🌓 Update: Chapter 12, Half-Chapter, Some Rambling Thoughts and IMPORTANT VOTE

Hey everyone!

I wanted to bring you up to speed on the current situation.

Since the Dark Ones voted to wait for the half-chapter, I’ve been focusing on that without paying too much attention to the exact progress. Last week I was on vacation from my regular job, so I had more time to work on the game, and I actually made some really good progress.

Today, I checked how much I’ve done, and… well, the half-chapter isn’t out yet, but Chapter 12 is already about as long as the entire Chapter 10. Oops.
(Of course, that’s not a perfect comparison since a lot of Chapter 12 branches out based on the player’s decisions.)

Honestly, I could release Chapter 12 tomorrow and it would already be a decent length, except that one sex scene is still missing. It’s already animated but not yet implemented in the code.
However, since the plan was to release the half-chapter first, that obviously comes first.

Right now, I have just one scene left before I’ll feel ready to release the half-chapter. The problem is that it’s a fight scene. I originally wanted to keep it short and simple, but… no. I love making fight and action scenes. They’re honestly my favorite parts to work on. Even though Chapter 12 already has a big action highlight (those who played the teaser know what I mean), I want to add another one. It’s an important part of the story, and highlights need to feel like highlights.

And honestly, I just enjoy it. Which leads me to something important.

There are two things that could ever kill Companion of Darkness:

1. Money

The reality is that I have to earn money with it. It’s not romantic, but it’s realistic. The fridge doesn’t fill itself, and a starving artist doesn’t get more productive; he just stops being an artist.

That’s exactly why I want to thank you all again. Your support literally keeps Companion of Darkness alive. Thank you so much. I love you all.

2. Fun

If I ever lose the fun in creating, that’s when I’ll stop.

I don’t earn nearly enough from the game to make it my full-time job, sadly not even close (Taxes are brutal, but i sure you are all aware of that). Right now, I’m working a slightly lower-paying position at my company that allows part-time hours, so I can use the rest of my time to work on the game. That’s how I survive: half my bills are paid by my regular job, and the other half by Companion of Darkness.

If I went back to my old full-time role, I’d earn more money but would have little time to work on the avn, and it's not as much fun. So yeah, fight scenes are fun for me. I know that’s selfish, but please forgive me. I’m adding another cool fight scene in Chapter 12. Please don’t hate me. 😄

I also believe a spectacular action scene helps the novel’s popularity and long-term survival. It’s one of the things that makes Companion of Darkness stand out from other AVNs and might attract new players.

Don’t worry, I’m not losing the fun of making it. I just wanted to explain why I think it’s important to include something that might not be as interesting to some of you. I remember one of the surveys: not many of you said you’re here for the fights, which is totally fair. The action scenes are just one piece of the puzzle. But for me, they’re the most fun part to create.

So, what does that mean for Chapter 12 Half-Chapter?

As soon as the next fight scene is done, it’ll go to my proofreader. Once it’s finished there, it’ll go straight to you.

I don’t know exactly how long the scene will take, but hopefully faster than the last one. And honestly, I hope the wait will be worth it because this “half-chapter” already feels like a full one.

About the Vote

I asked you who should get more sex scenes, and the results were… interesting.

I sorted out the invalid comments (since some of those characters it wouldn't make sense to happen in chapter13), but it was still fun to see who you’re all hot for. Apparently, a lot of you are hot for Nael. Unfortunately, I have to admit that Nael herself wouldn’t care at all. 😆

Any who should get a bonus scene?
Disclaimer: that doesn’t mean it’s 100% confirmed to happen. If I come up with a better idea, I’ll go with that. But for now, that’s the plan. So, vote away!

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading through my rambling and for your incredible support.

I love you guys. Take care.

– Berki