Current Situation, Updates and the Future of HTH
Added 2017-10-17 02:24:21 +0000 UTC
Here's what's going on, Flash as many have seen or heard of is on it's way out, browsers are pulling back support and it's getting harder and harder for people to access HTH on our website. For the past couple of years, Crow has been working on a Unity build in the event that Flash would become obsolete. Over the past few months that work has increased as it has become very clear that the Unity build is where we need to be. So what does this mean for HTH?
To start, we are pulling back updates in an attempt to focus solely on Unity, the reason is, every update made in Flash has to be converted to Unity, additionally, Flash has been extremely unstable making it hard to work with, causing delays in completing updates, and problems when they go live as seen by the recent Rose update where many parts of it don't appear.
That means there will be no Flash updates for October other than Anne's shower scene which is in the final stages. There have been problems getting everything to trigger and show up, but the Alpha teams have been super helpful in getting those problems worked out. Instead we will work on launching the Unity build this month and begin converting existing scenes over to Unity.
The plan is by November we will start offering updates exclusively in Unity and will be available as a download.
So how does this work for Gold and Free Members?
The flash version of HTH will remain up and online for as long as it continues to function. When the Unity version becomes publicly available there will be an option at the start of the game to either play the flash version or download the Unity version. Gold members will get the Unity build in November, Free members will get a Unity version at or around January 2018. The focus of updates will be converting existing Flash scenes to Unity until all scenes are converted.
Thank you everyone for your interest and continued support!
Comments
As much as it saddens me to see what was the impetus behind so many game devs on its way out, there is no denying that Flash has become nearly obsolete. Hopefully with the change over to Unity the game will be able to be updated faster and without as many game breaking bugs (rip the Villa).
J. L. Schultz
2017-10-25 02:10:35 +0000 UTCI like how you guys have been taking the initiative for some time now, Having a backup plan for flash's demise. I'll look forward to/continue supporting the future of this project.
RagnaBlade
2017-10-18 15:46:31 +0000 UTCI agree with the derision to focus more on getting the HTH Unity build up and running before Flash goes the way of the dodo. I am really looking forward to see how you implemented it.
RicanWolf
2017-10-18 05:51:14 +0000 UTCYes, you'll still have to log into your account to gain access to downloads and patches. Other than having to download patches it will work like a desktop version.
HTH Studios
2017-10-18 02:26:15 +0000 UTCso y'all will still be able to make money off subs with the unity build right? Other than having to download it it'll work like the browser version?
Kodicus Maximus
2017-10-17 19:56:28 +0000 UTCLogging into the Unity version will be just like logging into the website. Your site credentials will carry over. As for Development and performance, moving away from Flash ensures that we can keep developing the game and performance is alway one of the priorities, so i'm aiming to improve in any ways possible..
HTH Studios
2017-10-17 11:11:17 +0000 UTCNo, we have a patch system so only new data or overwritten data needs to be downloaded
HTH Studios
2017-10-17 11:08:19 +0000 UTCYep, Right on the money! That is effectively the plan for both issues in question. Users will be able to login with their site credentials and a patcher is already being worked on and tested.
HTH Studios
2017-10-17 11:07:34 +0000 UTCUnderstandable guys. Good luck in getting the Unity build sorted. My advice to you to handle the Unity build in regards to update is to create a database linked with the HTH site. Requiring you to log in to the Unity build and have a patcher built so you can automatically have new updates downloaded into the Unity build without needing to download anew each time saving bandwidth for both parties. And with a login check linked to the HTH site the patcher can see if you are a gold or free member and download updates accordingly.
Ashbash
2017-10-17 09:38:28 +0000 UTCif we download the unity version and you update, does that mean we have to delete and redownload?
2017-10-17 09:00:40 +0000 UTCFirst very nice front pic. Rio is especially good looking in Unity. I'm glad she got the first treatment. It's amazing how this is going to look once everything is moved over. As for the future updates for October, I guess if they're not going to work, I guess it's best to get the Unity version ready. I certainly can't wait to play the Unity version; I just hope my laptop can handle it. The shower scene sounds good since hopefully in the future some of my favs will get a shower scene. Luckily I don't have to wait long for it and I look forward to seeing this. Good luck.
Colord44
2017-10-17 05:17:34 +0000 UTCThats great, really man))))
2017-10-17 02:30:48 +0000 UTCI'm just glad you guys are dedicating yourselves to the future of the game! How are you going to handle the download though? If the game will be hosted client side instead of server side as it is now, what will change in terms of logging in? What will change with the Unity build in terms of future development and performance? There's probably more questions that need be asked but that's all that comes to mind right now.
McSpazz
2017-10-17 02:29:46 +0000 UTC
