I have to apologize for the lack of recent updates. I had written up a development update a few months back, but it never got published. So I am combining it with what was planned as the next development update to create a longer post. Weekly updates are linked in the game\'s Discord Announcement channel, but I need to make sure I stay up on these public facing updates as we are nearing the end of this development cycle.

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I wrapped up work on the Damerek path and was able to complete all the the renders and images specific to that story branch. Now I have been working on all the images needed for scenes for the Branson path. Many of the recent scenes for this part of the story have taken place in Castle Helmsworth for the rescue. These scenes will play out differently having Branson in your group instead of Damerek, especially when rescuing Kaela or Elwyn from their confinement. Bringing Qinara along with you during this rescue can help since she is able to help deescalate some situations compared to if you go solo when approaching the women in their cells. Many of these scenes on both paths are similar in the direction they take the story, but they have different dialogue that I have written as well as new images to show the difference in the characters in the groups with you.

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The currently released version of the game (version 0.3.1) sits at around 3600+ story images and 84,000+ words of story dialogue. My most recent count for this next update (version 0.4.0) are sitting at doubling both those numbers. Right now I have close to 3000 additional story renders with more still being worked on as I pose and renders those needed for the remaining scenes. The current total word count is now at 140,000 with multiple story scenes and dialogue still needing to be added to the game script, so this number will also increase with the remainder of the work being completed. This does not include any of the journal images or text and walkthrough and hint texts, more on that below. I am also working on multiple translations that have been requested, but I do not plan to let them hold up a release of the next update if they are not finished in time.

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A Walkthrough Addon for the game is something I have been working on in between batches of image processing. This walkthrough can be used in two different ways. You can toggle an options in the menu to enable hints during your choices that appear in game. When these are turned on, when a choice appears if you hover over it with your mouse or tab between the choices, a pop up will appear. This popup has information about the choices and its effects. I try and keep the information as spoiler free as possible and use it more like hints to help you decide. Hints will tell you if a choice will improve or decrease your relationship with characters and other options, but I try and avoid using specific variable names and the numerical amounts. The other part of this addon are a PDF guidebook or player\'s guide that can be used as a companion to the game. This includes details on the choices you will face with hints like those in game, but with more detail. It also includes character backgrounds, world history and lore as well as art. Included I also added a gallery with many of the images from previously released special render series.

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The journal system that exists in the game has gotten a major overhaul for this upcoming release. One of the things I had always wanted to add in the game was a map that would update as you progress through the story. I managed to work on a mapping system that fits the theme of the game and also is able to expand as the story progresses. With a fog of war style system, the map will slowly be uncovered as you unlock certain areas based on the story and your choices. The map is fully interactive with you being able to click and drag it to explore unlocked areas and also click on locations to open their journal entry page. Main cities and locations are labeled on the map, while smaller locations might just be displayed as simple icons. When areas are uncovered through the story choices there will be a notification to let you know and the map will also center on new or current areas.

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There is a choice in this upcoming release for version 0.4.0 that will split the story and put it on two of the most different paths experienced in the game so far. For one of these paths there is the need for many scenes in and around Castle Helmsworth. The current castle 3D asset is an older one and while it looks good in distance shots, once you get up close you start to really notice many imperfections. The scenes needed for the upcoming release will require many close up shots and for that the low level of detail on some of the castle assets would really stick out against the higher detailed models in the same scene. I have been trying to learn the Blender software for use in creating and editing assets so I have been slowly working on a rework for the Helmsworth castle. It is a 1 for 1 remake so it will be the same shape and dimensions as the current castle so that when I am finished with it I can drop it in place of the existing model in the environment. Going forward this will help improve the scenes and visuals for the Castle storylines, but also will allow me to update a few of the older renders will the new model if needed and to do so quickly with a simple replace and render. The below image shows some work as I replayed the geometry and materials for sections of walls, railings and roofs against the older current models lower detailed tower assets. While this work is taking a back seat to finishing up the current development cycle, it has given me some new skills in blender to use in some of the future environments that I am excited to try.

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That should do it for this development update. I will have more details once a firm release date is set. While this is setup for Early Access, I want to make sure that the first official release on Steam has a sizable chunk of content and is fully fleshed out with all the promised features while also ensuring the story hits certain milestones so things do not feel incomplete. I appreciate everyone\'s support and interest in the game and hope you all enjoy it come release time.

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