July 2026 Developer Log
Hello :) based on some feedback I'm going to start doing a monthly developer log so that I don't ghost everyone for one or two months at a time. I'll ramble a bit, and give updates on what I'm working on.
Sprite Updates!
I wasn't satisfied with the current sprites, so I spent a few days shifting pixels around until they looked better. If you follow me on twitter/bluesky, you might have seen some of these in use already.
I think they look more handsome now :)
The minisprites have also been updated, I reverted back to the 2px eye, just like I had for planet Caprini (dylan) - but with a less "stiff" body and better proportions.
I've also settled on 320x180 game resolution and 64x64 face sprites for now.
UI / UX Updates
[Oct 1 2026 update - I removed the link to the tech demo that was here previously]
One of my patrons rightly pointed out that clicking can be annoying. You can now navigate between rooms on a single floor with LEFT and RIGHT, cycle between links with UP and DOWN, or TILDE~ plus NUMBERS (1-9)... so players can use keyboard only, or even one-hand only (if your other hand is busy?)
Feedback is welcome! I'm trying to settle on a single twine+sugarcube format that I can use for all my future projects.
My Visual Novel Theory
Rambling time.
I'm not a big fan of traditional Renpy visual novel formats, where there's a bunch of standing busts in front of a 3D background, then the character's name and dialogue down below. It doesn't feel immersive - is it just me or am I crazy? I feel like your eyes get drawn to the text (...at the bottom of the screen, also it isn't very ergonomic) and sometimes you miss the character's expression.
Games like OMORI and UNDERTALE did a better job by showing the emotion right next to the text, which is something I tried for 16M, MBS, and OHELL.
This is my next iteration on that idea, where I want the game to feel more like a comic... what I mean is, comics are great because layouts allow your eyes flow easily across the page. So my idea for a VN is basically like... an interactive comic. With animations.
/ramble
This Month...
I haven't settled on which project I'm continuing, but it WILL use the updated UI/UX and sprites. It will either be a continuation of Last Summer, or some other project, or both.
Comments (8)
Loving the game need more now lol
Thanks for the update. And yeah, it was a sweat to play with one hand before, hehe ;)
haha... i only recently stumbled across your stuff but your rambling is nothing like my walls of text. ive gotten feedback over the years that fans like the rambling and behind the scenes and just knowing where the creator's head is at-- all the behind-the-scenes kinda stuff. unfortunately indie game devs in this genre have a tendency to ghost but keep that autobill turned on so it does sketch supporters out to be skeptical of developer silence. i think the devlogs are a good idea to help minimize that. i dont think you're crazy at all for not liking the traditional VN style. it always broke immersion for me too and felt more like some old school puppet show than something created digitally. you dont see as many motion comics though and that could help also make anything you create more unique rather than just getting lost in the VN shuffle
Oh hello :) your stuff looks AWESOME I’m gonna check it out later today. And yeah… puppet show is a great way to put it
Keep up the good work!! 😎
Appreciate the update. I hope you continue the Caprini Project. I'm really hyped to see what other "beings" he is going to get milked from.
Thanks for the update! Appreciate the increased communication, I never had a problem supporting before while waiting for new content but this helps build up the anticipation and is just nice to have :)
you're welcome! I like this too, forces me to think about things and stay on track :>