🔧 Devlog 15 — New Character, Coding Help, and Full-Body Sprites

Hey! Zak here.

First things first: we’re at +15k words total for this patch. Nearly half of that goes into introducing a new character, LUCAS, whom Alex wants to reveal later this week! 👀

This patch has been a joy to write, but it’s also a bit complex. Characters now react more to the relationship state you’ve built with them; some dialogue shifts based on that, and there are Echo choices tied to those states (and a few other flags). Lots of ifs in the code… but nothing as chaotic as beerpong keys and I’m better organized now as well, hehehe. 😅

Alright, here’s what I can show/talk about this week:

Content Done (So Far)

• New character intro: Lucas (big chunk of writing here).
  

• Diego & Harry: Another big chunk of writing here, specially with all the variations it can have. Also aiming to add one CG for each if time allows. Also need to come back here since some parts are not finished.
  

• Matt: I’m actively writing his content now, really loved the start of it and many will love it as well I’m sure <.<.
  

New Programmer/Coder

We’ve brought on a commission-based programmer who’s already working with us.
Say hi to rockstar8!

Portfolio: https://rockstar8-n-portfolio.carrd.co/

He is already working on the combat GUI implementation. Once there’s something visual to show, I’ll post it here.

Full-Body Sprites (starting with Diego)

Diego now has full-body sprites. Let me share a few!

Why full-body?

• I can animate freely without worrying about the bottom half not existing (main reason).
  

• It gives our artist a solid full-body reference for consistent drawings.
  

• I needed to update some of Diego’s textures, especially the pants 😛
  

• And… we still need beach outfits, right? We’re going there!
  

PS: Notice anything different in one of these? <.<

Next in line: Matt, so I can handle fight animations without worry.

Matt — Visual Update

Yep, you heard right: we started updating Matt’s sprites.

The upgrades focus on making full body sprites but also updating/sharpen his face and expressions — I’ve been playing a lot with camera & zoom-ins, and we felt we needed sharper close-ups so Matt looks just right.
Alex handled this part, since he is a Matt lover it was more than fit xD. But we’ll reveal it next week.

That’s it for now!
Thanks for reading and for all the support. More soon (including Lucas 👀).