Midweek Devlog #9 That was something

So I'll start off by saying, I am very much sorry for how things went last time, things just went completely out of hand in regards to the unexpected major issues that took place in my main project's demo. It threw me off quite a lot, I will not lie, but I'm here to make an attempt at getting back on track. 

So before I got completely thrown off, I was working on the end fight of the demo, and for now I'm going to leave that alone, because it's clear simply on face value that the changes I made to the dialogue in the first half simply aren't enough to offset the issues highlighted by the various livestreamers I've had the pleasure to watch. In response to the latest one from StudioBlue, this is my plan for addressing the severe drag the opening has. You can also find the vod for the RPG Maker Web stream they did below as well.

• Implemented - Changed Opening - The starting text blurb remains, but afterwards, a whole new segment was added showing off the Spy gameplay and what Wina's occupation involves. It gives you a much clearer idea of her role.
• Gradual Introduction to the other Main Characters - This was highlighted in StudioBlue's stream. The other main characters are all introduced all at once so fast that we don't get proper time to get comfortable and take them in. The plan will be as follows:
  • Willow and Gill - Willow often greets Wina at the West Station of Sector 32 and talks about the day. Gill tags along shortly afterwards as he has business in East 32 anyway. We see Willow's status as a comfort and best friend figure and Gill's jovial Good Samaritan status.
  • Artur - On the way to Central Station Artur is met, he's as crass and offputting, and in spite of making clear his origins as a High Class, this meeting will subtly hint at his current fall from grace and attempts at adjusting to a Low Class way of life.
  • Giao and Vola - This largely stays the same, they become the focus of the Russ' Diner Scene, Jarel stays with them, but the whole group scene is cut. Empathis on Giao trying to work within the system to make things better, while highlighting Vola's abnormal dysfunctional dependence on Giao.
  • Ellen - Perhaps have Ellen's role as a nurse shown through Wina's opening to the Sector 32 exploration, having patched her up but telling her to not go overboard.
• Severely cutting down the meeting between President and Laura - A lot is said and learned but it goes on quite a ways, and removes the element of 'Who is the Supreme Dictator' too soon. The focus should be on Laura and the General as their scheming is actually important to know about and be the center of attention in the behind the scenes. Direct contact between Laura and President diminishes the secretive nature of her schemes.
• Tweaks to the Intel Department Scenes - I can do more with this with less verbiage and do some sequence changing to throw in more action. The Player still needs to know about Wina's situation before Primal Realm as it heavily establishes the themes I'm trying to aim for. However as this is a major contributor to the run time, I will attempt to mitigate its presence. 
• Morgan/Morganna Teasers - Two scenes have been added at the start that help add extra connection early on to the fantasy elements later. There may be more elements hidden in the areas leading up to the Inciting Incident.

I'm also going to do some self sabotaging proofing to prevent the Player from shooting themselves in the foot like with what happened with Steel, it was a colossal oversight on top of bad balancing that damned the playthrough. I have some fun narrative ideas to make these bad decisions far lesser than they would be otherwise.

I've actually made some level of progress on the new Sector 32 maps actually, the area I was talking about in the Willow and Gill segment. Have a look! 

As you can see, Sector 32 doesn't look all that well kept in comparison to the majestic and well built Central Sector. The only form of decent building is the central administration building right across from the West Station, where the government is stationed. I've yet to populate with people, but there is plenty of folks in Sector 32 who might have plenty to say. You might even have to get in a scuffle with some unsavory folks.

And I of course cannot forget to mention that we have character art from Mori/Othellophi to show off this week!

Newly added is the Morgan artwork, as well as Wina's Awakened Blaze form. These are some really great designs and I'm really happy with the work done so far, I'm excited to eventually get to the other cast members.

Lastly let's discuss my intentions for this game since I think there's a lot of confusion on the matter.

Wina's Story is a demo that shows an alternate perspective of events, but due to the nature of what happens with Wina, an abrupt shift is almost inevitable. The Main Story is centered on the friends of Wina after the Incident and their initial struggles in the wake of it. We'll see their reactions as well as the reaction of the world at large to the Incident and the greater escalation that will soon follow in Chapter 1: Aftermath.

The storyline is planned to be far more gradual in its introduction to the magic and lore of the Fae and Primal Realm, so by the time it's time to venture forth into the Realm, there's already decent set up to pave the way for a more realistic flow.

I cannot wait to get to a point where I can show and tease these elements of the Main Story, but as there are lots of issues remaining with the Demo, I'll be focusing on that first. But I do promise this: when it's finally ready to reveal my hand you're going to really love the direction I'm going.

Unfortunately that's all for this week but I aim to have lots more to show off next week as I get closer to my goals. You all have a great week, it's good to be back!