DevLog #1 - Updates to the demo! New character!

This is my first Dev log and first update after a teaser demo for Otome Jam 2024. I went back and polished a few things for the upcoming NOVELASIA Showcase, in which this game will be featured!

The current version that you can download is 1.01. (11/10/2024) I am very confused because I'm that person that names their files like 'Sky final final actually final final' so if it is not 1.01 please do inform me.

Here are what's new:

1. Two new character sprites!

You can now meet Auburn and another character, one of the main antagonists! I hope you show them lots of love. Additionally, the other character's sprites have been adjusted to fix animation glitches.

2. UI UPDATES!

• New main menu and language selection screen! Added a new illustration to the in-game menu.
• Main menu has unlockable characters. More characters will appear as you pass certain points in the story.
• Also added an unlockable button. As of this demo, this button will not be unlockable yet.

3. Moved sprites closer to the player. 

Upon coming back to the game, I felt they were standing too far away, so now you can see them from thigh-up instead of knee-up. (Actually I made a mistake of drawing some sprites only to their thigh so...ahaha...)

4. Changes to animation

• Kaew now has his own weapon + transformation animation
• Kaew also has some new crying animations.
• Sadayu also has his own weapon now, which will appear later in the story.
• Adjusted some animations and timings.

5. RESOURCE OPTIMIZATIONS

• Live2D sprites are now downsized to save memory and allow the game to run smoother. (I was surprised to find out that I could cut texture size by half and the model stills the same lol) Unnecessary physics parameters are now removed.
• Lilith’s corner sprite now runs on a layered image system. She also has a new outfit.

6. Option to turn MC’s portrait on/off

• When I started out, I actually didn’t write Lilith with a self-insert option in mind, but then I saw that there’s this window of ‘being amnesiac and being told that for some reason your name is Lilith’ also works a little bit for self-insert, so I decided to implement this option.
• You can find this in the preference screen under ‘MC Sprite’

7. More story content

Players can now see more of the story. Explore your second and third day at uni!4

8. Translation revisions

Edited some text and grammar for the English version

9. Customized desktop icon. 

I recently figured out how to use the .ico file to change the game icon from Eileen (RenPy default) to whatever image I want. 

Final remarks:

Thank you to the organizers of NOVELASIA for selecting Into the Depth of the Sky to participate, and don’t forget to check out all the other amazing games from SEA devs! The event will be live on Youtube 25th October 2024.: https://www.youtube.com/@SEAGamethetic See you there!