3.90 star(s) 22 Votes

dolfe67

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Apr 25, 2020
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13,398
# Dev Log #3 | Episode 1

### Progress Update and More!

Progress on Episode 1 continues smoothly, and I'm thrilled to bring the next chapter to you. However, as mentioned earlier, the initial 'late December / early January' timeline will need to officially extend into January 2024. Why? Because I want to ensure the best experience for you, and sometimes taking extra time ensures its delivery. Sharing a slight delay is never easy, but it's for the best. I hope you can understand and respect my decision. I'm putting in a lot of effort to deliver unique scenes and environments not seen in other AVNs, such as small things like a ground-up creation of a grocery store called Caremart.

### Early Release of Episode 1
I plan to release a beta version of Episode 1 on Patreon and SubscriberStar 3-7 days earlier than its release on Steam and itch.io. This isn't about trying to generate more revenue but rather to address errors, grammatical issues, and more before the final release on Steam and itch.io, platforms where people can leave reviews.

### Developer Update
For those unaware, Hardenville is currently developed solely by me. Sometimes I refer to 'we,' pertaining to JoyFI Games, and at other times, 'I' or 'me,' referring to myself as the sole developer. It's important to note that I'm passionately working on this project and am truly enjoying every hour spent crafting an extended experience in Hardenville for all of you.

### New Equipment
As mentioned earlier, I applied for a loan from my bank to purchase a powerful new PC rig valued at approximately $10,000. However, due to their excessive collateral requirements, I've decided not to proceed with the loan. Instead, I'll invest in 50% of the equipment using the initial Steam revenue in early January. This will still grant us a highly functional second PC for rendering. The remaining 50% of the planned PC equipment will be purchased once the second Steam revenue arrives in early February.

### Episode 2 and Beyond
With the holiday season approaching, many enjoy vacations and reduced work hours. However, for me, it means dedicating more time to work on the project. Starting January, I'll be able to officially work full-time on Hardenville, all thanks to your support. I deeply appreciate every purchase, wishlist addition, like, review, and more. Thank you, everyone!

After the release of Episode 1, I plan to take a break of one to two weeks to relax, play games, unwind with friends, and savor life's moments. Then, I'll commence production on Episode 2, which I'm sure many of you are eagerly anticipating. Why? Because Johanna will return home early from her honeymoon due to unforeseen circumstances..
View attachment 3186049 View attachment 3186051
A loan for a $10k PC? That was ambitious. Will there be enough content in episode 1 to have good sales on Steam? Wish you well. Renders are great, but I'm mixed on the story. Will see
 

JoyFI Games

Hardenville
Game Developer
May 9, 2022
158
965
A loan for a $10k PC? That was ambitious. Will there be enough content in episode 1 to have good sales on Steam? Wish you well. Renders are great, but I'm mixed on the story. Will see
Hey,

Episode 1 will feature at least 90 minutes of fresh linear story content. As of today, we've sold a little over 2,000 copies on Steam. However, it's not simply multiplying 2,000 by $9, as the game's price varies slightly across countries due to currency differences. On top of that, there are factors like VAT, the Steam cut, and other taxes to consider. Nevertheless, I'm incredibly grateful for the early support we've received. It truly motivates me to dedicate more than a thousand hours to this project over the next two years. I firmly believe that Hardenville's Steam sales will continue to rise with each new Episode.

I want to be honest; while I acknowledge that Hardenville isn't perfect right now, I'm committed to elevating it to a 10/10 in the future. I understand that opinions on the current story may be mixed, but I'm optimistic that Episode 1 will offer something you'll enjoy. Additionally, I plan to revisit the Prologue at some point to enhance its impact and make it even better.
 

JoyFI Games

Hardenville
Game Developer
May 9, 2022
158
965
Merry Christmas!
We hope that for all of you celebrating Christmas, whether with loved ones, friends, or alone, you'll have a fantastic holiday season.

A hint for Episode 1
"It's sad that MC's bed isn't a bit larger..." You'll find out what that's all about in the upcoming Episode 1 of Hardenville.

Take Care
Onto something completely different and much more important than some Christmas marketing for an AVN.

Since it's Christmas, many out there feel alone, depressed, and unsure about the future. Remember that there will always be great times ahead, even when it feels like rock bottom. You're strong, and you will make it through this. Please contact professionals if you ever doubt yourself.

It's crucial that we think about and care for those around us during these times. Greet your old neighbor and wish them a Merry Christmas, send a text to your friend or colleague. You never know what they're struggling with. A simple reminder that people care can truly save lives.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Special.png
 
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darlic

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2017
1,881
3,189
JoyFI Games Do you have plans to add a harem to the game or will you have to choose who you want :unsure: ?
And I'd like to add to the question: if the harem is not planned, can you still be with all the girls without any negative consequences (aka the man whore route)?
 

jhonatanw

Engaged Member
Jun 21, 2022
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And I'd like to add to the question: if the harem is not planned, can you still be with all the girls without any negative consequences (aka the man whore route)?
As a harem, trisal, quartet player, so far so good, but I stay away from games where the developer puts 10 to 15 Lis or even more just to force you to choose :FacePalm:, like certain developers out there that I won't go to name the game starts harem with about 3 to 4 chapters left to finish forcing you to choose a Li so you can finish then that was very naughty :mad:
 

jhonatanw

Engaged Member
Jun 21, 2022
2,843
3,012
And I'd like to add to the question: if the harem is not planned, can you still be with all the girls without any negative consequences (aka the man whore route)?
Routes in game I rarely do because depending on the game if it's too big I just follow my rule and take the ones that come in front of me if it doesn't matter what happens :LOL::LOL:

Only the ones that really caught my attention, I made an effort to do it ;)
 

JoyFI Games

Hardenville
Game Developer
May 9, 2022
158
965
JoyFI Games Do you have plans to add a harem to the game or will you have to choose who you want :unsure: ?
I have just read through all the tags (Tags Rules And List | F95zone) and have written down the current and planned tags for Hardenville.

Current Tags:
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Planned Tags For Episode 1:
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Future Planned Tags:
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AlexMpog

Member
Oct 17, 2022
442
1,314
I have just read through all the tags (Tags Rules And List | F95zone) and have written down the current and planned tags for Hardenville.

Current Tags:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Planned Tags For Episode 1:
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Future Planned Tags:
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Heya.

First of all - Happy New Year, I hope you and your game will do fine during the year.

Secondly - thank you for writing out tags.
Though, it would be great if you also noted which tags are optional, I know you might don't know about some of them yet, but there also some you do. Like, for example "Harem", I remember it's optional, and there are a lot of players who is into monogamous/solo (or maybe throuples) routes/endings like me and they will be asking, the more content you will release the more often new players will be asking, so noting it right away in description might save you a lot of time in future.
P.S. And "Multiple Endings" tag doesn't cover it cause there a lot of harem-only games with such tag as well.
The same about others fetishes.
 
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jhonatanw

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Jun 21, 2022
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I have just read through all the tags (Tags Rules And List | F95zone) and have written down the current and planned tags for Hardenville.

Current Tags:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Planned Tags For Episode 1:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Future Planned Tags:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Harem, Milf, Pregnancy as future tags plus current Incest is already my day ;)

Thanks for responding and happy new year
 
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JoyFI Games

Hardenville
Game Developer
May 9, 2022
158
965
Heya.

First of all - Happy New Year, I hope you and your game will do fine during the year.

Secondly - thank you for writing out tags.
Though, it would be great if you also noted which tags are optional, I know you might don't know about some of them yet, but there also some you do. Like, for example "Harem", I remember it's optional, and there are a lot of players who is into monogamous/solo (or maybe throuples) routes/endings like me and they will be asking, the more content you will release the more often new players will be asking, so noting it right away in description might save you a lot of time in future.
P.S. And "Multiple Endings" tag doesn't cover it cause there a lot of harem-only games with such tag as well.
The same about others fetishes.
Thank you very much. Happy New Year to you as well.

I agree with you that I should have added "optional" for those who will be, and I've just updated it to include "optional" for the ones that I strongly believe will be optional tags.
 

fishbrain

Engaged Member
Apr 9, 2018
2,753
3,028
Dev Log #4 | Episode 1

Purchase of New Equipment
I'm excited to share an update regarding my previous post about acquiring a second computer for rendering and animations, equipped with an RTX 4090, 14th-gen i9, and all that powerful hardware. I've just received my first payment from Steam (sales from November), and along with the payments from Patreon, SubscriberStar, and Itch.io, I'm thrilled to announce that I placed an order for a complete set of parts today. Some items were out of stock and will arrive a few days later than the others. Nevertheless, we're expanding to enable multitasking with two computers side-by-side, featuring an RTX 3090 and RTX 4090. This wouldn't have been possible without your support!

Oh, and as a token of appreciation for all your support, Johanna offered to take care of the laundry today!
View attachment 3212174
View attachment 3212179
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Oh no! She appears to be stuck!!
 
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darlic

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2017
1,881
3,189
Thank you very much. Happy New Year to you as well.

I agree with you that I should have added "optional" for those who will be, and I've just updated it to include "optional" for the ones that I strongly believe will be optional tags.
I think I'm gonna play this game "full-optional" mode hehe. Looking forward to episode 1 :p
 
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jhonatanw

Engaged Member
Jun 21, 2022
2,843
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# Dev Log #5 | Episode 1

## Calling All Translators!
We're thrilled to announce that we're actively seeking translators from our community for multiple languages—a highly requested feature since the launch of The Prologue. With Hardenville, we are committed to enhancing the user experience and building a better Adult Visual Novel.

Our primary focus is on finding translators for the following languages:
- English (proofreading, minimizing grammar mistakes)
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Simplified Chinese
- Russian
- Secondary priorities include:
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Korean
- Japanese

Q: Who can apply as a translator for Hardenville?
A: Everyone!

Q: What experience do I need?
A: Mastery of the target language and a strong understanding of English.

Q: How can I apply?
A: Share a bit about yourself, the language you'd like to translate, and send us an email at contact@joyfigames.com

Q: How many will be selected?
A: We aim to have at least two individuals for each language.

Q: When will I know if I've been selected as a translator?
A: While we're prioritizing this process, it may take a few weeks. You'll receive a confirmation email promptly upon receiving your application.

Q: What happens if I get selected?
A: Once selected, you'll gain access to an exclusive Discord channel for all translators and another exclusive channel specifically for translators of the chosen language.

Q: What do I get in return?
A: Exclusive insights into Hardenville's development, early access to builds, and the highest tier on Discord, offering exclusive renders. In the coming months, we plan to extend additional perks such as Steam gift cards. It's important to note that, initially, translation of Hardenville is a community project, and the benefits are not comparable to a permanent translator position.

## New Equipment
After some time, we've received the majority of our PC parts for our second build, featuring a 14th gen i9, 128GB DDR5 RAM, 4TB of NVMe storage, and more. Unfortunately, the RTX 4090 I desire is still out of stock, leading me to temporarily borrow the RTX 3090 from my old rig. Despite having one PC rig to work on, it's already noticeably faster and smoother. The build took longer than expected, marking the first time in two or three years since the last rig.

## VR
Additionally, I've invested in the Meta Quest 3 to explore the potential of Hardenville in VR. While it's too early to promise anything, I'll dedicate time after Episode 1's release to assess the viability of a VR version. If feasible, it will be released at no extra cost as a separate installation due to potential huge file size. I aim to render in 8k for impressive VR quality, with hopes of supporting the same game saves.
However, we may be getting ahead of ourselves. I'll provide an update in a few weeks or months regarding VR support.

## New Website
I recently purchased the domains joyfigames.com and hardenville.com, completing the setup to look decent for now. Stay tuned for exciting plans for this website in the future.
Check out JoyFI Games – Creating Adult Visual Novels

## Progress on Episode 1
Since the start of January, progress on Episode 1 hasn't met my initial expectations due to multitasking and the challenge of perfecting certain scenes. Some days, rendering takes 1-2 hours, and on completion, I may need to redo them to meet my standards. This can be frustrating, and I understand it may be for you too. However, I'm pleased with the current look, and with the website and new rig set up, progress will be faster moving forward.

A burning question you likely have:
Q: Will Hardenville Episode 1 still be released in January?
A: Right now, all I can say is that I truly hope so. I understand your frustration for delays, and believe me, nobody dislikes them more than I do..

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3.90 star(s) 22 Votes