VN New Dev, some questions.

[Noshux]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new developer here, just getting started with Ren'Py and DAZ Studio, and I'm really making progress and learning a ton as I go. For a while now, I've also been planning out a plot for my project, so I'm excited about the direction it's taking.

I've been thinking about how to build a community around my projects and share what I'm working on. I've even set up a Discord server, which felt like the natural first step but there's just me on there for now. My main question is about update frequency, especially since I can't promise super regular updates right now – my results aren't consistent enough to give firm release ETAs. I'm just starting to make actual content instead of just planning, and this has been on my mind:

Updates: Small & Often or Big & Less Frequent?
For players, would you prefer more frequent, smaller updates or larger, more substantial updates that aren't released every 2-4 weeks? I'll definitely be using Discord to keep everyone updated on my progress either way.

DAZ Studio Lighting Struggles
Also, my biggest challenge with DAZ Studio is definitely lighting. I'm aiming for high-quality renders, trying to get things right during rendering so I don't have to do too much post-editing. But whenever I set up a scene and hit render, I keep getting these annoying "fireflies" in certain areas that I just can't seem to get rid of. I've tried placing a low-intensity point light near the problem spots, but that just makes the shadows disappear, which isn't what I want. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for dealing with fireflies or improving lighting in DAZ?

Any advice on either front would be really helpful!

 

[Golden Goose Studios]

i don't deal with DAZ but for the former, aiming for a release every 2 weeks puts more eyes on your project, but i'd have a strong v0.1 first. Though, i wouldn't compromise quality over quantity.

 

[Noshux]

i don't deal with DAZ but for the former, aiming for a release every 2 weeks puts more eyes on your project, but i'd have a strong v0.1 first. Though, i wouldn't compromise quality over quantity.

Appreciate your answer and the confirmation on aiming for a strong v0.1! That's definitely my goal. I'm curious to see how much content I can manage within a two-week release schedule; I'll be doing some testing on that front once the core code is complete and the collectibles are hidden.

On another note, I briefly looked into alternative image software like Koikatsu or other Illusion products. However, I struggled to find decent guides for obtaining or creating assets, and I also couldn't quite get the hang of making images within their editors.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

I'm curious to see how much content I can manage within a two-week release schedule

As someone who did this for 2 years straight, don't. The strain isn't worth it. I put out 40 minute updates every two weeks, and it was absolutely brutal. If you're using daz, the render times are an additional time killer.

On another note, I briefly looked into alternative image software like Koikatsu or other Illusion products. However, I struggled to find decent guides for obtaining or creating assets, and I also couldn't quite get the hang of making images within their editors.

If you download the better repacks (Which, you kinda have to as those are the only real way to obtain them) they come with thousands of assets to use. If you decide to go the illusion route, you can @ me with any questions and I'll try my best to answer them. I use KK, but HS2 is similar enough that I can give the basics.

 

[Noshux]

As someone who did this for 2 years straight, don't. The strain isn't worth it. I put out 40 minute updates every two weeks, and it was absolutely brutal. If you're using daz, the render times are an additional time killer.

If you download the better repacks (Which, you kinda have to as those are the only real way to obtain them) they come with thousands of assets to use. If you decide to go the illusion route, you can @ me with any questions and I'll try my best to answer them. I use KK, but HS2 is similar enough that I can give the basics.

depending on the scene, i need either 5-10 min for a dark shot (moonlight, etc.) and about 35-40 min for a fully lit scene. my 4060 is hustling. i definitly plan on upgrading my rig, but it is pretty much maxed out for my current mainboard. i don't think i can push that much playtime on a 2 week update schedule, i've been thinking of either 4 weeks or just whenever its ready, as i dont want to miss small mistakes that could be avoided or go down in overall quality. i can work daily on it, but not for that much time, as i do have other things to do and take care of so i'm still unsure about that schedule.

i did download the better repack, Koikatsu RX21 / PH BetterRepack R3.2. but there isn't everything in there that i would need as props or maps. also for the other project i had in mind before the current one, i would need a lot of "Medieval" stuff that i didnt find in there and nowhere else. like a Horse-drawn carriage for example. also, some of these animations are weird in pose where i couldnt find out why, it felt like its because of the size difference of the characters, but i wasnt sure. and as i said in my other response, i couldnt figure out on how to actually get a "render" / "image" out of there as i couldnt find a button for it

I would like to know on how to work with Koikatsu, but i don't think that the "Artstyle" would match the project i decided to work on now with DAZ.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

i don't think i can push that much playtime on a 2 week update schedule, i've been thinking of either 4 weeks

I moved to a monthly schedule for my second game because two weeks just isn't enough time. You end up having to cut a ton of corners, and I only know of one other dev who does it. (Though, they don't have animations.)

and as i said in my other response, i couldnt figure out on how to actually get a "render" / "image" out of there as i couldnt find a button for it

The button is F11. There's no UI button. After that, it's in your KK/HS folder. UserData/cap for KK, probably similar to HS.

But you're going daz, so that points moot.

 

[Noshux]

The button is F11. There's no UI button. After that, it's in your KK/HS folder. UserData/cap for KK, probably similar to HS.

ohhhh yeah my dumbass didn't think about that, espacially since F11 is usually for full screen mode

But you're going daz, so that points moot.

Yeah, but it's not wasted knowledge, as i like to learn new things and that will definitly be useful. maybe not now, but later

Ohh also, how did you startwith your first game, as "promotion"? to get people to know about you and your games?

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

Ohh also, how did you startwith your first game, as "promotion"? to get people to know about you and your games?

I just posted it here, but a lot of devs do stuff like reddit posts on adult game subreddits, twitter/bluesky posts, etc.

 

[Noshux]

I just posted it here, but a lot of devs do stuff like reddit posts on adult game subreddits, twitter/bluesky posts, etc.

i see, thank you!

 

[sauron_mv]

Updates: Small & Often or Big & Less Frequent?
For players, would you prefer more frequent, smaller updates or larger, more substantial updates that aren't released every 2-4 weeks?

I don't think you can release a major update in 2-4 weeks, especially if you use DAZ. But the answer to your question is: players always want the longest episode possible.

 

[Noshux]

I don't think you can release a major update in 2-4 weeks, especially if you use DAZ. But the answer to your question is: players always want the longest episode possible.

i see, thank you!