Devlog #14 It's Been 10 Years c'':


Hello!

I remember when I first posted about this game back on LemmaSoft (you can still probably find the post in the forums lol). I was a senior in high school. It's been 10 years. I was naive back then and thought I could just slap things together willy-nilly and call it good. Nay. I was wrong. If you want to make fun games with good stories, you should spend time planning them out and NOT try to slap misshapen pieces together like a madman. 

It's been a while since I updated this game. In truth, I have been working on it off and on in the background (as I do with most things) and I don't really say much about anything because I either forget or don't think enough has changed to warrant an update. However, I think I have accumulated so many changes to this game that whatever demo I have uploaded here is no longer a representation of what I want the game to be... I also feel embarrassed to admit that writing this story has been difficult for me because (1) the themes between MC x Basil and MC x Sidney hit too close to home and it's hard to imagine scenarios in which they can be happy when I do not feel happy myself, and (2) MC x Kagami is weird to write for me because, well, she's a high schooler and he's a teacher and I can't imagine a scenario where they could realistically fall in love and be happy.

If I really want to finish this and have everyone have a happy ending I need to rethink the dynamic between MC and her love interests. That being said, Mr. K's route is not be a romantic one. It has family drama that MC probably shouldn't get involved in. (this is where i'm just gonna out right say that Mr. K has ties to a gangster family in Japan).

 I'll probably also need to cut down the cast (i say as i add more characters that weren't present in the original demo). I'm not sure why I thought I needed a billion cast members. More doesn't necessarily mean better. I don't think any of them really served a purpose in the first place for a game that takes place in the span of about one month. I will say that the characters I did add recently serve purposes now rather than being NPCs existing to populate the town c''':

Anyway, After-Party Chemistry has taught me a lot about story-telling and making games. Whenever I wanted to test a feature, I'd slap it into APC... It was cool and all, but it made a mess of the whole thing (oops). APC is like my Frankenstein game right now. It's not pretty. I also feel bad for my OCs in this game because I really do treat them like rag dolls. I just toss them in weird scenarios and watch them burn. They've all had a rough time. It's time for them to get the happy endings they deserve.

Anywho, I don't know how long it's gonna take and I don't wanna stress myself out more than I already have. I don't wanna kill my dreams either. If you've been following me and my journey for the last ten years, I'd be impressed and flattered. Thank you kindly for your support! If you're new around here, hello~ and thank you so much for supporting me! I apologize if this devlog is mostly a bummer to read. I just think fans of APC deserve to know where my thoughts are on this project. It may or may not be time for me to let this project go, but, I'm too attached to it and would love to see it through c''':  If you have any thoughts about it at all, I'd be happy to hear them!

In the mean time, I'm working on wrapping up the Furuta Basketball Club trilogy! Currently, I'm adding voiced lines to Froot Basket: Dark Chocolate and probably adding more art/touching up existing ones.


Then I'll continue chipping away at Froot Basket White (the third and final installment). 

Also, I'm working on a cute little game as a de-stressor between other projects (sounds chaotic to add more work between sets of work, but it's somehow relaxing to me).


Thank you truly for your support and for reading this far! I apologize again if you've been waiting so long to hear something about this project. I wanted to let you know that I do think about it a lot and that I have not forgotten about it. It'd be really helpful for me to know your thoughts on it too -- storywise, me as a dev, etc. Feedback and constructive criticism is always appreciated c:

Here's a fun screenshot! I wanted Kai to make a cameo in APC (sorry. i love him very much and im obsessed with him).


Much Aloha,

Ari

Comments

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(+4)

i've loved APC for a few years and i've loved it!! regardless of what you end up doing with it, I'll support you and love it ^-^ good luck with all your endeavors. i look forward to seeing ur other projects (i've loved playing the other ones that have already been released :D)

(+3)

I too am a relatively new fan of ACH and def ditto with the other commenters, whatever happens with ACH, I'm gonna support and still be cheering no matter what (even this devlog and the little tidbits hyped me up)!! 

I also have some past projects where they were basically my sandbox and revamping them into something more concrete has also come with some interesting challenges, so I definitely feel you :')

But yeah! Totally excited abt your future projects and thank you so much for all that you've created so far <333

(+4)(-1)

I don't know you for that long (just a few months) but i'm still impressed. 

Whatever you will do or not do with APC i will support you. There is nothing wrong with changing or letting go nor with continuing even after so many years

Just do what you want to do the most out of all :D

(And if you continue please spare me of those chemistry questions ;-;)

Take care ^^

(+1)

🥹 aww~ thank you so much for your support and kind words! i feel so much more motivated to continue working hard on this project!

i'll try to add a mode where the chemistry is totally optional :''D but first, the story c:

(+5)

APC is how I discovered you and your work, and while as a player I'm super attached to the game and any updates you give us, as a fellow dev I completely understand how and why things change! (Also for you to stick with it for 10 years??? You have my full adoration lol!! Pretty sure I would have rage quit myself.) 

The only opinion I can offer is to tell the story however it needs to be told. Even if it's completely different from the original plans. I learned the hard way that forcing a project to go in a certain direction when something in you is saying otherwise doesn't...end well 😫

Anyhoo, sending support and cheering for you from the sidelines always!!!

(+1)

🥺🥺🥺 thank you kindly for your understanding and support all this time! creating is difficult c'': but, yes, i definitely don't want to force this project to be something that will make me feel uncomfortable or unhappy :'c

i hope the next update i share will be something i'm more proud to share c: