Posted July 26, 2024 by Spark
Version 2.0 - Changes:
- Secret ending implemented
- Added new SFX effects in old dialogues
- Minor dialogue changes in old dialogues
- Sprite changes in old dialogues
- Additional CGs in old dialogues
Publisher's Note: I'm sooo proud to announce that my first-ever game, "The Jester & the Prince," is finally fully released!
I want to share the journey I had with this game. I've been working on this project since April 2023. At that time, I had already created the basic sprites for the Jester and the Prince and outlined the main storyline. However, during that time, I actually lacked the motivation and inspiration to continue, so this had been collecting dust for a very long time. It wasn't until last month, when I finally had more free time as I'm graduating college this month, that I could fully focus on finishing the game.
Originally, I planned for this visual novel to be longer. In my initial storyboard, there were three painting sessions. However, I realized that creating additional sprites would be too time-consuming, and I didn't have more creative ideas to expand the story, so I changed it from three to only two. I even considered allowing players to choose the colors used in painting, but I later discarded that idea as well as it would have been too difficult to program.
On that note, I also want to share the original designs of the Jester and the Prince. Please see below:
The original sprites had more detail, especially the Prince — I was really determined to make him look "appealing" and "presentable" to the audience. Ultimately, I chose to simplify the designs because redrawing these characters in different poses and expressions would have been far more time-consuming compared to the new sprites.
I also want to share that there were actually several CGs that I discarded — some felt too awkward or irrelevant to the story. In the CG below, it depicts a deleted scene where the MC and the Prince fight with knives. The MC manages to cut the Prince's face, causing the latter to react in shock. Please see below:
The original main setting of the game was also just in a dark room. There would be no doors/windows. I eventually thought that this was way too suffocating to see and to feel, so I decided to change it. Please see below:
And that's pretty much it!
To close things, I've included a .txt guide in the downloads section for those who's struggling to find the different endings or just simply want to see optional dialogues by selecting certain choices.
I hope you enjoy playing the game! If you do, please consider rating the game and/or leaving a comment. Thank you <3
- spark180