Thanks; the graphic revamp for the interface was long overdue. c:
Expected release date is this Saturday.
[Image above]
My apologies for the long, long wait; but the new release is a few steps away from release!
The current expected release date is this Saturday, September 27, 2008. What will be included:
- *A new, much improved intro and chapter 1.
In the past, I've always brushed off game-play with whichever filler I could whip up fast just to have some interactivity to fill, to suit my priority in the story-oriented progression of the project's WIP form efficiently. However, as time went on, it has become apparent that as the project's recognition rises, skepticism concerning the actual game-play is highly disqualifying to some. So while the priority of new contents being made is still heavily story-oriented, I have remade the intro and chapter 1 in an attempt to showcase some potential for the actual game-play that is to be inserted after the project is completed story-wise.
- *Some game-play inserted into chapter 2.
This one is actually a little shaky. Chapter 2 was easily the worst chapter of the game, yet it's so early in the game. In this release, I inserted a puzzle and a mini-game into its duration. However, I should've done more but ran out of time - it is still in need of much tuning, that of which I will improve in the future.
Of course; what's a release without a new chapter? Chapter 9 is around 45min-1hr long; heavily story-oriented as it stands now. A save file to the end of chapter 8 will be provided at the release, for those to continue from where they are left off.
I now possess the EWQL sound libraries; much much better quality-sounding playback soundfonts than the GPO I've been using. I have revamped a few existing songs, but more are expected to be improved as time goes on. There has also been a few new songs added to the soundtrack, such as "Pursuing Ancients" and "A Time Long Past", recorded with the new sound library.
Little improvements can be found here and there. The battle system now has a new GUI that is long overdue (I think it's on one of the screenshots above), you can now use items in battle (as well as find certain pickable things in the wild). The lighting for the earlier interiors have been vastly improved and now looks a hella more natural. Etc. etc.
There are still a lot of things that need to be improved in the earlier chapter, but I won't get anywhere if I don't slip them for new progress. c:
That's it for now; don't forget to look for the new release this weekend!
Thanks to the beta testers:
-Pathbinder
-Abigailian
-Legacyblade
-Arwym Starlight
-Sablones