Saturday, April 4, 2015

Status

Hi all,
please excuse some slow progress recently for the game. The version 3.4.03 is taking a lot longer than planned, from
- a little of it is motivation, as some of the recent work for the game is rather complex and difficult to debug and get working
- some a mixture of health and free time
- a little time lost working on other projects, like a revamping of the game "A Spell for All" at the Hypnopics forum (a work in progress)

Give me a couple of weeks to try to sort out the GUI changes and assorted bugs and new features.


User Interface Changes
I have seen quite a few comments where some people do not like the revised display, and it mainly seems to be the colour schemes. Please note the examples are for a male slave maker, female and dickgirls use a different scheme.

All the colours are editable by players, and also the images for the icons. A background image can be provided by the player to add texture to the general background if desired. Currently all these changes will by by editing an xml file configurationlayout.xml, not via the Options screen as I generall consider these things fairly static. Also it is simple to provide an add-on 'skin' for the game to rearrange colours and/or icons.

There will NOT be a 4x3 version of the interface provided, A couple of people have had issues with because of
- using still a 4x3 montor
- an issue with scaling and font sizing that I do not see, certainly not in my development version

48 comments:

  1. thanks for the work - really looking forward to the update ^^

    ReplyDelete
  2. I must again, sorry.
    Would be possible for an on-screen counter to display the days remaining? I know the calendar and seer both do this is different ways, but the seer tells you where tentacles are going to show up as well and the calendar displays birthdays. Just a question I had to ask.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You shouldn't expect majority of players to modify XML or anything. Most players want to play games. Your experience as Futanari forum is NOT of majority of players. Most people there are developers and are happy to mess around with editing anything.

    What does that mean?

    It means that majority of your players will hate the default color scheme if it isn't something sensible. They will also never change the color scheme (not XML editing) and will keep complaining or just start hating the game itself (thinking you are ignoring their complaints).

    That's what usually happens. So yeah.. :D

    PS: My recommendation is to listen to people posting on blog. Or anyway, avoid bright colored backgrounds/UI. No one wants to blind themselves playing a text game. That's what masturbation is for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am listening to peoples comments, and I do not see a majority of people hating the new design. Quite a few dislike and quite a few like. I also know people who dislike the old colour scheme and layout.

      I am going with the new scheme and NO-ONE has posted an alternate colour scheme, except one using a wood-feel background that I felt was unclear, I prefer a simple texture to make text clear and easy to read.

      As I said it is quite simple to add a skin with a new colour scheme if someone wants to do the quite simple edits, and then post their version. You will then just copy the files into the game,

      Delete
    2. Sorry but you're picked the shitiest font choice you could've for the ui and the mobile app style only compounded it, then again it's your game and 90% of us are here only for the faps so who even cares as long as you put out a shiny new version now and then? ;p

      Delete
    3. It is the same font as the game uses now, Arial. The game also uses in places Times New Roman and Verdana but I am phasing Verdana out as it is virtually the same as Arial. Times New Roman will remain in limited use.

      Unless you are referring to the colour of the text, as noted this is completely configurable. For the disgruntled I will provide a 'classic' colour scheme with the simiple instructions to implement (copy/unzip some files)

      Delete
    4. Anon,

      Please don't presume to opine percentages. If there was a poll on that subject, I must have missed it. Whereas the main thrust (Sorry. Heh) of the game is sex, it isn't the only reason people are playing it.

      Cmac,

      As always, I hope that you are well.

      Still trying to get in contact with you concerning Holo v1.75 and 2, along with a few other projects. Also, Nagisa is about to go to v1.3. I've been rearranging pics to match up with the new Discuss/Intimate assignments.

      Delete
  4. I personally love the new look, it's definitely refreshing, and breathes new life into a game I was quite fond of a couple years back. Though I do see what people are saying about the color being very pastel, I do not see it as an issue, the old game had very bright places if I remember correctly, and it had a very unprofessional layout (with no intended offense). This new system look a lot more ironed out, sensible and I congratulate you for changing it.

    I'm very much looking forward to this new version as I would love to play through this again.

    Minor question, when I use to play (around 2 years ago) there was a storyline involving the Red Lily Bar. Upon playing Blackjack and going into some debt there was a scene which ended with "Waiting sucks, don't it" (or something similar) has this ever been pursued? I would love to know where this line goes. Also more parts onto that storyline were also left out, such as the requirement to work at the bar 3 times, however no punishment was implemented at that time. Do you have any plans as of yet? When I first played this was a story I was very much found of (I always play as the futanari character) and would love to see this area expanded on as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Red Liliy is still there but it is unchanged. The developer stopped working on it and it is as they left it.

      Delete
    2. That is sad, hopefully another developer will pick it up? Thanks for all the hard work!

      Delete
    3. The Red Lily was a pain in the arse, the way it murdered your SM's Dominance.

      Also, is there going to/will there be anything to do with the Lady of the Rocks?

      Delete
    4. Yes there will, when I have the time to write the events.

      Delete
    5. Awesome, but don't strain yourself. Your health should always take priority.

      Delete
    6. Squark,

      Kinda like real life? Go to the casino, and get your butt handed to you on the way out. ;-) I actually like the Red Lilly. It would be grand to see Rowadon adding to it again. I actually wrote an expansion to buying a drink in the Bar.

      SR

      Melora Ilsen,
      Lay Sister of the Order of the Sacred Chalice,
      Saint Olfin of Bedwier Abbey,
      Firee

      SR

      Delete
  5. Take your time, we will be still here and celebrating the next release when it´s due.
    I wish you all the best for your personal life, you bring so much happiness to all these random internet people, you deserve some yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  6. cant wait for this mobil game to be released....wait...it is an iphone game isnt it!? it looks like one....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I assume you are being sarcastic? The game has been long released, the last post was just about a revised user interface.

      I am rather perplexed as some peoples hostility to the new design

      Delete
    2. dude, forget the haters - its your game, if they dont like the look of it, let them edit it the way they want. if they dont want to do that, then they should stop complaining. I dont mind the current look, but i am looking forward to seeing what its like to play with the new one. as always, thank you so much for all your hard work

      Delete
    3. I don't think it's primarily the design, per se. More so the powder blue for the male trainers and the look of the tabular buttons across the top, instead of the folder style ones down the side in previous releases.
      Personally, the icons used for the buttons are a little off putting, but it will limit how few times I go "Fuck, I clicked the wrong thing!" per session.
      In short, if people are too bone idle to open an xml file in Notepad++ or similar, then they have no right to complain. XML is an easy language to understand, especially when it's annotated the way you have it.

      Delete
  7. First and foremost I hope your health issues are getting better rather than worse. As this game is a labor of love on your part, and the rest of us (sans those who help in development) just enjoy playing it; your hard work it appreciated.
    I don't know why everyone is resorting to sarcasm and insults when commenting on the new interface layout, but to distill what seems to being said into a compact, and rational format, it seems the consensus is as follows: rather than a very "modern" bright color scheme; to be more in fitting with the game's atmosphere, something with a late-medieval / early renaissance time period flavor feel to it would be more fitting. For example, the pick a slave screen has all the potential slaves bordered in stone... Since this is a game about slave training a bit more of "leather and chains" décor for the interface would seem less incongruous.
    I may be saying something that's been said before, in which case I'll apologize up front. In the end, it's your game Cmac, and we're grateful to you for it. But, it just seemed this thread has been running and running on high emotion, rather than just making a pat case and letting you accept or reject the suggestions as you see fit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "...everyone is resorting to sarcasm..."
      Please try not to tar all with the one brush. Judging all by the few is actually a little offensive.
      Leather and chains is a good idea, however it must be done just right, or it will hinder the experience rather than enhance it.

      Another suggestion I had thought of, given the backgrounds idea:
      I'm not sure which one it is, but when your mother gives a small holy symbol and tells you that if, after a year you can still hold it, you will be welcome home, nothing happens.
      Two years can pass and it's never mentioned again, nor is it in your inventory.
      Perhaps this background can be expanded so you can go on a trip home, leaving your assistant in charge of the house while you're away (a month, maybe two at most)
      "There is a stain on your sould that no amount of prayer or meditation can ever wash away". Maybe so, but not of your own volition. Myths and legends are rife with stories of such cursed individuals having the curse pulled out of them, and either defeating or being defeated by the creature that cursed them in the first place with ownership of the body and soul as the prize. It's a suggestion, but for this purpose, the slave maker would need an additional "Faith/Morality" meter. Freelancers could go the same route, but I think this background should not be available to Atheistic Slave Trainers.

      I like how (I think it's) Benten the God of Catgirls is a triggerable event, but maybe more gods could bless you with similar benefits? Perhaps the God of War could increase your weapon skills Maximum value?

      One last question: The sword in the Onsen starting home. There doesn't seem to be any purpose to this item yet, or have I just missed it?

      Delete
    2. i like the new look of it form the pic you posted it looks more user friendly

      Delete
    3. That may be so, but it looks a little too iPhone-y for my tastes.

      Delete
    4. The Benten events are a 3rd party event developed by 'Lilith Dark Elven' so are mainly for them to expand if they like.

      The Onsen house events are still pending to be added to the game.

      Delete
    5. The Benten events are part of my catgirl module - I don't see the other gods having a catgirl connection. I have spoken with people about events for other gods and what benefits might come from having another god as your patron, but in general there seems to be little interest in the gods

      Delete
  8. Nice Game and good work, i like to see more training ground's couples with stuff at last so i hope for fixing issues with text-overlapping and floud trainings there is doubled, last time i saw cattrain two at both.
    Cattrain: perfect true catgirl
    Cattrain: 60/100
    and overlapping with swim/sing/dance, maybe its why i choised a assis from my previous slave. :hmm:
    After all, i'm looking forward and open for donation to support devlopers, so think about too add spend button at startmenu. ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I noticed something similar, but mine repeatedly borks by giving virtually every slave a blank entry in the Dancing/Singing/Swimming section of the stats, looking like this " : 1"
      I reload in an attempt to stop this, and it shows up as Fairy Affinity. Virtually every slave a start will have this. AFAIK, slaves are not supposed to start with this stat.

      Donations are a no-go area. Cmac has repeatedly said this, and has given very valid reasons as to why. Most slave developers feel the same way.

      Frankly, I'm a little sick of main menu buttons that open webpages.

      Presumably, the overlapping text and erroneous stats will be ironed out in the next release.
      Lastly, a suggestion to developers: Please, for the love of god and all that's holy, spell and grammar check your work. It is very off-putting and can change the overall tone of the sentence when you don't bother to do this simple act.

      Delete
    2. The overlapping test/skills issue is fixed in the beta versions for 3.4.02/3.4.03 so will be fixed in the next release

      Delete
  9. okay so are people complaining about the design of the interface now? or are they complaining about the color? if color being to bright is the problem just make the background colors slightly more dark. it is a rather dark game concept in the first place. if they are complaining about the interface, either get over it or stop playing the game. live with the current version. Some are just never happy are they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Colour is configurable in the new version. An option to use the 'classic' colour scheme will be provided via a simple rename/copy of a file

      Delete
  10. Hey guys love your game and love your work. Dont mind waiting for the new update cause i know ul are gonna make it well. New interface seems good and modern as well, some ppl dont like it but its quite nice. Hope u guys throw in more pics for the slaves , other than that love what u guys are doing. I know im gonna love whatever new stuff ul add in cause i loved everything ul did before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In the majority of cases, the problem isn't finding more pics, it's finding more pics that won't make you hurl.
      I like how the Peach slave was handled, but needed more Futa pics. Oh well. With patience, you can balloon her chest to about 44. Without the Odd pill from the Farm,

      Delete
  11. Just want to ask, if any new content will be added besides the new GUI/Display.

    If I remember correctly there was some kind of stat if one plays as a succubus, after you become one, but it was either not yet implemented or broken.

    There were also some bugs with houses (the player would not move into a new house).

    Some events would also either be bugged (no text) or were "blocked" either would not happen at all, or were broken and reapeted every time you went for a walk in a given area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It depends on when you are asking from. Since 3.4.01 a lot of bugs have been fixed, less so since the last beta for 3.4.02 but there are fixes there as well. IU am try to fix all the bugs I can and not add too many more.

      For new content it again depends on when from, in general
      - ability to capture the centaur girl if she is female
      - support for other cities in the game, so you do not have to play in Mardukane only
      - some additional events for some minor slaves like Arak and others
      Quite a few others, but not a lot on the meta level like say succubus training etc. A developer at the futanari palace is working on continuing the BE forest events/with the Count etc
      Another has expanded the Lady Grey events.

      Delete
    2. New Cities = New Homes?

      Are there maybe also any plans to make "Inwesting in the home" have a bigger imopact on the game?
      I saw that there already are "slots made" for possible house addons, and or furnishment.

      I belive it should play a bigger role in the game to renowate/remodel the house so that it can fit more slave and make their living conditions better.

      I aslo belive that the available houses should also be "Renown related" ( Just like the assistants are ).

      Delete
    3. New cities as in new global maps iirc, so new events, characters etc in theory

      Delete
  12. I honestly Cant Wait for the next releace

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good evening. Maybe you should make several color options for the interface? And a corresponding settings? Personally, I hardly have enough abilities and desire to "editing an xml file". P.S. And уes. This is online translator. But I hope the meaning is conveyed..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What, really?
      Open up the configuration xml file that's in the existing full version.
      It'll take you no more than 10 minutes to fully grasp, because of Cmac's notes.

      Delete
    2. I will also be providing a preset 'classic' version, to use this it will just simply be a matter of copying a file

      xml files are simple text files, editable with any choice of editor you like, the built-in NotePad or WordPad for Windows are fine.

      Delete
  14. Hey cmacleod42, after playing through a large section game (version 3.4.02) and starting over 4 times, i have encountered a few things that i am concerned about, primarily a large number of minor grammatical errors and low quality images.

    I was wondering if you would be open to accepting my help with quality control of the game? Id like to offer suggestions on images to replace, add, and omit from existing content, as well as text corrections.

    Id mostly consider bad images as images that either show the wrong action, or images that are low quality when higher quality images exist.

    Again id be only working as a volunteer and only offering advice, and i already have alot of changes worth mentioning.

    I can be reached at ddoggx@gmail.com. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For low quality images it is a question of where. If they are specific to a particular slave then the issue is with the developer of the slave, not the core game. If they are not slave specific then another issue.

      Can you give me an example of a low quality image you have seen

      Similarly some grammar issues you mentioned

      Delete
  15. I'm liking the new widescreen mode, when combined with the new sharp looking UI it will really be a breath of fresh air in a game I've been playing and keeping an eye on for years.

    Out of curiosity, Cmac, what kinds of content additions would you like to get into the game at some point? Not necessarily things that you are working on or would ever get around to working on, but the kinds of plans and ideas for new stuff and stuff that needs finishing off you may have.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Keep it up it looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The new UI looks awesome in my opinion, good work dood.
    I have a question about the pics : I like to change them for my favourites slaves, so i was wondering if it's possible to make it so that the game accept gifs.
    I have no clue as to how all of this works to be honest, it's already pretty good as it is, but i have a collection of gifs i'd love to use so... :3

    ReplyDelete
  18. Short status report, cmacleod42? =)

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.