....
Unfortunately you're posting faster then I have the time to respond to them.
I am old, but self-aware. I know I've monopolized the last 2 pages, so I will try to consolidate it all into 1 reply. Like every other human on earth, I am impatient. Still, "Patience is a Virtue!", and I try to practice it. On the other hand, despite the current trend in social media, brevity is simply a talent. Not every complex thought can be adequately stated in 140 characters. Point being, don't rush to respond to my posts. I'm in no hurry.
Your time management: Just advice, ignore if you choose. (I'm old, you're getting older - time is precious.) Have reached about page 86, this thread. As others have, my compliments on responding to posters. BUT, on things like "... fullscreen ..." "... says I need RGP to run ...", put whatever advice you've gleaned into the "Readme.txt", and develop a canned post - "Read the 'Readme.txt' included with the game." I know, no one reads them, but you will have done your duty. There is no shame in ignoring a post, and others may fill the breach. You fix people's save files - unless it looks like it has information pertinent to a bug, a canned response - "If you've cheated in the game, you're on your own!" or words to that effect. (Another reason to remove the cheat items from the game, or make them difficult to find.)
Your self-imposed 3-month update schedule - overly ambitious. There is a reason, you read about dev TEAMS. As the game grows, more bugs are inevitable & unavoidable, cutting into your development time. More posts are generated, as more players become involved, and note the generosity of your time in the thread. As your time grows short, and pressure builds, it is easy to introduce un-noticed errors into the code.
I think (IMHO), were you to poll the posters who've been with you from the early days, they would gladly accept a 6-month update schedule, as long as you pop into the thread from time to time and re-assure them. I truly believe they would consider time spent on a fresh "Readme" and "Guide" as being 'game development'. It has been my experience that burn-outs lead to abandoned projects. I don't think you are the type, but why risk it?
NOTE TO OTHER MEMBERS: ANYONE WANT TO AGREE? CHIME IN!
Quest log: "... There might me some bugs ... might just be a bug with the quest tracker
Noted. I only mentioned it because the "Event Guide" specifies up to v1.1, not v1.1.3, and wanted to make you aware problem might continue to persist, even if you had worked on it in intervening updates. (Quick note - Your time: Despite fact I'm only up to Jun 30, 2019 in this thread, assume for future replies, I've already read your posts on these subjects. No need to repeat yourself. I'm not saying be rude, just assume I'll find things you've already stated once, or twice, or thrice, on my own.)
Related bug report:
That's one of these "bugs" that happens because of lowers shame too fast. Both the Mia and shaving quest are triggered at the same time. Mia quest is triggered at 57 and Shaving at 55. I might need to put these a bit further apart.
Since it concerns the same NPC only one Event can be active at the same time.
Since the shaving event has "higher prio" it's get processed first. Both events will be processed properly regarding of the order.
I'll think about making some changes. I could perhaps change the order so that the Mia quest gets processed first.
To clarify: In the above posts, I spoke of 2 possible bugs. The first, the 'missing bitmap' and game crash, I now believe have nothing to do with the game (see my preceding post). In fact, kudos! Upon re-starting game, loading previous save, game continued through that point without even a hiccup.
The second bug (and I believe it is a game bug), was the end of library shift/1st notice that dress ordered/goodnight from Lucy/paid twice/not evening but nightfall (including darkening of map graphic.) Like you, I have come to believe it is related to the dress. I'll come back to it later.
Not sure the collision of Mia events was result of cheats, and not calling it a bug. Yes, in first game I used cheats, so coincidentally, shaving/shame level was at same time as Mia package event. In second game, I used no cheats, but did meet Daniel twice in library in week 1, too early to drop shame very far, prior to seeing Mia masturbate. Following morning, Mia confronts May about masturbation, and immediately launches into kissing practice, without any intervening game action. I would not call these bugs, but an odd aspect of the game play, that caught me by surprise, and left me a little confused. Again, by coincidence, both collisions were in close time-proximity to the actual bugs. I mentioned these collisions to try and put context around what I did believe to be bugs, as I don't know what you need to know to resolve whether something is a bug or not.
Stats - Some events only raise exhibition point once. (Park event) while other are increments and you will get a message when a certain increment event won't raise exhibition anymore. By only repeating the webcam events you are able to increase the exhibition up to 37 I believe. There only a small pause if you've already reach the max exhibition point when May still has a bush. After the shaving event more stages open up to increase her exhibition again.
Understood. Like other posters, not sure I agree with where you put the caps. I respect your reasoning, and intent, but re-iterate you are not the ideal play tester in that you know exactly what to do and expect. I will have to replay the park event to make sure I haven't misinterpreted what happened, but in my (limited) experience with the game it seemed not to increment the exhibition stat, if that had already been maxed out on the balcony, even if it was the first time playing the park event. I think I already deliberately tested that condition, but I'll go back and try it again.
The scene skipping is ...
Thanx. Can I assume it is a 'set once and forget' like enable/disable watersports? Something to add to the "Readme".
The saves are compatible, but someone might require to replay from a certain earlier scene, because stuff was added to that scene. Or in case a bug has slipped a particular version.
I think I understand about earlier saves, and will examine the changelog when the update is available, but can you insure that content added to a prior scene is delineated, so we can find the save to go back to?
IF you can get around to an updated scene guide, suggest you provide "official" titles for scenes & events, so all players are speaking the same language.
Not sure what this nightfall bug means exactly.. I did made some changes to the library event in the last version.
It seems it's related to buying the new outfit.
I haven't had any reports of any issues so far. But a bug might have slipped in somehow. If you could provide me those saves I can have a look at the issue.
Update:
I had a quick look at the code and I think I have already found the problem. When the 2nd outfit option becomes available a part of the code is executed twice which mean 2 time "blocks" are skipped instead of one. Also when the 2nd outfit is bought it suppose to skip ahead to a certain part of the
code, but it's not correctly defined makes me wonder how this was working at all. Anyways I can confirm that it's a bug that's related to the changes that I made to this event in the last release.
Do you want further explanations of my experience with the bug (or my saves)? Your post update coincides perfectly with what I experienced. In my first encounter with the bug, I did not buy the dress prior to starting next shift at library, and it was bugged, even though that morning and afternoon (prior to library job) were normal. In trying to work around the bug in a new game, I bought the dress before starting that day's shift at the library, and all was normal.
I'll consider your offer...
Proof reading. I ran into a prior offer by a poster on this thread, and your response. Understand the problem. Offer still stands... However, I am working with WinXp/S3. I have the run-time RGP, but not the game maker proper, and no means to buy it (unless it is free and will install & run on XP?) Is there a free decrypter (that will install & run on XP) that would allow me to extract the strings from my copy of the game? You would still have to deal with the importation problem.
May does awaken in her sleepware, however I created a feature so she will get dressed inmidialty saving a trip to the dresser picking out her clothes.
This was done delibertly te reduce the repearing actions and thus the grind.
Can you make it optional? Perhaps an inventory item to turn it on and off?
The shower event is totally optional and can be ignored completly. Mind you it was mandatory at the start of the game, but I already decided quite soon it was only a waste of time.
I missed the small hint when May wakes, and thinks she needs a shower, just prior to the Mom bathtub scene. Having noted it, I now know I can ignore the shower. Which forces me to ask, if other scenes that might be missed have prior hints. Taking the time to search for hints in the dialogue may go a long way to easing player grind.
Coming back for her pay is only present in some of the older events, this has to do how the event was initial created and my lack knowlegde on how to do this more efficient.
As you might have noticed this doesn't occor in the newwer events and will be changed for some of the older events at some point.
Thanx. Not sure if I've gotten to those newer events yet, other than the cafe. I did notice immediately, she was paid upon changing. We really do see you making un-advertised changes.
I'm already aware of the issue with the standing picture. I've already made some change so then pressing d is only needed once, and implemented the option to disable it complely without it popping back up.
Again, thanx. But where is that feature (v1.1.3)? I've not seen it. Is it in the new update?
About the detour in the studio, Ive had no complains about it really, but I've removed those chairs.
That was simply an example. When a player first starts exploring a map, sure, obstacles are part of the game play. But once they settle into the necessary 'grind' routines, they want a relatively straight shot to their destination. Players don't complain, because if they are posting, it is generally about events, etc. Another example - May changes into swimsuit, walks directly to beach towel, sunbathes, calls it quits, now there is woman on beach towel directly in line with changing room,and she must detour. Yet that woman could have been placed on the other side of May. Individually, they are tiny things, but cumulatively, they detract from player enjoyment, and contribute to grind. Path between beach cafe, and other destinations is overly labrynthian. There are others, but I won't bore you.
Still, these are only my personal opinions. Ignore if you choose.
The glitter is only available in one color by default. ...
Understood. Just want to make you aware of other peoples hardware when you construct future map locations. Things like brightness & contrast are not always under player control. Initially, I've missed things, such as, where to spot May in the photo studio, because of the white floor, or where to take the 1st photo contest pic, in men's room at college, same issue.
Possible bug:
I think this is the same one you talked about in you other post?
Then so I'll be waiting for those saves.
It Might be related to the instant text speed.
If it is it's not fixable at least not for me. It's a combinations of the text skip script that actives when pressing down crtl that seems to skip choices sometimes.
Yes, 1st notice of library dress ordered/premature night block, discussed above. I, too, considered the instant text problem, but didn't test that permutation. Suspect you found the real cause.
However, did want to query you on subject 'instant text'. The "Readme" is vague on the subject. Initially, didn't know if this was a problem with your code or RGP Game Maker problem. Your answer above implies RGP. I never use 'ctrl' key or other text box shortcuts, simply set 'instant text' from your system menu, as regular text draw way too slow my hardware, especially if trying to re-play old scenes to progress game. Reading through thread (only gotten to page 86, at this time) problem only noted so far for webcam, and Gina sleepover. Is it only if using 'ctrl', or 'instant text' generally, and do you know if it affects other events. Would prefer to leave instant on, and turn off for those events, as have been forewarned.
3) You seem to assume that I havn't done that already...
Sorry, didn't mean to imply anything (and you shouldn't assume I assume anything). See, I don't know if you are a brilliant 13-year old girl, or a wizened 90-year old male pervert. Nor am I looking for you to re-write game from scratch. YOU assume I don't understand the complexities involved. (BTW, in dialogue between blindfolded Jack & Mia, she uses the term "prevert". Couldn't ascertain whether that was misspelling on your part or the deliberate use of an American-English colloquialism intended to be funny by Americans.)
My point was, going forward in game development, the concept 'too slow' should climb up your priority list,
IF you intend this game for a wider audience.
I've already been thinking about introducing a option to double lowering shame for May's job, but have hold that off simply because there is a big chance that people will run into some the problems that you've experienced when using these items to lower her shame faster.
Just a thought in passing, as I don't know what specific shame levels trigger what events, but if there is a sufficiently large gap to fill between events by grinding shame at the cafe, perhaps May could temporarily pull double shifts on a single day? Flu bug going around and waitresses in short supply?
4) I'm perfectly aware of that fact. The caps on shame/exhibition and those of the library job and clothing store are artificial. That's how it was designed.
The idea is that moving move on to another job leading to more sexy/sexual encounter and provide some change to the players.
As May shames lowers, it would make no sense that her shame would still be lowered by things she has already grown accustomed too.
Thus she needs to have new experiences to lower her shame further. That the idea behind it at least.
They are made artificial so that I have some control on the flow of events and not that May is already walking around naked while still being ashamed when picking up a fork..
I really do understand your point. My problem, and (I think that of other players) is where and when those caps lock in, and progression of the dialogue to keep the player's interest until the next event. A 'for instance' (just an example, I want to avoid suggesting you re-write early portions of the game, hopefully, I can make my thought clear): In early parts of the game, walking over a steaming manhole, excites her, and causes her to think about exhibitionism, and bump her lust stat. Once she is actively engaged in that kind of activity, she should have the choice to do it deliberately, and bump the shame stat down or the exhibition stat up. The dialogue should change, as she is no longer so naive. I get this may screw up your pre-ordained event chains, and introduce complexities you wanted to avoid. Still, give it some thought. I know you want to progress the game to higher levels, but this goes back to 'polish'. I truly believe you have a potential classic in progress, but it is not there yet.
Saying no is just to give players an option to skip a particular event if there not into it so that they're not forced to watch it.
In a few cases that might lead to that the follow up events in the same event chain are not triggered anymore.
Not sure you understood what I was saying. You spoke of DuDraig's point in game, he has probably "missed some opportunities". What I was trying to say, to use an example, is that if the shaving event is critical to game progression, and the player by taking other actions misses that opportunity, he ought to have a way to get back on track, say an alternate future event. I understand the shaving event is locked in and will occur no matter what (an assumption on my part, reading between the lines), but when you say "missed some opportunities", that seems to imply important events might be missed, not just say bumping a corruption stat. Correct me if I'm misunderstanding you, as we, as players don't know what event chains lead where, or how critical they are, unless you as the developer tell us somehow, either through an "Event Guide", or in-game hints. If in-game, they should probably repeat occasionally, so they are not missed.
One final thought: You've just finished an update. Forget your self-imposed deadline on the next one. Take some time off, and just lay back and think.
