you guys to enjoy in the future.
Conclusion:
My objective with these changes are to:
- Keep delivering the content you guys expect from me when it comes to the image Sets.
- Make sure OC owners get their raffles and a chance to win
- Improve work time on game dev content this year (When it was lacking in 2024)
- Give you more "extra" side stuff to enjoy early access in 2025
- Make sure I don't burn myself out over very very tight schedules that offer no room for unforseen issues (Like needing to relax, getting sick etc...)
All and All, I promise you that my intent is to still give you my 100 percent and keep the content going this year. Idealy, even better than in 2024.
But to make sure that happens, I need to make some changes.
I promise you, you are going to get the content you deserve and what you've been expecting.
But I need to keep my work schedule more flexible, so that I don't eventually push myself into a state of physical and mental decay.
And there you have it. If you've read all that, with all the typos... Thank you.
And thank you for your support and understanding.
It will be my pleasure to make the content this year even better than the last.
Regards,
Gomu.
Comments
japani
One of the most important things is, that you fell well, with that, what you are doing, even if it is work! And I think if you fell well, with that, what you are doing for us, then is everybody helped;-)
