But when I started actually writing it out, I found that the results of these choices actually had pretty profound effects even after you’ve “had a while to catch your breath.” So I’ve ended up STILL having six paths going into this segment. Now, in the next segment, the plan is more or less “do it again, but with, you know, different stuff and what you did before still matters.” Originally I’d intended to draw it back to three branches here and include a few strong mentions of how the outcome of your previous choice has had an effect on you, and maybe changes how you perceive the next choice. From these three branches, each then extends to two branches based on a decision you make, which then play out until that segment ends. The current stone door content starts off with three main “branches,” or possible paths you can take, each written out completely separate from the others, dependent on your collar, which indicates the rough nature of your relationship with Lith.

So uh, if you don’t want to find out how lame and straightforward the next big chunk of the game is gonna be, turn back now!

The following is a discussion of some of the design choices behind MVOL, including HUGE SPOILERS that have virtually nothing to do with the plot and just kinda spoil how the gameplay is gonna work out in that it will actually be kinda predictable. Exactly how much of what’s planned to come next will make it in before the big new deadline I’ve set for myself remains to be seen, but tackling the upcoming content with a more sincere and focused attitude toward actually “completing” this portion of the plot has brought me face-to-face with an odd conundrum. So the plan for v0.16 is to focus on the next big chunk of content for the stone door.

My very own lith guide