Quest Failed: Chapter Two - Dev Log #145

Heya there, everyone! How are we all doing today? June is now in full swing--the month, not the character, gosh--and the cold days seem long behind us! I hope it's nice and toasty where you are, and you've been finally able to defrost from a winter chill that seemed to cling well into the year.

For a brief update on the status of the next alpha build, I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to release it this month. I have a bit of work ahead of me in regards to wrapping up a large story scene, and some lingering h-scenes--but I feel like once I get over the initial hump, everything should start coming together quite rapidly!

As I've mentioned before, this should be one of the largest alpha updates I've made in a while--with at least five new h-scenes, and a number of story based CG scenes, too for good measure. I'll be doing my best to ensure a lot of is voice, too--but some of it will probably be down to the wire whether or not it'll be voiced in this current iteration or the next, depending on the schedules of some VAs and such. I can never predict how that part will go down, but I always try my best to pack in as much stuff as I can!

Without spoiling too much, the scene in question I've been tackling for a bit is essentially one of the most important moments of Chapter 2. I've been quite stressed trying to get it just right--as the last thing I'd want after years of hyping up this very moment would be for it to fall flat on its face. The perils of perfection, I suppose, haha. I think at a certain point, though, I will just accept what I have and go forward with it--and see if people feel it needs tweaking or tightening up after playing the alpha builds. Since nothing is set in stone, and everything is flexible! There's also a high possibility that what I already have is perfectly fine, and that I'm just being too harsh on myself--as is sometimes the case, haha. When you're left staring at your own writing for too long, you begin to see problems that aren't even there, and get far too harsh on yourself. Which, I think is good in moderation, as I wouldn't want to think everything I write is instantly gold and then just throw out whatever sloppy mess I cobbled together first--but finding that balance has been the eternal struggle.

Moving away from the writing rambling, though--let's focus on the lovely CG preview posted at the top, shall we~? It's been a little while since I last teased a CG, so I felt like this one would be fun! A nice, warm, tender...soft...plush moment between Anna and young Matt, as they share in an innocent hug.

I didn't get a CG for EVERY hug in the game--because there sure would be a lot--but I did feel like one would fit here, as it's essentially a natural result of Matt and Anna's blossoming relationship--in an almost mother/son kind of way. Where he's been longing for a mother figure in his life, and Anna has been all too happy to oblige--as long as he has coin--over the duration of several weeks at Rhan, cooking, cleaning and providing a nice warm bed for him at night. Along with a nice warm bosom to rest his weary head upon. The dream right there. Isn't this what all men want~?

It might not be as apparent in this particular pose of the CG, but if you look closely, you can actually see Matt's arms are wrapped around HER waist! This is potentially a first for the bold young adventurer--and maybe a sign that HE initiated the hug first, burying himself into the plush depths of that wonderful freckled chest that seems to just...strain out against her apron, begging to be pounced on?

It doesn't mean that Matt is going to become an absolute alpha that dominates girls left, right and center--but maybe it's a sign that the more his relationship grows with someone, the more comfortable he becomes in expressing his affection towards them, rather than turning into a timid little deer at the mere thought. I thought this was a cute way to showcase that--and while these moments will be VERY rare, I hope you cherish them as they appear!

I really like the cutesy effects on this piece--that were made with the intention to showcase affection, but not be outright romantic. More just, a form of platonic love--even if Anna's enormous hooters do kind of muddy the message a little. Just look at them, goodness, they're spilling out over her arm and everything! Matt must be in absolute heaven right now~

And so, as this week's dev log comes to a close, I'll leave you with the following question: Who is the best QF mom? Or, at least, radiates that 'mom' energy. Anna? Lucille? June? Queen Deidra? ...Ruby? (Because she's the designated camp mom, keeping Tari from burning herself on the fire, and cooking meals for the gang.)

Leave your answer below and we can debate things until the end of time.

Until next time!