UI Updates and New Demo Sites
over 3 years ago
– Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 10:22:45 PM
Mesdames et Messieurs,
As our alpha comes to a close, we wanted to give you an update on what we've been doing to improve the game's 'core loops', as in the actions that the player takes most often during the course of the game.
A common problem we ran into when people were playing the game for the first time, was that exploring Paris felt a little too random in places. The player was going into every location blind, which made it feel like they were simply throwing their fate to the wind. Simply put, that doesn't feel like how Yvette travels through the world, so we made an update to the location modal in the Paris map.
As you can see, this updated modal shows all the potential rewards the player could receive in this particular encounter, but not the combination they could be awarded in, nor how to get them. We feel that this is enough information for the player to make an educated decision, but not enough for it to be an easy choice every time.
In fact, we're already working on getting this update added to the Party Map feature as well, which should make Parties generally feel more strategic. Once we're happy with how they're working, we're hoping to get them added into the demo, post-haste!
Speaking of Ambition's Demo, it's now available in two new places! We know that not everyone is dedicated to super into Steam, so we wanted to keep everyone's options open where possible.
All the best,
- Luther
Game Designer
Joy Manufacturing Co.
The Steam Games Festival: Autumn Edition and Demo Updates!
over 3 years ago
– Thu, Oct 08, 2020 at 12:03:04 PM
Mesdames et Messieurs,
While we're still chipping away at our latest game milestone, I wanted to tell you about some exciting things that are more relevant to you, the players!
We've updated our game demo on Steam, bringing to you the following improvements:
- A second opening villain, the vile Viscountess Marcelle du Foix, has been added. Will you see her in your playthrough?
- Characters now have animated transitions in and out of their respective scenes!
- A variety of UI updates has made the game both more elegant and easier to understand
- Tutorials have been added to select moments, to make things easier for our newer players
- A save system has been added, for those who don't have time to play the entire demo in one sitting
- A variety of bug fixes have been implemented
Please give it a shot and let us know what you think in our Discord channel!
Now, an updated demo isn't the only thing we have going on for the Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition! I'll also be doing a live Let's Play of the latest version of Ambition, right on our Steam Page, on Friday, October 9th at 3PM PST. Come watch me play through the early parts of Ambition. Be amazed by my insightful commentary! Tolerate my rambling stories!
Warning: Spoilers may occur. Guillotinings will be kept to a minimum.
All the best,
- Luther
Game Designer
Joy Manufacturing Co.
Development Status Update: Progressing to Alpha, and Animations
over 3 years ago
– Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 12:02:05 AM
Mesdames et Messieurs,
This latest update is a relatively short one, but we also realized that it's been far too long since we gave you an update on our status. You are our backers, and you deserve the best.
In our previous update, we mentioned that we've almost reached the Alpha phase of development. However we're simply just not there yet. It's often said that the first 90% of a game take 90% of your development time and that last 10% takes... another 90% of your development time. It has been very much that way with our push to make sure the game is both feature complete and polished enough for Alpha (not content complete, but feature complete). So, progress is being made, but we have yet to reach that particular milestone.
One of the many things we've added to Ambition is transition animations for various screen changes, and for when characters enter or exit a scene. Individually, they may not seem like much, but I think you'll agree from watching the gif below that it really makes things feel smoother, and more elegant.
You might also notice that we made the text box in the incidents more transparent, so you can better see the gorgeous background art behind them!
Want all of the latest, up to the minute updates on Ambition? Consider joining our community of lovely fans on our Discord channel!
All the best,
- Luther
Game Designer
Joy Manufacturing Co.
Development Status Update: Upcoming Alpha, and Rendezvous
over 3 years ago
– Sat, Aug 01, 2020 at 08:54:40 AM
Mesdames et Messieurs,
This latest update covers our development status, details one of our systems, and ends on an intense, dangerous musical interlude.
Let's just dive right in, shall we?
With our latest milestone complete, Ambition's pre-Alpha phase is nearly complete! When we enter the Alpha phase of development, the game will be 'feature-complete', meaning that all of the game's underlying systems will be ready, and our main focus will shift to tuning those systems and putting even more content in the game. When the Alpha phase is complete, we'll enter Beta, and send the game out to all of our Beta Backers!
In previous updates, we detailed a phased Beta release schedule, where each chapter of the game would be tested gradually. However, our publishers at Humble Bundle have advised against this approach. We've heeded their advice and gone with something that more readily conforms to existing industry standards. This will make it easier to test the game, and will help ensure a more stable launch, with as few bugs as possible. I apologize for any disappointment, or confusion that has resulted, and take full responsibility.
Speaking of features, let me take a quick moment to introduce you to Ambition's 'Rendezvous' feature. After you've progressed your story path with a particular Love Interest beyond a certain point, you'll be able to go on Rendezvous with them, where the two of you go on exciting dates in various interesting parts of Paris.
In addition to being romantic ways to explore 18th Century Paris, Rendezvous also serve as a commitment for you to juggle as part of your schedule, along with Parties, and your other tasks in Ambition. You're a busy woman, and will often have to decide when something is worth it. It's hard being popular, right? (At least I hope I'm right, someone who's actually popular should tell me).
Part of a successful Rendezvous is determining which places your paramour is actually interested in going. How will you determine this? Well, you're a perceptive person, so hopefully you'll be able to read between the lines and figure it out for yourself as you talk to them. Some choice examples might include:
Grands-Danseurs du Roi
While the theater company was, after a performance for His Majesty King Louis XV, named to honor the royal family, this particular company specialized in more... proletarian entertainments. Namely bawdy comedies, riotous musical numbers, and a menagerie of barely controlled performing animal acts.
Parc Monceau
The 'Parc Monceau' was created by the libertine Duke of Chartres. This pleasure garden enthralled visitors with Egyptian pyramids, Roman columns, Turkish tents, and other fantastic structures of dubious authenticity.
Guinguette Paradis
Guinguettes were popular daytime drinking establishments on the outskirts of Paris. Just far enough from Paris to be outside of the reach of certain alcohol taxes, the Guinguettes focused on providing their patrons cheap wine, fresh air, and local music.
Which of these would you most like to attend with whoever's caught your eye?
This month's musical prelude is our theme for skulduggery of all sorts: 'Le Danger Approche'. This song appears in the game when the player is engaging in sneaking places they aren't supposed to, uncovering dark, hidden secrets, and generally doing things that might shorten their lifespan. However, just because it's dangerous, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
Want all of the latest, up to the minute updates on Ambition? Consider joining our community of lovely fans on our Discord channel!
All the best,
- Luther
Game Designer
Joy Manufacturing Co.
Ambition's Demo is Now Live!
almost 4 years ago
– Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 06:30:09 PM
Mesdames et Messieurs,
The free demo for Ambition: A Minuet in Power is now live on Steam as part of the Steam Game Festival, Summer Edition! Please visit this link here to download the demo and try the first parts of Ambition, absolutely free!
As a reminder, during the festival itself, we'll also be hosting two separate live events!
Thanks again for reading, please stay safe out there, and have a great day!
All the best,
- Luther
Writer and Game Designer
Joy Manufacturing Co.
