First of all, please note that there will be no DEVLOG next week. Next week will see the release of SMTL 0.3A, and I’ll be taking advantage of this release to take a week off before diving back in and finishing up the work on ATC.
Last week was a busy one. The update is pretty much done. MICHE is still working on a few animations, and I’m going to add a few last-minute ideas since I still have some time. The update will include 750 renders and 8 animations. It will be SMTL's longest update to date.
This version is what I call a “bridge” version. It sets the stage for a new chapter in MC's story, along with his friends, and takes us into the new life of our little group.
The next update will introduce the first solo path. I don't have time to include everything I wanted in Leana's path, and I don't want to give you just half of what I've planned.
Version 0.4 will also see Cassey and Hailey return and move into a new home, but we have time to talk about all that later.
On Friday, or by Sunday at the latest, I’ll send the update to the testers and distribute the ALPHA version to ART LOVERS and higher tiers as soon as I get the green light from the testers.
The other tiers will follow as usual.
ATC
The next ATC update is going to be... epic. You’ll get answers to some of the questions raised in the first part of the prologue, and you’ll have new questions to ponder.
Once the prologue is over, you’ll learn more about the story, and those who complained, thinking that certain women from the past made a life for themselves without MC, will get really surprised ;) ;) But I don’t want to spoil it and keep you from discovering everything for yourselves.
A lot of people found the mini-game difficult and had trouble solving this... I can't even call it a puzzle. I thought it was easy, too easy even, but I'd like to hear your opinion.
I’m thinking of adding quite a few short sections like this one, and some that are much more complicated. I need to know if all of this is way too hard for this kind of game, or if you like a challenge.
Let me reiterate that ATC has multiple layers. You can play as university administrators without worrying about MC’s past or all the mysteries of our beloved little town.
You can play as detectives and try to uncover what the university’s basements truly hide, and figure out how MC’s past is connected to the institution’s dark secrets. Finally, you can simply play to reconnect with the past and the old LIs. In short, we’re trying to create a very open game, and I want to make it clear here that the game will never give you access to all the scenes in a single playthrough. I know a lot of people hate replaying to unlock certain scenes, but I love it, so ATC will have significant replay value.
Well, once again, I’ve talked, or written, too much. I’ll leave you with a few spoilers, and I want to thank you for your patience and loyalty. You’ve never rushed me to go faster; in fact, you’ve often encouraged me to take my time, so thank you. Thank you on behalf of the whole team.
Don't forget that there won't be a DEVLOG or NEWS next week. So don't panic if you don't hear from me for a week. I just need a few days to recharge my batteries.
*******************************
At the end of this DEVLOG, as usual, there are a few spoilers.
*******************************
Thank you all for your support and contributions to these games, which belong to you just as much as they do to me.