My Little World [On Hold]

[Elta]

Putting this project on hold. It was a great learning experience, but I wish to change direction in both style and content for my visual novels. That being said, I'm still going to use most of this game and it's assets in a later project I have in mind, thus why it's on hold instead of canceled. Though I have no set deadline, not soon.

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My Little World is my very first visual novel project. It was mostly an experiment, so I played around with a lot of ideas and kept the storylines fairly simple. It has three girls you can befriend, multiple paths to play, 4 story endings along with the 5 friendship endings, and 6 items to collect that can allow you to see events you might not other wise see, slightly effect the look of one of the girls, and even change the stories path.

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I've gotten into making visual novels and honestly find it quite soothing, not to mention motivating. Found Ren'py this last Sunday and been learning how it works. I'm starting my first game "My Little World", using a simple style (when compared to my fully painted works) so that I don't tie myself up to tightly when I'm just starting out! It's going to have three girls (Ruemi with the pink hair, Heles with the brown hair, and one other). The main character will be the player, and they can interact with the girls and that will lead to different endings, though none of them romantic, as this is more about friendships. I would like to make the endings based on friendship levels if I can figure out how to do that (still need to look into that), otherwise it will be based on a set path of choices.

It's going to be a free game when I'm done, I hope it will be enjoyable! I'll post stuff here as I work more on this game! Put it in ideas, because I don't have a set date for release, as this is my first game and I don't know how long it will take.

[Elta]

I'll not be updating everyday, because some days I can't guarantee I can work on this, but I'll update when I can!
Sorry, no art updates this time, but I should have more backgrounds done tomorrow or at the latest sometime next week and more emotions for Heles.

Coding updates:
- Added in the friendship points I wanted, working perfectly but I might try to do more with it if possible
(made a forum post about what I hope to do, because I am unsure if it's possible)
Edit: YES! Thanks to Matalla I got it working! I can now have different endings depending on friendship levels!
- Coded the first quarter of the story.
- made my characters into dynamic characters so there names only show after they have introduced themselves.

Story update:
- Story is pretty much complete now. It's really just a case of coding it all and making sure I have no inconsistencies as I code it.
- still need to proof read it all, I have a lot of spelling mistakes and such, but the hardest part is done, the actual story.

[Autumnotopia]

There's something super charming about the art, I really like it! Looking forward to seeing progress

[Elta]

There's something super charming about the art, I really like it! Looking forward to seeing progress

Aww, thank you! I wanted to do something a lot less detailed then my normal works, and have a storybook sort of feel, but I wasn't sure if this was something others could enjoy, so I'm really happy to hear you like the style!

I'll keep working hard, going to have some backgrounds finished today (almost done 2 of them), and hopefully more poses for Heles!

[Elta]

You can see a larger version on my deviantart.

Art update:
- Finished 4 backgrounds.
- Made heles one new emotion.
- Planned out the final background so I just need to finish the three I have planned.
The largest job is still head of me. Art wise I still have the 3 backgrounds, emotions for Heles, still need to draw the 3rd girl and all her emotions, and then there is the events. I don't yet know how many I wish to do. I'll decide that after coding the entire story. Even with all that, it's going to be easier then figuring out how to edit the GUI (graphical user interface)! xD

Coding/script update:
- Added more of my script to the rpy file, I still have a lot of work to do.
- I have a few different paths going and it's confusing but I seem to be doing a good job keeping things organized.
- Everything I've added works perfectly in game, so I'm happy~

I'm really loving working in Ren'Py. I's quite easy to understand after seeing enough examples and getting help here and there. I still have a ton to learn, but at least I can make a simple game now. I'm sort of nervous to jump into the GUI... but I'm also rather excited!

[Elta]

Art Update:
Did more work on the final tree backgrounds, hope to finish them this week.

GUI Update:
I realized this is a bit too deep for me with this being my first game. I'll be doing more with the GUI in my next game, but for now I'll keep it close to the default. I did figure out how to change the textbox, add outlines to the text, change the font, and I learned a few things that I'll change in the next game.

I think I like this look I have now for the text box and text, but I'll decide nearer to the end on my project.

Script/coding update:
added more of the script, still finding the branching pathways a bit confusing, might do different parts of the story in different files for my next game, having it all in script.rpy makes it hard to find things.

That's all for today. Hopefully I'll get more done tomorrow!

[Elta]

Art Update:
Three new emotions for Heles today!
Still unsure how many emotions I’ll make for each of the girls, so I’m making them as I need them for the story for now.
Also made an “item” image for one item you can gain in game. I’ll not show that here, need to keep some of the artwork game only.
(I'll likely not share all the event images either, and the few I do I'll share only parts.)

Coding Update:
Added persistent unlocks so the game can tell if it’s your first playthough and when you have unlocked all content. This not only acknowledges it, but unlocks some extra gallery artwork for each.

Script/coding Update:
Added more of my script today, another branch off point and it all works just fine.

[Elta]

GUI Update!
Well, changed my mind only slightly! I did some updates to the images for my GUI. Start screen and options/load/save screens are slightly different, and I fixed up my gallery page. I still need to finish the art of my three girls that will be on the main menu though.

Art update:
Finished drawing Lobelia finally! It’s nice being able to see all three of my girls. Also made a logo for my game, it’s simple and I think I’m quite happy with it! Aside from that I sketched out the art for the start screen and 2 of the events.

That’s all for today, can’t wait to get more done!

[Elta]

Today I have little to update because most of the changes are not very visible and took me a while.

- Found out how to change the default text speed.
- Added all proper credits to my credits page.
- Found 3 music tracks and 1 sound track that I’ll be using for my story!
Thanks to Eric Matyas of http://www.soundimage.org for the amazing royalty free music!

Lastly, I also did a ton of reorganizing for my script! I was finding it far to confusing having everything in the same script.rpy file, so I split the two main paths into their own files, it’s much easier to keep track of now! This took most of the free time I had, but it will save me a lot more time in the long run.

That’s all for today! I’m so happy to have music, it adds a whole new depth to my game I didn’t realize was missing! I am so enjoying every aspect of putting this game together, so happy to have started this project!

[Elta]

Nothing but art updates today, but yay! I finished my games start screen! I'm really happy with how it turned out!


I got though a lot today actually, I finished all of the emotions for all three girls sprites, and I'm getting into doing one of the backgrounds now! Such a good day!

[Elta]

Art Update:
I had some more time today then I thought, so I took that time to get the last 4 backgrounds for my game done! It’s so nice to have all of the backgrounds and characters done! Now to draw event art!

Coding/Story Update:
I completely finished one of the four paths, I think the story is going well and it all seems to work well in game. So on to the next path! I still have 3 paths to add the script too, and I need to add the friendship endings. Plus I’ve not added in three of the optional events and easter egg comments (comments that show depending on the paths you took or have taken), but since they don’t matter to the story I’ll add them last.

I actually am surprised how far I have come though since the beginning of the month! I’m going to keep working hard!

[Elta]

Taking a break from art and inputting more of the script for "My Little World"! I Hope to make this an enjoyable game, and I'm trying to find a balance so I can keep my first game short without it being too short for the players. I am also thinking of adding a main character portrait. I think I'll enjoy doing the event art more if the characters can actually interact with a main character.

[Elta]

Main Character portrait:
Added a Main character portrait, and you can choose between short or long hair! (game never refers to your gender, the choice only effects your look.) This will change the side portrait that changes emotions throughout the story, but will also change how your character looks in the event illustrations!

Story Update:
Today I input more of the script! I'm trying to find a balance so I can keep my first game short without it being too short for the players. So I’ve added a bit to the script. Not just as padding mind you, I’m adding a bit more about the girls, so you can get to know their personalities and interests better.

Coding Update:
Figured out how to keep the MC portrait on at all times, plus how to turn it off when I don’t want it showing. Then I also learned how to turn off the textbox so you’ll be able to see the event images without anything in the way until you click. ​​

[Autumnotopia]

Wow, you've been making really good progress! Make sure to not burn yourself out, but super cool to see what you have so far

[Elta]

Art Updates:
Added a new item into the script so I drew that, plus painted the small change to one side character because of that item.

Story/Codeing Updates:
I added in two item events and the illustration events for those too items. I haven't done the art for the illustrations yet, but at least now all I have to do is change the image name when I do finish them. Also figured out how to define exact coordinates for my characters so they are not always just on the right, left, or center! Being able to overlap characters and move them to specific parts of the background really helps me to tell my story! I'm so happy right now!

Wow, you've been making really good progress! Make sure to not burn yourself out, but super cool to see what you have so far

Thank you so much! Defiantly trying my best! Yeah, I need to make sure to take care of myself, don't want to hurt my wrists or get sick, never mind hitting burn out! xD I've just been having so much fun, it's hard to stop! I did take it a bit easier today, the things I did do didn't take me that long. I think I'll be slowing down for the rest of this week, likely a few less updates. Thank you so much for caring!
I've never enjoyed anything as much as making visual novels, so I'll take it easy, but still try my best!!