Development Update + New JP System!

Hello, everyone! I'm sorry things have been so quiet here! In case you've missed it, I highly recommend heading to my Discord server for updates, chats, and other stuff: https://discord.gg/B5JwPBa

But still, I haven't said anything here since the Covid vaccine finally started rolling out, so yes, I assure you that the project is still alive and well and I've devoted more time to it lately than I was able to last year! In fact, it's possible the game will be finished within the next couple of months... but I'm not quite promising that yet. 

In any case, I have something new to share that's been a fun change to the game as it stands in the demo and Beta versions - a JP (Job Points) system for character skills!

As you can see, the menu looks slightly different! Each character begins their journey with 50 JP and they get an additional 50 JP upon level up (along with their stats, like Max HP and Attack, increasing).

Selecting "Use JP" from the menu will allow you to select a character, which will then bring up this screen! Here, you'll see each character's entire skillset (except for ones that they start with, of course) and you may spend their JP to learn skills in any order you like!

This system has been a big success in testing and I think it adds more fun, strategy, and replayability to the game than a simple linear level-based skill system.

But what about the others besides Lilina? Well, here's a couple sneak peeks!

And what about the status-based classes? Not to fear, they have JP, too!

Now, for those of you who have played the Beta, you may be familiar with this character located in the woods:

In the Beta, she offers a service where you can convert characters' levels into items that they can use again to regain those levels if you wish. It was intended as a way to make the game more challenging if the player chose to, but since leveling down also removed learned skills, this wasn't very satisfying.

In the full release, however...

Her purpose will be to sell Elixirs! As you can see, Elixirs are very valuable items that grant any party member 50 JP when used. Some characters won't be able to get all the skills in their JP menu with the JP they get from leveling, so you'll need her help - along with Elixirs found as treasure throughout the world - to fill those out.

Thanks once again to everyone who's continued to support me! Your contributions have helped me stay sane despite the insanity of the past year and I can't possibly thank you enough. I promise to work hard on Gianna to make it the best game it can be!