Hey everyone,
This is the last dev diary of 2025 - as promised.
If you haven't seen it yet, check out the Christmas post for my year-in-review thoughts. Short version: remakes are difficult, but I'm really happy with where the game is at the moment.
Holiday Break
I'm officially off for the next two weeks.
Since the last dev diary, I've made good progress on CG production - a lot of new scenes are now in various stages of completion. That said, I also took some time off to be with family over the holidays, which was both necessary and good for the soul.
Release Date
The topic everyone keeps bringing up.
I'm targeting end of January for the next update.
I'm happy with current progress but Act 2 material is still rough, so it's hard to say exactly how much will make it into this release versus getting polished for the next one. I want to include as much Act 2 content as I can, but I also understand it's been a while since the last release.
I'll keep pushing content once I'm back and will know more details after.
On Genre, Choices, and Terminology
This past week I've gotten a lot of questions about genre classification, player choice, terminology, and why certain story elements are/aren't optional.
Trying to fit any game into neat genre boxes is always messy.
I've seen passionate arguments about whether certain scenes "count" because there wasn't enough anxiety/jealousy (very common with Yuri), or whether something is "NTR" at the slightest hint of teasing.
Genre labels are useful shorthand, but they never describe the actual plot.
The game can go more extreme in certain directions, but there are limits to this.
For example:• The MC is intentionally written as slightly shy• A more confident/dominant path is definitely possible, but it requires some growth • He won't ever become an 'Ultra-Chad alpha' type - that wouldn't fit his personality - but you might see traces of that
Similarly:• Terrace isn't mandatory as a bull - the future affinity system allows him to remain just a good friend• But he is mandatory as a character in the story, and certain dynamics will play out regardless of route
The game is about exploration, the MC and Ayumi both have some agency. The route system is designed to accommodate different flavors of exploration - but it's still one story with branching paths, not separate games for all fetishes.
Why Certain Elements Aren't Optional
Short answer: Because this is a story, not a sandbox. (I love sandboxes, but it was never the goal here)
Longer answer:
The narrative requires certain moments to establish world, relationships, and possibilities. Terrace being attracted to both Ari and Ayumi, for example, isn't something you can toggle off.
What is optional is how that evolves:• Does it lead to further involvement? (Your choice)• Does the MC encourage it, allow it, or shut it down? (Your choice)• Does Ayumi pursue it, test boundaries, or respect limits? (Influenced by your choices)
RewardsAs a thank-you for sticking with me through 2025, I'm sharing more Platinum-tier rewards than usual this time around. Consider it a small holiday gift for your patience and support.
(Will be posted soon)
Cheers,Tori