Falling Undercover: Nox Syndicate - [Episode 08] Status Update
Hello everyone! 馃槍
Hope you are having a great December, and those of you that celebrate are easing into the holiday season! We鈥檙e back again today with a progress update for all of you:
Writing: 40%
CGs: 3/6
Animations: 3/8
Additional Art: 1/3
Coding: 40%
Music and SFX: 30%
Proofreading: 0%
QA Testing: 0%
So, as you can see, we have a pretty full update planned, including the formal introduction of a new major character, complete with a new sprite. Since she's going to have more impact on the story than other newer characters, she鈥檒l have a wider selection of expressions, and we need to structure the file to make future additions easier.
That being said, there is something important we want to address today.
Earlier this year, we realized that releasing an update every 30 days was simply not realistic for a project like FUNS. Because of that, we communicated an updated estimate of roughly 35 to 40 days per release, with the intention of keeping everyone informed and warning you in advance if we expected to go beyond that window.
What ended up happening, however, is that during the development of the last episode, the 40-day estimate started to feel like a hard deadline, both for the community and for us internally. This created a kind of pressure that has not been great for the project. We have found ourselves asking questions like whether a CG should be animated or kept as a still, or whether certain ideas should be cut entirely, not because they were bad, but simply to avoid extending development time too much.
In order to stay within the estimated 40-day window, we ended up working nonstop during the final two weeks. That approach not only took a toll on us, but also resulted in an update that required a follow-up fix to version 0.7.1. Furthermore, during that time, some members of our team received constant messages asking for the update as we got closer to release, so much so that it started impeding work.
Overall, we feel that working under constant pressure is not good for the game, and it is also not good for us. We want to be able to deliver the best NTR VN we can, ideally without feeling constrained by deadlines that push us to rush or compromise on quality or quantity, however we also don鈥檛 want to go too far in the other direction where the time between episodes extends too much.
As always, we would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this, and thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Until next time, please take care,
Azienda
Comments (43)
Don't worry, take the time you need for the next episode. In my case, I'd rather it be done well and without pressure than rush it and put pressure on the workers. If we have to wait a few more days for you to release the chapter, that's fine. But please keep the animations, as I think they add a much better touch to the story.
If you guys need more time to work on it then take all the time you need. I don鈥檛 mind waiting for the next update no matter how long it takes. As long as the whole team is in tiptop shape. Don鈥檛 feel pressured to deliver just take your time n get rest don鈥檛 over do it. Love everyone
Avoid burnout. Your work is top notch. I willing to wait for a quality update.
Work at your own pace, because the quality is there; true fans will be patient and happy holidays!
take the time and more previews
1 preview. I don't want too many spoilers
definitely better to take time to deliver the best product, putting status updates out about them as a way to keep abreast is fine so that you can put your all into polishing this gem of a story
Hello, I think the most important thing is please do not give up on dynamic CG, as it is an essential part of the game鈥檚 core experience. I have no objections to extending the development schedule. Wishing you a happy holiday season.
I love a deadline to expect it, but totally take your time because in the end the last thing any of us want is yall to feel burdened. Happy holiday鈥檚馃榿
I trust Azienda.
Honestly guys take your time, as we always say let them cook, if you need more time than 40 days then take it, if people can not be patient then tough their gonna have to deal with it. Enjoy the Holidays, take breaks and have a lot of fun ^_^
Take your time guys, you guys deserve it. Enjoy the holidays and take a break.
I love you :)
I say cook till it鈥檚 ready to serve. Keep us informed on the process and take your time and do what you guys do best. Sure we can all get impatient at times but I鈥檇 rather wait and get quality than for you guys to rush and it not be as good
I think a fixed schedule is pretty good if possible. Is it maybe a good idea to overshoot how much time you will need? Like give yourself 60 days for what you expect to take 45 days. Then if you finish a decent while before, just start working on the next update. You can choose to always have a buffer of content, possibly allowing you to release a chapter while taking a break, or releasing two chapters at once. I don't think I mind a longer wait that much, so long as the communication is clear. As a consumer, the more the merrier, but consistency is good for managing expectations and probably way more healthy for you than a non-fixed one.
Hello Azienda Team! The origin of this extremely good game is your team, your effort and your love and passion for it... And the most important asset that you have are yourselves. Meaning that you guys need to be well for everything else to work out. If it helps at all, know that there are many people who love your work and, like me, are completely willing to wait as long as it takes because you always deliver quality and excellence. The only thing most people want from you, apart from the game itself, is communication. Like you did in this post, talk with us, tell us what is happening and everything will work out. Good work, talke care of your health and happy hollydays!!
Agree with everyone else on here. Take your time (a 60-day notional cycle could work), with regular updates on progress. And take a well-earned break over the holidays.
yo la verdad lo tengo asta por steam pero mientras lo agan con calma y amor yo esperare paciente las actualizaciones
Please take your time, give yourself breaks, and enjoy the holidays! Will keep the supporting y'all!
people need to learn to stfu and let you do your thing.
I'd honestly say not to have a deadline at all. Make the update you want to make and release it when it's ready. Stick to the weekly status updates. That's the best way to do it. No need to sacrifice your vision that way. The people who are messaging you about the update are sad and needy. Never bend the knee to them. That's the only way to deal with it. It's blunt, but true.
I have no idea what your backend financial situation is as a project or individuals but, I鈥檇 say look into hiring a part timer or two in areas that keep biting release dates and stress the team most. There is an unwritten contract I鈥檓 sure, in many people鈥檚 minds that a monthly payment means relatively similar updates. However, speaking to your concerns I have several thoughts. Firstly no one should be waisting time responding to messages asking for the update. Just make it a one a week progress report like every Friday measured against whatever internal goals you have for the next major part in the story and block anyone who asks that dumb question. If it were me then the release date would be every 45 days and this is the key point, you do not have to hit a 100% progress for that 45 days only that you release what is ready. Then just make a separate posts for those of us who wait for both the quality smut and story milestone together the 100% if you will vs those who hunger for new content on schedule and will just check it out every 45 days. Once you disconnect the deadline from your internal progress goal I think you鈥檒l feel better. As long as patrons see the weekly progress reports and then the release of what is ready every 45 days that has the same quality we鈥檝e all come to admire and support it鈥檒l set a consistent standard you can uphold with far less stress if that makes sense. I loved the twist this last update and FUNS is something I look forward to for my spare time but, I don鈥檛 want you burning out against an arbitrary deadline you set yourselves just to debate sacking quality here or there to meet it. Just releasing what is ready as an update every 45 days and so long as it has about as much consistent output as the previous 45 then your golden. Consistency and communication! I don鈥檛 know if this rambling was helpful but I do genuinely enjoy and appreciate your work. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and take some time to rest. I think most can see the love and care you take into your work and I wish you the best. I look forward to all the FUNS we鈥檒l be having next year. XD
8 animations?!!! Take your time team, this is the best NTR VN I have ever seen and every update has been better than the last. If you need 2 months to get everything you wish to fit into a single episode, so be it.
Enjoy your holidays! Love the game my two cents, give yourselves a larger window (at least 60 days) and just keep communicating look yall do and don't feel pressured and if yall do decide on a longer release timeline just tell us outside folks its longer and don't give us an exact timeframe and hopefully some of us impatient folk won't spam y'all next time.
If 40 days feel too tight then extent it again. Maybe 60 days. Would be sad if you drop quality because of to little time. And about the gooners hounding you for the updates maybe give weekly status updates. Same day every week. I dont know how much effort that is on your part. And ban offenders on discrord or so.
And Happy Holidays! ^^
Take your time and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones without any worries
Take a break & have a free flowing release schedule. We trust the quality of work & team. Seriously announce a break. Also don't cut animations & CG'S please. Take all the time you need for it. Just drop a Patreon/SubscribeStar/ Discord notice that, "this [blank ]episode requires more time & CGS/ animations." We will just say "okay take your time"
Take your time 馃憤
It's a high quality VN. Take your time. Basic communication on the status is all that's needed and far more than other projects give out.
Friends, take your time, don't rush because of the idiots who are desperate for the update, your game has impeccable quality and you can see the love put into it. If it were up to me, take 45-50 days off if necessary; prioritize your health above all else. I agree with your opinion on this matter.
Enjoy the Holidays! Can鈥檛 have you guys burning out.
You should always focus on delivering the best you can. If that takes its toll on the time of release, so be it. Rather an update that was taken time on than an update that feels rushed and unfinished. Great work!馃
Figured this would have happened since the community was quite feral for the last up date. I say dont push yourself. Try to keep within the 40 days without crunching and just give an update when you know it's not gonna be completed in the time window.
Keep up the great work take your time if needed 馃檹
La calidad de su trabajo es indudable y se que la presi贸n en proyectos como trabajos y empleos son dif铆ciles y no me parece nada mal que el plazo aumente a 40 d铆as realmente solo espero que no corten las animaciones y dejen imagenes puestas puesto que para mi eso es lo que lo hace atractivo mas los narrativo , espero que sigan haciendo el excelente trabajo que han estado haciendo y que pase una bonita navidad Azienda ! 鉂わ笍
First of all thank you for your work, please take your time creating and not feel obligated to push yourself hard to catch up to deadline, we all love your work and support you creating FUNS the way you envision.
Health first. Take your time
Take your time. Quality is what matters.
Take your time I prefer quality over speed anyday. Not to mention if you burn out then nobody gets anything...seriously just say its taking X amount of time and with your quality core subs won't care.
I'll lay out my two cents on this: I'm a big fan of your guys' work, and have been very impressed with the leaps in quality you've recently gone through in the last couple of years, leaps which, I'm sure, meant more work for everybody. I think being a supporter of any art, be it a film, a novel, or yes, an NTR VN, means not just supporting the thing financially when you can, but also wanting the best for the people making it; if you like the product, and you want more of it, it is both morally and practically in your interest that the people making the thing are as happy and healthy as they can be. If that means delays sometimes, so be it. I will gladly take a release tomorrow that I know the team are happy with, and that they didn't hurt themselves making, over a release today by people who are overworked and stressed out. If it came down to a binary choice between keeping to the window or a delay so that people aren't working unreasonable hours to get something done, I'll plump for the latter every time. Not because the game isn't great, but because no game is worth that. Would hate to see anyone get burned out over this. Keep up the good work, hopefully at a reasonable pace!
Like I said don鈥檛 expect this episode to come out this month, I鈥檓 expecting this to come out maybe the start of January next year
馃敟馃敟馃敟馃敟馃敟