Hi!
For the past few months I've been trying to come up with a way to make it easier for players to know when to expect new content and to increase the frequency at which content can be delivered. As a result, I've decided to make an important adjustment to the game release structure as follows:
We are officially ditching the chaptered structure in favor of an ongoing bi-monthly (every 2 months) release schedule.
What this means is that there will no longer be a 'Chapter 1', 'Chapter 2' etc. Instead, we have decided to compile everything that we have right now up to this stage and release it as is. Once we have released this version we will then release new content every 2 months.
OLD SYSTEM
Chapter 1 > Chapter 2 > Chapter 3 > Chapter 4 > etc
NEW SYSTEM
BASE RELEASE > June 23 release > August 23 Release > October 23 Release > Etc
Note that the dates above are just examples.
Anticipated Questions:
WHY?
Because the current system doesn't work well for either you players or for us as devs.
At present you guys are left in a limbo of 'When will there be a new release?' and our response is always 'When it's ready.'
By releasing content more regularly, the game remains more relevant. It doesn't go 'under the radar' for several months. Also you guys are happier which hopefully will ease some frustration.
But you haven't finished the rewrite yet, have you?
No, we haven't... but we have added so much new content in the rewrite so far that the current release will be as long as, if not longer than the original release.
It DOES mean some of the lewd scenes haven't yet been added back in, but they WILL return in the coming releases along side lots of other lewd content.
Does this mean we are going to see an update soon?
Yes, sooner than on the old system. See below question for more details.
When can we expect this 'BASE RELEASE'?
We have some gaps to fill between scene 1 and scene 11 of what was Chapter 3. You can see these gaps in the most recent dev diary. At a guess, I'd say it will take us a month or so to plug those gaps, re-add things like achievements and to make sure everything is tip top and ready to go.
How much gameplay will be in these 2 monthly updates?
That's a difficult question to answer, because it depends on how long and complicated the scenes we work on during that 2 month period are.
We are basically going to just keep working through the story, then when we approach a bi-monthly release date, we will compile what we have and distribute it to you. This means that sometimes releases may NOT have any extra lewd content, sometimes there will be multiple lewd scenes added. Remember that this is an erotic thriller.. it's story driven not some aimless porn-game. Lewd content fits where it fits, we don't just shoehorn it in.
How does this affect the VIP DLC and Patreon Subscriptions
VIP DLC holders and High level Patreon subscribers will continue to gain access to releases 2 weeks before general release. We will of course have to scrap the 'inter-chapter' release perk however VIP DLC and Patreon subscribers won't be any worse off inter-chapter exclusivity will be replaced by more frequent early access, so you are probably gaining more this way anyway!
I don't really understand what you're saying
Yeah, it's kinda hard to put into words. I suppose you can probably think of it as...
The old system is comparable to a conventional TV show. You watch a new season, then wait AGES for a new Season to be released.
The new system is more comparable to a soap opera's release schedule. Smaller releases, but on a much more frequent schedule.
I think I have covered everything, but if I think of anything extra I'll update this post.
Thanks for taking the time to read it and be sure to keep reading the Dev Diary posts for progress updates on the new base pack.
As always, let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions. Just remember to be constructive with your feedback :D
Thanks for all your support!