Development news
Hello everyone,
Last week wasn't as productive as I would've liked, but this one has been much better. I've completed the new prologue and finished rewriting Chapter 1. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward too much to this revision of the 9 current chapters, but I knew this has to be done before proceeding if I wanted ORS to become the product I'm envisioning. But going over my previous work, revising and rewriting is something I don't enjoy too much... I'm eager to keep developing the story further (I enjoy keeping things new and fresh for myself) and reworking old scripts feels like a chore most of the time. Some scenes had me scratching my head, trying to find the best way to retcon or improve them, but I think the result will be worth it.
Now I'm working on revising the rest of the chapters and updating everything that has to be changed following the new beginning of the game, focusing mostly on how some information is presented, and how that affects the interactions between the characters, mainly between Ian and Lena.
Being able to go over past scenes knowing the characters like I know them now always presents new chances to portray them in a more clear and interesting way. One of the hardest things when writing the game is coming up with interesting and meaningful interactions and conversation between the characters: most of the time I only know there's a sex scene between two of them, but what's the scene or chain of events leading up to it, exactly? Where do they go, what do they do and what do they talk about? How can I make that scene interactive and create variations depending on player input, and how do I implement my stat system into those choices? Inevitably, sometimes I feel like those scenes leading up the sex scenes feel a bit hollow and formulaic, when they could pack so much character and flavour... Hopefully I can come up with better scenes and dialogues to keep ORS engaging and fresh.
My intention is to be more active posting this week: I will show you some of the art that has been re-made, similar to the last one I showed between Ian and Lena (Patreon only allows certain content in private pots, so I'm afraid I can only share it with patrons) and some other goodies.
Finally, a reminder that this month I paused the billing cycle so you won't be charged for your subscription at the start of March.
Comments (11)
My biggest hope for these rewrites is that they allow for more relaxed conditions when it comes to getting Ian and Lena officially together in the latest chapter. If you wanted that to happen, you had to pass up on quite a number scenes and choices. It felt rather restrictive.
You really disliked this? I love it. It thought maybe a little like you: "Well, why should I care only about Lena, if I want her, I can get her later on anyways, because this visual novels are all the same. They pretend to be choice-based, but give you all the girls anyhow in the end. ... well, let's try to... what is this. Not possible? Argh!" But I really like this. It makes choices matter, feels like in real life, where I cannot get all the girls at once (maybe you are better looking and irritated by this restriction ;) ) and, by this, it makes the game worth replaying not once, but twice or multiple times. Each replay with a different set of people in your "harem". So the replay is not only different in some dialougues, but is really different because you did not even knew that some possibilities existed (if not spoilered in the forum or Evas preview pictures ;) ) .
I can’t wait to see all these updates and get new chapters!!! Keep up the good work Eva!!!
Better slow progress than no progress :)
Just one short thought: How about releasing the finalised first chapter - at least as a beta for "Friends with benefits" and up? Ok, maybe you want to chance something in chapter one after finishing reworking of chapter two, but since it was only a beta, this would not matter much ;) . Would shorten the wait and let us feel like in the first months of GGGB. And for you, you would get a more constand stream of support and appreciation for your work :) .
Thanks for the update, I know how hard it is to go back to review/update/rewrite things. Moving forward is always easier and you just want to get the project done. But the work is always worth it if it makes it better, and I feel the changes you're making is going to make ORS much better! Keep up the work!
I myself really enjoy going over former work, at least after I already started doing so ;) . I like to reshape and improve. In my line of work, I basically do the "same" for years until I find it it time for some new approach - out of boredom or changed circumstances. But I don't repeat myself exactly even before the big change gets neccessary: I try to make it my repetitions more effective, to integrate some things there was no time for before or even to integrate the former unkown unknows that I am now aware of. I enjoy enjoy to sharpen my "tools", making them more efficient, saving me time for the future. (Anyone seen Live, Die, Repeat?) I think, it all comes down to two things: Saving time in the future (especially with better tools) and experiencing that it was worth living, that I made something out of my time on earth and am now a better person. Remember this, Eva, YOU have improved yourself by working, otherwise, you were not able to make a better chapter 1 - so don't forget to enjoy yourself ;) .
I’m sorry, that can come off as unintentionally assholic, now that I read it back. Wasn’t meant to be.
You can edit if you want, you know ;) . Me, too, red your post as a little bit a...holic ;) , but I also understand it is only based on impatience out of craving for the game :) .
It is great to hear that work is progressing. I'm very much looking forward to play "enhanced" edition. Please, don't overwork yourself (too much;)) and always try to find time to unwind and relax.
So basically, we can expect an update by what? June? August? Early 2024?