One year
Originally shared: 2020 September 1
Has it really been one full Gregorian year since I released the prologue of Danganronpa: Lapse? It feels like it’s been about 10 years if we factor in the strange effect our global crisis is having on our perception of time! If I dragged out DR:L for 10 years I think that would be safe grounds to say the project has been very much left to the wolves. Fortunately, that is not the case! Chapters 3 + 4 are written out to their relative completion (it’s written in a gdoc first and I tweak dialogue as I see fit when moved into Ren’Py/when I play through it five thousand times), so no worries on that front! The entirety of Lapse’s story has been decided from the start therefore I’ve never been working with no end in sight- rather, as I write the end of this story and watch the pieces come together, I just wonder how I even pulled any of it off, haha. However, more damning obstacles have interrupted my development… As a creative, I am always compelled to improve my craft and this includes fixing the bonkers code I slapped together for the first half, among other things… Here’s what I’ve been tinkering away at!First; as you might have seen from the DRL twitter, I’ve been updating the art! To me, giving the characters a much-needed visual overhaul was inevitable, since I was working with two tools that I have very little practice with- a display tablet and Clip Studio. And since I’ve moved to using the tools I’m most comfortable with (a graphic tablet and Photoshop) I can add the CGs I cut because I was avoiding CSP! (I want to keep these a surprise, so no screenies 🙊)
Second: I’m adding more dialogue between the students, expanding upon the ‘Free Time’ sections and generally sprinkling more conversations/dialogue. I admit, reading some of the early exchanges even left me with something to be desired, haha. In the beginning I was afraid of droning on and on but then I remembered I’m writing a visual novel which is composed of endless talking anyway.
Third and the most notable change to address is I’m trimming the ‘mechanics’ of the trials even further. I’ve said before, but to reiterate- it's never been my intention to fully emulate the Danganronpa formula since it’s very obviously beyond my individual capabilities (and interest) to do so. The trials will both look and feel different as I work within my boundaries, rather than make a sloppy attempt to emulate the main game’s mechanic.
I joked about dropping DRL if it took more than a year to make, but honestly, as far deep as I am in it, I find myself inextricably tied to finishing it. The project has been, quite literally, the one, singular thing holding me together in these weird, isolating times. I feel a lot of joy making this silly thing- the funky characters, the overly-melancholic story, the fight with programming and more- all these elements have kept me sane as I struggle to come to terms with constantly being with myself! To be candid, I did take it slow on the development early this year since 1) my day job transitioning into pandemic-mode fully consumed my mental energy and 2) I redirected my attention elsewhere to participate in two game jams (lol); it wasn’t until mid-July that I started finding my pace again. I’m back with guns blazing to get this done! I know I’m not very vocal about it on social media, but I greatly appreciate anyone who can find some enjoyment with this little thing in the corner of the internet. It’s the tiniest sentiment, but simply the thought that anyone would take time out of their day to give attention to my project means a lot to me! I wanted to get all nostalgic and have a big retrospective about the past year, but I’m kind of at a loss for words (shockingly). All I can offer for now is this mini-update! I hope you can look forward to the continuation of the melancholy I’ve laid down! Thank you so much for your patience and support! Hopefully it won’t take an excrutiatingly long time, but with the pandemic messing up my brain, I can’t make any promises!