Important Information for Non-Patrons
This is for those folks that aren't Patrons.
Hey everyone, I have some really HUGE news for this update, so please, please, PLEASE read what I have to say. I know there's a lot here, but it's extremely important!
It's with a heavy heart that I make this announcement, but CursedMarked and I will no longer be working together. In the best interest of our friendship and the project, we have come to this agreement and will no longer be working together. This actually revolves around some of the personal reasons we had to cancel IDEKA as well. Overall, it's better for both of us to go this direction. The past several months have been really stressful for us, and this is the best option. It's really unfortunate, and I'd never be where I am today without him. Thank you so much for all you've been able to help me do, my dear friend.
So, what does that mean for Extracurricular Activities? Well, it just means I'll be using a new artist. The overwhelming amount of feedback I received on my post back in January made me feel confident that the project will still push forward, even with a change in artists. I know this will yield mixed feelings, but I'm letting folks know now, in case you are only here for the art and want to back out before the month changes.
I am happy to say that I do have a solution already, and from this point on, I'll be working with Bigfingers Games Inc. (or better known as CaptainGerBear). As some of you might know, he's seen huge success with his own games Bastard Bonds (on Steam!) and See No Evil, and he's on board to bring his professional work and advice to Extracurricular Activities. You can see from the work I'm sharing that he's already hard at work, so stay tuned and see what else is in store!
This is just a small example of more to come.
Keep in mind, there is a huge difference in the style of the two artists, and CaptainGerBear is working to keep things are true as possible to their designs. There is a lot of work to do, and there is much much more to come, so stay tuned for that.
Public demos won't see any major changes until at least Update 1.54 releases, most likely.
Thanks to everyone for your support and interest in the project!
Comments (38)
I have a question about the switch from first-person to third-person. What was the reasoning behind that? I'm genuinly curious. :)
CGB has already proven himself more than capable of conveying emotion in a believable and impactful way, whereas CM's style, being very exaggerated and often more overtly sexual, could sometimes be a slightly odd fit in heavier scenes. On the other hand, CM's very cartoony style really suited the VN format, and I worry that CGB's semi-realistic style, with his attention to detail, might be tough to fit. This is a really interesting change overall.
Will be saved legacy versions? I'm glad that the project is moving forward, I like the style of the new artist (I played his games) But I still don't want to lose those feelings that I got from your work with cursedmarked ... I'm both happy and depressed ... As a result, this project died for me ... And now I see something like a continuation from the fans ... Rather all this will not be the novel that I knew. I will consider this project new, rather than updated old. P.S. I have been following the project since its appearance ... But it seems now I will be watching the new one.
Out of everyone there I think dozer and Hal are great. Darius needs a bit more work. It's really just his head the torso to leg ratio is a tad weird but dude.. that head. No!
As a long time follower of this game and someone who wishes he had the disposable income to support it, I'm really sad to hear that CursedMarked will no longer be a part of this project as his art was what caught my eye when I first discovered Extracurricular Activities. That being said I am so very happy to hear the two of you addressed the issue before it ruined your friendship. I'm a little mixed about CaptainGerBear being the new head artist. On the one hand I love his art and had a blast with Bastard Bonds, but I do not know if his art style suits Extracurricular Activities. Captain Ger uses darker colors, more realistic mussel structures and a emphasis on shading that give his art a more harder edge. A example would be his Darius dose not have the punchable swagger he did before, and now kinda looks like a jock about to give me a swirly.
This is a really sad thing to do i really loved the character designs now, and i wish the best of luck to your friend on what he is going for, but no matter what i will keep supporting this game!
one more thing i'd like to add, the new art looks good but i think this maria could be a bit thinner, similar to Cm's
Just found this in my inbox moments ago. It's sad but it is what it is. It will take some adjusting to. I'm wondering now if all the art will be redone to match the new style.
Gerbear tends to draw huge upper bodies and short stubby legs (In Bastard Bonds this was very off-putting to me) . Hopefully this will be reined in a bit for EA. But judging by the art above (Darius and Dozer) it doesnt seem like it. He also draws much darker themes than CM does, so i hope he will be able to convey the more happy-go-lucky feel of EA. Not super happy with this if I'm honest. CM did very good work on the EA characters and I am very sad to see him go. :/
Mixed feelings all around, the guy made my favorite sexual point and click game (well I have only ever played one but I doubt I'll find any that's as good as see no evil, that shit was legit) And is GREAT with his stuff, but... We were all first introduced to this by CMs art. We stay for the story, sure, but man it's going to be outright JARRING to get used to all the new stuff. This is more than a facelift, it's going to basically be a body change for EC, and us old buddies will have to get used to seeing a new guy with the mind of our old friend. My current BIGGEST issue is, and I hope you take this into consideration, is the current color scheme of the backgrounds Vs the kind of colors CGB uses. CM uses more vibrant colors so they mixed together, not perfectly but good enough, but... Even while looking at the previews from CGB (they look GREAT don't get me wrong) I can already see clashing colors between the more darker, realistic-ish colors from CGB and the vibrant, shiny colors from the backgrounds. The disconnect will be really apparent, and it worries me. The moment I read about the change in artist I felt my heart sink, was about to cancel my support, maybe wait to see what the new artist has to offer and then decide, but you chose the only guy that actually softened the blow for me enough to keep my finger away from that cancel button.
So sad you split up :( Anyway, I suppose stories will be as best as they are now :) Keep up this nice job ! (oh, and did Maria took a little bit of weight ? :3 )
oh my god so sexy and cool
Hehe, very sexy!
it'll take some getting use to but i'm here for the characters anyway
Me too. The art initially drew me in when I was looking for a new visual novel. But I stayed for the stories and characters. I'd be sadder if the project just ended entirely so if it's the trade-off to continue it then so be it. I struggle with change in general but I adjust-eventually... Still let's not bring shade to CGB. It's never easy to enter in on established material of any kind.
That's a real shame. The new style is going to take a bit of adjusting to. I love CM's artstyle and he really added charm to the characters in EA and his own characters in general. I'll truly miss his part in the project. On the bright side, at least you've already gotten another artist, and a great one at that! I already love how he drew Dozer and Chester! I hope he tries his best to emulate CM's design to the best of his abilities for the sake of preserving that charm and to respect CM for his part in the project.
It'll definitely take some time to adjust to it, but I think people are really gonna enjoy seeing what all Ger brings to the table :)
oh... It looks that I am the only person who doesn't really want the change. The new style of the artist is too soft and lack of power of the pencil line. But I accept the change eventually,because this EA after all is your garden,what you want us to see attaching your fantastic and gorgeous writing.So change is unaviodable,I sincerely hope you can get along well with your new partner. By the way,how can you see our displease of CM's artstyle?the partner you've worked with so long time,the artstyle we've felt countless times……
Hey, so well honestly at this point i'm in it more for the progression of the story and the characters. Originally the art put me off but as i gave it a chance it was the story and how much you have put into it that really drew me to this VN. So regardless of the change of artist i am in it more for the content and story. Can't wait to see the overall changes tho.
Thank you~ Glad to see that the story and characters were more of a draw. That's always nice to hear!
Although Cursedmarked was part of the project, and his art is amazing. It does not take away from the amazing stories that you write. Although it is sad to see him leave, it won't deter me from leaving the game. This game is too much, and it hits way too close to home.
Ahh, thank you! I'm glad to keep you around ;)
I'm personally okay with this change and feel it can be better for the game and it's development, plus this artist seems to be just as good if not better than than the original, and anything to get the project fast or have more is this. So I do agree with you decision and hope to see more in you ever growing development.
Thanks a lot :) I go hope to see a lot of growth here!
Will the art that's already been implemented by your collaboration with CM be changed?, or will the new artist CaptainGerBear "re-draw" all the existing art until now?
"Public demos won't see any major changes until at least Update 1.54 releases"
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD *tries to calm down* okay Dyne......tbh I'm so happy for now. I've noticed you being some what displeased with CM's artstyle clashing with your own interests a lot of the time the past years I've been following this game, so i feel this was long overdue. I love CM's art but I understand the change and it seems it is for the better overall in the long run. Also Hal from the cafe looks insanely hot (is he date option? haha) AND they're a human too i almost missed that fact woah O__O
It's not that I was displeased at all though, I love CMs work. This change really has nothing to do with that. It's a totally different reason.
okay, the change of artist and art style is kind of scary because i have grown so attached to each of the characters and their design but it is the love and personality that you pour into all of them that keeps me coming back so while it may take some time to get used to the change there is no way that i'll stop supporting you dyne!
Thank you! It's certainly a scary change for me too, but at the same time, I'm excited to push forward and see what the Captain brings to EA.
A change is fine for me. Though, I can't wait for the new update o3o I'll just keep the old update too for the memory of seeing CursedMarked's artworks owo But still, the story is nice and it's not everyday you'll get to encounter that(sorry)
I'll be posting and archiving the old art as I'm replacing it too, so everyone can have it ;3
I may be apprehensive with there being new artwork, But it is the story that got me to love it all in the first place. So no, you shall not lose me!!!
Haha, well thank you! It's really tough, seeing a change with artists. It was not an easy choice...
Impossible NO WAY! I haven’t stopped being a patreon for so long because I couldn’t anymore.. maybe it’s time to return!
I won't complain ;3
I love his work! I can't wait to see more from him!
Same here!