Monday, July 29, 2024

Progress 29.07.2024

Hello all!

Hmmm... Rendering, it's going nicely. I have two scenes left to render. Although the last one isn't that large. And one set to build, for this update anyway so it's all looking good so far. Overall I'm happy with the renders, some ehh... Trying to make "accurate" lightning can be pain in the backside with the light colours and temperatures. But it works that's all there is to it.

Writing is in a good shape, I should be able to write tonight while rendering since the current patch is a bit longer to render.


A bit chatting with Jhaena over bowl of stew. Nothing too deep yet, just building some trust and things.


And then everyone is back together. The main cast is large, but each of them have a purpose. Although I originally planned to include only one Naga, but including all three of them has actually worked better for the story. As it allows me to explore the world outside of the empire and the northern part. Although, need to increase the exposure a bit in the last one.


Friday, July 26, 2024

Progress 26.07.2024

Hello all!

It has been an interesting week. So what's up?

Rendering is in a weird place, render count wise I'm where I'm supposed to be. Script wise? I'm a bit behind, I'm learning a new tool that will help to create scenes in the future at the same time, a bit of a learning curve and have been making easy mistakes which has set me back a bit. However, that being said, it will be worth it in the future. Just need to burn the midnight oil for a bit longer for a day or two. But nothing unusual. Also note, during one scene, there are these random red spots on the characters. This isn't a bug or an issue. It's because there is a red crystal in the same room and it reflects light. So any pose change and light reflects differently and thus red light spots on the characters.

Writing. I'm overall happy how writing is going. It's flowing fairly nicely, couple events going to happen. One that people have been waiting for since the arrow incident (in 24 that is)... How will it play out? Good question. Just might depend on the choices made how the Emperor sees things. It isn't going to be great in any case, Lord Izumi that is.

So this is a preview of the environment I made. It will be in the game in this form, but it is missing something right now, well a couple of things. Every proud owner of a mage tower is going to need a library. And this is it. It's a larger room than seen in here and the shelves reach the ceiling. Just haven't been used in a while. Also, this scene is a bit intentionally darker than it should be as there will be something that is harder to see under "normal light".


Then one of the Daily Motivational Renders... Truth to be told, I did this to test stuff. And yes, that is a goo girl, will one appear? I don't know yet. Need to write more until I know. The ground textures I'm not happy. with But not why I have it, I have more use for the some of the components than the building.

Anyway, things are looking good despite some annoyances with one of the scenes. You all have a great weekend!


Monday, July 22, 2024

Changelog: Tribulations of a Mage 0.19.0

Changelog:

  • 361 renders

  • Implemented the next part of the story

  • Small update to codex

  • 1 hidden image

Grammar, spelling, and other fixes (Thanks to Adry, Shaddy, BryonSmothers3DX, Bread, Orion, OBE, dogwithguns, MurderHobo, Philash)

Release schedule:

  • $15 Tier: As soon as the post has had its final touches and links been verified.

  • $10 Tier: 24th of July

  • $5 Tier: 25th of July

  • $3 Tier: 26th of July

  •  Public: 5th of August

Checksums SHA256:

  • Mac Compressed: B8DD323256D429D4E0DE14F3027397BE13E6938A4015438F8E70984AF0B167FA

  • Mac: 27C2A13959732F542AFF6A6AB41ED687FDE7A0DE472EFBAB935387F621E31724

  • PC Compressed: D918A3C755C5B300414B3E4314349CC47AFBE49B3F273EDB01D7D4A144187952

  • PC: 4CE3A6C34C6134903E13FEE112747162E98B72AB01F53533745EB72C7870FD81

  • Update only: 6069B2131AAB86EF6FD7E2521BEB4A6A14C7727B0D1ADAC81FD5DFE072273D88

  • Update only compressed: 21E9D468EF0BC9E4A749E3D4057EB10782355C2FA52FF1BF6FE4353F84C56E5C

  • Android: 418F1883E342B38B654934EE9F2C05EE6A0585DCB9F6B7FC5CA1497EFF61637F

  • Android WT: ACB5C485C3FFAF5428D3387907798DB18BECB389AE9BA4B579AD59ED7310735A

Progress 22.07.2024

Hello all!

Monday and progress post... and changelog... and the start of the release cycle. Lot's to do...

Unsurprisingly I started to render 0.20.0. Can't really say how it is going at the moment since again a lot of set building and things to come. But that's nothing new in the regard. As for writing? I'm starting 24 today, have a bit of an issue with 23 but that's quickly sorted. So overall, things are progressing fine.

And quick preview from 0.20.0 nothing too spoilerish... Did you really think it would be that easy to gain an access to a mage tower? Few twists and turns here and there, but it's progressing forward. New information gained, new plans formed and things like that.

So I'll finish up the few details needed for the changelog and release post and start putting things up relatively soon.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Public Release: Tribulations of a Mage 0.18.0

Tested and played through it a few times, and all the saves worked. But that doesn't mean things didn't slip by. So, as always, if there are any issues, please report them on Discord if possible. That way, I notice them quicker. https://discord.gg/GJK5kfKypg

Tribulations of a Mage 0.18.0
PC
SHA256: A72BA9A758BC3C30E2010F493FB28E61ADA7BC39269E0332358E4B3A267B99B8  

 

PC Compressed
SHA256: AEDC693DE57243FDAA7E6064EF83B2D29F1D42911C617AB7609B6401832180E7 


MAC
SHA256: 0EF5102EC106FC4DF5A967FE9F5EA4B0AFF520432F166B16D07E7C0C590B5DE3


MAC Compressed
SHA256: F62BFBBB435EB12946A6B6F83859F90A3A28E03C05F29E1F38D444548AD396BC


Update Only
SHA256: 0BE1152D3C9472A2BE0184C369EF71B04BE00A52FAF058AF35D398235F2932AE 


Update Only Compressed
SHA256: 27D068E9D0E550D6E89CB56BB1862FD42A8CBD8CC69B635E6861084F08857F2A


Android
SHA256: 5749B4A7E498EC99C304333D122142174FBA59C8EFE2CDD07D7F31FD394F09E9


Android WT
SHA256: 1A20BA6EB5F532D19E2069B3E041E9E3F147447192214CF140AE53D782895C73

Friday, July 19, 2024

Progress 19.07.2024

Hello all!

It has been a week... So what's up?

Update 19 is done and handed to proofreading and tested. It took a lot longer to render than I liked, but that's how things goes. Especially with special effects being somewhat slow to render, and slow I mean some renders took ten times they normally do. It was a slow day that day.

As for writing, it's in okay shape, a bit more writing then I would like, but it isn't bad. So overall it's going okay. As usual I'll write the weekend and start rendering 0.20.0 on Monday.

So before I ramble about the puzzle thing the final preview of 0.19.0. There is sort of mini-routes in this update. Both are viable, as long as you listen to a person later on. Also you might notice some oddities on Tomas, those are intentional (like the black lines, explained early in the update) and the glowing finger tips. That's him keeping certain amount of magic and spell readily available. And then the logically illogical puzzle.

Oh boy... this is and isn't complicated. It functions, to a point but it has erratic behaviour that shouldn't happen. I think I know where the error is, just due brain being in crunch mode the solution isn't coming to me right now, that and head trauma suffered 20 odd years ago paired with lack of sleep makes certain things a bit more difficult than they should, but I digress. So anyway, I do give Shaddy a solution for it for those who use the mod. It's a simplified lights out puzzle. One button (or symbol) in this case affects one or other symbols. It just requires two clicks to solve (and closing click).

The symbol order. 1 affects 2, 2 affects 1 and 3, 3 affects 2 and 4, 4 affects 3 and 5, and 5 affects 4. With me so far? Good. And that's kind of it. Now there is a reset build in (image below), and because of reasons it can solve itself by randomly clicking so you can't exactly get stuck in it. And on top of that... there is a bypass built in, within the puzzle and outside of it since it is behind a choice. Now depending on the choices done before, the follow up choice to this puzzle can be crucial (if you choose to brute force it). So if you are uncertain how things are going (Tomas will tell you before the puzzle) consider what the person says. So why I did this? Mostly to see if I can I do something that would fit the VN and it's atmosphere... But overall don't stress about it, I sent a prototype to be tested earlier and it was solved without instructions.

The reset button location, just click the symbol the arrow points, it also highlights. Just hover the mouse over it... and maybe on top of others if need be.

Anyway, have a great weekend you all.

P.S. I can attach the solution to the release post, it won't seen unless the image is downloaded.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Progress 15.07.2024


 

Hello all!

Time for Monday's ramblings... I mean progress post...

So rendering is in good shape overall, render count is where I would want it to be and in relation to script is where I want to be, more or less. There is slight slow down soon with rendering as there are a couple of variants I need to do. Not entirely sure how I do it yet, but... once I start rendering the actual scene, I know how it is done.

Writing is also where it is supposed to be, so all is good in that front as well. Yay?

Hooray for combat? So some of you know that I've had... some issues with the fight scenes. Also the realisation why in most games spell casters are limited compared to their melee counter part. Unrestricted magic is just overwhelming easily, and unless it is another mage it isn't going the a "fair fight" in any sense. Especially if the mage is prepared to fight. And to make matters worse there is Nisha... Which turns most situations 2 vs 1. Which means Tomas still wins, just takes longer. Now there is a solution to that, which I will be using when the time is right.

And now back to rendering and sorting an issue with... something code related...

Friday, July 12, 2024

Progress 12.07.2024

Hello all!

It's Friday. Yay.

So rendering is going okay, script wise I'm where I'm supposed to be but there are some fight scenes that needs to be done so that will slow things down a bit. And choice variants... Ah well. And set building. But overall I'm happy with it.

Writing is in decent shape. I try to write as much as I can between the set building and renders. It has been... a bit difficult this week but getting there. But that's why I have the writing buffer as well.


So then two preview renders! First up... the infamous tower, exterior. Don't let the image fool you, it is much larger than the perspective gives. And it is quite the distance away as well.


Then ladies talking, revelations and plotting... in a good way actually. This is a scene that might be missed as it relies being a relationship with the three ladies in question.


Then a final render for today. Sabrina and Alexander, almost typed Tomas there... Sabrina has had couple of changes. Eyeglasses and her hair. Nothing drastic, I like the glasses on her. The hair was more of because the old hair was a bit dated. It still would function but not if I would do any kind of closes ups. Might have been able to sort it out with different opacity map, but it's good to try different styles as well.

Anyway, that's for this week. Have a great weekend you all!

Monday, July 8, 2024

Changelog: Tribulations of a Mage 0.18.0

 

Changelog:

  • 224 renders

  • Implemented the next part of the story

  • 1 hidden image

  • Grammar, spelling, and other fixes (Thanks to Adry, Shaddy, BryonSmothers3DX, Bread, Orion, OBE, Khanzar)

Release schedule:

  •  All patrons: As soon as the post has had its final touches and links been verified.

  •  Public: 22nd of July

Checksums SHA256:

  • MAC Compressed: F62BFBBB435EB12946A6B6F83859F90A3A28E03C05F29E1F38D444548AD396BC

  • MAC: 0EF5102EC106FC4DF5A967FE9F5EA4B0AFF520432F166B16D07E7C0C590B5DE3

  • PC Compressed: AEDC693DE57243FDAA7E6064EF83B2D29F1D42911C617AB7609B6401832180E7

  • PC: A72BA9A758BC3C30E2010F493FB28E61ADA7BC39269E0332358E4B3A267B99B8

  • Update only Compressed: 0BE1152D3C9472A2BE0184C369EF71B04BE00A52FAF058AF35D398235F2932AE

  • Update only: 27D068E9D0E550D6E89CB56BB1862FD42A8CBD8CC69B635E6861084F08857F2A

  • Android: 5749B4A7E498EC99C304333D122142174FBA59C8EFE2CDD07D7F31FD394F09E9

  • Android WT: 1A20BA6EB5F532D19E2069B3E041E9E3F147447192214CF140AE53D782895C73

Progress 08.07.2024

Hello all!

Well, this post is a bit later than I wanted it to happen, but I'm not complaining. Anniversary, huh? Countless hours, frustrating moments, moments of joy, moments of when I almost rage quit, but at the end of it all, it has been worth it.

So where to begin... Okay, rendering of 0.19.0 has begun. Shocking, I know. And writing of 23 has also begun. Truthfully, there isn't that much to tell, but it's on par with every other progress post so. And then there is the 0.18.0 release date... it will be today. I'll compile the change log and the release post after this. And then a punch of renders... I'll return to actual "in game" renders on Friday, no huge spoilers then.

Three settings, three protagonists... for now at least. Chiel and Garrett will always be my favourites for many reasons, that doesn't mean I don't like the others any less. Just those two have that special space in my heart.

Tomas and Nisha. While I thought a lot of different familiars, this pairing felt the most natural. Nisha can't talk and yet there is that dynamic between these two that just works.

Well, Tamara and Maria, two sides of the same coin, and despite of that, they do have similar goals. Not much more to say about this, really. Except it took way too long to render than I liked...

And then the space explorers. This is more of an idle thought of Qivian wanting to go see a few places. Sort of continuing the last time. When I started doing TRS1, I briefly considered another story that I've written. But I changed to it to what TRS1 was. The first indented story was more space exploration, but I quickly realised that at the time, I didn't have resources or the necessary skills to pull it off. In the end, it was the right choice. Had I've done the original plan, I wouldn't be here doing this most likely.

And now, I want to thank all of you. Thank you for being fans of these works I've done. It has been an honour.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Public Release: Tribulations of a Mage 0.17.0

Tested and played through it a few times, and all the saves worked. But that doesn't mean things didn't slip by. So, as always, if there are any issues, please report them on Discord if possible. That way, I notice them quicker. https://discord.gg/GJK5kfKypg


PC
SHA256: 361FACD6F74154E83763A9EB791B98D9667B6CBAA1A27BC449B33E6485210090


PC Compressed
SHA256: 7D5A185F6C7F04E3FC3AAA6BD94422AF9828E4015447667CFC933068FD834C46



MAC
SHA256: CCE67B8EAD63B87930E3F3D856BB8B7B5AD173B97DFA0E81969C10CDC6A058EE


MAC Compressed
SHA256: A06FEF986A675D2E2A5429F6B8937C3E63108C5E80198E62F54659D46D5A301D


Update Only
SHA256: EF39DA173F64639BA852EDE10F49189603C57D18EBF068A7C8EDA737E01C3A82



Update Only Compressed
SHA256: F47B992F9E17935A5D1577F07DC40B0223949C8B2E8FF00C246BAB5A68530767



Android
SHA256: E49A2667E058092D0835595517AC398576CEB0F3F32C494C519039D4F5FC683E


Android WT
SHA256: 4A074F026743CD94A986B4FA563CFC45E1F4A3582C8D9BAA48EC3BBE5E527017

Friday, July 5, 2024

Progress 05.07.2024

Hello all!

Friday and it is time for a progress post. Update 0.18.0 has been handed to testing and proofreading. So there is that really. Other than that writing is in good condition and I'll finish writing the update 0.22.0 over the weekend and start rendering update 0.19.0 on Monday and writing the next one then as well. So, that was it really. Now to some renders, similar vein as on Monday!. Please note, these are just my motivational renders so to say.

Ayaka, Tomas, Cyre, Nisha... and the Empress. She has had her fingers in some of the plots that our protagonist has encountered. And in how many she still weaves in the shadows, I wonder...

And a dying planet. This is... more complicated thing. I've said in the past that my mind never rests, unless I'm unconscious but I wouldn't really bet on that either. While I don't have a notebook opened for a VN production for Terminus Reach series at the moment, I still get ideas for it. And I do note down any interesting ideas I get. They are there just sitting and waiting until the right time.

And then the last but not the least, Susan practicing. Originally I wanted Susan to wear ear protectors, but surprisingly I didn't have one as asset. And by the time I found couple old ones I was already fed up with trying to find them so I rendered this one as is. Still like it though, would change couple of things like the textures on the gun and mess with the muzzle flash, and maybe get a headache and use the depth of field blur, bleh. But overall I'm happy. And yes, I do some slight tweaks to the models while downtime or waiting a render to complete. Nothing huge, fixing some errors, changing some hair styles and so on, or switching from 8 to 8.1. Nothing too drastic.

Anyway, relatively short progress post, things are progressing into the right direction and so on. Have a nice weekend you all!


Monday, July 1, 2024

Progress 01.07.2024

Hello everyone!

So... rendering. Outside couple mandatory breaks due thunderstorms it is in okay shape. I have one scene left, relatively large though so will take a day or two to render, but that's still on schedule.

Writing is also in good shape. There are moments when there is this... I don't like using the word block since it isn't writers block, but let's say an obstacle that makes you to rewrite the scene over and over again because you just aren't happy with it as is. I'm past that so writing is flowing again nice and smoothly.

And now as for renders, I've used all non spoiler renders. So, three games, three renders. 8th of July is the day Sorcerer was released, which I personally mark as the anniversary day. Although if we count the TRS1's writing time it would be start of May. And rendering start for both TRS1 and Sorcerer was June 8th but July is good day to have it. But regardless... Also reminds me that I should convert some of the Sorcerer characters to 8.1. Mostly Alexander, better expressions for males.

 




Progress 20.09.2024

Hello all! Rendering of 0.24.0 is going, render count wise I'm not where I want to be, but in relation to the script, I'm more or le...