Hi everyone!
I'm sorry for not having kept this thread as updated as on our discord server - I got a bit overwhelmed with life.
As some have mentionned, Spi, the original artist that cocreated the game with CassieSuccubi (me) left before v. 0.2 was completed. Another artist, Mysterious Stranger, filled in for him so we could finish v.0.2, but could not continue further. Happily, shortly after I announced Mysterious Stranger's departure from the project, I got contacted by another artist who was willing to collaborate long-term. It is therefore my pleasure to introduce Dubious Practice new artist and co-creator: Fiddlesticks!
However, this new addition means a number of change to the game as it exists now. In Fiddlesticks' own words : "my style of bimbofication is a lot tamer than Spi's - my physical transformations aren't nearly as exaggerated or... well, large." Now, I'm still convinced most of you will love Fiddlesticks art anyway but that does mean that existing characters will look a little different from now on. And that new characters you have not seen yet but that Spi or MS had done art for will be redrawn by the new artist. Furthermore, we will progressively update the existing renders as well so the game can have one consistent look.
However, I have no intention of erasing Spi or MS' work from the game. As such, new versions of the game will offer an alternate image pack contain replacement piece by Spi and/or MS when available. If you so choose, you can simple replace the image pack that comes with the game with this one. Note that Spi and MS' art may not fully fit with the story, as plans change and evolve as I write the game, but you will still have the option to use the art nonetheless.
This leads me to announce v. 0.2.5, which will be available later tonight (as soon as I get it uploaded on three sites and update the main thread).
V.0.2.5 does not contain any story progression. The endpoint for it is the same as it was for v0.2. Instead, v.0.2.5 is a mechanical rejiggering of the game's player stat system in order to respond to feedback and reduce grindness. The game's intro has also been rewritten and and a few other systems polished. Some portraits have also been rerendered by the new artist. Here is the full changelog:
- A completely rewritten intro by myself and Fiddlesticks in order to tighten it a bit and fix a few minor plot holes that bugged me.
- The player stat system has been heavily tweaked. Training a skill in town will no longer allow you to get a skill higher than +2. In exchange, sessions with Alex now also improve your stats when appropriate. As a consequence, starting choice of stat focus now only gets you a +1 bonus to the chosen stat instead of +2. and the "lower the power" option has been removed.
- The "Freelance work" activity has been replaced by the "Schedule an extra client" activity. Right now there 6 random blurbs for this activity. More will be added in subsequent releases.
- Some sessions will now raise Alex skills by more than 1 point, to signify more important events.
- Reinstated Alex's Wednesday session in stage 2. Tweaked her emails in consequence.
- Added a Calendar page, accessible from the sidebar. This will let you know where Alex (and eventually, other characters) is on any given day, as long as you have unlocked the info in story.
- Updated some of Spi's art with Fiddlesticks'.
- Bug reported by ding dong above has been fixed.
Known issue: If you are in the middle of a training session and you click on a sidebar links (case files/calendar/examine yourself), then come back, you can screw up the variables and cause the game to glitch. I know how to fix that, but it is going to take me a bit of time, so it will be fixed in v0.3. In the meantime, just refrain from using sidebar links while in a scene - just wait for when you are in a free-roam location instead.
This update goal is to give player the time to replay the game with the new mechanic, and thus be up to date when v0.3 comes along. v.0.3 is in development as we speak. Professionnal unstability prevents me from giving any realistic ETA, but we're actively working on it.
Thank you all for your patience with us!
Cassie-Succubi
