Starting soon

Well then,

I'll be starting the next game on the 1st, and development will last around four months.

To put it simply, my goal this time around is to make something great. Short and simple isn't going to cut it for me anymore. I've reached a point as a developer where the challenge isn't really technical, but rather it's holding my attention with work I can actually be proud of.

I've also decided to put off hiring other artists for now, so I'll still be developing by myself, as usual.

There will also be a few other changes in terms of development,

Game Maker Studio
I'll be switching from Game Maker 8.1 to Game Maker Studio, which will mean a couple differences,

The first is the possibility of Japanese language support. Thus far, I've made sure to avoid including dialogue because it would have been impossible for me to display a Japanese translation. However I've confirmed that this is now possible in GM Studio, so the doors are open for text, if the game calls for it.

It's also come to my attention that GM will include Ouya support within the Android module, so I'll be developing with Android in mind (in terms of compatibility, that is). Keep in mind that even if Android stores don't allow adult content, that doesn't prevent me from selling .apk files. Though I may consider releasing all ages versions of the game, as well.

Daily art and music practice

In other news, I'll also be doing some daily content.

For the last few years I've pretty much stopped practising art entirely in favour of game development. To remedy this, I'll be doing artwork everyday, and posting it on the blog. I'll probably start with random hentai sketches, and then move on to drawing manga again, if I get a bit more consistent. Hopefully this will benefit CGs, when the time comes.

Also, though it may not be daily like the art will, I'll also be posting music. Mostly improve to simple melodies using what instruments I have.

New Payment Method

Aaand last but no least, I've begun using a free service that makes the checkout process easier when buying games. In addition to saying something more obvious than "back to Overture Interactive", it will also send the customer an email address containing a download link.


That's about it, really.

Good one, DLsite.

For fuck's sake..

So, Eroico is up on DLsite, but they removed the config.txt file from the game's folder, meaning the game starts in a messed up screen mode for some players. I guess they just remove random shit from creator's submissions in addition to stealing from them through incorrect exchange rates. Brilliant.

I've emailed them asking to have the file put back in, so hopefully it will be corrected by tomorrow. It's a wonder it's selling at all, given that a good number of people won't ever get past the menu screen.

If you do happen to run into window related problems up starting the game, press F4 and then go to the options screen, which will fix the problem.

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Updated Demo(V10)
Putlocker link

Buy the full version
(Make sure you download the updated demo first, since it's required anyway, what you're buying is an unlock file)

Buy on DLsite

Alternatively, the game can be purchased from Dlsite.

http://www.dlsite.com/maniax/work/=/product_id/RJ115470.html

Eroico Demo update (V10)

Updated Demo(V10)
Putlocker link

In terms of length, I'd say Eroico is shorter than Kurovadis. However it has more CGs, 15 to Kurovadis's 9. There are a total of 3 levels, and 15 enemies with animations. Use that to consider if you feel like buying it or not, but also keep in mind that it will be funding the next game, as usual.

Buy the full version
(Make sure you download the updated demo first, since it's required anyway, what you're buying is an unlock file)

Bug fixes: Fixed a major bug that caused an error message when clicking through menu's quickly (can't open file). A bunch of other stuff.

Bug fixing..

.........*Sigh*

Basically, when I added the gallery to the latest version (V4-V7), a lot of bugs started popping up that I didn't notice. Bugs I can't really sell the game with. The problem is that of the two error messages that have been reported so far, I can't reproduce either of them.

So, I have a favour to ask of those who have already purchased the game, if you'd like to help me out.

Gallery version test

Download this version, and either do a run-through from scratch or just use it with a previous save and tell me what bugs you encounter. Any error messages, and especially CG or enemy gallery progress being reset (As you encounter enemies, they should appear in the enemy gallery room). Some errors may occur by restarting the game. (Note that you can also change your progress through editing the prog.dll file)

Hopefully I can fix these issues soon and release it on DLsite sometime tomorrow, so I can finally be done with Eroico and start the next game.

Buying the game
If you don't care about the enemy gallery (the CG gallery is still there) and want to buy the full game before I finish these bug fixes, you can go back a few posts to V3, which doesn't have the bugs I'm referring to here.

Eroico Gallery update (V7)

Down temporarily, fixing bugs -____-

Updated Demo(V7)

Putlocker link

In terms of length, Eroico is shorter than Kurovadis. However it has more CGs, 15 to Kurovadis's 9. There are a total of 3 levels, and 15 enemies with animations. Use that to consider if you feel like buying it or not, but also keep in mind that it will be funding the next game, as usual.

Buy the full version

(Make sure you download the updated demo first, since it's required anyway, what you're buying is an unlock file)

Notes

I really messed up V4, so hopefully I fixed the problem in this version. If you downloaded V4 and lost progress, simply go into the prog.dll file with a text editor and set all the 0's to 1's.

Status update, concept for next game.

Updated Demo(V10)
Putlocker link

In terms of length, I'd say Eroico is shorter than Kurovadis. However it has more CGs, 15 to Kurovadis's 9. There are a total of 3 levels, and 15 enemies with animations. Use that to consider if you feel like buying it or not, but also keep in mind that it will be funding the next game, as usual (I won't be using offbeatr, for now).

Buy the full version
(Make sure you download the updated demo first, since it's required anyway, what you're buying is an unlock file)

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Status update

I've more or less been taking a break for the past few days. And by taking a break I mean casually fixing bugs and implementing the "gallery" for enemies, which I finished today. (rather than working all day like a maniac). The game will be uploaded to DLsite after I finish fixing a few more bugs.

Next game

I've also been thinking quite a bit about the next game, things like the theme, and general gameplay. Nothing is really all that certain at the moment, but I can say that I want to take a step towards making something more complicated. Or at the very least, something different. Though still practical, if I can manage it.

Some things I'll get out of the way about the new game, before I begin,

1. It will be sci-fi themed.

2. It will have a female protagonist.
3. It will be an action platformer Metroidvania.

The concept I've been juggling in my head goes something like this, (without spoiling the plot I have in mind)

You are on a foreign world, which is inhabited by monsters and beasts of various kinds, ranging from biological horrors to local (but alien) wildlife. Aside from basic stats, your advancement focuses on two things that are central to gameplay,

1. The first is technology, such as guns, traps, jet boosters, etc, which are created using parts you find in the world.

2. The second are biological enhancements and skills, such as health regeneration or special powers, which you gain by studying/learning from enemies,

To study enemies, first you have to capture them through various means, putting them into a designated area for containment. However you also have to make them happy, and keep them alive over time to learn more. There are a number of basic ways to keep them happy, but needless to say, some of them don't mind "alternative" means.

Among the basic methods of keeping the creatures happy is feeding them the correct foods or giving them certain items, which you can find scattered across the world, by killing enemies, harvesting plants which appear at random in certain areas, or fishing. 

The game would work on a day cycle, with the state of each area changing daily, switching enemy locations and randomizing things like plants, or other useful items.

In addition to the changing environment (exploration areas), which would be based more on advancement and acquiring items, there would be other more important areas which do not change, which would fill the role of more traditionally designed levels. These levels would be the primary reason for advancing your character and acquiring certain technology, as they must be overcome to unlock new areas. The basic layout and game flow would be like this,

Notice how I didn't spell challenge correctly. Not once.

You have a base of operations, where you begin each day, and keep contained creatures (home). From there, you enter exploration areas, where you find parts and items. Once you have the necessary technology, such as a weapon, you would hunt down enemies you are strong enough to defeat, or have the necessary items to capture.

The day ends after a given amount of time. Areas are randomized again.

You begin a new day, and start at home. First you try feeding the creatures, or try something else entirely. You once again begin exploring, and discovering new areas and technology, becoming stronger, possibly farming certain items each day in order to level up creatures or make healing items.

Finally, you learn an ability from a monster or gain technology which gives you access to a large important area, or a small area with a significant challange. At the end of the important area, you find an item that gives you access to higher level exploration areas, which in turn gives you access to more parts, items, and enemies to capture. You would be advancing in every regard, by the end of each day.

Considerations

Being more complicated, there are some considerations I may have to make in order to make it more practical. Here are some things I would want to include, but would probably leave to a sequel.

1. No day night cycle. There would simply be an "end of day", and the character sleeps at night.

2. Only certain creatures could be captured, not all of them.

3. Creatures would only have one enhancement each, and the happiness level would increase it's effectiveness, rather than giving new enhancements. The nature of the creature's happiness could effect the enhancement, but might be better left out.

4. Could only save at the beginning of each day, so that harvested items and locations don't need to be saved. (thousands of variables)

5. Possibly leave out leveling up, leaving progression to technology and enhancements instead,

6. Each enemy merely needs to be defeated and captured with a certain kind of trap, rather than having unique circumstances for each.

Anyhow, that's enough brainstorming for now. I've gotta get back to fixing bugs.

Eroico Finished

Well, here it is. I'm sure I've missed something dumb, but have at it. I'm sure I'll hear about the ridiculous bugs or mistakes I've made tomorrow.

Updated Demo(v3)
Putlocker link

In terms of length, I'd say Eroico is shorter than Kurovadis. However it has more CGs, 15 to Kurovadis's 9. There are a total of 3 levels, and 15 enemies with animations. Use that to consider if you feel like buying it or not, but also keep in mind that it will be funding the next game, as usual (I won't be using offbeatr, for now).

Buy the full version
(Make sure you download the updated demo first, since it's required anyway, what you're buying is an unlock file)

I'll be adding in a Gallery/arena esque thing in a future update (within the week). For now there is only a gallery for CGs. Feel free to bring up any bugs you encounter.

A major change from the previous version is that the upgrades do not increase attack power. It would have been unbalanced for players who missed them, so instead it increases your range, and gives the ranged attack various effects.

Bugs fixed: Screen continues to scroll in desert third area, last CG not viewable in gallery, other misc bugs.

Testing

The game is finished.

I'm currently fixing some bugs that I noticed during testing. It's mostly stuff you wouldn't normally notice, but I figure I may as well save myself the trouble and fix them now, rather than people taking the time to make bug reports about problems I'm already aware of.