DarkRPG Progress: New Paper Dolls System

Greetings, one and all!

Sorry for the long delay since the last big progress update. I'm still hard at work crafting the brand-new sex system for use in the DarkRPG project, and it's taking a bit longer than I initially anticipated.

This new system, while based on the same general concepts & structure as the one found in Sanctuary in Time, is nevertheless a ground-up rebuild. I started almost entirely from scratch on this one, so that I could implement several ideas I have for making this next iteration a true "step up," both in terms of user experience and developer-side flexibility. And it's taking a fair amount of work to turn those ambitions into reality. But have no fear, a full Sex 2.0 progress update is very near.

In the meantime, however, I can share details on a new system I've built that directly ties into & relates to that sex system; it's character art paper dolls.

Character Art Paper Dolls

Initially, the character art being produced (some of which was shared in previous updates) represented standalone character images that could be superimposed on various differing backgrounds. However, in order to show these characters as being nude or in various states of undress, separate images needed to be created for each and every such situation. And I as I got further into working on the sex system (which involves item-by-item undressing), I began to realize how impractical that approach really was.

So, in an effort to address the issues that were cropping up, I tried a different approach, the use of character art paper dolls. Under this new model, interactive characters you can have sex with (e.g. companions like Brianna of the Soaring Cliffs) are now having their character art built in multiple discrete layers, each of which can be enabled, disabled, or replaced with something else on command.

At present, the character art shown below for Brianna is comprised of 7 distinct layers, each of which can be manipulated independently of the others in game. It consists of background art (which will change depending on the current region you're in), the underlying nude figure of Brianna, a layer just for her head (so different expressions can be shown during dialogues), and then separate layers for each and every clothing item she wears so they can be included or omitted in any combination desired.

(A screenshot of the mostly disassembled paper doll of Brianna - and yes, the vest and panties come off, too.)

 (A screenshot of the fully assembled paper doll of Brianna against an environmental backdrop.)

 It took a fair amount of effort to get this new paper doll system up and running (and it's only in place for Brianna so far), but I think it represents a far more flexible and dynamic system that will pay off in multiple ways down the line.

Additionally, it's already in place and functioning in the new prototype sex system, so that each time an undressing action takes place for Brianna, an item of clothing is visibly removed from the paper doll displayed.

I gotta say, the results are really cool so far, and I can't wait for you all to see it in action.

Closing Comments

I hope that whets your appetite for what's to come, because more details will soon be on the way. I can't wait to share more with you all on the new sex system I'm building, and before you know it, that time will be here. But until then, remember...

Above all else, have fun!

Max (Novus Operandi)

P.S. Your continued support helps make this project possible, as well as making it possible to include beautiful, sexy artwork like that showcased above. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys are awesome, and I never want you to forget that.