if you didn’t get that OUAT reference/joke
Hah, had to duckduckgo it :D No, I didn’t have a chance to see this series before, looks like fun :D
with however many other characters you’re creating
I think I have a “final plan” - finish Deery (needs some balancing + a couple of small game mechanics implemented); then the final character Lizzy (and three pictures of her, instead of a regular one :)). And then final polish (better monster spawns, 4 more enemy types, some fixes to UI, tutorial).
I’m not sure about adding familiar at this point - I originally planned to and it looked like fun, but now I’m afraid it’ll break the balance, which is not as good as it should be even without breaking :D
perhaps focus on a leveling system
I’m not really sure about this one. The major problem is that this game was initially designed as a “small scale” project. That is “increasing the scope” may become tricky. E.g. converting this game into a RPG, even a simple one, is not viable. Moreover, I’m afraid it won’t help much in terms of diversity. I.e. the “new level” will just be the same sort of level with the same types of enemies (a few more are planned, but this won’t “save the day”) as the game itself is small and simple. There’s simply a limit of “hours of fun” that this scope can offer (and I’d be very happy if it hits one hour :D).
It might be more efficient to focus on the next project instead. As I’ve mentioned the Piratess in Distress is standing in a queue with a leveling system already implemented, plus 3 out of 8 boss fights are already there, over one hour of soundtrack. It will require hell of drawing to replace the current placeholder art: the viable minimum is at least 8 regular enemies + 8 bosses = 16 girls (each 3-5 hours to draw) + each in at least 2 poses (normal and tied up), I also still not giving hope of one more pose (in torture room) and add some variability to opponents within one species - that is 48 pictures x 3 hours optimistic = 145 hours of drawing minimum. Initially I hoped to release beta by the end of February 2022, but I don’t think I’ll manage to :)
And after that there is a huge (at least 2 or 3-years long) survival RPG project, Lacerti Plague, that I’ve been sketching for a few years by now (something like 150-200 pages of lore, “optional” dialogue and ideas). With a unique combat system (a bit similar to Darkest Dungeon, but centered at one player’s character), hard sci-fi setting (but still NSFW ;)) and tons of other original things.
That said, I’m still thinking over your “unlockable skins” idea (like a new skin/fur color + different set of clothes, unlike body those are easy to draw). It should be easy enough and would add some fun :)