Some weekend ranting... (Patreon)

Hi there,

After 0.6 release, I've been devoting time to further refine the engine. This is something I'll continue doing as long as I internalize better practices and gain a deeper understanding on how Unity and the plugins I'm using interact with each other.

Also, being a better programmer is a necessity if I'm supposed to create more games in the upcoming decades. And I have big plans...

Anyway, since I started to optimize the engine back in December, frame rates have gone from 30 to 150 fps (inside the Unity editor, not the compiled game). That's quite spectacular and it also tells how amateurishly I did before.

But, the thing is, when you embark on a Patreon project you're expected to deliver as much content as you can on a regular basis, so I've been juggling with the time you've given us these two past years, between 'learning' opposed to 'doing', as respectfully as I've been able to.

I know that from the point of view of many people, it is difficult to understand how we've progressed so little. I can't blame anybody, considering that even me, the guy who should have known better, was too optimistic back in the day.

There also seems to be some voices that can't grip around the fact we're making around 9K per month and we've didn't turn this project into a small indie company-like endeavor, with several paid semi-professional collaborators.

Well, without going into much detail, 9K are getting us by, being able to pay bills, (big) taxes and, in my personal situation, save as much as I can in case shit happens with Patreon, which has become the frail bottleneck of both Kuja's and mine's livelihoods.

Oh, and I'm also separating from my ex and my daughters will need child support sent their way, so... yeah, I can't take any chances. At all.

That being said and whined, the way I'm trying to repay your generosity is by putting thrice the hours I put in my previous work.

Heh... there are days when I fantasize about playing games the way I was able to. Some years ago I was the friggin 13th tank (by gear) in my WoW server. That gives you an idea of the kind of free time I had in my hands.

But I don't regret anything. You've made possible I can take my things on a backpack and travel to another country in search of a new life. And for that, I'll always be in your debt.

Oh, regarding that matter, I'll be in the Philippines for two months starting in March. Not sure if you're interested in my personal travels (lol), but the main reason of putting so much effort in optimizing the code is because of that: being able to work with my not-so-great laptop while I'm there.

And no, I can't really buy a very powerful laptop for two reasons. Firstly, I already have a great desktop I will take with me (in parts) when I relocate for good. And secondly, it is quite risky to show around an expensive piece of technology, costing more than a year's salary for many of the locals, and expect not attracting unwanted attention.

As for February plans, 0.7 will be ready in time for sure.

After engine optimization, I want to change the way quests (tasks) are given and turned in, because right now is a mess. :-P

You can find details of what I want to do here.

Then I'll start adding content, so stay tuned and thank you for reading this wall of text. ;-)