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Dev Diary #07

 Here's to another week of an update!

So far, I have managed to write a couple of scenes for "Pink Rose" (the title of Bus Stop's work in progress revamp) and boy am I amazed how different the writing is now compared to the original! Likewise, some of the earlier choices will now have consequences within the game. 

Meanwhile, I've been toying around the basic interface over at Ren'Py to facilitate working on the custom UI for when the time comes (I already have some thumbnail sketches for the UI design) and experimented with the pronoun tool. Ideally, the new version will have the option for players to choose not only Fujioka's gender (making BS also BxB) but her pronoun. I posted a video preview of it exclusively over at ko-fi. Before the Tale, on the other hand, is pending while I'm updating my commission sheets with new art samples. All in all, the plan this month is to chill and recharge my creative fuel after working on "White Book" last month. If possible I want to avoid burn-out which will only hinder the projects even more. 

That's all I have for this week. Thanks for dropping by! 

Dev Diary #06

 It's officially 2021, here are my plans for the year.

For starters, I still intend to work on the revamp of either/both Bus Stop and Before the Tale. Once those two are out of the way, I have decided to stop developing visual novels entirely, although I wish I could have shared more of Strange Chemistry's universe. 

Not many of you probably know of this but from the moment S❤C was created, it has been my intention to create VNs and stories set in the fictional archipelago of Lunar Isle (a mixture of Japanese and Western-influenced country on the same geographical location of  Japan, how original I know). Bus Stop and Conspiracy, for example, are set in the fictional capital city of Moonville. Whereas No Thanks, Eros! and Nocturnal Affair are equally located in Upper Heights Hill, the major hub for entertainment and commercial industries. There was even a new city I recently created last fall situated in the Northern region, where the belief of the Archaic Gods and supernatural persists in modern times, called Caligo Hills (a must place to visit and live in for horror aficionados). 

Anyway, although I will stop developing visual novels, you may still find me occasionally making interactive stories, maybe with Twine or something else we'll have to see. Art-wise, I plan to offer my services as a sprite artist for short projects and/or games jams. Given my past experience, I don't think long-term ones are suitable for me.

In the meantime, I will be working on the GUI design for Before the Tale since the original script is finished anyway. Expect updates here once it reaches around 80% progress. I will be sharing snippets of works at Twitter (@strng_notes) and ko-fi as often as I can without burning out.

Visual novels have become such a huge part of my life, which makes it all sadder that I have fallen out of love with it. On the plus side, at least I will be able to finally play them again after all these years.

Stay safe and may this new year bring positive things in your lives. :)

Dev Diary #05

Happy to announce the release of  "White Book Complete Volume", now available for download just in time before the end of 2020! 

DOWNLOAD HERE

The artistic process behind this recent project has been a very interesting experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity and texture I managed to achieve to render the CGs similar to storybook illustrations.

Regardless of how long the process behind the script was, creating the history or lore behind the existence of the enigmatic book was fun. Similarly to how Azure was brought to life, the rest of the stories have been purposely made to feel unfinished or abrupt. Even the fate of the characters depends solely on the players' interpretation. I can't wait to hear your personal thoughts on the matter.

Especially, because of how close and emotionally cathartic "White Book" has been for me.

Happy New Year! :)

Dev Diary #04

Happy weekend!

Can you believe we're two weeks into finally finishing 2020? It's been one hazy rollercoaster ride. Here's some excellent news this week!

Last weekend I finally unveiled "White Book: Complete Volume" page at itch.io and shared a timelapse process of one of the CGs thanks to Clip Studio Paint's latest update! With that in mind, I may or may not be inclined to share the rest of the videos I recorded over at ko-fi after publishing the full game. 

Speaking of, the first six sets of CGs are done with the minor ATL coding included! It's nothing exceptional, but it does add dynamic to the kinetic format. 

(A snippet of the ATL code in-script.)

In the meantime, I am focusing the last stretch of these endeavours on the remaining CG art. Hopefully, "White Book" will be done and available for download before the end of December 2020 (*fingers crossed*) just in time for the "Finish Your Visual Novel" game jam deadline. 😊

(Top to Bottom: CG work-in-progress sketches)

Now, regarding my first post at the start of November, I haven't exactly decided yet what to do despite announcing my 2021 projects over at Twitter last week. However, I am indeed excited to work on Bus Stop's revamp should I ever decide to go for it next year! In fact, this week I tried re-writing the script using the original - cringe-y as it is through my 2020 eyes - as a guideline. Plus, months ago I finished writing another one for a potential kinetic novel project that will be focusing primarily on the illustrations.

Nothing is set in stone, and I would prefer avoiding making any grand announcement before having something concrete for the goodness of my well-being, compared to my past self.

As always, I promise to keep you informed when I will reach a decision at last. Probably, by the start of 2021 if possible. 

In the meantime, that's is all for this week's post. Stay safe, take care and wear a mask!