It’s finally time to release the new 0.7.6 Beta patch.

This Beta took longer than usual. Normally, I try to get from Alpha to Beta in about two weeks, but this patch cycle was a little weird for several reasons.

The first reason is that the Alpha release had a lot of deep reworks in it. This was not just a normal content patch. The IQ system, Mind Goggles, character creation, NPC stats, old syringe references, game show systems, dialogue logic, and parts of the UI all were deeply nested in existing systems. Some of those changes were not fully done for the Alpha, and I did not want to rush the Beta out while they still felt like a pile of disconnected construction sites.

The second reason is that I had to wait for some graphics longer than expexted. The art pipeline is back up now but we had to sort out some problems there first and I didn't want to release the Beta without all the things that I had promised.

And the third reason is that some of the changes needed to sit with me for a little while. With bigger system reworks, I sometimes need a bit of distance before I can clearly see what still feels wrong, what needs more explanation, and what should be cleaned up before it becomes part of the game long-term.

Also, in true ADHD fashion, my brain decided to hyperfocus extremely hard on The BMO Files after I was able to finally FINALLY fix the issues that had plagued that game for soo long. So that game will also get a huge new release in the coming days. Its already partly uploaded but we're getting new cards etc. Focusing on BMO Files was not exactly the plan, but it did turn into a very productive detour, and I'm actually sure most of you will enjoy what my big plans for that game are going to be very very soon now.

So, no, this was not one full month of only working on this Beta. But the extra time did help the patch. I’m much happier with the state of 0.7.6 now than I was at the Alpha release. And I'm so excited about The BMO Files as well. I don't remember the last time my head was sooo deep burried in work but I feel good about it. Without further ado, here are your download links:

rel.pink/bmotv

And here's the HUGE changelog:- New Himari Lifepath Finale with two new animated scenes- New character KJ in the weekly game show (placeholder graphics)- New Weekly Fashion Challenge Mechanic in the game shows- New Boho clothes theme- Replaced IQ with a score from 50-200 on the player AND contestants- Daily IQ loss (starting after week 1)- New Inhibitor item to prevent daily IQ loss- Setting IQ at Character Creation- New Stats Redistribution Mechanic during Character Creation- Added IQ Bar to NPC Affection window- Removed IQ from Ally DNA Mutation for now- Introduced the Mind Goggles as a new item- Replaced all mental syringes with Mind Goggle programs- Replaced DUM+ with a MINDSHATTER program (obtainable through Erica)- removed IQ attacks by NPCs- rephrased all attacks for mind stats to use Mind Goggles- changed several references to the old DUM+ syringe in other dialogs- sexual activities will still only be possible if no Mindshatter program has been used on them (Non-consent is forbidden), but a lower IQ from the daily effect does not trigger this effect- started reworking all dialogs to fit the new IQ system (new, more thorough changes will need to be introduced in one of the next patches)- Moderator Expression Art- Stats UI rework (halfway)- Social activity trapping was moved to the next patchI don't think I remember a changelog this long in the last 2-3 years, and I hope this gives you an idea of how deep the new systems go.PS: I'm heading to Spain for my hopefully final procedure with Facialteam this weekend. It's just a hair transplant, but I'll still be there for another ten days again. I'll meet up with a lot of the girls that I got to know there over the last two years and I'm very excited about that. I really do need some holiday right now since my workload has been crazy this past month. It's actually really hard to get me to stop working in the evening nowadays and that's not good for my health. So a few days with my girlfriends in Marbella should do me good.I'll be back quicker than you can say "I found a thousand bugs."Best,Kim