Whoa, it’s been over a year since I last updated you all on Memories' development! Apologies for going dark on it for so long; the year has been crazy with One Night Stand’s console launch and localisations, plus my own personal illness, but I’m through the thick of it now and pushing forward! Memories is really starting to come together and I’m very happy with how much I’ve achieved in the last couple of months.
To start, I’ve been updating all the memory artwork in the game so it animates in an inkblot style.
The old style is on the left and the new is on the right:
To start, I’ve been updating all the memory artwork in the game so it animates in an inkblot style.
The old style is on the left and the new is on the right:
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It's subtle, but the advantage of the animated style is the opportunity for lack of clarity i.e. when the protagonist's memories are most blurry, the fade can be more dramatic. The original gouache-like style on the left wasn’t able to convey that because it was too clean, so I've leant towards watercolour paints, which are pale, fluid and expressive.
Sometimes, I think doing this traditionally would have been easier! Digital paint brushes can be a pain, but I found that Procreate has some of the best out there, so all this new artwork has been done on my iPad. It’s taken a while, but last week I began drawing some new scenes, which was refreshing!
Here's a look at some of them (stills):
Sometimes, I think doing this traditionally would have been easier! Digital paint brushes can be a pain, but I found that Procreate has some of the best out there, so all this new artwork has been done on my iPad. It’s taken a while, but last week I began drawing some new scenes, which was refreshing!
Here's a look at some of them (stills):
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I started on the non-memory/ present day artwork, too, to ensure both styles suited one-another. I was considering rotoscoping for a while, but it wouldn’t match the memory art style unless I rotoscoped that as well, and I’m just one person with limitations – I have to draw the line somewhere (hohoho).
I still wanted the present day art artwork to look more realistic than the memories, so I decided to use direct photo reference instead:
I still wanted the present day art artwork to look more realistic than the memories, so I decided to use direct photo reference instead:
Now, there is a clear distinction between what Millie remembers and how she is today, not just in colouring but also in how people are drawn.
Artwork aside, I’ve been editing the script and adding a few more puzzles to the game. It’s definitely more “gamey” and, with only a few different outcomes, more linear than One Night Stand. I estimate a playthrough will take a few hours, perfect for one or two good sessions of gaming!
My next plans are to continue editing and ensuring the puzzles work. Also UI. UI has been a mess for a while, so I want to fix it and wrap the whole game in a neat little package (cue Homer Simpson). Then, I'll be seeking out alpha testers who will finally be able to see what they're actually doing! There's also a little music and SFX in there too, exciting!
Obviously, there’s still much work to go, but over the next few months, I can see Memories getting wrapped up. I may even decide on a final name! I've narrowed down my shortlist so I will be picking one soon.
I plan on writing a “Best of 2019” post on here before the year is out, so I'll be back here before you know it. There's been a lot of inspirational and fun things this year which I want to share with you all.
Happy holidays!
My next plans are to continue editing and ensuring the puzzles work. Also UI. UI has been a mess for a while, so I want to fix it and wrap the whole game in a neat little package (cue Homer Simpson). Then, I'll be seeking out alpha testers who will finally be able to see what they're actually doing! There's also a little music and SFX in there too, exciting!
Obviously, there’s still much work to go, but over the next few months, I can see Memories getting wrapped up. I may even decide on a final name! I've narrowed down my shortlist so I will be picking one soon.
I plan on writing a “Best of 2019” post on here before the year is out, so I'll be back here before you know it. There's been a lot of inspirational and fun things this year which I want to share with you all.
Happy holidays!