Major database overhaul

Hey everyone!

It's been a busy few months here in the development den of "A Demon Hunter's Guide to Passing Finals." While things might have been a little quiet on the public-facing front, I’ve been deep in the trenches, meticulously refining and rebuilding key aspects of the game. I’m incredibly excited to share some of the progress I’ve made!

Eventing: The Engine Room is Running Smoothly!

One of my main focuses during this period has been perfecting the eventing system. For those unfamiliar, eventing is essentially the scripting that makes everything happen in the game — from character interactions and quest triggers to combat mechanics and cutscenes.

I’ve dedicated countless hours to refining, bug-fixing, and optimizing these scripts to ensure a smoother, more intuitive experience for players. Here’s what’s been improved:

• Quest Flow Refinement: Quests now trigger correctly, track progress accurately, and provide clear instructions. Say goodbye to getting stuck due to glitches!
• Combat Encounter Polish: Enemy AI, attack patterns, and combat flow have been enhanced for more engaging and challenging battles.
• Environmental Interactions: Interactable objects and NPC interactions now work seamlessly, adding depth and immersion to the world.
• Performance Optimization: Streamlined event execution to reduce lag and ensure a smooth experience across a wider range of systems.

While this might not be the flashiest update visually, these behind-the-scenes improvements are crucial for delivering a solid gameplay experience. Rest assured, the "engine room" is now running much more smoothly!

A Fresh Coat of Paint: Custom Assets Are Here!

This update is where things get visually exciting! I’ve been hard at work replacing placeholder assets with freshly crafted, custom-made assets. It’s been a significant effort, but the results are worth it.

Here are some visual highlights:

• Character Sprites.
• Locations: 
• Enemies & Abilities: 

Why switch to custom assets?

• Unique Visual Identity: The game now has a distinct and cohesive look that sets it apart.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Designed specifically to fit the game’s dark, demon-hunting theme, these assets add depth and mood.
• Greater Creative Control: I now have full control over the visual style, allowing for more tailored updates and thematic consistency.

Seeing the world come alive with these handcrafted assets has been incredibly rewarding. It truly feels like "A Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passing Finals" is starting to find its unique visual voice!

Under the Hood: Improving the Database

While less glamorous, this work is the backbone of the entire game. I’ve been refining the database that holds all game data — items, skills, enemies, characters, and more.

Here’s what’s been tackled:

• Item Balancing: Adjusted stats and effects to ensure fair and fun item progression.
• Skill System Overhaul: Made sure skills are well-defined, balanced, and work as intended.
• Data Organization: Restructured the database for easier maintenance and future updates.

A well-organized database makes development smoother and helps prevent issues down the line. It’s the unsung hero behind the scenes!

What’s Next?

With these major milestones reached in eventing, assets, and data management, I feel confident about the game’s direction. My next steps will focus on further developing the story, but first I still have to rework monsters and troops, armor and accessories.

Thank you all for your patience and ongoing support — it truly means the world to me. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, feel free to reach out with feedback or questions!

Best, Joel Heath