#arenacircus

The problem is, the code has gotten so old now that it doesn't run well in new versions of Ren'py, and I'm using code so old I barely recall how it works anymore. So I think I'll need to do an update to get it up to speed before I start writing the next chapter.

That being said, I still want to give you guys more content since you've waited SO LONG and I think what I'll do is begin Chapter 1 from Aldrich's perspective. That way I can still test out the new code with existing scenarios but still give a fresh experience. From there, I'll continue writing chapter 5 rather than breaking to do another game in between like usual.

Also, here's the scoop on the new assets I've been talking about:

Music: New soundtrack will beb implemented in next update.

Sprites: I got a lot of backlash for the sprite redesigns, and I'm tired of redrawing these guys over and over again anyway, so I'm just going to keep to the old style.

CGs: I was collabing with someone to help these go faster, but I just don't have the money to spend on it anymore, so I'll be doing them myself again. So it'l lbe a slower process. Even... slower ^^;

BGs: same as above.

I hope you're as excited as I am!

Well I haven’t updated tumblr in FOREVER, never even gave this tumblr a profile pic, but the game’s been released.

😱#LilithHall is out! 🎉 Check out this dark #visualnovel about another world where humans are trained to become perfect fighting machines. #vndev 

🏫boarding school |🎪 circus-themed | 💕wlw | 📔guide available

https://harlevin.itch.io/lilith-hall

It’s been a while so here’s an update! Chapter 4 is at the 49,000 word mark and there are just four menu items left in the battle to get through. It looks like my June goal for the main scenes will be met! Once those are done I’m going to start free roam but I’ll probably begin drawing as well.

There will be a sale for AC Golden starting from the 19th, you can snatch it up for just a dollar so make sure to check it out and tell your friends! Here’s an excerpt from chapter 4, the longest chapter thus far:

Missed a few devlogs but that's okay! Progress has continued, unseen. So let's jump in!

PROGRESS

I've written 7 scenes since my last devlog! I've been programming them as well (they're all finished) and I've moved on to programming main scene 3 of 4. Playing through there are a lot of gaps/areas where you don't find scenes, so I think I'll be writing a few more to keep the immersion feeling alive. There are 7 jobs now though and I think I'm going to keep the number there. Maybe I'll add some in later, but I think it's a good balance!

UPDATES

I hired a BG artist to save me time and make the backgrounds better fit the images I have in my head. The first one is finished! Patrons got a preview earlier this week but the rest of you will have to wait until the new AC golden comes out!

MUSIC

Still working on getting samples!

CONCLUSION

Just to reiterate, chapter 4 WILL launch before the year is over! I might add in some things after the fact--like extra free roam scenes and CGs-- but the main scenes have been written for so long and I'm ready to get this baby live. I don't want art to slow me down so I'm not going to worry too much about the CGs, as I can always add them in afterwards.​ I've already seen places in earlier chapters I'd like to add them. Hopefully my patreon will continue to grow so I can get more help with assets and focus on the story!

​Hello all! 😊

I'm going to try and start doing weekly develops to keep everyone appraised of my progress and hold myself accountable for my goals. Mondays seem to be a good day because I get the  most done over the weekend.

So here's my report!

🎪🎪🎪

Scenes

2 Natalia x LIlie scenes

1 Lilie x Aldrich scene

CGs

None /2

BGs

None / 0

I've hired a BG artist to help me with future AC backgrounds—meaning backgrounds for chapters 5 and 6. Afterwards, I'll have them redo the original backgrounds .I know that some people like the backgrounds and they do have their own charm, but they were my first attempts at background art and they don't fit my dream for the finished game.

The original backgrounds will still be in the free version of Arena Circus, so don't worry!

This week's plan

I'll be adding one scene every day this week, which will finish up the freedom scenes for chapter 4. I usually do polls on twitter to decide what scenes to add, so follow me on @capminyan if you'd like to vote!

By the way! Lilith Hall is out! This prequel follows Natalia and reveals more of her backstory. Get it here: https://harlevin.itch.io/lilith-hall

By the way! Did you know that patrons of Harlevin have been able to play the chapter 4 beta for months now? Become a patron  for as low as $1 a month and instantly get access to the most recent build of Arena Circus, which includes:

40 days of chapter 4

101,000 words

9 CGs

5 new quests

https://www.patreon.com/harlevin

All the money I receive from Patreon goes straight back into my VN development. Currently it's being used to pay a composer to create a brand new OST for Arena Circus.

Also, as the new sprites are completed, higher tier patrons will get access to exclusive bonus outfit packs!

Merry Christmas (:

I've been so bad about these devlogs, but I promise you guys I'm doing my best. It's been tough finding my inspiration lately, but I really want to share more of Arena Circus with everyone as soon as possible. I just want you all to know how much your patience and support means to me.

The proceeds from my patreon go straight back into Arena Circus, helping me commission assets so I can focus more on the writing. As my patreon proceeds are still relatively low, and my current financial status, ch 5 assets will take a touch longer than I'd like, but I will try to keep consistent with writing at least. That being said, on to the update:

Ch 4 is pretty much done, I'm just adding in a few scenes to give a fuller experience for the final release. But, I would definitely say it's still in beta state. If I were to hold back until I wrote all the scenes and added all the CGs I wanted, it'd never get done. So I'm going to release it, and then add in some more scenes/art when I start releasing the updated version sometime next year.

Lilie's new sprite is complete! Patrons got a full preview in the discord, but here are a few expressions:

The total word count with ch 4 is now 178,977 words. With two chapters left, I'm starting to get an idea of the final word count. Ch 4 will probably be the longest chapter, so I estimate it'll clock in by the end of chapter 6 at 250,000 words. Don't be daunted though! A significant amount of that is free roam and optional viewing.

I’m so sorry I haven’t been on tumblr. It’s just one of those social media places that I always forget about. but I’m going to try and get back to my weekly updates. Okay so here goes:

The next beta release is out right now, patrons go and get it!

I've been working on making sure the beta release went smoothly and continuing to plan for the next release, which will be the full chapter 4. Patrons, please let me know any bugs you find in the beta asap! I only have one full time beta tester so sometimes it's hard to catch things.

Aldrich's new sprite is also almost complete. Next I'll be doing Natalia's.

The new sprites probably will not get put in for a long while I imagine, because I feel like it would look weird to have some in my current style and some in the old style? I don't know though, we'll see how it goes.

I have about 10 more scenes planned for the chapter 4 release. Some of them will require your AP with certain characters to be high enough, but I'm trying to have a good amount that you can see even if you're not close to the characters so you can have more opportunities to get closer. And of course, eating with them multiple times will raise your AP.  Eating with them will also unlock special meal scenes beyond the general random meal dialogue.

So stat wise, here's what I'll be doing before the ch 4 release:

10 more scenes

2 more aldrich romance scenes

2 more natalia romance scenes

3-7 more jobs depending

3 more CGs

Spoiler alert, but chapter 4 is the last chapter that will follow this kind of free roam format. The last two chapters will do something different, and a lot rides on your choices in chapter 4!

Also, since Arena Circus is an in progress game, I'm thinking that I'll go back eventually and add more CGs throughout the game and more jobs/clothes to enhance the experience. But right now I mostly want to focus on getting the game done. I'm really excited to start writing chapter five!

Conclusion