Dates, gifts, and a new home

Mistflower Crossing is moving the devlog in-house! I will still be posting to itch when there is an update, though.

Moving the devlogs was just a part of a much bigger house renovation! Information is now split into sections so it's easier to find. Also, each cast member was assigned a color. I wonder what the reason behind each choice could be...?

Dates, the way I imagined them

This week I worked on getting the dating system closer in line with what I imagined! It was so exciting to watch my dreams come to life. Now, you can call and ask them to go to a specific spot or on a specific date, and they fill in the other half.

So much about dates themselves has changed. Now when you take your date to a place where they would be able to order food, you can grab some for the both of you. The cast all have preferences and will tell you what they want to order in the beginning. Eventually they will come to trust you and ask you to order their usual. This is a big moment for some of them!

The walk home is now a reality! Sometimes the cast will ask you to walk home with them. Gifts given during this time have an added Love bonus, but it isn't a sure thing and you only get the one gift per date...

The walk home is also where your confessions happen. You can now confess in one of three ways: direct, gentle, or joking. The characters all have their favorites, so watch them for clues.

Gifts and topics

Gifts got a glow up, too! Birthdays now prompt you automatically, asking if you would like to give a present to any cast member whose birthday you know. If you decide to give the character a gift, you now see them in person for a quick meet up. Anyone who is away during their birthday will have an opportunity for a belated present.

The way you get to know those birthdays is through conversation topics, which also got an update. Now the cast can tell you things like their birthdays, course schedules, and part-time jobs. They also have favorite and disliked topics!

I told you lots of things changed this week!

New lines

When I made changes to the way dates worked, I introduced a whole new set of lines that I had to write. I just love piling work on myself. It felt so good to be able to cross writing off the list of things to accomplish before the alpha, again!

The silence from beside you draws your eye. You see China looking down and fidgeting with the keys on her lanyard. She quickly smiles at you, reassuringly. "Let's do this."

"Umm...," she fidgets. "W-Would you like to walk back to the dorm with me?" She looks away and blushes.

Kenji's face goes still as he takes the neon bandages. "How did you...? How did you know?" He looks at you with wonder.

Kenji looks at you, his jaw hanging open. "The Fashion Mall? Nu-unh!" He shakes his head and crosses his arms firmly. "Don't want to!"

Watch China's story

My first full gameplay video is up: nine minutes of Mistflower Crossing, with two prologue moments, China's move-in, her binder, and a garden date.

Watch it on YouTube

The alpha

And speaking of the alpha...

I am currently waiting on some art assets to come in before I release the alpha out into the world. Once I do, you'll be able to play for one semester at Mistflower Crossing. Both China and Kenji will be available to be wooed from Acquaintance to Friend. Their scenes are already written and in-game! None of the other cast members will be making an appearance during the alpha, but they're waiting for their turn.

Depending on when the assets arrive, I am loosely aiming at December for an initial release. I want to give 53C plenty of wiggle room.

How do you intend to spend the alpha? Taking care of China for once? Running around with Kenji? Or will you focus on improving yourself?

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