Our Life: Beta Build 0.83! (Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android)
We did it! Our Life's base version, plus the Step 1 and Step 2 Cove DLCs, are fully programmed. The beta now allows you to play from start to finish. It's pretty nerve-wracking to share. The ending has been a long time coming and now it's here.
Please don't hesitate to let us know what you think of the conclusion/the game as a whole. We'd really like to hear how you felt it came together overall.
New Content:
444,000 words in total
The Step 2 to Step 3 intro narration was added
The complete Step 3 ending is playable
Cove in Step 3 can now be determined through the choices you make in Step 2
You can choose and decorate your own bedroom in Step 3
The gallery base screen was added, though the CGs don't unlock yet
Errors were fixed from before
If you're at Fond or Crush during Step 2, the fourth level of relationship (Love), can be unlocked during Step 3. If you were indifferent during Step 2 then Crush will still be the highest option.
What's Missing:
Terri's swimsuit
A couple CGs for Cove
Known Errors:
The Cove creator might not let you choose what pants he wear
Some of the decorative layers that can decorate the MC's room got save weirdly and look all pixel-y
Sometimes Cove is wearing the wrong clothing layer in Step 3
Saves from the old beta or the public demo will have errors if used with the new version. Please start a brand new file!
New events don't have voice acting for most characters yet
If you run into any kind of error report screen, hitting the Ignore option once or twice will generally let the game continue past that point.
And I just want to thank you all for being a part of this development process. The game wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without your support and feedback. And we're going to keep making improvements until the public release, and after the release too. But for now, I hope it lived up to expectations ❤
Comments (43)
so I'm not repeating myself. I'll just say that I left a few remarks on being a demi under Jeremiah right above you. I don't know if they help clarify the way at least I behave as a demisexual. I'll just say in my playthrough Cove admitted to being terrified about moving forward that sometimes it was easier for him to try to stay still, but the MC also made him want to try new things and he didn't understand why his body had those things mixed up. I can say those things are part of being a demi. it's really hard to explain why we demi's are different. We aren't completely sexual people, but we aren't completely asexual either especially if we are around someone we have a romantic attraction towards. I don't think Cove wants to end things, he's just afraid that the MC will leave him because of how he is.
Thank you for your insight into being demi. It does help me understand Cove better as a character. Perhaps my own experiences with love, sex, and sexuality have colored my perception of Cove and it made me judge him too harshly.
First I want to say I like the game. I really do. It's adorable and sweet. However Step Three was a bit of a disappoint for me. Cove seemed to take several steps back in how he dealt with the MC. In Step Two, he seemed more into the MC, so it came across, in Step Three, more like they were friends who kissed, not really dating. He only gave my MC two kisses in my playthrough. The rest of the kisses had to be instigated by the MC and, except for the piggyback ride and kiss at the farmer's market, he seems to prefer no touching or kissing. Most of the time it feels like he just goes along with what the MC wants and doesn't seem to want it himself. It left me feeling a bit uncomfortable. In fact it feels, especially after the demisexual talk, that Cove doesn't want to be with the MC. Granted I don't know much about being demi, but if I understand what I've read, with Cove having known the MC for ten years, he should want to do something with them even if it's not full on sex. Also after the Charity moment, and Cove's talk of them getting their own place together (one of the few times where it feels like he actually likes the MC), I expected the step to end with him asking the MC to move in with him, but it didn't. He even says they likely won't see each other as much and he's worried they'll grow apart, but he can't stay in one place and be afraid, he must move forward. Which really drives home the point that he doesn't love the MC as a lover, but as more of a friend. When he's afraid to do anything with the MC, he just doesn't do it, but when it comes to anything else, he pushes himself to do it anyway. Makes me feel that the MC isn't that important to him.
Thank you for explaining what you experienced! Cove does want to touch the MC and be affectionate with them. There's quite a lot of times when he does. You only got two kisses from him it sounds like, but there are several opportunities within the game for it, they just must not have happened. Our Life always prioritizes player choice over Cove just doing something towards them, and that can make things feel one-sided. But, based on your choices, there are spots peppered in each scene where Cove gets romantic/affectionate on his own. What you get depends on what you've decided, how long you've been an official couple, and the game's assumption on whether or not it's okay for him to do it without there being a choice on it. Usually, people get enough of those alterations to not feel like he's uninterested. But things didn't go that way in your playthrough and I can see how you'd assume it was meant to be that way because Cove has a sexuality you weren't super familiar with. We're going to try to better explain how physical affection works and tweak the system to make it more straightforward to get the results you want.
Ugh keep forgetting not a type writer, enter equal post not new paragraph =( Anyways, First Id like to say that this release finally really brought a much better understanding of Cove together for me, and cleared up some what better the mixed feelings I had about events in the second step where the Dance was concerned. While I understood that Cove had social anxiety (can relate) I didnt understand about the inner turmoil he had in dealing with issues, even when out side forces werent there to complicate things for him. You did an amazing job of having him explain himself in a believable and emotional way, and when I curled up with him to sleep finally at his house (nice touch!) It was with a much calmer, lighter feeling heart all the way around. Hmmm Tab doesnt work either lol so sorry for the run on thoughts. As for the part where he discusses his sexuality and what it is (for him) that part felt a bit off. Im not sure if thats just because Im from an older generation and thats just not how we would have talked about it, it was the very early 90's when I was the age Cove and MC are at, or if it was just lacking any real understanding of the terms being used (Ive heard them used before but not explained, so thank you for that bit of education ;) It did explain some of my frustrations interacting with and understanding Cove though, as possibly im pretty much on a different end of the spectrum where sexuality is concerned. Sex being very important to me, the cement of my most important relationships (outside of Family that is) and what in my minds seperates social acquaintances & friends from my inner (tiny) circle of most trusted friends and lovers. So for me its the magic that helps make those bonds of trust and need possible and for Cove its just the opposite. I mention this not because I think anyone else is interested in my personal stuff, but because it got me thinking if I had lived Our Life, would I have ever been able to find that kind of ground with Cove, Or would I have been swept away by others who were either more open in their own approach to me, or more open to my approached to them. I think the answer is that we would have never been more than friends. I would have persued him for years growing up (secretly with all the angst only teenagers are capable of,) but sooner or later I would have realised that he wasnt interested in me in the same way I was in him, and that some of my other friends were. None of this is a complaint, or a desire to change anything. Just a reflection on the reflections the game brought to me. I think Cove is truely wonderful, and I did enjoy my (repeated) journys with him. I loved the laughs, and felt the burn in my eyes and the very real tears on my cheeks. Perhaps in the end Im just left feeling a little lacking myself?
I think you have the wrong impression of what demisexuality is. I am I demi as well and I'm in my 40's so it has nothing to do with what age you are. We are just people that can only have strong sexual attraction after we form an emotional bond with someone. For me, I live most of my life as an asexual person. that doesn't mean if I love someone I don't love them with my whole heart, it just means sometimes I can't act on those feelings. I've only been with one person that ever made me feel that way (sadly he broke my heart) , but this is not about me. I'm just saying that the relationship between Cove and the MC is very realistic. You were expecting Cove to be a sexual person, (all the time) but he's not, he's demisexual. which means he's in between being a sexual person and an asexual person. Just because when he was a 13-year-old he didn't know what the term was it didn't change that that is what he was feeling. I didn't know what the term was either when I was a teen because that term wasn't even a thing, but now that I'm an adult, it's the only one that fits who I am.
So I completed my first play through of the last demo, and just wanted to say Thank You for the game and all the enjoyment it has brought me over the last few months and share a few thoughts on it.
i'm so excited to play this version of the beta, but every time i play the ending i get a bunch of error messages. when i keep choosing ignore it skips so much of the plot that i'm only getting the choices and i have absolutely no idea what they're about or what's happening :'( is there anything i can do to fix this so i can play?
Are you using a save file from the beta before this? If you are then that might be why.
That was a super satisfying ending to step 3, for sure! I was wondering something tho, for my MC I chose that she'd go to college abroad (because she didn't stress the hell out and cry over homework to not get top grades and do important things!), and the subject was broached once when the decision was made, but never brought up again. I was thinking, since MC had only told Cove about it, that when she brought up getting accepted into college, let alone one abroad, her family would be more . . . surprised? Plus I thought there might be some more dialog changes for an MC that wasn't staying local at the end of summer. Either way, I'm super glad I've supported this project all this time! It's really growing into it's own and I can't wait to see what step 4, Derek DLC, and Baxter DLC bring to it. <3 Lot's of love sent your way! P.S. also I have a lot of love for Miranda. There's something about shy girls named Miranda who go by Randy(i) that I can totally relate to. ;)
Thank you very much! I'm happy you can relate to her, haha. We would like to add more alterations for things, but unfortunately there are a lot of choices and not a lot of time. The game is a lot longer than planned and we can't keep pushing the release back, so we've had to pick and choose what things end up getting referenced later and what things are just there for the player's own headcanoning. If there's time before or after the release, we can try to expand the results of that scene ^^.
The part 3 ending really added so much depth the already wonderfully created characters and moments already played through. Is absolutely fantastic and now I honestly cant wait to play/experience what step 4 will have for us. Best visual novel ever had me crying, laughing, smiling and just feeling 1000% invested the while time and on every playthrough.
Thank you so much! It's super nice to hear you enjoyed the ending and are looking forward to what's coming next <3
PS: this is a master piece of a VN ♡ I never so invested in one as much as I am with this one! I love it so much and every character is so charming and precious... ♡♡♡ thank you so much for creating this game!
Aw, thank you for your comments <3! That's really wonderful to hear.
This game is so wonderful!!! I don't even know how many time I wrote that anymore xD The ending of part 3 is a real roller coaster of emotions! x3 I laughted so hard and cried every second of it, it was both funny and touching and sad at the same time! It was so well done!!! Just wonderful! (SEE you broke me!) xD
Hey will the ending song ever come out on spotify? It really slaps.
Haha, glad you like it. I'm not sure, though. The composers, Fat Bard, have the rights to sell/distribute the track. We get to use it in our games, but not make a profit off selling the song alone which we think is fair.
I can’t actually believe it’s over, it feel too surreal to me. I may have become too attached to this game and to Cove. To be honest this game is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life and honestly this ‘college and moving on’ part just hits way to close to my heart, mostly because I have about one year of school left so it’s time to face life and make some big choices. It actually made me feel a lot better being the MC and making those choices, maybe things will actually go right for me! No matter how much I write, there still would be enough words to describe how grateful I am for this game, it helped go through some hard times in it’s own little way. Thank you all so much, Our Life will always have a special place in my heart.
Aw, thanks ;v;! It's really nice to hear that you were able to get attached to the game/Cove. I really hope everything works out wonderfully for you when the time comes to decide on all those major decisions.
Bravo! The ending was perfectly bittersweet, I laughed, I cried and now I am so excited to see what's next. Honestly, I have loved everything about this game and the journey with Cove, I just never want the updates to end! Thank you all for your hardwork creating this nostalgic masterpiece, it has been so beautiful to watch it evolve since the very first demo. This game will always have a special place in my heart, I cannot thank everyone at GB Patch enough for creating it.
Thank you so very much <3! I'm really happy you enjoyed the ending.
That's okay I look forward to when a solid release date is set for them until (and even afterwards) I'm still gonna continue to support my favorite game makers! ❤
I'm so excited and after playing it to completion it almost made me sob cause its so perfect! I even adore all the characters especially Baxter and Derek (speaking of those two lovely boys when will their DLC be available? Cause I'd empty my bank account for those two!) and I cannot wait to be able to play their routes too! Thanks for the amazing game and all the love and effort you put into it! ❤
Aw, thank you very much. I'm really glad you enjoyed it and it's great to hear you like the other boys. I'm not entirely sure when their DLCs will be done, but we're looking forward to working on their routes soon ^^.
I can't believe it's done! Congratulations!!🎉🎉 It's amazing so far and I can't wait to play this. Thank you for this wonderful game and your continuous commitment to ❤
Thank you so much ;v;.
I can't wait to play this later (I have a test to finish)! 😄
:D Good luck with your test!
Aaaaah Im so excited to play this! I just adore this game and its been amazing to see this game from all the way back in step one to now! 💗
Thank you so much for all of the support! I hope the ending will be worth all the wait to get here, haha.
Oh god it’s here! Im really excited to play it, too bad I’m not at home right now. As someone who started playing Our Life when the step 1 wasn’t even done yet, I’m really happy for you guys, thank you so much for your hard work!! ❤️
Thank you! I really appreciate you supporting us for so long. I hope you'll like the end when you get a chance to try it out.
This game is absolutely beautiful and dear to my heart, I'm so happy for you guys!!
Thank you <3!
I can’t believe how far you’ve come! I’m so amazed at how much work and passion you’ve put into this work. I feel like just saying thank you isn’t enough, still thank you so much for all your hard work!! I don’t know you guys personally, but I love you all nonetheless <3 You guys are the best and I’ll always love this beautiful game you’ve made!
Thank you so much for the kind words. It really means a lot ;;
I’m so excited!!! I’m gonna play it right now and update y’all ☺️ Update: IM NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING Wow...just wow. Major feels for me. It was beautiful and perfect, not knowing how the future will be makes me feel a little bit better about where I’m at in my life. The realness of the worries and the love that MC and Cove have just makes it feel SO real. I love the reflecting on memories and being able to share true feelings, it just makes Cove feel like an actual person! I loved the dad moment Cliff had when he walked into Coves room in the morning, absolutely cracked me up! The parents are my favorite! This game will forever hold a special place in my heart, I love it so much and thank you for giving me someone to love 🥺 I can’t wait for what else is in store for this game and you can count on me to be here and support your beautiful game.
Aw, thank you! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the conclusion of Step 3. I really appreciate you following along the development all this time.
oh my gosh im trying so hard not to cry!!!! i love cove so much and i love you guys for making him 🥺❤❤
Thank you <3! I'm so glad you like him.
I'm so happy that I'm actually kind of teary eyed... I can't even imagine how you guys must feel. This game is absolutely beautiful and I'll always be grateful for the fact that you made it. Sorry for being such a sap 😅
Thank you so much ;v;! And don't worry, you're in good company for that, haha.