Philosophy - Clues

Philosophy - Clues

I have a lot of different favorite foods. I have a few favorite spots I like to go to, too. I think we can all relate to it. There's this one place I love but I don't go there too often. For one, there are always other options and I'm indecisive. And two, it's not exactly the healthiest place in the world. There are times when I'm hungry and I think about what to eat. I always think about that place. I think about the last time I went there. I think about my other options. And I think about how I'll feel after I'm done eating it. Is the guilt of something unhealthy worth the satisfaction while I'm eating it? Sometimes I think it is. Sometimes I don't think so. But that place is always there in the back of my mind. It's always an option whenever I'm hungry and trying to decide what to eat.

This game has been in development for nearly three years. I've made a lot of content and written a lot of story. And to be honest with you, I don't remember every single detail. Sometimes I have to go back in my notes to see what I've done. Sometimes I have to look back on scenes and read conversations to refresh my memory. Sometimes I have to look at renders I've already made to make sure I don't remake them. After ten episodes, unfortunately, I don't remember every specific thing that's happened off the top of my head.

But... I do remember all of the major events. Every episode is built around at least one big scene and I can tell you that just by looking at the title of the episode. I know what the big painting is supposed to look like. I know what I've already painted. And I know what's supposed to be in the blank part of the canvas.

I don't expect any of you to know the story as well as I do. I'm not just talking about what hasn't happened yet. I'm talking about things that happened all the way in the beginning. I don't even remember all of the small details, so I don't expect you to either. I don't even expect you to remember what happened in the last episode. There are other games to play and other stories to keep track of. It's not something you need to worry about.

If you're one of those people who is paying close attention to all of the details and trying to figure things out, I just want to say that what you're looking for is in there. It's been in there since the beginning. What do I mean by that? If you're wondering things like how your relationship with a certain girl will go or how many fights you'll win at the PGs or how well the coffee shop is going to do, the clues are there. They've been there since all the way in Episode 1. I've planned it this way.

To me, these small details are what create a bigger picture. A painting of a forest is made up of more than just trees and some dirt. There are leaves on the ground. Tracks in the mud. The shape of the clouds in the sky. Even the darkness between the trees lends itself to the atmosphere. In 'A Man For All,' you don't have all of the answers. But you do have the clues. And I'm doing my best to help lead you in the right direction.

If you don't care about reading too much into things or can't be bothered to figure things out, that's cool. You're going to end up at the same destination regardless. But for everybody who does care, I just wanted to let you know it's there.

If you were to look at my notes and the outline I have for the game, there are sections that are in all caps and bolded. There are entire plotlines summed up in short paragraphs. There are some parts that aren't even proper summaries. They're just small notes that instantly remind me what happens. I wanted to say this to give you all some peace of mind to know that I'm going somewhere with this and I'm not winging the important things, even though I don't remember every single line of dialogue or the sequence of every scene.

And just to give you a little more assurance if you needed it, I don't go back to my notes for the major plotlines too often, if at all. Why's that? Because I already know what's going to happen. It's always there in the back of my mind. Whenever I see a character and make a render or write their scenes, I know who they are and where they're going. I don't need the reminder. It's like that favorite place you like to eat at. You don't need anybody to tell you that the food is great and you want to eat there. You just get hungry and your mind goes to it because you enjoy it so much and you've been there enough times to remember. It'll always be an option you'll never forget. And the same goes for how your story as the MC is going to play out. Don't worry. I haven't forgotten what's supposed to happen. It's all already in there.

If you read this, some of you might think it's confusing or nonsensical. If that's the case, it's not anything you need to worry about. I tried to be as vague as I could without spelling things out because, well, if I did that, it would kind of spoil things.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Have you seen all the clues? Do you know where things are going? Do you have a favorite place or favorite food to eat that's not an everyday option but enjoy it when you can? I wonder the next time I'll head back there...

On Episode 11

I'm in the middle of some animations right now. This is the longest animated sequence of the episode, so it might take awhile. I'm trying to get as much done as I can because there's another progress update next week. That's where all of my focus is right now.

This is probably going to be my last post for May. I think I got the bulk of the episode rendered. After that, it's a matter of getting through the animations. Then it's on to the writing and coding. No telling when a release is but we're moving closer every day. I'm satisfied with the progress. My only regret is that the episode is longer than I expected it to be, which means it'll take longer. But that means you'll have more to play through, so it's not too bad, right?

For those of you checking out this month, thanks for your support. I appreciate you a lot. I hope you get the chance to check out the next episode whenever it gets done. For those of you sticking around, I'll try to make June a fun and productive month.

I don't have much else to say beyond thank you. It's back to work like always. I'll see you at the start of June for the next progress update. Take care.