There’s a bunch of bugs I need to handle, but I spent last week working on some very valuable automation stuff. It’ll be useful for modders, useful for RoP, WHI, and even Carnation. Basically, an in-engine UI that lets you generate prototype scripts!
Anyway, Urimas is working on the chapter 5 idle animations, Chicken got really sick so Koops is taking care of him and the cats (our prayers are with Niko and Dmitri). Giga got some more Sanya stuff done and Dias will be working on the Sevavi TF sequence.
Next week I’ll clean up the bugs as best I can and release a patch.
That’s right, version 4.33 is now public for everyone. I’ll be taking down the secret chapter 1/5 update page since it is no longer necessary.
I’ve switched over to using public downloads folders, where you can find all our demos and free games, as well as a changelog. Just click on your preferred download site (Mega.nz / Mediafire), or go to Itch.io or Steam since it’s free there, too!
If you’re hopping back in to see what’s new: Chapter 1 got two new transformations, some new quests, a big bonus dungeon, new features like a fortune teller who marks catalysts for you and a trainer so you can buy EXP for Platina, and some new costumes. Chapter 5 got a new transformation, two new quests, new costumes, and even a few idle animations (more on the way) as well as the fortune teller and trainer NPCs. Chapter 2 has a few art updates. Chapter 1 and 5 got voice acting in combat, now you can hear Mei shout insults as she attacks! And all chapters got a ton of bugfixes, from typos to script errors to low-level memory fixes.
Both chapters got a new trailer! They’re on youtube (Chapter 1 / Chapter 5)
I wrote a Light Novel, Tales of Strings: Instruments, which you can find on Itch.io. Art by Xandrasubmarine!
Our tester Ack released a game called Research Tower 4. Go check it out, it has doll TF in it (woah!) and it’s free. Itch.ioTFGS LinkDeviantart Link
The tie-in novels are going to be uploaded to Itch.io once their exclusivity agreements expire. More on that when it happens.
Pumpkin continues to be really cute.
So now you’re all caught up!
Now What?
I’m going to be working on a prototype for Project Carnation. Much like the previous prototype (which was Project Monoceros, later Witch Hunter Izana) the fan response will determine if it’s a game we actually make or if it’s an idea that gets shelved. I expect this will take a few months.
Once that’s done, some more minor housekeeping. Releasing WHI Hard Mode, the JP Translation for WHI, getting WHI on DLSite, some minor updates for String Tyrant, and the usual code modernization.
And then, it’s Chapter 2 until it’s complete. I would love to have it done by the end of 2024 but that’s quite unlikely given the sheer size of it, so it’ll probably be done in 2025.
We have some new artists on the team, a cool new method of doing TF sequences via comics, a much streamlined map production system, and an internal method of handling quest writing that is way better than the previous one. In addition the “code debt” that I had built up over the years is mostly cleared. There’s always more I’d love to fix but the huge backlog of bugs is gone and the game is more stable than ever. If anyone can pull off finishing Chapter 2 in 2025, it’s us!
There’s also some stuff happening in WHI that I haven’t even revealed yet but it’s big. You’ll love it.
I’m so tired.
Curious Cat
Fan Art!
A collection of zombees by Xandrasubmarine to “celebrate” the new Zombee Queen Mei costume. That evil cultist really deserves a whalloping I tell you.
Yep, it’s out for your benefit. Itch.io and Steam as well as the direct downloads page.
Minor *Added Zombee Queen costume (Thanks, Xandra!). It’s unlocked same as bee queen and works when you’re a zombee, duh. *For convenience, 55 will now appear from the vents when checking the runestone upgrade console so you don’t have to go to the 2nd floor just to bring her back. *Getting the gravemarker TF scene will now toggle on the runestone quest flag in the journal so you know to ask her about it. *Trainer UI will now show level-ups if the amount of XP purchased causes one. *Added Sanya profile entries for bunny/harpy form. *Added higher-quality Zombee portraits. Thanks to Xandra for fixing the (thought to be lost!) original files up.
Combat Balance *Added “Unstunnable” and “Unpredictable” buffs. These make it a bit more clear in the combat inspector when an enemy cannot be stunned or ignores threat. *Adjusted Florentina’s Mushraune stats to differentiate them from Merchant.
Bugs *Fixed being able to activate the wisphag TF whirlpool during the rubber sequence. *Hopefully fixed catalysts not counting on loading game FOR THE LAST TIME. *Fixed Zombees spawning in the beehive basement if you just got the Zombee scene from transforming during the boss fight. *Fixed always resetting volumes to 0.75 when returning to the title screen. *Removed some diagnostic text. *Fixed Secrebot not handled by the golem in the ExteriorEA tram station. *Fixed Trainer UI not crossfading correctly on the spend/confirm windows (WHY DID NONE OF YOU REPORT THIS???) *Fixed extra empty textbox at end of bunny TF in chapter 2. *Fixed incorrect flag being set when turning in bunny quest pamphlet. *It should no longer be possible to lure the goose far enough that you don’t need to see the hunting tutorial prompt in chapter 2. *Fixed being unable to open the map in the warrens cave after getting Angelface to meet you there. *It should no longer be possible to talk to Marigold from behind by giving the springwater and then walking all the way around Fort Kirysu. *Updated Cave Crawler turn portrait to use the correct image. *Fixed a bunch of mixing pixels on the Izuna carried sprites. *Sanya’s Flank Tactics now costs the usual passive JP. *Fixed some erroneous tiles in NorthwoodsSCB. *Fixed warping giving an erroneous message at the very start of chapter 2. *Fixed wisphags not having sprites or a combat portrait in chapter 2. *Empress’ Move Move! description fixed to correctly show it increased Evade and Initiative. *Zeke’s Nuzzle prediction fixed to show 1 turn and not 3 turn duration. *Fixed diagnostic text rendering for Close Assault. *Fixed Close Assault only providing one instance of stun if multiple attacks crit.
I want to make some more light novels like this, short and sweet with a few illustrations. But will I? Depends on sales! I have tons of ideas that are all rock solid don’t you worry.
Art by Xandra, writing by me, Salty (hi!) and editing by MarioneTTe.
If you’re a patron/subscriber over 5$ for the month of May or June, just send us a DM on Patreon (or Discord if that’s easier for you) and we’ll get you hooked up with a copy.
Development Update
Giga has finished the new Sanya Sevavi combat pose but I’m not sure it’ll make it into the next update. It’ll definitely make the public release on the 10th. Urimas is currently working on the chapter 5 idle animations, Koops is doing some UI stuff and then character designs, Stinkehund has spent a riotous amount of time making a very cool forest scene for chapter 2, and Wispy is going to draw eyes. You’ll see (oh that was a pun I hate myself)
Fan Art!
Hadezmuze asked me for an art prompt for a warmup so BAM, Rilmani Mei! I like this better than her classic design, especially those shoes. But we all know what you really want is the ears.
If Rilmani Mei is too elegant for you, what if Septima wore a bikini? Yeah she’s still pretty elegant.
And finally we return to Hadezmuze’s favourite subject, Lotta. I gotta say she’s my fave, too. Well maybe not fave but she’s definitely in the top six.
And then we have a silly scene from Tales of Strings: Instruments, by Xandrasubmarine. Who the hell is that? It’s Scarlet, she’s from the String Tyrant prequel/sequel series which is also going to be published as novels when it’s ready (which might be sooner than you think).
Kumquat also commissioned an extremely NSFW version which I am going to post here without censoring because I BELIEVE IN FREE SPEECH.
That’s right, v4.31 is now on Steam, Itch.io, and the supporter download page. The changelog is on the supporter page and will be on the Itch.io devlog. I also installed butler on the mac and got it working despite Apple’s best efforts, so hopefully it will be able to generate patches and take less download time.
The update goes public on the 10th of June!
Development Update
I’ve taken care of all the major issues in chapter 5. This week I’ll be cleaning up some chapter 1/2 issues that have come up and going over the engine to clear out memory errors that may still be hiding.
Urimas is working on some 3D stuff, I have set Giga to work on getting some chapter 2 art finalized, and Wispy is drawing eyes.
Something is Coming
I am told that it will be ready on Wednesday, probably. I’ll post an update when it is!
The update can be found in the usual places, Itch/Steam/Secret Downloads Page
Changelog is at the bottom of the post
Update and Stuff
I’m going to spend some more shooting down the UFOs before I move on to Project Carnation, there are lots of small ones popping up all the time. I also want to spend some time using Valgrind to hunt down memory errors so I can get the code ship-shape.
Urimas is going to be working on idle animations for chapter 5 and the chapter 2 loading images, Koops and Chicken are busy with family stuff, Hund is mostly done the chapter 2 mountainscape. Everything is coming along.
Septima
“I have done my best to smile. Do you like it, bearer?” By Xandra.
That’s right, it’s now out to supporters. It is on both beta branches of Steam, is out on Itch.io, and is on the downloads page on the wordpress blog. Instructions for accessing that page are on Patreon and Subscribestar (I’ll make another post on those just in case you missed the first time).
Big Ol’ Changelog
//– [ ========Version 4.29 ========= ] //–Major *Added three new field abilities to chapter 5. Darkmatter, Steam Droid, and Electrosprite now all get field abilities. *Added new emotes (mostly yelling or being smarmy) to Unit 2856’s dialogue. *Added emotes for Agent Almond: ACTION MOTH! *Fixed the dialogue hang bug for really long cutscenes. *Added RAM paging for loading files. Should improve stability and decreases memory fragmentation while only increasing load times slightly. *New quests, trainer, fortune teller, forms, costumes :3
//–Minor *Added a dialogue topic with 55 about Inhibitor Chips, unlocked when you encounter a latex drone enemy. *Added a killphrases topic to Christine’s terminal so you know what they are even if you don’t examine any bodies in Cryogenics. *Added a topic after the Manufactory quest to discuss what happened with 55. *Christine’s profile will update during the latex drone sequence in sector 99. *Manufactory noise will now get louder as you get closer to the assembly line. *Added a new topic with SX-399 about what her name is. *Added badge to chapter 5 so Darkmatters will leave you alone when equipped. *Added a number of instances of the PDU appearing during conversations with emotions. *Updated the start of Regulus City sequence to better flesh out the relationship with Sophie. *Added some dialogue to the picnic golems in the biolabs movie. *Added some very angry dialogue to 2856 if you double back after fixing the power modulator in gamma. *You can now use Electrosprite form to bypass Hydroponics and the Datacore in the Biolabs. *You can now examine the glass in the amphibian habitat to get clues on the right amphibian for the puzzle! *SX-399 will now be available in the mines during NC+ after you complete the Sprocket City questline. She only helps out in the mines. *Pink slimes now have yellow eyes on the sprites.
//–Combat Balance *Christine’s shock-damage abilities are now color coded yellow (some of the electricity was blue) which should read better on the icons. (Thanks, Sigrid!)
//–Bugs *Fixed music not playing when loading a game. *Fixed layer tracks reporting errors when loading the game in certain rooms. *Fixed some offensive equippable items using the wrong strength indicator. *Fixed gravemarker paragon in the chapter 1 depths not actually triggering a battle when you say yes. *Fixed two Christines appearing after the first Equinox boss. *Fixed a missing “local” in Mei’s prestige job class. *Fixed a missing talk sprite in a darkmatter conversation. *Fixed the Tellurium Mines sometimes generating a 0 XP/JP item and printing a warning. *Hopefully fixed the non-existant Susan bug. *Fixed equipment cursor lingering in the empty slot when switching to a character who has fewer equipment slots. *Fixed invalid nude sprite images in Sprocket City considering the costume is never actually used. *Haunt should no longer be flagged as a buff. *Fixed some invalid sprite errors in the post-LRT scene in Christine’s quarters.
So What Now?
LIKE THREE WEEKS OF BUG FIXES. But seriously, I’m going to go over the code with Valgrind for a few days and try to suss out any remaining memory issues. There will also be tons of bugs and did you see that huge pile of slime costumes I have to add?
After that it’s off to work on the Carnation prototype. What is Project Carnation? You’ll start hearing more about that in the next few weeks. The art is mostly done, I have to do a bunch of scenario coding and combat redesign.
Niko Cat
Fan Art!
You thought you were getting out of May without maids? No way, Lydie’s back from her vacation and just in time to run into Natalie/Mei wearing the afternoon maid dress! This is why you pay attention to the time when you spend all day inside.
Maybe a bit more apropos for today’s update, but what if 55 got reprogrammed into a cute maid? Yeah believe me it was her idea.
Mostly because the next release comes out on the 15th so I’d rather post the whole update then rather than today, but if you’re just CHOMPING AT THE BIT for an update:
I need a couple more talk sprites from Koops, a couple more normal sprites from Urimas, and the finished TF from Dias, and we’re good to go. I am currently adding the fortune teller and updating some of chapter 5’s map code.
After that, I need to add the trainer and the new Secrebot abilities, and it’s all ready to launch.
Note: Urimas is the spilled cup and Wispy is the plate.
Coding and Assorted Hoo Ha
The basic quest for the chapter 5 update is done and I am now adding the big pile of silly gags and bad end stuff. Yeah, bad end stuff. It’s my silliest idea yet. I hope to be done it tomorrow at which point it’s time to add the fortune teller and trainer code.
Urimas got me the new sprites but has like 5 sprite sheets left to go. Koops is still working on the new 55 art (it’s still not done!), Wispy is updating the abilities, and can you believe it, Hund is STILL drawing mountains.
Also, I have seen the first page of the new TF sequence. It’s good stuff.
Pandemonium Development 