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Course of Temptation Dev Diary #68
🕑 Added 2025-01-17 20:34:14 +0000 UTC
Greetings, friends, and happy Friday to all who celebrate. It is time for... another dev diary!
This week continues the work on encounters with a couple of notable extensions and some UI revising.
Encounter progression
First of all, we have what I'm calling the encounter progression system, the basis of which is contributed by duretoeter. This is a system whereby not everything may be on the table in your first encounter with an NPC — it may take successive encounters to progress from hand stuff to oral sex to "going all the way" and more.
Of course, this depends heavily on many factors. Someone you already have a good relationship with will progress less reluctantly, NPCs with inclinations like Oral Fixation will not be shy about skipping right to matching activities, and of course many NPCs are very casual about sex all around.
This progression comes in the form of encounter "ideas" as seen above, the most general building blocks that encounters are made of. Previously, all ideas were generally on the table, but now there may be certain things that an NPC just isn't ready to do yet. The odds that an NPC will agree are indicated by the button's color.
Once you progress to a certain "level" of activities with an NPC, then those and similar activities will remain on the table henceforth, and the next level of activities becomes more likely. Your history and relationship with an NPC factor into how far they'll go with you.
This is intended to draw some distinctions between different NPCs and make encounters a bit less samey — when you're with someone new who's a bit shy about sex versus with a significant other or somebody who takes sex very casually, you'll certainly feel the difference.
On the other hand, if you prefer encounters the way they are now and don't like this new progression system, then you can turn it off under content options.
Encounter preferences and feedback
Up until now, an NPC's kinks and preferences didn't really register during an encounter. These things did affect which ideas and acts they chose when they directed the encounter, but if the player was taking the lead, then they would usually just go along with it with nary a complaint.
But now NPCs can evaluate an encounter and pick out things they liked and didn't like about it.
Dillon, as you can see, is a pretty simple man. But he's weighing individual ideas used during the encounter and coming up with a favorite, and though this player character doesn't have a romantic relationship with him, he's fine with casual sex. If he had a favorite position that was used, had to bottom when he'd prefer to top, or came several times, then those would factor in too, along with a bunch of other things.
If you can consistently show an NPC a great time, then you'll find positive attitudes increasing swiftly. Or if you ignore their preferences and do a lot of things they don't really like, then your relationship with them will suffer.
Again, the intention here is to make encounters with different NPCs really feel different. The way you please a bottom who likes oral sex should look much different than how you please a dirty-talking top who likes doggy style!
Encounter UI
So, as you might have noticed, the encounter UI has acquired a lot of buttons. The addition of furniture brought several versions of many positions, we added idea requests, you can wear more clothes which means more clothing displacement buttons, and we've gradually added more sex acts. All of this leads to a page of blocks of buttons.
Encounter UI may need a fundamental reimagining sooner or later, but in the meantime I've put some effort into sorting buttons into subcategories and hiding some button groups behind expand buttons, and, generally, trying to make the screen look a little less like a spaceship control panel.
I'm going to have to see how it feels and get some feedback, but I think it's probably a bit less confusing. Putting clothing displacement behind two buttons might be annoying? We'll see. Eventually, it probably just needs a fancier interface of some kind, maybe with tabs and some kind of action-bar-looking thing. Luckily it's all designed in such a way that messing with the UI doesn't really interfere with anything else.
Onward!
There are two big items remaining on my list for this month: condoms and birth control stuff, and some revisions/additions to the River Rat career. One or both of those will be my focus in the next week. When those are done, there are plenty of items still on my update shortlist. I'm in absolutely no danger of running out of things to do anytime soon!
Beyond that, it's nearly time to figure out what the next major update focus will be. Which roadmap item shall we check off? I'll give it some thought, with input from you all as well, and I'll aim to get a poll out to narrow it down by the end of the month or so.
But that's all for now! It's back to coding for the rest of the day for me, and I'll be back next week with another progress report. In the meantime, thank you so much for your support! It truly means a lot and I'm very grateful to all of you. Have a good weekend!
Comments
William Urquhart
A few thoughts (ok, MORE than a few!): 1) love the work on Encounters and the Progression plans, but have a couple suggestions: a. should have more Submissive options - there are where you can turn the other person to face the wall and be behind, or push them on all fours, but none (that I notice at least) where the CHARACTER can be moved into a more Submissive position (which really doesn't make sense with some of the aggressive partners). This should especially be the case for 'light' bondage (or not so light with some of them!) now that this is being added - would even be a great point of conversation between her and the Librarian (and how the librarian explains that what happened was 'all wrong' - great for correcting misconceptions) b. the other person in the Encounter should have the chance of having sex toys of their own (especially when they are going back to her / his place). Not only more realistic / expected, but also a great way to introduce the main character to more toy 'play' and types of toys. ** Also, since speaking of toys in Encounters - if the MC has 2 or more toys, they disappear as options for using during encounters, regardless of if they are set to 'show' or 'hide' in Inventory ** c. Light bondage should be added! 2) Would be nice to add some minor areas around the campus (but closer - walking distance) for the MC to wander around in (and have minor events in... eventually). I think back to the campuses I have attended (yeah, I am one of 'those' - multiple degrees) and they all had a few areas around them we ended up (both officially and unofficially). In addition, this would be great for other meet-up options for hook-ups or dates: a. lake and/or wooded area. Walk through the (small) wooded area to get to a secluded lake shore - great for dates or skinny dipping (or just parties and another use of the swim suits). Also good to occasionally interrupt another couple (group?) having some intimate fun (perhaps get invited, if they have the right opinion of the MC). b. Neighborhood - cheap off-campus housing, mostly other students but also a few of the younger instructors/grad students. Have some of the classmates live there so you have to find it to meet them occasionally. Also good for 'off-campus' parties - that can get a bit more wild, but not so cringe-worthy as the one on-campus party there is now. c. Neighborhood - regular / expensive, mostly just townspeople, but also a few instructors. Not really have any events (though maybe someone will think of something), though makes another good opportunity for employment! Both 'yard work' or 'housecleaning' type work would be easily available (and open to all sorts of naughtyness as time permits you to add it). Would also be a great place for the MC to streak (Exhibitionist) around in - and maybe get caught! If she gets caught, perhaps the campus police person could come get her (instead of jail and a record), but they she would 'owe' them! Or she might bribe the homeowner... 3) Love what has been done with the River Rat!! Enjoying her work there... some ideas to add: a. I notice that she seems to get better tips if she is aroused (her nipples are hard) - not sure if this is programmed or my imagination, but probably should be in game. I had her buy a Vibrating Egg which she uses at work so she *stays* a bit aroused to help generate those tips! Which immediately brought up the ideas of: i) someone noticing and either commenting, blackmailing, or 'playing' a bit beyond what she was expecting; and/or ii) for someone who KNOWS her (especially Emerson) to induce/coerce her to use one with a remote so they can 'reward' her as she works! b. That some of the local law enforcement (or campus) start hanging around to catch her in some of the 'games' she ends up playing. Can have her boss save her, one of the customers save her or she 'works things out' herself to avoid trouble - any of which could / would lead to additional events. Could be something as simple as throwing a jacket over her to avoid the 'indecent exposure' issue, and when asked why she was 'out of uniform' to the other servers, they would mention the drinks getting spilled on her and that her top was soaked where she couldn't work in it. c. That there is an option to 'talk with the boss' anytime - not necessarily work related, but to be able to just chat, ask questions about work (make suggestions?), and - most importantly - find out how she is doing (as far as the boss is concerned). The boss might even offer some advice about how to best deal with difficult customers that *isn't* obvious (and doesn't become a displayed option until that conversation). 4) Now that Profs are having more 'interaction' and even 'relationships' with the MC, they probably should have some additional options (especially conversation options). And, when possible, some of those should be a bit more tailored to each Prof (and their interests / kinks). a. Still loving the Psych Prof, though I am waiting for her to be more assertive (as would seem to be in her character). She and the MC hooked-up at the River Rat before the MC even had the assignment to assist in her class! Yet, even though the hypnosis path seems maxxed, the Prof never refers to it / uses it when they meet outside of class - even had the Prof be the one to suggest she 'lose her shirt' for extra tips while working at the Rat - when I think it would have been more in character (maybe? since she had seen the MC go topless before I think) for her to use the hypnosis command on her to go topless (especially if the MC had declined)! I also think the Prof would probably enjoy the hypnosis control (like she did in class the one time) to force the MC to 'edge' but not be able to cum - until given permission. b. As both Keller and Valdez seem to have very domineering attitudes (especially during sex), I can see how either one of them would buy one of the remote controlled sex toys and *INSIST* the MC wear it in class occasionally! "Since you seem to enjoy teasing me, it is only fair I get to return the favor..." - to teach the MC some manners, of course (cough, cough - sure!) MC can get 'class participation penalties' if she doesn't!! c. Keller should *insist* the MC pose for her occasionally (she is very domineering and demanding). Start out at the school, but gradulally move into other locations (the MC has to still be nude, of course... the question of whether she gets to wear clothes for the trip? Depends on Keller's mood). This should also be the case for the other Art class (though I haven't taken it, so not sure of personality dynamics). 5) The MC really, REALLY needs a few more SOLO activites to do to just RELAX! There are hardly any she can do alone, and none are really 'relaxation' oriented (well, except reading a few of the books). The MC should be able to: a. Go to the Art dept and paint or use one of the cameras to go around and do photography (taking random pictures around campus and of students - might even throw in the rare Event of catching someone!). If she is already taking an art class, every University I have been to (or know of) charges a fee for the dept for this, she might as well take advantage of it. b. Instead of JUST reading in her room (which with a roommate that hates you, is not very relaxing), she should be able to take a book WITH her to read in the Quad, the Mall or the library. She should also be able to just read things for fun in the Library - even university libraries have fiction sections. c. MC should be able to 'hang out' in the Mall by herself - and have a chance someone she knows comes and joins *her* rather than just her joining them!
Gina Jenkins
Anthuam !!! I have so many ideas 😭 GIRL WE NEED SUBMISSIVES TO WHINE/BEG. The sex scenes are so monotonous... And not intimate at all, using impact toys has like 0 effect or atleast what we are witnessing? The aftercare is nice I do appreciate it alot. I just think alot of the scenes, are the same. I have suggested this in the discord multiple times...
oldranger
A somewhat related (or maybe not - not sure) thought, mostly for group sex encounters, is to see if the NPCs can interact with each other as well as the PC. It would be awesome if you could direct A to do X to B, so forth - and then perhaps A might refuse, or B could get annoyed (and leave?), or they could enthusiastically jump to it, so forth. But I do not know if this would be a major coding project or otherwise not suitable.
oldranger
The progression system sounds awesome! Really looking forward to seeing it!
aquawave
I don't know if it can be folded into the sex pass, but it'd be nice to see rimming supported
Kuriboh48
I love the progression system! It feels a little weird and not super satisfying to play a virgin character, going on dates, and then to be able to lose it so quickly because the NPC wants PIV sex right out the gate. It would feel more satisfying and interesting this way! Kind of the same reason why I like Rogue-Like: Evolution if you are familiar with that game
Anora Acadian
Oh, I love the thought that NPCs will have real preferences in sexual encounters that affect their enjoyment. The first thing I really latched onto in this diary was the idea that Dillon there likes casual sex. I'm wondering if this is something that will be a part of their inclinations that we can edit or something like their birthday which cannot be as easily changed. As for the encounter UI, I like the idea of streamlining it. It has gotten to be....long. So I am absolutely curious to see how what you are working feels like during gameplay.
WanderingWeeb
W
Steve
I would like this comment more if I could.
plwitcher
From my point of view I think it will be very nice if game will have gangbang or bukkake (more than 2 people with interaction and queues of ppl ) sometime with spectators. Spectators sometimes will film main character and commenting :). Another one thing which one can be nice is public sex on party and other places also sometimes with spectacors like i mentioned above :)Also i thing that game should implement more trigered action releted to "Slut" fame like example behavior: "A man aproaching to me and slap my ass (or lifting my mini skirt and start rubbing my pussy in public ) and telling "Hey slut come with me I/We need You right now"- and he dragged me to place behind building " :) or similar A man or group of man shouting to me "hey slut come to us". I have plenty in my mind kinkky situations :P
Ragnar
Honestly, this will be huge for how sexual encounters and sex in general will feel in this game I believe. The game really needed more work in this area and I hope you will continue to work in this direction in the future. I think there are a lot of things that can be done to make this part of the game more fletched out and realistic. How about during conversations being able to talk about past sexual encounters with NPC's? Maybe NPC's can also be reluctant or more open about it, depending on their personality traits and relationship with you. Maybe you could also talk about fetishes with someone you have a really good realtionship with. Or in random encounters, they randomly talk about something you've done with them. I think this might make the game in general more lively.
Hugo Trainor
One thought on having clothing displacement behind 2 buttons. If there are more chances to take time disrobing before the sexy time starts, that will allow those who don't want to have to click so many times build up to it. Although there are several clicks in that process as well. I, at least, find that a pleasant process. But now only the very shy will let us take off all of our and their clothes. I like the segregating of locations on the encounter page. It keeps the page cleaner, and makes it easier to see where you are moving the action to. Far too often I find we are 69ing on the floor, when a comfortable bed is right there! Thank you for all you do! This is the best game out there!
Hugo Trainor
The preference indicators look like they will make encounters really feel different with different partners. I am very much looking forward to that!
Anarchothaumaturgist
That's a good idea!
hum
i think itd be cool if depending on inclinations people had remorse before/during/after or were more carefree when it came to things like cheating or helping the MC cheat
Borkus
Gas
