Nice update, but too short for the time it took.
The new free roam is amazing, but cheat mods, could almost replicate the same result.
While I hope there will be a VN version, due the time it took for this release. I hope the dev only start doing VN after the game is finished.
Takes time to develop such system.
Cheat modes can pretty much bypass the stat's requirement with a single click. Almost the same effect. A lot of work were involved into this new free roam mode, which means work hours were put to develop it, instead of story progression, which means delay/lack of content.
The delay in the initial v0.07 was partially due to Hopes and the person who worked on the gameplay mechanics (regarding contracts) with him going back and forth, trying to determine what works (keeping those), and what doesn't work (discard them).
Everything was fine-tuned by the time v0.07 released.
So because Hopes and the person who worked with him on the Contracts system knows now what system Hopes is going for with the game, I'd guess that future contracts development won't take nearly as long as what it took to get the foundations right with v0.07.
And sure, cheat mods may bypass the stats requirement in some cases, but I've also seen many people who used such mods for this game have their saves screwed over (mod basically messing up the variables).
Most notable example is people unable to trigger Ombra mission from Wilfred with the gun requirement.
Those who used mods there, I saw a lot of people say they can't trigger it, and many of them had to either load a prior save where they didn't use mods, lower their stats back to the "normal" in the mod again, or start over from the beginning.
I find all the above to be far too much of a hassle, so I just play the contracts without the mod (I mean sure, first time playing the contracts, it takes some getting used to, but it really does become easier and by the end of it, it becomes piece of cake lol).
Hopes did say he will develop the VN Mode for DeLuca, but he did say Full Experience Mode will always take priority.
And that's not surprising, because that's how Hopes' Full vision of his game is.
Those who are aiming for VN Mode will just have to wait till he starts releasing that mode.
JJJ84 I cant seem to get the dialog up to even ask about the contract.
Main story: The traitor (done)
Main Events: The contract (not done)
Luna Events: The Cave (done)
Gracie Events: Feelings? (done)
Isabel Events: completely done
Not sure what I am missing. Been waiting for about 5 in game days now. Checked recordings each day with nothing new.
To start "The Contract" event, you need to talk to Wilfred in front of Cordia's Office.
Click on Wilfred, select Talk.
You should see the Dialogue option "Contracts" as in my screenshot below.
After that, follow what I've said in the post I've linked below:
https://f95zone.to/threads/the-deluca-family-v0-08-0-1-hopesgaming.15459/post-8315490