Status Update : 9

All the CGs are done!! I managed to finish the remaining artwork and writing for the game in one month, which makes me really proud. I'm working on the OST and I only have 2 songs left to compose. I am still figuring out how the OP is going to come together, since the singer is having trouble creatively (- -); I'm hoping the OP will be done in time, because I really want a 2025 release. Since I've been working so fast, I am many weeks ahead of schedule. I had originally planned to release in February, but it's looking like I could finish by January or December now. 

I have also designed posters to use at my booth when I sell physical copies. They're really cute, and I'll show them off later. I love the idea of having a few copies of my niche visual novel floating around. The designs for the physical copies are so cute >_< 

The OST will have a pretty mechanical sound like some of the music in Naitemo because I am limited to using noteflight, of all things, as my music tool. It doesn't have very realistic sounding instruments, but it has never let me down!

Status Update : 8

 Who knew that keeping yourself accountable leads to actual progress? Since I started keeping a calendar and a weekly goal system, I've breezed through the routes. I am done editing all the routes! All that's missing are a few BGs and the CGs, which I can go back and insert when they're ready. Next, I'm going to work on CGs. I have drawn thumbnails for all the CGs in the game. I take photos of the thumbnails and sketch on top of them. This week I finished all the art for Rika's route. Now I'm working on Ayaka's CGs.

I have also been making some music for the game. I composed a really nice piece for Midori's route, and I'm excited to come up with more tracks.

Pound Cake Diary : 9

Early concept art alert!! This was the first art ever drawn for Emit Glass. I drew it when I was in 8th grade, and I was still developing characters for the story. Midori is almost identical to her original design. The biggest difference is the outfits. This uniform is brown with a purple bow and a collar, which differs significantly from the official one. It's kinda cute, actually! (o´▽`o)

At that time, I really liked the quote "You remind me of a jellyfish~", because I thought it was cute of the heroine to say something random like that. Did the quote make it to the final cut? You'll have to wait and see lmao

Her swimsuit is also really different. This design is cute, and I like it better than the one that ended up in the game. I got a little lazy while drawing the sprites...you will see what I mean. I also got lazy in this drawing, apparently, because I didn't include legs.

The other design I drew back then was the first concept for Ayaka. She was always supposed to be a really vibrant, loving person. She used to be named Nori. I gave her grey hair and short pigtails. I always hated this design, though, so of course I threw it away. This gives you a better look at the brown uniform design, which has a purple skirt too. 

Fun fact: Yukari was supposed to be the one with braids, but I felt that they didn't suit her, so Rika ended up with long braids instead (You can see this in the concept art in the Gallery)

It's hitting me how long I've been working on this game for. Not just the actual game development process, but also writing and designing the characters and story. It's been so long...

 

Pound Cake Diary : 8

 

It's been a while! I'm editing Midori's route. This is the longest route in the game. When I think about how much there is still left to do, I get really stressed. There are so many CGs to draw, and I get worried that I won't be able to finish them all. I have already cut a lot of CGs, so the number of things to draw went down drastically. When I see how far I've come, it makes me feel better. I am almost done editing all the routes, which has been a huge task.

Midori's story is an impactful one that carries the game, honestly. Without Midori, Emit Glass would not be the same. Her story is very personal to me, since I have gone through a massive event in my life relating to her story while the game has been in development. That loss has made me view this game in a different light, and I have more faith in my ability to write something meaningful now. I want to dedicate this game to the person who my community lost.

This heroine is a cheerful and kind girl, but she can be a bit ditzy. She tries her best and has many dreams in life. Unlike some of the other girls, she is kind and open to everyone. Though it is clear that she sees our protagonist differently from the way she sees other people.

Tatsuki has been through a lot and struggles with his home life. In other routes, he is focused on helping the girl he likes overcome her struggles. In this route, however, the emotional focus is on both the hero and the love interest. Midori cares about him a lot, just like he cares about her. She wants to help him achieve his own dreams and overcome his family problems, because he has done so much for her. They have a very equal relationship, and that's what makes them a good couple. It's never, "I do so much for you, so you owe me a relationship", because they help each other equally. 

This route also has a lot more going on than the others. In the other scenarios, there is one central issue that Tatsuki must solve, and the other plot points sort of circle around it, mostly being small slice of life stories or miniature problems that Tatsuki faces before he reaches the climax. Midori's story has a lot more issues that he must deal with. Midori has two dreams that Tatsuki helps her with simultaneously! There is also a rivalry between him and a friend of hers, and if you aren't careful, it might cause the end of their romance.

Relationships are blossoming between side characters in this route, and complicated feelings are developing between Tatsuki and some of the other love interests. This story tries to tie up all of the things that happened in the other routes so Tatsuki can have a happy ending, coming out on good terms with everyone. 

I have been avoiding the editing of this route, even though I am halfway done with it. It is so long that I struggle to stay focused. To push myself to work harder, I have made a new calendar and laid out my development schedule for the next five months. I plan to release the game in February if I can stay on track. Here's a look at my messy wall, which makes me feel like a crazy person sometimes. I have been using these papers since the beginning of development, which is why they are covered in random colors and writings.