Dev Diary #16

Prospects

A developer's consideration.

General Projects Update

Conspiracy

This otome will be put on hold for now. So far I'm reviewing the points system and copy/pasting the script while trying to organize its label.

Yaoi Jam

Starting this Friday I will commence working on the BL project's art assets. The game jam will begin on 1st June so until then, I won't be coding any of the UI nor sprites.

I have also prepared initial sketches for the characters' sprite but wanted to confront a 3rd party's opinion in terms of character design and I'll be opening the thread pretty soon on LemmaSoft so you guys should check us out! 

Short KN

A few weeks ago I mentioned I finish writing this short script for a really short KN. I received the proof-read just yesterday and it's 100% ready to be worked on. Depending on its feedback I might make a 2nd chapter for the story. I will be working on this after Yaoi Jam, alongside Conspiracy.

That's all for today's post! In addition, as of next week I'm finished with the school year! (❁´▽`❁)*✲ﾟ*

Sorry!

Hi everyone! I'm sorry for the lack of update! 

I'm very busy at school with my my final exams for this year and all piling up. I'm still working on Conspiracy whenever I can though. In fact I'm proud to say Riko's new base sprite version is finally reaching its finishing touches with the coloring.
I've already prepared Yuu's flat colors as well while Katsuo's on standby, ready for the lineart. I admit I kind of neglected copying the proof-read script. I'm too focused on my personal problems too.

I'll make up for the game art after school ends as I await my ill fate. There's a 50.5% chance that I may stop being a VN creator or player around next year for personal reasons. I won't be posting the details about it here though since this is now solely a game development blog. In addition, I love my privacy.

Changing topic, I might partecipate at Yaoi Jam this year! There's this dark short game which has been bugging me since last year. It could even be a 16+ game for its possible contents. No nsfw scenes although there could be some allusion to it but I won't be putting those. I'm thinking of giving more importance to the psychological aspect of the game rather than the characters' physical relationship. Plus, I'm still not good with drawing nor writing those scenes despite my deep love for BL manga, literature and games.

As for that short KN I finished writing, turns out I will be using Cloud Novel for it. It will have only one soundtrack and some CGs. No sprite though. Depending on the feedback I might make a second part or episode for it which more or less explains the story. The latter will be difficult for neither I myself understand what that story is all about. I'm so ashamed of myself.

This is the longest post I've written after a long time.

Take care everyone!

≈Silver

Conspiracy: UI Update

I got the Save/Load screen done! And... it actually works! 

Yeeees!!!

I have two screens left to work on and possibly, I'll soon add these previews on the game thread. The coding took me an entire afternoon until nighttime. I'm truly thankful for the tutorials! I got it functioning despite initially having bugs and I am proud to say I can now understand more or less Ren'py's custom UI designs.

Now for the CG gallery and Yes/No screen I go!!! (゜▽゜;)

New UI

Received the proof-read script yesterday! The feedback was positive, thankfully. At least a three year two months work paid-off. *phew*

While I'm at it, I worked on the game's coding last night and successfully changed the preferences screen.

Notice how much it changed! ^^

I think I'm getting the hang of programming or at least understanding it more in terms of customization. The real deal will be changing the Save/Load screen UI and the CG gallery, specially since I had trouble working the thumbs and all. 

This was where I left the gallery a few years back.

Perhaps, now that the script is fully done I can take my time and concentrate more on the UI. That's all for today's update!

Update: Conspiracy

I can't believe it's March already. This year has been pretty fast and busy, at least for me. 

So last year during summer I sketched Conspiracy's characters' new sprites on paper, scanned it and worked on it digitally. Thankfully, this method is making things easy for me right now that I'm working on their sprite. 

Just this afternoon I've finished Mizuno sprite ver.4, after which I'll start coloring her then pass on the other characters (probably by random).

Do not use, re-upload, or share without my permission.

I'm glad her hands came out decently since I really suck at drawing them. Also, I believe there has been a huge improvement between this sprite and my earlier works for Conspiracy. 2016 could finally be the year I'll release this game! After all isn't everything possible in 2016? 

Also, I sometimes post other work in progress and art previews on my personal blog. Be warned though, I repost BL stuff there as well.

Have a nice weekday!

Conspiracy: WiP

Tried to find time to write something about Conspiracy! So here's goes!

This a preview of what I ended up working on last week. The extra screen will be the game's gallery, I decided to scrap the ending list. The colored tabs on the right represent each character, I still have not counted how many CGs in total the game will have.

For now I'm planning on changing Conspiracy's thread at LemmaSoft, finish all character sprites' default version then remake ( for the 4th time) their profiles.

Below is what each episode ending will be like. Right now I can't decided between the Japanese writing and the Western one. Overall, playing Conspiracy will be like watching episodes (???) with TMGS (if you played them) game pace.

Conspiracy: Update

Found a proofreader and I just sent the game script a few minutes ago. Now all I have to do is wait and see.
In the meantime I will start working on all characters sprite since I've left them aside in order to concentrate my attention to the script. This is the 4th time they will be redrawn though I decided to keep their recent designs and limit Riko and Jin's cosplay to only one (european cosplay).

That's all for today! 

Conspiracy Script Update

I'm proud to officially announce that after 3 years and 2 months, Conspiracy's game script is 100% complete! My next plan is to have it proof-read then reorganize it more cleanly by someone more knowledgeable in codes than me. 

Now I will be shifting my energy back to art department: sprites, UI and whatnot. I want to have my options open so I will keep my switching to different works going on. 

I will make sure Conspiracy is released before the end of the year! 

Conspiracy: Update

After much considerations I have decided to reduce Conspiracy's ending to 7 instead of 8 differently from my original planning. I already wrote some explanations here.

I already started rewriting the script yesterday night. Although I was anxious for changing the plot scheme, I felt some minor sense of relief and satisfaction. This 3 year project must come to an end after years of delay. 

I'm confident I may be able to actually finish the script this month. In the meantime I will start looking around for a proof reader and coder just in case. I want to absolutely release Conspiracy this year, in case I fail to do so I will have to abandon this project permanently.

Here's the current script statistic for now:

The game contains 2,912 dialogue blocks, containing 21,632 words and 113,239 characters, for an average of 7.4 words and 39 characters per block.

That's all for now. Thank you for reading!

Contemplating....14

With the termination of my short second visual novel I am currently at loss.
I know I should stop playing around the bush with Conspiracy's script and work on it yet at the same time I can't bring myself to write with the same mood I used to be in when I started this otome project. Not to mention my currently undergoing problem with the art programs. Sigh...
Despite all these I want to bring life to all my archived ideas and projects so people who enjoy VNs like I do may play it.
Honestly if it weren't for the VN world I don't think I would be facing each day like I am doing now. It saved me from further sinking in the void and partially filled my empty heart. - whoops serious mode on - 
Anyway, I think I'll start with finishing the script and move further on art side for a "possibly" new work in progress visual novel project which will run alongside Conspiracy. Once the script is done I'll start opening a thread, I'm still undecided whether to use Cloudnovel or Ren'py for it though.
Right now I'm at a point in my life where I'm starting to be surrounded by real life dilemmas and I can't seem to avoid my responsibilities anymore. Becoming an adult sure is tough... That's all for today's post. (•‿•)

Conspiracy Progress

I'm proud to announce that Mizuno, Yuu and Katsuo's ending are finally done! I can't say wither they are satisfying though... This is the current statistic:

      

   Statistics:

The game contains 2,662 dialogue blocks, containing 19,218 words and 100,736 characters, for an average of 7.2 words and 38 characters per block.

  Yep, I've reach 19,000+ words. I still can't believe I managed to write their endings. Jin and the special route is still unfinished, I'm working on it bit by bit as to not diffuse my own volition of script writing.

 Anyway I changed its UI again, or at least I'm thinking to. The chibi designs on its background will be fully replace by a simple design pattern. Here's a quick preview of the new menu.

3rd menu restyling...

Lastly, I can't tell when but once I've finished editing my personal blog, all art updates will be posted there so please keep an eye out. This is a decision I have always considered, separating my personal blog to that of my game's. Still, thank you for visiting Strange Chemistry! (*＾ワ＾*)

Conspiracy Script Status+ BTT Spoilers

     Regained the will to write Conspiracy's script which is more or less near the final part. Can't say the same for the sprites - so embarrassing -, I'm having problems with the game script so I'll probably drop by LSF forums to ask for a hand any time soon. Anyway here it is...

The game contains 2,501 dialogue blocks, containing 17,991 words and 94,446 characters, for an average of 7.2 words and 38 characters per block.

     The secret character path will be a tough one... (●´⌓`●)

     As for the Before the Tale I got lazy working on its backgrounds halfway although they are nothing but quasi drafts. I'm glad I started working on it though! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧ 

       

    Here are some previews of my background attempted making results...

       Sucks I know... (n˘v˘•)¬

Here's to Another Short Post

   Posting Conspiracy's script progress:

    The game contains 2,277 dialogue blocks, containing 16,099 words and 84,727 characters, for an average of 7.1 words and 37 characters per block.

   The above results also includes one of side B's arc which I recently put in even along with Jin's route. Basically, the special arc will contain only one route but with two endings. So my advice is for you to play the game starting from Yuu or Katsuo > Mizuno > Jin > then Secret Character. 

   I still have the whole CGs to list down since apparently I'll end up making tons haha... 

   I'm excited but at the same time worried I might not finish the game again D= Aaargggh! I can do this! 

Script is Going Well

  I already reached the 7th episode on side B so base on my pace I might actually finish the script by the second week of July! Cheers! ╰( ･ ᗜ ･ )╯
  From time to time I distract myself by switching between art, UI and script works. I'm practically making progress little by little haha...
  I can't believe the script is about to come to an end after half a year of hiatus! Thank you for everyone's support and patience!
  Latest news is... I joined a team as assistant artist for an otome project. What can I say? I love the visual novel world so much it's becoming a dependence of some sort. - kidding on the dependence part :P - I just want to gain more experience by working in group again ( although currently we are a 3 people team (〃▽〃) ).
   Almost forgot! "Blog transfer" will have to wait for now although I wanted to do it soon due to personal reasons. I have its new design already planned but guess I'll work on it if I find enough time.

Draft Version

  This is Conspiracy characters' sprite draft preview. I'm not going to show you the secret character though. 'Cause if I do what kind of secret character will he be?

As you may have noticed my style changed.

  Unlike Black Lotus, which features bishounen and mature style males, I'm going with the shoujo version for Conspiracy and co. Noticeably, Jin became cuter and Yuu's hair went back to his original concept. - It really does suit him more ne? - 

  Excuse me if the right side is crowded by the way... (^^;)

Progressing Work

Presenting you a premier preview of Conspiracy's new logo along side recent changes I've done on the game.

Do not copy or redistribute without owner's consent!

I opted for a more simple and elegant style for Conspiracy's new logo. The text and name box will remain the same with some exceptions as seen below.

   As mentioned on a recent post, episode introduction will have recurring scene rather than putting  chibi versions of the characters visible on earlier works. Decided it was better to remove it since it would take a lot of precious time.  The idea was fun so I'm thinking of using it on another game if I have the chance. 

   Earlier background setting versions will be replaced with something which I already have in mind and is currently a work in progress. I'll post it as soon as I can. Still have to search for new background musics and try customizing choice menus.

   Finished Keith's lineart last night as well. All that's left to do is work on details and color it, then I can start with the protagonist's uncle. I'm scheduling the times I'm suppose to work on Black Lotus and on my game at the moment and so far everything's going well. Better keep this up!  

Conspiracy: Back on Track?

   Good evening! Last Saturday, while my tablet was being capricious I thought I'd check out the files where all my "suppose to be" visual novel projects where located and tidy up a bit. Reviewing all my suspended works, I read Conspiracy's script which remained in Episode 4 on side B of the game and for a moment, just one moment, I was prompted to continue the next scene writing until almost 2 a.m. However I realized the whole scene didn't matched up with the original concept so eventually I stopped myself and decided to take two steps back and retrace what I actually had in mind.
   Looking through piles of notes I thought having 2 different versions of Riko and Jin in cosplay would only make sprite work extend further, so now I am left to decide between the Western and Eastern clothing ( for this I will use the poll ). While for the characters' expression I might truly make a limited set for all characters - which will be aaaawfully hard on my side since I exaggerate - for episode passages I will have to stick with a simple recurring image with text.
   UI will undergo changes here and there as well as character profiles and "perhaps" game logo on LSF forum. This time I am 100% determined to ask additional help in coding. - *waves a white flag* -
    All this side by side with my work as a sprite artist for the work in progress BL game. If all ends well and successfully, the next otome game you'll see from me ( hoping it comes true ) will be made by a real team of different people. Or I might simply hand over a complete script to one of my most trusted and admirable teams among LSF. Still, no one knows what the futures holds for us. Goodnight as always!

2015 First Post!

So here we are "New Year, New Life"! - Aww :3 -
I use to charm myself with New Year resolutions but seeing how most of them didn't come true I've minimize my list.

On the last days of December I finally watched the anime adaption of one of my favorite BL games: "Dramatical Murder". In the end I kind of felt a bit disappointed by the quality and after seeing Episode 3 I was in constant worry thinking what if the quality of the next episodes would have been the same.
 Considering Episode 3 contained one of my favorite scene in the game ( Aoba meets Noiz, Noiz meets Koujaku and Clear = Ruckus = Tae-san stops boys fighting! = All four of them get punished xD ) I couldn't help but feel displease. My guess is that they couldn't fix some design errors in time for the deadline and focused more on some other scenes which they considered important. Or