Cicada Springs, v0.9.3.0 | Getting to Know You Update
Added 2024-07-31 15:00:16 +0000 UTCIn a perfect world, I'd have had this out before the last day of the month.
Given the depth of this update, I've decided to move the version number up like some sort of Mayan Calendar of Doom. Once the SPECIAL menu is back and the questlines can resume, that version will be 9.4. And then, moving into the endings will be 9.5.
Personally, I'm going to feel really silly if I get to a point where this game's version reads 0.10.0 instead of 1.0.0.
Luckily, things seem to be on track to have this game out by the end of the year. Let's keep our fingers crossed and move into the breakdown of this update.
Version 0.9.3.0
Will I need to start a new game?
No, you should not have to start a new game. However, if you choose to continue an old save file, please start a new day by sleeping as soon as possible.
Are there any bugs that I should worry about?
If I don't mention the frappe, someone else will mention the frappe.
The Ask Menu Returns!
When I first envisioned this game, it was much more rooted in the commonality of the characters. I wanted to make Cicada Springs feel like a small town, and that the player could get all of the information they needed about a character from her neighbors.
This is an enormous jump forward, with over 200 lines of dialogue added over the five main characters, Alex, Charlie, Clover, and Margot.
"Ask" responses are now dependent on a variable decided at the beginning of every New Day., with each character having commentary that differs depending on which value is selected.
You can now ask characters about other characters. They will either make a comment that lays the groundwork for their relationship/storyline, tell you their likes or dislikes, or make a comment about their weight!
Characters have differing dialogues at different weight stages, corresponding with their own personal storylines.
Alex probably has the most dialogue added. She has a lot to say about her backstory with Clover, as well as illustrating how much she wants to be friends with Charlie and Margot. Plus maybe a few less-than-heterosexual comments about Kendra.
Charlie is the most helpful character when it comes to the fattening parts of this game. She has a chance of just telling you all of a character's likes and dislikes. But you'll find that the heavier she gets, the less helpful fattening others she becomes.
Clover is the exact opposite, having the least amount of new dialogue added. However, once questlines are implemented, she'll have the most variety of diverging responses. More to come with her!
Kendra can help her open up though! She's the only one who'll tell you anything about Clover, really, which will come in handy down the line, trust me! She's also the most sexually forward character at higher weights, so enjoy her while she's useful!
Margot doesn't like to gossip, but she's the most helpful character in regards to finding out when and where characters work. Plus, I feel like she always comes across as kind of cardboard in these updates, so I tried to make it clear that I think she's kind of a doof like everyone else.
Bugs / Glitches
Made a small tileset adjustment to the Broken Stool where the microwave came in under the countertop.
Corrected portrait sequencing with Margot and Charlie gift-giving in two instances.
What's Next?
Questlines, absolutely.
I want that SPECIAL menu back up and running asap, and I'm very excited to be able to delve into some of these plotlines again. I'm not sure yet if I'll tackle it character-by-character or depth-by-depth.
The questlines that are upcoming will literally be the last thing that I need to do before working on endings. There will be a period of adjustment and balance for stats as I take things out of beta, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting nearer, friends.
As always, I want to thank you all for your patronage. Absolutely none of the really fun stuff I get to do for you guys here would be possible without your support.
Without further ado, here is the latest update to Cicada Springs:
