royalcandy
patreon
Big vs Small Episodes
🕑 Added 2023-02-02 09:32:42 +0000 UTCHi guys,
As you know when I first started this game I was releasing episodes monthly and the plan was to keep this schedule until the game is finished, but episodes got bigger and bigger, mainly because of the new branches that got opened and it was impossible to keep the schedule. With more branches I had to write more content and make more renders.
Also the quality and duration of the animations increased, which also affected the development time.
Lately you had to wait 2 or 3 months for an episode, which I know it can be annoying for some, so I'll give you two options. I will try to explain all the pros and cons for each of these options.
It will be clear that I like more the idea of a bigger update, but I'm only the developer of the game, you're the ones who make the development possible, so it's only fair that your voice would be heard.
Content
With a smaller episode it's more likely that some times you don't even get content for your choices, while with a bigger episode this still can happen, it's less likely but can happened, especially if the only path open is that of a second tier love interest, but in a big episode is more likely to have at least one event with your favorite girls.
Story
Right now I know what I want in each episode and I write an episode until I have everything planned. This way the episode ends when it make sense and will the episode can be balanced properly between main story and fun activities. With a smaller update that won't be the case anymore, because as soon as I reached 250-300 renders I will try to end the episode, so I could finish the renders/animations in time for release.
Release schedule
The good part of having smaller episodes is that every month you'll get new content, which is not the case with a bigger episode. It can take 2 or even 3 months to complete.
Download
With a smaller update you need to download the whole game every month, which can take a while and then to realize that it was only 20-30 minutes worth of gameplay or even less if you are on different paths. With a bigger update this is no longer the case, yes it takes a while to download, but at least you'll have one hour or even more of gameplay. Again, if you don't have the right paths opened, then it could still be disappointing, but it's less likely.
RESULTS
The results of this poll will not be the one showed here, because each vote will weight differently. The vote of a patron who supported me for months will be more important than a vote of someone who never supported me, or started supporting me this month. Also someone who supported me 3 months at the biggest tier, will weight more than someone who supported me 3 months at the smallest tier. I'm sorry if some of you think this is not fair, but this is how I repay the people who were by my side. I have made the poll public, because every player deserves an opinion, but like I said, some opinions will be more valuable than others.
I'm sorry if I offended someone, but the reason why I am doing like this is because there are some patrons who supported me for more than 2 years, but they are no longer patrons, because of some financial problems, so their vote has to matter after spending huge amount of money in supporting me. I respect everyone the same, because I know that for some even 1$ was a lot of money, but I'm trying to be fair to everyone.
I will let you know of the results of this poll when I'll start preparing the next episode, which will be after the release of the current episode I'm working on.
Bests,
Jason
Comments
Medici
Whatever you wind up doing, just make sure you communicate often
Pax
I voted for smaller episodes because I know that you can lose momentum (with the way paying supporters view releases). If there is a way to go with a 6-8 week development schedule, this would give about 7 updates/year and keep momentum, which keeps your $ support up. I'll support you regardless but wanted to share my thoughts - all with how to best keep you supported by paying, enthusiastic supporters (including adding new ones every release).
