Episode 4 is done. Available on the 10th for Elite and Higher Tiers.
You might notice the slash on the 9th. Timing issues will prevent that from happening on the 9th. But I should be free enough on the 10th to uploa.
It's been a little bit, and I know this update isn't large enough to make that wait worth it. While I put as much passion as I always do into it, 14 odd months is way too long for an update of this size. I could give a list of reasons why, and maybe some excuses, but eh. That's all they'd really be. I know many Patreons have said don't worry about the wait, it'll be worth it, and I appreciate that sentiment. But it doesn't change that people are waiting for a product and what they're getting after 14 months isn't 14 months worth of content. It's still roughly 2000 renders, it's still getting what it always has. But previous updates also weren't that apart.
So, again, I just want to reiterate the appreciation I have for those supporting this long. On Patreon and Steam. As previously mentioned, there's going to be some significant changes in future updates. How those updates come will be largely influenced by supporters. But regardless, the year-long 2000-ish render updates aren't happening anymore. It isn't sustainable. It'll either be slamming out 500 render updates in 4 parts per episode (e.g. S01E05.P1 > S01E05.P2 > S01E05.P3 > S01E05.P4) or 2 parts with a 1000 renders or so each. Nothing for sure yet. Will be posting more on that soon. It's also possible that we'll see a reduction in wait times between tier releases. From 5 to 3 days, most likely, but we'll see. There'll be some tier adjustments that come with them, but nothing drastic.
For people who don't care, just look for/CTRL+F "/end":
As for the delay...well, it's been a rough few months personally, and with some potential legal matters still unfolding (elder abuse investigation, suing for reciprocation for things she paid for, etc.), I'll keep this vague for now. A family member with some health issues moved in with me, the situation deteriorated significantly, and it ended with me facing some accusations that are still being sorted out. It's been stressful in ways I genuinely couldn't have anticipated, on top of an already somewhat unpredictable work schedule.
I was hesitant to say anything at all, but I'd rather be upfront that life happened than just going on having given no explanation. Things are stabilizing, and I, again, appreciate the patience. Once it's worked out, I'll get a little more transparent about it.
I don't want to post/share this for sympathy. Just transparency. We'll leave it there.
/end
Anyways, moving on and away from the dramatics...
The tier release posts will have more details, but there's a few things I want to touch on here. Some I've said before, some I haven't.
There is an increasing amount of AI use in this update. Nothing like writing or NSFW animations. However, most of the music used in Episode 4 is AI. Some of the songs do feature written lyrics either from myself or people I know with permission. This includes SFX and some of the smaller animations. They'll be noticeable as there's some lighting and quality degradation. I'm still figuring that stuff out, so bear with me. I don't think AI will take over the adult stuff any time soon. It's not there yet, especially when it comes to consistent looping. But using AI for some of the smaller stuff allows for some extra motion throughout some scenes.
And AI music is just what's most affordable right now. At this point, I'm almost half-tempted to just start going at making my own Storyblocks and searching for artist's that'll allow porn. On the note of AI, translations will either likely be worked in slowly over the following updates or all at once at the end of Episode 5. I'm aware AI translations aren't ideal, but they're not terrible anymore. And with the big S1 fix after E05, I hope to implement a email/message system with fixes. Probably specifically in regard to translation corrections. At least early on.
As previously said, this is a pretty story heavy update. Probably the most so far. If you're looking for lewds, it might be worth holding off until Episode 5 has some material. I probably wouldn't hold Ctrl this update, but do you lol.
There's still some under the hood UI work that needs to be done. Such as Font options/scaling, adding the rest of the info for characters, reformatting the older music to match the current one, and the already mentioned game-breaking stuff, but that's a bit later. I hope to have a lot of that fixed before the first part of Episode 5, but we'll see.
I've included a half-ass "Previously On", definitely not the best. But it's something.
That should about do it. There'll be some supporter-only polls coming soon in regard to updates and future roadmaps, so keep an eye out for those. :)
Comments (25)
Quick question, I just bought the Steam version and it feels like I’m missing quite some content. Missed meeting Nicole and her friend in the locker room, meeting and getting into the initial argument with Ria. Along with missing my first initial meeting with Fame. I could be wrong about all of this but I’m just going off the conversations where it seems like the MC met these people already and it’s my first time meeting them. I’m enjoying the story so far just completely lost on a few things
I don't see how that'd be possible. There's literally no avoiding most of the initial scenes. Are there any mods (sans the walkthrough mod DLC) added from elsewhere?
those who dont care can also open a command line promt ant type : //format /c: i wont do it right. some one would try it, lol
Dude, what happened to Laura? She just disappeared, vanished from the game's story lol😂
Mostly just catching up with characters. She'll get hers soon. :)
AIslop
AI Slop is largely defined as: Made with generative artificial intelligence that is perceived as lacking in effort, quality, or meaning, and produced in high volume as clickbait to gain advantage in the attention economy, or earn money. Would any of those describe MTC? No. AI animations, aside from one clip, were used as transition effects at the ends of scenes. Music? Licensed music is expensive. If you'd like to support $2500/year licensed music, DM me. Until then, it's likely to be AI.
Love al the references in this new update, real life, TV shows and other AVN's. Always awesome to see.
just restarted and haven't even got to the new content, because I'm again blowen away how good this is. don't be down about taking time between releases every good AVN does YOUR Awesome!! and take care.
Patiently waiting for Ep 4 for Super Star tiers 🙏
The delays (I fully understand health issues; it happens to a lot of developers I've followed) didn't really bother me at all. Like I get it. But releasing under a $75+ tier first is the unclassiest thing I've ever seen... I shouldn't have to go into reasons for why this is true. Think I'm just going to punt (pun intended) this until it's free. I love CFB/NFL so this is super up my alley but you've burnt me as a consumer. No other VN developers I follow release on this scale of paywall, even if you have the excuse of it just being an "early access" to the game, so the same business model every other VN developer has, I'd much rather support them instead as they don't try to scalp a $75 tier for access. Your elite tiers aren't the consumers looking for "ultra early access", they are people who want influence in the development of the game. You're not making any more money by additionally making that some early access tier. And if you're pricing assuming that people are willing to shell out for the delayed development, that slow release schedule should be on you and your pocket, not your audience.
I've always had staggered tier releases, no real complaints until now. People who support the most should get earliest access, no? Maybe the wait in between tiers themselves is a bit long, as I've mentioned recently, but there's nothing generally unfair about it. Nobody is being forced to pay it. Nobody is being forced to buy the game ever. If someone wants to pay for the earliest access to the game, I appreciate their support, but it's absolutely not required nor will it ever be. It's not my choice what people do with their money, and if that choice is supporting my work? Fucking awesome. Especially with the way the economy is right now. I think that kind of support should be returned in more ways than just influencing development alone. I won't pretend $75 is especially affordable to the average AVN player, but calling it a paywall (or scalping for that matter) is disingenuous when players have always gotten my games for free once the supporters get their go, and always will. That is, by definition, not a paywall. It's perfectly understandable if someone doesn't want to support that much, but again, they can just wait for a cheaper tier or until it's out for the public. And no, I'm not assuming that people will shell out for it.. I'm simply giving those that want to something in return for doing so.
The most frequent issue I see come up with AVN develolment is insane pricing for music licenses, even with completely no-name artists. Not surprised you decided to go with AI there, and I don't mind at all as long as it sounds decent.
Thanks for releasing nonetheless, looking forward to the next update
I'm so glad you're working thru the family issue and can't wait for the next installment.
Awesome!
Finally I wanna know who it was on cliff hanger
What date will it be coming to Steam?
Would love to know this too
Thank you for the update sir
Really enjoyed the story so far and looking forward to finding out what happens next. Take care. Your Awesome!!!
Congratulations on the release! :)
Currently there is a banner saying the game wont be updated on Itch anymore, what about those of us who bought it there?
Some combination of Blaming Leafy, Visa/MC, and Collective Shout. That being said, I've since decided that I'll be finishing Season 1 on Steam. Following that, it'll be removed and will only be available here, Steam, and possibly GOG at some point.
Thank you sir