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Awesome art style. :o Looks amazing. I wonder how you made the animations with this style.
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/1.gif)
This one looks especially good.

wuuthrer, I am liking it! P.S. Found a typo. It should read, "Here's the few things She let me write:"

Thanks! :]

Nothing really special, I'm just doing it the old way:
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/misc/oldway.jpg)

To be honest, almost all animations have been created and look that way. I'm just very awful at making/optimizing .gifs

Thanks for pointing it out! Fixed.

As you probably guessed it, I'm not an english native speaker. Fortunately I've got someone covering it for the game :]

wuuthrer, you're welcome. The English is well done actually! I just figured it was a typo and nothing more!

Uhh yes, I'm in!

Love where this is headed. Reminds me of how much I used to love to sketch in school :)

I do like the pencilled animations. Looks like you're having fun drawing all sorts of strangeness.

DUDE I'M LOVING THIS, I like the penciled animation, but imagine the effort you are putting in this! Gratz!

Was waiting for this ever since I played Evidence. Glad to see the project finally becomes more concrete. Looking forward to the devlog! :)

Interesting concept. Looking forward to seeing where you take this.

This looks absolutely incredible :-*
One thing though, are you going to write your own font?
The anti-aliased computer text looks a tad odd next to all the penciled art.

Gorgeous.

tight

Criminy. This is weird and wonderful in equal measure.

 ;D :coffee:

Wow nice!

Absolutely love the OP introduction. Way to get use roleplaying. Do you have any excerpts of the score? Really excited to see how everything adds up, aurally!

YES, audio snippets please! This game feels very, VERY cool.

Hey, sorry for the late replies. It's a bad habit I got, working on it ;] Still, it was really great discovering all of your very encouraging comments. Thanks a lot!



You caught me, I can't hide. (http://wuthrer.tumblr.com/) :]



You're absolutely right. I would love too, but that would take me a lot, LOT of time. My first priority is to first finish the game and then think about all the polishing. I need to work on what's necessary first.



So it seems like someone actually played this thing ahah. That's an old memory to me, Don't Kill Her is designed way better than Evidence. So, if you liked this old game of me, you'll probably enjoy even more Don't Kill Her!



To all people who were talking about how I make the animations, here's some behind the scenes.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/2/15_11_23_01.jpg)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/2/15_11_23_02.jpg)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/2/15_11_23_03.jpg)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/2/15_11_23_04.jpg)

I couldn't put everything I already drawn on the floor. But I think it's still enough to show you the massive amount of work it takes to finish this game. The good news is, I've already finished the most complicated part.

The last thing I can show you yet, is what you asked for: audio. The truth is, I'm very lucky. Siddhartha Barnhoorn is an awesome composer. Since the very beginning of our work, he really captured the very special thing I'm trying to create with this game. When you hear his soundtrack, you can easily feel the mystery, the sweet sadness and at the same time, something very hopeful. Judge by yourself!

https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-game-preliminary?in=sidbarnhoorn/sets/game-music-39 (https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-game-preliminary?in=sidbarnhoorn/sets/game-music-39)
https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-theme-work-in-progress?in=sidbarnhoorn/sets/game-music-39 (https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-theme-work-in-progress?in=sidbarnhoorn/sets/game-music-39)

I hope I answered all of your questions. If I missed one or there's something else you want to ask, don't be shy and let me know. I'll do my best.

I can't guarantee I'll be able to give you all the requested informations. She's keeps telling me I should not... I don't want to argue with Her. In fact, nobody wants to.

I can't resist to share a sneak peak of the trailer.

GIF TEASER!

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/3/GIF_TEASER1.gif)

Love how this looks, and it's pretty cool to see those analog sprite sheets.


Now where do I find this? :)

Ahem... Evidence is a very old project I worked on while I was learning, basically everything?

That's why I'm always ashamed to show it. To me, it's more an old thing I made in a very distant past. But it's still "something" and if people may enjoy it... well, you can found it  here. (http://www.wuthrer.net/evidence/)

This looks weird.... LOVE IT!

Looks great. I love hand drawn art in games :)

Howdy dear Murderers!

I can't resist to share the soundtrack my amazing composer I've been working on, for the very soon upcoming trailer. You can listen to it on soundcloud :]

https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-trailer-music (https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-trailer-music)

What do you think of it?


I'll have more exciting news to tell later this february!

Holy crap!  :blink: :blink:

Glad I skimmed the devlogs today.

So much wow.

When this is all said and done I want to see a photo of just how many hand drawings went into this.

You're pointing the thing I like about sharing my work on Tig. People seem to be fully aware of the massive amount of working needed to put this very special mood together.

But Here's a sample of some of the sheets I've drawn.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/misc/Compo3Images.jpg)

Can't wait to share you the trailer later this month guys, I've really put a lot of efforts to summon the very special atmosphere of the game in it :]

It looks really cool. Congratulations on the unique style you somehow achieved!

Sir Birthday Cake is sad because he's awful at making your wishes come true : [

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/misc/SirBirthdayCake.gif)

Just keeps getting better and better! Nice work! Looking forward to seeing that trailer.

Top o' the morning to you murderers!

I’ve been keeping a low profile these past two months but with good reason.
Indeed my friends, it’s a tremendous privilege for me to announce that the Don’t Kill Her Indigogo and Greenlight campaign will be launched on April 26.
Lo and behold! To mark this occasion an exclusive trailer will be revealed!


The making of this campaign has taken ages as She and I have been fighting over many of its aspects.
But what the heck! Ultimately we’ve got loads of awesome surprises in store that I’m dying to share with you.

Brace yourselves, in a couple of days the final countdown will begin and you better come prepared.

She most certainly will be.

I really love the style! It reminds me of an old Disney cartoon, like the black and white Mickey Mouse, looking forward to more.

Thanks!

I hope you'll like the trailer as well :]

But what if I love to hate it? What then?!

I guess you'll just enjoy murdering Her so :]

Let’s begin with the juiciest part. A lovingly crafted trailer has been slowly simmering and the time has come to dig in!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qOgJ3Uj8c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qOgJ3Uj8c)

Also the Indiegogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/don-t-kill-her) and Greenlight (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=668141340) campaign has just been launched, so to those dedicated souls that want to show Her your support in order to help finance the final stages of development, we offer our eternal gratitude.

Whether you tweet, share or donate every little bit counts! We cannot stress this strongly enough!

The game also boasts a new and updated website (and quite a fancy one too, if I may say).
dontkillher.com (http://www.dontkillher.com)

The next few days will certainly be an emotional roller coaster for me but who cares as long as I’m sharing it with you. Let the adventure begin!


See you soon dear murderers and thank you for your continued support.

48 hours on indiegogo (http://"https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/don-t-kill-her") and thanks are already in order


The huge support you’ve shown on social media: tweets, comments and donations, you’ve completely flooded my news feed. So I really wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to you guys!

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_01/update_01_requin.gif)

Woooooooot! 27% of the funds have already been raised!! An unbelievable start and things are really looking good! Ok much remains to be done to achieve the fateful 100%, but with the time we have left anything is possible!

The greenlight (http://"http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=668141340") campaign is also going strong. Even though to be completely frank, the available stats are quite cryptic. Apparently that’s part of the deal. But hey, the more mystery the better right? ;)

I’ve already begun sending out emails with wallpapers to all people having pledged more than 5$. (My little sausage fingers have never typed as much as in these past few hours). As a matter of fact, since I started sending out the wallpapers, weird reactions have been appearing over social media. Check it out for yourselves.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_01/update_webgame_teasing.jpg)

ANYWAY! Let’s keep on believing and sharing the love and euphoria!

I'm glad this is not dead, definitely backing!

Here we are one week later
 
Dear murderers,
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_02/update_02_mrcapsule.gif)
 How time flies! The euphoria of the beginning is gradually disappearing as are the impressive donations. Despite this, we have still managed to raise 38% of the funds this far, which is almost half and more than enough to start celebrating! So…
 



Let's taste some music,
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_02/girafe_ep_bonus.gif) (https://siddharthabarnhoorn.bandcamp.com/album/dont-kill-her-ep)
Here is some music for your ears. A bonus EP available on bandcamp, (https://siddharthabarnhoorn.bandcamp.com/album/dont-kill-her-ep) a little preview of the game’s original soundtrack. Skillfully composed by Siddhartha Barnhoorn, (https://soundcloud.com/sidbarnhoorn/dont-kill-her-game-preliminary?in=sidbarnhoorn/sets/game-music-39) with vocals by Lara Ausensi. (https://soundcloud.com/lara-ausensi)  
 



In the real world,
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_02/stunfest_logo.png)
More good news, from May 20th to the 22nd Don’t Kill Her will be presented at the Stunfest festival in Rennes (France) among an array of other awesome indie games. I’m really looking forward to seeing the reactions of the players when they meet Her for the first time.


Regarding what comes next, I’m really putting up a fight to gain more visibility - trying to generate more press coverage while coming up with new perks that won’t kill the crowdfunding budget. So loads of work on my plate, but quite a few surprises in store for you guys ;)

Yo. That E.P. is f'ing beautiful. I love Sid's use of  Lara's stunning voice (actually reminds me of the childlike vocals used in Final Fantasy 13).

Really reminiscent of it.

I'm really glad the project has started taking off! I was a little worried with it being I.G.G. (I'm sorry but it is Kickstarter's less attractive sister), but it looks like you just might be in the clear!

I don't want to jinx anything, though, haha.

Glad you like the soundtrack's preview!

To be honest, I'm a bit worried too about the indiegogo. I choosed the plateform because it allows the flexible funding. To me it was a more honest option, because whatever the outcome will be, I'll finish Don't Kill Her. But it seems like people consider the project less seriously because of that, and indiegogo.

But it's not over yet, and I still got plans to gain more visibility. So let's keep our fingers crossed and do our best. I mean, I had really great feedbacks and a lot of people are excited for the project. So, I truly believe it's worth it.

Erf I would have loved to go to Stunfest, seems more and more the place to be for french indies!

It's the first time I go :]

But yeah, I've heard a lot of great things about it!

Half of the allocated campaign time has already flown by,

I would like to share with you some of the amazing press coverage She has been getting since the campaign started. Huge thanks to all of the journalists who took the time to spread Her word. Whether it be their support, preliminary analysis of the mystery surrounding Her or their excitement for the game’s release, the encouraging feedback and their vote of confidence are very precious to me and welcomed. So here’s a little peek.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/01presse_gp.jpg) (https://gamespulp.com/2016/04/29/hand-drawn-quartered-dont-kill-her-campaign/)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/02presse_killscreen.jpg) (https://killscreen.com/articles/dont-kill-her-turns-murder-mystery-into-a-hand-drawn-delight/)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/03presse_oneangrygamer.jpg) (http://blogjob.com/oneangrygamer/2016/04/dont-kill-her-hand-drawn-quirky-platformer-launches-indiegogo-campaign/)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/04presse_oddtale.jpg) (http://www.oddtalestudios.com/archives/2969)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/05presse_factornews.jpg) (http://www.factornews.com/actualites/don-t-kill-her-croquis-je-craque-41707.html)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/06presse_elboton.jpg) (http://www.elbotonselect.com/dont-kill-her-trailer-no-te-dejes-enganar-por-las-apariencias-de-este-plataformas)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/07presse_s2p.jpg) (https://www.s2pmag.ch/2016/05/01/dont-kill-her-belle-bizarrerie-inde-helvetique-faite-main/)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_03/08presse_vandal.jpg) (http://www.vandal.net/noticia/1350676309/anunciado-el-juego-independiente-dont-kill-her/)



New perks,

The physical counterparts have met a greater success than expected. Therefore I am adding an extra one for you, dear backers, as well as the opportunity to be able to participate directly in the game’s development. Take a look for yourself.


But the road is still long my friends,

Unfortunately the past few days haven’t been very bright, in terms of finances. The campaign is stalling and the funds are increasing at a snail’s pace. Therefore I find myself forced to go against Her will.


As you well know, since the beginning of this project, She has made it Her purpose to limit the amount of material and information I was allowed to divulge. According to Her, the aura of mystery surrounding the adventure should be maintained as long as possible. Furthermore She is willing to go to great lengths to keep the elements of surprise She has orchestrated secret.

Nevertheless I have decided to unveil a playable demo of the first minutes of the game. If everything goes according to plan it will be out in a couple of days.


Let us rejoice murderers, the best is yet to come. And a lot can happen in 15 days.

She won’t be pleased


The times are grave but I bear exciting news. As announced a couple of days ago, I have decided to go against her will for the very first time.





Despite all of my efforts to get her to understand the importance of this demo, I’m afraid She might appear unexpectedly to stop you from playing. Not to worry, I trust you will find a way to learn more regardless.

So let’s get started! The demo’s waiting for you and it’s quite accommodating (see game options below).

Play on your browser (requires Flash Player)
=> try the demo on gamejolt <= (http://gamejolt.com/games/don-t-kill-her/12129)

Download the game on the following links:
Official website dontkillher.com  : PC (http://wuthrer.net/daihele/DontKillHer_DEMO_WINDOWS.zip) | MAC (http://wuthrer.net/daihele/DontKillHer_DEMO_MAC.zip)


Spread the love. Share the demo.

Dear murderers,

Many of you have already laid your hands on the demo released a few days ago. Emails, tweets and comments: your feedback has been amazing. I am thrilled to see that the game has made quite a disturbing first impression. Everything is going according to plan, as She had obviously foreseen, considering the number of times players have blurted out “DAFUQ” during gaming sessions.



Let's plays
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_05/youtubers_dafuq.jpg)
I was really pleasantly surprised with the spontaneous Let’s plays the demo received upon its release. A huge thanks to these guys as well as to all the youtubers that shared their experience!


Imgur
Why stop, when things are going so well? I’ve just shared stuff on Imgur including numerous screenshots and a brief summary of the game. Time to upvote my friends, it’s now or never! (http://imgur.com/gallery/HTdCN/) Let’s combine our efforts to increase visibility, so that more people have the opportunity to discover the demo.


Funding
Despite this good news and the humble infatuation for the game, the fundraising campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/don-t-kill-her) is standing still. At this rate, the 100% goal seems unachievable. This said, dear murderers, the one thing She has taught me is that hope lives on. A lot can happen in ten days and who knows what’s in store for us?



Greenlight
But let’s not part on the tedious subject of money, I’d rather conclude this update with some exciting news.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_05/greenlight_gg.gif)

THANKS TO YOU, DON'T KILL HER HAS BEEN GREENLIT!

So thank you for your impressive support, it was worth it. Thanks to your time and energy Don't Kill Her will be available on Steam upon release.

The game is not over yet, dear murderers!

Building up a storm


Howdy dear murderers,

The indiegogo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/don-t-kill-her) has been seemingly quiet these past few days. As mentioned, I was lucky enough to be presenting Don't Kill Her at the Stunfest in France. I initially intended to continue working on the campaign, and keep you up to speed on all the juicy gossip but was unable to do so. Curious festival-goers and journalists took up all of my time, a unique opportunity to meet and exchange views with eager players. So nothing went according to plan... but it was for the best!

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_07/quickupdate.jpg)


Stunfest 1st talent award

Ok so this was totally unexpected: Don't Kill Her won first prize in the most promising game category.
Honestly I was really surprised and moved by the reception of the game. Players asked loads of questions about Her and many are really looking forward to discover what She has in store for them.
The feedback and support were amazing and really encouraging. Long story short, my batteries are RECHARGED for the final countdown.

Financially speaking, things are a little less exciting. The goal is far from being met, nevertheless the gathered funds are quite impressive.
Besides, the last few hours of the campaign can still offer some surprises. Nothing can be taken for granted.
So my friends, the little time we have left is crucial. Roll up your sleeves dear murderers, I’ll be back with further news in a couple of hours.
 
The best is yet to come.

The final countdown

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_07/COVER_fb.jpg)

Dear murderers,

The fateful time has come. From now on, every little bit counts, every share, ANY SUPPORT IS WELCOME or let’s be honest VITAL, for the campaign to reach its climax.

Our weapons of choice are multiple and none should be overlooked. A share on Facebook, a tweet, a publication on your favorite forum or sending out a private message: our joint actions will be key to the campaign success.
To combine and intensify our efforts, feel free to use this image pack (http://wuthrer.net/daihele/DKH_EPIC_SUPPORTER_PACK.zip) to show your support on social media. Don’t hesitate to use these images as your profile or background pic and to inform people around you of this critical situation. Don't forget to share the link of the campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/don-t-kill-her) as well!
 

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_07/last_hours.gif)


While we're at it, here are the links for the twitter and Facebook publications we should focus our efforts on.
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dontkillher/posts/1007023569382673) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/wuthrer/status/735476871329124352) 

I’m repeating myself, but since the beginning of the campaign, the support I’ve received has never ceased to amaze me. This is really priceless guys. Let’s seize the opportunity of these last few hours to come together one last time and literally break the Internet.

Together, let’s help this campaign live it’s last moments to their fullest. Regardless of the outcome, it will call for a major celebration so let’s get this party started!
 
ONCE AGAIN HUUUUUGE THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Ok let’s face it, reaching the 100% goal in the remaining time would be nothing short of a miracle. But hey whatever! The amount gathered is quite impressive and it will make a HUGE difference. So allow me to borrow Her words, as they seem really relevant at this stage of the campaign: « Fortunately in our story, the outcome is of no importance  ».

I will never be able to THANK YOU guys enough for all you’ve done till now. I’ll be back once the campaign is over to celebrate in STYLE.


In the meantime, here's a bunch of let's play made so far. They're pretty cool :]
Am I a Murderer? | Don't Kill Her [Demo] by AssassinGlasgow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKzsNdClvh0)
Petey plays don't kill her (DEMO) – SUPPORT THIS GAME by MetalPetey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSd2lyrS7ZU)

Hi guys!

I haven't post anything there for a while. So, it's time to catch up.

I realised that all of this PR is very time consuming, so I've decided to be more straightforward and post here more succinct updates, throwing more pictures than text, since it takes me quite a lot of time to translate my thoughts in english.


Artkwork <3
It was my first time using this kind of format for Don't Kill Her. I must admit that I'm finally quite happy with this work as it remains true to the spirit of the game, both from an aesthetic point of view and its content. I wanted to portray as best as possible the essence of the charm this universe holds for me. The opportunity for me to keep a memory of this joyful little world... before it disappears as She has intended.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_11/2.jpg)


Showcasing the game
Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to be able to expose Don't Kill Her at a digital culture festival in Switzerland: "Numerik Games". The audience came from all over and it was a great occasion to meet a plethora of players, from various backgrounds. An opportunity for Her to plant the seed of new questions in those who were brave enough to let themselves be sucked up in Her world.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_11/6.jpg)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_11/8.jpg)



But what about the game?
It's coming along, slowly but surely. In fact, I've been spending a lot of time analyzing « Let's plays » and the feedback I received from the demo. I’m overall very pleased, as most players tend to converge where She intends to take them. However I felt the urge to discuss some discerning adjustments that needed to be made with Her approval. Far from me to rethink the game in its entirety, but let’s say I needed to adjust a few things in terms of its tone. Unfortunately, I can't tell you more, let's just say that She and I were not indifferent to your reactions.

Therefore, I began to collect three years of various notes, scribbles, and sketches, and sought to harmonize this mess. I had not expected the task to be this daunting. I decided to remove unnecessary or optional content, while synthesizing my intentions at best. In the process, many ideas have sprouted and others died. Overall, i am even happier with the idea of moving forward and creating new content. In fact, I greatly worked on the fluidity of the various encounters, their relevance; but also on different ways of telling the story that lies within the story.

In short, thanks to your input, I was able to rework the script and it’s going to turn out a hell of a lot better.

Concretely, I can show you a glimpse of the recent work I've done, which will in no way spoil your discovery of its application in the game.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_11/9.jpg)



That's all for today! I hope next time I'll post here I'll have more cool stuff to show you, like .gif from some characters I've been working on.

Hello there!

I've been taking a little break from my narrative design work and comes out with a new design for one of the guy you'll meet during your journey.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/totofi-compressor.gif)

Do you guys like .gifs?

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/misc/YR_stand_animation.gif)

New idle animation for one of the "main" character. You may not meet him in the game if you don't explore enough, like a bunch of other ones.

HOWDY DEAR MURDERERS <3


First, I would like to throw you some .gifs

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/4_16_11_09/YR_wellthatwasunexpected-compressor.gif)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/4_16_11_09/16_11_08_valentine_stand_and_idle_tumblr.gif)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/4_16_11_09/JF_tig_longversion.gif)


Lately, I’ve been devoting a lot of energy to developping of Don't Kill Her and I must confess that I’m absolutely delighted with how the game unfolds. I've even managed to surprise myself with the turn of events!

I’ve been paying special attention to the supporting characters, who revolve around Her and the person you play. This means that everyone has their story, their very own role to play in the larger scheme of things. The main idea is to weave a kind of constellation of relationships that the player will be given the opportunity to explore in different ways.

I hate grand monologues and cut scenes that abruptly interrupt the rhythm of a game. So an important part of my work is to implement clues in a way that they reveal themselves spontaneously, rewarding the player’s curiosity. For instance noticing elements of the decor, discovering secret areas or analyzing the underlying message of a discussion or the psychology of the characters. What particularly pleases me is that all of these elements contribute in their own way to feeding the main plot by allowing the player to understand the heart of the story: Her identity. This may seem a little confusing for the time being, but I promise that in the game it will be more clear and natural.


It's always great to hear what you guys think about all of this, so don't mind telling me :]

Hi there!

I'll be back with more content soon, but today, I just wanted you to meet this new character :]

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/BOB_screenshotsaturday_idle.gif)

Greetings, dear murderers!


First things first, let’s begin with the most recent events. Don't Kill Her was presented at the Swiss video game festival Ludicious, (http://www.ludicious.ch/) located in Zürich. The numerous visitors were able to meet Her in a very pleasant setting. As usual, I left a couple of flipbooks out on the stand. And here’s something that surprises me every time: the gamers remove pages from the flipbook to take with them, therefore “killing” her in the process. Obviously, She’s cracking up as I write these lines.




Level design galore

Some time ago, I mentioned my new approach to working on the game’ script. Following the feedback I had received from people that had played the game, I felt the need to adjust the manner the game was designed around Her, and the other characters. So I wrote quite a lot, and also summarized and condensed my narrative intentions. Gradually, She and I managed to strengthen the game, to make it more tangible. So much so, that I decided to apply the same rigour to the level design.
 
Therefore, I decided to build my own tools in order to create the different areas  the game will be comprised of, more efficiently. However, She reminds me not to reveal more for the time being, at the risk of undermining Her plans. More specifically, let’s say that I attempted to write down a very very precise storyboard on many different levels.
 
Such an undertaking has many advantages. Firstly, I will finally be able to accurately assess the amount of work left before the release of the game. On the other hand, I had no choice but to imagine another process for the unfolding of the story and its secrets. Come to think of it, the latest one was literally inspired by one of the characters of the game! So here’s an enigmatic preview for you my dear friends.


 
Characters

In addition to all the writing and relentless work on the storyboard, I have evidently been designing new visuals.



 
On this matter, if you care for a sneak peak, please feel free to follow me on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wuthrer/?hl=fr) or tumblr, (http://wuthrer.tumblr.com/) where you can fin regular updates on my work (and also .gifs on top of that!)
 
I know I'm slow on the updates but it's because I don't want to show everything I'm creating. She doesn't want me to do so, to save the mystery, obviously. Anyway, I hope those little updates manage to share the excitement I got working on this game :]

Loving the aesthetic of this!  :-*

Thanks! It takes a lot of time, but it's defnitely worth it, I guess :]

Looks and sounds great. The art style is really interesting.

I play the demo. 
The art direction is lovely.
I look forward to the release.

Hi there!

Just wanted to share a little .gif, introducing this character I've been working on for a while!

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/M4TAQ11_TwitterAndFB.gif)

Howdy! :]

Some people asked me how I create the visuals of the game, so I thought it would be cool to put together a little video, making of thing. It's very short but I thought it might interest some of you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qioQLZbbmCI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qioQLZbbmCI)
Music: M4taq11 Theme by Siddhartha Barnhoorn / Flute by Lara Ausensi

Have you tried to turn it off and on again?
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_05_03_TWITTER_SavingTotofisDay.gif)

Very complicated and challenging puzzle, obviously.

Don't mess with Her.
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_05_20_TWITTER_ElleSeVnr.gif)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_06_09_FB_IllNeverForgetYou.gif)

I've only briefly glanced over this, but it seems like totally my jam. Following!

Hi!

I was pretty fed up with constantly reducing the quality of my animation with .gifs, so this time I made a video :]

Here we go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=113Ak9buF7I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=113Ak9buF7I)

HI THERE!
Exciting news! The time has come to unravel some of the mystery surrounding Don’t Kill Her, including major progress recently made on the production of the game.
Let’s take a peek behind the scenes of the game’s creative process and its challenges together: I intend to deploy my explanations gradually, through a series of updates. Each one will focus on a specific fundamental pillar of the game’s development. My goal is to reveal the real thrill behind Don’t Kill Her, with great caution obviously in compliance to Her will.



BEHIND THE SCENES#1: Script and characters

----PREMISES----
In the beginning was Her. She hasn’t left my side since and has become my number one priority. I therefore began laying the groundwork of my script with the sole purpose of serving Her intent. God, what a clusterfuck! Whether it was the sketches of the world or the notes flying around, Her instructions seemed a bit all over the place at first, to say the least.
 
Fortunately, this scattered chaos took a more structured form over time. Actually, the various elements began fitting together quite naturally, as if they were all part of one big puzzle that was meant to be. Firstly thanks to the feedbacks of many players, but also and above all thanks to Her. I had to keep in mind that everything revolved around Her and had to be designed according to her grand scheme of things. From there on, a tangible balance appeared and thus the first characters were born.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_15/00_SoManyNotes.jpg)
 


----CHARACTERS----
The creative impulse responsible for the character design has many sources. Some characters were a direct product of the game’s environment; others were specifically designed to serve a narrative intent. Some of them actually turned out to be the collateral product of both of these things.
Some characters also appeared out of mere drawings and had no ulterior motive before their story unfolded, whereas for others it was the exact opposite. As with everything else, I was not guided randomly. To ensure the proper execution of Her plan, she required an important panel of original characters, far from the more traditional stereotypes. I therefore had at heart to diversify the process and achieve Her goal.
 
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_15/02_CastMainCharacter.jpg)
 
All characters benefit from a unique personality and storyline. Interacting with them will allow you to get to know them better as well as their environment. But be careful nevertheless, because each of them appears differently in regards to the events, in line with their experiences but also in function of the relationship that they have with Her.
Your task is to observe and deduct wisely according to the affinity and trust you feel for them. As I am sure you have now understood, the only thing in black and white in Don’t Kill Her is its graphics certainly not its script.
 
 But that's not all. Despite the very surreal and ethereal aspect of the universe, She is devoted to rendering it coherent and alive. These characters have not been waiting around for you to appear to get on with their lives and will not start to do so because you've landed out of nowhere. In concrete terms, let’s say that it’s as if you showed up at a party filled with strangers and that you needed to get acquainted with everyone before you were able to participate in the festivities. Indeed, they already have relationships with each other as well as those that may link them to Her.
 
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_15/01_ConnectionsPersonnages.jpg)

Don´t panic, don’t be afraid. I’m well aware that all of this may appear overwhelming and time consuming. But the driving force behind this project, is to make it fluid and accessible to virtually anyone. I’ve made a point of disseminating all these meaningful elements in a pleasant and amusing way, either through pure game play, in terms of game design, but also through environmental storytelling. That’s right, Don' t Kill Her wont waste your time with long and indigestible text sequences, that’s what those updates are for ;)
 
This is actually why developing this game takes so much time. A tough but also utterly thrilling challenge and as a matter of fact, the subject of my next update. I will detail a few in game situations; concrete examples that will speak for themselves and help develop your deductive reasoning.
 
I’ll get back to you soon to even better share my enthusiasm for the project and with a couple of crazy ambitions that are moving along quite well, I guarantee.
 
See you soon for another behind the scenes updates! Don't hesitate to tell me what do you think of the cast of characters so far or if you're using the same network/relationships system to write your stories. I would like to hear how you're proceeding.

#16 BEHIND THE SCENES: Narrative mechanics

As promised, here is a new chapter in the "Behind the scenes" updates. But before getting to the heart of this matter, some good news! Don't Kill Her is the fortunate recipient of a production grant from Pro Helvetia, (https://prohelvetia.ch/fr/2017/10/medias-interactifs-resultats-appel-candidatures/) a Swiss public-law foundation. This grant will allow me to focus intently on developing the game. So keep an eye out for upcoming news from Her and I.

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/accroche_bts%232_glurg.gif)

SEVERAL LEVELS OF INTERPRETATION
The script can be seen as a layer cake. The main plot, which comprises all major and mandatory events, is within everyone’s reach. Thus, even the less curious players will complete their adventure with a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
The second layer will reveal itself to the more curious players, who will have gone the extra mile to explore all the optional areas that hold some of the secrets that will shed more light on the In-Between and its characters.
For the more seasoned player, a third layer awaits. It requires much more interpretation and analysis from the player. Even the most insignificant elements of the game can hold a symbolical meaning, and help deliver the intimate and crucial message that She is trying to convey to the player. Obviously this level leaves the door wide open to individual interpretation. One of the aims here is to foster debates on the subject, allowing the community to enjoy itself while dissecting the game.



T.H.I.S.
Don't Kill Her’s world hasn’t been waiting for you to get on with it’s life. This narrative choice implies that you can only begin to understand the origin and meaning of part of the events that you will experience through your endeavors by bringing the past to light.

It is this important feature that gives meaning to one of the mechanism of the game: T.H.I.S (This Huge In-Between System). A social network created by one of the characters that allows the inhabitants of In-Between to share their memories, a kind of Facebook. This network helps the player become aware of the characters’ pasts through their accounts. Moreover, you will be able to untangle and understand the relationships between the characters by reading their comments and publications. This system has already proven its worth in games such as A Normal Lost Phone. (http://store.steampowered.com/app/523210/A_Normal_Lost_Phone/) I’d rather not go into the details for now, as this is part of the surprises She has in store for you.



EXAMPLE
In my last update, I promised I would offer an example of the kind of reflections that could be prompted by clues and other narrative elements of the game. Exceptionally, She has allowed me to divulge a little more than usual, through the character of Glurg.

(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_01.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_02.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_03.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_04.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_05.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_06.png)
(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_indiegogo/update_16/glurg_example_07.png)

Here some clarification is required. First of all, the above example is in not to be considered as the solution to a puzzle that appears « in a playful way » in the In-Between. There are no questions, no tests and even less inherent rewards to merely resolving the game’s mysteries. Her will is certainly to encourage to do so, but She will never force you to do so. You should simply be aware, that as usual, with Her everything holds a significance.

Secondly, the aforementioned example refrains from unveiling what really happened between Her and Glurg. As you may have guessed, She would never forgive me. What you should nevertheless try to keep in mind, is that the clues as well as possible interpretations are numerous. This may include dialogues, an act carried out by a character, text found on T.H.I.S., a location with a story, but not only... As even the lack of clues can give you something to think about! For instance, if a usually talkative character stops posting updates on T.H.I.S., there’s likely to be a reason. As I am sure you have now understood, Don't Kill Her rewards the curious.

I have yet to choose the subject of the next update, maybe a little more information regarding the timeline or T.H.I.S. Lets wait and see what She will be willing to whisper in my ear. Anyhow don't hesitate to let me know what you think. It's always great to hear your feedbacks, just to be sure I'm not going too far and everything I'm writing down still make some sense to other people XD

Hello there!

I've been trying new stuff lately. To summarize, let's just say I'm trying to draw bigger pictures for the environments instead of small part of it that I put together after. To be honest, I'm pretty happy with the result! It gives me even more options and liberty to just f*** with perspective and show/tell what I want in the backgrounds environments :D

Look by yourself:
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_12_02_RencontreLezarvar/17_12_02_RencontreLezarvar_TWITTER.gif)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_12_02_RencontreLezarvar/17_11_28_GueuleDuSerpent1.jpg)
(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_devlog/17_12_02_RencontreLezarvar/17_11_28_GueuleDuSerpent2.jpg)

The other totally unexpected effect of this... is that it goes even faster. I never realised how much time I lost editing all those assets in Photoshop :D

I still need to figure properly a bunch of things with this new technique, but I still believe the game will benefit a lot from it.

Hello!

I just wanted to share some new .gifs about a new "skill" I've been working on for a while. I won't go into details for now, I still need to polish a few things until it's totally implemented. But eh, .gifs don't hurt right?

Here comes a short footage of the new area where you'll get the skill.
(http://wuthrer.net/imgstoshare/18_02_24_LostInMemories_light.gif)

And here is how its feedback is displayed on the screen when you use it.
(http://wuthrer.net/imgstoshare/18_03_03_MemoryTaken_light.gif)

I'll wrote a more detailed post next time about what it is all about. But... I was wondering if you could guess what it is just by looking at the .gifs? Any idea?

HOWDY!
This last month has been very busy. Indeed, I decided to deal with several parts of the game that required necessary adjustments.



(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_newsletters/%233/02.gif)

I started working on the game a few years ago. The project has evolved a lot since then, mainly regarding its narrative direction. Howewer, this evolution has had significant impacts on the heart of the game, namely the repercussions of your doings in the In-Between.

Unfortunately, the code of the game as I conceived it at the start was not very flexible regarding  the implementation of my new intentions. I gathered all my courage and decided to clean up all this pretty mess.

This is not really the kind of progression that is very interesting to share, but it was a necessary step in the development of the game because now I can finally fully dedicate my efforts to the integration of new content without wasting time on the code!

 


(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_newsletters/%233/04.gif)

Besides this big work of refactoring, my dialogue writer; my new sound designer; my composer and myself worked a lot on integrating their creations into the most updated version of the game. As usual, She makes me understand that I should not tell you too much about it... But I can not resist the idea of ​​sharing a new composition. This is not its final version, but it should already be enough to titillate your curiosity ;)

You can listen to it by clicking right here. (http://wuthrer.net/DKH_newsletters/%233/MUSIC_CHAR_H3rTh3Me.mp3) (from Siddhartha Barnhoorn)



(http://www.wuthrer.net/DKH_newsletters/%233/05.gif)

Last but not least, from 17th  to 21th May I will be attending the Stunfest festival taking place in Rennes, France. Don't Kill Her will be showcased in the indie space! So if you are around, do not hesitate to come visit me and get your hands on the latest version of the game. I am really excited to gather feedbacks of this new version and I will be happy to share them with you through this newsletter.

The best is yet to come! Thank you again for your patience and support. She and I are super grateful.

Your dear Forever, Wuthrer

I know it's been a while. I'll just throw some eye candy .gif for the moment ^^


(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_YEAHDEMOYEAH/18_04_19_VachetteImperturbable_light.gif)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_YEAHDEMOYEAH/18_05_24_Interlude_DuBeauMonde_Twitter.gif)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_YEAHDEMOYEAH/18_05_26_RoseAnim_twitter.gif)

(http://wuthrer.net/DKH_YEAHDEMOYEAH/18_09_20_SeekersVolant.gif)

woooooooooooooow! Amazing!