YummyTiger
patreon
YummyTiger Gaming (The Elephant in the Room edition)
🕑 Added 2016-06-17 18:10:18 +0000 UTC Hello again,I’m going to make a serious post, because I feel a few things need to be addressed (Sorry Stoper!). There’s been far too much misinformation floating around, a number of people have gotten pissed off, and I think I’ve been unclear along the way as to how this whole thing works. Feel free to vent away after you read this.
First and foremost, Patreon pledges are not to pay for content. I tie pledges to releases because I feel it is a far more fair way of doing things than monthly (unless the creator shows monthly progress). That does not mean you are paying for that release. Patreon pledges are always donations towards development. You DO NOT ever have to pledge anything to play my games/projects. I will release the game and the translations for free once they are ready for public consumption. Does that mean you won’t have beta access? Yes, but we are talking about BETA access, not the final product. When people say that a pledge is for this or that, it is technically incorrect, the pledge is a donation. It means that I plan to release something soon, but you are NOT paying for that product. Please, only pledge if you want to donate towards development because you like what you’ve seen so far.
Second, to everyone worried that Aylia’s Story will never see the light of day. If that is the case, rest assured that you will never pay another dime. I ran a single pledge prior to chapter 1’s release because I felt Aylia's Story and Hunter’s Quest could be released soon, and I wanted to get things rolling (move part time). I’ve accomplished some of that, although Hunter’s Quest is still not in v1.0.0, but it will be. You must realize, that the Patreon setup I’m using is all the accountability you ever need. If I don’t complete game updates in a reasonable amount of time, I don’t make any money, and this whole thing can’t work. Therefore, eventually, if I want to do this, I HAVE to get things moving faster and more efficiently. This is a fact. It could only change if I switched to monthly, and I have no plans to ever do that. If I did switch, Hell, I wouldn’t trust me without further evidence to contradict what we’ve seen so far. So, the notion that you have to see progress regularly to ensure that the game is being developed is false. If I’m not developing the game, then I have no chance of ever making money, and this will never work. I am working on the game. I try to post updates and teasers for you benefit and to make this place more “fun.” Not to use them as an accountability mechanism, because it is not necessary.
Third, what has Patreon accomplished? I can almost guarantee that without the support I’ve received, and the rapport I’ve built with all of you, that Aylia’s Story would either be on indefinite hiatus or would be a far inferior project. I’m shooting for the stars because of you guys. It is not the money, it is the sheer level of support that has led me to say, “Nope this is not good enough, I want to add more.” THAT is what your pledges accomplished before I ran the first charged update. After the charged update, what did your money accomplish? It allowed me to assume a true part-time role in this development. I AM working nearly every day (yes, I took a vacation last week), and I’m still putting in the hobbyist hours as well. That is what your single pledge has allowed. Thank you!
Finally, in regards to the delays and people wondering how I could have a release estimate over a year ago and still not be done. The biggest reason is time, which I’ve tried to say over and over again. Prior to April 2016, I was only working on the game in my spare time between a full time job, raising a child, and other family obligations. There were long periods of time last year where I simply did not get anything done, because I did not have the motivation to work on the game after all of it. I didn’t post that here, because I didn’t think you guys wanted to hear it—if you did, then my mistake. Unfortunately, I made a few release estimates to appease the large number of people who wanted to know when it would be done, and in making those estimates, I planned as if I were going to work on the game every day. I made the estimates also figuring they would light a fire under my ass and force me to work. They didn’t, and I continued to work at that same leisurely pace. If that pisses you off, I’m sorry (and, I don’t mean that in a disregarding way. I’m truly sorry that I misled you).
It was with this knowledge that I decided I had to move part-time to succeed in developing Aylia’s Story. I ran the update, made another optimistic release estimate, and you know the rest. Why did I fail? Well, life didn’t help, but even with that, I once again underestimated how long things will take. It’s going to take more than a day to get the sounds/music setup. There are going to be art hiccups like the last few days where I simply don’t make progress, even though I am working. I’m going to have to waste a day research or designing an event structure that is new. I SHOULD have planned for these, but I didn’t. As I said, I’m done with release estimates, and any release date you receive in the future means the game content is done and in testing. I’ll put up a progress chart instead so you can follow along.
This is not meant to be rant, but I want to address a few concerns. I also want to reiterate that you don’t have to pledge if you’re not comfortable doing so. If you think I’m cheating you, or that there is no chance I’ll even finish, PLEASE don’t pledge. Watch from the sidelines until I’ve done enough that your trust is restored. I hope that occurs later this year as updates start coming out more regularly and I start meeting release dates. I don’t begrudge people for getting frustrated, I would be too. But, the notion that I’m not working or that I don’t care is absolutely not true. I do care. I’d hope that my history of posting frequently and answering comments/messages would at least support that.
YT
Comments
Even
too be fair, i rarely play the games, except when i am at our summer house, without internet. i prefer to play FINISHED games, or at least games with a finished SCENE or whatever, so now i'm just pledging to be NICE, and because i don't have the HEART to stop, as i really like your stuff. :) as long as the game GETS done, AND it doesn't take many YEARS i will be content. i HOPE and ASSUME it will be done in MAX 3 years, unless you decide to KEEP adding stuff too it. then there isn't really any time limit, except for the individual updates. so, all in all: don't worry, just work on it as much as you can, without getting burned out (or what you call it) or so much that it's not fun anymore.
Secular Reason
I've said it before and I've said it again, you charge by the update, which is the fairest way to charge (except for those who release an update every month) and that is great. I only know of ONE, yes ONE game that manages to add significant updates every month, and that game has no artwork to do every month, only coding as it uses tilesets and the sex scenes are currently text only. Your art is much more interactive, all custom drawn by you, and you still have to do the programming and such. Not only that, but you're releasing the game in 4 parts. Unheard of. Other games have released over 20 parts just to get halfway, if that far! To expect 25% of a decent length RPG game in a short time by a team one man strong is fucking insane, and anyone who expects that is an idiot. As for keeping me happy? Don't quit, get those Lore posts going (I hunger for Lore more than teasers and porn!) and I'm happy. Game wise? I expect that game to be more than simple fetch quests and such for sex scenes, I'm thinking that this game will be a GAME with porn in it, and not a porn masquarading as a game. As such, the only thing I hope for is that not all Aylia's scenes are straight. I like a few lesbian scenes in my games, but I rarely find them... It's what I keep asking about that extra slot for! But you know about that already. Seriously though, people have no reason to worry. You've made ONE paid pledge already, and told people beforehand that it wasn't ready so they could cancel before being charged. Nobody has any reason to whine. Just keep slogging at it, and it'll be done eventually.
Nine Horse Hitch
i feel their still another elephant in the room. And best to come out and say it... You're awesome.
But only found indoors. Otherwise it's the elephant in the field or something.
Denpa
what kind on Monmusu is this? a huge ass doesn't make everything alright ..
And again, you didn't miss any release dates in my book :P , still betting on that early July ERD. Anyone who believed in earlier dates was a fool to take you seriously, and knows nothing about game design ;)
Darthjake
I'm supporting for Aylia, the translation for HQ was just icing even if I did not realize at the time that I needed to get my own copy, but even that was no big deal once it was pointed out. Keep doing what you are doing, you will cross the finish line and people will be happy once they have the content in hand. Just think of this as a learning experience. "Oh, no! Another Learning Experience!" :)
YummyTiger Gaming
In terms of Patreon "sucking," Patreon is the first service I've seen where artists actually make a decent amount of money. Artist professions have been woefully underpaid for years, it is the reason why almost every parent I've ever seen has told their kids not to go into "art" type professions. From a consumer standpoint, I also think Patreon is an amazing service. Just think, the vast majority of h-game Patreons are planning to release their products for free in the end. Meaning, as a consumer, you can literally play everything released while only paying what you want. Yes, development takes time, but Patreon simply has brought development to the forefront, this development has always occurred, it just used to occur behind the scenes. I guess, from a waiting standpoint, it can get frustrating, but the ability to pay what you want is a pretty awesome thing. You got to remember, for as long as I've been playing h-games, indie developed games have generally never been completed. Patreon means that maybe a higher percentage actually will (it's still too new to tell).
raska42
Eh, my donation is exactly that, a donation. Frankly I think patreon kinda sucks, so that's how I consider most of the projects I support on it to save my sanity (too frustrating if you consider it any other way). Keep slogging along, I'll still be here when things are ready to be released.
YummyTiger Gaming
Thanks! Keep the faith a bit longer and I'll try to give you more than just a lot of posts. Let the games begin!
YummyTiger Gaming
Ha! I should've added that!
YummyTiger Gaming
Thanks!
YummyTiger Gaming
I'll check out the book! Thanks! As for the side project, good luck! If you ever want help, advice, or want to just ask questions, or whatever let me know (although, not sure what you're doing, so it may not apply). All development comes with ups and downs, I just have the luxury of having all you guys to lean on!
YummyTiger Gaming
Thanks, and you are right. Jesus, even with the Hunter's Quest translation, which I thought was "done." When I started copying events back into the working version of the game, you would not believe how much I've changed and added in this "final" edit. Ugh! But, it does make it better, so there's that...
YummyTiger Gaming
Thanks! I will keep posting, more and more actually, now that I'm part time. Expect to see more teasers, lore posts, etc. I know, I said that about 5 times in the past year, but damn it, I mean it this time!
YummyTiger Gaming
Thanks a ton! I really appreciate it. Don't say you're entitled to nothing, though. You are supporting me, you are entitled to my respect, and I should not take your support for granted. I did tie the last pledge to the Hunter's Quest release, and I mean to release it soon. I'll get Aylia's Story out as well, and I'm confident that a good number of people will love it. I'm trying to keep that same attention to detail throughout, which has proven to be a tough task at times.
YummyTiger Gaming
Thank you.
YummyTiger Gaming
I might get assassinated if I released a new game demo at this point :-). Still, I'm in the process of designing an elephant-like enemy, as it must be done now!
YummyTiger Gaming
Thank you very much for the well thought out response. I was worried about this post being seen as just another rant or excuse, which I'd hope it wouldn't be. I'm very, very glad you can see how your guys' vote are influencing the game subtlety and sometimes majorly. I listen to everyone, I take your comments seriously, and I want you guys to enjoy the final experience. I just wish I'd approached this whole endeavor with a bit more knowledge and discipline. I was biting off much more than I was ready for, and I never thought it'd reach freakin' 8,000+ with 1k supporters! Insane. I am learning, I am improving, and I want more than anything to start rebuilding everyone's trust. Now that I'm actually working regularly, I'm more confident than ever that I can do that. We shall see, but regardless, I won't ever forget you guys who've been with me through this long first year of development.
Blorken Shfeel
As someone who's kept an eye on your feed since the beginning of your patreon during this time last year, the way I feel about your progress is double edged. I'm disappointed that the game is still in basically the exact same state as it was when I left it. I'm let down that there is nothing more to this game than there was a year ago. I've waited on baited breath for so long to see more of this and yet there's nothing more than the demo. On the opposite side, I enjoy your artwork. Aylia is a beautiful piece of art and the slight (but not full) animation, such as breast jiggles and the faces she makes, even the goblin itself and how you take ALL patrons votes into consideration is all INCREDIBLE. Your revamped combat system, bogwort, everything is just fantastic. You even followed the sunkissed skin and lighter pink nipples with an average to small size like we all voted for last year and I LOVE that. This game is more than just another thing to fap to. I feel like it's content and the feeling of not just the characters, but the artist behind it all pour out of it in every dialogue. The characters seem realistic and believable. This game could be great for this genre, even if it's slow. The one thing I can say is please try to get us something to play soon? Again your wait time is nothing to be angry over. You aren't charging monthly and if you were I'd unfollow you and forget you ever existed and let everyone know you're a sham (kind of how heaven studios charges monthly at 15k per month but has accomplished almost nothing in a year and a half.) We're literally getting what we pay for. We aren't paying a dime so obviously we aren't receiving content. Which is fine, and I feel like per major game update is a very honorable and trustworthy system to go by. You're doing everything right. You're just hitting a slump and the roads getting rocky and you're realizing more and more how difficult this is all on your own. But you CAN do it. You've already crossed the first hurdle, now you ONLY have to cross the next one. Don't think about the third, the fourth or the full release. Just focus on a REALISTIC SMALL goal so it seems more feasible.
TurnipFactory
There seriously needs to be an Inappropriate Elephant in the game that goes around rooms pranking unsuspecting girls with it's trunk...
Nevenga Games
I'm upset that this post isn't a surprise hentai game about an elephant being in a room. Lol I actualy thought that's what this was at first.
I believe in you, YT! Thank you for the heartfelt and awesome post. Keep up the great work and I trust that you'll release it when it's ready!!
Buster4MC
Yes, fellow $20 Bro. :)
DarthVictorius
no one is in time , so just be relaxed. :)
DarthVictorius
just think about For Honor and some other big shoots. lol
Don't normally post but feel like I should. Just to say that although I really want to play the game, I'd rather play it and enjoy it instead of being disappointed with lack of content or feeling rushed. If I was paying monthly, no doubt I'd have cancelled my pledge by now, however, I understand I am entitled to absolutely nothing but rather choose to pledge to show support, simply because the trial was fun to play and felt special unlike most games. Also, you have a unique style of humour which is obvious through your game and your posts on here. Don't let people get you down YT, you have a backing of so many people who think along the same lines as myself. Keep up the good work. Jet
InsaneBrain
I've successfully pledged $20 to you. Do I want my money back? No. Do I want to shout at you and moan that MY game isn't ready? No. Do you know why? Everything you said at the beginning. I'm not worried you're taking months, it doesn't bother me you go on vacation, he'll I'm not even pissed if you make a bad choice in microwave foods. I know you're working, you keep giving updates and over all, you're fucking genuine! Dude... seriously, it's all good. I trust you to continue to develop and release a fantastic product. Keep strong, bro.
Dehkia
I used to support more people than I still do today, on Patreon and elsewhere. I've been disappointed many times, and I've also become more reasonable with my spending recently. The only reason I am still here is because you do not have a monthly pledge. Take your time, but make the updates count. Keep up the news posts so that I don't just lose interest, and I should stick around for the next one :)
Lee Thompson
I've worked in the software industry (not in games sadly) for over 20 years and I've never seen anything happen "on time" (no matter how much marketing yells at me). Stuff happens (Life, hard to find bug, realizing you need to re-write parts, etc). Don't beat yourself up about it.
Buster4MC
I started working on my own side project in addition to the full-time work I do, and I can imagine how tough it is. Just keep on working. It you get a second, I would read Linchpin:Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin. You are working to become a linchpin. That's awesome. Don't get down, bumps will come, but the reason we start things is to finish them, and we do great things when we bring our art to the world, no matter what that art is. Best of luck.
Sid67
Just waiting patiently. Love your updates. No worries or stress.
stoperArt
And here I thought you'll let us know what videogames you're playing as of late :)
angelecdominion
I am not upset, life happens I get that. I would be upset if you were charging monthly, but you are charging by release. You are one of the more active people in my feed with giving information on progress and such. I appreciate that.
