Law School Episode 4 - Progress update #20
Morning everyone!
I come bearing great news: Law School - Episode 4 should be in beta by the end of the week. Last week went really well. I managed to do everything I planned, and even a bit more.
First, the phone system has been optimized and now works perfectly with the version of Ren'Py that Season 2 will use. Along the way, I cleaned things up so the message coding is clearer and a bit easier for me to handle (not easy, but easier).
I also spent quite some time updating how the picture code works. This also makes things easier to work with (once again, easier; not easy), to the point that it still took me about two and a half days just to put all the posts and comments into the game files.
I have also prepared all the message events up to Day 4, not counting the Facegram events. As I mentioned in a previous devlog, sometimes the MC will receive a message and then the player will choose replies, just like in regular Facegram events. I wanted these sequences to look different though, so I spent some time working on that. Facegram events will still be there, since they are how players unlock customs, fun facts, and other extras. I still need to code those, and they take longer because I have to plan everything out carefully.
On the animation side, the final animation for this episode finished rendering a few minutes ago, and I have about 180 images left to render. That should be done between Friday and Saturday. My goal is to prepare everything, run as many tests as I can, and once I add the final images on Saturday, pack the game and send it to Wibble.
As far as I am concerned, the version is already working. The import saves system works for all three paths, the game doesn't crash, the lewd scenes play smoothly, so it's great. There are still many UI tweaks I want to add. The path builder system works, but right now it is just a black screen with a few images and bits of text to click, so I need to rework that. There are also a few transition animations I want to create, but I can work on those while the game is being tested, so they are not too urgent.
What is urgent, and unfortunately not going well, is the music. After more than a dozen back and forth emails with a music licensing company, we finally agreed to work together, and then I got ghosted for the last two weeks. I do not know what to do, because I really want to work with them. Their selection is great and really matches what I imagine for Law School.
The idea of sending Episode 4 into beta without music really bothers me. The game shines so much more with a proper soundtrack. But we will see what this week brings. Maybe an early Christmas miracle.
So yeah, so far, almost so perfect.
As usual, I will get back to work now and do my best to send the episode for testing by the end of this week. Once it is sent, and I get feedback, I will be able to announce a release date for this fourth episode.
Until then, take care. It is time for me to go break my weekly bone at the gym.
Catch you later,
MisterBeta
Comments (13)
Last night i had a dream with Aurora and she tell me that you have your birthday today ! Happy birthday Mister "the machine " Maya! I wish you all the best!🍺🥳
Appreciate it John 🙂
Music or no music I'd still play. Your work is that great. Thanks for the update, MisterMaya :)
I’m so excited for this!! Law School very quickly became one of my favourite AVN’s, upgraded my tier just to be able to comment and ask a question haha. Do we know the word count for this episode?
At the moment it's just over 40k, but I'm not sure it counts the message system
GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MONDAYYYYYMAYA AND EVERYONE 🌞! I AM ON TIME THIS TIME 😛🙌🏻🔥!!! Also, how was your Thanksgiving 🦃🥧🌽🍽 if you celebrated or your "Thursday" if you didn't 😅? Hope it went well 😁? Rose 😍😘❤️!!! She's so adorable 🥰. And she's in the same bed as us.... don't get my hopes up 😅. Great news?… THAT'S AMAZING 🥳!!!! Can't wait for the new phone system 😁. Oooo, very nice on the picture code 👍🏻. GIVE ME ALL THE FACEGRAM INTERACTIONS 😛! Nice on the animations! Send it to Wibble 😁! Screw you, music license company, for ghosting MusicMaya… We don't need music to make this beautiful game work 😉! What are you doing at the gym, MuscleMaya 🤭? Wishing you the best, that everything goes well, and that the company contacts you. I won't play (or I refuse to play) until I finish all my S1 playthroughs. I'll have to grind even more 😅. As always, thanks for the Update, MultiMaya ❌️!!! Keep on keeping on, 😉!!! ALWAYS EXCITED AND EAGERLY WAITING FOR YOUR GAME AND READING YOUR POSTS 🙌🏻🔥!!! Love and appreciate everything! You ❤️, your ladies 😍, your posts 🥰, and your games ❤️! Always make my days better 🌈! Thank you, everyone, always, for being in my life and being a part of my weekly routine 😉! Stay safe, stay blessed, and stay in PERFECT health, beautiful people! And don't forget to stay hydrated! And you're never alone ❤️🫶🏻!!! OUR AVNS AND OUR DEVS CONNECT US ALL 🤗!!! Have an amazing and beautiful week! I'll catch you all—ON THE NEXT ONE✌🏻😁!!!!
Hope you have a great week bud! With regards to the music before sending g it to testers, could you not use placeholder music from previous episodes for now until things get sorted? Not ideal obviously but it's something at least. Really looking forward to this next update especially as I have only recently played the game for the first time so everything is still fresh in my mind, and yes, Miri is my favourite 😍
I have a kazoo and a triangle you can borrow to help with music. Does this mean the race for the next Dev cycle can soon begin?
Maybe before the end of 2025 😏
> the game doesn't crash Challenge accepted Jokes aside, best of luck with the music and with the beta overall :D
Hey man, knew you could do it. Hopefully things workout with the music. Either way, I know we will play it regardless so don't put yourself down over situations you couldn't control.
Omg...MC and Rose together in bed...that's very promising. Your VN is so good that i would even playing without music. Take care Maya.
Thanks for the update ma goat!! Woohoo!! The finish line really is just ahead of us!! Very very good and solid progress!! Hope this week goes well for you and you will be able to start beta testing by this weekend! Sorry to hear about the soundtrack situation, hopefully they will give you a reply this week so you can get the songs implemented in to the game too. As always very excited and can’t wait to play this chapter! Hope you have a productive and wonderful week ma goat! And remember to look after yourself well too, have a nice session at gym too!