Development Blog - February 25

Hello all!

Early warning, I don’t have a whole deal to say this month (but you all know how that usually turns out). I’m currently right in the middle of posing a very fun scene and I want to get back to it asap, but it occurred to me that I haven’t done a Feb update yet and I’m running out of time. So here I am.

Like last month, we’ll start by addressing those sub numbers again. A few people warned me that putting Origin Story on the OppaiMan Store would be a sudden boost in numbers followed by an equally sudden dip, with all the people who sub up for a month and then immediately cancel. I’m glad I had the warning in advance, because man it sucks to see 120 subs go in under two weeks… well, it does for the stage I’m at where that amounts to 20% of your subs. Oh, to be that big of a developer that losing 120 subs would be a drop in the ocean. Fingers crossed?

So, I just want to say thank you to all those that found the game through OppaiMan Store and decided to stick around. You guys rock. As do the rest of you. I don’t have much I can give you, other than my gratitude, more Origin Story and my weekly renders… so I will continue to do just that.

Oh, I also want to say a huge thank you for anyone who donated to the Valentine’s Adult Games Bundle, I know there are a few of you here. It was the first bundle that I’ve been a part of, but from what I understand it was one of the most successful AVN bundles yet.. if not the most? We smashed all the goals and made close to $11,500 which will be distributed across all involved devs. More importantly, it gave me a chance to make those Valentine’s special renders which I’m very proud of… I think I levelled my skills and lighting knowledge a bit doing them. Go me!

Some small updates for Chapter 7…

I’ve still got a little bit of work to do on the audio. I was putting a fair bit of time, while posing and postworking, in browsing the library at stockmusic.net for songs to use… to the point where their audio watermark was etched so far into my brain that I could hear it in my sleep. If you don’t know, stockmusic.net is one of the very few places that provide reasonably priced music - and music that isn’t terrible too – that are completely fine with their content being used in adult games.

Unfortunately, I’ve hit a bit of a snag with them now that I’m ready to start downloading all the music that I wishlisted in advance. It seems, there’s either a huge issue with the website (and has been for over 2 weeks), or it just hates me, as it absolutely refuses to allow me to sign up and pay them... on multiple very valid cards that all work in other places too. The dent that the sales at the Daz Store and Renderosity put in my pocket yesterday can attest to that. I’ve reached out to a few people I know use it, but none of them are in a position to attempt to pay them and see if they’re also getting issues with their payment system. I’ve tried reaching out to them directly multiple times by email but I’m getting completely ghosted.

So, back to the drawing board on the music I guess!

The good news is that I’ve grabbed a few Creative Commons tracks I liked for use in a particular scene. Naturally, I’ve had to include a “credits” page in the game so I can attribute the artists accordingly. I’m exploring some other Creative Commons options too.

“Why all this fuss over music?” I hear all of you that play on mute say. Well, because since playing certain games with the volume on for a change, Eternum being a standout, I realised just how much music can add to a game. Plus, if you’re playing on mute, you’re missing all the spanking sounds! Side note: RIP to the Eternum soundtrack as we knew it.

I’m still yet to decide a date on Chapter 7. I want to at least make sure I’m either finished, or at the very least, approaching the end of posing Chapter 8 before I put it out there for you guys. So, the date will be a “watch this space” for a while I’m afraid.

But on that note… I’m pretty deep into posing Chapter 8 now. About 530 renders completed so far, and probably about a third of the way through. I have some really cool story and character beats already posed so far, and some really awesome stuff (I hope) yet to pose. Plus, significant amounts of Emerald. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Right, back to posing another scene where you’re gonna want the sound on for those spanking sounds.

Take care guys!