Debu Complex : a tamagotchi-like game - 24/12/30 | I LIVED BITCH (version 0.9.4)

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507

Hope your recovery goes well!
I’m new here, and wanted to say your project is really fun and cute!

Since I am hoping to be a bit of an artist in the future, I decided to take the graphics bit and try think about how a couple potential shirts could be in the game. (Its only filling up the girls in the thinnest option, I didn’t have time to start drawing for more than that at the moment. Also no last stage of the stuffing since I was limited to 24 frames and didnt want the gif to feel rushed in between each stage. Sorry!).

Button Shirt
(There is actually a second, simpler shirt that basically starts ripping at the side at the later stages. But I could only upload one, so button shirt it is!)

Hope to hear about your recovery soon, and since I saw you mention it, if you still need help with writing, I’ve been writing for about 15 years, so I’d be happy to volunteer my skills in that aspect!

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508

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I though I’d give you some news. I’m not dead (yet), and I’m even in good enough shape to have been discharged a little while ago, but things are still a bit hard right now. My medication is not kind to me and is either giving me headaches, or giving me the runs, or making me sleepy… So I haven’t built up the courage to get back to work yet. But at least I’m getting better (I guess).

Not bad for a first few sprites! Outfits will be one of the next things I plan to work on. A while ago I made a quick and dirty guide for someone on how to refine sprites and somewhat match my style, if it can interest you I’ll see if I still have it. If you want to help, you’ll be more than welcome. I have a discord server that I share with people who want to give me a hand, it’s not very active (especially lately) but it’s a handy way to have relevant resources in one place. I’ll send you an invite if you want.

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509

Hey guys,

I think news are a bit overdue. I’m still alive and I’m slowly starting to work on the game again, but I’m still only making slow progress. And since I’m a few month late with the update anyway I’ve decided to take my time and fix things that need to be fixed anyway, like the fashion inventory for example. The current interface was nice and dandy back when I had only 4 outfit categories in mind, but now it just feels clunky and awkward. On top of that, the code behind it quickly grew into an unfathomable, unmaintainable spaghetticode monster that even I am scared to mess with. So I am throwing everything out the window and here’s what the fancy new UI looks like:

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It should be much more comfortable to navigate, and there’s even a preview of what the item looks like. Well, the preview is not functional yet, but I’ll get it done. It can’t be that complicated, right?

You’ll probably have noticed that new type of fashion item, the earrings. There’s about ten of them, and they have all been made by CB420, a kind and talented contributor who has been pumping new assets for the game lately. They also made part of this new fashion UI, as well as a few new character creation options and more. They also helped improving the growling and burp sfx!

I also decided to make the debug menu a permanent feature, except in the final version it will have to be unlocked after “finishing the game”. Cheat codes and debug options have always been one of my favorite features in video games, so why not use it as a reward for the curious and dedicated players? I still have to figure out what “finishing the game” would imply, but that can wait until later. It also means putting a bit more work into the debug menu is definitely worth it, so next version will have a fancied-up debug menu too. The only menu to not have received a make-over is the food inventory… Maybe some other time?

There’s still no ETA for this new update. As I said, I want to take some time to polish a few existing features that could really use a bit more love, and to be perfectly honest and on a more personal note I’m starting to realize I may have to get used to living with my current condition. I’ll probably eventually get used to it, but for now I’m still accommodating and it’s a bit exhausting.

Anyway, thanks again for your patience, and even though it’s taking a long time, I’m still here and making progress one step at a time!

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510

Glad to hear from you again and to see that you are foing better

511

New menu looks great, also like the sound of improved sfx.

But really, just glad to hear you’re doing alright!

512

Glad to know you’re not dead, and I’m looking forward to the new stuff! However, that “not dead YET” is still a bit worrisome to me. Yet???
*concerned staring

513

Hope you’re doing better healthwise

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514

I’m not doing great. I had to go back to the hospital a few weeks ago and I’ve pretty much stopped working altogether for now, job and hobbies. But I appreciate the sentiment!

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515

Take all the time you need. We aren’t going anywhere, so make sure to take care of yourself!

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516

Glad to see you taking your health seriously. I’ll wait as long as it takes

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517

I’m a bit forced to take it seriously, to my dismay. It’s very very frustrating to me ; I love my job and I’ve always lived by working on some project to keep my brain busy. I’ve tried to somewhat keep the same pace as before and it led me right back to the ER… If I want to get better someday I think have to change my habits, at least temporarily.

If I’m being honest, I’ve been considering giving up on this project lately. But I don’t want it to just become another beta abandonware, it is my baby. So if it ever comes to this, I’ll make sure to at least write some documentation and open-source the code and resources so that someone can take the project, and ideally I’ll finish the customization tools so that dialog management isn’t too much of a pain in the ass. Whatever happens, I will do my best to protect this game and give it a future.

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518

Giving up doesn’t need to be forever, friend.

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519

Even if you stop now, there is nothing preventing you from picking the project back up later if you really want to.

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520

That’s probably the plan for now. I’m feeling very defeated by everything so it’s probably not the right time to make any decision for the time being.

But if the situation keeps going and I’m unable to make any progress for too long, I think I’ll start preparing to leave the project to someone else. There are people who have followed my progress and supported this game for a long time, and a lot of people have even invested their time and efforts to help me produce various assets, a lot of which I have yet to introduce. I’d honestly feel terrible if I just let all this investment go to waste.

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521

Hey everyone,

It seems I’m actually starting to get better. Addressing the well identified issues in your lifestyle and not stressing yourself out 24/7 when you’re supposed to rest does seem to work. Who would have guessed. Not me, that’s for sure.

Last month, my doctor told me my results were reassuring and I may be able to get back to work soon. I’m still on sick leave for now, but I do feel better and I’ve started working on Debucon again. I’m still taking it easy and I’m not setting unreasonable goals anymore, and I have to say it feels really good to just plop in front of my computer for half an hour, work on a single feature and stop without feeling like I’m late on my self-imposed deliriously tight schedule.

I’ve not been working on the game itself, but on the customization tools. Especially the Dialogue Editor. I should have done that long ago because it’s going to save me a lot of time in the long run and it’ll make designing dialogues a lot more digest than just editing raw json files by hand. I’m far from done yet, but here’s what I can share.

I’ve skillfully avoided showing you the parts that are still not finished functional yet, but I’m pretty happy with how it works so far.

I don’t know yet when I’ll be able to release the next update and I don’t feel confident enough to even just give a rough estimate. But I think I can confidently say I’m back from the dead for real this time.

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522

It’s great to see you recovering. People joke around about creators dying but, the way you made it sound, I was honestly concerned. Do take it easy but I’m delighted to see you’ve still got the passion for this project

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523

Glad to see you back. Love your game so much. Just make sure your health is always first

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524

Just glad to hear you’re doing better

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525

Welcome back! Here’s to your improving health.

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526

Don’t push urself too hard we just glad u came back and doing better the game can wait and take its time. Stay healthy everyone :gun:

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