The final episode of Spork is now publicly released!
I started working on Spork in late May of 2015, and didn't think I'd get this far. I had no experience with any part of game-making, and expected to give up within a month.
I made the original (now deleted) development topic for Spork when I was still working on it a few months later and had finished mapping for episode 1. I was having fun, but I still had some thoughts sometimes that making a topic for it was digging myself a grave, because I still wasn't 100% sure I'd be able to release an episode. Mapping is just one part of development, and the only one I'd made significant progress in.
Episode 1 did eventually happen. It was later than intended (originally I planned for October-November 2015), and it was a trainwreck: there were a lot of bugs that I didn't find during development or testing, some of them game-breaking. Because I can't do art due to lack of motor coordination etc., the sprites were just recolors. The maps had a lot of problems as well, some of which I've improved in and some of which still need improvement: there was a lot of empty space in houses; trees, rocks, and other parts of nature were uniform; and maps were too big in general.
A few weeks after the release of episode 1 is when Palletite PM'd me offering sprite assistance. I was really amazed with her sprites and honored that she was willing to devote the time and care into making them for Spork. Palletite has continued to do sprites for Spork from the first episode to the last, and recently with help from her sister Punkeev/Steffi as well. I consider their sprites to be the highest quality aspect of Spork, and the game is so much better because of them. Palletite was actually the main motivational factor for me to continue working on Spork. When I first released episode 1 I was embarrassed at all the glitches, map errors, etc. and thought that people wouldn't enjoy it. But after Palletite started updating the sprites, I wanted to honor her work by continuing to make the game so that the work she put into them would be worth it. Palletite and Punkeev/Steffi have not only helped out with sprites but have been inspirations to me personally too, and I'm very happy I was able to get to meet them through Spork.
In addition to Palletite and Punkeev/Steffi, I'd also like to once more thank Kirbie, Yoru91, cybershell12, Solviera, and Candy for their contributions.
Kirbie: you gave feedback on my ideas and brought up ideas of your own a lot. I mentioned your idea about the Articuno/Team Portal encounter at Norall Mountain before in the thread along with a conversation we had 4 years ago being the reason I made every non-legend available as a starter, but I forgot to mention you're also the reason for:
-1.6 map revamp episode. You not only encouraged me to improve on the maps but gave your own suggestions.
-Singing career. Although you didn't suggest it directly, it was inspired when you used it as an example to distinguish between detailed ideas and ideas with no depth/purpose.
You also encouraged me to download Essentials in the first place despite my lack of confidence.
A lot of other the scenes, features, and details in the game were suggestions you made too.
We don't get to talk often nowadays due to issues in your life and sometimes Internet, but I hope you're doing well.
Yoru91: when I read your first message (both the title and the content) it made me smile that you enjoyed Spork so much and had detailed backstories for your player characters. The fanart you've done is also amazing, and you've helped out a lot with testing as well. I didn't know back when you first messaged me that we'd still be talking today, and I'm glad we are.
cybershell12: even if the French translation had to be cancelled due to unfortunate things that happened causing you to lose data multiple times, I still appreciate that you were willing to do that. I also appreciate your revamps of the badges; they all look really nice and you put a lot of thought into making each one match with the concept and the Gym Leaders.
Solviera: I really love the Mega Ampharos sprites you gave me as early birthday presents. After I saw them I thought they'd be perfect for DJ UB and Delicia, and they also fixed the issue of Delicia being the only rival not to get a mega. Although you asked not to give you credit because it was my own decision to include them in Spork, you still deserve credit. It was very nice of you to make them; you're the first person I've met online that gave me birthday presents and they made me happy.
Candy: thank you for Delicia's backsprite in Delicia's Delicious Dreamland. Even though you said you're not a spriter, I think it came out well and was definitely better than the version I posted when asking for feedback. Delicia's backsprite was the most challenging part of making Delicia's Delicious Dreamland due to previously mentioned lack of ability to do art well, and I'm thankful that you decided to make a better version after seeing the one I originally did.
I would also like to thank everyone again who participated in the video appreciation project for Palletite, everyone who helped out with testing, everyone who plays the game, and everyone who's posted feedback and support in the thread.
There were times when I experienced burnout while working on Spork, especially during the end of episode 3. I got from the 9th gym battle to the 10th gym battle in 2 days, and afterwards my arms hurt for a while. Plus a few other instances later where I'd recovered physically but wasn't in the mental state to work on it. Overall though, I'm happy that I was able to see the game through to its end, especially since it was something I thought I wouldn't be able to do. I'm happy that I was able to meet some amazing friends along the way who helped out. I'm happy at all the feedback I've received from the thread. I hope I didn't forget to mention anything or thank anyone ^^; and I hope you enjoy the full game.