#theclosetdoorgame

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Ok. All edits I could possibly make are done for The Closet Door. I literally can't pick at this thing anymore. Time to plug everything in code and get it up and running. Wish me luck. 💗🙏🥺

#tuff mallow #otome game #theclosetdoor #visual novel #theclosetdoorgame #otome #the closet door game #indiedev

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Hiiiiiiiii 🥰

Question for the LIs + Faun: usually we ask what’s the favorite food but I wanna know what’s everyone’s *least* favorite. I’m talking their “don’t even suggest I eat that” food!

First of all, I think the answer can be summed up in a drink rather than a food. Marshmallow root tea is a favorite of Willow's to make. The root has a lot of healing properties on it's own- add forest sprite magic to the mix and the root becomes a wonderherb! Willow makes this tea very strong however, and it can be both too bitter and too sweet, making the flavor a difficult one to get down. And she makes it all the time... (lets just say nobody is jumping up to have a second cup)

Levi is NOT into veggies. Though they are Octavius' favorite go to, Levi could go without the plant based diet. He'd be happy to live solely on fish and shellfish, but ya know- a certain young lady gets under his skin about trying new foods...

You won't find Arun rushing to eat sour foods. He prefers foods that are savory or sweet and that goes double for drinks, which is why he enjoys a goblet of Sunbear honey. But even though Arun can eat the spiciest of foods, sour is a sure way to shut down his palette.

Ocatavius' is a bundle of confusion to explain. I'll just leave it at he's not a cannibal.

Faun is NOT into instant food. Of any kind. She went as far as hiring a chef, even when she didn't have time to sit down to a meal after work and in between flying out for meetings. Why you ask? Because Faun had her fair share of instant noodles, rice, potatoes, mac n cheese, etc etc etc, growing up. And she promised herself never again when she grew up and got to place she never had to.

Whew! this was a long one! Thanks again for asking!!

#theclosetdoorgame #tuffmallow #send me asks #thanks for the ask!

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Update!: Tackling TCD

And the art of facing the consequences of my scope creep

One of the things I think will be the death of me is my own creative mind.

When The Closet Door first started out, it really was only meant to be a 4 chapter free to play mini visual novel. I hoped to submit it to a game jam. When I realized I would probably miss the deadline, I decided to build on the story a little more.

Fast forward a year and a half later as I grind in between busy work schedules, postponing not one, but two commercial games in the wings, one of which, if it were a person, I'm sure it would pack its bags and leave. I'm hyper focused on finishing this game as a top priority- obsessively so. But I'm realising now that all the world building and incomplete assets have to be dealt with. And let me tell ya, it's a learning experience!

(CG snippets!)

I feel like I went crazy with CGs, but to be honest, I dont feel like there are enough. I had to stop though, because with me trying to finish the writing... (The writing would never get completed.) Just coloring in all these CGs, (several by the way have variations or are completely alternate depending on how the chapter branches) has proven to be a project all it's own! I refuse to even go there on expressions for sprites...

Being new to making visual novels, this will probably be the biggest lesson I learned.

Scope creep needs to be tamed!

BUT, does it mean I regret almost 40 CGs? Or the many many mini CGs I drew? Or 18+ sprites? Or outfit changes, overly plotted lore, way more chapters than my once humble four?

FOR THIS ONCE SIDE PROJECT?

Not at all.

If anything, I've learned not to try to squeeze into little deadlines that my big girl plans can't fit.

I'm sooo not a professional when it comes to game making. I'm just human. I write and draw and even plan like one. I'm always hoping this comes through in my work. And that if I just keeping dumping love into my work, that when I share it, that love will come pouring out UwU.

BUT WRITING THOUGH...

Sigh...

Honestly, and don't tell anyone...

I'm beginning to like how the writing is coming along.

I know! Shhhhh! Before somebody hears you!

I've completed Arun's route and edited it enough where I've begun pluggling it in Ren'py, and I feel good about it!

Octavius' route is in the editing phase, and then my boy Levi is all that's left holding us back! 👀💦

Also, all the endings are already written- so no worries there! In the end, I just have to finish all the things- the visual assets are all created, they just need coloring, and the writting just needs polish and editing. I guess I could say we're 80% there?

Just a little further! I can smell the finish line coffee!

~Alwaysjmb

#FORG #english visual novel #game dev #theclosetdoorgame #tuffmallow #game dev update

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What would The Closet Door's LIs be like as fathers?

I think Levi would struggle the most. Starting with his traumatized face on the day he sees for himself: "Humans don't... hatch. Good great Oceana, they don't hatch!", I am sure every moment of being a parent will be a completely foreign and possibly frightening experience for our poor Levi. In the least he will always remain baffled and fascinated with parenthood. Levi will mostly be a patient and sheltering parent, intent to let the childhood years last as long as possible for his little one.

Octavius would probably excel at parenthood, as he already has some mother hen qualities about him to begin with. Though, his personal nature will definitely impart itself on his offspring. First starting with him refusing to change diapers, because "I'm not that in tuned with nature." Then turning a 180- "I don't want any child of mine to have been said to have diaper rash! I will do the changing! To be sure, of course..." Couldn't you just imagine a dispute at the playground where he and his children all turn, flipping their hair to the wind as he tells them, "Come. If they don't want to share, it's simply because they aren't rooted well." And the offender family can be left with the ghosts of his entire brood of over the shoulder disapproving eye rolls. All in all, Octavius would be a doating father, prone to at least slightly spoil his own, and always making time for them a top priority.

Arun would most likely need all the help (and patience) his partner can give. I well imagine him leaving the child with the attendants at the temple on Saffron Heights, because he was asked to attend to the baby. "I'm sure the baby is fine- they're with the best attendants there ever were!" And many more times than his own children, Arun might find himself on punishment. "Don't worry dad, mom can't stay mad at you forever. You'll be out of timeout soon enough. Just, maybe you should ask before you take us cliff-diving next time..." Even with his playful nature, Arun would always place a high value on education and encouraging childhood curiousity and open communication with his children.

Hope you enjoyed my silly phone doodle additions! Thanks again for the ask!

#theclosetdoorgame #theclosetdoor #visual novel #tuff mallow

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Save the Date!

Tuff Mallow Discord server will be hosting a Let's Play of The Closet Door demo including the not yet released Chapter Three on October Friday, October 30th at 7:30pm MST. It'll be read by yours truly, AlwaysJmB!

I'm excited about it and looking forward to it! (Flailing in my seat right now) I'll be using my silly voices and answering any questions live, so make sure to tune in! And as always, know that you guys help me make great games, so I appreciate your participation and support! I definitely wouldn't have gotten even this far without you! 💗

I can't wait to see you there!

Always JmB~

#indie otome #otome #lets play #theclosetdoorgame #trending #tuff mallow

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Tuff News

10/13/20

This week is going to be a doosy for me. I'm not sure how much development I can pack in with everything that will be going on. So essentially it will be the quiet week. I've just been doing maintenance things, such as set the game's chapters up in the game's code for TCD. Renpy and I are back to spending time with one another... (Sob noises in the distance)

With the Lets Play with sneak peek included around the corner, I'm just making sure the i's are dotted and the t's crossed. XD

For Sunset Sunrise, I am doing more reading than anything else these days. I've been attempting to get myself acquainted with Naninovel, as I have been very intetested in more flexibility with this game and the direction I want to take it.

Not a lot of exciting things going on- but here's something cool:

The sleepy town of Shoreville celebrates the fall season with a local Oktoberfest. The locals really get into the feastive spirit with it. So I'm looking for a way to share some fun doings to show off the Shoreville town spirit! Who knows what I'll come up with! (Just know Demetri has already put in his bid)

I'll keep you guys in the loop!

AlwaysJmB~

#indie otome #otome #otome armada #october #lets play #dev update #theclosetdoorgame #tuff mallow #otome news

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Tuff Luv

I am moved! Between moving in the new place and working, it has been a wild two weeks trying to get back to the meat of game dev. I am surrounded by awesome demos and amazing creatives, so that definitely motivates me to work on my projects! So working on them is exactly what I aim to do. That means lets get right into what is currently going on with Tuff Mallow Interactive.

This week (and the next) is all about solidifying what already has a foundation.

The Closet Door is a mess! When I took a look at what needs to be done with the game, I felt like one of those tropes where the door opens and all the stuff that was shoved in topples out on you! I have a lot of the assets completed, but I still have story to write! I’ve also got to finish the redesigns for the GUI and get the demo update underway. So time to prioritize! 

When you don’t organize your game dev...

For those of you that don’t already know- there is a Patreon.. it’s just not open to the public as of yet. So I’ve been working on this! I really want the game development journey to be as much fun as possible, and so organizing my time and adding reasons to share more content and lore and goodies while building and funding my games is something I’ve decided to take the leap and do! I’ve put a lot of love and thought into the tiers, so expect to learn more about Soft Mallow, Chewy Mallow and of course, Tuff Mallow Patreon Tiers in the next few days! <3

Of course since I’ve gotten back into the dev grind, one of the first things I will have to do is revisit my old nemesis Ren’py. Ren’py and I have an understanding. We battle for the sake of my game. I can’t lie and say I am a super duper coding dev. So I am constantly in a state of learning on the noob level. But every time I get something right with coding in features and basic mechanics with Ren’py, it feels like an amazing victory! So on that note, tonight the epic battle that wages on between Ren’py and I will commence! 

Ren’py: “Ohoho! You dare approach me?”

(I did invest in a copy of NaniNovel... so when I begin coding for Sunset Memory Sunrise Promise, I’ll be lamenting about that as well!)

So tonight begins again the grind! I’m happy to be here. Shenanigans and all~

AlwaysJmB~

#otome game #otome #theclosetdoorgame #visualnovel #otomearmada #jojo meme

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Ummm I have now some bad news. I have been putting this off but gotta tell you the truth. I am sick today of all days. Ive had some suspicious cold like symptoms sneaking up on me all week. And today is no better.

I am very sad to have to postpone the Let's Play. But I promise to make it up to you tenfold! We'll try to schedule a day in the very near future and a time that is more accommodating to everyone who wants to participate.

I'm so sorry guys! I will rest up and recover as quickly as possible so we can have fun adventures with The Closet Door!

#feel sick #stayhome #lets play #otome game #theclosetdoorgame

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What do the LIs do on their days off?

I think the concept of days off might be a little foreign to the LIs. The duty of keeping Myst safe and upholding the grave responsibility of Myst at large, and more intimately, their elemental patronage... The duty is ongoing.

However, there are degrees to which the LIs are less "focused" on their duties.

Arun finds time to incorporate visiting and enjoying the company of others as a part of his daily routine, giving the impression that he is much more lax on his duties- unless you are truly paying attention... Other times, Arun makes time in his schedule to pursue a personal passion Rique contributes to his own hair turning white...

Levi would be found in meditation in the rare spare moments he has in between the tasks of his schedule. He tends to do this alone, because his presence seems to always be requested on sight. Meditation and reflection are important to someone with his particular gifts, and though it may not be a time off sort of deal, it is a necessary form of self care.

Octavius never wastes time on what may be considered a frivolous use of time. With his work cut out for him at every turn, he sees no reason to schedule anything more than what is necessary, such as meals and rest. Be assured that if you see Octavius at any point in the day or night, he is working. One can immediately tell when he isn't by his unbridled ire and panic.

Thanks for the ask! Please keep em coming! <3

#indie otome #otome #theclosetdoorgame #send me asks

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For hower many games you want - what are the LIs favorite places to be kissed and what are their favorite places to kiss mc 😏 what about Faun's favorites?

I'll definitely answer for TCD!

I guess I should reveal a little sprinkle of seasoning for this one. (Can't quite call it spice, hee hee)

There's a certain someone who likes kissings of the neck. That closeness is prime for speaking and having one's voice reverberate through the object of one's desire.

Whereas a certain someone else prefers granting passionate kisses on the sensitive and intricate flesh of the ears, commanding and inciting the heightened senses.

And yet, another still is more enamoured with the classic art of a kiss directly on the lips, where they can face their partner, and perhaps soak in the beauty of their gaze.

Ah yes, each LI has his own preference, whether or not it is revealed in blatant deliberate fashion in the game or in subtle hints.

And whether or not the LI is aware of them right off- sometimes, we don't know we have these inclinations until the moment presents itself.

As for Faun herself, she has a weakness to kisses upon the collarbone. There's something stilling about the closeness of the persons involved, and the undeniable intimacy and reverence involved in this kiss.

But really, Faun is almost thirty! Surely she- a twenty-seven year old corporate diva and a Fortune 500 success would be too disciplined to find herself prey to her romantic weaknesses or anyone else's for that matter?

Thanks for asking! 💗

Always JmB

#otome #tuff mallow #theclosetdoorgame #kisses #gif