Details Details Details, A New Friend, and "The Final Final Alpha"

A great deal of the past week was mostly spent on the long-awaited refactoring process. Unfortunately, unless you guys REALLY wanna look at screenshots of raw code or object collider gizmos, there's not much to show off.

It's a GREAT feeling, knowing that long-standing obstacles are finally crumbling, however.

I personally spent a few days putting together a few more of the thousands upon thousands of details that we needed for the game world.  

First up was populating the downtown billboard.  Right now, it's just got a texture on a single plane that we've been using for a couple of years, now.

We're going to be replacing that texture with actual content, in days & weeks to come.  Reflecting the character of each individual or business through graphic design has been an enjoyable thought experiment.

We've also started producing movie posters that you'll see in a few locales around the island, such as the  Cormorant Lodge, where the humans (used to) gather for "Monday Movie Night."

Now- what's unique in our method of creating these posters, is that the imagery is about 95% AI-generated.  It's FAR easier & cheaper than paying to license photos...

We're FINALLY getting all of the new soundtrack music in, as well as new NPC audio - and Peace Island LLC has a NEW EMPLOYEE!

Since Gary's passing last year, our apartment has felt empty.  What is more -  it has been apparent that his passing really upset the dynamics between our two remaining cats.

So, yesterday, Laura & I went to the local shelter, and adopted this young lady.

Her first year on this planet has been a VERY tough one. She was more than likely born as a stray, and was discovered behind a drier at an abandoned house that was being used as a crack den, along with her four kittens (which she had given birth to when she was only nine months old...)

She was sent to a state-run shelter, and was just hours away from being euthanized along with her kittens, when thankfully - someone refused to let that happen.  She was fostered for a short time in North Carolina, before being first sent to Boston, and then to Bangor, Maine (the last leg of their journey was on a single-engine prop plane!)

All four of her kittens were adopted, before she was finally sent to the shelter here in Portland.

Needless to say: we're going to make sure she can make up for lost time, and have another chance at being a kitten.  Despite the rough times she's been through, she's one of the friendliest cats we've ever adopted.

So - the "Final Final" Alpha has been delayed until August.  It will be an awesome release, all the same!

More & Better eye candy, next Tuesday - thanks as always for your support, patience, and confidence!