Hardenville News

[h3]Change of Release[/h3]
As mentioned before, and as saddened as I am to deliver the news, I will need to officially change the release for Episode 1 to February. I don't have a set day in February because I will release it as soon as it's done. That also means that the release for Episode 2 won't make it for Q1, but I'm hopeful for Episode 2 in early Q2, and Episode 3 for late Q2. Either way, I am committed to releasing 5 episodes this year as planned. Thanks for being patient with my first project.



[h3]Sneak Peek for the Animations in the Intro for Episode 1[/h3]
JoyFI Games has just launched a YouTube channel, and we've uploaded a sneak peek for the intro of the next release for you. For these few seconds of animations, it has around 400-450 renders combined to create a 4K 30 fps animation.

https://youtu.be/Z7QRjVapwK8?feature=shared

[h3]Sample of a Potential VR Version[/h3]
Naturally, I've received multiple questions about the potential VR version. As previously mentioned, I've briefly tested it, and it is still early to confirm whether it will happen or not. But for those who have a VR headset and would like to see a sample of an 8K 360 spherical render, please take a look below.

To test the image with Quest 3, download the image directly or transfer it via USB. Then, open the Media App, select the image, and at the bottom right corner, there is an icon that says 2D. Click on it and select VR 360 (not VR 360 3D). Afterward, press the home button on the right Oculus controller to hide all UI.

The attached sample is compressed. For the raw render and a better experience, please visit https://hardenville.joyfigames.com/vr-samples/ to download and test it in the best quality.



[h3]Hardenville[/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2010460/Hardenville/

[h3]Calling All Translators![/h3]
We're thrilled to announce that we're actively seeking translators from our community for multiple languages—a highly requested feature since the launch of The Prologue. With Hardenville, we are committed to enhancing the user experience and building a better Adult Visual Novel.



Our primary focus is on finding translators for the following languages:

• English (proofreading, minimizing grammar mistakes)
  
• Spanish
  
• French
  
• German
  
• Simplified Chinese
  
• Russian
  

Secondary priorities include:

• Italian
  
• Portuguese
  
• Korean
  
• Japanese
  

Q: Who can apply as a translator for Hardenville? A: Everyone!

Q: What experience do I need? A: Mastery of the target language and a strong understanding of English.

Q: How can I apply? A: Share a bit about yourself, the language you'd like to translate, and send us an email at [email protected]

Q: How many will be selected? A: We aim to have at least two individuals for each language.

Q: When will I know if I've been selected as a translator? A: While we're prioritizing this process, it may take a few weeks. You'll receive a confirmation email promptly upon receiving your application.

Q: What happens if I get selected? A: Once selected, you'll gain access to an exclusive Discord channel for all translators and another exclusive channel specifically for translators of the chosen language.

Q: What do I get in return? A: Exclusive insights into Hardenville's development, early access to builds, and the highest tier on Discord, offering exclusive renders. In the coming months, we plan to extend additional perks such as Steam gift cards. It's important to note that, initially, translation of Hardenville is a community project, and the benefits are not comparable to a permanent translator position.

[h3]New Equipment[/h3]
After some time, we've received the majority of our PC parts for our second build, featuring a 14th gen i9, 128GB DDR5 RAM, 4TB of NVMe storage, and more. Unfortunately, the RTX 4090 I desire is still out of stock, leading me to temporarily borrow the RTX 3090 from my old rig. Despite having one PC rig to work on, it's already noticeably faster and smoother. The build took longer than expected, marking the first time in two or three years since the last rig.



[h3]VR[/h3]
Additionally, I've invested in the Meta Quest 3 to explore the potential of Hardenville in VR. While it's too early to promise anything, I'll dedicate time after Episode 1's release to assess the viability of a VR version. If feasible, it will be released at no extra cost as a separate installation due to potential huge file size. I aim to render in 8k for impressive VR quality, with hopes of supporting the same game saves.
However, we may be getting ahead of ourselves. I'll provide an update in a few weeks or months regarding VR support.

[h3]New Website[/h3]
I recently purchased the domains joyfigames.com and hardenville.com, completing the setup to look decent for now. Stay tuned for exciting plans for this website in the future.
Check out https://www.joyfigames.com/


[h3]Progress on Episode 1[/h3]
Since the start of January, progress on Episode 1 hasn't met my initial expectations due to multitasking and the challenge of perfecting certain scenes. Some days, rendering takes 1-2 hours, and on completion, I may need to redo them to meet my standards. This can be frustrating, and I understand it may be for you too. However, I'm pleased with the current look, and with the website and new rig set up, progress will be faster moving forward.



A burning question you likely have: Q: Will Hardenville Episode 1 still be released in January? A: Right now, all I can say is that I truly hope so. I understand your frustration for delays, and believe me, nobody dislikes them more than I do.

Apologies for the lengthy post, but it's been two weeks since I've updated you, and there was more than the usual to share!

[h3]Hardenville[/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2010460/Hardenville/

[h3]Happy New Year![/h3]



[h3]Hardenville[/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2010460/Hardenville/

[h3]Purchase of New Equipment[/h3]
I'm excited to share an update regarding my previous post about acquiring a second computer for rendering and animations, equipped with an RTX 4090, 14th-gen i9, and all that powerful hardware. I've just received my first payment from Steam (sales from November), and along with the payments from Patreon, SubscriberStar, and Itch.io, I'm thrilled to announce that I placed an order for a complete set of parts today. Some items were out of stock and will arrive a few days later than the others. Nevertheless, we're expanding to enable multitasking with two computers side-by-side, featuring an RTX 3090 and RTX 4090. This wouldn't have been possible without your support!

Oh, and as a token of appreciation for all your support, Johanna offered to take care of the laundry today!



[h3]Hardenville[/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2010460/Hardenville/

[h3]Merry Christmas![/h3]
We hope that for all of you celebrating Christmas, whether with loved ones, friends, or alone, you'll have a fantastic holiday season.

[h3]A hint for Episode 1[/h3]
"It's sad that MC's bed isn't a bit larger..." You'll find out what that's all about in the upcoming Episode 1 of Hardenville.

[h3]Take Care[/h3]
Onto something completely different and much more important than some Christmas marketing for an AVN.

Since it's Christmas, many out there feel alone, depressed, and unsure about the future. Remember that there will always be great times ahead, even when it feels like rock bottom. You're strong, and you will make it through this. Please contact professionals if you ever doubt yourself.

It's crucial that we think about and care for those around us during these times. Greet your old neighbor and wish them a Merry Christmas, send a text to your friend or colleague. You never know what they're struggling with. A simple reminder that people care can truly save lives.

[h3]Thank you, and Merry Christmas![/h3]



[h3]Hardenville[/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2010460/Hardenville/