Happy Monday!
Thanks for all the feedback regarding the minigames. Timers were the most notable complaint and after this update is out, I'll take a look at the segments that have timers and either further review or remove them. They'll stay where they make sense, where it's not completely frustrating. Like the date with Veronica and her word game. I believe the timer there is like 20 seconds or something, giving you plenty of time to decipher the word. But segments such as the shooting range, I know that one many don't like. There are issues depending on your monitor (from what I've gathered). It's possibly a combination with Renpy's render engine, your monitor's refresh rate and that MC's arms changing position is a pre-rendered video. So, it seems that-that affected everyone's experience. I admit, I wanted to do something more than just your everyday point and click. So, I did the animation of the arms and played with the targets. The targets resolution also contributed its own issues. The rings are in PNG format and they're low-res due to their positioning. But this will also get fixed after I've released Chapter 7's update. I plan on taking out the repositioning animation and optimizing the targets so they're clearer and cleaner. Also remove the timer from this one.
Also, just a reminder that minigames are already in Artemis. You were given a choice at the very start if you wanted them on or not. It's a set-it and forget-it system. So, if you chose to skip, you won't see them but instead get a montage of the same renders those with mini-games on see.
I don't want anyone to feel they were shoehorned into the VN. My reasoning is they're a way to interact with love interests on top of the choices you generally make. The mini-games all revolve around the love interests (basketball with Paige, gun range with Naomi, Veronica's gaming session, etc.). So if you opted out of mini-games, you simply get a montage of those same renders. Those who opt-in just get an SD-CARD render and a love point, but nothing like a lewd scene as a result of winning. You also get the satisfaction of beating them in the game (or losing against them). And that's my approach for adding them in. Make the dates a little more interactive for those who want to. Otherwise, for those who have them disabled, you still get to see a montage of the same renders but with no input on your part.
There are pseudo-games, ie: the spar with Ava in the flashback, the spar with Naomi when you speak with her for the first time in CH1 and the segment when Kindra challenges you to a drag race. I'll be reviewing those too after this update, except for the race with Kindra as that one does give you an alternate scene depending on who won and it's easy to save before the race and choose your outcome. Beyond the alternate scene that comes after that, is just bragging rights.
The environment I shared last week is a bit of middle-ground. As stated above, for those with mini-games on how do you go about adding that layer? And for those who have mini-games disabled, how do you frame it so it doesn't feel like a mini-game. Because storywise, you are participating as a volunteer in this training simulation with the Central Pointe Police Department. Again, it's that balance you want to try to find between your choices in a story and a game.
But to summarize, based on feedback I'll be reviewing the mini-games after this update is out and removing most the timers from the mini-games. Timers are definitely the villain here.
A quick update on the motherboard issue I mentioned. I got in touch with ASROCK and support did some quick troubleshooting with me and determined the board needs to be RMA'd (Still works. Just some RAM slots are being funky). And turns out the one GPU didn't stop responding due to the motherboard itself...
...it was because the power connector fused to the GPU due to nvidia's shitty design. From what I've read, nvidia still honors the warranty from defected power connectors, so we'll see how that goes. If not, I already sent an email to NorthridgeFix for a quote. I've seen his videos where he fixes these pretty frequently. If nvidia gives me a hard time, I'll just send it to Northridge for repair.
But the good news is I still have the other GPU to render off of, so the render box is still able to work because the other GPU didn't hear no bell. I'll likely RMA the board after this update since it still works, minus some ram slots. So no down time here.
I've heard of the Thermal Grizzly WireView Pro II that'll monitor the voltage and even safely shut down your PC if an irregularity is detected. Seems overkill to the average user, but with how the GPU market is going lately, I think it's worth an investment. Anyone have any experience with TG's WireView devices? Or any devices or software that can help monitor these power connectors?
Enough of that. Let's enjoy a preview.
Alright, I'm gonna go have a shot of Johnnie Walker, or Kindra's brand... Johnnie Walkin'. Then get back to work.
Stay cozy and be safe out there!
♥ digi