Chapter Five (0.05.0) Update #2

Time for another update for Chapter Five. While the work for the first six or so scenes zipped by quickly, we've hit the more work-intensive portion of the chapter. Three of the story's biggest moments are in the back half of the update, and as such, need to handled with care. 

The main reason that the last two scenes in particular are taking so much time is due to the sheer number of unique poses being employed. There is a single transition where Jack and Carol move from [SPOILERY AS SHIT] to [WHOA SHIT THIS IS SPOILERY] that has ten distinct poses for both characters, not including hand and face variations. Not complaining. Just saying. Really not complaining, because I actually like it when this kind of nuanced work comes together, purely for the feeling that these are real characters.

On the Impacts of Choice

You may not know--oh, who am I kidding? You've been playing these kinds of games before. You know there's some hidden points system under the hood. There always is. Well, you've likely been accruing points as you play that will impact conversations, choices and even the game's end. 

This choice in Chapter Four is the first real point where you can see how Carol feels, based on your earlier actions. While the top two choices are the player, through Jack, making the decision, the bottom one is based on one of three groups of points that the player can earn with Carol.

Love: This is, of course, a measure of Carol's feelings for Jack. Right now, this doesn't have a noticeable impact on the story. It will, in the future, help shape the course of the game's endings. Also, there will be choices later in the story where you may have to "spend" these points if you don't choose Carol. 

Trust: This is earned by being honest with Carol about your situation. The more you treat her like an adult, the more she trusts you. Often, the decisions that earn Trust also earns Nerve. Trust points will impact future conversations and actions. 

Nerve: This is a measure of Carol's nervousness about the world around her. The more you confide in her, or the more she sees the dangers for herself, the more stress she'll feel. As you see in the above decision, this may make her more cautious. With low Nerve, she volunteers to go to Roy's. With high Nerve, she suggests that Jack does it. 

- Kinderfeld