MILF for Hire: Development Update #8 (Patreon)

Hey loves!

First, I need to clear something up. In the last update I said “side project,” and some of you thought I’d started working on another game. Reading those comments made me laugh, but it also stung a little. No, there’s no other game. I’ve been doing animation practice in the evenings to get better, and that’s all I meant. This is my only game, and my head and my heart are right here. My choice of words really got me that time, I’ll be more careful. 😅

Now, the real news. Last time we were halfway there. While I was filling in the bars for this image, I actually stopped for a second and thought, wait, have we really come this far? When you’re deep in the work, you don’t always see how much ground you’ve covered. Then one day you look up and realize you’ve come a long way.

The writing is done. Everything Bella has to say in v0.4 is ready. It’s a strange feeling. For weeks I was inside her head every single day, and now suddenly she’s gone quiet. I’m relieved, but I also feel a little lost. Luckily I still have to bring her to the screen, so we’re not quite done with each other yet.

I’m also a bit proud of myself on the animation side. It feels weird to say, but it’s true. Those evening practice sessions paid off. Things that used to take me hours now take a lot less time. I’m still learning and I still get stuck sometimes, but I can feel the gap closing, and that feels really good.

Testing is still at zero. That part only starts once everything else is finished.

Outside the game, life is slowly settling down too. The house isn’t a pile of boxes anymore, it actually feels like our home. Every week I add something new to a corner of it. A lamp, a pillow, a picture for the wall. Small things, but each one makes this place feel a little more like home.

And winter is here. It’s gotten cold, the blankets are out, and there’s always a cup of hot chocolate next to my desk. While renders are running, I sit with my mug and look out the window, and for the first time in a long while I don’t feel rushed. You know how messy this year has been. Being in a calm place like this is doing me good, and I hope it shows in the work.

By the way, did you notice? You’ve read this far and haven’t seen a single date. That’s on purpose. We all remember what happened the last time I gave one, and I still haven’t fully forgiven myself. So from now on, the bars do the talking. You make your guesses, and I’ll just smile and sip my coffee. Sorry, my hot chocolate. ☕

Previews and a few little surprises are on the way. If anything’s on your mind, drop it in the comments. I read every one of them. I love you all. 🖤

— Bonnie