BigJoe644
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- May 1, 2024
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Development Update: Rework Before v0.17
Just now
Hi everyone,
I wanted to give you an update on what I’m currently working on, and what my plans are moving forward.
Right now, I’m catching up on the pinups I’m behind on, and I should be finished with those after the weekend.
Before I begin work on the next big update—v0.17—there’s something I need to do first.
I need to return to some unfinished work on the existing content. I know some people don’t love it when developers go back to rework old material, but in this case, it’s something that really needs to be done.
Why the rework is necessary:
I originally started working on this rework during the development of v0.14. I put about four weeks into it, but eventually set it aside so I wouldn’t delay that release any further.
At the time, my sister was battling cancer, and as her condition worsened, I began to struggle. I dropped the rework completely to focus on getting new content finished instead. Then, as many of you know, 2024 was a difficult year for me personally. My sister passed away, and I paused my Patreon for six months.
During that time, I came very close to giving up on Hillside. Not because I wanted to, but because passion and creativity are fragile things—and when they leave you, you’re not sure if they’ll come back. I simply couldn’t see a way forward.
Thankfully, in time, the creativity and energy did return. I was able to continue development, but after all the disruption, I felt it was best to start moving forward again and release something new. Now that v0.16 is complete, I need to go back and finish what I started.
This rework is even more necessary now than when I first began it. During that difficult period, I often had to cut things that weren’t essential just to keep things going. For example:
I honestly don’t know yet. I want to get it done as quickly as possible—I understand how people feel about reworks—but I also want to do it properly. I’m very excited to begin work on v0.17, and I want to move onto it as soon as I can.
v0.17 will bring an end to what I consider the “dark phase” of the story. That phase was necessary to set up what’s coming next—more focus on the development of the romantic relationships.
The plan from here:
I’ll be releasing an updated version: v0.16.2 [REWORK], which will include the new content and bug fixes listed above. Once that’s out, I’ll post the first teasers for v0.17 and begin full development on it.
In the meantime, I’ll keep you updated on how the rework is going.
Thanks again for your support.
DB
Just now
Hi everyone,
I wanted to give you an update on what I’m currently working on, and what my plans are moving forward.
Right now, I’m catching up on the pinups I’m behind on, and I should be finished with those after the weekend.
Before I begin work on the next big update—v0.17—there’s something I need to do first.
I need to return to some unfinished work on the existing content. I know some people don’t love it when developers go back to rework old material, but in this case, it’s something that really needs to be done.
Why the rework is necessary:
I originally started working on this rework during the development of v0.14. I put about four weeks into it, but eventually set it aside so I wouldn’t delay that release any further.
At the time, my sister was battling cancer, and as her condition worsened, I began to struggle. I dropped the rework completely to focus on getting new content finished instead. Then, as many of you know, 2024 was a difficult year for me personally. My sister passed away, and I paused my Patreon for six months.
During that time, I came very close to giving up on Hillside. Not because I wanted to, but because passion and creativity are fragile things—and when they leave you, you’re not sure if they’ll come back. I simply couldn’t see a way forward.
Thankfully, in time, the creativity and energy did return. I was able to continue development, but after all the disruption, I felt it was best to start moving forward again and release something new. Now that v0.16 is complete, I need to go back and finish what I started.
This rework is even more necessary now than when I first began it. During that difficult period, I often had to cut things that weren’t essential just to keep things going. For example:
- The achievements system was put on hold
- The number of choices was minimized
- Suzi’s role has suffered—her relationship with the MC should be more developed than it currently is
- What I’ll be working on during the rework:
- Fixing various bugs and technical issues
- Expanding Suzi’s existing scenes
- Adding a subplot for Suzi to better understand her character
- Updating older sex scenes to match the quality of the newer ones
- Adding two missing sex scenes (Kaylah and Agent Fox)
- Fixing the achievements
- Adding more choices at appropriate moments
I honestly don’t know yet. I want to get it done as quickly as possible—I understand how people feel about reworks—but I also want to do it properly. I’m very excited to begin work on v0.17, and I want to move onto it as soon as I can.
v0.17 will bring an end to what I consider the “dark phase” of the story. That phase was necessary to set up what’s coming next—more focus on the development of the romantic relationships.
The plan from here:
I’ll be releasing an updated version: v0.16.2 [REWORK], which will include the new content and bug fixes listed above. Once that’s out, I’ll post the first teasers for v0.17 and begin full development on it.
In the meantime, I’ll keep you updated on how the rework is going.
Thanks again for your support.
DB
Zorro#34
Active Member
- Apr 23, 2022
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It's good news that Suzi's getting the rework developing her relationship with the MC, as seeing her going rabid at him at the same time when Charlotte was already fully trusting him and Emma was fascinated with him didn't do her any favours.
I wonder whether I should wait some more to continue my playthrough (currently paused on Ep. 14) to get the best experience with the rework?
Joshy92
Message Maven
- Mar 25, 2021
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DB is so raw and honest in that Patreon post. I consider DB not just a great dev but also a great person.
We love you man and the fact that you keep on pushing forward with the story makes me respect you even more if that were possible.
I hope you have a good second half of the year filled with lots of memories you can cherish forever.
We love you man and the fact that you keep on pushing forward with the story makes me respect you even more if that were possible.
I hope you have a good second half of the year filled with lots of memories you can cherish forever.
You had me with expanding Suzi's plot and developing better her relationship with the MC, and also with adding the Agent Fox sex scene
I also had a rough 2024, so I can totally understand you and I'm just glad you haven't given up on this amazing AVN!
Can't wait for the rework and the update, and I hope you also get to enjoy life besides working on the game.
Dessolos
Post Pro
- Jul 25, 2017
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now im glad I never finished replaying the game for Lucy's route as it seems I have even more reason just to replay the game and just re do all my saves once the rework is out
Dessolos
Post Pro
- Jul 25, 2017
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I actually downloaded this game for Lucy but never played her path as I just got attached to Charlotte after some time
- Aug 9, 2020
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I don't really remember, but it was probably Emma that made me get it first, but the way she is written eventually made me shift focus to her mother. But I never really felt the connection there, and I think Lucy is prettier and probably a lot more fun to be with.
DIKHammer
Well-Known Member
- Dec 30, 2024
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Yeah Charlotte is the reason I play Hillside, but Kaylah is a not too distant second especially after e15
Dessolos
Post Pro
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I don't think I can comment on who I think is prettier because after I got attached to charlotte it's hard for me to not see her as a top tier LI when it comes to looks but I know alot of it is because my bias towards her.
Honestly it was Charlotte's story that made me feel the connection as I really felt bad for the character so I wanted to give her path a try because of it. Then all the little moments added up for me. Like seeing her inner thoughts about how she feels , her opening up to the MC , going out of her way to be extra nice towards the MC after how she was towards him etc etc. Just all added up to make me feel a connection there.
oh yeah after this update while I like Charlotte more i'm starting to question if I might even prefer Kaylah on some level. Not even because you can have sex with her I like all the romantic moments with her. I think part of is because Kaylah's character comes across what Charlotte would of been or could of been like if she wasn't afraid of intimacy because of her trauma. As I feel both characters are pretty similar and close to one another in how they would act and feel when it comes to romance just one is closed off. I could be reading into things that's not there.
Only HillsideVN knows. Also sorry for tagging you DB. I'm just kind of curious if my guess is kind of close or if I am reading to much into something that is not there assuming it's something you can or willing to share.
- Aug 9, 2020
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Since I haven't played the last couple of updates, there's obviously a fair amount of relationship development I haven't seen yet, especially with Charlotte, so take the following with that in mind
Her story is deeply touching, my MC would do anything to help her, but more as a friend than partner. Lucy also has a touching story, less traumatic but also shaping her and holding her back perhaps. Always in her sister's shadow, even embracing that role, but feeling that something is missing in her life. My MC is drawn to that, and wants to lessen that fundamental sadness I believe is there.
Lot many "Images not found" from '16_42_070' onward. Please look into it.
Bugs Bunny :paranoid
Active Member
- Feb 23, 2025
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Man, I'm really looking forward to more content with Lucy
It's time for her to have everything since she did a lot for the family she deserves our Mc.
And waiting for more content from Suzi, this beast is one of my favorites along with her aunt and Kaylah
It's time for her to have everything since she did a lot for the family she deserves our Mc.
And waiting for more content from Suzi, this beast is one of my favorites along with her aunt and Kaylah
Thanks, Joshy. And Dynamike
I guess so, in some ways.
Kaylah is over-confident and was fine as long as she was in control, but now things have changed, she suddenly feels vulnerable and unsure of herself.
Charlotte, on the other hand, is guarded on the surface, but she has a steely core and knows exactly who she is. She’s also emotionally mature, thanks to her age and experience as a mother.
So when it comes to romance, they’re actually heading in opposite directions right now. Kaylah’s in unfamiliar territory and is starting to lose her confidence, while Charlotte is becoming more confident as she learns to trust the MC—revealing a more playful and affectionate side.
Dessolos
Post Pro
- Jul 25, 2017
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Thanks for the answer yeah I kind of had a feeling I was reading to much into things a bit but also felt like I wasn't entirely off the mark either.
AsherLikeYou
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- Jan 12, 2018
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balboa2151
Active Member
- Jun 10, 2023
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hello everyone, I'm starting a new game because I didn't like my choices before, the first play through I didn't choose Lucy because I thought that Charolette was sexier but after choosing Charolette it's like dragging my testicles over broken glass trying to make progress with her, soooooo if I choose lucy can I decide later to choose Emma or her Suzi? I realize that you can only choose one character and I know that I'd probably hurt Lucy and I know it sounds like a dick move but I just don't find Lucy sexy but I feel bad because I remember she said" everyone always chooses Charlotte over me", any opinion would be appreciated