SamSuka
DarkBlue
DarkBlue

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Follow-up : Adding Animations to Hillside

Some time ago I asked for views on adding animations to Hillside.

Original post here : https://www.patreon.com/posts/47241844 

Thank you for all of your replies and sorry for taking so long to write this follow-up.


The general consensus was:
- animations are worth adding
- they have to be good, else don't bother
- don't add them if they will significantly slow down development

I agree with all of these. I actually did my degree in computer animation so I've always wanted to add animations to Hillside. However, creating animations can be very time consuming and will inevitably slow down development to some degree.

Unfortunately, the Daz Studio software is not very good for creating animations. It can be done but it's more difficult and slower than it needs to be. If it were the only option then I would probably simply not bother.

However, there are numerous other options available and before deciding what to do I need to investigate them and determine how quickly I can create quality animations. Then I will know whether it is feasible for me to add them and also what form they might take.

But adding animations is not a priority at the moment so it will take me some time to complete.

I'll let you know when I have anything new to report. And please leave a comment or message me if you have any further comments or questions about adding animations.


Thanks,
DB


Comments

Thanks for your thoughts, Pavol. 👍

DarkBlue

He's right. I didn't feel like I was missing animations at all. It's good even without them. It's a quality story, I like the characters. For me, it's as great as it is

Thanks for your thoughts, Rami. I'll only add them if I'm confident that they will enhance the narrative.

DarkBlue

Thanks for your comment, Haehnchen. Patrons don't want development to slow down significantly and neither do I. If it's going to take me too long then I definitely won't be adding them.

DarkBlue

Thanks, 6pak. 😊

DarkBlue

I'll be sure to let you know if I do, A. Thanks.

DarkBlue

Thanks, André.

DarkBlue

Yes. It's just me. Unfortunately, I don't know anybody that could help and wouldn't want to use someone that I didn't know and trust.

DarkBlue

I agree about the lewd content. Given the nature of the story and characters in Hillside then it could very easily cheapen and undermine everything. Thanks.

DarkBlue

I have used After Effects in the past, but not for creating a VN. I'll add it to my list of things to investigate. Thanks.

DarkBlue

I agree with most. Don't do the simple clunky animations for lewd scenes that DAZ is known for. Your work is very high quality with the renders and writing. Take your time and develop something that will truly show your skills as an animator and set this game apart from all others. Knowing your skills, I sure it will be well worth the wait.

6pak2go

I think this is a fault... there are not more than 3-5 renpy games out there with really good animations (in my book only 3) and all the others that have got animations too would work just as fine without them, even better i think cause most of the anim,ations are kinda annoying. And these games with really good animations are taking a lot of time for devolepment... all of them are getting just one update in about 8 months or an even longer period.. and one thing more, at some state of the game they are jumping from one animated scene to antoher without getting on with the story. I fear the same for hillside. But its your desicion after all. Hopefully the game will go on as good as it is now, and the development will not go slow down very much... but i am very sceptical now i have to say.

Haehnchen

Well, there is a question, but it is for the future: if you actually find something you like and decide to use, would be curious to know what it is :-)

A

I think Raminita is right. The game looks great without Animation. Let it be. Thats my opinion.

André

Are you doing everything yourself? And if the answer is yes could you find someone who can help you?

renders and narrative. Don't add animations if you don't need to

Raminita

I play mostly for the narrative. Animations usually detract rather than add to the experience for me. They're things I have to click through to get back to the more interesting stuff. They might be worthwhile if they are integrated naturally and don't feel forced, and if they actually enhance the narrative. Gratuitous lewd content is just so boring and really hurts games.

Cid

You could use After Effects, I've seen a few devs go this route as it's a very powerful piece of software and not that difficult to use. 🙂

TotesNotThea


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