EPISODE 1 - Chapter 3 - Development progress update - May 2024
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EPISODE 1 - Chapter 3 Developpement progresse Update - May 2024
Overdose and Hoydays Update
Hey there, survivors of the Lovepocalypse!
In terms of the game's content itself, this article is going to be shorter than a hobbit on tiptoes because, well, life happened. Indeed, there have been several elements that temporarily diverted me from game development. The reasons for these slowdowns are multiple, and I'll divide them into three acts of tragicomedy.
Slowdown number one : dogs invasion
My brother and his awesome dog dropped by for a surprise visit, which was great until the dog mistook my keyboard for a chew toy !
Slowdown number two : computer rebellion
Then my PC decided it needed a vacation too and took a dive. I had to send it for repairs because the water cooling system was malfunctioning.
But hey, every cloud has a silver lining, right? I used the downtime to give my setup a makeover, rearranging my SSD drives like a puzzle master and dusting off enough cobwebs to start a haunted house.
Slowdown number three : Vacation Needed
Then I also took some vacation time because I really needed it. Even developers need some R&R! So, I whisked myself away from the concrete jungle in search of greener pastures. Because when I try to relax at home, thoughts of coding dance in my head like sugarplum fairies, reminding me of the ever-present responsibility resting on my shoulders, even during mundane tasks like brushing my teeth.
That being said, I know that when I take vacations, game development comes to a halt. But rest assured, the awareness that many people are eagerly anticipating the outcome of my work both motivates and stresses me out.
That's why, amidst the waves of anxiety, I've had an epiphany - I realized that taking time off from the game is like pressing the pause button on a frenzied game of Tetris—necessary for preventing a mental stack overflow. Because, let's face it, if I don't give myself a breather, I might end up like those developers who start seeing lines of code in their dreams and wake up screaming 'syntax error!'.
While my dedication to the project is as steadfast as a cat stalking a laser pointer, I've come to acknowledge that being perpetually glued to it is about as advisable as juggling flaming torches in a room full of oxygen tanks.
So fret not, loyal followers, for I shall continue my pursuit of excellence, even if it means occasionally swapping my coding gloves for oven mitts. After all, a bit of levity and relaxation can work wonders.
Other activities
- To switch things up a bit, I've also indulged in a bit of diversification. This includes further expanding the universe of Apocalypse Lovers as I've done in the past, by writing illustrated short stories set within it. I'll be sharing excerpts with you soon, hoping it will please you.
- I've also been tidying up the game's code and keeping up my collaboration with a coding buddy, hoping our efforts will soon bear fruit. I can't wait to see his talent truly shine and witness him in action once he's fully onboard. It's like waiting for a gourmet chef to step into the kitchen—I'm eagerly anticipating the masterpiece he'll whip up!
- I've also taken a dive into the ever-mysterious realm of artificial intelligence, partly to avoid being labeled a technological dinosaur, but mostly to unlock the secrets of these digital sorceries. I've been testing the waters in everything from conjuring up images to playing wordsmith (editing, translating, even moonlighting as a script whisperer). Sure, there are still more bugs than a picnic in a swamp, but hey, I'm making progress and having a blast! And let's not forget the practical side of things—besides potentially revolutionizing my project's content creation, it's also a nifty time-saver. Who knew that hanging out with algorithms could be so entertaining and oddly satisfying?
Check out this stunning image of Deborah with a manga-esque transformation:
Well, on a more serious note, rest assured that the game's development is progressing as planned, and I'm continuing my efforts despite all these disruptions.
Bonus
- Nostalgic Bonus: While reorganizing my hard drives, I stumbled upon my first 3D renders from the early days of the project. The game wasn't even called Apocalypse Lovers back then!
- Inspiration Bonus: Sneak peek at some concept art for one of the new characters making an appearance in the upcoming chapter.
That's all for now! I'm diving back into writing Chapter 3 from where I left off. And don't hesitate to join the community Discord for more updates on Apocalypse Lovers!
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