First, to put you in the Thanatos Contract mood, watch this Halloween Thanatos Contract video, if you haven't already:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9bKzt…

Okay, so here we are, over three months since the last update.  So, what has been done?  Well, besides that cheesy video, not much.  I've written a few more endings, trying to get it perfect, but I'm always upset by one detail or another and claw the ending to shreds.  I just finished writing another ending and, for now, I'm pleased with it.  In order to make it work, I'll need to add/subtract some scenes.  However, even if I don't like this ending later, I'm moving forward with development.  The ending can be rewritten later.  I know I won't be finishing it up this year, but I'd at least like to get further than the ending.

I've sent my editors the current build of the script, so please tell me what you think of the ending.  Either way, I'm going to move forward, reorganize the script to be in chronological order and including new scenes.  Then I will start preliminary coding.  So...let's see if I can get something to you guys, maybe just a trailer, by the end of December.

As this is still my first original visual novel, it sure has been a learning experience.  For those of you who have stuck around, I deeply appreciate it.  I can only hope you are patient enough to wait a little bit longer.  I'm sorry.

Thanatos Contract website:  www.thanatoscontract.godsibb.n…
Ren'Py website:  www.renpy.org/
Hello!

I know it's been a little quiet lately, so I thought I'd give a little update.

The good news:  I read through the entirety of the rough draft.  I made some changes, though I still have a few things I need to cut and endings to add.  But, for the most part, the majority of it is done.  It's over 20,000 words right now, so about the size of each episode before it.

The bad news:  Ever since getting this new job, I've had less and less interest to do anything.  I work from 12:30 p.m.  to 9:00 throughout the week, so the middle of my day is shot.  On top of that, I really...don't like my job.  I dread going in every day, even after working there for two months.  Of course, I'm still looking and applying for other jobs, but until I do, I'm stuck here.

Complaining aside, I still want to get this episode done by the end of the year, but it's looking less and less likely.  But, anyway, one thing before I go:

My editors and artist, please contact me!  I don't know how many of my editors still want to work on the project, so I'll ask you through here.  I need to hear from you.  I also intend to send you a version of the script soon.  And, besides editing, I'd like your input on the direction of the story, ideas that could be added, etc.  So, please let me know if you are still interested in the project!

Anyway, I apologize if I complained a little too much.  Hang in there, and have a nice day!
Believe it or not, a year ago today saw the release of the first episode of Thanatos Contract.  It's been one heck of a learning experience so far.  TC marked the first time I developed an original visual novel using Ren'Py (my first real visual novel being that crappy Xenosaga: Project Love).  It also marked the first time I started working as a team with someone, the talented :iconkatimusprime:.  We took about a year getting the first episode off the ground, going through design work and game mechanics quite often, making changes here and there.  But I also had college to deal with and Kat her job.  

Upon its release, I know reactions were mixed.  We entered the first episode in a visual novel contest last year to kind of motivate us to actually finish the game.  XD  People seemed to like the story, though others not so much.  The same could be said about the art, but I still stand by the non-standard style :iconkatimusprime: has - it doesn't look like the thousands of anime-styled visual novels you see out there.  

And how can I forget the Let's Play a Stupid Ren'Py Game videos of it on Youtube.  At first, I was excited to have any kind of Let's Play of a game I created, but then...I don't know, I felt hurt.  But that's kind of expected, isn't it?  You put something out there in the world, and you can't really do anything besides let people do what they will with it.  If you're interested in watching this three (which astonished me he had the patience to play the entire thing) part video, just type in Thanatos Contract on Youtube.  It's already gotten more views than the game got downloads.  XD

It might seem like I'm wallowing in my own despair...but not quite.  With TC's release, I also saw the opposite of mockery - fans.  The first time I saw :iconsalut-hurricane: create fan art of Thanatos Contract, I was ecstatic.  Never had I seen something I helped create take form by someone else's hands like that.  We don't have a ton of fans, but some fans are better than none.  Also, after TCI, the team of just me and :iconkatimusprime: started to blossom to include :iconxleah7x:, :iconbrandonrchinn:, :iconstitchedmoon: (the most critical but most awesome editor I've ever had ^_^), :icontrizzopi:, :iconlady-twi:, and, most recently, the awesome composer :iconjdwasabi:.  The series couldn't have matured and improved like it did without you guys, and I'm thankful you decided to stick around.  To the entirety of Endless Finale Productions, thank you for providing me such an awesome opportunity!

As for the future of the series, you guys already know I intend to make Episode III the final episode.  As someone pointed out on the LemmaSoft forums, the main issue with an episodic series is that people really expect the next chapter to be out ASAP in order to continue the momentum.  And, as you can tell from the title of this journal...I've failed to do that.  As such, I really do apologize.  A lesson has been learned here.  But yes, Episode III shall be the end of it.  I've looked over some of the rough draft I wrote back in November for NaNoWriMo, but I've been focusing myself primarily on the next XenoComi release (a project that I don't think I would be as good on if I hadn't had experience working on TC first).  But once that is done, I will go back to the draft, make the corrections I desire, and then get in contact with my editing team.  I will try to make the final episode about as long as the other episodes or maybe a bit longer.  Also, I intend to make at least two different endings (which I already know how they will be).  In the end, I hope for Episode III to release before the end of the year, before the world is destroyed.  XD  I'm no longer in college, but I do have a job starting soon.  However, I still have the will to finish the series, and I think I'll still have ample time to work on it (as far as I know at this moment).

Well, tl;dr, thank you team and readers.  It's been an experience with both highs and lows.  I wish I could hear more feedback from what people do and don't like about the series, but I won't stop because of bad criticism.  I know some people like the series and that's all I need.

If you are interested in dowloading the first two episodes or read up on info, the official Thanatos Contract site is here:  www.thanatoscontract.godsibb.n…
The dA group for Thanatos Contract can be found here:  thanatos-contract.deviantart.c…
In total so far, Thanatos Contract II has been downloaded over 100 times!  Thank you very much for giving it a try!  For that, I've gone back to the critique I've received and fixed some things up.  I also added a little teaser to the end of the Extra Preview, but not too big of a teaser.  You can get the new version of episode II, 002, right here:  www.thanatoscontract.godsibb.n…

Thanks for playing!  I'd love to hear what you think!
For the full game download, go here:  www.thanatoscontract.godsibb.n…

The story follows Virgil Birmire straight after the events of Episode I.  His brother has just woken from his coma, but he had already signed the contract with Mr. Smiles to put him out of his misery.  Will he be able to save his brother before Mr. Smiles carries out the assassination?  Will he ever forgive Dominique for signing him up in the first place?  And will AnimeFan21 ever adapt to his real life friends?  Play episode II and find out!

Finally, after ten months of waiting, Thanatos Contract Episode II: Confrontation is now available to download!  I must thank my team, which has grown a bit since the days of just Kat and myself. Thank you. And I thank the fans that we do have. I know our following isn't huge, but that isn't what matters. As long as someone out there is enjoying Thanatos Contract, I still have the drive to continue the series. Thank you! As always, if you find anything wrong with the game, gameplay or writing wise, tell me. I'm a big boy; I can handle constructive criticism. Have fun!

Thanks again for those who watch this group!  :)

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