Hey everyone,
I can't tell you how thankful I am for your continued patience. I know everyone is getting excited about this next update, and I'm trying very hard to meet expectations since this is the update where you finally get to fuck Dexter's Mom!
This update is also paramount for a few different reasons because it introduces mechanics and content that will start giving the game a whole new vibe. Please continue reading below to see what I mean.
And before you get to reading, I want to again express to you how much I value all of your input and support. I treat this project and my supporting Patreon Members with a great deal of respect. I know you could have chosen to put your hard-earned money elsewhere, and I want you to know that I am trying to develop something great. The only way that is possible is with your support. SO THANK YOU. You guys are fucking heroes.
This is not a public post. However, this post is available to all Patreon Members considering it isn't just a "Work in Progress" post, but a news/update post. I will be adding more behind-the-scenes content for my Benefeactor Patreons and above later on.
Okay, here's what to expect for the next update!
Update to Dexter's Mom Character Model
I wasn't going to show anything regarding Dexter's Mom until she was 100% ready, but I know you guys like seeing how the sausage is made. Here we have the new and improved Dexter's Mom!

On the left is the old/original model, and on the right is the new model that's boasting around 200k polys. Don't worry, I'm taking great pains to make sure it doesn't affect the game performance.
Notice there is more detail on the face, while still keeping that "cartoony" feel. Also, her clothing has more detail and the hair looks way more detailed and stylized. The eyes are more vibrant as well.
The awesome news? I'm going to keep making the models better and better whenever I have time. However, she's going to be like this for a while since I still need to add more characters.
New Visual Novel Encounters
No image for this, but I'm trying to make the H-Scenes hotter. This means that the H-Scene itself will have more of a narrative and some dialogue, some pre-rendered images and animations, as well as the real-time animation that you saw for Mrs Incredible.
This is taking a long time.
There is a balance here that I'm trying to achieve between creating a high-quality product, and getting more content out. That's going to be a reoccuring theme, btw.
Which means I can't promise what will be in the actual release just yet - but one thing I can say is that it will continue getting better.
Update to Dexter's Home Furniture
The inside of Dexter's Home will no longer be completely empty. I've started putting in furniture and redecorating the inside. For this release, some rooms will be more complete than others. My ideal vision is to make it brighter and have it a bit more cluttered. Right now there is enough furniture in there to at least give the scene and the home some context.

Update to Neighborhood
I'm also expanding the neighborhood! I didn't want to do this so early, but I need space to put some of the other Life-Sim elements (Jobs/Fishing/Etc..), and I think its also great for you guys to get a "feel" for the size of the game. Hopefully it doesn't ruin the magic opening it up before its ready.
Here's what you'll encounter (if you can understand my scribbles):

Here are the major notes:
Update to Neighborhood Graphics
By now you guys know that I work in "layers". Meaning, I'll put something basic down, and reiterate on that little by little as I add new content to the game. I think this approach works well and is a good balance between developing new content while still raising the quality bar little by little.
For this update, I've decided to make some additions to the neighborhood.
First, I've added and updated some of the foliage and trees:

This immediately gave the neighborhood some charm, so I'm really liking this change.
Also, I've made some changes to the roads:

Similar road sections from version 0.1.01 and this next release coming up
If you zoom in, you can see that the roads "before" had this weird gap between road sections that formed the further away you were.
As you can see on the right, that issue is now gone and I've also added some crosswalks and more traffic lines.
Player Home Introduced
It's VERY barebones at the moment, but you'll also have a place now to sleep and refill your energy. Eventually you'll have a computer so that you can take on hacking jobs which will be a minigame for reoccurring revenue, as well as a closet for you to change outfits.

Energy and Refreshed System Introduced
I don't have an image for this, but jobs and actions now will use up some of your energy, forcing you to go home and get some rest to refill your energy. This will have force a routine that I think will fit nicely with the game world.
New Job System Introduced
No image for this, either. For this release, you'll be able to pick weeds at the new Farm location (see Map above). This job will be respawned every day at 8am, allowing you to make a few extra bucks.
While right now you only have the option to pull weeds, the code is technically there to expand this to picking apples, or picking up debris around the farm. I will add other occupations like delivering pizzas, as well. Not for this release though. Only weed picking will be available.
Day-Night Cycle
I've already mentioned this in another post, however, in case you haven't seen it, this is the first time you'll be able to experience the Day and Night Cycle as shown here:

Calendar System
This is mostly backend, so I don't have an image for this, either. However, in some of the images above, you can see the day of the week "Monday/Tuesday"...etc at the top of the screen. The Calendar system will be introduced (not completed) in this update as well.
Again, that's mostly backend, but what that means is that you will see some characters perform or do something on specific days. For instance, there may be a "special event" in the park on a Friday, or something.
Interactive Object Targeting System
This is something you've seen in other posts as well, but it will be the first time you see it in the upcoming release:

Basically this feature allows you to interact with objects in a much easier way, without having to point directly at it. You can read about it, here: Weekly Update! (June, week 3) | CCG Games on Patreon
More Special Surprises
Okay, I may or may not have some special surprises ready for you in this release. I'm only mentioning it here because I want you to know how dedicated I am to making this project work, and how much I value all of my Patreon supporters for supporting me. I'll try and get this part done, but I may have to push this one off for another release. We'll see.
So....Release Date?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I wanted to have it out by now, but at the same time I don't want to release something half-assed. Please let me know in the comments what you guys prefer.
StuckOnMute
2023-08-26 09:33:05 +0000 UTCElaine Vega
2023-07-26 02:51:00 +0000 UTCDerpman
2023-07-25 22:50:51 +0000 UTCElaine Vega
2023-07-25 19:30:04 +0000 UTCQ
2023-07-25 19:19:41 +0000 UTCElaine Vega
2023-07-25 18:32:02 +0000 UTCDcfusing
2023-07-25 18:29:32 +0000 UTCElaine Vega
2023-07-25 18:29:13 +0000 UTCDodu
2023-07-25 18:22:16 +0000 UTC