Once Ever After nearing completion!

Sorry for the sparser updates, everyone, but I'm finally getting close to finishing some of my long-running side projects. If you haven't been following OEA, you may not know that it's nearing completion. My supporters currently have the last major build, which I hope to use to polish everything up for a Q1 2022 release.

If you're not familiar with OEA, you can learn more here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/951860/Once_Ever_After/

Please consider wishlisting the game on Steam if you're at all interested! This will be my biggest investment yet, and has a chance to reach a larger audience. 

Excited as I am about this, work on TLS continues. There will be at least one TLS update here before OEA actually releases, probably several.

TLS 0.58.3 Public Release

New update is public!

Download*: https://mega.nz/file/Ow1gHDBR#5QImfY7edgVZ74sp_FhZyrlEmj112-0v3ywAC6bhIBo
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/zbs8chkbv0o7kmh/TLS+0.58.3.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/file/H09CGLrJ#_1wMZKbih9nNZq82vQweFCSwHkrg3F-ydZ2aeDhlQW4

*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.

This was another weird development period, but I'm glad to finally present this build to you all. It includes the new challenge mentioned last post, plus a set of illustrated scenes you can find in the version history. Since this one took an extra week in Patreon testing, I hope that it's a more polished experience, but as always report bugs and other issues.

I still want to finish up this war event soon, but I am feeling fatigued. I need to take at least a little time to do other things, such as preparing the final version of Once Ever After for its release early next year. Other work has also fallen by the wayside a bit, so I hope to catch up on my life overall.

There's another sequence of major plot reveals coming up, but meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this game-play heavy challenge!

SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT: I now have a Discord server. I didn't intend to launch it now, but Patreon unexpectedly forced my hand. There are lots of patrons, but it could use members from the broader community if you want to join.

TLS 0.58.0 Released!

New update for supporters on Patreon or SubscribeStar! Version history updated, you know what to do, etc.

TLS 0.58.0

 - New section of the story

 - No new art. There is art ready, but I won't have time to include it until the .1 release or so.

Though this isn't quite the update I originally intended, I think it's the right update for moving the story forward. Instead of trying to tackle all of the remainder of the Incubus War in one update, I focused on a discrete section this time and will conclude everything in 0.59.0.

This one is a bit crazy, sort of an RPG within an RPG. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it as a change of pace in between the chaotic sections of the war, but for now it is complete and I can sleep. -_-

EDIT: I hoped that it would be in one week, but I decided that this update needs more time. Patrons have now received a significantly polished version 0.58.1, and a later version will go public next weekend.

TLS 0.57.3 Public Release

 New update is public!

Download*: https://mega.nz/file/Ls1UyC6Y#bsnjKBtx6I0qMgUsU0pbjWzqAtOlyt-QNhCahxH5PwA
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/0jex7orbtvr0txc/TLS+0.57.3.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/file/egl2UYLK#-jDhir3axSW0lkZfdSQ1_a1Aysw6XBPbIGnWtkwN8mA

*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.

This has been a crazy development period, but it's finally time to release this version to everyone. I reserve the right to make changes to balance if I notice issues or feel it would be best for the game. Overall, though,  this should be a polished update filled with new events I hope you'll enjoy!

In other news, I've seen some confusion, so I wanted to remind people that the wiki for TLS can be found here:

https://thelastsovereign.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Last_Sovereign_Wiki

The community has migrated from the old site, so if you want up-to-date information and guides, check the above link. I hope this update feels enjoyable chaotic to play blind, but if you prefer to chart all variables, they've put in a lot of effort mapping this one.

TLS 0.57.0 Released!

New update for supporters on Patreon or SubscribeStar! Version history updated, you know what to do, etc.

TLS 0.57.0

- Massive new multi-branching event.

- Two new scenes, kind of.

- 17 new illustrated scenes: Aka + Nalili, Carina First Time, Elleani First Time, Lamia Prisoner, Office Orgy, Orcent x Succubus, Qum Maxing, Qum x Futa, Trin + Altina Copies, Varia Gangbang, Yarra x Qum, Yarra x Ogre (+5 affection scenes for Aka, Yarra, and Qum)

Getting this update out has been an exhausting saga, but I've already detailed that over on Patreon. What matters is that it's out now, and despite the crunched testing period, patrons aren't finding the fatal errors I'd feared. This is, however, an immensely complicated update under the surface, so it will need a while to find the precise balance.

It definitely won't be public in a week, but I hope it can be in two. This one combined with the next are meant to be the last major event ushering in the final endgame.

Don't Save the Princess 0.3.1 Public Release

Some of you may remember this side project from a couple years ago! Progress has quietly continued in the background, and now it's back with another public demo, available here:

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/796886

This one has new content (a new world with new scenes), additions to old content, and some improvements to the core gameplay that tested pretty well with patrons.

Sorry the blog has been quiet lately. I've been weary, so I've been putting more time than usual into trying to clear side projects off my plate. Once Ever After is getting much closer to release, I've wrapped up writing contracts, and now this demo represents a new stage in DStP. Overall, I think this is the best way of keeping myself productive and moving forward.

That said, I'm definitely looking forward to the next arc in TLS! There's also a neat piece of TLS art I've been working on for a little while that will be making its way to patrons this week, something different than anything I've done before.

TLS 0.56.2 Public Release

New update is public!

Download*: https://mega.nz/file/ypVhGA4S#O4_j__RayzIj8Se-2qJV7cnCXJ6eBuYjRQfJDayqTzg
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/ri63pibktvvvfvv/TLS+0.56.2.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/file/Wg8RTQxQ#Fazcc53P980CLo7W3Dj76Eh6LQPXWspyGFk--IskOQU

*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.

(See version history if you really want the changelog), but it's basically just bugfixing and adding a bit more content.)

Alright, this update is public! Lots of fun stuff in various places, so I hope everyone enjoys it. ^-^ I really tired myself out doubling up on this and OEA work, but I'm also very much looking forward to the big events that will come next.

TLS 0.56.0 Released!

New update for supporters on Patreon or SubscribeStar! Version history updated, you know what to do, etc.

TLS 0.56.0

 - New event resolving New Givini and gaining a new harem member.

 - The Palace Staff quest can now be completed. One new staff member added.

 - Iris has her harem quest if maxed (found in Helvanna).

 - After talking to Riala, there are three new challenge bosses throughout the world.

 - Purely flavor: Robin's former roommates have more events after the Third Arclentian War. Mherin can now be found in Stineford. It's possible for Infasis to die in the fighting, otherwise she's in the Academy.

 - If Feroholm or the Stineford Farm were rebuilt, they now have new background music.

 - New conversation between Esthera and Tertia potentially unlocked (variable dependent).

 - Five new sex scenes.

 - 14 new illustrated scenes: Esthera Cunnilingus, Fheliel Blindfolded, Nalili First Time, Nalili Titfuck, Nalili Double Team, Neranda Seated, Orcent x Kara, Restoring Sabitha, Sabitha's POV, Serving the Empress 1-3, Trin x Altina, Trin + Qum

 - 1 new SFW scene, for a chapter interlude.

This is one of those updates where a fair amount of the content is locked behind variables/results, but in this case, much of it can be seen by everyone (just requiring some tradeoffs). The intended heart of the update is the set of events finishing off New Givini's subplot, but Iris also has her harem quest that will send you all over the world, and I included some other random things as well. There's also a lot of new art in this one, due to the timing.

Should go public in a week, I think.

Once Ever After 0.4.0 (Full Plot Release)

Backers on Patreon and SubscribeStar now have access to a build of Once Ever After that is plot and gameplay complete. The final version will need more parallax maps and will get more polish, but this one is the first release that's a full game. There's a lot included:

0.4.0 Changes
- Final plot update
- All sex scenes added
- All chibi scenes added
- Placeholder music replaced with 53 new non-RTP tracks
- Replaced all 30 RTP default sound effects with unique ones
- All custom battlebacks
- All custom NPC faces, edited NPC sprites
- Brand new fancy title screen
- New windows and menu format
- Non-RTP equipment icons
- Custom balloon/emotion icons
- 95% of battle animations replaced with non-RTP animations
- Attacks in combat now include sprite movement
- Placeholder battlers all removed, many unique battlers commissioned
- Misc tweaks: different treasure acquisition, new battle results plugin, new fonts, etc

I have been working on this in the background for several years and it feels very rewarding to finally complete the main creative work. I'm not sure how long it will be until the final release, but there will be no 0.5.0 and so on... the next major release will be 1.0.0.

Work on this will take me a while yet, but as soon as it's done, the next priority is TLS 0.56.0.

TLS 0.55.4 Public Release

New update is public!

Download*: https://mega.nz/file/PsEF0CRQ#4MrvWsXxb4fF1WZwShjCRMWVbzvp9KydYv9WUN9Ll1M
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/q8d0ocguthuymj9/TLS+0.55.4.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/file/H8chxIqA#9Wp2UQjeW04SgDMr18bcwgXqSikhjFrkcfuH81gWFFc

*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.

TLS 0.55.4

 - See the previous post for release notes, as they're quite long.

I think this half-update was good for the game and my momentum, but I'm also happy to be able to wrap this up and move forward. Patrons are going to get a big look at one of my long running side projects soon, so please stay tuned for updates about that here, and of course, more TLS!

TLS 0.55.3 Release

New half update on Patreon and SubscribeStar!

0.55.3

New Content

 - If you invested in repairing Feroholm, new maps can now be visited.

 - Same with Stineford Farm, which has different versions depending on whether you chose orcs, succubi, or the poor.

 - Sprite animations can now be viewed en masse via the private rooms staircase in the base.

 - Five new Orcent conversations: Yhilin Guard Bar, Denlak's Bar, The Tower's Backdoor, Orgasmic Cafe, Feroholm (rebuilt only)

 - Four new illustrations: Riala Relaxing, Trin Double Team, Wendis Reunion (x2)

Investments

 - Megail has an "investment finder" event in her office, specifically for new investments not in Rodak or the Orgasmic Empire

 - Tertia has a new conversation/investment that affects the price of Rodakan Agriculture.

 - Stenai now includes a new event with Feremina.

 - Gathering Complex Refurbishment price now scales with collateral damage.

 - The Rodakan Order investment likewise scales with collateral damage.

Tweaks

 - A new conversation with the Erosian harem leader now grants an Erosia point.

 - The Helvanna "Succubi in Rodak" investment now grants character points.

 - Ryoken receives a greater number of cosmetic changes as it improves, including new NPCs, new dialogue, and empty houses receiving doors or occupants.

 - Two Erosian NPCs have new dialogue with Ginasta.

 - Herin has moved from the Bloody Spire to Cee'Kan, if she became High Priestess.

 - The Impaler has a new line of dialogue.

 - Doors in Theltiar now animate (thanks to Decanter).

 - Minor new dialogue for the Helvanna Lustlord temple.

 - Minor additional dialogue to map succubus.

 - Truly minor fixes, like typos or tileset corrections, are not listed.

I've done something weird with this one, a sort of half update. It includes new illustrations, new investments, new Orcent conversations, etc... but not the amount I'd normally put in an update. What I can say is that it's all content I think makes the game better, and that I felt doing an update like this was the best way to keep momentum.

Anyway, this update is available to all patrons $1 and up, and should definitely be going public in a week.

TLS 0.55.2 Public Release

New update is public!

Download*: https://mega.nz/file/GhtEEJxJ#uc1FOku_C7E2iyEHDk_QPOhJxNsdFUBkSNWUBJ_O7OQ
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/jya8ryg6xw9yg3b/TLS+0.55.2.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/file/jg92BT7A#7xVw1zbKSztMxRONdSTp2BNTZc_pOJqpxmzIebi5vjk

*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.

TLS 0.55.2

 - More  polishing and bugfixing.

 - A succubus in the Orgasmic Empire library now shows the map of Renthnor.

 - The Renthnor map is added to the teleportation room maps after being viewed.

 - Hilstara RP shifted, Balia RP added to orc investment.

 - Xestris RP added to her first headquarters conversation.

So, this release... I think it's a pretty good broad update, with a ton of content of many different types. However, I think that it should be better. There were a few ideas I didn't implement, patrons made some good suggestions that weren't easy work, and there are some potential improvements that I have in mind.

Therefore, I think I'm going to break my usual pattern with this one and put out a version 0.55.3 later with expanded content. I feel this is better than trying to flesh that stuff out into its own update (it'd be too small) or put it off until version 0.56.0 (it'd over-extend the dev period). Hopefully this is the best way to maintain momentum and people enjoy the new content, which I'll try to list carefully so everyone can find it specifically.

Until then, enjoy! I don't intend to change the balance of current events, but new opportunities in the update might change what choices you make, so I'd suggest keeping an earlier save.

Completely unrelated: has anyone seen Crimson Gray show up anywhere lately? Recently it's started selling an unusually high number of copies and I can't figure out why. The analytics show direct navigation from Steam instead of outside links, but I wonder if a YouTuber or somebody covered it. I figure there must be some reason it's suddenly selling like a new game again.

TLS 0.55.0 Released!

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2020 (partially) in Review

As I do every year, I made a long post on Patreon, outlining what I consider my successes and failures from the past year. But since this blog has been quiet during my break, I thought you guys deserved an excerpt of the TLS portion:

TLS in 2021

I can tell you how things will go fairly clearly. The next update won't be as far away as you might fear (work is well underway), covering another open world segment and some major character inclusions. After that, a quieter update with sidequests and a major country-based block for those who qualify (similar to Eustrin).

After those two, we'll launch into one of the last major events in the entire game. Don't want to overhype, but by the end of it, a lot more pieces will be off the board, and the true antagonists will finally be clear. My original outline had this penciled in to require two updates, but I'm not sure.

After that comes the final open world, which is more substantial than the others, comparable to how many JRPGs open up new content before the final boss. There will be sidequests, including a personal one for every harem member, but also some optional content that's important to the central plot and ending. This is also the stage where I'm sure some people will say that I'm dragging out the game for money, but all I can say is that I believe everything during this part is important for the game as a whole.

Once that's done, there's the climactic sequence, final optional dungeon, epilogue, and postgame, as I promised in the roadmap. Will this stuff happen in 2021? I wish I could say for sure, but I feel like I'll struggle to polish these final updates to the degree I want. So TLS is not almost over, but it will soon be obvious how close we are to the end.