Starry Chain build 0.2 report[12/01/19]


Hello Everyone! Here Is a report.

Programing

Defining variables

I’ve been testing new forms of declaring variables and saving them without breaking the game. You see, old save files generally break, because you're checking for a variable, or performing something that requires a data which doesn't exist in the game save.

So you get an error like this:

Attribute error example.

Now I will be declaring the variable using the default statement. This should give the variable that doesn’t exist a default value. It is not one hundred percent sure that it will prevent a crash, but it will help a lot.

Note: Also, I already began to work on the Gallery, so it won't conflict with save files later on.

Improved Screens


                                                           

  The new character screen will be a divide in three sections(details, description, and abilities)

As I mentioned before, some screens got updated, like the character view screen and the library. Other screen received minor changes, likes buttons to return to the previous screen without closing the menu.

Character stats

While I was scripting some parts of the third day, I find myself having some difficulty in writing a scene that involved battle. With these stats, I have parameters to take into consideration when writings scenes that would use them. Like the friendship and affection gauge, the stats might increase and decrease during the game, and they will also be used as variables to validate choices.

Important: Android Build and test

Testing

I have finally got to test the android version in a mobile device, and it worked fine, there wasn't any bug of some sort.

Known issues

Screenshot of game ruining in a mobile device(Notice the black space) 

However, there is a problem with the resolution. The current game is programmed at 1300x900. This resolution is not good for mobile devices, even when it is scaled down. Because of this, things were displayed really small.
To make this work, I would have to redefine the resolution of the game. And that means that would have to change the resolution of all the assets in the game.
This will take a bit of time to get done. So even knowing that I will have double the work I will be pushing the android version to the next ver0.3


Writing

Game script

Currently, I finishing the script for the second day. It requires some more adjust, mostly in the second half of the second day. Here are a simple flowchart and a table with some pieces of information.

Second day simplified flowchart


spreadsheet with the progress of Ver0.2

In the flowchart, you can see that I've also put the character present in the scenes. That way, I better can keep track of the characters and the screen time.

Reviewing old script                              

I will also be revising the script of the day one. I have received a lot of feedback and indeed it seems to be a bit too wordy. What I want to achieve is a balance between the information presented in the narrative and the library. The downside of this is that, if you don’t read the library, you might get lost in the story at some point.

Possible Route changes

Kahulan

Okay, I will address an elephant that has been bothering me for some time now. When I was writing the VN, I made two scripts for the Kahulan's route, one contained a romantic relationship, and the other a more platonic one. Whether we like or not, incest is still a taboo, I don't have any problem with it, but other people may find it offensive. And since it is for you guys, nothing fairer than you to decide.

I will open voting for 5$ patrons to decide whether I should turn Kahulan's romantic route optional or not.

Note: This change isn't going to affect the already planned story, it rather will add a new branch to it.

Vhencil

Vhencil is another character that I had a route planned for. His script is old, but I think I can update it and turn it part of the game. The reason why I discontinued his route was that there were gonna be too many routes in the game. Also, there was that trope of the "straight" guy turning gay. I wasn't so sure when I was writing it, but I believe that I can do something interesting with it now.

 

Graphics

A table containing some assets that will be used in the build0.2

I’ve been working on all necessary assets for the build 0.2. It has been really time-consuming and one of the bigger reasons why things get delayed.

New backgrounds

Some new backgrounds that will appear in the next build:

Old improved sprites

Some old character got their sprite improved, and received some alternative clothing and accessories:

New characters sprite

Here are some new characters that will appear in the next build:

 

Problems

Here is the part that I generally don’t like to talk about, but the truth is that I’ve been neglecting my health for a time now, and it is starting to come back to get me.

That is why I have decided that I will be back to working only part-time. Honestly, I can’t keep like this, and it will be great to have extra time to work with what I enjoy the most.

Future Task

First, I am sorry guys. It is the end of the semester, and things have been really slow for me. It doesn't help that I've been getting sick almost every day due to my low humidity. However, I will continue to work on this as much as I can.

So, I am hoping to be able to finish all the required content for the next paetron build before Christmas.

Important Note

Patreon December/1 billing cycle has been paused to January/1!

I still have a lot of work to do, but I won't be on vacation until the end of the school years(12/16/19).

That’s it for this report. thank you for your patience

~Grim-Meow

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Comments

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(-1)

Android version? 

(10 edits) (+2)

Time flies, doesn't it? It looks like you've been putting a lot of work into this and I'm glad you're progressing at this pace. It might be a little late to say this but I hope you've had a wonderful time during the holidays and an awesome new year's eve! So... about proofreading stuff, would you like to talk a bit about it on discord? Or, in case you don't have an account, I'll just say it right now; I can do it for free btw :p you only need to worry about writing the content (maybe I could give you a few ideas too, who knows! ) I'll start on the 1.5 update right now. ( since I can't support you financially, I will help you this way) #6725 Kain (in case you have a discord account) about the incest route~ I'd say an optional route, of course! ( because taboo  or not it's spicy and I like that ). 






 P.S : I think I'll use a text document to write the proofread version on It and send you that unless you have a better way, of course! It might take some time though~ ( currently at the intro :O )

(+1)

Kahulan <3<3<3

I love your work, I'll be sure to support you as soon as I can!

(+1)

wow very self-aware of the technical issues and also incest route. imo the incest route should be optional like any other romantic route you have for the other characters. taboo or not

The update's cool , good luck with the progress

(+1)

Thank you for your hard work! 🥰

Hope you get better soon! A good health and mind is key to long-last plan they said.