Donate button and update

As you cam see, I've set up a donate button using paypal on the right of the blog.  You should be able to donate without having a paypal account.  Though for those who do want to donate, I would suggest you hold off until version 0.2 is completed.  It will most likely have a bit of a different feel to it and I would feel bad if you guys donated and didn't like how it turns out.

On that subject, most of the background coding for the game is completed.  All I need to do is implement the saving/load feature, music, and combat engine.  I would say 80% of the learning curve is over and the only thing I really need to figure out is the music.  If I can keep this level of work up, it shouldn't take me more than a month to complete version 0.2.

I've also heard back from 2 artists and got a confirmation from one of them.  I'm basically having them draw an example picture of Kaylee so we can all take a look at the art style.  I will be posting the pictures when I get them so you guys can tell me if you like them or not.  Still, please keep a look out for good artists and refer me to them if you find any.  It takes a good amount of time to draw a good picture and I would rather have multiple artists working on it so it doesn't take forever. 

Update!

I've decided to reboot The Verse at least up to version 0.2. Once I have that completed, I can do a side by side comparison but it's probably going to be pointless. I already like the feel of the game more this way. I have far more control over it and am only limited by not being able to figure out how to do it in actionscript.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b4f2oyc4ljf69wu/The%20Verse.swf

That's what I've got done so far and will most likely be the general format of the game. The player portrait is just a place holder for now. I've already heard back from an artist on commissioning pictures and we're discussing how to proceed, though with the amount I'll be needing I'll probably hire more than one.

I still have some things I need to figure out but the majority of the learning experience is behind me. I'm excited to see how things turn out.

Idea...

So I was sitting here writing up this side by side chart about what I should scrap and what I should keep.  It was painfully lopsided on the keep side.  It really came down to I really didn't want to get rid of anything but the thought of making the project full sized while essentially being handicapped was tedious at best.  So I shifted my train of thought to any possible ways to minimize that handicap when the painfully obvious donned on me.  Typical blonde moment.

Why don't I just remake the game the correct way from the start?

What's bothering me in the current version is picture hunting.  Namely models for my characters.  Take Kaylee for example.  I have to work my story around available photos of the model I chose, even if she has hundreds of photos to choose from.  Also the rags system itself has limitations that I need to work around.  Don't get me wrong, the rags system is amazing for it's simple way to create games, but it does have some issues that make it harder for me to do some things.

I'm thinking about starting over (while keeping the story so far) but instead of using the rags designer, create it in flash.  It would be similar to Champions of Corruption.  Text windows, stats, input buttons, and even a few picture frames.  All runnable from your browser and it greatly opens up the possibilities of the game.  There is nothing I can do in rags that I can't do in flash, but there are many things that I can do in flash that I can't do in rags.

Another change would be the models.  Instead of picture hunting for my primary characters, I would commission artists to draw exactly what I need for me.  That way I don't have to compromise the story and situations to fit the specific pictures I'm able to find.  It would drastically free my hands to do my original plans.  The only real downside to it is I know there are people out there who won't enjoy the main character to be an anime style woman instead of an actual female model. 

If I reboot The Verse, I won't have to cut anything out.  In fact I'll be adding more to what I originally planned as my hands will be free.  Since I already have all the dialogue and story for 0.2, I think it would only take me a month or two to catch back up to where I am.  I've put up a poll to see what you guys think but before anyone tells me I should make the decision myself, I will.  I just like to know what you guys think.

Continue Project			Reboot Project
Use Actual People			Commission Anime Pictures
Use Rags System			Use Browser Friendly Flash
Cut Some Ideas			Add Ideas
Limited Sex Photos			More Sex Pictures
No Reboot Development Time			Reboot Development Time
Same Story			Same Story

To all my nagging, er, dedicated fans ;)

I've had a lot on my mind for the past few months.  Needless to say that a lot of stress has been building up so I found myself spending most of my limited free time doing activities that helped me burn it away.  I honestly gave serious consideration on canceling this project.  I made some poor choices with a few things that are making it harder to make the game the way I wanted it to be and it would be much simpler for me to move onto the next project I have in mind.  In my current situation, a simple solution is very appealing to me right now.

But I read the comments on this blog and was moved by several of them.  I've decided to finish this project and use what I learned to make my next one what this should have been.  I've even managed to schedule (omg!) set times throughout the week that I will be dedicating to working on The Verse. 

Long story short, progress is being made consistently again.  Hopefully I'm over the hump of inactivity.  It's not going to be quite as grand or epic as originally planned but it will be completed!  :)

Edit:  I've put up a poll about how much time I should put into The Verse.  I'm redesigning my personal gameplan and would like to know your opinions.