This week has been all about preparing for the vacation by working smart. I aim to have the PCs up and rendering 24/7 while I'm off.

PC maintenance was done to ensure everything was up to speed and working. I've decided to upgrade yet another rig after my vacation, as I'm very pleased with the performance of the 4090 cards. It will allow me to take animations one step further.

All static renders in the render queue were prioritized to render first, as these can potentially be why PCs stop rendering due to software crashes. As a result, I post-processed over 200 renders, and now only animations are left in the queue.

Regarding the render queue, I've been trying to create a big one with long animations. As my vacation starts on Monday, I still have the weekend to beef it up a bit more, but I already think I have more than enough to last two weeks.

I have also worked on and planned the previews for the duration when I'm gone. I have scheduled four previews that will auto-post on Patreon over the next couple of weeks. If you want to see the exact dates, they are posted as events on my Discord server.

There will be a cosmetic poll for Sage starting tomorrow too. Sign up as a DIK tier patron or above to participate.

And finally, a note regarding Status updates. The next status update will be on Friday, July 14th, as I'd like to work a bit after my vacation to have something new to show. I'll be back to work on July 10.

Have a nice weekend, and I'll see you here in July or occasionally on my Discord server.

Dr PinkCake

I worked on static renders and writing this week.

I'm at 4132 posed renders right now, meaning we're past the 4000 render milestone. Looking at what's left to do, we will go past 5000 renders.

I worked on shorter and half-completed scenes to get a better grip on the flowchart % that I presented last week.

And, just as I assumed, the percentage is higher than it appeared. This week, after correcting for the scenes I completed, the same calculation brings us to 72% completion.

There are some big scenes left and some shorter ones too. But I feel more confident we're hovering above 70% overall completion now.

The animation queue is starting to deplete, meaning that next week will start the battle to make it big again. I am so pleased with the render speed of the upgrade and I have even pushed the render quality a bit further because of it.

The remaining lewd scenes to create for this episode include the main girls, and I'm looking forward to posing them.

Have a nice weekend

Dr PinkCake

Like the ex you can't seem to keep away from, I'm back! This time, let's talk about Zoey (but like, not behind her back because we don't want to get our asses kicked, right?)

Debuting in episode 3 during MC's lunch with Isabella, Zoey still feels fresh and invigorating to the story and I can't wait to see how she's used moving forward. Many people who had a neutral or negative opinion about Zoey leading up to the Interlude had their mind changed after having a chance to experience her story. If that wasn't enough, we were also treated to a few great moments in episode 9. After Neil informs MC that Zoey is back, they arrange a meeting. The reunion is emotional for them both, and Zoey finally hears MC side of their separation. This conversation presents the first among several opportunities in episode 9 for the player to indicate their interest in Zoey, and these choices are given completely independent of MC's affinity or relationship status.

At the party, Zoey is rocking a lovely succubus costume. She quickly endears herself with Jacob and John Boy while Derek has an existential crisis when he learns Zoey was/is MC's best friend. MC checks in on Zoey a few times throughout the night and although short, their scenes are memorable. MC can choose to take a picture with Zoey, during which they have an electric moment where they are both clearly happy to be reunited. This moment might be my favorite Zoey moment in episode 9. Even though the scene is more wholesome than erotic, it was rewarding to see how happy they were.

As the night ends Zoey decides she needs to go home. She gives MC one last suggestive look and leaves but not before promising to stay in touch. Zoey gives out some of the best looks in the series. I'm especially impressed with how Zoey was able to emote with subtle facial expressions. Hopefully it won't take to long for MC to pick up what Zoey is putting down.

When I think about what might happen with MC and Zoey in Episode 10 it's difficult because there isn't as much to go on. Zoey came back from California for a reason, and that reason is MC. Halloween either confirmed to Zoey that either she's got a long way to go in winning MC back, or perhaps the opposite, and MC seems ready and willing to resume their relationship. In either scenario, it would make sense that Zoey would continue to pursue MC and perhaps openly at that which might make for some incredible moments moving forward.

I think in episode 10 Zoey is going to further establish herself in MC's life. After the Halloween party she says she has to leave to catch a train home (LOL, yeah DPC is European). It's awfully inconvenient for her to have to commute between B&R and MC's hometown. After a taste of independence in California Zoey will find living with her Mom wilting. I think in episode 10 she finds a place to live by herself, most likely in the same town as MC and B&R. Apartments require rent so I imagine she'll also be getting employment. It'll be nice to have more off campus hideouts than just Isabella's and her new place might even take over a similar role; A place for MC to avoid most other characters. She'll continue to do something artistic like work in a Tattoo shop, or maybe even a skate shop or Salon.

What do you think is going to happen to Zoey, the love larcenist, in episode 10 of BaD?

I want to hear your prediction for things that might happen in episode 10 involving our favorite buxom librarian, Isabella Roberts.

Personally, I think the Jill-Isabella reconciliation (on Bella path) is going to come in episode 10. Although there's obviously a lot to work out between the two of them, progress was made in episode 9. Let's look at some of the "main" variations MC, Jill and Bella can find themselves in on the Bella path.

Bella path - Didn't pursue Jill. Outside of the first date, MC and Jill aren't forced into an romantic relationship, and MC misses A LOT of Jill moments assuming they don't progress far in season 2. In this scenario, Jill is more shocked than hurt about the MC-Bella breakfast revelation, and seem to almost have moved past any "betrayal" feelings already.

Bella path - fully pursued Jill. Jill is very hurt and feels betrayed in this scenario, and although she talks to Bella at the Halloween party, they are only beginning to reconnect. Still, I think that process has already begun in episode 9. I'm curious how, if at all, Jill keeping her keepsake picture of MC might affect the Jill/Bella dynamic.

Bella path - pursued Jill, left the Trouple. If Isabella was indeed insightful in her joke about you being Casanova, then I think this path may have its own challenges. As of episode 9, I don't think Jill has been made aware of the Trouple or for that matter, it's ending. However, Jill and Josy are quite close and I think Josy is NOT going to be doing well in episode 10 if MC breaks out of the Trouple (and again, I would guess that fallout will resolve sooner than later as well (or simply get overridden by fresh Maya/Josy drama (gasp))). If Josy confides in Jill, I bet Jill becomes even more upset when she learns TreBello was fused at the expense of her new friend's heartbreak.

These variations make it seem like Jill and Isabella could go a number of directions, depending on the many specific choices, including those not covered here that add different shades of color to the dynamic. It is at least partially BECAUSE of that I believe DPC is going to roller coaster the story to reconciliation in episode 10. As DPC has said, the branching is really starting to become a bigger factor in season 3, but he has ideas for ways to keep things from getting unmanageable. One of those things is probably going to be not allowing these different "threads" to keep separated for very long, particularly if it doesn't directly involve a character and MC's dynamic.

I've been working on story scenes this week, writing, coding, and making art. I've added some new features that I think many will enjoy. I don't want to spoil too much, but I can talk about one of them.

I've added a picture gallery to the phone, which will automatically add and save any image from the phone chats and pictures that may get taken during some select story moments.

Your gallery will have pictures tailored to your playthrough as the game progresses. It works similarly to the Rewards app; you can browse and view any image on full screen. Pictures from Episode 7 and up, are added retroactively to this gallery which will be enabled at one point during Episode 10.

You access this photo gallery from the main phone menu at the top - a small button next to the CakeNet text, displaying an exclamation mark if any new images have been added.

At the moment, I'm working on a scene-by-scene basis and will continue to do this next week. I'm focusing on static renders and animations and still manage to keep 100% uptime for my render rigs.

Poll news

Today a cosmetic poll for Riona ended, and the winning option was option #1.


It will be featured in episode 10. Thanks for voting!

Have a nice weekend Dr PinkCake

What better way to pass the time during these dog days of development than to discuss our predictions for Queen Quinn, reviler of broccoli and buster of balls?

Few spiders have entangled more unsuspecting players than Quinn, but as she herself stated, those damn legs were always getting stepped on. Therefore, in episode 10, we see Quinn sporting an appropriately edgy succubus costume and goddamn if she didn't look good! Unsurprisingly, she doesn't get AS MUCH content as the MGs, but I'll highlight a few before ending with my prediction.

In episode 9 on the Others Branch players a treated to a few different pre-party interactions with several girls via text. Quinn is absolutely beaming while texting MC. This is another of a host of indications that Quinn is developing some very strong and, perhaps in Quinn's case new feelings involving MC. During this interaction MC is also given the choice to attempt to be exclusive to Quinn during the Halloween party. At the end of the night it's brought back up, at least if MC fails.

Quinn and Arieth have one of the funnier scenes in the series when Arieth's pregnancy is revealed. It's hilarious because I remember theories before episode 9 released that perhaps Arieth is some mastermind orchestrating feuds and alliances at B&R. Nope, she's just as clueless as presented it seems.

After MC's run in with Vinny in the library and Quinn and Tommy have a chat, Quinn asks MC about his fighting proficiency and vaguely invites MC downtown with her. MC seemed to think he was being asked on a date. He might be in for quite the surprise. Quinn and MC end the night together in Quinn's "Lair". They share a tender moment in bed afterwards but by morning Quinn's quills are back on full display.

Episode 10 could prove to be an absolutely critical moment for Quinn and MC. I hate to say it but I don't see a lot of scenarios where MC doesn't at least seriously reconsider his relationship with Quinn if he discovers the depths of her underworld dealings. MC is a badass with otherworldly abilities of attraction, but he's also a teenager who almost threw up at the sight of a gun.

Because of this, I predict that Quinn and MC aren't going to a money drop off or similar activity but instead will actually have a fairly mundane date/hangout. I could see this scenario unfolding a couple of different ways. Maybe Quinn intends to have MC help her but Quinn picks up on MC's discomfort and bails. Maybe Quinn's question about fighting was tangential to the situation and Quinn just very awkwardly phrased a date invitation. Perhaps Quinn even has some friends outside of B&R she wants MC to meet. Just imagine, Quinn, MC and Buddy just chilling on a couch in a dark dingy drug den lol, jkjk.

What scenario do you think is going to play out involving Quinn and MC in episode 10?

I wrote and made renders and animations for the big free-roam event this week, and I have three scenes left that need art before I'm finished with the big things of it. After that, I can write code, test it, work on details, place special renders, add phone content, etc.

But I have also focused on other areas of the episode and have been writing other story scenes this week.

After these few weeks, working on something else for a while will feel good. I mainly wrote scenes for Isabella and Riona but also playtested parts of the episode.

I have posed 3657 renders so far, and next week I will start working on animations to beef up my render queue, which is now down to 13 animations.

Riona will get a cosmetic poll that starts tomorrow. Here is a teaser of the options. The winning option will be featured in episode 10.

Sign up as a DIK tier patron or above to participate.

Have a nice weekend!

Dr PinkCake

New week new predictions, this time featuring two girls who have the HOTs for each other.

Maya and Josy should arguably be broken up and have their own prediction posts. However, since many predictions may involve them becoming broken up, and predicting peoples predictions might break up, uh... the community... crap I lost it...

Anyways, where were we?

In episode 9 we saw Maya's most recent fiscal lifeline via the B&R scholarship scheme go up in flames. Guys, I think Stephen Burke might be a bad guy. We also witness continuing tension between Josy and Maya. Maya also resolves to join the HOTs (for like, the third time). Josy continued to be adorable, especially during the scene with Sage at the party when she gets insecure about her height. Another Josy standout is when she is freaks out while MC talks to her dad on the phone in the Moose. Maya also had some great moments like when she takes the initiative with MC and has a risqué rendezvous behind the photo curtain.

My most memorable scene for both girls in episode 9 however, sadly has to be from the breakup of the trouple (Only happens if you got on J&M path in episode 4 but choose another MG in episode 8). Josy is just as crushed as you might expect and MC also cracks when realizing just how bad she's hurting. Maya's reaction was also amazing, and perfect for her character. She actually comforts MC after and thanks him for the time they had together.

For episode 10, I think it's past due for Patrick Bailey (Maya's father) to show is fugly face and inject even more drama to the J&M situation. My theory is that he learns about Maya and Josy continuing relationship through rooster. Perhaps he sees them in the background of a picture, or maybe he runs into Josy when he goes to visit and see Maya. The second is going to be an especially likely case if/when Maya starts to stay at the HOT house.

Now, I want to see what YOU think is going to happen in episode 10 involving Josy, or Maya, or even Josy AND Maya.

Happy Friday!

I created the final mini-game for episode 10 this week, and it's almost completed. It's simple, fun, and different from most mini-games so far. I hope you will enjoy it. It required me to do more art than usual for a mini-game.

I've made 180+ renders for it and will need a bit more for the beginning and end to mesh it with the story. Here is a preview of it.

The good thing about episode 10 development regarding mini-games is that the backbone for the rest of Season 3, and bits of Season 4, is now finished. I can build upon everything I've created from this point instead of doing a lot from scratch in each episode.

I'm now continuing my work on the free-roam event. Next week will be all about static renders.

Have a nice weekend

Dr PinkCake