Remaking Episode One

Looking back your own creation with the hindsight that only time can offer is an interesting experience. It's been five years since I started out making the first part of the Academy series. In that time many things have changed. 

I was using a woefully underpowered computer and only a basic knowledge of the 3D rendering software. My Photoshop skills were pretty good and I did at least know how to write HTML code.  

I was pleasantly surprised that despite my perceived shortcomings, the start of the series was generally well received.

There was a nice review I found on https://arianeb.com/ which highlights a few things.

The basic plot is that you have been hired as a media expert at a female only college academy for girls.  The last person was fired for fraternization.  You have to write a report with your recommendations, but the sexy girls keep distracting you.

Part 1 makes some rookie mistakes, the introduction section is a bit too long, as I had to repeat it a few times as I kept on getting fired myself.  The graphics are not that interesting either, though I have already seen his later games and the graphics are improving.

What does work is some of the puzzles.  The first involves finding login codes to the cameras so you can see what’s going on from your desk. The second involves fixing a secret camera hidden in the girls locker room fire detector, and you have to get in there to replace the battery.  This is where I kept on messing up.

I’m trying to create some puzzles of this sort for my games. His ideas are better than mine.

Source: https://arianeb.com/2019/01/18/erotic-visual-novels-part-6/  


My more recent work has come with huge steps forward in my skills and methodology. This really highlighted the flaws in my older creations that I wanted to rectify.
To ensure quality and consistency across a multi episode series, I've been taking the opportunity to go back and update earlier episodes and scenes. 


What has been updated? 

One of the things I now understand much better is how to set up the lighting in scenes. My early images were very inconsistent and some look awful compared to my recent work. I've gone through the whole game and remade many of the images to introduce a consistent aesthetic standard throughout the series.



Above: On the left is an original image made in 2016. On the right is a remade image with improved lighting, a subtle camera positioning change and modified expressions and poses.




Again, changes to lighting, composition and posing improves this very early image. The viewpoint is raised a little higher to better reflect the POV eye level of the Player Character.




The original images of Megan outside the gym were very badly lit. The remakes use softer and brighter settings.




This comparison emphasizes the importance of the correct camera height and much better use of lighting.




The last example above is actually a composite image made using layers in Photoshop. The background has been remade with more diffused lighting and some soft focus. The foreground layer was still from the original render, but simply made brighter. Adding contrast and depth of field makes Principal Valentine stand out from the background enhancing an otherwise flat image.


Expanded narrative

As well as refining the image quality, I've been through the entire episode making sure that the story is more concise in some places and more explanatory when required. I've been able to chase down any minor spelling mistakes and check for continuity issues which would otherwise become apparent in later episodes.
There have been several modifications and some scenes have been expanded with additional new images and dialogue. This has given me an opportunity for much more plot and character development.


New scenes



There are also three completely new scenes in this episode to explore. One features an early interaction with Holly, another is an extensive scenario with Jodie and a the third offers a chance to better get to know Annie and her motives.

When released some of this new material will most likely comprise the bonus features which will require credits to unlock. (For more about credits see the post entitled 'Credits for Patrons'.)


Summary

The updated version of 'Academy : Episode One' will also implement the scoring systems which I started using in more recent games. This will simplify and clean up the user interface and make the scoring system less of a mystery.

When first released as 'Academy : Part One', this game had just under 1000 images. With all the new material the updated version has over 1500 images.
This will be almost like releasing a brand new game.

I'm really pleased with the modifications and the time spent on creating a much higher quality product that will be consistent across the following episodes.

'Academy : Episode One' will be released as soon as development and testing of the new hosting platform is complete. I anticipate this to be March 2022.

Keep supporting me for more updates and new content.