Hello, everyone!
I recently realized that I hardly have any hobbies left that do not involve computers or video games! This is Nekonomemem.
The other day, I happened to come across a certain garage kit on Surugaya’s online store. It was something I had wanted a long time ago, but I gave up on it because I did not have the skills or money to build it.
I never thought I would still be able to get one, so I bought it on impulse! And I decided to take this opportunity to make garage kits and plastic models my new hobbies!
I have been working at my computer constantly lately, and my eyes have been getting tired, so I had been thinking that I wanted a more active hobby that would not involve staring at a monitor and would also give me a reason to go outside. This came at just the right time! (lol)
However, at this rate I could go on talking about my hobbies forever, so let me give you a progress update first.
Changes to the Character Select Display
The character select screen now uses 3D character models.
I created a dedicated character-select animation for each character. For Misa and Sae, I based them on their idle animations from LAB 1 and 2.
There are still quite a few details that need to be polished, but I think this will make it possible to check each character, outfit, hair color, and tan level.
However, even on my PC, the initial loading time for the 3D display is a little slow. Since it may take even longer depending on your PC’s specifications, I have also added an option to use the previous image-based display.
Creating Facial Expressions Is Fun
I really enjoy creating facial expressions. They are important in 2D as well, but I think changes in expression are especially important in 3D. Eye movement in particular makes the characters feel much more alive, so it is something I put a lot of effort into when creating animations.
New Outfit
As I mentioned on X, I have finished an outfit that I had quietly been working on little by little, and it has now been added to the game.
I originally wanted the front section to overlap, but that would make the design asymmetrical and would probably take more time to create, so I decided to implement this version for now. I would like to make an overlapping version at some point in the future.
Please Be Understanding About My Outfit-Making Habit (lol)
I sometimes receive comments asking me to stop making so many outfits and work on moves or game systems instead. However, animation and programming involve long stretches of very detailed work, so they inevitably become mentally stressful.
Outfit creation and modeling also require thought and attention to detail, but I can work on them more intuitively, so they are a great way for me to take a break.
So...
Please forgive me for making outfits! (lol)
Whether to Add Dedicated Skirt Bones
At the moment, the skirts either use Magica Cloth, an asset sold on the Unity Asset Store, or are set up to follow the movement of the leg and thigh bones. However, I am starting to feel limited by these methods, so I am considering adding dedicated skirt bones. More specifically, I am currently concerned about the outfit clipping around the hip joints.
With the current bone setup, making the skirt follow the thighs causes it to get pulled inward along with their movement. I am therefore considering adding skirt bones, adjusting their rotation positions, and using programming to control their movement based on the movement and angles of the thigh bones.
An Unfinished Move and New Animations
Here is some more progress on a move that was left unfinished. This is an update on the crotch-attack battle. So far, I have completed the sequence up to the point where one character, the one who initiated the move, makes the other character climax.
I cannot upload the video to YouTube, so please watch it on Ci-en.
https://ci-en.dlsite.com/creator/1072/article/1910873
I have also created animations that make it easier to tell which character currently has the advantage. At the moment, I am planning to make it so that the player who wins the button-mashing contest can make their opponent climax. I am thinking of using the H Gauge to determine the winner, but I am still debating whether to create a separate climax gauge specifically for this mechanic.
Hidden Bonus Animations
I would like to create some hidden animations where the character reacts in some way after being left idle for a while!
(Note) Leaving the character idle could work, but another possibility would be holding down a button for a very long time, such as holding the P button for ten seconds.
Back to Talking About My New Hobby
As a general rule, I have tried not to talk about anything unrelated to the game I am developing. However, even though this topic is completely unrelated, it might become a source of new ideas. I was also happy to find something new that I enjoy, so I wanted to talk about it! (lol) I will keep it to myself in the future if people do not like it, though! lol