Astra - Monthly Update (February 2024)

Hello Patrons,

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Thank you for your patience regarding the February update, we got some phat news to share so let's get started!!

WRITING

>> CAUTION: SUPER ULTRA OMEGA INSANE SPOILERS IN SCENE TITLES<<

What you are seeing is right!!!!!!!!!!! In the  last month, we were able to bring FOUR scenes to completion, three are almost done, and one is ready for first round edits. The writing team has been doing absolute phenomenal work and I even slid in to write a scene and probably one or two more. This is the final push and we are going in full steam ahead!

With the accelerated completion that we are seeing, this episode will be released all at once instead of as acts. Another reason we are not splitting this up by acts is because the acts honestly would be each waifu which would not be an ideal way of releasing that. What I would predict is if this pace keeps up, we should be done writing all the episode by next months and you'll be getting the full read only -> art versions shortly thereafter.

CHARACTER ART

Thank you for your votes here regarding the CG enhancements:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/astra-cg-vote-98172114 

We are happy that the upgrades were overwhelmingly positive and are making the rounds now to upgrade them. The first batch you can check out here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/astra-cg-batch-1-98878069 

Sunimu also finished the last epilogue CG which is here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/astra-kai-cg-98877120 

Overall, art has been just as much of a busy bee as writing! Please look forward to the next wave of CG upgrades.

BACKGROUND ART

No additional backgrounds for now, we are compiling a list and will also see what feedback we get before commissioning out the next batch! (same as last update)

ANIMATION

No updates on animation though we are still currently thinking about overhauling the UI. (same as last update)

PROGRAMMING

Our narrative designer has been busy moving IRL however that shouldn't impact timelines since we are not doing act releases for the final episode. By the time he is all settled in, there will be plenty of work to go around for the read-only version followed by art!

In terms of engine update, we made some minor back end optimizations, especially for devices with low memory. This will basically have no performance difference for PC (cause PC's have so much ram anyways lol) but should help with mobile when we eventually make the port.

AUDIO

Audio be quiet for now as well. In terms of outstanding work, we still have the Ending track planned. The reason we are waiting on that is because depending on the voice cast we get for the game, it might be fun if they are the ones who sing the Ending. Nothing confirmed, just some ideas!

It's been a busy but rewarding February! We are very happy with the insane progress the team is making and I very much look forward to finally starting voice soon. I'm fairly sure a lot of you are waiting for that so it will be great to have you patient lot finally jump into Astral Ascension!

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts below. Thanks again for your support!!

- Dishu