1.5 years Magical Harvest & Bachelor Valariel
Hey everybody!
This news is going to be a little longer, as I won't be writing again until the beginning of July.
First of all, something personal:
It's been 1,5 years since the project "Magical Harvest" started. Since then, a lot has happened and I'm expanding my skillset more and more. The visuals of the game are getting better and better as I learn new things. The same goes for programming. I've never worked on such a large project that involves so many features that have to be coordinated with each other!
It's even more gratifying that programming is becoming more and more of a sideline as it gets easier and there are fewer bugs. I still enjoy working on MH so much that 12-14 hour workdays are no problem.
However, there is still a long way to go before the game gets MVP (minimum viable product) status. Above all - this in advance - it will not be a 2nd Stardew Valley or Sun Haven with zillions of items. That is not possible for a (currently almost) single person. However, my plan after the first release is to constantly expand the game, as it was the case with Animal Crossing, for example. In Animal Crossing, more than half of the decorations found their way into the game after release.
I'm still planning a Kickstarter campaign, but not until next year, since another farming game is already launching a campaign this year in October and I want to offer better graphics and content first. If the campaign is successful, I would like to hire at least a 3D artist and a writer to support it.
But now to the updates of the last 2 weeks:
GamePlay trailer
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
In the first week I was busy with bugfixes, while I spent more time on video recording. This resulted in a temporary short GamePlay trailer. This shows the current state of the game.
Based on feedback, I have already received more suggestions to improve the game visually. Another improved trailer will follow as soon as significant changes have been made (August, September).
Bachelor Valariel
Valariel is finished - at least his illustration is. I'm still working on his model. Valariel is the Drakys bachelor and my own special character. I "invented" him already more than 7 years ago, so I connect more with him. You can find more information about his actual creation and personality in Magical Harvest here on Patreon.
Map of Hyldena
Already in the last news I reported that I started with the world map/area map of Hyldena. This is a lot of work and takes a lot of time. I only take this time on weekends, so it is going slower. But here you can see the current state (UNFINISHED! Work-in-Progress!). There may still be sections that I'm not satisfied with yet.
Grid System
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
In the game itself, my current focus is again on the grid (for decorating or placing farm plants etc). The grid was previously only very simplified for the farm usable, but now I have expanded it to incorporate more complex grid systems into the game.
There is now also a grid in the house. Unlike Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons, all furniture in the house (including the bed) can be moved. The walls can be covered with different wallpapers, as well as the floor. Almost a bit like "The Sims".
Also, there is no distinction between interior decoration or exterior decoration. So have fun with a garden in the house!
Of course, there are small limitations. A barn or greenhouse cannot be built inside the house. Wall decorations and wallpapers are only possible for indoor spaces - since there are walls there.
Outlook
June will be a bit of a slow month. I have some appointments in early June that will keep me from working. We are going on vacation at the end of June for a few days (premature honeymoon), Midsommer-Fest and after that my fiancée and I have visitors from Germany, as our wedding will be on July 1. So, plans for Magical Harvest are a little lower for this month.
- Deko-system: it will still play a role, as the functionality for the controller still must be built in
- Map of Hyldena
- 3D model of Valariel
- Visual improvements / expansion of the assets
From the 2nd week of July I will be back for you.
Until then all the best and enjoy the beginning of summer!
Best regards,
Isa
This news is going to be a little longer, as I won't be writing again until the beginning of July.
First of all, something personal:
It's been 1,5 years since the project "Magical Harvest" started. Since then, a lot has happened and I'm expanding my skillset more and more. The visuals of the game are getting better and better as I learn new things. The same goes for programming. I've never worked on such a large project that involves so many features that have to be coordinated with each other!
It's even more gratifying that programming is becoming more and more of a sideline as it gets easier and there are fewer bugs. I still enjoy working on MH so much that 12-14 hour workdays are no problem.
However, there is still a long way to go before the game gets MVP (minimum viable product) status. Above all - this in advance - it will not be a 2nd Stardew Valley or Sun Haven with zillions of items. That is not possible for a (currently almost) single person. However, my plan after the first release is to constantly expand the game, as it was the case with Animal Crossing, for example. In Animal Crossing, more than half of the decorations found their way into the game after release.
I'm still planning a Kickstarter campaign, but not until next year, since another farming game is already launching a campaign this year in October and I want to offer better graphics and content first. If the campaign is successful, I would like to hire at least a 3D artist and a writer to support it.
But now to the updates of the last 2 weeks:
GamePlay trailer
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
In the first week I was busy with bugfixes, while I spent more time on video recording. This resulted in a temporary short GamePlay trailer. This shows the current state of the game.
Based on feedback, I have already received more suggestions to improve the game visually. Another improved trailer will follow as soon as significant changes have been made (August, September).
Bachelor Valariel
Valariel is finished - at least his illustration is. I'm still working on his model. Valariel is the Drakys bachelor and my own special character. I "invented" him already more than 7 years ago, so I connect more with him. You can find more information about his actual creation and personality in Magical Harvest here on Patreon.
Map of Hyldena
Already in the last news I reported that I started with the world map/area map of Hyldena. This is a lot of work and takes a lot of time. I only take this time on weekends, so it is going slower. But here you can see the current state (UNFINISHED! Work-in-Progress!). There may still be sections that I'm not satisfied with yet.
Grid System
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
In the game itself, my current focus is again on the grid (for decorating or placing farm plants etc). The grid was previously only very simplified for the farm usable, but now I have expanded it to incorporate more complex grid systems into the game.
There is now also a grid in the house. Unlike Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons, all furniture in the house (including the bed) can be moved. The walls can be covered with different wallpapers, as well as the floor. Almost a bit like "The Sims".
Also, there is no distinction between interior decoration or exterior decoration. So have fun with a garden in the house!
Of course, there are small limitations. A barn or greenhouse cannot be built inside the house. Wall decorations and wallpapers are only possible for indoor spaces - since there are walls there.
Outlook
June will be a bit of a slow month. I have some appointments in early June that will keep me from working. We are going on vacation at the end of June for a few days (premature honeymoon), Midsommer-Fest and after that my fiancée and I have visitors from Germany, as our wedding will be on July 1. So, plans for Magical Harvest are a little lower for this month.
- Deko-system: it will still play a role, as the functionality for the controller still must be built in
- Map of Hyldena
- 3D model of Valariel
- Visual improvements / expansion of the assets
From the 2nd week of July I will be back for you.
Until then all the best and enjoy the beginning of summer!
Best regards,
Isa