Sword of Asumi
Update version 1.10
From feedback we have also reduced the difficulty of getting some of the endings to prevent the game from being too frustrating.
Those who have already played the game may well find it much more interactive now that we have resolved these issues.
Version 1.0
If you find any bugs please post them in any of the following ways so that we can update any missed issues as quickly as possible.
- Email us at adam@ajtilley.com with details and any error messages.
- Post the error as a discussion on the Steam Community Hub.
- Post the errors on our forums at http://www.ajtilley.com/forum/index
We will be checking these regularly from now until the end of the first week of release to update the game and fix any issues that appear straight away.
After which we will begin 'burning' all of the physical editions of the game ready for dispatch to our audience.
Release Pushed Forward
Sword of Asumi's release date has been pushed forward too...
Friday 9th January 2015 - around noonish GMT+00:00
Time may change depending on your location.
This change is because the main thing we were waiting for was artwork and the video, the final artwork was supplied last week and the video should be completed at some stage on day of release. Uploaded to Steam as soon as we receive it, hopefully before launch.
The version 1.0 will be uploaded tomorrow for all beta and early access Kickstarter backers. And officially released on Steam on Friday.
DLC will also be unlocked and made available for order and download.
Please note we will be removing the DLC 'Character Creator Game' as we will be looking to extend its development into a larger more complex piece of software. But more on that later.
While you wait for Friday, remember we have on Kickstarter an even bigger game idea, very close to hitting our main targer, Echo Tokyo:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ajtilleycom/echo-tokyo-0
Echo Tokyo Campaign
Echo Tokyo
The new game will feature even more spectacular artwork than Sword of Asumi and we hope you all will consider helping us to make it a success. To ensure we can begin immediate development we have launched a Kickstarter campaign, which if successful will allow us to go into immediate development as soon as Sword of Asumi is out.
Check out the campaign here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ajtilleycom/echo-tokyo-0
More details and a greenlight page will be coming very soon.
Echo Tokyo Campaign
Echo Tokyo
We have now launched our next graphic novel series on kickstarter and are already after day 1 almost half way towards our goal. Please checkout the campaign to see the artwork and some of the first pages in the series.
http://kck.st/1zk70YF
Steam Beta v110
Main Changes
- Old Licensed Soundtrack removed and replaced with new unique soundtrack.
- General alterations to the main menu to prevent music stopping.
- Removed variable un-lockables from codex (decided it was no needed)
- Entire script and all bonus scenes and 98% of character art added.
- Added additional gallery CG scenes from the game.
- Updated the Music Room to play the new sound tracks.
Work continues we have now received most of the 'female' voice acting and are just waiting on the last of the male characters, voice work will start to be added to the game alongside sound effects whilst we continue to fix bugs and smooth out the standard game delivery.
Beta v80
I have now implemented the majority of the main script, there are still a couple of gaps and some errors but the vast majority of the story has now been input into the game for testing.
N.b. The 'endings' have not been implemented into the game yet but the art for those is in the pipeline.
In additional all of the many times many backgrounds for the Sword of Asumi game have been recompiled and recreated in high resolution .png format within the game. Which means generally they will appear much better in native resolution as well as full screen resolution.
Now that the script has been implemented I will be focusing this week on going through the code with a fine tooth comb to make sure there are no errors with the variables so that a player could play the game from start to finish without the game crashing. Then after that is done I will likely begin adding more complex character artwork and animations.
Remember you can post error reports from the game on the site ajtilley.com for quick resolution in the next updates.
P.s. I expect updates will be more frequent now, every couple of days...
Final Kickstarter Successful
- A full un-lockable CG gallery included in the game
- New specially orchestrated music to replace the licensed tracks
- Two special theme tunes for the game (one voiced)
- Additional Background Scenes
- Additional CG scenes for the game
- New backer designed Event in the game
- Additional backer designed outfits in the game
- Steam Trading Cards on Release - Artwork now underway
In addition we will be running a competition for some cool physical items very soon on the comunity hub, more details coming very soon...
Release DLC
Swords of Edo Graphic Novel
The first piece of DLC is the Swords of Edo graphic novel, in the game timeline this 240 page full color book occurs shortly after the end of the visual Novel game; Sword of Asumi. Comes complete with all three volumes of the book, a parody chibi issue and a variety of bonus artwork and content.
Sword of Asumi Soundtrack
The second piece of DLC is the Sword of Asumi unique soundtrack, currently in production by Blue Wolfie Music, specifically for use in the game. The soundtrack is only available for purchase separately via Steam and this DLC. Includes all songs from the game.
Anime Character Creator Minigame
The third piece of DLC is a stand alone downloadable mini-game which will allow you to create your own Sword of Asumi style character. Based on the artwork of the Sword of Asumi game.
So there we have it the first three pieces of DLC and if things go well hopefully not the last DLC extras we can offer down the line.
How Update during Beta Work
Currently I have set the development of the game in the following stages:
- Artwork & Scripting
- Game Coding
- Bugfixes & animation
- Voice Acting & Music
Stage 1 Artwork and Scripting is now complete (mostly) we have a full script from start to finish and 80% of the artwork, those missing pieces are gradually being added as we move into stage 2.
Stage 2 is Game coding, which is what we are on now. Essentially this means taking the artwork and script and coding it into the game.
I do this by the following method:
Monday-Friday = I spend a lot of time each day coding the script into game code, usually in notebook or other editor programs, my aim is to get about 15-25% of the script into code each week.
On Friday I upload this code to steam;
This includes the script, backgrounds, some CG scenes variables and choices, as well as some character artwork.
On Saturday and Sunday I then go through all of the code I uploaded and fix bugs, some based on what is reported to me, others based on what I find, I also make sure all backgrounds and character sprites are appearing correctly.
N.b. I however don't include animations or worry about sprite overlaps.
On Sunday I upload the new version of the game, which should be a stable bug free release of the current content. When satisfied this is also uploaded DRM free to AJTilley.com (if not satisifed the DRM free version will wait till the following week as needed)
And then the process starts over with the next chunk of script.
Stage 3 is Bugfixing & animations, once the entire script is in the game I then most focus on ensuring all the routes are working, which is tantamount to fixing coding bugs. Once that is done I will focus entirely on animations, importing all the CG scenes I can or making space for them and animating all the characters as much as possible. Essentially to make the game look as good as possible. Any final character art will be updated at this stage as well.
Finally Stage 4, Is where all that is left to add is the voiceacting, final sound effects and of course the new musical score. Most of this will be uploaded during January 2015 in preparation for the steam release. Chances are we will also put he games updates on hold during this phase, and then release an update with the full and final game 1 week prior to its official release, to find any last minute bugs and to give beta backers the game one week before everyone else.
So that in a nutshell is how development works and what it involves. I am very happy with this process and expect it to continue through the next three months until we release the game. So expect large content updates weekly for now and into December.