Quick Update + Itch.io Integration
Added 2018-11-07 16:26:24 +0000 UTCA quick update on the next build. We're putting everything together into a playable build and testing the game right now. Good news is the game seems to work fine with the old save files, so you can just put the old save files into the save folder and continue the game from there! After proofreading the script, we'll test the game again and if there is no game-breaking bug, then we should be able to release it soon for our supporters.
Itch.io Integration
While we're working on the game, we have also been looking for a way to distribute the game to our supporters in a way that it'll be easy for both supporters and for us to update the game. As we have talked about this earlier in our Steam post, even though we have our own launcher, maintaining the patching & updating by ourselves is really time consuming and add more workload to myself. If I can reduce this work then I'll have more time to focus on making and finishing the game.
Itch.io is another game distribution platform that comes with its own application. The Itch app will let you download a game from their store and keep the game up-to-date. I've checked their tools and it's really simple and fast to push any new changes I made to the game for players to download. We've tested this and found that it cut down the time we spent on this tremendously. Itch.io also accept games with adult contents, as I've seen other bara/gay games with adult contents on there as well.
Moving forward, I believe it is better in the long run for us to rely on Itch.io to help us with patching/updating instead of rolling our own. While this will require supporters to create a new account on Itch.io, I hope you'll the convenience you'll get in the future will outweight the inconvenience of having to create a new account. And Itch.io is a great platform that I'd like to support in general.
For now, I'd like a bit more time to set all this up so that the new way of distributing the game will be as smooth as possible. As soon as it's done, I'll make another new post about it!
- Punipen
Comments
Never heard of Itch.io, but it looks fine to me.
Leo Once3333
2018-11-10 20:19:15 +0000 UTCEasy usage sounds good.
Maxx
2018-11-08 06:27:19 +0000 UTCI don't think I've ever said that Steam is a more difficult one to use. My issues with Steam right now are: 1. It cost more time and money to get start. If I go with Steam right now, then you won't get the next build until maybe a month or more later with their game submission process. 2. We're not sure what's going to happen with games with erotic contents like this on Steam yet. I want to wait and see how it'll go. 3. Linux isn't one of the target platforms for now since I don't have a machine to test the game and can't provide any support. 4. Releasing the game on itch.io now doesn't mean we won't release on Steam later. Considering all this and after having tested itch.io, I think it's better for us to use itch.io, at least for now. - Punipen
Dudedle Studio
2018-11-08 02:09:31 +0000 UTCI've been considering it for a long time actually! But, unlike Steam, I never got a chance to try its patching and updating system, so I didn't want to make any promise until I've tried it first. I really should have tried it long time ago x_x - Punipen
Dudedle Studio
2018-11-08 02:02:52 +0000 UTCOn top of what Gystes has already said, Itch.io also let me set the project so that only Patreon of a certain pledge level or above can access it, so I can separate between Patreon build and public build easily. - Punipen
Dudedle Studio
2018-11-08 02:00:42 +0000 UTCThe platform actually automatically starts downloading updates when it's open. There is also a system in place that allows the platform to confirm if you are a current member, but I'm not sure how robust it is.
Gystes
2018-11-07 21:47:24 +0000 UTCI have taken a quick look at this platform (and app). I don't know how exactly the patreon integration and game-updates work together, but it's okay for me as long as everything runs smoothly. Right click, check for updates and play the newest version would be great. But is the connection to patreon deep enough to recognize supporters and make that possible?
Maxx
2018-11-07 21:23:14 +0000 UTCA decent amount of my porn is on itch.io so that's actually quite convenient for me. I was actually kinda surprised you didn't use it previously.
Gystes
2018-11-07 21:01:56 +0000 UTCHi. While im generally not against the suggested platforms, would like to point out two things. If we compare the two platforms, steam is definitely larger, has the necessary hardware, reliability and availability. We are talking about one of the largest gaming providers on the market. Considering the second one, which i till now did not even heard of, there seem to be only indie and second class games. Sorry to be so direct, but even thou you state steam is the more difficult one to use for you as a author, consider the fact that there are definitely more members on steam that on this itch.io. Another factor is, that steam developed their own Linux plugin. While I do not remember if you have multios support for your tittle, although not official, based on what i read was that even non Linux games seem to work well with the plugin, which would make your game available to even more players. I could be wrong in this, but seems to me that both factors are important.
Peter
2018-11-07 20:47:02 +0000 UTCItch.io seems like a fine choice
Oswald Townshend
2018-11-07 20:29:45 +0000 UTCI've used itch.io before. I like it and already have an account. So I have no problem with it!
Nickthulhu
2018-11-07 16:44:30 +0000 UTCSounds promising. Let's see how it'll go from here...
FoxKid1302
2018-11-07 16:28:25 +0000 UTC
