Heeeyyyyyyyyyy

Probably the latest progress report ever, but I barely slept last night and got up early to make sure the build didn't implode. Thankfully, v0.15.1 seems to be doing pretty well! Some bugs have been found, but we'll get to work on all that.

I thought I'd get the ball rolling on v0.15.2 and look at what needs to be done!

Coding

For coding work, there is a lot we didn't have time to implement in v0.15.1 because the YarnSpinner upgrade really threw a wrench into our plans. Again, it was a good thing, but it did require a pivot. Some things we want to implement in Hotfixes before v0.15.2, while others may take more time. We won't know until we're in the weeds. (also Lotus is asleep, so I can't ask rn :D)

Scene compiling is already on the way because the scene for the next build, meeting Hazel, was the first scene we made! So it's been sitting there, mostly good to go, but there are other things we need to do. Lots of bug fixes and quality of life improvements! I also want to redo the UI in-game a bit, but we'll see.

Art

Kokman is currently working on Episode 2 scenes, and Pamika is finishing up the final location for Episode 1! So neither of their work is represented here, but they're cooking. (Would two progress reports be too confusing? Probably.)

One piece of art is needed: redrawing the bathroom in Estros for the lewd scene. We changed the bathroom design since we redid the lewd scene, so we gotta make it consistent.

Animations

Animations... I honestly do worry we may not have time to get all the animations we want in time, so let me explain.

Koth can, on average, crank out one animation per week on a good week. That entails redrawing parts, if not a lot of the image, in order to rig it for animation. Then making it animate and blend into other animations if there are multiple steps. (like a lewd scene that changes)

This next build has three special moments and one lewd scene. In theory, that is juuuuust enough time. The thing is, Koth just moved and is still finishing up school stuff. So we are going to prioritize the lewd scene to include it in the build, but some special moments may be static.

Not to mention, v0.15.3 requires 2 new sprites to be animated. Sprites roughly take 3 weeks to make, so we may need to pivot to static sprites for these small characters until we have time. Alternatively, if these monthly builds see more revenue, I can bring Koth up to full-time so he can keep making animated masterpieces. :D

Also! Some of you will wonder: "Rad, isn't the Hazel bathroom lewd scene animated?" And you are both right and wrong! A whiiiiile back, I announced we were redoing a bunch of early-game lewd scenes. I planned to incorporate these into Episode 6, but when we realized we'd be switching to Unity and restarting, I held off to use them now. (Since you'll all be replaying the game anyway) So no, the scenes are not yet animated, since the lewd scenes look different.

Here is a small look at the new version of the Hazel BJ that appears at the end of the current build, teasing the next release date:

And here is the new bathroom drawn by Pamika!

So, as you can see, a different vibe! (Also, now a one-person bathroom like I always wanted.)

Writing

We have some fun writing news!

Translations

There are two messages I get all the time: "Full release when?" and "Translation when?". I also get "Mobile?" But that is easy, yes, always yes.

So let's talk translations! I know that my game has worldwide appeal, which is always a pleasant surprise. People really want my game translated into different languages, mainly Brazilian Portuguese. I have always said "When the game is done," but that isn't the best way to go about it.

I recently looked into how much it would be to translate just the first episode of Hazelnut Latte, and the estimate I got back was $4,000! Which is... a whole lot. That is one episode, one language. For an indie team, that is simply not feasible.

People will also ask me if I want to use AI, but I will reiterate my firm stance on Generative AI: Over my dead body.

So, what option do we have? Here is my idea.

After each Episode is completed and the scripts are finalized, I want to open up translation and localization to the community. I am not 100% sure how it will look, maybe by throwing the whole script into a Google Sheet and letting people go to town. But I would rather embolden the community to see this happen than drop thousands of dollars on localization companies that all offer AI packages. How can I know they won't use AI for my translation?

I want to wait until an episode is over for a few reasons. 1. I want the script done before people waste time translating. 2. I would rather people waiting for a translation get a whole episode, since I know some foreign customers, especially people in Brazil, can barely afford Patreon Games. I would love to do regional pricing, but Patreon doesn't allow that. When HL goes to Steam, it will have regional pricing.

So, yeah, we kinda have a plan for translations!

Writing Intern

Hazelnut Latte is a really big game. A game full of words, storylines, branching paths, and player choice. We have done the math, and it would not surprise us if, when the game is done, the whole thing is around 1 Million Words.

I love writing, but that is a giant amount of words. This game is art, creativity, and my job. I want the game to come out in a reasonable time and not be something that everyone is waiting years for, because I got burned out.

-cough- winds of winter -cough-

So to alleviate that, I got an intern who might become a full-on employee someday!

I have known Frisbee for over a decade. We have swapped stories and been friends since we were teens on Tumblr. I honestly don't know if there is anyone else more familiar with me, my writing, and my style than her. She is also a very good writer and illustrator in her own right! So starting last week, she has been going over the scripts and starting her new job.

At the moment, her job is to help me improve the script for Episode 1, than 2. Organize characters, their motivations, and personalities. Strengthen the themes and find where my writing or player choice is lacking.

Because writing Hazelnut Latte is a full-time job, I can get tunnel vision, so a clear set of eyes will greatly improve the game. Then, once she's fully acclimated and we have the funding, she'll start writing scenes! But that is a ways away.

Wrap Up

Alright, we've got a big month ahead of us! Hopefully, everyone who plays v0.15.1 enjoys it! Be sure to fill out the bug report if you have any problems.

We have a lot of animating to do, and I have an intern to teach.

Thank you all so so much for your incredible support and Stay Rad!