Shader Test Build 0.29

Since the last update I have been finalizing the new shader based visual system and it's finally in a good enough shape for testing. Other similar technical improvements that make my life easier in the future are also in this release. This is a beta test build (as "BETA TEST BUILD" in big, red letters in the main menu hints) so it's not for the general public (at least not yet). Try them out if you are interested.

DOWNLOAD 0.29 SHADER BETA BUILDS HERE 

This test release also contains some small fixes, new backgrounds, new UI and 2D-character sprites but no new content for Amy's route yet. If nothing major comes up in this beta the real 0.3 release should be out "soonish". I'll do the normal monthly update Patreon post tomorrow but I'm going to skip any Patreon payments until 0.3 is officially out.

If you don't know what I'm talking about I have been working on a 2D-animation and shading system for Ren'Py. The solutions I use are pretty general and can also be used elsewhere in case I ever have to change the engine etc. You can check out these videos to get a better understanding of what this is about and I have also briefly talked about this in some of my earlier Patreon posts.

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FceQEEXn7Bg 

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL2GuJG_2E0 

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyDbvAy0Xa4 

I wanted to get this in for 0.3, so feel free to test the shader system now. Just saying "works on my Windows/Mac/Linx machine" on Discord or here is more than enough. There might be minor animation timing issues on Mac and Linux, but they should be fixed in 0.3. And of course, if you encounter any problems the "log.txt"-file in the game directory might contain something useful I can check out. Also in-game "Help -> System Information -> Copy Info To Clipboard" might prove useful when debugging any problems.

Note that some (like most indoor backgrounds) images in the game don't yet support these effects as the images have to be rendered in a special way. Also old save games are NOT compatible with this release, but things like seen gallery images should be preserved.

The effects are optional and you can disable them in settings if there are problems or if you have a slow computer (there is still some room for optimization there). Windows, Mac and Linux are supported and OpenGL 3.0 is required. If your system does not meet the requirements normal fallback graphics should be automatically used.