Devlog Update: Graphical Rehaul, Technical Changes, Bug Fixes, & Login Overhaul

In this update, I’ve made significant technical overhauls, squashed a long list of bugs, and completely redesigned all 21 existing CG textures to better fit the game’s realistic and serious setting.

Note: There are mild story spoilers for upcoming content at the very end of this post!

Graphical Rehaul of CG Scenes

As you can see above, I have completely overhauled and added new CG textures to the game. This was a necessary step; because the original CGs were created over a six-month period, they lacked visual consistency. This rehaul unifies the art style and adapts it to the game's darker, more serious tone.

Additionally, I have unified the character's hair to a long hairstyle across all CGs, reflecting the default base selection in character creation. While the clothing in the current CGs is relatively mundane and conservative, it will dynamically change - adding tattoos, makeup, and bodily accessories - as the protagonist becomes more corrupted.Some of these updated CG scenes are currently playable in the latest demo build, so feel free to check them out!

Bug Fixes Galore

Following the release of the demo, many Patrons reached out via the survey link to report issues. Because my primary focus for the initial release was simply preventing hard crashes, a lot of smaller bugs slipped through.

Key fixes in this build include:

Enemy Respawns: Fixed an issue where field enemies were not regenerating.

Sprite Blinking: Fixed a bug causing field enemies to blink when migrating between areas.

Loading Issues: Resolved an issue that prevented the game from loading in-game (this was previously disabled due to an underlying bug).

Memory Leaks: Patched several memory leaks that caused performance to degrade during extended play sessions.

Stamina Cap: Fixed a bug allowing stamina to drop below 0.

...and many more! Thank you all for the detailed reports. I will continue to monitor and fix bugs as they pop up.

Technical Shifts: Moving to Forward+

We’ve made some massive technical leaps. Previously, the game was exported using Godot’s Compatibility renderer. While this allowed the game to run on low-end hardware and web browsers, it severely restricted visual effects, lowered overall performance, and - ironically - caused massive stuttering on high-end PCs. (I actually didn't know about that last issue, since I develop on a laptop that barely runs Godot itself).

Thanks to streamlining the codebase and fixing the memory leaks, the game now officially runs on the Forward+ renderer. The performance issues and stutters are completely gone.

For Low-End & Web Users: I’ve implemented a graphics setting toggle that disables heavy shaders and demanding visual effects, ensuring smooth performance even on budget machines.

Login Mechanisms Overhaul

While the previous login system worked, it suffered from a few critical flaws: it required constant authentication (making offline play impossible), it was vulnerable to basic bypassing, and it completely blocked Patrons living in regions where Patreon is restricted - even when using a VPN.

While cracked versions are inevitable and online checks are standard, blocking legitimate, paying supporters due to regional restrictions was unacceptable to me. I considered setting up a private server, but that wouldn't have solved the regional blocks.

Thankfully, with the invaluable technical help of a Patron, @LostEternity, these issues have been completely resolved!

Here is how the new system works:

30-Day Offline Token: Your login token now persists for 30 days. You only need to authenticate once a month, allowing for completely offline play in between. Since major game updates launch monthly at most, you'll naturally re-authenticate when downloading a new build.

Enhanced Security: We've integrated a Cloudflare-based verification layer to validate login keys, making the game significantly more secure against basic exploits.

VPN & Regional Bypass: If you are in a restricted region, you can now log in seamlessly using a VPN. Instead of pinging Patreon's servers directly, the game routes the request through Cloudflare to a server in the US (where Patreon is fully accessible). Just make sure your VPN is turned on before launching the game to authenticate!

A massive thank you to @LostEternity for providing the architectural insight to make this happen.

Storyline Updates & Community Poll

⚠️ MILD SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

The most common piece of feedback from the demo was that players wanted a more structured narrative to follow. While the lack of story was intentional (as I cut several narrative segments for the demo build), I completely agree that the game needs a stronger narrative drive. Moving forward, I am implementing a core main storyline.

The Premise: The CIA deployed the protagonist into the jungle with virtually no intel, forcing them to resort to desperate, extreme measures just to survive. But this wasn't an administrative oversight - it was a calculated setup.

The CIA isn't actually interested in taking down the Cartel; they want their drugs. The Agency views this regional narcotic as the perfect, highly efficient successor to the infamous (and historically real) Project MK-ULTRA - the 1960s mind-control experiments involving morphine and chemical cocktails. Because early testing on domestic subjects yielded either no results or catastrophic side effects, the CIA sent a greenhorn agent (you) into the field as a live test subject to monitor and document the gradual, mind-altering effects of the drug firsthand.

Community Input Needed!

The overarching questline of the game will open up after you acquire the Satellite Computer from Sorn, focusing on how the CIA actively influences and corrupts the protagonist.

How do you want the CIA to orchestrate the protagonist's corruption? Please cast your vote or leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Direct Orders and Commands: The protagonist is forced to execute increasingly vulgar, compromised, and directives under the guise of duty, eroding their morality over time.

Subliminal Hypnosis and Mind Control: The CIA utilizes prototype MK-ULTRA frequencies and audio/visual transmission technology through your gear to actively rewrite your subconscious.

An Insider Handler: A deep-cover CIA agent deployed long before you acts as a handler, using psychological manipulation, proximity, and tactical sabotage to gradually alter your body and mind.