VN Ren'Py Where the Heart Is [S1 Rev1] [CheekyGimp]

[sandstorm1872]

Dev Update 17th December

Hi Folks,

I wasn't expecting to make another Dev update before the release of episode 19 because I thought it would be well done by now, but here we go....

Starting off with a confession: I have not been working on the game for the past four days due to some real-life stuff. (Nothing life-changing or tragic - all is good). I know it's shit to get this close to a release and then take my foot off the pedal but it couldn't be helped. I mentioned in a previous update that I had something coming up and that's why I was so hell-bent on trying to hit my last deadline...but we really felt that the game wasn't completely finished and that's why we released a beta last weekend, rather than the final finished article. This is the longest break I've taken away from the game in as long as I can remember so hopefully we're all still friends!

I am now back working on the game and aiming to have the final release of ep19 completed this weekend.

I received virtually zero feedback on the beta from the patrons, so that means that you all loved it so much you were beyond words, OR you hated it so much that you can't even talk about it OR you didn't try it because you've no interest in a beta.
I'm going to assume it was option 3, which just means we have to check every single path / branch ourself because our beta testers have given up on us.

I was hoping to come back from my short hiatus with a full list of stuff to fix / correct, etc. from our eager beta testers but.... nada. But... you were all expecting an episode in early December, so I guess we were all disappointed.

Now I'm gonna go get back on the game.....Will be back in touch very soon....

Thanks,

CG

From what we have seen through half of 2019 and whole of 2020, it's best that CG and Co. aim to release only 4 chapters per year and 5th Holiday special, if they are really adventurous. I think that'll keep everyone grounded and they allow themselves more time to workout the complex paths they began from when MC opened the door at Monica's.

I appreciate the communication and the frankness to the Patrons but it has been a pattern for over a year it seems, so best readjust now to avoid disappointments, to themselves and the fans of the game. What say acewinz?

 

[Hammerhiem]

From what we have seen through half of 2019 and whole of 2020, it's best that CG and Co. aim to release only 4 chapters per year and 5th Holiday special, if they are really adventurous. I think that'll keep everyone grounded and they allow themselves more time to workout the complex paths they began from when MC opened the door at Monica's.

I appreciate the communication and the frankness to the Patrons but it has been a pattern for over a year it seems, so best readjust now to avoid disappointments, to themselves and the fans of the game. What say acewinz?

2020 has hardly been what anyone could consider "Normal" although a release every three months of decent quality and length is fine by me, I currently back Freeloading Family and that's about their release schedule. WVM is quicker but BD's released are much shorter.
Not like there's a shortage of games to play on here. Ace has pretty much sold me on this being the next game I back due too his presence on here, we are lucky he puts up with some of the crap on here with such good humour, and if that's four good quality releases a year that'll be ok for me.

 

[freedom.call]

I'm fine with 2,5-3 month intervals, sizable and excellent game. I'm more concerned that I'm not itching to check out the beach house orgy. Not my thing apparently.

 

[botc76]

I don't care if it takes long. As long as it isn't a Milfy City situation I don't see the issue. The devs communicate and they still release multiple chapters a year.

Well, I do care. Because while many are content to get their update whenever, there will be enough people who will accept explanations and excuses only up to a point and from then on react negatively.
Just look at what happened with CDPR and Cyberpunk that company took three games to build the trust of their fanbase and it only took them fucking up once (albeit gigantic) to lose a lot of goodwill and take a serious hit in their credibility.
And I'll be honest, I would really prefer to get an update at a regular rate, like every two months or so, pretty sure the team would actually prefer that as well.
They can't be happy with three episodes in a whole year, no matter whether there were more than enough reasons to explain the delays.

I find it hilarious that I, as not only one of the first supporters of this game here in the forums, singing its praise since the first version (first post about the game on page 5 of this thread and 10 pages of comments altogether), with the second review up here and a five star at that and a patreon of the game for years, get a facepalm from someone like you who hasn't even made a 100 posts since he joined, just because you don't like the truth that I'm pointing out. Fanboys.

 

[sandstorm1872]

I'm fine with 2,5-3 month intervals, sizeable and excellent game. I'm more concerned that I'm not itching to check out the beach house orgy. Not my thing apparently.

Neither did I. I gave off cold shoulders to both Lily and Debbie, especially when I found that Lily has a thing for her. Katie is a handful as is and getting in between her besties is something a man of honour shouldn't do (and neither should he bob around their sisters or mothers but one moral at a time!).

Especially after seeing Katie pissing outside the house I was done with the lot. Beyond the beach house orgy, is there any content of the main story?

 

[Jacky Bruce]

Hi Guys /...

I have downloaded again v18 . And also v19 update only.
Used saves for v18 its working good. But after Theresa scene at her home , Check Status and End Credit only avaiable.

There is no new content for v19. I have added v19 update only in v18 , still nothing new.
is there continuation after v28. ??!!!

 

[freedom.call]

is there any content of the main story?

I haven't played (waiting for the final ep19), if you mean the will then that gets some traction in ep20. Wanda and Elaine have scenes in ep19.

 

[freedom.call]

Hi Guys /...

I have downloaded again v18 . And also v19 update only.
Used saves for v18 its working good. But after Theresa scene at her home , Check Status and End Credit only avaiable.

There is no new content for v19. I have added v19 update only in v18 , still nothing new.
is there continuation after v28. ??!!!

Did you put the update into the full game and overwrite files?

 

[acewinz]

Neither did I. I gave off cold shoulders to both Lily and Debbie, especially when I found that Lily has a thing for her. Katie is a handful as is and getting in between her besties is something a man of honour shouldn't do (and neither should he bob around their sisters or mothers but one moral at a time!).

Especially after seeing Katie pissing outside the house I was done with the lot. Beyond the beach house orgy, is there any content of the main story?

Main story progress

Spoiler: spoils

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From what we have seen through half of 2019 and whole of 2020, it's best that CG and Co. aim to release only 4 chapters per year and 5th Holiday special, if they are really adventurous. I think that'll keep everyone grounded and they allow themselves more time to workout the complex paths they began from when MC opened the door at Monica's.

I appreciate the communication and the frankness to the Patrons but it has been a pattern for over a year it seems, so best readjust now to avoid disappointments, to themselves and the fans of the game. What say acewinz?

Can't say the end of 2019 through 2020 was great for anyone, us included. Honestly we went through a lot of transitions (Aeil ghosting out this time last year, picking up 3 artists since through 2020 (with only Cell sticking with it long term), and then trying to make tentative deadlines with the randomness going on in the world etc. We also underestimated the complexity of a scene like the beach house with the pathing we had setup. But we are adapting. I do think people underestimate a bit that even though we do have setbacks here and there, we always produce sizeable updates (admittedly not everyone see's that if they aren't interested in certain girls).

 

[bogeyparr]

hi= i downloaded beta 19 and the patch, how do i install the patch? thanks for help))

 

[sandstorm1872]

hi= i downloaded beta 19 and the patch, how do i install the patch? thanks for help))

Replace the 'game' folder in your previous episode with the current one. Make sure you backup your saves first.

 

[sandstorm1872]

Main story progress

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Can't say the end of 2019 through 2020 was great for anyone, us included. Honestly we went through a lot of transitions (Aeil ghosting out this time last year, picking up 3 artists since through 2020 (with only Cell sticking with it long term), and then trying to make tentative deadlines with the randomness going on in the world etc. We also underestimated the complexity of a scene like the beach house with the pathing we had setup. But we are adapting. I do think people underestimate a bit that even though we do have setbacks here and there, we always produce sizeable updates (admittedly not everyone see's that if they aren't interested in certain girls).

I share the frustration and pain of that time period (Q3 2019 - Q4 2020) too -- moved from a boring employer to a new one only to found out within months that the new place was toxic, was forced to move out due to a tyrannical boss and luckily landed in a new job in November. 2020 has bought misery and sadness in all shapes and forms to almost everyone.

That said, it's not that I don't appreciate the work that goes in each of your update, especially the content writing as you guys have setup really high standards. I'll go so far as to bet a tenner that if the VN comes out as purely a text-based novella, it'll still tingle everyone as it did through Ren'Py.

The keyword is underestimate here; you guys take on an episode only to realise midway that it is going out of hand with the complexity. No one here would complain about the delay if timelines are kept within +- 1 week or 3-5 days. Hence I suggest that if 2021 be the conclusion of WTHI, take your time to work out the episodes as you intended and add a literal month to the delivery, that way if even if you lag a bit, you'll deliver in a reasonable time frame. Quite sure you plan this way but perhaps the complexities keep snowballing causing an avalanche of issues and delays?

Either way, looking forward for Ep20 and hope you all have a wonderful Holiday season!

 

[cakeny]

hi= i downloaded beta 19 and the patch, how do i install the patch? thanks for help))

You downloaded both full 19 beta and the patch for 18>19?

 

[Jacky Bruce]

Did you put the update into the full game and overwrite files?

Yes , I have overwritten the Update Files v19 on v18. And used my v18 saves , still ends with v18 ...

 

[sandstorm1872]

You downloaded both full 19 beta and the patch for 18>19?

1) Download the patch
2) Extract in a location different from previous Ep.XX (XX can be <= 18)
3) Copy the game folder from Ep-19 patch obtained from (2) and copy in Ep.XX. Make sure you backup your saves first!
4) Click on .exe to begin the update

 

[freedom.call]

Yes , I have overwritten the Update Files v19 on v18. And used my v18 saves , still ends with v18 ...

Then I don't know...can you quickstart ep19 from main menu perhaps?

 

[cakeny]

1) Download the patch
2) Extract in a location different from previous Ep.XX (XX can be <= 18)
3) Copy the game folder from Ep-19 patch obtained from (2) and copy in Ep.XX. Make sure you backup your saves first!
4) Click on .exe to begin the update

Think you replied to wrong person.

 

[Wustyopolis]

I downloaded the newest version and get this error when I try to launch the game:

Parsing the script failed.

The label Game_Over is defined twice, at
File 'game/Episode18.rpy", line 7866 and
File "game/Episode19.rpy", line 7342

Any idea?

 

[Benares]

I downloaded the newest version and get this error when I try to launch the game:

Parsing the script failed.

The label Game_Over is defined twice, at
File 'game/Episode18.rpy", line 7866 and
File "game/Episode19.rpy", line 7342

Any idea?

Yes, delete the mod you had for ep18, it happened to me too when I tried to play ep 18 with the mod

 

[Wustyopolis]

Yes, delete the mod you had for ep18, it happened to me too when I tried to play ep 18 with the mod

Thanks! Works now