HTML Onhold The Archmage [v0.1.2 Alpha] [Black Dahlia Studios]

[BlackDahliaStudios]

April Update:

I missed the March update last month, but not without warrant. I did do some writing in February, but then I realized that I needed to work more on fleshing out my outline before writing anymore. Subsequently, I developed persistent double vision in both eyes and learned that I have an eye disease which was also causing migraines. Additionally, some other personal events occurred, which were serious enough on their own (hospitalizations, etc.) that they likely would have killed my motivation to write anyways.

But long story short, I've been basically unable to read for roughly the past two months. I've got an ophthalmology appointment in April, so hopefully my eyes will be functional again soon. Until then, don't expect any significant updates...

 

[Spenser4]

Oh, hope you will be better in no time. Rest well and make sure to have good care of yourself mate.

 

[BlackDahliaStudios]

I have a scleral lens fitting scheduled in June. It was the earliest I could get. Until then, I've gotten a new eyeglass prescription, but they're going bad within a month and I still have to read for my day job. I can't afford to seriously work on this project until I can either get the scleral lenses or cornea transplants.

 

[Nickthulu]

Super sorry to hear that. Hope you get better soon!

 

[damnedfrog]

I have a scleral lens fitting scheduled in June. It was the earliest I could get. Until then, I've gotten a new eyeglass prescription, but they're going bad within a month and I still have to read for my day job. I can't afford to seriously work on this project until I can either get the scleral lenses or cornea transplants.

Take all the time you need.
Your health is far more important that the game.

 

[milliecat]

Weird, it says to go to afternoon lessons, so I ensure that is done and the teacher still kills the character. With Mandatory lesson *1 being attended, but death still occurs.

 

[Virulenz]

Maybe you should prevent to anger him or make him doubt you...
Just a guess, i played it last when it updated last and sadly thats far in the past

 

[milliecat]

Maybe you should prevent to anger him or make him doubt you...
Just a guess, i played it last when it updated last and sadly thats far in the past

I thought that was the point of going to the mandatory classes in the afternoon, to avoid angering him. It doesn't matter now though, thanks.

 

[Lautheron]

So it's abandoned or not?

 

[pilgrim2003]

So it's abandoned or not?

Sent on Patreon 2nd February 2025:

"

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A lot has happened since my last update. Most notably my diagnosis of keratoconus, an eye disease which caused double vision and prevented me from reading. I've now had a cornea transplant and I'm steadily recovering. Ultimately, I couldn't read properly for about a year.
Since I was forced to take a step back from my creative projects, I had an opportunity to evaluate my project management. The most important lesson I learned is that I will not be adapting any of my work to game formats until I have a completed manuscript. Juggling writing and software at the same time ultimately fuddled my process working on The Archmage, causing me to put the cart in front of the horse. Moving forward, I will be doing one thing at a time, so I can focus fully on each task and produce the best product with the most productive process.
It was a hard pill to swallow, but acknowledging the issue will benefit me."

 

[Rosen King]

Most notably my diagnosis of keratoconus, an eye disease which caused double vision and prevented me from reading. I've now had a cornea transplant and I'm steadily recovering. Ultimately, I couldn't read properly for about a year.

I swear, if *this* is how I find out what's been wrong with my vision lately...

 

[BlackDahliaStudios]

I'm reading and writing again. Hooray!

My vision is bad and my eye hurts, but I'm steadily healing.

In other news, I've got a Monster Musume fanfic manuscript over half way done and I'm going to release that in game form to gain experience with small scale game design before revisiting this big ass manuscript. I expect to release that game in a few months.

 

[damnedfrog]

I'm reading and writing again. Hooray!

My vision is bad and my eye hurts, but I'm steadily healing.

In other news, I've got a Monster Musume fanfic manuscript over half way done and I'm going to release that in game form to gain experience with small scale game design before revisiting this big ass manuscript. I expect to release that game in a few months.

I'm very glad your vision has improved.
I wish you a quick recovery.

 

[BlackDahliaStudios]

Update:

I've settled on the Ren'Py engine for the MonMusu project. It's going to be a VN harem simulator!

I'm all but finished with the intro scene and I'm also learning Python as I write the code. The coding is already wayyy smoother than any of the times I spent working with Twine. And I expect that to continue being true.

Ultimately, the addition of graphics and audio improve the product quality of the game so much that I feel they will be non-negotiable game elements for any future projects I work on or revisit. I'm sure that players already want that way anyway. I'm just slow to the punch sometimes.

So, instead of wasting valuable player time again with a lackluster "pre-alpha," I will wait to publicly release until I have a proper Alpha build. The game will begin with only one girl at first, but with the core mechanics working, I can get some real gameplay feedback this time before diving into the deep end with any more detailed cut scenes.

Anyone who wants to play test before public release should contact me. I'd love to get some more eyes on this project!

 

[damnedfrog]

Update:

I've settled on the Ren'Py engine for the MonMusu project. It's going to be a VN harem simulator!

I'm all but finished with the intro scene and I'm also learning Python as I write the code. The coding is already wayyy smoother than any of the times I spent working with Twine. And I expect that to continue being true.

Ultimately, the addition of graphics and audio improve the product quality of the game so much that I feel they will be non-negotiable game elements for any future projects I work on or revisit. I'm sure that players already want that way anyway. I'm just slow to the punch sometimes.

So, instead of wasting valuable player time again with a lackluster "pre-alpha," I will wait to publicly release until I have a proper Alpha build. The game will begin with only one girl at first, but with the core mechanics working, I can get some real gameplay feedback this time before diving into the deep end with any more detailed cut scenes.

Anyone who wants to play test before public release should contact me. I'd love to get some more eyes on this project!

Does it mean The Archmage is abandonned?

 

[BlackDahliaStudios]

Does it mean The Archmage is abandonned?

It's on hiatus.

I need more experience with smaller projects before revisiting this ambitious one. Otherwise, I know I'm going to lose the plot in the design/programming process.