Harem Hotel (18+) NEW UPDATE!
Dev Diary #6
Hello everyone!
As Harem Hotel has grown, and the effort I put into it has increased over the years, maintaining the same work schedule proves to be increasing challenge. In the past I would be able to pump out multiple story events in a single day, but that was obviously because I was using the same assets. Now I often develop new environments, connect multiple stories, use multiple characters, and a lot more I didn't used to for each event. The world of Harem Hotel has grown a lot and only continues to grow!
In simple terms, my workflow consists of doing a lot of work for multiple months in a row, then doing no work, then coming back to work, then doing none again. Doing this helped me gather feedback, refuel, and prepare for the next update, but that doesn't seem to work that well now that Harem Hotel has grown so much.
In v0.17 Beta 2, one of Lin's events took me two full weeks develop, it's the biggest event in game by far, and by the end of it, my brain was so fried that I wasn't able to work the week after. So instead of working through bursts, I want to apply a more smoothed out and consistent workflow where I work more often, but also take more breaks. If I manage it well, I should be able to release more content throughout the year while also lowering my stress! It will be trial and error though, so try to bear with me :)
In other news, v0.17 Beta Build 3 should release next week. I think v0.17 will have a lesser quantity of events in total, but I'm very proud of what I've made in v0.17 so far. I think it's some of the best work I've done, and the quality has surely increased a lot :)
Oh, and we also have a community event going on in discord right now where the contents of fan art are being voted on! So if you would like to vote, please join!
Lewd previews during development can be found on my Twitter and Discord
As always, thank so much for playing and supporting!
Comments
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I just got the game and I'm experiencing an error where a certain script is duplicated. Is there anyway to fix that or do I just need to redownload the game? It's defined as renpy/common/000atl.rpy:25
Going to replay everything from the begining.
I can't wait to see the changes you made, also I started to have some problem with saves made originaly in v0.14 in the later versions.
Amazing game, better dev
Hey, you do you. I would rather wait longer for quality content, than see you burn yourself out.
"Once you find balance, the rest is trivial." ~ Maerkuz RaevenHeart
been a month and still not out. hope everything is alright
Still on track, no delays.
Love how you keep us all up to date with ur dev logs, i don't mind waiting for ur updates cuz i see lots of what ur doing and going through. I wish more devs gave frequent progress reports like you, it would make waiting for some games alot more bearable.
Thanks for paying attention :)
Why not build a system in to update automatically for patreons and buyers of the game?
I also think you should take your your work and rest periods very serious, you should really take care of your body as using computers can cause Repetitive Strain Insury, like I have, and it is by far fun to be disabled from the work I love to do because of RSI.
So, take your rest time and do things not involving computer or technology to further strain.
Love what you think up and realize for us.
Building a system to update automatically would require advanced coding in a language I don't know, and many computers to act as servers capable of uploading to thousands of people at once. You're essentially asking me to create my own small version of Steam.
But I do offer manual patches!
GREAT, manual patches work also fine (I think) I had no idea that it would be that hard, but besides auto-update, can you make it in game to get the patch so that people don't have to look for it (they might pick the wrong one?) (or even dl every GigaByte over and over)
Greatly appreciated that you replied, love your work, love your thinking and I had a bit of a laugh when you wrote that you almost had to take a sabbatical after the last update, lol, I can understand that.
Keep doing what you do, you do it ok.
Thanks.
Great game, like everyone im always looking forward to the next update, with regards to your work flow issues, id love to help out, not sure how useful i would be as im only a coder xD and dont know the first thing about renpy engine, im a web dev really.
take your time, your doing great work.
Runey, great game. Always excited to see a new update.
Not sure if this has been asked or not, but in your next release, by any chance could you make the v17.rpa and scripts.rpa archives separately downloadable for folks who are upgrading from previous versions so we don't have to download all 11+ gigabytes each time? :-)
Yep, you have been able to download just the update since I think v0.11. Updates are usually around 1gb.
Thanks. Somehow I didn't notice that the last time I DLed. :-D
There is so much content in this game already. Actual legend.
The wait may be long, but it will always be worth it
Take your time Runey, honestly its amazing to see just how far you've come wince the start.
Thanks :)
This game is a masterpiece, even playing other games i never forget this . So take your time and make update with no stress. Since masterpiece game like this also takes time to make. So its worth the wait man so don't worry 😁
I'm happy it'll be releasing soon, but please don't forget to rest, eat your meals and take your time, we all understand. This game is amazing, and I'm really proud of how far it has come, but don't forget that you are indeed a human, and you can't overwork yourself. Take care.
Please dont overload yourself. A masterpiece such as this one takes time.
been playing other games but this one along whit its characters has a special place, already miss them again and looking foward for what is coming, the wait it's already worthy knowing you care about the game and is working hard on it, no rush, take care
you are doing great man... we are thankfull for all the content so far.. thanks for the update!
With how amazing every update is, it's worth the wait.
Project management can be a "B" sometimes. It is important to know your limits and stick to a schedule you can handle. Trust me, I know from experience. Your creation is coming along great and has more content than most games do already. Knowing this, take your time and take care of yourself. Those of us who have been with you are not going anywhere and understand that the creative process takes time.
After all, we are just normies and not creating. Keep up the fantastic work and take time for yourself!