Wow. That's fucked up to have a scholarship only be available to you if you sign away your rights to make any money while doing so. I guess I can sort of understand the work, but the no earning money aspect seems really wrong to me. But thank you for the more detailed update/reasoning for the year and a half absence of updates to the game (and it's insane to think it's actually been THAT long since that happened... does NOT seem like it at all!)
Well I don't know if he did (no idea why I waited a year and a half to finally check this page to sniff around his patreon which of course I just found has be yanked) that FAQ thing on this page after you said this or not, but the "life stuff got in the way" I think suffices to convey the message that is in Lysergic's details here.
I think those are great questions, and ones I am sure many others have had. I'd also like to add the nutjob of the trio, Liz onto the list, as well as Ashlyn. Personal preference of course, just like I'd remove Piper, and I'd be fine either way with Nadia being kept or removed from said list. lol. At first I didn't really care for Liz much, but for some stupid reason she's slowly grown on me.
I've seen a stark increase in complaints about the demeanor and attitude of MC, but I really believe it makes sense that he is the way he is, and that it also feeds the unique personality dynamics of each character as well. And then given MC's and the rest of the HH's residents backgrounds, I can bet you that's the aim of Az.
Typically the new updates release every 4-6 months as of the last couple, and each successive update makes another 1-3 months extension to that timeline, so I'm guessing the next chapter will be out in September or October. Though I think I vaguely recall him mentioning this next chapter to be the longest and most in depth, so if I recall that right, then it is more likely November/December.
I hadn't noticed that bit myself at all. Admittedly, that's not exactly abnormal. In my experience, it seems most indie AVN devs opt to make non-paying players wait 2 weeks-3 months, with the most common being about a month. That sucks ass, but when you're just one person making a game at this level, and you have a life to live, job to work at, etc, it's understandable to do that to try to incentivize people who can pay via patreon to do so. So even though I personally dislike it, I completely understand it.
At least he's not going the route of some others, who decide to just only allow people to play it if they pay, whether one time for the latest update, or, as a recurring member, again, likely via patreon. When that happens, I'm actually genuinely annoyed by it.
According to Az on Patreon, as of the 26th of last month, he projects Episode 9 will get released this month. For those who wanted an update, this is it. If you ever want to check in for updates yourself, just click "more information" on this page, and it'll drop down a bunch of links, one of which is Patreon. Just click that and look for the latest public post (which you'll know if it is if it doesn't prompt you to pay to read it)
I wouldn't consider it very similar honestly, but for those who play it, definitely use a walkthrough if you want to complete as many paths in it as possible because it's otherwise easy to make a single choice that boxes you out of many other possibilities. I learned that the hard way (expending large amounts of time replaying it until I gave up) and have not wound up opting to re-download it and use said walkthroughs. So again, definitely use one!
Within the next two to three months, as that's the consistent average timeline between each update. So likely September or October. Then to get a picture of the timeline of how long between each update on average, just look at and note that Episode 8 came out on March 18th of this year. Mid/Late March to probably Mid-Late Sep or Oct, so around 6-9 months on average between updates.
I still have yet to figure out what choices I am missing that'd get me all of the scenes unlocked. I've got around 80%-90% of them all unlocked right now. That said, I haven't made any choices that I'd assume would get MC any strike points, nor be a choice that'd in my mind fuck up the other characters (say be a dumbass and trust in Hollis forgiving the ahole in example). So I assume that'd be where I gain the remaining scenes I am missing.
I can tell he's focusing on character development heavily still, meaning it will clearly get to a point where the MC will finally begin to calm down a bit mood/attitude wise, but I think we won't see that show up too much until likely another two or three episodes/chapters down the road, which for me, is a logical, fitting and thus good pace for that.
That said, I would like to say to me, I've already noticed a bit of that "toning down" you're referring to across all the characters, actually. It's subtle, and small little bits, but it's definitely present. And to me, again, that's just the right pacing to have for the toning down, specifically of the more intense characters like Ash & MC.
About a year ago or so, Az actually almost let the pressure of pushing out updates get the better of him. I and a couple others made sure to encourage him to keep doing it at his own pace, to ensure he makes it exactly how he's envisioned it, and not let the impatience of many get to him. Fortunately, that seemed to really be what he needed, as he clearly hasn't been anywhere close to that point again since.
Relax man, it's only been two and a half months since Ep8 came out, and this is one single person making the game on their free time. Az averages about 3-5 months between new eps, so now you have a rough time table of when to look for the new one to be out. So no, it is not at all abandoned. Not even close.
Children please, it's been only two and a half months since the last update, calm those tiddies. Yes, we're all a bit impatient for each update because of how damn quality this game is, but you have to remember this is just ONE GUY making the whole damn thing on his own time. ONE DUDE BRUV. And how do you think he's made such a fantastic game in the first place? By taking his time and making sure it's as he's envisioned it to be. So breathe, and let Az take their time making sure each chapter is the highest quality possible.
Yep. I didn't. And I regretted it haha. Damn you and your (as I have mentioned now to you a few times) incredible writing & development skills! Can't get us dorks all excited about the new chapter and expect all of us to read descriptions! lmao. I'll have to dedicate the time to replay through the saves that bugged as a result, lost three paths worth of save content. RIP excited me haha
Welp, I got too excited when 5 came out, and didn't read what you wrote about the files being too big to download together. Now I know how I screwed myself over and wrecked hours of gameplay I had, leading to me needing to restart from scratch for a few of the paths. RIP. Well hey, on the bright side, at least this shows how damn good Drifty is at this stuff!
Well done my guy, your quality craftsmanship made me screw myself over! LOL
I am confident that's exactly what transpired there at the cliffhanger. And let's be honest, it just wouldn't make sense otherwise, either.
And I am not sure if this is exactly a spoiler with how obvious it is at least to me, but... I am 100% sure Tim is also obviously Naomi's ex and thus Melanie's "sperm donor".
It is made specifically to be a Harem game, which in the guide they consistently take a jab at those of us who'd tend to prefer to go with one specific character & relationship to remind us that it is again, a Harem game. But simultaneously, Sir Dammed is creating the story and character development intentionally to cause the conflicts, emotions, etc in us as the MC, and really... that for me leaves it up in the air as to if it'll be truly possible to complete the game only with one relationship. Also, I am sure is intended haha. THE BASTARD IS TOO GOOD AT THIS S**T! lmao. But hey, at least it means he's doing a damm (such a clever name play) good job on the writing & development of the characters. That's always a bittersweet bonus!
According to Sir Dammed (The dev), chapter 5 will mark the halfway point of the game/story. So the next release (next chapter) is the halfway point of the game, meaning there will be 10 total chapters, at least at the moment. Right now there is 4 chapters.
And I definitely assumed it was just that, but only after reading the whole comment (it could likely seem opposite if someone only read the first paragraph of it :) )
That's the idea. Actually I see it as a positive thing myself, as it adds that extra bit of realism when it comes to how leading a life like this would normally work out. It leans towards the realism of constant mixed emotions, never knowing what you've got yourself into, if you should back out, or if you should just keep on with it and see how far you can go just going with the flow of it all, as overwhelming as it can be, rather than to go full on fantasy like most want and do, and throw away all of the issues that in reality come alongside this lifestyle.
It's also a key sign of quality writing and character development. Keeping it overall short and simple, yet still managing to pull you in, and really feel like you are the main character you play as.
100%! I actually have a habit of letting these amazing devs know it's better to take as much time as you need, especially to produce updates and a game that you truly want, love and know others will love the most - ESPECIALLY in the long term, including after they've completed their game, say 5, 10 years down the road. They'll be able to look back and have nothing but pure joy, happiness, pride and admiration for their passion projects and their creations, masterpieces of their own conception, instead of just a game that was pretty dang good, fairly well loved, but just... didn't carry a deeper, more fulfilling meaning and overall perception in their minds.
You gotta take all the time you need in order to create anything - the enemy of creativity and thus quality is rushing, time constraints, etc. Any kind of forcing things will always lead to a bad result, both for the creation, and the creator. So in order to take care of your passion projects, your creations, you have to take care of yourself, too. It's at the root of it.
Are we impatient? Of course, which is always a great sign of just how high quality your creations are and how much the impatient bastards like us are directly proves how much we all love it and enjoy it thoroughly. But it's no reason to try to satiate our impatience by pushing yourself as a creator/dev to self-destruction, or even unhealthy habits just to fulfill that obligation that only you are putting on yourself as said dev. You gotta understand that your direction, desires and ideas for your passion project, in this case, games, are far more important and valuable than our impatience, and that if you commit to that, everyone will benefit greatly from a massively increased quality game, and thus an overall happier and more expressive attitude and fanfare for it.
Another great dev here on Itch in the AVN community is Az, who is the dev behind Halfway House - And he himself a few months ago was going through his own predicament/crisis with similar reasons. Impatient people constantly haunting him and the game's page here on Itch demanding new updates and the whole shebang. Though the players over there are FAR more rude, forceful and careless, clearly than all the amazing, understanding and plain epic people here that Killer7 has. So it makes it worse overall mentally for Az. He was clearly burning himself out too, and becoming irritable towards all the constantly whining impatient people there, and actually considered just cutting each update/chapter shorter than he wanted them to be, in order to hopefully shut them up, or at least, quiet them down a bit. Fortunately he's seeming like he's finally coming out the other side, and understanding this, and thus isn't likely going to cede to all the impatient people, and continue to take his time creating it how he wants it, rather than pushing out chapters cut short to appease. And I am supremely thankful for that.
And I say that as a impatient person who LOVES Halfway House, among many others that I've often found myself waiting months and months on end for updates to.
I like most am impatient because of how damn great these games are, but I'd never dare allow myself to complain, insult or pressure anyone into updates, etc. It's just not logical in any way, and actually full on counter-intuitive for everyone. Especially considering these are people who are often developing these games on their own, with no one else. Indie at that, likely self taught... I mean what the heck do people expect them to do? Suddenly gain super powers? I digress.
I also can agree with that being sensible, for everyone, in fact. That said, I also fully understand being the type who has a lot of different concepts and ideas, is super creative, and thus can't quite help themselves when it comes to certain ideas that you get stupid excited for and find passion in, which inevitably leads you to start pulling yourself in half in order to write/create BOTH at once. So, I am therefore, the textbook definition of a Contradiction. Lol
I read your wahhhh in a Rabid's voice, I hope you're happy with yourself, I've been victimized by reading a trigger point I cannot simply bypass reading in any other way hahaha
I believe, from my own experience with many other AVNs here on Itch, that the limit is likely a flat Gig. All games I've seen that tip over it end up usually being hosted for download on Mega.NZ. But that's just my two cents and supposition via my experience as a player, not a dev. :)
Oh wow, I actually managed to check up on the status of the next update of the game on the very day you posted it? Well, then I might just exist in a different universe! haha
I absolutely agree with this as a proposal. I've no idea why, even with it getting a bit of a reboot with the official game post prologue, they decided to overhaul her face and even general body type. All of the other characters stayed exactly the same, not counting the fairy. It's what made the change so much more surprising and puzzling for me. It's obviously not game breaking at all, but, she was FAR cuter before.
Now she looks like she's had heavy botox or something, and also maybe a breast lift and implants? Also, she's now more thin but buff, whereas before she was much more average build, more realistic I guess is a way you could describe it.
Definitely prefer that prologue look to her by a long shot. But then, all of this from us is also subjective and personal preference. But I digress.
Point is, agree with you and support this suggestion.
