Working on Chapter 3

I don't like posting updates when I don't have anything definite to say, but seeing as the last update was in August... that's a little creepy. So no, I'm not dead, but I really had other things to take care of.

I was working on updates/bugfixes for the previous two modules, and it looks like I didn't publish them. I'll have to check that later, sorry. I keep transporting my module files between multiple computers, and there have been some complications. :S

Currently I'm merging some areas that I made a long time ago with the new Chapter 3 and rewriting NPCs where needed.

I will make a wild estimate about the module's release - spring 2015. I'm probably lying, but I know you like that. :P

Proof that I was testing the new module:

Chapter 3 progress

I'm almost done with my detailed plan for Chapter 3. Not sure how long it's going to be in comparison with the previous modules, but there is enough drama content to make it a separate module, so I don't think merging with the final module will occur.

As some of you may know, parts of Chapter 3 have been in existence for years now, because that was supposed to be Chapter 2 until I turned things around. That content is part of my first big Demonheart module. It will require lots of rewriting to make things neat again, and of course not all of the old content is usable, due to not being good enough or not fitting into the story anymore. Word count is unclear for now, since I decided to start a new module and import existing resources from the old one if required.

Brash and Sinallion BFF!

My first struggle with Chapter 3: tying all Chapter 2 endings together. You always come to the same town, but I have to write different conversations for different parties. I was most inspired to write the conversations you get if you have all the companions. :P

Coming back

Okay, the bug reports still look scary, but less so than before. I want to start working on the next module and am getting excited about it. I'll try to get rid of the game breaking bugs for Chapter 2 first (will probably remove the Con penalties from hunger).

By the way, can someone update me on what happened with the Vault? I figure I'll dig around for information, but right now I'm in the mood to work on DH.

Edit:

Updated Chapter 2 on the community vault. I only fixed the most essential bugs and some others that were easy to find and test. It's always possible that something malfunctions due to the new changes, though. :D

Module page: link
Version history: link

Reminder: I won't be able to work on the module or answer all comments/emails until further notice. Feedback is still welcome. I'll get back to it when I can.

Chapter 2 - Testing

For now, the module is on the new vault:

Chapter 2 - BETA

You play at your own risk of getting stuck. I'll get back to testing it myself when I have more time. Sometimes other people can't report some unintended game behavior because they don't know what I actually wanted...

I want to make a new poll about the characters and wish to hear players' feelings about where this is going and any theories. Arrr!

Testing starts soon

I just finished my first successful full run of the module. Wow! :D Now we know that if you make the exact same choices I made, the module is playable. LOL. A public beta will come out when we rule out major bugs with the main quest's variations (in a few days).

Quick Update

I've had some real life activities to take care of, so I wasn't able to finish the mod for testing yet. That should mean it won't come out any sooner than a week from now, and it might be later than that, too. I started testing it myself, and ran into various issues, so I'm in the middle of it.

Progress

I was thinking of asking a question here - what kind of cliffhanger would be best to end Chapter 2 with? But I think I shouldn't be asking that. xD It has pretty much been decided, anyway.

What's left to do is tie some more loose ends inside the module (like partially finished conversations), track relationships through variables, and a lot of testing.

The relationships are still confusing me, since Brash seems to have an unfair advantage as the pushy been-everywhere bastard he is. If there are going to be big romance conflicts, I'll leave them for the next module. It's true that you can drag Brash everywhere with you before ending this module (which was a pain to make and I might have missed some places where he would comment), but I don't want to put big romance conflicts at the end of the module. They are a lot of work and they will be needed in the next module anyway. If there are going to be exclusive relationships, I like having more time to decide. So, we have a strange situation in which, if you were trying to romance Arana and Brash at the same time, they would kind of ignore each other and only talk about it later. This might change, but it's something I'll have to decide on soon.

Working on Chapter 2

It's been a long time without an update and even longer without a screenshot.

While working on the old tedious tasks, I had to make some unplanned changes to the existing content to keep me entertained. I did this shortly before releasing chapter 1 too, where the "hospital" dream used to have only one version (for the good/neutral PC). Now, in chapter 2, you can make a choice in a dream that used to have only one default player reaction. (Dreams are weird and blurry, so you don't always have a choice.)

I wish I could speed up the production and finish the beta already... This time, I might make significant changes to the module after receiving feedback. But I have to make it decent enough for playing first. Arrrgh.

Progress

The list of "unpleasant tasks" has been reduced to only one A4 page. The module is slowly coming together. I really hope I'll keep at it and be able to start alpha-testing soon. :)

Probably bad news for the Raze lovers - I decided to make him more decent and withdrawn to contrast Brash! Arana relationship should be a bit slow, too, considering what she's been through. So, having Brash back should bring chaos to the situation, as he is the most, err... "advanced" of the romance options, as far as getting into the demonheart girl's pants goes. :S

I haven't done much work on the module lately, so I avoided the blog. I was in hyper mode during the last few months of last year, and then I got a modder's block - didn't know how to continue and didn't feel inspired to finish anything - so I had a break. I should be getting back to it soon.

Rest assured, if I ever do decide to abandon this project, I intend to at least publish what's already written. :)