Hazelnut Latte v0.15 Alpha 1 Progress Report 2/10/26

Howdy everyone! Welcome to another progress report. Let's get started!

I have started a 3rd draft of the script for v0.15 Alpha 1, which is the first half of the episode/build. This is mainly me going through it again to ensure everything flows and reads well, and to see if I have any additions or deletions to make. I have already added 1.5k words to the episode, which is nice. Some added character interactions and overall stronger writing. Hoping to finish this draft by the end of the week!

Special Moments saw a big jump, due to Koth being an absolute badass and doing some incredible work. Again, this is not needed for the Alpha, but I'd like to include it all if I can.

UI Art is aaaalllmooost done! We're adding one small piece of art to the credits screen, but otherwise, it's good to go!

We also got more music turned in! They are still demos and not finalized, but holy crap, they sound amazing. We had a few notes for our composer, so we're going to work on that, but on the whole, these tracks are outstanding.

Nothing has progressed on coding, but we are in the middle of implementing all the UI assets and special moments. Lotus has been working hard while dealing with some family stuff. Hopefully, next week these bars can move, and we can get some proper updates!

Things are moving very well! Kokman is already sketching lewd scenes for Episode 2, and Pamika is drawing backgrounds for the second half of Episode 1.

An Update About the Release Schedule

Last week, I reaffirmed our decision to split the release of v0.15 into two Alpha builds before moving to lower tiers. We announced this on Jan 13th. The idea was that we don't want to release to lower tiers until the entire episode is complete. However, after reviewing feedback and internal discussions, we have decided not to proceed with this approach.

v0.15 Alpha 1 will run its course in Alpha and then move to lower tiers. Then there will be a second Alpha for v0.15, and it will then move to lower tiers. This will likely mean some long version numbers, but we'd rather get the game into as many of your hands as possible.

We know it's been a while since our last update. Technically double our average length of time, but not nearly the longest wait. Our current average is 57 days, and we're at 110 days. The longest wait was 179 days (v0.13). This was to be expected, given that we switched engines and lost a core team member. But I think we are moving along very well!

I know many of the changes have been kept confidential, which might make it seem like we're not doing anything. But we hope that, when we reveal what we've been working on, you will understand why it took so long. But I want to reiterate that we are not simply copy pasting the old ep 1 into a new engine and calling it a day. The grand majority of what you will play in this new Episode 1 will be new content. The content you have played before will not go exactly how you remember it.

We Are Open to Feedback and Quesitons

Our game is not complete and is actively being developed. This means things will change or be redone. This happens all the time in game development; the only difference is that we are publicly showing it happening to our game.

You are a part of that development. By being part of this community, whether or not you are financially supporting the game, you have a voice we want to hear. Because you are our playerbase and we want to make a game you are happy with. There is a reason these reports are free to view/comment on. Why we have a public Discord. (Before you ask, here is the link.)

I write these long weekly progress reports, partly to keep everyone informed and partly to start a conversation. We want to hear your comments, your questions, and your concerns. We are open to feedback, clarification, and critique. We hope that if you don't like something, instead of cancelling your sub, you talk to us. Obviously, you can stop supporting, but we hope that in your departure, we can discuss why you no longer wish to support us so we can make a better game. Because that's what we want to do: make good games.

I often ask in these posts, "If everyone is okay with this?" "Is this a good idea?" etc., but rarely does anyone say a word. I hope that means everyone agrees with our vision and that I'm doing the right thing. But my brain doesn't like that, so I am ending this report by reminding everyone that this is a back-and-forth relationship. You like something? Say it! Dislike something? Tell us! Have a question? Ask it!

Don't forget to ask your questions here or in the Discord. If you go to the Funky 95 Forum, I won't see it. I don't go on there anymore, mainly to keep my sanity.

Wrap Up

That is all for this week! I am still in the process of packing and preparing for my move! I expect to receive my keys in about a week, so it will be a bit hectic for me as I try to get out of here, but I will be around. The team knows what to do and is working their asses off to get this build out.

Thank you all so much for your continued support! You're the reason I can have an amazing team and a roof over our heads. Be kind to one another and Stay Rad!