Hi everyone, and welcome to my 18th Dev Log!

We just surpassed the 90% mark!! Realizing that I'm almost at the end of development for Chapter 1 is both scary and insanely exciting. I really can't wait for you all to experience the beginning of this story.

We've seen a 5% increase in progress over the last two weeks, which translates to much more than just renders. I've been writing code for the UI, polishing dialogue, enhancing sound effects (making seamless loops), and, lastly, taking a few well-deserved breaks. Life has changed quite radically in the last week, and I'm still taking the necessary time to get comfortable with where I am. But enough chit-chat, let's delve straight into what has been achieved!

Development

I implemented both a Profile and a Gallery screen, features I felt were absolutely necessary to have from the start. They ended up looking exactly how I envisioned, and I'm very happy with them. The core idea was to have a design that is both good-looking and simple: no bloated information, just the essentials. There is no need to scroll left or right; instead, there will be a clean list on either side for checking characters.

The sprites still need to be added, as I'm still considering how I want them to look. If you have preferences or things you would like to see, let me know down in the comments and I'll see if it's possible to add them!

I also continued rendering, and I'm now entering the final two scenes of Chapter 1. These will probably become the most challenging scenes I've done so far. Knowing myself, I'll probably be over-analytical and try to get every last render as close to my vision as possible, but I'll also try to find simplicity where I can. Regardless, here is where we stand today:

• Chapter 1 Progress: 27 out of 29 scenes are now almost complete!

• Renders This Week: +80 new renders.

• Total Chapter 1 Stats: 1,525 total renders and 17 completed animations.

Sneak Peek & Writing Style Insight

Something I really like about novels is how characters get to know each other. While there are tons of textbooks on how to achieve this, I opted for a more personal approach. Characters in The Darkness Within will connect over time, not just through speech, but through shared experience. As they go through things together, they'll naturally become closer.

It sounds simple, but it's an approach that requires time. Getting to know each other will mean sitting together in silence, questioning our own opinions and beliefs, being criticized by others, being praised, learning that others have different life experiences and defense mechanisms, and simply becoming comfortable in each other's presence. The verb I would use to describe the style I'm aiming for is to feel together. It doesn't mean the MC and the girls will feel the exact same thing, but they will experience a feeling together. This fosters a connection and a relationship built on much more than just words.

Therefore, here is a sneak peek of Tiffany and Mike sitting together—both feeling something, yet both feeling two completely different things. It's a moment that allows a real connection to begin.

Enjoying the Process

Lastly, I want to touch on a very important point. As I get closer to finishing the first chapter, I'm becoming hyper-aware of the fact that I'll actually be releasing it soon. This might sound obvious, but it definitely has an psychological influence on me. On one hand, I can't wait to drop the release; on the other, I'm becoming the "perfectionist" I vowed I wouldn't be when making The Darkness Within. This has always been a passion project that I want to fully enjoy (and which I am loving), not something I want to rush or force.

What does that mean? It means I'm also enjoying making side art in the meantime, getting closer to the characters as I create promotional renders for them (if you haven't seen them already, check both Aria's Summer Breeze and Lily's Escape)and continuing to challenge my own capabilities in both rendering and animating. I love creating them, and I'll keep doing it throughout the month of July. It massively helps keep my head fresh and full of energy to work on the main game. So... expect more of the girls in bikinis soon! I'll be dropping them as they come, rather than forcing a strict schedule. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them.

In parallel to all this, I'm also searching for a new job as I recently became unemployed, which in the current market is quite a challenge. Interviews and rejections are all part of life, and while it's an insecure moment for me, it's also an important one.

Alright, that's all for today. I'm beyond excited with how the game is turning out and how close I am to finishing it up. Thank you for your patience, your continuous support, and all the love I've received. I keep saying this, but it truly means a lot.

Until the next Dev Log.

— MisheruMaxis