Update 24.5 - What's new

🎉 Hello Everyone !🎉

I hope this year brings you joy, success, and plenty of exciting moments. To kick off the year, I’m thrilled to share the details of the S24.5 Update. While this update is mainly focused on technical improvements (the story still ends at the same point for now), there’s plenty to dive into. Let’s take a closer look!

S24.5 – Update Details

Game Optimization

The game’s size has been reduced! By changing the image format, the client has gone from 1.8 GB to 1.4 GB. This optimization also required me to rework the galleries. Speaking of galleries, I took the opportunity to merge a few of them: "First Steps," "Camping," and "Back Home" are now combined into one called "Summer."

Script Overhaul for easier translation

I’ve reworked a lot of the scripts and files to prepare for easier translation in the future. This was no small task—it turns out you can’t just copy and paste when you’re working with a game that now has 150,000 words (yes, it’s basically a book at this point 😂... with 4500+ pictures). I relied on Python scripts to retrieve and reorganize data across different files.

While I’ve tested everything thoroughly, there’s always a chance I might have missed Something (well, it is sure, I missed something...). If you notice any weird text or parts that seem incomplete, please let me know on Discord! Your feedback is invaluable. 😊

Revamped Transitions and updated images

Since I had to revisit the early parts of the game, I also took the chance to polish a few transitions and remake some images that were starting to feel "outdated."

Music and Sound are finally here!

Yes, it’s true—I finally tackled the part of game design I don’t love: sound. From the beginning of the game to the end of S24, there’s now music, sound effects, and even some voice! Adding sound has brought new life to the game, though it did slightly increase the file size again (oops 😅).

Let me know on Discord what you think of the new soundscape! Your feedback will help me fine-tune things further.

Extended basketball hazing scene

By popular request, I’ve extended the basketball hazing scene: You now have a choice that leads to two slightly different routes, with 2 additional images added to the gallery waiting to be unlocked.

If there are other moments in the game where you think, "Hmm, I wish we could see what happens if…," don’t hesitate to let me know! Depending on the complexity, I’ll either submit it to a vote (for more significant scenarios) or add it if it’s relatively quick to implement (and OK with the story ^p^).

A Quick Reminder About Saves

As the game is still in development, I want to remind you that save files might not always work perfectly after updates. I hope your saves will load as expected, but there’s always a chance that some may cause bugs or crashes. If this happens, try using an older save file—it should help.

For example, I’ve noticed that 2-3 of my own saves don’t load in the right place. One even shows a "bad marshal" error during gameplay. This happens because of changes I’ve made to the game’s structure, breaking some old references.

I’m really sorry about this, but unfortunately, it’s an inevitable part of updating a game in development. Thank you for your understanding! 😊 However, if you have any mistakes / game error message, please let me know on discord.

Looking Ahead

This update puts the game in a place I’m really happy with. I spent my Christmas break (yes, "break" 😅) reorganizing a lot of the code and laying the groundwork for future updates. Here’s what I’m thinking for the next steps:

• Gallery Improvements: At some point, I’d like to redesign the gallery to make it more visually appealing.

• Special Gallery Images: Ideally, I’d love for each unlocked image to be even more polished than standard in-game visuals. Alternatively, I might create a "creative gallery" for moments that deserve extra artistic attention. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts on Discord or in the comments!

What About S25?

Regarding S25, I think it should be ready soon. S25 will kick off the Spring Break arc, which I’m very excited to share with you all. Stay tuned for more updates! 😊

Thank you all for your amazing support and for being part of this adventure. Your ideas and feedback keep me inspired and motivated to make Summer Vacation the best it can be. Let’s make 2025 an incredible year together!

— Erwin

---- Download S24.5 (0.8.751)

Before downloading a new version, please remove entirely the previous version from your device or you'll get errors (don't override files). The game saves are not in the game directory.

Windows & Linux : DRIVE (v0.8.751)
Mac : DRIVE (v0.8.751)
Android : DRIVE (v0.8.751)