Week 12: Screenshots Galore!

This past week was mostly occupied with more boring databasing and some light eventing. Or, rather, fixing up the events and script calls that changed now that I've upgraded to a new version of the quest log script. It's a lot of work, but it's pretty boring to blog about.

So, this week's update will be a screenshot galore, and by that, I mean a series of screenshots of the revamped chapter 1 and pure eye-candy.

We'll begin with a random screenshot of the shop in Burgunda Port:

Chuckle and laugh, but the titles are suspiciously close to actual titles of romance books my college roommate used to read.

Here are two outside areas in Summervale (which is completely revamped now, btw!):

Insert some witty comment here. The only thing that comes to my mind when I look at these is "Yay, nature!".

Next up is a screenshot of the restaurant in Summervale:

I wouldn't mind eating in a place like this. I still need to put some delicious food on a few tables, however. I notice now that some of them look suspiciously bare.

Last, but not least, a home in Summervale:

Now this should give a much better idea of the kind of profession the owner of the home has. It was a little ambiguous before, but I hope it's coming across more clearly now.

And that's the gist of it, folks! I'm probably going to be moving a week from now (fingers crossed!), so I may miss a weekly update. However, the good news is - once my move is done, you can look forward to the updated release of chapters 1 and 2 as well as some new content. I've picked a tentative date for a release and I'm working on building a schedule around that.

Week 11: Database

I hate databasing. I hate it with a passion sometimes and I wish I could just hire someone to do all the database-related stuff for me. I probably would actually do it if it didn't take just as long to explain what I want done as it takes doing it.

There are a couple of reasons I hate databasing. The first (and biggest) reason is that it brings out my slightly OCD-ish tendencies. A good example of this would be the item list. Most people would just add items as they need them to the already existing list. It's a little messy, but you do get a drop-down list when you manipulate items. I actually have to go in and organize those items. First by type (potions, status effects, keys, quest items) and then by potency (weak potion before strong). I'm sure there's a rational reason for it somewhere. I mean, it might save me a couple seconds of browsing through a random item list.

But the real reason is that it makes me uncomfortable and a little stressed. I actually squirm in my seat a little. And it's, really, like having a fly in the room. You know that it can't technically break anything, bite you or otherwise hurt you. But the incessant buzzing is enough to drive a person absolutely bonkers!

The other reason why I hate databasing is that it's, in reality, extremely productive, but I've got absolutely nothing to show for it. I guess I could, technically, show a screenshot of the database, but who wants to look at that without their eyes glazing over?!?

So, that's my week in a nutshell. Super productive (yes, I really mean that!) and a huge step closer to releasing a new build of the game. But nothing to show for it.

Week 10: Commissions

I haven't made a whole lot of progress this week. A part of it was due to allergies (curse you pollen in the air!), but the biggest part is that I'm working on a paid commission. Since it's exclusive, I can't show you any screenshots, but it's pokemon-ish styled and pixel-based. It's actually a lot of fun!

I did find a teeny bit of free time between errands to whip up another re-vamped map:

Fiore, Flower shop in Summervale

There are only 3 maps left that need an overhaul in Summervale and that should put all the graphics up to date. 

After the maps are done, I'm going to play through them again to make sure that I've fixed up all the bugs and issues all you patient players have brought up. Then it's off to polishing new content! Hopefully, I will be able to release everything before my move (which is now slated sometime in October).