Hey all, just a quick update; I recently started a new night job (gotta make that money somehow), so as you can imagine it's really changed my development schedule for the game. That's not to say it's over, just things will be a bit slower from now on. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Getting back to sprite work, thought I would change up the characters each session to avoid burnout; this time I selected Jade and began work on her Idle animations. Going to spend the rest of the week on sprites, so it might go quiet for a little bit. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Back on the writing grind, planning the narrative. Game writing is a fun challenge, because you have to consider mechanics as well as the typical story components like characters, locations etc, but I love a challenge. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Finished some behind the scenes dialogue stuff, but I did change some visuals around both in the UI and level as well; the most notable of these is the addition of child drawings, as a prompt that these are objects Corrin can talk to...trust me, it makes sense, kinda. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Currently working on getting the dialogue system to fit into a more central repository, so I don't have to hard code every string value of text; safe to say, I've learnt quite a few things today. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

You know you're getting a bit too into the narrative, when written notes for just two sections of it, looks like a well-worn journal. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Within the ranks of The Council's vast empire, stands the metal machines of carnage, the Steel Priests; but don't let the name fool you, there is nothing holy about these merciless masters of brutality. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Continuing on with dialogue busts; had to do some character redesigns (Both for bust and overworld sprite) so it's taking a little while longer, should all be wrapped up tomorrow though...well for this batch anyways. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Slowly working through the character busts for dialogue and cutscenes (well at least the ones for the Demo). Like everything else, these might not be finalised, but they're pretty close. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Finally finished the cutscene mechanic; obviously I'll need to make the actual sprites, add audio and tidy up any imperfections, but the foundations are done, so that's another milstone achieved. Followers next I think. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

I really should get more consistent with updates; but I've been head deep in a lot of Archive/Lore writing reccently (it's a rabbit hole that never ends), which explains the lack of posts. Starting next week I'm getting back on track to more "important" things. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Created some icons for the Archive sections for use in the Main Menu; was originally going to make them like encyclopedia britannicas, but since the UI is mimicking a digital interface, I decided to go with CDs instead. Should get them in and working tomorrow. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

I have this folder on my Desktop where I just store notes for ideas, bits and pieces for narrative and whole bunch of rough Microsoft Paint sketches; so I thought I'd share a few of them, just so you can see none of my ideas started out perfect. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

3/4 of Corrin's Walk Animations are complete; I'm not someone who can animate for hours on end without getting burnt out, so completing an animation set is big progress in my eyes. Hopefully I'll get them all done and replace the old ones soon enough. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

What was supposed to be a couple days, turned into a couple weeks; but the Intro Intermission is finally done. However, considering I went overboard and made it 8 minutes long, this is only a snippet of it, but it will give you a good idea as to why it took so long. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

I would have had a nice preview of the intro Intermission by now to show off; but tests proved I needed to rethink the interface of the Intermissions, both from a visual standpoint and from a player engagement standpoint. Thus I have spent time getting the new UI made. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Currently doing some recordings for the intro Intermission; a sequence that needs to be completed before I can test additional mechanics in order. I'm no VA, but it is sure as hell fun. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

I apologise for the lack of posts in recent times; I've been focusing on getting the Combat overhaul done, which requires a lot of other things to be done. On top of that I've been working on the Archive entries as well. Hopefully soon I'll be able to show some things. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

This journey of overhauling the combat has allowed me to re-factor a lot of other systems as well (such as NPC Spawns and Level States); which does ultimately mean a lot of tearing stuff out and rewriting sections...but at least it'll save me the headache in the future. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Just a quick update, combat is coming along (even though currently it is just error busting), and I'm also side-loading doing the narrative for the Archive (the place for people who like to read); as such there really isn't a lot to show...for now. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Well I've made it sub 1000 with the errors (for context it was over 2000), who knew overhauling the combat was so invasive; mind you most of the errors are to do with name changes and references, but when you're working with multiple moving parts, it's not always easy. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

The issue with doing a combat overhaul, is that at one point you begin to realise just how ingrained the old system was into everything else (especially when rewriting scripts and moving data around); in short, it's going to take a little bit longer to finish 😄. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Finished the design layout of the combat character selection scene; hopefully I'll be able to implement the functionaility tomorrow and be well on my way to actually giving the combat revamp some legs. (Character sprites are for testing). #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Finished up the Combat HUD UI (bar the Effect icons), making a little mockup to showcase how they'll look during the encounter. I used a muted palette to capture the essence of the scene, making everything visually pleasing. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart #UI

Went a bit ambitious with the new combat scene redesign; but there is just something so compelling about having an abstract-monochromatic backdrop, but the characters in full colour. Despite 3D not being my forte, it came out rather well I think. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Updated the main character portraits; some of them directly on the sprite, but all of them updated design wise to fit the new HUD and Combat UI. I'm not 100% with all of them, but if I keep editing them, we'll be here till next June, so their good enough. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Just spent a day and a bit planning Act 2 of the narrative; there's something nice about not always being plugged in, so I planned it in a more analogue way...I just hope I can still read my handwriting when I come to actually writing it. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Microsoft Paint, great for planning & quick note taking...and also procrastinating; but hey, I feel more creatively motivated now. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

I swear I do more than make attack icons, but I've finished them all now for the demo characters (well, the player characters anyway), so I can get back to planning the revised combat system...and everything else for that matter. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart #screenshotsaturday

Another 2 attack icon sets completed; they're simple things designed for visual aesthetics, but creating them with the idea of the characters they represent, gives them more meaning beyond simply UI icons, adding on additional layers to the deep narrative. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

You know things are getting serious, when you start making spreadsheets to calculate stat totals; never thought I'd be using Excel for its intended purpose every again, but here we are. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Now that I've reworked the attacks for some of the characters, I thought I'd get a start on making the attack icons (just to vary up my workload). They each represent their attack name, which in turn represents the personality of the character. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

After some deliberation, I have decided to rework the Combat system, not because it wasn't working, but because it wasn't very...intuitive. So I'm currently re-planning the mechanic and all additional aspects, in hopes to make something even better. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

It took a minute and a surprise ambush of issues in the last couple of hours, but finally you can collect items in the overworld; as a nice cherry on top they even play nicely with the previous mechanics...now then, just got to make them useable. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Just a quick update, I've almost completed the collection mechanic of items in the overworld; it's taken me longer than expected, namely because I had to remake a font face, fix some SFX issues and get the actual bloody thing working...bug free of course. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Started the implementation of collectables and consumeable items; thus far I have created the inventory icons alongside some world items to obtain said consumeables. Hopefully I will be able to implement the collection mechanic tomorrow. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #screenshotsaturday

The thing I love about creating a narratively-driven game, is that everything has purpose; from the first sprite through to a character's dialogue and the reason why you chose English Vermillion for the UI. I'm enjoying this journey, I hope the destination is just as good. #gamedev #solodev

Were having a spot of sunny weather where I am at the moment; which would be nice if my room wasn't a heat trap boiling me like a kettle. Think I might switch gears from sprite work and find a cooler place to work on something else...or take a really cold bath. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Every mistake is a learning experience is what they say; and today I've learnt that the hard way. Basically all my character sprites have been ruined/displaced, so I'm going to have to redo them all...my fault really, but still, it's the last thing I needed. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Altered the boot-up screen of the Menu sequence, just to give it some refinement (both audibly and visually). I know I should leave it as is, but I just can't help but fiddle with it some more...this is probably why I don't get anything done. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #UI

I'm proud of this, I mean I'm proud of all the things I've made; but this menu sequence is by far my favourite piece. I have a few little additions to add like tooltips & additional menus, and a couple of edits, but at it's core it's finished...finally. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart #UI

When your Main Menu looks like this, you're either a little too invested, or everyone else has been doing it wrong. I'll have a video demo of it tomorrow, but it's 8pm and I need a break. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart #UI

This Main Menu overhaul is...getting there; parts of it are working, some are not, I guess it's going to be a long night. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

I'm having too much fun making these mock adverts for the Main Menu; sometimes I wished this was the game. Either way, just a couple more to go and then I can actually get the Main Menu overhauled...I think it's going to look quite good at the end. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

In my attempt to make the Main Menu feel more alive, I might have got a bit carried away, because I've decided that the start menu the player can open up should display some mock adverts in-line with the game's "lore"...anyways, progress thus far. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

So I'm in the process of giving the Main Menu a much needed graphical and functional refresh, and considering it's laid out like a desktop interface, why not give the player the chance to change the wallpaper; but first I had to make them. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Just finished up writing the text for the Tips (I know, riveting); but in all seriousness, I decided to make each one rather witty and humorous, because let's face it, most Tips are mundane and boring and no one reads them anyway. So here's a little taste. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame

Halfway done with Corrin's walking sprites; the hardest part is trying to make each direction unique so they don't feel like mirror copies, but also making sure they don't look drastically different...sometimes I wish I made all characters have short hair. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

Finally got back to doing character animations; it's probably the most time consuming area in the entire process of development, but also one of the most important, I suppose I shouldn't keep putting it on the back burner then. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart

It's been nearly a week since I last posted (not that I keep a schedule or anything); anyways I've finally finished the level repaints, ending with The Council Outpost which required a bit of sprite editing and additional effects. #gamedev #solodev #indiegame #pixelart