Troubles and Preparation

Hey folks! September is almost here, and that means v0.18 is on the horizon. I've got new content written up, hopefully more on the way, I've got a variant writer getting started, and I have... well, I'm trying to get new art for the game.

In case you haven't seen, the Patreon is going nicely, and we've hit the goal to start seeing two new pieces of art for each release! I'm excited for it, but the application has gone a little rougher than expected. Commissioning art is hard! Especially, it would seem, when your needs are as unusual as mine.

I've had artists with really cute work turn me down for even slightly nsfw images, I've heard issues with contracts and work being used in a game rather than for personal consumption. I've seen artists bow out due to personal issues and up and stop producing due to lack of inspiration. I have been trying, on and off, to get art for this release since days after v0.17 came out, and... well, I'm still trying.

I have specific goals for this next release, but I'm starting to think I may have to settle for something else, just to get art done. I try to shop around and find art that is both of quality and good value for the price, but as the deadline looms, it looks like I may have to throw my budget out the window just to get something into the game in time @_@;; One way or the other, I mean to meet my goals for art and see to it that it's quality work going in!

But that's for me to worry about, and for you guys to enjoy, when all this has finally turned into delicious pixels. The next version is coming in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

Variant Writer Deadline: This Sunday!

Hey, folks! Submissions have started slowing down, so I reckon it's time to set a deadline. I want to get as many samples from as many people as possible, but I can't wait for too long, so I'm setting the deadline for submissions to 11:59 PM, Sunday the 9th, Eastern Standard Time. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, check out my last blog post.

If anyone out there is still working on a submission, I'd encourage you to send me what you have as soon as possible. I'm always happy to look over your progress and give feedback to try and help you get a better idea of exactly what I'm looking for. I believe fervently that there is a talent for this among you, but I can't see it if you don't take the time to try and show me.

Once the deadline has passed, I will look through all the submissions I've gotten for each applicant again. Putting more work in will certainly help, but the primary attribute I'm looking for will be the quality of the variants submitted. If one of you is clearly meeting the goals outlined for a variant writer much better than the rest, I will be happy to announce the position filled. But if, as I expect is likely, there is a similar amount of potential apparent in many of you, then I will choose out the smaller handful of applicants to go on to the second stage of the process. Either way, I will be notifying everyone I've heard from by email when my decision is made.

Those that move on to the second and final stage will be given a choice between three much larger samples to work with. If you submit a piece for the second stage that I feel you put a decent amount of work into, I will be happy to send you $15 for your time and effort. This isn't indicative of the final pay scale you'd be seeing once you had the position, since I don't expect to use any of these submissions directly in the game, but rather to make sure you don't feel like you're wasting your time putting as much work as you can into making the piece you choose shine. Hopefully between these larger, more intensive pieces, I will be able to judge the best applicant for the job. I look forward to working with all of you, and I thank you very much for taking the time to work with me in the hopes of making MVOL the best game it can be. I know this can be a strenuous process, but I hope that for each of you, it has at least been informative and interesting, and given you a bit more insight into MVOL and its development.

I'm waiting eagerly for your submissions!