Quest Failed: Chapter Two - Dev Log #100

Hiya, guys! Apologies for being a little late on the dev log this week--I've been out of it the last few days while adjusting back to a slightly normal sleeping schedule, which I'm sure will last for all of a week before I'm back to going back to bed at 7am again, but eh--I'll enjoy the sunlight while it lasts!

For this week's dev log I wanted to showcase some of the work being put into the presentation of the game in the way of fancy little animations! I wanted to show some of these animations much earlier, with some of the efforts I've put into revamping the intro of the game--but the animation of that intro just didn't agree with uploaded videos and came out as a blurry mess each time, so you'll just have to see it for yourself when you play! But what I CAN share with you is this recent, nice rainy effect we've put together, complete with an appropriate ambient downpour effect~ It isn't too complicated beyond overlaying some static images of rain that flicker through on a set timer to create a convincing animation, but when paired up with sound it really helps fill in the gaps and lets your imagination run wild. It's especially useful in how easily it can be overlaid on top of backgrounds and characters without interfering with their own poses and expressions.

Speaking of which, poor hood-chan has been left out in the cold while everyone parties in the nice warm inn by the snug fire. But it's okay, she's used to being left out of things at this point. Though, that is a point--just where exactly IS she? It looks pretty barren and spooky--and will probably be where a lot of pivotal moments happen in the plot! Will Matt finally get a chance to properly talk to her and find out her side of the story, or will it just end up how it always seems to end up whenever these two meet?

Additionally, calling back to a previous dev log where I was discussing the possibility of part-time jobs for Matt, I have indeed started experimenting on that front with some cute little animations for the chibi version of our failed adventurer that tries so hard!

I'm not entirely sure if blacksmithing will be something he'll actually do in the game, since it seems far too demanding a job for someone as fragile as him (unless I gate it behind only being open after he's had the right amount of training and strength built up?) but this sort of animation was really straightforward to have done and allowed me to test how these sort of two frame animations might work in the game. It's a little simple here--but I'm going to see if I can experiment with making the transition between frames have a little 'bounce' of sorts. It'll really come down to the limits of the engine and what I can personally manage without tearing my hair out. But my focus will definitely be on making things look as aesthetically pleasing as I can manage. Bounce, Matthew, bounce like your life depended on it!

And also, yes, as you may have noticed, we have indeed reached 100 dev logs. Somehow. I never thought this day would come! Admittedly I had hoped to have something a liiiiiittle more special for the big one-oh-oh, like a trailer or something, and had contemplated stretching out the posts in a cheeky manner like #99.5, 99.75, etc. to fit something in on time down the line--but I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out soon enough! I DO have everything ready for a trailer but I just lack the artistic know-how to put it all together in a fancy way, so I might enlist some help for that area!

A special big thank you to everyone that's stuck with me through these past 100 dev logs and supported me in my crazy endeavours! It's not very often that people are given such freedom to pursue their dream projects without compromise, so I truly am grateful for being granted this opportunity! I can only hope you'll all feel that this extended development time was worth it in the end with the amount of content and polish I'm doing my best to squeeze into this installment. It's gonna be one of the biggest projects I've ever worked on, and hopefully be something I can look back on proudly over the years. Like, "yeah, I really did make something this crazy, didn't I?"

I'll have a future dev log post discussing my plans for the remainder of the year, since I'm sure it'll turn into quite a lengthy ramble--but the gist of it is that I'm planning to release something by the end of this year for everybody to experience. Be it early access, or something in between that and a final release. (Because I feel right now there's a heck ton of content even in its current state) But it still needs a little more planning and discussion before I make any solid decisions on the matter. It's a big step forward, after all!

But for now, let's reflect on the cute little animations featured in this dev log! What do you think of them? Do they add to the experience? Do you like/dislike them? Let me know in the comments below~