VN Ren'Py Race of Life [Act 1 v1.04.5] [Underground Studio]

[Sony676]

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Hey everyone!

I’ve been delaying this announcement for a while… and many of you have been asking recently whether the update "might" still come this year. I really hoped it would, I pushed hard to try to make it happen, but for several reasons, it just won’t be possible. I want to explain everything clearly:

• Renders:
All renders are done. Of course, during testing there are always a few missing shots (that’s normal), but everything I planned, everything I managed to get back to for now - I finished.
However, there are still 500+ renders left to be rendered, and even with two PCs working nonstop, that alone means days of pure rendering time… and I still need time for all the other tasks.

• Animations:
There are a lot of animations left to render.
Because I changed the animation workflow and length, each animation now takes significantly longer - lighting, setup, the whole process became heavier. But I think the difference is obvious to the naked eye, and with every update I want them to look even better.
There are also a few animations still left to make. And when I’m working on animations, I can’t render images, so one thing slows down the other.

• Voice work:
Only two girls have their voices done so far. Several more still need theirs.
This part is out of my hands - I rely on other creators and Voice Actors, and I can’t pressure them too much. I also started this whole voice-pipeline a bit too late, even though I had many attempts and conversations before. Only in the past month have we really pushed forward in a serious, organized way.
My hope is that once the network is built, future updates will get their audio much earlier and this won’t cause delays anymore.

• And then… testing, Photoshop:
I only finished photoshopping three scenes so far. Additionally, the testers also need proper time for testing, feedback, and fixes. The holiday season is always busier for everyone, and I don’t want to put pressure on them. I want the testing phase to be calm and thorough. I also want to take the time to test everything myself as carefully as possible, because there are now many different paths, and with each update the game can be played in more and more ways. My own testing is usually rushed and done late at night, so this time I’d really like to give myself more time to do it properly.

On paper it all sounds small - and the story + text + renders are indeed done - but there are so many small details still unfinished, half-done, or hanging in the air.

Could I work days and nights, pressure everyone, and maybe force it out before Christmas?
Maybe.
But I’ve been through that hell once already when releasing Act 1 on Steam, and I honestly don’t want to put myself in that same place again. It left a mark on me, and I want to avoid that burnout spiral.
And with the holidays coming, I’d really like to spend a bit of calm time with my family instead of sitting stressed in front of the PC, knowing we’re “so close yet not quite ready.”
I know you’ve been waiting a long time.

And trust me - I’ve been waiting just as long to let you finally play this update. For me, this is my favorite one so far (though I guess each new one becomes my favorite, because I’m constantly learning and improving).

So at this point, I can safely say the update will release in January or February.
Once everything is wrapped up, I’ll give you a proper date breakdown like always.
My hope is that we start the new year by playing the new Race of Life update together. ❤

A bit of good news:
Over the last few days, I let the PCs render nonstop and focused on finishing the story and scene structure for Episode 5. I sent everything to Joshua today - which means he can start writing calmly while I finish polishing this update.
In the past, I always sent him the full outline after release, which usually delayed the next part by about a month. So maybe this time things will go smoother.

Thank you for sticking with me.

As soon as everything is rendered, I’ll let you know - and I hope we can also lock in the voice work so the full experience feels complete for you.

❤ Thank you for your patience, your support, and for being here with us.

Oh look a dev with full transparency and no BS. A very rare occasion. I really like this duo since they always give detailed information and don't even try to mess with you. I was also hoping for a new update this month but I at least know for a fact that those guys are working hard and their updates always feel rewarding. Let's cross our fingers for January!

 

[notgear]

Voice work

Who asked for this?

 

[Idontplay]

There is people who demands (not asks, just demands) that. I'm not among them, since I always play in mute mode, but it is a very important feature for some people.

 

[Dessolos]

Who asked for this?

I know people were asking for moans and stuff like that. Im a bit unclear if it's actual voice acting or just sex stuff

 

[NukaCola]

I know people were asking for moans and stuff like that. Im a bit unclear if it's actual voice acting or just sex stuff

If it was just moans then I'm fine with it. But dialogue voice over in VN is just a waste of time and money imo.
I have yet to see a good voice acting in AVN. Most of them just sound like cheap porno videos and cringe.
And even if they sound good. I usually finished reading the dialogue before the voice actors finish the line. So I end up skip it anyway.

 

[Dessolos]

If it was just moans then I'm fine with it. But dialogue voice over in VN is just a waste of time and money imo.
I have yet to see a good voice acting in AVN. Most of them just sound like cheap porno videos and cringe.
And even if they sound good. I usually finished reading the dialogue before the voice actors finish the line. So I end up skip it anyway.

I play one that I consider to have good voice acting but I hear you. I actually listen to all the lines if there is voice acting even if it's bad quality I just like to have it but not something I want dev's to spend time on.

 

[Quibble Bubble]

If it was just moans then I'm fine with it. But dialogue voice over in VN is just a waste of time and money imo.
I have yet to see a good voice acting in AVN. Most of them just sound like cheap porno videos and cringe.
And even if they sound good. I usually finished reading the dialogue before the voice actors finish the line. So I end up skip it anyway.

An update a while back said it was just for lewd scenes. Don't know if that's just moans or dialogue lines too though.

 

[Gicoo]

I mean, Allison herself admitted their marriage was heading the Titanic's way, and both she and the MC only did the bare minimum to save it, MC's aware of it too. When and why the divorce came is irrelevant knowing that marriage had an almost 100% chance of failure.

See, it was Allison who pushed a naked Jake right into their coworkers vagina.

 

[King Cule]

I'm new here, so I guess I have more time to play all routes until the new update arrived.

 

[xXwankerXx]

See, it was Allison who pushed a naked Jake right into their coworkers vagina.

Look, don't try to give me sass on this topic, cuz I'll roast the shit out of you in return, and don't pretend lil accidents don't happen IRL too. I saw shit like that happen in movies, and movies do not ever lie, as everyone knows.

Joke aside, I know it's easier to play the role of the victim instead of trying to do some critical thinking and analyze the good and the bad parts in your relationship, or marriage in our fictional case, but at some point, Allison should try to at least get some sort of closure by asking herself what he missed in their marriage to make the MC cheat, and if nothing important, except him obviously wanting new pussy, was the problem, why does she keep crying over losing a cheating POS, when she, unlike most men, could easily have a fuck ton of options for flings, one-night stands and long-term commitments ??

She herself says something along these lines to the MC, if the player picks having dinner with her over tea with Kalani. After reading this part in the story, why Allison keeps ranting on about him being a cheating SOB doesn't make any sense to me, and no, it's not love or jealousy, it's her fragile ego speaking for her bcz she knows the MC has an FwB like Veronica and gets a lot of attention from other attractive women, younger and older ones, while her quality options are becoming fewer and fewer as time passes.

Bottom line is this, the MC din't throw his marriage vows out the window and cheat on Allison the first or second time his pee-pee needed some love and she was too tired from work to do her wifey duties, he only did it after years of arguing, ignoring, lack of intimacy and (mostly) running away from the problems in their marriage.

It's why said I understand, not condone, what he did... obviously, the best option would've been to divorce her and stay on friendly terms with the mother of his daughter or, my personal best choice, not get married so young until he had his fair share of fun, got his life together and was able to provide for his family.

Now, reverse genders and ask yourselves what Allison would've gotten as a punishment for doing the same thing. Wrong answers only from those of you who know just how 'harshly' divorce courts treat cheating wives or baby mamas compared to husbands and baby daddies.

 

[Gicoo]

Look, don't try to give me sass on this topic, cuz I'll roast the shit out of you in return

Nah, you post occasionaly over the years in this thread about this and outed yourself as a staunch cheating defender, just because you got salty how in some rl cases the courts favor the wife over the husband. Ignoring how the wives are often left with the kids and less money, the main reason why the usually better paid husband has to pay in these notorious cases, regardless of if this system is abused by a few rotten gold diggers. Bottom line, people are bad or good, and not husbands or wives.

I know it's easier to play the role of the victim

Allison isn't playing, she is the victim.

why does she keep crying over losing a cheating POS, when she, unlike most men, could easily have a fuck ton of options for flings, one-night stands and long-term commitments ??

Allison being devoted to Jake and not fucking anyone else was a disappointing revelation, because it lead to the harem of unspoiled wives mentality embraced by many players that I dislike. I wouldn't mind if Allison got some action herself, just like Jake did. For what's worth, its a bit more tricky her to do that, since she much more occupied with her daughter. She has to sell every potential boyfriend that she comes with a child. Jake doesn't have to sell that to his potential girlfriends, he is much less "chained" to his child.

he only did it after years of arguing, ignoring, lack of intimacy and (mostly) running away from the problems in their marriage.

and that's what makes it okay. Allison did the same. Except she didn't lower herself to that level just because she had an equal amount of bad time.

Now, reverse genders and ask yourselves what Allison would've gotten as a punishment for doing the same thing. Wrong answers only from those of you who know just how 'harshly' divorce courts treat cheating wives or baby mamas compared to husbands and baby daddies.

Lol, if Allison cheated on Jake, people here would DESPISE her.

Bottom line: Allison has/had to juggle career, child and husband. Jake only has to juggle his career.

 

[DatBoit]

All renders are done

However, there are still 500+ renders left to be rendered

So... the renders are - in fact - not done?

 

[TonyMurray]

So... the renders are - in fact - not done?

I took that as dev referring to the difference between setting everything up (posing the render) and actually rendering it. He's done all his bit, now he just needs to wait while the computer does its bit.

 

[DatBoit]

I took that as dev referring to the difference between setting everything up (posing the render) and actually rendering it. He's done all his bit, now he just needs to wait while the computer does its bit.

I understand that as well. But clearly they are not done in that case

 

[FRVN]

I understand that as well. But clearly they are not done in that case

They are done in the sense that there is nothing the dev needs to do. He can spend his time working on other tasks instead of spending time making renders.

 

[xXwankerXx]

you post occasionaly over the years in this thread about this and outed yourself as a staunch cheating defender, just because you got salty how in some rl cases the courts favor the wife over the husband. Ignoring how the wives are often left with the kids and less money

Never once said cheating should be normalized in relationships, like some crazy bitches say on TikTok, or that it's ok to take a cheater back forgetting what they did, I only said I understand why the MC cheated once after all those years of problems in his marriage... understand, NOT condone it... learn the difference.

Allison isn't playing, she is the victim.

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Allison being devoted to Jake and not fucking anyone else was a disappointing revelation

its a bit more tricky her to do that, since she much more occupied with her daughter. She has to sell every potential boyfriend that she comes with a child. Jake doesn't have to sell that to his potential girlfriends

Wouldn't blame Allison if she had a rebound or two either, and about the single mom thing, you're wrong and might be surprised to find out just how many simps and rich dudes would line up to date and pursue an attractive woman like Allison romantically, not just sexually. Looking at you, Bezos and Elon. (!!)

The difference between her being a single mom by choice, not cuz of consequences should tell you all you need to know before pointing fingers at other characters. Not only this, but she said herself she refused to hook up or date other guys interested in her.

Jake always offered his help to co-parent Lily and help Allison out too, but she always refused and made everything she could to keep him away from Lily as much as possible, despite knowing very well that he wasn't a bad dad or a negative influence on their daughter. Even threatened to take Lily and move somewhere far away from Jake just to spite him. Still think she's a helpless victim ??

Allison did the same. Except she didn't lower herself to that level just because she had an equal amount of bad time.

Both of them were idiots who could've addressed their issues, eventually been intimate with each other again and, as a result, saved their marriage, but for plot 'reasons' they didn't.

Now, if the story made it specifically clear that Allison put ~100% of effort into saving their marriage and Jake only the bare minimum, I wouldn't be here defending him. He'd be a dick, and she'd be an actual victim... he should go get cucked and regret losing his family for a one-night stand that bit him in the dick.

Since this isn't the case, I'm putting a part of the blame on her too bcz her character isn't supposed to act like a butthurt teenage girl who got cheated on and dumped for the first time and either move on with other ppl or try to give Jake a second chance and see if he's worth it, this based on the player's choice, ofc.

Lol, if Allison cheated on Jake, people here would DESPISE her.

Bottom line: Allison has/had to juggle career, child and husband. Jake only has to juggle his career.

It's why I mentioned plot 'reasons' at least a few times before. I can imagine what shitshow the same cheating in reverse gender would've gotten the dev and his team.

They played it safe so most players can still think of Allison as one of the two main LIs, Jasmine being the second... V's something of a bonus DLC lol.

This aside, you conveniently omitted to say anything about the legal repercussions for Allison doing the same thing Jake did. Wonder why that is, and I already said Jake offered to help her after the divorce, she refused it.

Before they broke up, she could've asked a family member or close friend like Cammie or Cooper to help keep an eye on Lily or hired a babysitter. You make it sound like she was expected to do some sorta almost-humanly-impossible task, not simply raise a damn lil kid, work a job and be a wife, ffs.

 

[MagicMan753]

One thing I hated in episode 3 was Jasmine kicking us out of room. Like I get its basically denial and part of her character arc. But I just wish we could stay and cuddle.

So I don't think it will happen this epsiode, but hopefully not too much longer of a wait and can maybe happen in next episode at latest, I want the scene of her asking us to stay. Then we can cuddle and hold her all night.

It may become one of my favorite scenes in game when this happens. Also would like an actual date night soon with her.

 

[Dessolos]

One thing I hated in episode 3 was Jasmine kicking us out of room. Like I get its basically denial and part of her character arc. But I just wish we could stay and cuddle.

So I don't think it will happen this epsiode, but hopefully not too much longer of a wait and can maybe happen in next episode at latest, I want the scene of her asking us to stay. Then we can cuddle and hold her all night.

It may become one of my favorite scenes in game when this happens. Also would like an actual date night soon with her.

Yeah that is why she went down in ranking on my list while Maggie passed her for me. However I didn't dislike it cause I didn't get to cuddle ( even tho I would of liked that). Just the way she kicked you out after just felt bad to me , like almost felt used or something. I mean I get it if she just wanted to be alone but I felt like she kind of kicked us out too quickly. Unless I am mistaken but if I recall correctly felt like you barley got to talk to her after. Even if there is no cuddling involved I just don't like the MC to be kicked out right away unless there is a reason behind it or something. If I recall correctly she came across a bit cold when she kicked the MC out almost like she regretted it or something. lol i really do need to replay this scene good thing im gonna do a full replay of all paths in the update.

 

[xXwankerXx]

One thing I hated in episode 3 was Jasmine kicking us out of room. Like I get its basically denial and part of her character arc. But I just wish we could stay and cuddle.

that is why she went down in ranking on my list

I just don't like the MC to be kicked out right away unless there is a reason behind it or something

Based on her reactions so far, Jasmine most likely only wanted to mess around with the MC bcz of the taboo of him being an attractive older guy and her teacher, probably for some extra credits too, bonus points for when she found out how bad she could piss off V for making sexual innuendos in her conversation with him... another thing is, she seems to love flirting with Jake and pushing his buttons, her falling for him doesn't sound far-fetched at all.

Sadly for her, Jasmine ended up finding out Jake's a pretty chill guy with whom she shares her passion for race cars and has good chemistry, her now being interested in a bit more from their relationship is to be expected, should the player be on her path.

Only problem is her racer grandpa, Ham. Old dude's probably gonna run MC's dick over with his car for sleeping with Jaz, but good things come to those who take high risks, and Jaz is well worth it.

If push comes to shove, Jake can always ask Cooper to send one or a few of his deadly prolonged fiery farts Ham's way, the equivalent of a damn smelly nuke to change his mind on this topic, or it's the gas chamber for his old ass.

It may become one of my favorite scenes in game when this happens. Also would like an actual date night soon with her.

It's very likely to happen in the next updates, there's no real reason why it shouldn't, considering Jasmine's popularity among RoL fans.

 

[Krytax123]

Yeah that is why she went down in ranking on my list while Maggie passed her for me. However I didn't dislike it cause I didn't get to cuddle ( even tho I would of liked that). Just the way she kicked you out after just felt bad to me , like almost felt used or something. I mean I get it if she just wanted to be alone but I felt like she kind of kicked us out too quickly. Unless I am mistaken but if I recall correctly felt like you barley got to talk to her after. Even if there is no cuddling involved I just don't like the MC to be kicked out right away unless there is a reason behind it or something. If I recall correctly she came across a bit cold when she kicked the MC out almost like she regretted it or something. lol i really do need to replay this scene good thing im gonna do a full replay of all paths in the update.

i dont consider it a big deal, its just jasmine being a bit conflicted/in denial about her feelings and emotions

... but just imagine the genders being reversed for a moment and a guy kicking a girl out like that after sex lol, he would get lots of shit for it and rightfully so