Dear fans, It's been 5 years since Dark Nights' release. I started working on the DLC after February 1st 2024. I thought about completing it within 1,5 years, but it grew a bit ambitious. In this update, I'll tell about the current progress and plans for this project. The script progress stages: Chain: 100% proofreading Roya: 100% proofreading Secret: 50% writing Extra stories: 10% writing CG art: 20/36 Background art: 16/24 Music: 99% The word count for Chain's route is 79k while Roya reaches 80k. This is about 300 pages per route, an average novel length. I tried fleshing out the characters more, including the MC, by exploring new topics not mentioned in the main game. Occasionally, I check Asks on the Tumblr blog and some of your questions are inspiring! It's fun writing little details about the characters, so they feel closer. I'm thankful for the continuous feedback on Dark Nights. I want to add some practical features. The complete list: - Quick Save / Quick Load - Move the manual to the main menu instead of hidden - Colored names in dialogue - Scenes Gallery - Already chosen menu choices marked - Toggle on and off the main character sprite - Toggle on and off hint sound If you have more ideas or think some are unnecessary, please leave a comment!
Background Art
Lately, I've been focusing on drawing new backgrounds for the game. As a player, you'll discover many new places. Let's explore the rooms of some characters. We start with Roya. I always pictured it as a large, victorian-esque style bedroom. I added some personal touches like a body mirror and bookshelf. Roya reads a lot in his free time. Topics like science and philosophy intrigue him the most.
Kaichi's old home vs new home. In the main game, I was lazy to draw a new design. It was simply a reused background, but flipped and slightly recolored. I kept some similar elements like high ceiling and a lot of windows. I think an earthly color palette suits him. Surrounding his house is a garden. Being close to nature eases his stressful life.
Chain's place is modern with a dark palette. Initially, I thought of going for a rustic vibe, but instead went for a chique design. At night, he would sip espresso while reading a newspaper on the couch. The space is a lot larger than he needs, but he prefers larger homes over small apartments. He also has a basement...
Character Expressions & Outfits
While working on backgrounds, I started drawing expressions and more alternative outfits. Before, it felt like the faces I drew are all the same. It's my focus to improve that this year. I hope that in the DLC the characters more look expressive. So far, Miyoko is done. Now 25 characters to go!
Music
The DLC comes with a lot of new soundtracks. You can preview 5 of Wytesong's works These will be added to the music DLC pack. Those who purchased before it will get a free update. While completing every task is a closer step to completion, there is still a lot to do. This year, I underestimated the workload with my freelancing job and convention trips. I got sick in the middle of July after 2 back to back events, then strained my arms in September. In total, I went overseas 5 times this year. In 2025, I want to reduce these trips and focus on finishing this project. My goal of release the DLC around summer 2025. If that is too tight, I'll aim for 31st October 2025, 6th anniversary. With all these additions, this looks more like a fan disk. I plan to post updates more frequently until the release because I want to be transparents with behind the scenes. Please keep an eye on Dark Nights' Twitter or Tumblr. Lastly, thank you for the incredible support over these years. Dark Nights Discord is still growing to this day. Feel free to join and chat with fellow players! If you have questions, you can ask them directly to me. Another perk is the free stickers I drew for the server:
[ 2024-11-13 20:06:52 CET ] [ Original post ]
Dear fans,
It's been 1 year since the DLC got fully funded. The project turned more ambitious than I expected. This is the last time I work on Dark Nights content, so I want to wrap it up nicely. This is a long post about the current progress, art previews, character redraws, and more!
The script progress stages:
Chain: 50% proofreading
Roya: 50% proofreading
Secret: 30% writing
Extra stories: 10% writing
I finished writing Chain & Roya's storylines. Combined, it's about 155k words. Once the DLC is finished, the word count will likely increase to around 200k. The main game, with 4 routes + extra stories, was around 270k words. This means, the DLC is longer per route and has more choices.
I read all the reviews on Steam of the main game. The main critique is that the heroine makes bad decisions. I want to improve my writing by adding more inner monologues and menu choices. While the DLC storylines follow a similar plotline, I wrote an entirely new prologue with more menu choices. The order of meeting characters and their location are different too. You don't have to play the main game to enjoy the DLC. However, I added details that make it fun for returning players.
The interface gets an update. I went for a minimalistic style with a focus on art. Many requested the main character's face in the bottom corner. You can toggle it on and off. Other functions are the same.
In the DLC you'll explore different places. The screenshot below is from Roya's office. I like old-fashioned interiors. Some backgrounds get animated because I want to blow life into this world!
New sky backgrounds
Redraw of the whole cast with mystery characters
Zeikun | Junoru | MC (Miyoko) | Sachiro | Kurato
Roya | Chain | Ikuya | Lioji | Kaichi
Hanaru | Dezem | Jace | Blace | Mr Shinen
Kaichi | Rasumi
CG PREVIEWS
Current CG art progress 5/36. The final number may turn out more because I plan to add sketches and simpler scenes.
Animated trailer
I'm working on an animated trailer for the DLC. These are some sneak peeks! It's been years since I animated anything. Although, I'm having fun picking up this skill again! I want to create more dynamic compositions next.
In my last announcement, I planned the release around 31st October to celebrate Dark Night's 4th anniversary. However, my schedule got quite packed in the second half of the year. It impacted my health and I injured my arm from overworking. I'm doing much better now, although the workload will be high this year. Anyway, this wraps up the current progress. Thank you for your patience and continuous support! If you want to follow the latest news on Dark Nights, please follow our Twitter, Tumblr or Discord!
[ 2024-02-01 20:57:46 CET ] [ Original post ]
Dear fans,
The Dark Nights DLC campaign got funded over 100% on 31st January 2023. I want to thank everyone who supported and shared this project. Since then, I've been working on the new content. In this post, I share my progress and some sneak peeks on sprite reworks and CG.
What you can expect from the DLC:
- 3 new storylines - Roya, Chain, and a hidden route
- 36+ CGs
- New OST
- Extra cut scenes
- 20+ new achievements
- Bonus content
The DLC will be a separate game with only new storylines. I may keep some interface, music and background art. Some people may prefer the old art so you can still play the main game with keep that. My art style changed a lot so I want to keep it consistent with the new CGs. These are some reworks for the new storylines.
Roya
I want to draw more expressive poses and expressions while keeping the same 'feel'. Roya's character is flirty, and is a bit like a delinquent, but overall has a stylish look. His eyes have a pronounced color, so I made them stand out. He has a similar hairstyle as Junoru, but it is a lot messier as if he just got out of bed. I added more texture to his outfit because the Elite Class students wear fancier uniforms. I'm happy with the rework because he looks closer to what I envisioned.
Chain
Out of all characters, Chain is the least expressive. It was difficult drawing him. I haven't drawn his work uniform yet, but this is his casual wear. His body type is buff because of his job and he does weightlifting in his free time. I'm more confident at drawing muscles and it shows, haha. As you noticed, I swapped the placement of his neck tattoo. I feel that this balances the visual composition so not all tattoos are on 1 side. His hairstyle looks wilder since he grew out his hair due to a lack of time to maintain it.
I finished writing Chain's story which is at 65,000+ words. Right now I'm past halfway with Roya at 50,000+. The chapter structure is the same as the main game. Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 (normal end) /Chapter 4 (romantic end). Each route has 2 bad endings which are spread across the chapters. The hidden route has a different structure, but you'll find out when you play it! The main story left a lot of unanswered questions. I hope that the new routes can fill up the plot holes.
My plan is to finish the story first and sprite art before working on CGs, but here is a snippet in Chain's route. I was curious to see what art style works. The line work is a bit more sketchy than my previous works, but when I focus on clean lines, it takes away the dynamic feel. Furthermore, I completed 1 CG of Roya and in misc scenes.
In the new routes, Miyoko explores more parts of the village so there will be new backgrounds. I plan to draw these as last. Recently, I played some otome games with background animation. Perhaps that is a fun addition too.
I try to share more about my progress and ask for feedback this time. I hope to deliver a good experience in the end. While writing the script and working on the redraws, I was taken by the excitement. It's been a while since I was so fueled to work on a project. This is how I made a lot of progress in the past 2 months. Like the main game, I'm the solo developer for writing, art, programming, and publishing. With the current progress, I expect to release the DLC around 31st October 2023. The exact release date will be announced once the DLC is close to finish.
Anyway, please leave your thoughts below. Thank you for reading and supporting Dark Nights!
If you want to follow the latest news on Dark Nights, please follow our Twitter, Tumblr or Discord!
[ 2023-05-19 21:39:56 CET ] [ Original post ]
- [484.79 M]
You live in a small, peaceful village. Every day is the same as any other; boring. Right when you wish for something exciting to happen, strange things start to occur, stemming from the nearby forest. If that isn't enough, the locals have begun disappearing. At the same time, you meet four mysterious guys. Will you discover the truth before becoming the next target?
Features
♦ 4 routes, each with a unique storyline
♦ 16 possible endings, 4 per storyline
♦ At least 10 hours playtime - 60,000 - 70,000 words per storyline. Total 270,608 words
♦ 8+ side characters, vary per route.
♦ 60 CG art/20+ cut scenes
♦ 60 Original background art
♦ 37 Original soundtracks
♦ 29 Achievements
♦ Opening video
♦ Bonus material
Notes
There isn’t an official order, because each route is a puzzle piece of the whole. Although, some routes are more connected than others. Like Zeikun and Sachiro. If you are going to play all routes anyway, I suggest starting off with Zeikun or Sachiro as an introduction to the story. Kurato and Junoru routes are more plot-heavy so I’d do them as last.
If you enjoy keeping hooked on mysteries I suggest this order: Sachiro> Zeikun> Kurato > Junoru. To understand hints given in other routes I suggest this order: Kurato > Zeikun > Sachiro or Junoru. Reach all 16 endings to unlock bonus content.
- OS: Ubuntu / SteamOS
- Processor: Ubuntu / SteamOSMemory: 512 MB RAM
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX or OpenGL compatible card
- Storage: 424 MB available space
- OS: Ubuntu / SteamOS
- Processor: Ubuntu / SteamOSMemory: 512 MB RAM
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX or OpenGL compatible card
- Storage: 424 MB available space
[ 6138 ]
[ 3458 ]