Once more, Titan returned home and he is no longer living with me. As usual, I will try to get straight to the point and go through our progress and process. Our main plan and focus was to finish Voms' timeline. Sadly we didn't manage to do that but we are VERY close. "How close?" you might ask.
 |
| We kept track of our progress through those notes. The last 2 weeks were reserved for playtesting. |
Titan has pretty much programmed everything, but there are a few details here and there that need to be addressed, like add a few cutscenes and finalize the level linking, puzzles and hazards and the last 4 Queens of the game. Titan stayed for 2 months at my place. I want to believe that if we had 2
more weeks, his part in the game would be over, but that's unlikely. We
worked so much and so hard during his time here that we were both in
the brink of burnout.
As about me... I got a lot on my plate. I have to finish 2 sex scenes (Blue and Stheno) and finalize a few animations (Ucogi, Alice etc). Also, there a few things I need to revisit. I was considering going back to some older animations and improving them, but I haven't made up my mind about that yet. I want to update some older background art and level design. When I was doing the level design, I left a few areas kind of empty, in hopes of populating them with platforms and hazards later on. I need to get into that now, while also correcting levels that weren't done properly by the various people who got paid to tile the game.
I managed to learn GameMaker during Titan's time here and don't find this procedure to be much of a chore. So, right now, I have the freedom and power to polish many of the levels. The game may feel quite flat, as it doesn't have a lot of verticality, so I want to try and change that. Other than that, I have to create a few animated cutscenes, and I also need to worry about the sound effects, the whole presentation and execution of the game.
I do know that I would need at least 2-3 months of
hard work to finish with the art and leveling, but at the moment, we need a small break to rest, reflect and plan for the near future. In the main time, Titan has his fair share of work to do. We have created the foundation for all the playable characters during our playthroughs, fixing everything we could before Titan's departure.
 |
| Programming such a big game is a huge task for just one guy. Titan managed to fix every issue the game had. |
With the game so close to completion, me and Titan discussed if we are pleased with what we made so far. We created an easy going protagonist, that he'd rather talk his way out of a situation rather than use violence. We wanted the MoGi to be memorable, instead of being generic enemies. There was also a lot of research: how to have a 3 story arc, what makes a good Metroidvania game, how to have interesting backtracking and interesting Hostage placement (as incentive to make the players explore) to name a few.
So, many things have changed over the development time. Thanks to the feedback we got, we added a lot more than we originally planned: tool upgrades, secondary moves, sub-weapons powerups and energy canisters to name a few. The sub-weapons enhance the action but can also unlock doors. The tool upgrades give additional moves. Magazines and Hostages reward the exploration. The map with every objective and teleport was a colossal new addition. The unique NPCs are now over 60 and their speech bubble has one of three colors, depending on their importance. All these new additions are fully functional in the game.
With the game so close to completion, we can't release a new Beta. I compiled a video with our progress and the difficulties we faced. The video is full of bloopers and glitches, but everything you see in it, is now fixed. It is important to know that even though the game crashed a lot and many unpredictable glitches occurred, we kept working and supporting each other. This is the hardest part of the development and we are both exhausted.
We hope you enjoy the sneakpeek from our video. All we ask for is a little more patience and some productive feedback. If there is something that you don't like or if you think that something is missing from the game, now it's your best chance to say something!
how many mogi girls are in the game now?
ReplyDeleteThe answer is a bit complicated but I will try to be as detailed as I can.
DeleteThe normal enemy MoGi are 18. 2 of those are chibi MoGi, so they don't have sex scenes. There are also 6 Queen MoGi, but some of them have additional phases and appearances (the number of Queen battles are 9). The Hostage MoGi are 11, with some of these MoGi appearing only in the Hostage Scenes. Also, there are 4 NPC MoGi and 2 Rudy-transformation MoGi that Voms doesn't meet. The total number of the MoGi lore is 38 and they all appear in the game, one way or another.
so that means there are 22 sex scenes + 11 small ones for hostages?
Deleteand you already work over 8 years on this?
(maybe you should have make more sex scenes and less platforming and riddles...)
I understand your point of view. Both me and Titan honestly thought that the game would take much less time to finish and we both feel bad about all the delays. However, although we are mentally exhausted, we still try to deliver the best game we possibly can.
DeleteWe went through many levels of dev hell (due to personal problems or otherwise), but we always tried to make the right choices under the circumstances. There was a point where Titan couldnt work for almost a year and I spent over 4 months, trying to find others to program in his place. Same happened with the tiling guys we hired. Some didn't want to work on an adult game. Others did bad work or even stole money from us. Or their work was so bad that we had to redo it ourselves. Or this other time where I contacted over 50 music guys to do music for us. It was a desperate time and we had to involve others, so there was a lot of back and forth for months. So many things went wrong... we should have started resenting this project by now. But we never gave up.
This game had a personal toll to both me and Titan. Me personally, I feel I'm behind in life in many aspects, because I was concentrating on it too much, for so long. But there is hope that we can make some money out of this, so that is something. I try not to think of piracy too much because I'd rather avoid depression... it will affect the game.
Many people are more concerned about the sex scenes than the game itself. It's true that if we wanted to make a quick game we would have finished a long time ago. But we took the hard road by adding more characters, more levels, story, cut scenes in order to make a good game. We also added many extra things, like weapons, grabs, teleports, high definition Hostage Scenes (they have more detail than normal sprite animations) etc.
Maybe that was a mistake on our part, but it's the path we chose from the start. It was also a way to please our fans, since many of these things were added later on in development.
Now regarding the sex scenes... Voms in his timeline will have in total 26 by MoGi and Queens, and 11 by Hostages (36 in total). To add more scenes, would mean to add more enemies and there is no time or space for that (we would need more levels as well).
That said, we have plans of adding sexy scenes for the other characters as well. Once we release Voms, we will see how the game goes and according to the success or demand, the sexy scenes for the other playable characters may vary. For example, we plan for Ucogi to go on specific rooms and see NPCs have sex. I dont know if you like this idea but its one way for us to add more sexy content. I'd like to hear your thoughts :)
well this is supposed to be a porn game peoples (me) are interested because it has sex in it
Deleteif i want to play a regular indie game i do that on steam...
anyway about the ucogi npc sex scenes if they are like the hostages then its bad...
i prefer large fullscreen scenes best of interactive
(like the mogi attacks)
Some porn games focus more on sex than others. If someone says that the 36 sexy scenes in Voms' timeline are many or not, that's a matter of opinion. In that case, all I can say is that I'm glad we decided to add more MoGi than we originally promised, such as Gold, Zombie, Erubetie and Toadstool (as MoGi enemies) and Black, Pink and Succubus (as Hostage scenes).
DeleteI'm sorry you don't like the Hostages, but their scenes do appear in full screen mode in the gallery. This was decided years ago and pretty much all the fans and backers were on board with that idea. Moreover, I actually spent a lot of time to add extra detail in the Hostage animations, so that they can look good in full screen. Of course, not everything is for everyone, but it's too late to change any of that now.
The game has 12 levels. Approximately 2 MoGi are introduced in each new level and each level has a Hostage scene to unlock. Most of those levels have a Queen. So, regarding the design and logic, we did our best to make everything appear balanced, well thought and well paced.
Since you mentioned it, we are actually considering of publishing MoGi Origins on Steam. Thank you for your feedback and I hope you enjoy our game once we release it.
will there be anymore flash games after this is done?
ReplyDeleteMost probably yes. I miss doing Ucogi flash games and I want to make some new ones. I do have a few ideas that I wrote down over the years. Thanks for asking :)
Deletewow super fast reply you are truly amazing!!!!!!!! i hope to see ucogi in future games ;)
Deletehehe! I always reply as soon as I see a new question here. I do plan to have Ucogi in many of my future games, she is my muse after all! My only concern is that Flash is dying... so we just have to wait and see.
DeleteI LOVE THE SECRETS IN THE UCOGI GAMES THEY ARE SO COOLLLL!!! Hopefully animateCC will be as good as flash.
DeleteAdobe Flash is dying as an add on, through the changing of web browser technologies, but ways exist to make normal executeable files with it. So, if it's what you're most comfortable using: You can continue to do so, but users will have to download what you make and run it like normal programmes (Like MoGi Origins).
DeleteTrue, honestly i dont mind downloading flash games. It feels like I'm still playing in the actual browser and the game feels like its only 5 minutes long, but theres something special about ucogi games that it doesn't feel as though i'm playing a random flash or a browser game but an actual fully developed game with secrets and a story. It makes me want to keep playing for hours on end. Thats why i kinda want more flash game to appear from ucogi.
DeleteYes, I can export exe projector files from Flash, and it's what I give from out Patreon.
DeleteI'm glad you like my games. I have to admit, my programming skills are very limited and the Ucogi games don't have as much of a story as I'd like them to have, but I do know my limits and I do polish them as much as I can. I have plans for some VN games that will reveal more of story and the characters.
I need to ask, what is your fav Ucogi game and secret, and why?
If i had to choose between them then probably bondage hangman and supersuck (it sounds so funny when i say them out loud). Because for one in both games. The First reason: i am a simple person i see boobs, i like it. The Second reason: i know you worked really hard on it so the endings and the mini stories in them are really well done and polished that's why i chose them over the rest.
DeletePS: I just finished the SummerSlide game (took a while, didn't get the secret though its quite hard) finished it so i could get a good answer for you.
Also will there be another flash game released this year?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteRight now I'm focusing on MoGi Origins, so there is no time for other projects. That said, I started the production of a VN game last summer (within the Ucogiverse), where I write the story. Two other people do the programming and art, but we havent done much as of yet. The programming is there but the art is not. I plan to finish it when I have the time.
Other than that, There are 2 more games I finished a few years back: "Wild West Bimbos", a porn commission that the original author abandoned and I finished it on my own (it doesnt have Ucogi in it) and a game involving Chibi Ucogi, called "Orphanarium" (it doesnt have sex in it). We give the both in Patreon (in tier 4), to support our finances and keep MoGi Origins going.
The game: SuckerSuck. The secrets: Hard mode, extreme mode, the ways to jump through them, and the extreme gallery. Why: The additional content (Being transgender myself, I think intersex stuff is fucking hot), challenge, and ability to avoid said challenge for more content faster.
DeleteI do think that SuckerSuck was my most ambitious Flash game regarding content. I'm especially proud of it because I managed to do all the programming by my self (I had help for both Hangman and SummerSlide). That said, SuckerSuck has its fair share of criticism due to its difficulty. And although it's my only game that includes futa, only one other person ever mentioned that in a positive manner.
DeleteAll this talk made me go back and play Orphanarium once more. It actually had a game-braking bug and a broken shortcut that I had to fix. Also, lately, I mostly see bad comments about Ucogi games, so thank you for your uplifting attitude :)
SuckerSuck is the type of game in which the "game" part is so simple for the fun to normally be only in the difficulty of it, but too few people have fun with difficulty on its own, making it a wall between them and what they're there for, the pornography. The point is the range of people who'll have fun with it is narrow, through what it is, not through it being made bad.
DeleteMoGi Origins has many times more of a "game" part, enough for people to have fun with it, whether it's easy or hard, on their way to the pornography.
About the intersex stuff? As it's the only of your games to have it, and (If I remember right), the newest you've done, it may've been the bad type of surprise for your audience (And is, again, for a narrower range of people than the more common sexualities).
As I said, for what it's worth, it's stuff I appreciate. Other people not doing so is on them.
I remember lowering the difficulty after the first wave of hate messages for SuckerSuck. Alice being Futa in the secret mode was an afterthought, just to add more variety to the gallery. Nobody complained about that though.
DeleteSuckerSuck was done in 2012 and then I made SummerSlide (2012) and Solitaire Quest (2013). Wild West Bimbos and Orphanarium were completed in 2018. I wish I could have done more but most of my time was focused on MoGi.
To be precise, Wild West Bimbos took me a year to make (I was working on it part time) and Orphanarium took me a month (it was a speedy passion project). Solitaire Quest and Orphanarium don't have any sexy stuff in them (and as far as the lore goes, they are mostly filler games). And Wild West Bimbos is not an Ucogi game. So yeah, you are right, I haven't done a good sexy Flash game for Ucogi in a long time, because all my energy went towards finishing MoGi Origins.
It wasn't meant as a criticism, only my thinking about why other people feel the way they do, about SuckerSuck. I create games for a living, or try at it, so I have to keep a handle on such things.
DeleteI know it wasnt criticism. What games have you made? Are you a programmer?
DeleteI'm a one person team, so I do all of the things, including the code. But I've not released any of it publicly, at the present.
DeleteOne person team can be hard. Although I made games on my own, I can't make decent music. I wish you luck with your projects.
DeleteTeams can be trouble some at times, but making games solo, can be a lonely experience. Unless maybe if you get people involved somehow, by having a fanbase or getting feedback.
The idea of a team is am impossible one, when I'm so far from being able to pay its members. I don't think it's good enough to release and know the bad reactions would destroy my productivity, so I've been keeping it to myself, for years, at this point, trying to bring it up to perfection, so it has a chance at support.
DeleteI apologise if what I said killed the talk, I wished to say the truth about it.
DeleteYou didnt kill the talk. I didnt had anything more to say. And I'm actually going through a minor depression phase because I havent been out for 3 months (with maybe the exception of 5 days more or less). I'm so low on energy I can barely speak at this point. I wanted to have a break and get out a bit after Titan was gone and I cant even do that with the quarantine. So it has a toll on me.
DeleteIf you wish, I'll have the time to help by 2021. For now, the best I can do is be supportive.
DeleteYou've pushed through to this point, I believe you have it within you to go all of the way.
Won't there be a replacement for flash? I wanted flash to stay for a little longer.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. AnimateCC has replaced Flash for now. Also a few sites (like NewGrounds) depend heavily on Flash. On the plus side, Flash can export in exe format. Whatever happens I would need to adapt.
DeleteI hope a new program like flash will appear in the very near future.
Deletehye guys have you released any new betas lately? and if so i havent gotten an email to dowload them.
ReplyDeleteNo new Betas yet. Me and Titan have decided that we are very close to finishing the game (content-wise), that releasing a new beta would be almost pointless right now.
DeleteWe plan to release the game with Voms' story this Summer. I said "maybe in June" but I'm so overworked and exhausted that I need a decent break right now. And the work I have to do is a lot, so I dont think I will be done during June.
wait again 1 year
ReplyDeleteJust checking if everything is okay with you folks. i'm just worried about burnout or something similiar has happened. and hope you all are doing okay.
ReplyDeleteand if it helps, i know nothing about making a game except how draining it can be, so please, don't lose hope, I've said it once, and i'll say it again: i'll wait for you guys to finish it, no matter how long it'll take.
besides, the game has already more content than i thought it would have on launch-day. so i am already impressed.
i kinda hope theyre dead so i can forget about this schit and move on
DeleteWe're alive. It'd be a lie to say there was no burnout whatsoever. We worked an average of 12 hours a day 7 days a week while we were together. Still making progress and working.
DeleteAgreed for sure, developing something like this is more significant than anything I've done thus far in my life.
Deletegood to hear you folks are still working on it, just take care with the burnout yeah? too many Dev's lost the will to further programm their game after a certain time, ad i don't wanna add you guys to that list.
Delete'Specially because this is the kinda game i'd play in a heartbeat cause i just can't say no to monster-girls.
so. keep up the good work, but please watch after yourselves.
i take they finally gave up and abandoned this?
ReplyDeleteNo.
DeleteCorona's just having a very adverse effect on us. Everyone's home so no privacy. Serious financial strain taking away our attention more often than we'd like as well.
But we refuse to give up after coming so close.
how close?
Deleteshow us some progress
make screenshots or something
I hope the two of you are keeping safe and healthy.
Delete"finally gave up"... I dont know why people just come here to see if we fail. The progress and screenshots are in the posts.
DeleteFor anyone wondering, I had quite the burnout and I needed to rest. I feel better now, ready to resume my duties once more.
yo imagine they release the game on steam.
ReplyDeleteas "Early Access" lol
Deletedon't mean to come across as pushy but I don't get why a new beta can't get released, even if you're close to release isn't it better to have a beta out so people can get what they've paid for, not only that but you can also get some easy feedback and have bugs/issues be found easily for you or suggestions be given before final release... just a thought
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to, but the game isn't in a position where that's feasible. Things are currently being brought together, so while it's true that the puzzles are complete, or that bosses are done, it's not a complete experience.
DeleteThe game is more than just parts, it's an experience crafted that guides you through those parts. The connections are what's missing, as well as general presentation.
As one of your early supporter, let me say we appreciate that you guys stay true to your word.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long road, almost a decade, and most in your shoes would have just bailed out years ago.
Cheers!
Hi TitanAnteus and Veins,
ReplyDeleteI just want to remind you both that our Patreon rewards are overdue by two months. When we will receive our rewards for April and May of this year? We do not want to keep giving our money to you guys if we are not receiving anything, especially when many of us whom have lost our source of income due to the pandemic going on... How do you plan on making it up to us Patreon members?
Yes... my apologies. I needed to take some time off but I'm working on them. Thank you for being polite about this.
Deletei have decided to say something much like my associates.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the project has been delayed, thank you for your efforts to complete the work. I'll look forward to it and wait for you. Please keep yourself healthy.
ReplyDelete:)
Deletedead?
ReplyDeleteStill here, no worries. Coronavirus has crippled us temporarily... my pc broke down and I couldnt fix it. But I'm good now and trying to catch up.
Deleteyour pc died?
Deletehope you didn't lose all your data?
that would be bad....
My data is fine, and I'm starting to make some progress again. Thank you for your concerns.
Deletemby
ReplyDeleteI quit patreon a long time ago, it's a cheek and a waste of money
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are okay and are still working on the game while staying safe. Been with you guys since the beginning and hope for you to make it to the end!
ReplyDeleteWhen will it be released?
ReplyDeletelol (we got dump shit here)
DeleteI cant estimate a date at this time. Corona virus and other issues have caused an unexpected delay.
Deletejea right if staying home would prevent you from working on a game you're on FOR OVER 8 years just give up already
DeleteC'mon man, at least they aren't being assholes about it. Unlike another gamedev who's been taking over 6 years to code a mess of a game...
DeleteWhat's your game then? You come here and spew venom for what? You want the game to be made or not?
DeleteYou judge without knowing... or rather caring about the details. I already said I had computer problems but you disregarded that completely. You are not here to discuss or learn or support or help, but to spread bad vibes.
Maybe you can try to improve your self, as we try to finish this game. And if you want to engage in an actual conversation, pick a name and start being less vitriolic. Because what you do is just a waste of time.
I dont even know if you like the game or not. So how can I take anything you say seriously? You are just stating the obvious and there is nothing that can be done about it from our part, but keep working the way we do.
because i once paid for it when you first announce it
Delete(over 8 years ago) on some site i can't remember
you said the game be done by the end of the year or so and now i want this to die (before i die)
never buyed a early access game again ever.
(also don't to patreon shit)
you asholes ruined my trust in western h game devs
actually i'm also kinda thankful you teached me an important lesson there, saved me a lot of money...
DeleteCalm down bro. they haven't given up yet. In the meantime, play another game or get some fresh air.
DeleteWe made mistakes and we had problems with the development. All I can say is that we still try and that we were transparent about everything so far.
DeleteIt's not easy for us to work on the same thing for so long. Things change, there is pressure from everywhere and there is the everyday struggle and even decisions and solutions about the game.
It does hurt a lot that my life is stuck in a limbo for 8 years. This game is the best and worse thing that happened to me. And after all this time, we cant release a game that is not polished enough. One of my concerns for example is "do I try to make the existing graphics better, or just release the game as it is?"
We are trapped thoughts like this, and all I can say is that we do all we can.
Don't let someone's hate get in your way. You guys have been keeping us up to date and life doesn't always work out in one's favor. You guys keep pushing though and that's why I'll wait however long it takes.
DeleteVeins. Titan.
I hope you guys can keep pushing until you are able to get to the end. Don't let anyone stop you.
Yes, as the anon before me said, you still have somewhat of a following. Your determination is inspiring, and I truly hope you'll do other cool projects after this game's done.
DeletePersonally, I'd love another blog post. I'm sure many people here wouldn't ask for more.
If you got a great update to push out, then it's understandable we're not getting any news, but it'd definitely calm down the fans.
I know what I'm about to say will be painful, but I do so to try at helping things.
ReplyDeleteWithin the past you were doing a report for 1-2 months and a release for 6 months-1 year. The last report was 4 months ago and the last release was 1 year and 8 months ago.
The two of you have worked within the same building 2 times for 2 months (4 months), through which a good amount of productivity was shown.
I believe you've fallen down in to the darkness of too many creators, the one of trying at perfection, to the point it's destructive to the project.
And what I believe would be best is to release what you have, you've had enough to do so multiple times between then and now. It won't be at a finished state, I understand such, but it will be a good sign to the people who are supporting it, keep them happy, and allow the two of you the time to continue, with less pressure. At the least, it's time for another report, so people know how things are.
Wishing the team of you and the project the best.
I've been sayin there should be a release or at least a post for a while now, obviously a release would be a lot more appeasing for everyone esp if there really has been progress. Tons of people have stuck around for YEARS on end cause they wanna see this game finished. Most people are only mad bc of that fact combined with lack of proper progress updates/posts and releases. I know there's only two guys but what game actually takes this long? AAA titles are typically completed within a maximum of a few years, and this is a 2d action game. Yes real life can get in the way and things have been hard for everyone in 2020 especially... But as much as I hate to say this and as douchey as it probably makes me sound it just seems like a whole bunch excuses piled on each other one after another as time goes on to milk the project as much as possible at this point, which is a sad idea but seems pretty likely at this point... Update please.
DeleteThis dude here ain't wrong. You've been posting reports pretty diligently every 1-2 months, which is fine really. But now it's been almost 4 months... Just a small post would greatly help.
DeleteI'll be honest, I think you should release a small scale beta, like what the Future Fragments devs have been doing (as they're polishing their game before release). Maybe just 3-4 rooms with 1-2 enemies and a few new mechanics.
Yes... i dont think we ever missed a month regarding posts until now. I will try to post something in the next few days
DeleteWell, you've posted:
ReplyDelete9 times in 2019
18 times in 2018
11 times in 2017
11 times in 2016
10 times in 2015
19 times in 2014
4 posts in an half-past 2020, and high hopes about Titan's 2nd trip, make the silence a tad concerning.
Thanks to the search, I remembered ye olde offbeatr thing I suscribed to back then (Viktor even contacted me for a translation, which I replied it was early to think about). Could you clarify if the promises still hold true?
Yes, Titan has implemented the languages script in the game. We need to finish the dialogues because we can start translating anything though. Thank you.
DeleteNothing to worry about. I will shortly make a new post explaining the silence and our thoughts.