Reworking Shops
When we set out to make KoD, we knew we wanted to create a highly customized game, but we wanted to avoid this getting in the way of the delivery of content. After all, we know you're here for a game, not just for pictures or systems. And while we have been still doing systems and visual assets to have the game and updates feel better, some of them we could not invest enough time in and to make them as good looking and functioning as we would want to. That left us forced to decide if we wanted to delay story content for an update and finish side things. But from experience we know that people are not as excited just about UI, backgrounds, and nicely coded systems alone, as they are for story-driven content and character interactions.
Though we built the first version to introduce the game and show what we were aiming for, our quality goals are higher than that. But since we don't want to spend months and months reworking the game and lacking in other areas, we have been actively trying to commission and find outside help to accomplish this goal. It's actually taxing and hard work to find reliable workers in this industry and both of us have been working just the two of us for years now, so having someone else in that work routine does offer a new challenge.
However we were able to find and are working with two new people: Ndsferrari (a coder) and Monaco Dingo (an UI and asset artists).
Above, you can see an example of our work with them. Instead of a boring old menu, Elmy's shop is now a visual menu. Not only does this look better, the system provides information about items before you buy it, as some people have requested. We think it's a nice upgrade all around, and you'll see it in version 0.4.0. This was done with fair bit of editing and fixing to its final version, but we are very happy with the end result.
We're also trying to do this work to scale to future updates. The GUI you see there isn't just for Elmy's shop, the underlying mechanics will work just as well for every shop in the game.
Along with this, we've been experimenting with commissioning some components of the game. Once fully comfortable with this new way of doing things, it can add some time up front, but in the end it will mean we can spend more time writing, designing, and drawing the story progression, while also have Kingdom of Deception feel a lot higher in quality.
Comments (26)
Any news?
Can we expect a release before Christmas or are you guys going to take a well deserved Christmas break and release next year?
Love this game. A android port would be greatly appreciate .
Seeing the shops being reworked is nice! Can't wait to have that in 0.40 (or whatever version it will be for public) to play with. Is the new update possibly coming this month or possibly next year?
We have an internal goal for the release date, but don't want to make a commitment we might not be able to reach. We've finished the shop and secondary material, though, and are working hard on finishing the meat of the update.
I will love to see this game on android so I can take it on the go! I love your work by the way
My only opinion is..... make this android please!
Glad to hear you guys have such a well thought out plan and are doing this by the numbers wish I could offer to help but with my graphic and web degree not done yet I don't think I have enough content to accurately portray my skills so for now Ill support with my money and give my opinion if you'll have it XD
i think u should let more money when she worrk. Not to much when she work, with this shop i think she need work to dead if money to low right now.
Agreed. The amount of grindy gameplay was perfectly balanced in NN. Here though it is more like a waste of time. If you want to go more text rpg with KoD it is ok I do not mind but then make the money making either a bit more interesting or faster and more convenient. This game is really good material for replays but the money making part is already tedious in the first run.
Hehe this game has amazing sexy art.. Many of my friend was love this game too
Yo, that looks great. I love it. Now not only do I have a sexy cat girl to stare at while I shop, but the shop itself is also pretty sexy looking. :) This was a great idea. Hopefully it will all go smooth, so that you really can devote more of your time to the story. And to the glorious H, of course. Can't forget the most important part. Kikiki.
Oh, thtas a great news! Text-based shops was a huge pain in the neck. Glad u reworking it!
The shop has bothered me since the first release. I greatly appreciate the new style.
I have to say the thoroughness here is very heartening, it's all too easy to see games ignore little details like this in favor of just barreling forward. Thank you and welcome to the new team members
I like the investment in new UI and the upgrade in quality, but the artstyle of this shop here doesn't quite fit the rest of the game as we have it, then again I have no idea what the final product looks like nor if other things were reworked. Just my opinion on what we have to see.
After this game if you are able to make a new one you might consider using the GODOT engine since it is more powerful and much more flexible than Ren'py
I agreed with that was a marvelous idea, and that will improve awesomely the gameplay, nicely done, and i am loving the game more and more. P.S: a little idea that i have is that when you are going to buy a dress or armor you can preview it whit a mannequin of the character that it is for. or something like that
Very proud of you guys a developers knowing when to ask for help and seeking it out. Your dedication to not only releasing a better, higher quality product, but also to your fans experience with your game is one of the reasons I've stuck with your development so long as compared to others. I know pleasing fans is very important to you, but releasing a product you aren't satisfied with is also important. Thank you Hreinn Games and welcome Ndsferrari and Monaco Dingo!
I am ridiculously excited for this UI update. I totally understand that this might not be a big deal to some, but making the game a better game and not just a venue for my Hentai will make for a much better product going forward.
Ohhhh damn that looks nice.
Content is 100 times more important than UI and mechanics
hah! Go read a comic!
That's wonderful news! That's a hard balance and decision to make because polish doesn't push the game forward and takes a lot of time. But is worth it when you can find a way to invest what little time you have into it :)
Wow this amazing update.. And.. Make more H scene.. Please make android version too.. I like this game very much..
You have said so much in so few words. Perfectly summarized all of my thoughts in one short comment when it takes me an essay to do it. Well said. XD