June 5 Update
Added 2016-06-05 19:29:16 +0000 UTCObviously my previous week was mostly focused on bugfixes and ultimately getting the public release out, so I don't have a lot to report. I will probably put out a 0.18.3 so the most recent version doesn't have a graphical bug.
Though I've begun working through plans for the next TLS update, the NN release is going to consume much of my time for the next while. Lots of things are done, but it's crunch time and I'll be receiving some materials pretty late in the process. Having said that, I will be very happy to have a completed game like this on my CV (so to speak).
You guys probably know there's a lot of animosity toward Patreon games in some places. I try to do what I can to prove I'm trustworthy, but I kind of sabotaged myself by beginning a game as long as TLS. =P I'm glad that Ouroboros was generally well-received as a complete game, though, and NN should soon be done as well.
Beyond that, there's nothing I can really do. Being exposed to such a massive amount of feedback thanks to these games, I feel like I've learned a number of things. One key insight is that a person's reaction to something often has more to do with them than it does with the thing itself.
As a creator, you have to accept that. You improve in response to criticism you agree with, try to learn what you can from criticism you don't, and either way you move on. That's kind of a banal conclusion, but knowing it is one thing and absorbing it into your day to day operations is another. It's something I feel I've made progress on since beginning the project, but there's always further to go.
Anyway! I feel hopeful that the next TLS update will be out in a normal amount of time, regardless of the NN 1.0 release. It'll be a quieter update with a lot more player freedom, so I hope it will be a nice change of pace after the battle.
Comments
To Decanter, the shift+enter thing doesn't work for everyone. Maybe it depends on the browser? I used to do it, but now it does nothing. Haven't tried pasting yet though.
Secular Reason
2016-06-07 07:41:25 +0000 UTCI'm in agreement with the OP here... This whole "anger and distrust" to patreon games is to me, two sided. 1. There are people who are just fucking cheap. They want everything for free, and damn anyone who says that they should pay. I torrent as much as anyone, but if I like something, I go back and pay for it. Because I want the company to continue making the stuff I like, and not the MMOs that is the only surefire way to make money now-a-days. I use torrents as demos of a sort. 2. People who have done patreon and been burned by "creators" who never produce a valid product. In your case, month after month, you have proven your dedication with constant uploads. Quality uploads at that, and you *still* offer the game for free on your page. Fuck these people. No simpler or more honest way to say it.
Secular Reason
2016-06-07 07:36:58 +0000 UTCRegarding the investments that seem far out of reach at the moment: You'll be able to afford them later, so don't worry. And even if you can't afford them right now, I feel they add a bit of flavor to the game; they signpost how much power you have (or lack) and how far you've got to go. Finally, wouldn't it be a bit odd if investment prices just magically scaled up with your ProN supply? Bank managers wouldn't know if Simon has 10k or 100k ProN on hand just by looking at him, after all.
SJ99998
2016-06-06 23:32:31 +0000 UTCThe first run through of TLS I did was right after Ardford was released to the public, and remember going into the merchant's guild and thinking how the heck do you get 1 million Pron just to be able to spend 100k to join. Now I know, lol.
Darthjake
2016-06-06 21:09:47 +0000 UTCThinking you are old I remember starting out on FF1 but yeah have to agree with you there. Was playing Persona games and Nocture though couldnt get the challenge as well as understanding ever possible choice you make have several things changing in the gameplay Still the amount of times that I played this over makes it so worthwhile to pledge and cant wait to see how actions effect outcomes.
Edward Culham
2016-06-06 07:27:41 +0000 UTCThinking you are old I remember starting out on FF1 but yeah have to agree with you there. Was playing Persona games and Nocture though couldnt get the challenge as well as understanding ever possible choice you make have several things changing in the gameplay Still the amount of times that I played this over makes it so worthwhile to pledge and cant wait to see how actions effect outcomes.
Edward Culham
2016-06-06 07:27:33 +0000 UTCI'm just here to chime in on the note you made about animosity toward Patreon games. This is simply my opinion, but even if this was a Patreon for TLS alone, I think it's definitely worthwhile. For me, as a veteran RPG gamer hailing as far back as FFIV (which admitting aloud makes me feel old as hell), I've been feeling a little burned out on the genre. However TLS has recaptured my enjoyment for RPGs wholeheartedly. The characters are awesome, the plot is engrossing. And good lord, the balancing the economy of currency, exp, and choices which can impact long term outcomes can make, all of it is hands-down some of the best gameplay I've seen in a long time. For me, Ouroboros was an amazing perk for the pledge I made, who's plot and gameplay was no-less awesome, and a great experience overall. Keep up the amazing work Sierra!
Tempest
2016-06-06 06:21:35 +0000 UTCIm thinking he is thinking of the mine investment which is set at 300,000 pron. Pretty sure it was set that way to tell you that you are not getting it now but part of taking over the city. Though do agree, is so much fun making the choices to decide what to do,
Edward Culham
2016-06-06 05:09:11 +0000 UTCAlso there is a walkthrough / wiki if you want to see where you missed potential investment opportunities, I'm always torn about earning 5k by pimping out Qum b/c of the sad puppy look I'm visualizing her with after the brothel scene. Aka is easy to perk up, just make her a new knife. :)
Darthjake
2016-06-06 02:42:45 +0000 UTCWhat was said before on the Pron, was that it was done that way to create player choices, and to not worry if you don't "walk the golden path" the inability to min/max sort of got to me too, but we adjust and overcome.
Darthjake
2016-06-06 02:40:48 +0000 UTCTwo things. First, it's awesome that you're enjoying the game. Second, you can insert line breaks in a Patreon comment by pressing Shift+Enter or just pasting text from elsewhere.
Decanter
2016-06-06 01:33:54 +0000 UTCI just want to let you know that this is one of the best games I've ever played. It's probably the best game I've ever seen when it comes to blending story and adult content. A game where the story is so great I'm not even wondering when the next adult scene is coming up. Though some battles do get me a bit irritated.. There's no farming in this game so some fights are near impossible or are an impossible RNG battle. The impossible fight is pretty much the spiders in the broken house but I'm glad to see they did get a slight nerf in the most recent update. I was at least able to obtain one of the items in the house.. The other one... Ehh... .(;=___=). Also the way PRON isn't readily obtainable.. So unable to farm and unable to convert Sx to PRON.. I'm left unable to obtain certain investments.. I mean.. That's just one of those tough paths that give the player the inner struggle to make a choice so it's acceptable game strategy but when I see investment amounts that far exceed what I currently have it's like.. How is that even possible? How do I get that much? What have I missed?! (.>___<). Though this game doesn't have the constant fighting and require farming to obtain certain items like most games of this type so I'm not really complaining.. I'm half and half on it.. I want everything. (.@___@). Oh. Another thing that came up is when you have the choice to reshape or make Altina a slave when you make the choice it says "take back to camp or take here here" kinda thing... but I had to play it through just to figure out which one was reshape or slave.. For Varia the choice is clear. Reshape or slave kinda deal. In the end though.. This game is intelligent. Simon is the kind of character I always wanted to see in movies, animes, games, or whatever.. He knows his faults. He decides what his limitations are. He doesn't take needless risks. He thinks things through.. A perfect character. When Queen Janine makes a future for him "living secluded with a few close friends. Forgotten." Then Raila and Sarai were like.. Damn.. How does she know Simon so well? I lost my shit. Funniest part of the entire game so far. So thank you. Thank you for making something I always wanted but never thought would happen. Last question is.. I don't mind the adult text scenes. They are well written and I have no problems with them but will there ever be a scene behind it? I like the characters of the game but only see their default picture. No graphics to go with the written adult content. It's probably a lot of work so it's fine as is. This is a lot longer than I had planned to write..
Oleem
2016-06-06 00:14:57 +0000 UTC
