worlaix
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Merry Christmas (and episode 5 news)
🕑 Added 2023-12-23 05:12:29 +0000 UTCHey everyone,
I should start this post with a huge apology for the delay. I'll go over things in more detail down below, but for now - sorry for keeping you waiting!
Let's address the most important topic first; episode 5. The early Patreon access will be on Christmas itself (24th, or 25th at the latest). Everything in the update is completed, so the public release will come out a week later as scheduled in more or less the same shape, barring any bug fixes.
Regarding the episode itself, I am not very happy with it. It's very short considering it's been in development for like 16 months, the art quality is all over the place, and the main story development is insubstantial. Maybe it's not all that bad, but you'll have to see and judge that for yourself.
It should go without saying that longer development time does not necessarily mean a longer episode, but possibly that the development ran into some hurdles. And I really don't like going into personal stuff, at least not while it's unresolved. It's not that I don't want to share, but I just don't think I should be using this platform for farming pity or venting about personal shit like it's my twitter account. Of course, radio silence as the opposite extreme is hardly the better option, so finding a balance between the two is something I have to work on as a 'creator'.
A huge mistake I made was announcing that I would release the next episode in July. First of all, I think it's clear now that I am utterly clueless when it comes to estimating how long a huge chunk of work will take to complete, and that same overconfidence makes me averse to announcing a delay because I am perpetually convinced that "I can finish it next week!!". Second of all, even if I did estimate accurately - there's always outside factors fucking shit up. In Summer, I experienced probably my first ever complete burn out. Transitioning from student life into 'real life' left me with very little headspace for creative endeavors - and if I can't do it properly my way, I can't do it at all. I know a lot of people might think "dude it's a porn VN just draw some tits and let us fuck the landlady", but that's just stupid. It might be why YOU play adult videogames, but it's not why I am making one. Complaining that at this rate, Elvensang will take 15 years to complete is nonsense as well. I don't plan to be finishing my law degree every episode, so I think we're good. Besides, even if it does take 15 years - you better stop smoking and eat your veggies, baby.
Outside of my little writer's block in Summer, my recently acquired law degree unwittingly made me the family lawyer, so I've had to deal with some legal issues since October concerning family members going after each other's throats/attempting to commit suicide when they couldn't get their way. But that probably contributed a month of delay out of the 16 at most, so it deserves no more than a short mention.
Either way, I've long since recharged my batteries and the family troubles are very much concluded, so we're back on schedule.
On a more positive note, I've learned a lot while working on episode 5. Making strides in figuring out a suitable artstyle, better organizing my workflow, and working out a lot of small ways to be more efficient. I'll discuss those aspects in future progress updates (especially the artstyle things), but it all makes me genuinely look forward to working on episode 6 to start fresh, because man, let me tell you - constantly returning to unfinished work is a real nightmare.
Anyway, that's it for now. I only have some minor polishing left on the episode, so expect it to arrive 24/25th.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I love you all,
Worlaix
Comments
Raife
W, having sponsored quite a few games for many years now, I can say that your experience is not unusual. I'm not referring to the specifics of your family crisis, of course -- but to the excessive expectations, disappointment and self-flagellation that can afflict developers. That's particularly true with ambitious amateur 'passion projects' like Elvensang. --Most of your patrons understand, and we will support you _regardless_ of self-imposed release schedules or expectations. We are backing you, not purchasing a product; we understand that life can intervene with other priorities. As long as _Elvensang_ means something to you, count on my support. No rush, no pressure at all.
Scooterb852
Merry Christmas! And wishing you a Happy New Year!
