Hey there, this will be quite a long read, I think. I hope I don't bore you to Death First off, with this update, I'll start making some changes for the full release of the game, including core updates that will be announced and implemented, and so on. Now, the game will be updated to version 0.4, meaning we're now in ACT 4. I'll slowly update the UI/UX of the game. Ive already started working on it, but I wont make it available until Im sure everything works properly.
Some things have been moved from where they were before, and a new menu has been introduced where you can find all the in-game lore, including character stories, major locations of importance, items, and more. By the end of this, Ill also share a few previews from the next update! So, let's start by introducing the CODEX Menu, which features several sub-menus, including Characters (previously moved from the Extra tab), Realms, The Shards, Astrology, and Timeline.
For now, these are the main sub-menus available in the CODEX Menu. Two more are in development, but they will be introduced later, once the Aethral language begins to play a bigger role, its origins and why some beings in the current world still use it. Plus, Gallery function is in work. Now, let's go over the menus and see what we can find there, in the order they appear from left to right

Characters

I'm sure most of you are familiar with this menu, or at least, I hope so, haha. Anyway, it has received an update! Since the cast of characters is growing and new ones are being introduced, Ive expanded the list. You can now scroll through it or use the mouse to navigate. Some characters wont be available right from the start; youll need to meet them and interact with them through actions, conversations, or scenes first. Their individual pages have also been updatedfor example, Neith's page, as shown below.
Most character biographies have been updated and improved. In some cases, if the player discovers new information about a specific character, their page will be updated accordingly. Youll also notice tags indicating their superpowers, hovering over them will display a short description of each ability. Additionally, theres a special row for Origins and Race. Origins refers to when or where the character was born, while Race is self-explanatory. On the right side of the menu, youll find Character Variants. This is where alternate appearances, special outfits, or any other visual differences for a character will be displayed. If a character has another look, you can check it out here. (This is unrelated to the Shadow Realm content.) [hr][/hr]

Realms

Here, you'll find the locations from the game, especially those important to the story and lore. Each location comes with a description, and in some cases, additional lore details about the place. For now, this feature is limited to viewing locations, but an exploration feature is currently in development. So, be sure to check them out! [hr][/hr]

The Shards

The game has always been about the Shards, right? Well, things are finally starting to come together, and this addition was necessary. As you discover Shards, they will appear here, and youll be notified via a notification. The first one will be introduced in the next update, so, here we go! Each Shards page will provide details such as its name, origins, a short story, and more. This information will also be updated if the player uncovers new details. [hr][/hr]

Astrology

This is an early design, but it covers the basics. Astrology will play a significant role in the game as we progress, which is why you're getting an introduction to it now. At the moment, you can see the months and their corresponding zodiac signs in each box. For example, Veri Kres (the equivalent of January) and its zodiac sign, Krathi Neka, are both written in the Aethral Language. Hovering over the months, will mostly reveal if any of the important characters were born in that month. More details will be revealed as the game develops! [hr][/hr]

Timeline

The Timeline has received some minor adjustments and changes. As you progress through the game and major events occur, they will be added to the timeline. More features will be introduced here, but those will be revealed later. Now, these are the major changes, aside from dialogue fixes, visual improvements, and other adjustments. Additionally, whenever you discover something new or an entry in the CODEX is updated, youll receive a notification. Meet a new character? Done, you'll get a notification about a new entry in CODEX Characters. The same applies to other sections. There are also a few additional things coming in the next update, beyond just story content.

• New Characters
• Voice Overs for Narration (the older content is not fully updated yet, will be as the game progress)
• Script/Dialogue/Visual Fixes (all over the game)
• Story Fixes (there were a few story inconsistencies, which are now fixed)
• New Achievements
• New Animations

Additionally, translation for Chinese and Japanese has begun! I can't provide an ETA yet, but I'm working on getting it done as soon as possible. I'm sure I forgot something... I'll probably remember once the post goes live! Ah, and yes, some SFW previews from the next update, this time from game, I hope you like them!

[ 2025-02-20 07:02:56 CET ] [ Original post ]

Draped in a flowing black dress that seemed to drink the light, she held the scytheDeaths eternal instrument, its edge glinting faintly, as if eager to fulfill its purpose. Chains dangled from its handle, whispering secrets of those who came before, her fingers adorned with a ring that pulsed with an eerie glow. This was no ordinary relic. It was both a tether and a beacon, and the longer you stared at it, the more it felt alive, watching... waiting. For those who sought salvation, there would be none. For those who thought themselves untouchable, their reckoning would be swift. She was neither merciful nor cruel. The scars of humanity's sins etched on the edge of the scythe. The shards, the broken alliances, the whispered betrayalseverything had led to this. There was no salvation, no bargaining. Only the promise of her scythe's arc, and the silent, unyielding judgment that followed. Death herself had come, not to warn, but to fulfill a destiny written in shadow. The end was not near. It was here, held in her grasp, ready to fall. "The scythe rises, and the final harvest of souls begins soon"

[ 2024-12-31 15:47:40 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update, BUILD 0.3.6 SOH Patch 0.3.6 Notes

Main Game & Additional Content

• ACT III Story Content

Fixes/Bugs and UI Issues

• Overall fixes for Images & Scripts
• Spellchecking done over the dialogue of ACT I, II and III

I'm well aware it wasn't quite on time, but real-life interfered a lot lately so I had to take some shortcuts, the 0.3.6 Update was supposed to be a bit longer than it is. I'll get right back at it with the next update as we're getting close to end the ACT 3 and find out the name for ACT 4. Get ready for more twists in the story, from ACT 4 things will settle down a bit, but not for much. And we still have two new characters left to reveal in this ACT.

[ 2024-05-04 20:09:02 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update, BUILD 0.3.5 SOH Patch 0.3.5 Notes

Main Game & Additional Content

• ACT III Story Content
• MEMORIES Unlocked - Memory 01 Two Ships
• DEATH Feature Included
• Selena added to SHADOW Realm

Fixes/Bugs and UI Issues

• Overall fixes for Images & Scripts
• Spellchecking done over the dialogue of ACT I, II and III
• SHADOWS UI - Increased the visibility of Outfit Buttons

Now, I'm slowly getting back on schedule with the updates. I'm still not 100% yet, but I'm trying to get there as soon as possible. Once again, I apologize for the unexpected disturbance and hope you all understand! For this update, I focused mostly on story content, leaving aside additional content that can be added later. I believe focusing on the story is more important. Also, as mentioned in my previous news post, the DEATH option is now in the game. There will usually be at least one or two options per ACT where our MC has a chance to die. As I said before, you can always reload your save to avoid that. Lastly, the MEMORIES button is now enabled and accessible. However, content will unlock as you progress through the game. Right now, there's one memory available. Keep in mind that these scenes are meant to be short fragments rather than long or interactive sequences. With all that said, I hope you'll enjoy the new update and the twists that come later!

[ 2024-03-04 10:26:50 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there! I hope all of you are doing great and 2024 is treating you well so far. Now, let's get back to business. The next update will advance to version 0.3.5, bringing with it an abundance of new story content and exciting twists for our main character.
Along with the story content, the Shadow feature will also receive updates. I noticed a portion of Selena's content was also included; this was an oversight from the Christmas update, which I forgot to remove. However, this update is not yet complete. Thus, Selena, Neith, and Mikoto will soon join the rest of the characters in the Shadow. In this update, the main character will embark on a journey to Egypt, where they will finally meet with Selena and Neith. In this segment of the story, Selena, in particular, will play an important role, significantly influencing the game's direction, in some way.
Starting with this update, the 'Death' feature will be made available. It was initially intended to be accessible from ACT2, but will be reintroduced in the final version of the game.

• This implies that occasionally, you'll encounter choices in the game. Typically, there will be a minimum of three options, and one of these could potentially lead to 'Death'. It's as straightforward as that. Credits will roll reflecting your game's progress, and the ending will vary each time. Don't worry, though you can always reload from your auto-save and select a different option

However, in certain instances, you may receive story-related information or catch glimpses of other worlds. Rest assured, I'll integrate these elements gradually to avoid confusion. Therefore, feel free to make your choices boldly; you might be amazed by what you discover, though be aware that some choices could lead to your own demise.
As we progress through ACT 3, a variety of new characters will be introduced. Some will arrive to assist you, while others may appear bearing warnings. It's important to remember: trust is a complex matter in this narrative. Should you trust anyone, or perhaps not? As the story unfolds, we will delve deeper into the background of our main character, uncovering the unique qualities that makes him 'special'.
I'm trying to avoid revealing too much, as I want to leave the excitement of exploring the next update to you. Unfortunately, I can't provide an ETA for it just yet, but rest assured, I am working on it. As soon as it's ready, I will release it. The unexpected delay we encountered has disrupted my schedule somewhat, which is why it's taking me a little longer than usual to compensate and ensure everything is up to standard.
Also, I've reached a small 'milestone' recently. As of now, ACT 3 has officially surpassed ACT 2 in terms of length, image content, and script lines. NOTE - I avoided from uploading any NSFW images. However, rest assured, there is a significant amount of NSFW material included in the update. Most likely, I forgot to write something...

[ 2024-02-04 21:56:26 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Here we go with a little update in theme with the current holidays.

• EXTRA Content - XMAS 2023
• Featured Characters - Aethra, Dies, Hemera and Ame-Mikoto
• Four new Achievements regarding this Event.
• Some UI Modifications (Work In Progress)

The next update will be like two updates in one. Also, a short note regarding this and feature updates. I hope you're all doing well. I wanted to share a quick update along with this update. Due to some unexpected personal challenges in the last month, the update isn't as extensive and interactive as I had planned. This isn't about the busy holiday season, but more about some significant personal events that needed my attention. I apologize if this has caused any disappointment. I've done my best under these circumstances, and I hope you'll find the new features enjoyable. Likewise, I appreciate your understanding and support! And, happy holidays to all of you!

[ 2023-12-18 16:04:03 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update, BUILD 0.3.2 SOH Patch 0.3.2 Notes

Main Game & Additional Content

• Story Content
• Added MEMORIES in the Menu (Not yet accessible, in the end it'll be content available and unlocked by playing through the game)

Fixes/Bugs and UI Issues

• Fixed some lines where the DEFAULT Name was used instead of the one you choose
• Songs name and artists are now shown when the scene begins
• Additional Script and Visual fixes

* Please be advised that an update regarding the Shadow Realm has been postponed due to recent changes. It'll be included in the next update.

[ 2023-11-15 13:04:15 CET ] [ Original post ]

- A small hotfix for a bug that caused the game to crash when in the "Shards of Her" menu and jumping to a specific ACT.

[ 2023-10-26 07:15:32 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update 0.3.0 and the start of ACT III. SOH Patch 0.3.0 Notes

Main Game & Additional Content

• ACT III RECKONING Intro
• New UI

Fixes/Bugs and UI Issues

• Fixed some lines where the DEFAULT Name was used instead of the one you choose
• Visual Fixes for ACT I & II

Now, let's explore the NEW UI

First and foremost, Ive introduced a new menu to the game. Its in its final version, though still a work in progress, but the core elements are ready for release. You might notice the "Gods' Summit" button. Its not yet available because this is a significant modification and is taking a bit more time to perfect. My aim is to have it fully playable by or before the 1.0 release. Initially, I intended for most of the buttons to be animated, but Ive encountered some memory issues with RenPy causing significant lag. As a result, for the time being, Ive opted to use a lite version of the buttons to ensure a smoother user experience. Upon opening the game, youll be greeted with the main menu, from where you can navigate seamlessly.
I've added a 'Continue' button for a more seamless experience; it autoloads your most recent saved game, enabling you to instantly resume your journey. There's also the 'New Journey' option to start afresh, and a special addition, 'Shards of Her'. This new feature allows you to jump directly into a specific ACT of the game. Heres a glimpse of how the updated menu looks, this feature is slated for further enhancement during the development process. Eventually, you'll be able to jump directly to specific points within a given ACT.
At present, you can directly access the Prologue, ACT I, ACT II, and ACT III (locked for now). These options are currently unlocked by default, given the games Early Access status. However, upon the release of version 1.0, you will need to complete each ACT sequentially to unlock the next one. Now, turning our attention back to the Extra menu, a treasury of additional content and features awaits exploration.
At the moment, the options in these menus are already familiar to you. However, keep an eye out as I plan to introduce more features and selections in future updates. Ive also revamped the OPTIONS and LEAVE GAME menus. Theyre currently in a developmental phase, with the OPTIONS menu, in particular, undergoing further refinements to enhance usability and offer a more intuitive interface. In this update, the spotlight is cast on the unfolding events of the night where ACT II concluded. Im introducing core basic changes, redesigned UI, and laying down the narrative groundwork for ACT III. See you soon with more updates!

[ 2023-10-21 14:11:57 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update and ACT II Finale. SOH Patch 0.2.9 Notes

Main Game & Additional Content

• ACT II ECHOES Story Finale
• STEAM Achievements for ACT II
• SELENA, NEITH & The Illusions added to ETERNITY Menu
• EMMA's Moods are now Color Based (Retroactive/Current, still a WIP)

Fixes/Bugs and UI Issues

• Script adjustments to the ACT I and ACT II
• Visual Fixes for ACT II
• ETERNITY Click-through bug fixed
• Various UI fixes

And with this update, we're closing ACT II - Echoes, at least for now. Regarding ACT III, as I said, its name is revealed by Omikami during the final scenes of ACT II. In ACT III, we're going to meet some new characters and revisit old connections of Michael. As expected, all aspects of the game will be updated, so expect UI enhancements, more content in SHADOW REALM, and ETERNITY in 0.3.0! Gradually, I'll also start to add content for Community Items, but that will have its own topic in the Discussions Tab. Thank you and see you later!

[ 2023-10-01 19:53:26 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes and support for Steam Cloud SOH Patch 0.2.6 Notes

• ACT II ECHOES Story Content
• Nymphia Character added to ETERNITY
• New Background for SHADOW REALM and UI Changes
• Small UI changes to the Quit Screen
• Various fixes through the ACT 2 and ACT 1 Script
• STEAM Cloud is now Enabled
• Update on The Orchestra

Now, regarding the STEAM Cloud support, you might see no saved games if you launch the game after the update, rest assured, they are not lost. Please check this topic in the Discussions section to recover your saves, or just start a new game, it's up to you. https://steamcommunity.com/app/2442530/discussions/0/3819670593784043136/ Or, here are the steps you need to recover your saves and persistent data. [olist]

Navigate to "C:/Users/USERNAME/AppData/Roaming/RenPy/ShardsofHer-1669473190"

Copy all the files from this directory.

Paste them to "SteamApps/common/Shards of Her/game/saves"

Launch the game. Your files will automatically sync with the Cloud, and you'll be all set. [/olist] For any issues, please use the topic from the Discussions section. NOTES - Concerning the 0.2.9 update, it will be more substantial as it is intended to provide a conclusion to ACT 2 - Echoes and establish the foundation for ACT 3. The title of ACT 3 will be revealed during Omikami's final speech at the end of 0.2.9 update.

[ 2023-09-12 11:42:19 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's roll up with the patch notes for the latest update! SOH Patch 0.2.3 Notes

• ACT II ECHOES Story Content (Part 2)
• SHADOW REALM - Added Hemera & Nymphia
• Visual fixes for the first part of ACT II
• Fixed a few instances where the default name was used, instead of the one you chose. (ACT II)
• LITE Animations were added overall for ACT II (More in the upcoming updates for ACT I too)

"If you encounter any issues, please inform me. The next update isn't far off. I just need to resolve some issues with the PC acting up, and then we'll be back on track." Regarding the achievements, they will most likely be updated once we reach 0.3.0 version, for the whole ACT II

[ 2023-08-25 21:51:24 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey guys! I've been working behind the scenes since the last announcement, preparing for the upcoming patches. First and foremost, we'll kick off with version 0.2.0. This major release marks the beginning of ACT II with its initial segment and sets the groundwork for future events. For the 0.2.0 update, we're introducing the beginning of ACT II along with some fresh features, such as the Shadow Realm. We'll delve deeper into that below. While it will eventually receive its own dedicated announcement, this is its first release. The patch should go LIVE in less than 24h by the time you're reading this.
Now, let's start with the notes for 0.2.0 Update. Shards of Her 0.2.0 Notes

• ACT II - Echoes Story Content (Start of ACT II)
• SplashScreen updated for ACT II - Echoes
• Main Menu UI Updates
• Game now starts by default in FULL SCREEN
• Launch Teaser can now be skipped by pressing any key
• Additional spellcheck fixes and typography for ACT I
• UI Updates for Characters Menu
• Characters Menu renamed to "Eternity"
• Timeline was renamed into "Echoes of the Past"
• Music Gallery is now called "The Orchestra"
• Additionally, music from ACT II was added, and now you can change between ACT I and ACT II
• ADDED Shadow Realm (Main Menu > Shadow Realm)

That concludes the 0.2.0 Patch details. More updates will follow. This version lays the foundation for me to add additional content for both the Story and the Shadow Realm.
Now, regarding the Shadow Realm (please note that the UI is very much a work in progress at this stage) At the moment, Omikami, Nakata, Izanami, and Emma are present in the Shadow Realm. Over time, and as we approach the game's final release, all characters will be included In this patch, I've included examples of my final design, featuring options to toggle clothes on/off, and various outfits. Some outfits can be discovered in the game and unlocked by meeting specific criteria, while others will be available by default.
In the EARLY ACCESS phase, all characters, outfits, and options will be readily available, given the nature of its early release. However, the 1.0 version will have specific conditions applied where appropriate. The requirements to unlock each outfit are detailed under its respective button, but consider these descriptions as placeholders for now. That said, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions for additional features. The version for Omikami serves as the complete prototype. By "complete," I mean this is the ideal template for all characters in the final product. Each outfit will come with an in/out animation for a close-up view, plus added options where feasible. For instance, in a close-up view of a character's upper body wearing a simple t-shirt, you'd have the option to toggle it on or off. More outfits and options will be added as the game gradually updates. Now, let's return to the main content of the game. In the 0.2.0 update, we kick off ACT II, which will introduce some intriguing events and sensual scenes. Later, as the game updates, we'll delve deeper into Emma's background: who designed her, the objectives of her company, and more. While we'll spend a significant amount of time with Nakata, Izanami will only make a comeback towards the end of the ACT. However, in the interim, we'll grow closer to Omikami and encounter some new characters. So far, my schedule for this version goes like this (keep in mind that it's possible to get a 2 in 1 patch)

• Patch 0.2.0 - Base update for ACT II
• Patch 0.2.3 - Main Story Content
• Patch 0.2.6 - Main Story Content along with some new characters
• Patch 0.2.9 - Closure for ACT II Story

These are the primary and most crucial updates slated for version 0.2. Between these, there might be other patches, hotfixes if needed, and added content for the Shadow Realm if it's not included in the main patch. As always, please share your feedback either here or in the Discussions section. As you can see, I always read them and respond. The main store page will be updated soon to reflect some of the changes that occurred in this patch.

[ 2023-08-05 08:01:32 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Just a small fix in the script files of ACT 1, leading to some typo errors and the SplashScreen from game start was updated.

• SplashScreen Changed
• Script fixes for ACT 1

[ 2023-07-11 09:06:50 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Let's begin with the notes for the latest patch, then we continue with some news! SOH Patch 0.1.7 Notes

• ADDED Izanami into the CHARACTERS Showcase.
• ADDED MUSIC ROOM which can be accessed from Main Menu (for ACT 1).
• Script and spellcheck fixes.
• Preparation made for the release of ACT 2.
• Fixed an updated version of AME-MIKOTO not showing up in CHARACTERS.
• Adjustments to TIMELINE Menu (added "BACK" button, previously you had to ESC or RightClick to Exit).
• Default Volume raised up to 0.60 (Before the default was at 0.40, this does not overwrite your own settings).
• Improvements made to the CHARACTERS Showcase.
• UI changes to the Quit Menu.

As always, please let me know if there are any issues and suggestions are welcomed! Now, let's head to some other features that will come in Shards of Her, as additional content for the game and for you. This feature will soon get its own announcement, since it'll be pretty big, and I will share more info then. But, for now, a short summary and what to expect! The new feature, or content that will be added it's called God's Summit

What's God's Summit?

A new feature which will be available at some time, and you directly access it from the Main Menu of the game, this does not affect nor affected by the main game story and the choices you did.

So, what can I actually do there?

Talk with the characters you meet along your journey, some may join, some may not! Not everyone is welcomed in the God's Summit, but eventually we'll get there too! Yes, you can talk with them, but there are other things you can do, like invite one or two of them to some private moments. So yeah, overall, talk and initiate intimate moments with whatever characters are present at that time in the God's Summit.

Which characters will be available?

In time yes, at the first release not all of them will be present there, but gradually I'll add most of them. Since it's custom content, there's no limit to what you can do and with whom you want.

Is there a release date?

There's no ETA yet, I'm working on it, and I'll probably have a release date for it once the announcement is published, which is not that far away. Please keep in mind that not all characters will be present at the time of first release.

And now, something about the CHARACTERS Showcase

At the moment it seems pretty basic, with characters biography and how they look, but in the feature and along with some other updates this will receive its own updates too. Some points or features that will come in the Showcase Menu sooner or later.

• The featured image of the character will be based on the relationship you have with that character (an ex. if you have a good relationship with Omikami, you'll get a more revealing image of her in the Showcase).
• Different takes, positions and clothes for the Characters (a button will be added for each one of them, taking you into some other dimension where you can play around).

[ 2023-07-08 08:01:33 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, Here we go with an update for Shards of Her, game build was updated to 0.1.3 revision with the following patch notes. SOH Patch 0.1.3 Notes

• Added build version in Main Menu
• Engine updated to the latest version of RenPy 8.1.1
• Additional script fixes for ACT 1
• Option to set the transparency of dialogue TextBox (Options -> "TEXTBOX OPACITY")
• UI Updates for Showcase Menu
• Visual Improvements for some parts in ACT 1
• Additional animations added (for Omikami and EMMA)

Thank you, and in case there are issues or anything, let me know!

[ 2023-06-26 08:35:08 CET ] [ Original post ]

Shards of Her - ACT 1 Awakening Hello there, As the game description says, it's time to embark on a journey that only happens once in a lifetime, get in the shoes of our main protagonist, Michael, as he starts to uncover some mysteries from his past, and find out new things, things that he wasn't supposed to know and that might change his feature. Fall for the lust around you or choose to simply ignore it, it's up to you, but remember, that it might change the outcome of the game, and Michael's story itself. After all, the choice is yours. P.S. As you already know, in case you read the Early Access answers, feel free to leave your feedback on the Community Hub or soon on the Discord server. All feedback and suggestions are welcome! Until then, have fun and enjoy playing ACT 1 - Awakening!

[ 2023-06-20 00:00:06 CET ] [ Original post ]