Ren'Py Abandoned The DeLuca Family [Season 1] [HopesGaming]

[JJJ84]

If you think getting rewards from the contract is a bug (regardless of how many you already have), I don't know what to say.
It's not a bug to gain the reward, that's how it's supposed to work. There is nothing unexpected, or not as designed, about that.
The only thing that's an issue, is not being able to get rid of them by either selling, or dumping. But that's not a bug, either.
It's merely an oversight in the design that allows us to continually get something we have numerous instances of, already.

Um, not sure why you quoted the same post twice, with same replies.

The bug I'm referring to is not the reward of getting additional gear by grinding/replay of contracts.
I'm referring to the issue where numbers of certain gear grew in number without even playing through the contract, but fiddling around with equipping and unequipping aspect.

I once remember unequipping a certain gear making a double of that gear in the MC's gear list for no reason, and seen at least 2 other people report them as well back then.
And sure, this is by no means game breaking (contracts still work even with that present), but no doubt it is a bug.

That's what I was referring to, not the receiving gear through manual playthrough.

 

[Jimayo]

Sigh, more "if".
Maybe you should discover if they actually are, before claiming it's something to take note of.

The 5 main contracts had nothing that required hours of work.
They're simply text based revenue generators that have no impact on the main story, or the main missions.

Sigh, use more logic please. Before the new game play 3-6 months per update, after 9+ months. I wonder why they took significantly longer once he changed the gameplay. Surely there is no causation there.

 

[Cartageno]

The 5 main contracts had nothing that required hours of work.
They're simply text based revenue generators that have no impact on the main story, or the main missions.

Yeah, but having them and then have everything abandoned in the next part - no higher level contracts, no nothing - would feel off to me. Maybe a bit like introducing a rich eccentric uncle to some TV show in the first season and then completely forgetting about him from then on forward. There would be a lack of consistency.

I'm still not convinced that taking out the contract gameplay (if that even is what we are talking about) would improve the game, but having some unconnected remainders in the finished game also does not seem like a perfect solution to me.

 

[whichone]

Yeah, but having them and then have everything abandoned in the next part - no higher level contracts, no nothing - would feel off to me. Maybe a bit like introducing a rich eccentric uncle to some TV show in the first season and then completely forgetting about him from then on forward. There would be a lack of consistency.

I'm not sure what you're trying to dispute? I agree.
I already said I was looking forward to the next tiers of contracts, C, B, A, when we finally get our next promotion(s).
What I presented is a reason for them to remain, not to be got rid of.

The only thing that needs to be got rid of, is using the contract mechanic for main story stuff.
It works absolutely fine for the 5 D rank revenue generator contracts.
There has been nothing but issues (quite a few game breaking) with the same mechanic being used for story related stuff.
It's pretty obvious where the problem lies & where it does not.

 

[JJJ84]

Yeah, but having them and then have everything abandoned in the next part - no higher level contracts, no nothing - would feel off to me. Maybe a bit like introducing a rich eccentric uncle to some TV show in the first season and then completely forgetting about him from then on forward. There would be a lack of consistency.

I'm still not convinced that taking out the contract gameplay (if that even is what we are talking about) would improve the game, but having some unconnected remainders in the finished game also does not seem like a perfect solution to me.

Yeah. This is something I mentioned to Hopes; whether he keeps the Contracts gameplay around, or whether he scraps the gameplay and changes it into something more simplified, consistency should always be the key.
Otherwise, if season 1 has the residue of the contract (with some elements stripped/axed away) whereas season 2 has none of it cause it's scrapped, it's really gonna feel off.
And he agrees.

Anyway, Hopes told me yesterday that him and his coder Mobil have been in discussions about it, and depending on further discussions, he may keep the contracts around (with a bit of rework perhaps).
However, this is not the final decision; there's still stuff that they will both look into, before that final decision.

So regardless of whether one hopes he keeps the gameplay around or scraps them, he will let it be known soon enough, and he'll also read and address what everyone's been saying in this thread.

 

[Lorenz1]

Wait, so Hopes threw like a year of development into pure coding for contracts, and now he is going to throw them away? Lol. Lmao, even.

Who would have thought that developing side quests and coding instead of the main story is a bad fucking idea in a game with a release pace of BDIK. The game had been standing in one place for the last what, three updates now? I don't think plot or characters got any advancement after Gracie BJ update.

 

[Cartageno]

I don't think plot or characters got any advancement after Gracie BJ update.

Ummm ... granted, it is not an LotR amount of story content, but some pretty significant stuff came after that ...

 

[Lorenz1]

Ummm ... granted, it is not an LotR amount of story content, but some pretty significant stuff came after that ...

You mean the shot part? That's like a single scene. Everything else was either contracts, or fillers.

 

[Cartageno]

You mean the shot part? That's like a single scene. Everything else was either contracts, or fillers.

No matter what you call "filler" here, or similar, I would say that the scene does not sound as "not any advancement of plot or characters" even if short and on its own.

 

[Lorenz1]

No matter what you call "filler" here, or similar, I would say that the scene does not sound as "not any advancement of plot or characters" even if short and on its own.

So... in like what, two years, we got a single scene of progression? Rejoice, I guess.

Anyhow, to waste a year on coding revamp specifically to make contracts possible, only to make like 10 mediocre cash contracts and three filler mini-stories, and drop the entire thing two years later, is pointless and wasteful at the extreme.

I can't even remember when was the last time Luna, the main love interest, got any solo scene. How many years ago was that? Four?

I've no idea how this game is even alive at this point with those priorities and this pace of development.

 

[Regularus]

I don't think it's a good idea to remove contracts completely, even if they're not really great as they currently are, a contract system is a good part of what makes the AVN different from the other.

But i think contracts instead should be improved as simple text-based (as in those old cool gamebook from the eighties) mini-adventures without so many clicks to do, and would work better than the slow "click to move in another useless location" current version of the contracts.

 

[Cartageno]

So... in like what, two years, we got a single scene of progression? Rejoice, I guess.

Anyhow, to waste a year on coding revamp specifically to make contracts possible, only to make like 10 mediocre cash contracts and three filler mini-stories, and drop the entire thing two years later, is pointless and wasteful at the extreme.

I can't even remember when was the last time Luna, the main love interest, got any solo scene. How many years ago was that? Four?

I've no idea how this game is even alive at this point with those priorities and this pace of development.

I would argue Luna being the "main love interest". She possibly is the most popular one, but nothing in the story hints at any main interest for me. If anything, then it would by formula be Cordia (main LI will take the longest).

And the game is alive because it is (as announced) not a professional game but a hobby. Just like my sports carreer is alive despite me not being successful in any regard. That there was little content - and even less if some of it gets axed - I will not deny. However, if anything goes wrong with the ideas you have, stuff happens. In games with gameplay mechanics more so than in straightforward AVNs (but they're not immune neither).

 

[Lorenz1]

I would argue Luna being the "main love interest". She possibly is the most popular one, but nothing in the story hints at any main interest for me.

Dev literally said multiple times that Luna is the main love interest, specifically because of that you can not progress the story without dating her.

The question is not in the quantity of content (hobby is a hobby), it's in the way it is focused. Dev did literally nothing to develop the actual main story or main girls in years, fumbling about with filler contracts and coding revamps instead. If he made a single scene per 3 month with main girls, the game would have had another season by today.

 

[Cartageno]

Dev did literally nothing to develop the actual main story or main girls in years, fumbling about with filler contracts and coding revamps instead. If he made a single scene per 3 month with main girls, the game would have had another season by today.

Again "literally nothing" is wrong, maybe not enough to your liking but the story has advanced.

You may consider the contracts "filler", and maybe not wrongly, but that was not their intention. And yes, coding is precisely what is needed before major advancements can happen if you have a gameplay focused game, as I said. Especially if something should be working for a long time to come (as was the original plan) it is best to make it really work first.

Dev literally said multiple times that Luna is the main love interest, specifically because of that you can not progress the story without dating her.

Could you be so kind to point me to where he said it? I honestly do not remember and everything I can dig up is "four main love interests" (Luna, Gracie, Cordia, Isabella).

 

[imadumb]

Again "literally nothing" is wrong, maybe not enough to your liking but the story has advanced.

You may consider the contracts "filler", and maybe not wrongly, but that was not their intention. And yes, coding is precisely what is needed before major advancements can happen if you have a gameplay focused game, as I said. Especially if something should be working for a long time to come (as was the original plan) it is best to make it really work first.



Could you be so kind to point me to where he said it? I honestly do not remember and everything I can dig up is "four main love interests" (Luna, Gracie, Cordia, Isabella).

To be fair, if i had to choose i would always choose Luna, so, not complaining, but, i really think he isn't right about that one too

 

[JJJ84]

Dev literally said multiple times that Luna is the main love interest, specifically because of that you can not progress the story without dating her.

Lol, no?
Luna is one of the main LIs (out of 4 who are Luna, Gracie, Isabel, Cordia) yes, but she's not the only main LI.
Dunno where you're getting that notion from, without any proof.

In fact, all I remember Hopes saying before was when someone asked him whether the player can just solo romance Isabel, that there will be option to friend zone Luna and/or Gracie.

It's just that the option hasn't been implemented yet.

 

[Lorenz1]

Lol, no?
Luna is one of the main LIs (out of 4 who are Luna, Gracie, Isabel, Cordia) yes, but she's not the only main LI.
Dunno where you're getting that notion from, without any proof.

It was when the game was actively developed and I was a patron, dev said it in discord. Luna is the key main girl, you have to go her path with the russian roulette scene, else story can not progress.

Maybe things changed since then, but considering there was no progression since then, I wouldn't hold my breath for any other girl-solo path. You either go Luna, or you quit the game.

Just replayed the game after like 2019? 20? or so. There is literally no new content what so fucking ever. Unbelievable.

 

[Cartageno]

Just replayed the game after like 2019? 20? or so. There is literally no new content what so fucking ever. Unbelievable.

And once again, you may easily have the opinion that "there is so little new content it is utterly disappointing" or similar. But "literally no new content" is just factually wrong. As somebody said, you can have your own opinions but you cannot have your own facts (paraphrased).

 

[c3p0]

Yeah, no progression at all, see also here:

Up to the 0.06.x updates the release time was OK. Not fast, but we had a average of 3-4 updates per year. After that we only have 1 or 2 updates per year and more like 1 updates per year. I don't blame hope for it, he always was upfront on this with us.

But for a game to have success it would need a faster and more constant update cycle. Also for that few updates per year, they are to small. Again nothing against hope, only stating my opinion why the game isn't such a success instead of all the goods it has.

So, going for a major release, I have this numbers:

Game Version	Date	Time between updates [d]	Time between updates [M]	Average time between updates [M]
0.02​	09.09.18​	​	​	​
0.03​	15.11.18​	67​	2.23​	2.23​
0.04​	18.03.19​	123​	4.10​	3.17​
0.05​	28.09.19​	194​	6.47​	4.27​
0.06.1​	22.03.20​	176​	5.87​	4.67​
0.06.5​	19.06.20​	89​	2.97​	4.33​
0.06.6​	24.07.20​	35​	1.17​	3.80​
0.07.2​	08.04.21​	258​	8.60​	4.49​
0.08.0.3​	06.07.22​	454​	15.13​	5.82​
0.09​	21.1.23​	199​	6.63​	5.91​
0.09.5	8.5.23​	107​	3.57​	5.67​

Edit:

• 2023-01-27: Update table to game version 0.09.5, small text correction

Spoiler: Older edits

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

And from here:

Changelog:
v0.09.6
Bug Fixes:
Fixed an issue causing saves to revert to the Lucania intro. You can now complete the event as usual and save after.
Resolved an issue that made the TriaQuaedam event playable in Isabel's friendship path.
The final story now requires completion of all side events associated with the girls and MC for access.
Non-gameplay Related Changes:
Players can now access the Bikini Lady from Nimble Finger via Wilfred. All other Bikini Lady events have also been included.
Will add all gameplay-related events here in the near future.

v0.09.5
3 events with the bikini girls.
2 animations
Added Lucania Free roaming. (text based)
Gina's Tavern Intro
Soldiers Quarter Intro (Bianca intro)
Church Intro (Amita and Amata)
Old Man Vincent shop Intro
Tina's Brothel Intro
Overall, a decent introduction to Lucania. And like the event with the bikini lady. Some story related information on mc's father and mother in it as well.
It's a bit shorter content wise than I wanted to be honest, but there were some tough corners to make. Especially with the Lucania part.
It's 0.9.5 and not 1.0.0 Because I'm currently working on adding a combat system to the game. I want it to be simple enough, so I can finish in less than 2 weeks, but not simple enough that it won't be fun. It will be a standard turn based with a little twist!
Once combat is done, I will work on adding more to Lucania (which is very empty after the introduction) and some of the other contracts.
The codex and few images on existing contracts have been moved to be released after the combat is done.
That's all from me. Hope ya all have a great week!
Oh, lastly, I just got engaged. Congrats me!

v0.09.0:

Changes and New Features:

- TriaQuaedam : Isabel's Main event
- Cogwheel : Story 11 from Main story.
- Death of a princess: Story 12 from Main story. Season 1 finale.

v0.08.0.3
Fixes and changes:
* Fixed missing description on the painter contract
* Money UI removed if Gameplay is turned off
* Fixed a loading issue regarding energy/hp loss
* Fixed portend being playable too early
* Some other coding things under the hood

v0.08.0.2:

Fixes and changes:

* Cost of tech (Event: Business Toys) reduced from $1000 to $350
* Cost of toys and candies (Event: Business Toys) reduced from $2000 to $1000
* Prevented the consumable tooltip and the money tooltip from getting stuck.
-If they are already stuck you will need to select the item in the mission mode and open and close the laptop respectively
* Fixed another issue where saving would break temporarily soon after losing health or energy points
* Unequip works properly now
* All gallery images now properly unlock
* When missions are disabled, you now retain your stealth bonus (works after updating even on existing games)
* Fixed the sprite shader which was broken on Open GL ES (which includes ANGLE2 renderer. GL2 was fine)

v0.08.0.1 Bugfix
* Fixed The Contract not getting assigned when starting new game
* Fixed "X Quest Complete" notification when upgrading saved game
* Fixed receiving all of the level up messages when you gain XP after upgrading save.
* Fixed issue where saved game might fail to load after receiving an item
* Fixed player level appearing higher than it should be
* Fixed player money display missing in new games

v0.08.0
Changes and new features:

- New sprite idle animations (3 Pood)
- Save games can now be renamed
- Several new soundtracks added
- New MC theme created from scratch by a freelancer music composer for The DeLuca Family

- Luna Event: Fearless Serpent - (bit story about M6 and the other girls from the past + lewd scene with 2 animations.)
- Gracie Event: Work Seduction
- Gracie Event: I Don't Smoke
- Gracie Event: Movie & Dinner
- Gracie Event: Morning Job
- Gracie Event: Business Toys
- Gracie Event: Sessanta Nove
- Gracie Event: Arrendersi
- Gracie Event: Nepotism
- Gracie Event: The Grind

Fixes:

- Fixed performance issue that may happen after prolonged play (3 Pood)
- Major code change and optimization (3 Pood)
- Equipment/inventory database change (3 Pood)

v0.07.2:

Changes and new features:

Mission Contracts can now be fully controlled via keyboard shortcuts. Designed so it can be played with only the left hand
-navigation: W,S,A,D. Explore: E, Interact: Q, Inventory: Z, Abilities: X, choices: 1-9, Continue: Space, Skip: Ctrl

- Nimble finger now also give Hardened Leather Gloves (R) when getting S
- Stats has been changed to icons (Visual change)
- Icons has been added in appropriate choices (such as battle choices)
- Gallery will stay unlocked even outside of the save game.
- Added all missing events to gallery replay
- Added new Explore stat for mission contract. Will give an overview of how much of the
contract you have explored.
- Added a little scene where the dog can save MC during nimble contract fight (Morbil)
- Saves now inform people what version the saves is and if it is compatible or not.
- Added an image of MC that shows the different gear you wear.
Works with all current equipment.
- Overhaul of the main mission GUI during contracts
- Transparent dialogue box added
- Many new translatable huds and gui

Fixes:
- Fixed an issue where the Nimble Finger Fight gave the D rank no matter what
- Fixed an issue that overlapped a mission and Wilfred when not having enough HP/MP
- Fixed an issue where consumable quantities wouldn't update
- Fixed an issue where some room hotspots would persist into events
- The Painter missing description fixed
- New line markers in The Painter fixed
- Can fall through to Painter Talk label in mission The Painter fixed
- Prevents player discarding the pistol so you always have at least one gun
- Peeking stealth bug fixed
- Gallery replay bug fixed
- Bonanzo Meeting top right broken map fix

v0.07.1

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.07

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

0.06.6
added french translation

0.06.5

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.06.1

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.06

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.05 [2019-11-20]
Note, only new languages added.

Also, I've noticed people talking in different languages. I need to specify- I do not make these translations and I do not speak those languages. I am not able to answer your questions.
All translations are done by volunteers.

German and Spanish is on hold due to the translators being sick.

v0.05

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.04.1

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.4

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.03b

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.03a

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.03

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.02a Fixed

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.02a

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.02

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

v0.01b

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Yes, I fully agree with you, no progression at all.

 

[Ayhsel]

Just replayed the game after like 2019? 20? or so. There is literally no new content what so fucking ever. Unbelievable.

Sure, there is nothing. What are you going to do? Complaining, crying, throwing a tantrum or giving a coin to your witcher, i mean, dev wont change anything.

Maybe, I don't know, you want to go play something else, forget about it and who knows, in the future if a miracle happens the game is done.

For now, this is what it is.

Follow me for more real life advices!
PS: for legal reasons, I am bound to inform you that advices can take any shape included but not limited to suggestion, songs, hypnosis therapy, electro shock or trolling.