DevLog: Before/After Teasers (Patreon)

Hey all,

So yesterday I posted the video Devlog expanded discussion with the upcoming v0.07 teasers, showcasing the original version of the game versus the approach you'll see in the revamp. Today, we're gonna go through a shorter version of that and take a look at many of those same images. 

Spoiler: This post will contain images from the upcoming update and may be considered spoilers based on the discussion here. If you haven't played the game before, you may wanna skip this post. 

Note: This discussion will only include 3 pairs of images as opposed to the video devlog discussing a fourth set. The last image excluded from this discussion is way more NSFW and is actually a teaser for two separate animations we'll be seeing. If you're interested in that, I was saving it specifically for the $20 tier. It's a pretty big change from the original version but I think it's way more fun and fits the narrative better.

Ok... enough housekeeping. Let's jump into it:

Image 1: This first shot is from the original game and it showcases something pretty simple that I wanted to include in the game: basic undressing shots. Back in the day, these were a little more complex for me to do but I've gotten a little more manipulative in what I can pull off now. The singlet is especially troublesome because it's an older asset so it has a hard time fitting on newer models and doesn't have a lot of options on how to modify it. I actually considered changing it in the revamp but ended up leaving it alone. I didn't want any outfit changes from the original since I felt like people had memories associated with those outfits. 

Image 2: This is what you're going to be seeing in the revamp. More dynamic shots. This shot isn't perfect but it's about as good as my skill level will allow for now. I'm really trying to simulate normal conversation in the room while the characters undress. It's super casual/minor stuff but I think it adds to the immersion and realism. We'll be seeing a few different shots of Braden slowly taking off the singlet in the room. I'll also be using Depth of Field blur to help tease and shift the camera back and forth so you can get an idea on what Zack is seeing or not seeing.

Image 3: This is one of the massage shots from the original game. For those of you in the Nutcase tier, you've already seen some of the upcoming changes to this scene including the major focus being on Braden's expressions. This original shot is pretty bland. While Braden is making a pretty twisted face in this, it doesn't really tell us whether he's in pain or pleasure and I think that's important. This is also one of those early game shots where the camera work is abysmal. I have no idea why it's so off center. Another fun side note that I literally discovered in real-time while recording the video version of this discussion: check it out-- Zack is missing his fucking leg. Idk where it went. It's a mystery.

Image 4: Here's an idea of how that last image will be approached in the revamp. I'm going with the darker lighting here because it's more sensual and intimate. I'm also changing up a lot of the camera angles and you'll be getting shots from just about every angle to help pull you into the scene. Braden's face is always way more expressive here and he's pretty squirmy-- which is both cute and kinda hot. I really spent a lot of time making Braden make a litany of stupid faces in this scene. For some of you, it may check a sex box but for others, it'll probably just be funny. Either is an appropriate reaction :)

Image 5: Here's one more shot from the original game of the massage sequence. This original sequence I think had a good idea to it but really could have had better execution to try and pull the reader in. I really wanted to balance the skill of Zack with how awkward shit could easily get when he got inside his head. The original CGs are just really basic and kinda boring here: Zack just slides down the bed and Braden's back with really no feeling whatsoever. I think the idea of these scene was actually better than the way it originally looked.

Image 6: Here's the idea in the revamp: extra angles as well as much softer arm positions. We'll also be seeing various close-ups of facial expressions and Braden mumbles into his blanket and they banter back and forth. There's way more images for this massage than this (original game used about 4 images for the massage and the revamp folder has 71 in it). But for today, I just wanted to show you the mood changes as well as where my head is at with this particular scene. 

Also, keep in mind these are raw test renders so some of the image pokethrough or tears (specifically in Zack's underwear) aren't party of the game and will be fixed before release. 

If you wanna see more, remember there's one more image set in the $20 Devlog video as well as extended discussions on all of the above images. That last set, be warned: is a little more NSFW and it showcases the original ending of Chapter 3 that will now be animated :)