Hello!

I am sorry it's been a while, I know what it's like when a project goes dark. Not a nice feeling.

I can also assure you it's not nice to know you're not putting out updates and yet not really having anything to say. It's a tricky one - it's genuinely hard to post "Nothing to show but things are moving " every month.

Anyway, look you're not here for my sob story. And that's OK because I don't have one anyway.

Things ARE moving and I DO having something to show.

Time is tight so I'll just get on with it.

This post will be technically SFW (if not exactly family friendly maybe), but you can read the full-fat version over on LewdPixels if you prefer (content warning - it gets adult FAST).

Project Update

Things are moving forwards, although more slowly than I would like. I am working almost full time now on contract work and only finding 1-2 days a week for development. This is just barely time to keep the art team productive.

The hope right now is to put out an Early Access release in January, alongside an updated demo. The demo will have basically same content - but improved.

Now, I'm still not sure whether Early Access is right for me or whether I should wait to release the whole finishing thing. There are arguments both ways and I'll have to get back to you. Right now I'm just trying to get it DONE, you know? I may post an agonising update here about the pros and cons and various factors involved in the decision.

Or maybe one day I'll surprise you and just say "Oh hey it's out now, go fill yer boots". Which I'm sure would be everyone's first choice.

Backgrounds

So, first off, we've been busy filling out the backgrounds for the game's different locations.

If you've played the demo, you'll have trudged through the docks looking for the missing hound Heracles. It's not the game's funnest bit - and it's not supposed to be. It's basically grind-through-story, and attempt to make you feel like you're earning your titty.

Even so, I am adding interest with extra artwork. Yes, I could just add rude posters, queues of hookers, and random sex acts into this scene to spice it up. But I want the sex to matter, I want the erotica to hit home, and I need some relatively bland moments to allow that to happen. So instead I'm using these moments to build up atmosphere, story, and character.

Still, this isn't bad eh?

Something else I'm trying to do with the artwork is add a bit more color. I want to push the palettes occasionally, to bring out more variety, to keep things visually interesting.

Here's the Pizzeria (well, one of them) - Pappa pepperoni!

And here, against all odds, is my favourite new background - the back of McGinn's tavern. A fine place for a clandestine meeting.

Characters

The cast is expanding and improving.

I've been hinting at cosplaying, pizza-loving Minty for a while - although I've yet to put her in the game properly or talk about her much.

Private Dick is a dark comedy, right, but I'm not kidding about the dark bit. Unsympathetic characters, immoral agendas, shady colour palettes - it's a game about finding beauty in darkness (and tits - it's also a game about tits). But Minty is a contrast to all that - she's fun, naive, silly and full of life and color (and tits).

And can I also introduce you to the mysterious Martini:

You won't know it just yet, but she's a sure-fire fan favourite.

CGs

Well I can't show you this here, sorry. Scroll up to the LewdPixels link for that. Or don't spoil the experience and just wait a few months until it's ready to go. Up to you :)

What's Next

So, art is coming in, things are progressing, the girls look cute.

But what actually needs to happen now?

Well, at the time of writing there are at least 5 CGs that need art. That will wrap up the main story. These are well planned and at least partly drafted - although there is a large-ish chunk of writing that needs to come in between then as well.

Also, while I know what the final CG is and where the story stops (for now), I've still got to work out what the very last scene looks like. I'm thinking about plugging in a fancy intro scene to get the game off to a better, hotter start. And I have a feeling that the final storyline gets a bit stretched towards the end - which is fine, but it will be nice to have an extra side story to go alongside it.

I've still got to do some work on the social media UI and finishing off the messaging/SMS/chat system.

I need to sort out the soundtrack. I've already got samples for several tracks, but in all honest they're not quite up to the quality I'm looking for yet.  And I still need to work out how to make them a bit more dynamic, so that there isn't just a 60-second loop repeating forever. It's a difficult problem and I am actively trying to work it out. But we'll get there, and I will probably post a preview in the next couple of months,

Then there's the looming spectre of voice. I've got a shortlist for actors but, and here's the thing, I don't want to get this started until the script is locked in, fully implemented, and playtested. Voiceover will be the very last thing I do.

So quite a bit, then.

Say Goodnight, Sam

Well, that's all for now.

This has been a big update for me and taken significant time to prepare (especially if you count the posts I abandoned because they're too boring). I don't expect I'll update again until the new year, maybe Christmas.  Twitter is the best place right now to keep up to date.

So, goodnight, Sam!

Oh, and please do remember to wishlist Private Dick on Steam!