#it might be possible to change the sprites but if you wanted full functionality (different expressions n stuff)... it'll be difficult

[donuts4evry1]

Mmmmodding hard

[herotome]

Devlog #45

Tadah, here's a screencap of Griffin I made for a thing on twitter. :)

I've been dragging my feet on sprite/CG expression work, but I'm sure I'll get around to it soon... Weird how I can care so intimately about having expressive characters, yet dread the prospect of drawing it all myself!

On the narrative front, I'm at the point where I'm about halfway done with Dart's scene, and I'm just kinda figuring out what else to add before fully moving onto Jade. I hit this exact same point while drafting Griffin and Warden, so it's certainly part of the process by this point. e_e

I alsooo didddd go back and flesh out some content to Griffin's scene - most notably adding the option to "Give Griffin a rad high-five" and to ask about his relationship to another character in the worst way humanly possible:

"Are you boning?"

In other news, I spent a full day working on the game's GUI:

Starting with research on how AAA games create intuitive buttons/navigation menus. Most notably I've saved screencaps from this fantastic article comparing Doom and Dishonored. Some of yall may know that I do not have any education in UI/UX design, so I'm doing my best to study independently.

I put in some insensitive button states into the save screen.

Added a small a highlight border and glow to existing navigation buttons (seen here on the main menu button), to bring more attention to hovered states:

I FINALLYYYY implemented that text change option and can now freely switch between OpenDyslexic and OpenSans. Took several tries and crashes... bc I didn't put "-Regular" after the names.....

Adjusted the height of the choice buttons HOPEFULLY for the final time.

I linked the Options and Save menu screens together, so you can flip quickly between the two. This, combined with the new hover button highlights, combined with me deciding to rename half the buttons... meant I had to remake a lot of buttons... @_@ Probably would've been avoidable if I did things differently, but I survived.

I removed the player name/avatar from the title screen's options menu. The title screen exists independently of the player's playthroughs, which means the name/avatar will come up as "default" every time -- could confuse someone into thinking their data is corrupted or deleted. So, player name/avatar will now only appear when accessing options in-game.

Finally, in a strange bout of success-fueled inspiration, I made a functional mock-up for the logbook! The spacing isn't perfect, but it works. :o Scrolls smoothly and everything.

And since I've alluded to it so much, here's what the Options screen looks like right now:

Almost done. Mainly I'll want to switch out the default pink renpy bars, add in the icons Alice made, and work on designing the on/off buttons to be more intuitive/cool/animated. The functionality and formatting is all there, sans finishing touches.

(... Okay no I lied bc I haven't quite coded in the "hide CGs" button yet, but I will, I will. 😂 That's the ONLY button that is just for show rn - I gotta figure out how the function will work with an eventual CG album, make sure those wires don't get crossed.)

Pffahh... okay that's enough. I might have done some other stuff but this is long enough as is. Since this update is delayed by a couple of days, I'm not sure if I wanna do next week's update on Tuesday as usual, or also delay that to give myself a full week... Ah well, we'll see!

I hope you’re all staying safe and keeping warm.

Much love,

Wudge.

PS personal note, I'm gonna try to update my language to use "need" less often - less "I need to [do XYZ]," more "I want to [do XYZ]," etc etc. Should be beneficial for my mental health.

[bnha-scenarios]

Okay, so, first thing first. The second half of September and the whole October has been a wild ride.

Apparently this game blew up on TikTok (and probably some other platform or something?), and now I could see that there are tons of you who downloaded the game. That's just... so... unreal, at least to me. I didn't think this project would get so much attention. Even now, I’m still waiting to wake up from this dream 🙃

Anyway, if you’re new here: welcome! Sit back and relax, ‘cause this is gonna be a long ride!

I want to take this opportunity to say that due to the amount of comments, especially on itch.io page and my Tumblr, I won’t be always replying personally one by one to everyone anymore. I'll still try my best to answer questions and all, but I think by now everyone's common questions should already be answered in the FAQ page. So, moving forward, questions I have already answered inside that page will be ignored.

Still, I want you to know that I do read and treasure every single one of your comments. Thank you so much for your encouraging words, support, and suggestions! I'm sorry I can’t reply to those writing in languages other than English and Indonesian. While I can throw simple comments into Google Translate, every now and then the translator butchers long sentences and gives me garbled translation which I can't understand 😥

  ☕️ Special Thanks ☕️ 

I'd like to also take this chance to say, many, many thanks for the coffee, you all amazing, generous people:

M.L. | Dominique | Genki | Sara | 1 Anon

Even in this hard time, you’re all so kind. Again, I can’t really do much, but as my way of thanking you, your names will be put under Special Thanks in the game ♡ 

Alright, now, to the real essence of this post: progress update.

My work had been pretty demanding nearing the end of this month, and it made me get really sick of doing coding in general. Still, there is some progress on the game, and that’s good enough for me!

More details below ↓

Character Sheet: You / Player / Main Character

Before I get to anything else, let’s talk about ‘you’ first, shall we?

Although the main character's name is changeable, if you don’t wish to pick a name for them, ‘Suzuki Kaede’ is set as the default name.

Why Suzuki? I figured I would just take from one of the most common Japanese surnames.

Why Kaede? I chose it because I wanted a common Japanese unisex name, because the main character themselves is supposed to be gender neutral. So, the name came up as one of the results in Google, it has a somewhat nice and neutral meaning (maple), and I find that it sounds pretty nice, I decided to use it.

To reiterate, throughout the game, I try my best to not mention any physical characteristics and avoid elements which leans heavily to a specific gender in the story. All the characters in the game will also call you with your last name, and only neutral suffix (-san) is used at first. But you could get an event where you would be able to pick how the love interest will call the player, starting from that point in the story (on top of neutral options, there will be choices with gender-specific suffixes which you could pick if you want to). Other than that, all characters will always refer to the MC as ‘they/them’.

Now, moving on to the thing which people has asked about -- the player's Quirk. Here's a text version in case you couldn't see it in the image above for some reason:

What happens when a woman with Enhanced Learning quirk and a man with Camera Vision procreates? A child with exemplary learning ability and a pair of exceptionally observant eyes, apparently! The hereditary Vision you got from your father enables you to focus or scan an object or landscapes. With all the cues and information from your eyes, it seems that you're able to analyze and 'see' particular details of your object of interest in the form of numerical data. Due to the mainly passive nature of your quirk, you have to rely on the traditional weapons for offense, which might not be useful at all depending on your opponent's quirk. It's a plain and nonoffensive ability which isn’t so suited for a hero according to most people, but whatever - you’ll show those noobs the power of a gamer!

In other words, the information in 'Stats',  ' Weapon Proficiency', 'Special Moves', and even the 'Affection' meter, are actually part of the MC's Quirk. This also means, the more you hone your Quirk, the more it could affect your gameplay. I'll talk about that on the Gameplay section below.

There is one thing that’s kind of related to the MC's Quirk and I wanted to clarify. Bakugou did call you this in the demo, and yep, you might have guessed it: “crosshair eyes”. Reticle, crosshair, whatever you want to call it -- it’s that symbol you usually see in the center of your screen whenever you play FPS games. This is the only physical feature of the player's character that I specified (and yes, canonically, Hatsume has a pair of similar looking eyes in the original work). In relation to this, the icon for ‘activating’ your Quirk matches the same symbol.

Gameplay

Introducing: Stats, Special Moves, and Video Games!

Stats

There are 5 basic Stats for all of the characters in the game (brownie points if you recognize where they're taken from!): Speed, Technique, Power, Intelligence, Cooperativeness.

Your own Stats start off low, but you will be able to increase it by doing various activities, such as studying, playing games, winning on Heroics lessons, going to certain places, etc. Different activities raises different Stat, and you're free to choose which particular Stat you want to develop.

What are Stats being used for?

Certain Stat will increase a certain character’s affection, though it won’t be as much as if you hang out with that character.

There are certain places which you can only unlock when a specific Stat reaches a certain point. I’ll talk about hang out places and characters’ schedules in another post.

Weekly one-on-one training matches in Heroics lessons will test a specific Stat or Special Moves each time. Depending on who you chose to become your opponent, that specific Stat will determine the outcome of that match. On one hand, winning these matches can increase your Stat, but on the other hand, there are also special events you could possibly unlock when you lose. Again, I’ll probably talk more in detail about this in another post, since I still don't have the coding part down, so things might change.

Special Moves

Every hero has a Special Move in this universe, and so does the player’s character! While they might not be as flashy as All Might’s iconic United States of Smash, some of your Special Moves will have a direct effect on the gameplay. For example, a certain Special Move could unlock more answer choices for certain scenarios. Another Special Move could be activated to give you hints on how many affection points will be added to a character for the available choices.

You have a total of 5 unlockable Special Moves, and it will be up to you to use this feature: do you spend your time trying to unlock all of it in hope to make your gameplay easier, or ignore them completely in favor of balancing your Stats while pursuing the affection of your chosen love interest? It’s your choice!

(More brownie points for you if you got the reference in that picture lol)

Another use for Special Moves would be in the Heroics lessons, seeing as it might test how your Special Move fares against the opponent you picked.

Video Games

I would say that this particular element plays quite a big role in this game, since the MC learns and develops themselves by playing games. While you do have a set of games which you’ve owned, you’re able to purchase new games from the Video Game store. I would recommend doing this, as there are some neat ones which will help you greatly in your playthrough. But if you're not interested to explore them, that's fine too!

Each video game has a different effect, and it’s up to you to discover them! Or, perhaps, you could unlock a Special Move that allows you to know what effect each of the game has? 😉

What are Video Games being used for?

Most games will only increase specific Stat(s), but there are also others that can unlock Special Moves.

There is one game which helps you to unlock Stats or Special Moves of your classmates, which you can use in the Heroics lesson to pick a suitable opponent based on your current Stats.

In addition to all that, there are 2P games which require more than one person to play, and you could play them with your romance target when they’re available. On top of building your Cooperativeness, choosing the right answers during the gaming session will increase that character's affection.

Others

The basic functions behind some activities like studying, buying video games, and playing video games are done. I will probably move on to code the functions handling the Heroics lesson’s battles and the behind-the-scenes of when the player chooses to go to certain places.

I've also finished the two main custom screens, which is the Quirk and Games page. If I have time and the motivation, I'm guessing I'll be adding the two other additional screens I had thought of doing. We'll see.

Assets

This part is my nightmare, because I’m a perfectionist who’s far too picky when gathering resources…

But no assets = no game, so I did find several assets which I did like. This includes backgrounds, audios, background musics, and some sprites I was planning to use for developing the phone call function. I’m not going to list down all the things I found here, because I don’t think any of you would be interested in a long-ass list, but here’s an amazing background picture which I stumbled upon searching the dark abyss that is the internet:

Full credits to the artist: https://arsenixc.artstation.com/

Writing

I would have to say there isn't too much progress on this side yet, but I did decide on some story elements I want to insert into the game and scripted in a few scenes for the first day. I also managed to code in the dialogs for some common activities / places, like the video game store and a small part of school lunch time.

Honestly, I should probably create a sheet to identify how many scenes I would have to write? So all of us know the progress for this part of the development? ..... Let's see how it goes when my OCD flares up...

Disclaimers

All assets included in the devlogs are not mine, and credits to the asset owners / websites will be included in the game! My Hero Academia / Boku no Hero Academia ⓒ Horikoshi Kouhei

[thelinenhouse-blog]

Kitchen Accessories, Bed Sheets And Sofa Covers Updating Your Style

Kitchen Accessories and Their Uses 

A kitchen can be defined as a room or a part of a room that is used for food preparation or cooking. A modern kitchen is equipped with a sink, stove, refrigerator, and various modular designs as well. Many of the households also have a dishwasher, oven and various other electrical appliances. All these accessories and appliances are essential for the proper functioning of a kitchen.

Without these accessories, it will become completely impossible for you to cook in an organized manner. Apart from cooking, the kitchen is also used for the purpose of laundry, dishwashing, food storage, and entertainment and dining. Such activities also require the necessary appliances and accessories.

These kitchen accessories are basically used for the purpose of straining, prepping, measuring, timing and many more. Some examples of popular kitchen accessories are seasoning sticks, plastic wrap dispenser, slicers, knives, scissors, bowls, plates, glasses, spatulas, and spoons. All these accessories are extremely essential and must be put to very good use.

 Without these accessories, it is not possible to cook in an organized and comfortable manner. The demand for these kitchen accessories has been complemented by the ease in the availability of all these accessories. It will not be difficult for you to purchase these accessories because of their high rate of availability. You can purchase them from the physical retail stores as well as the online selling websites or e-commerce websites.

If you have a modern kitchen, these kitchen accessories will automatically become an integral part of your kitchen. You will not have to worry about their existence or availability. These days the kitchen has become something that is an integral part of any household. You must ensure that you are purchasing the best quality kitchen accessories in order to acquire the best services and facilities. 

Your experience of cooking in your kitchen will become a memorable one and cooking will become a pleasure in no time. You will be cooking for fun which means that you will not have to worry about the services that you can acquire in the process. Always ensure that the accessories you purchase to suit your requirements and needs. Otherwise, there is no point in purchasing these accessories.

There might be times when certain accessories are not useful at all. For example, you might not be requiring any gloves in your kitchen because you never cook. Thus you must purchase the accessories that are completely essential only.

Bedsheets For Your Bed At Home

As you sleep at night, you always want to be hugged or comforted by cuddly pillows and soft beddings. Sleep is such an important aspect of life as it helps in repairing the damaged tissues that happen in the daytime. Sleep can control your mood and can surely affect your mental capacities. As much as possible, you need to be able to sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. To do it, you have to be comfortable on your bed. 

You can only become comfortable on the bed if you have the best bed sheets engulfing you as you lie down in bed. In buying the best sheets, you have to be guided well. There are some factors that you need to instill in your mind in order for you to get only the best sheets for the bed at home.

SIZE

The first thing that you need to look into is the size of the sheets that you will buy. To determine it, you have to measure how big is your mattress at home. There are varied sizes of a mattress like king and queen. Measure your bed and compare this on the available sheets in the market.

QUALITY

It is very important that you will only buy the best quality mattress for your bed so that you will be at ease as you sleep at night. It will also ensure that the bedsheets can last for a long period of time since wear and tear will be delayed by the good materials used for the sheets. To ensure that you get a good quality one, you have to take a look at the thread count of the sheets. The higher the thread count, the better is the quality. As you look for the sheets, it will be good if you can have those that have at least 300 thread count.

MATERIALS

As much as possible, you have to determine what materials are used in making the sheets that you will buy. There are people who are quite sensitive to some cloths so you have to read the label of the sheets. One of the most widely used is cotton sheets. Cotton sheets are of good quality and are commonly hypoallergenic. If you want to buy one, you may look for sheets made of Egyptian cotton to ensure luxury in bed.

SOURCE AND FUNDS

It is very important that you will be able to visit various stores around you to look for the best bed sheets. What you can also do is to look for online sites that also sell sheets. you can be buying the best bed sheets online. One thing that you must never forget is to set the budget that you will spend. This way, you will have control over your expenses. 

Kids Bedding Sets For Both Comfort And Style

The contemporary kids bedding sets are a mix of style and comfort. These sets contain all the essential bedding items that would provide your kid with maximum comfort. These are available in a myriad of colors and prints that can suit almost any home decor. You will mostly find them in quality materials that feel good on the skin of your kids.

Going for quality materials will ensure that you get durability along with versatility. Cheaper ones do not last for long and you will have to change then often which will certainly increase your expenses. The modern bedding sets, especially those for your children are not only available in a variety of colors bit with an interesting print like sayings, rhymes, and pictures of different characters.

Other than the cars and funny looking zoo animals, the modern twists in design have taken into account the famous cartoon and fictitious characters. Children just love the idea of flaunting the images of their favorite superheroes all over their rooms. The designs that you choose should suit the age and sex of your child.

For boys, the most suitable options can be cars or their favorite characters whereas if it is a girl then fairies or nice floral prints are all you need. For toddlers, go for bedding sets that are cute and colorful. The material will definitely be in accordance with the collection you choose; it can be summer bedding, winter bedding or something that is lightweight, easy to maintain.

Sets can also vary depending on the components. The items that almost all the sets contain are pillow slips, quilt covers, and fitted sheets. For the main sheet, neutral shades can be used and the dash of color can be applied by using the pillow covers and quilt covers. Take your child along with you while shopping for kids' bedding sets. This will make them interested in the accessories and they will take care of these items like their toys.

Kids Bedding Can Change the Room

Kids' bedding has to be strong and durable, fun and playful, and (this part is important) are affordable. That may seem like a pretty tall order when you're just trying to find something that will keep your children warm on a chilly night. But you have to ask yourself: is that all it really is? Or is it worth taking the time to turn simple blankets and pillows into something more? The simple fact is that some interesting and unique kids bedsheets can change the entire feel of the room and make it a place your children will always enjoy.

You can find kids bedding that can complement any theme, whether it's sports, superheroes, or spritely fairies. If you have children that are fascinated with trucks or ponies or anything else, there's a good chance you can find the bedding that will make them smile. But remember: you don't have to limit yourself to the set that fits with the rest of the room. In fact, if you find a set that your child just loves, the rest of the room will take care of itself and develop around it.

First of all, are you looking for a full set of bedding, or do you only require one or two pieces? You can get themed kids bedding that includes quilts, duvets, sheets, pillows, and even curtains. Will one set be enough, or, if you mix and match, will two sets of bedding allow you to make things really interesting? Of course, not everyone can afford multiple sets of bedding for their children. 

The Internet, though, has become a great place to go for some incredible deals on a wide variety of items. With just a couple clicks of the mouse, a person can go from retailer to retailer until they find the best price on the bedding that they want. The next thing to consider is the material that goes into the bedding. Is it cotton or polyester? Which one feels more comfortable for your child?

After all, bedding isn't just about keeping them warm. It's about helping them sleep through the night, and if the material feels scratchy or uncomfortable, they (and probably you) are going to be in for a lot of restless nights. Just remember when you shop for new kids bedding that the most important thing isn't matching the décor of the bedroom but matching the personality of the child. When you can make the room reflect the child's personality, even if it's only a bit, then you can build a room your children will always think of fondly.

Sofa Covers: Updating Your Sofa in Style

Most of us oftentimes are getting tired to look at our sofa set with its worn-out covers and drab, dirty look. How we wish we could do something about changing the furniture into a new one but we are often short of the budget. You should know that you have a very practical option of changing the old, dirty, look on your sofa. Make use of the sofa covers for an affordable means of giving your couch a makeover minus the expensive cost of buying a new sofa set.

The trick is to buy a new designer cushion cover to give your couch that glows of a new set of furniture that gives the impression of being a new one. Covers for covers are a great option when you intend to bring a makeover on the look of your chairs or to redecorate your home furniture without adding a burden on your pocket. Buying quality sofa covers only requires minimal investment. They are more affordable and inexpensive as compared to buying a new set of a sofa for your room.

You can regain the new look of your sofa by looking for some decorative covers that can bring back the life and elegance of your couch. They are perfect in hiding the old look of the furniture along with the wear and tear its fabrics sustained over the years of prolonged use. This factor is one to consider when your sofa is likely to be used more often, you should consider buying sofa cushion covers that are durable and will likely last longer.

Always consider that the family always spends time with the sofa most of the time. The quality of the furniture set you will buy is an ultimate consideration if you want to make a worthy investment and to offer your family the best comfort they deserve. A sofa set can be expensive and in order to protect your investment, you can make use of sofa cushion covers in order to protect the original cover of your couch. Cushion covers are washable easily. They are not hard to maintain and it keeps the furniture clean.

You can also enjoy a versatile look of your couch as you can change the cushion covers as often as you like. This will give you the impression of having a different seat quite often because you can keep changing how the furniture will look. Cushion covers are available in different shades, designs, styles, and sizes making shopping more fun with the many options that you can enjoy when buying them. you can easily be buying the best sofa covers online through the internet.

https://thelinenhouse.pk/

[myfriendpokey]

50 Short Years!

This January makes a full 5 years since releasing 50 Short Games!

I admit, it is weird to think about.

In general I don’t have very strong feelings about anything I’ve worked on, since anything like that has usually burnt itself out somewhere in the process of making the thing.

But it feels a little startling that this particular game came out 5 years ago, because in many ways I feel like I’m still working somewhere in it’s orbit – it still feels “close” to me in terms of, I guess, setting up the way I’ve been thinking about and working on these things ever since then. I still feel like I’m working out some of the stuff that came up in its production.. compare to older games which can feel like they were made by different, mercifully forgotten, people.

The game is temporarily discounted on itch down to just $1, until valentine’s day - good for friends, good for lovers.

When this first came out, I included a big note file of the processes and ideas and etc that went into it. I have posted that to my website for free to mark this little anniversary. But since a decent bit of time has passed since those impressions, and since I don’t feel like refreshing them, I thought it might be interesting to try writing up a sort of “afterlife” of this game, specifically the ways it sort of covertly turned out to influence what I did for the 5 years after it, as well.

Here are my notes seperated by theme.

- colour - mice - pacing - work / life - gameplay - theme - writing - distribution

- COLOUR: this is a strange one. 50SG felt like the first time I was really aware of / interested in trying to add “colour” as an element I could play with within my games, trying to add it to the lego set along with “rocks” and “little guys”. More colours, interesting colours, colour combinations, games which would be colourful as images. Because I’ve never actually been a very visual person (surprise surprise ha ha ha) and even when I draw, or sculpt, I tend to focus on lines and omit colour as much as possible... When I was a kid I disliked any kind of colouring or painting, as opposed to scribbling, but just before 50SG I’d been working on an uncompleted game with painted textures, and enjoyed it enough to want to explore the effects more.

The reason I call this a strange one is that, mostly - - I failed!!! I feel very aware now of how much of this game is just scratchy line drawings, how little colours are actually used once I'd worked out which ones I preferred working with from the set. I did try to change things up over the course of the series and some games (specifically the Mogey ones) tried to use flat colour or colour patterns more. But when I think about the game now the memories I mostly have are of essentially monochrome or mostly-monochrome drawings.

In fairness, some of this was technical too - I never had any kind of consistent way to light my pictures for when I was photographing them, and a lot of the time the bright markers came out muddy, which sort of discouraged me from trying to do anything specifically with colour effects. Strong lines are also a lot easier to chop up into discrete little game-shapes.

But I think this sense of missed opportunity - having this big bag of markers in all colours, all translucent lines, and not really using them - was specifically what made me spend the next few years trying to work with colour even more. Hence stuff like Mouse Corp, and certain entries in the Hardpack 11-in-1, and Magic Wand. I think I moved more towards pixel art again because it gave me a very quick way to play with colours, and swap them in and out, without having to worry about correctly photographing them first. And in fact my current game came about directly from trying to play more with ideas of translucent outline sprites on top of flat fields of colour – trying to combine colour with line in a looser way than just colouring stuff in.

I'd like to go back to playing with markers some time.

- MICE: I think this was the first time I used mice in my games. Previously the emblematic animal was the Dog – Murder Dog, Goblet Grotto dog... The dog is a "LAWFUL" animal, one which can be aimlessly malevolent on behalf of some higher system or master. The dog stands in for the implicit malignity of the game system as a whole. 

Meanwhile, mouse is the "UNLAWFUL" animal - they live in spaces they do not construct, and scavenge from what they find within, they are constrained by those spaces but also have something of an independent life within them. By this time, I had been working on a lot of games where the gameworld itself was sort of an ominous presence - Crime Zone, Goblet Grotto, Drill Killer etc - and I think the move from "dog" to "mouse" came about as a way to think about these spaces as just kind of indeterminate and abandoned instead of actively malign. Places which don't really notice your being there, which were constructed and then left for some unknowable purpose. I cannot say if this shift in thinking is good or bad.

- PACING: I forget whether I mention it in the notes - but the prototype for all the marker games was an earlier one-off called "Gold's Enigma", done with crayons and in Klik N Play. And that game felt like sort of a revelation because it was so quick to just add new areas to it, or copy and paste elements around, or switch from one game control system or mode of representation to another.  So you could have an extremely short, quick game that still contained enough of a shift to make you feel like you’d gone somewhere or like the view from one side of the game was different to the view from the other. I don’t know how consistently or successfully this was ever really done (the end of Happy Bird is my personal favourite version) but it did stick in my head, as an ideal to work towards. And I think something like the more longform Magic Wand was still sort of driven by a desire to try a “fuller” take on this same idea.

- WORK / LIFE: I don't remember exactly but I think this was my first time successfully trying to start a new, slightly longform project while also having a day job. With other games either they were short enough for me to just blow through in a concentrated rush or else enough pieces had already been laid down (eg  Goblet Grotto) that I could just brainlessly slam together any remaining levels in the  mornings before I went to work. Making games as a hobby isn't necessarily hard but figuring out how to do it consistently over long periods took me a long adjustment period. For the short games I ended up doodling ideas at lunch, coming home, eating dinner, and then around 7 or 8 I'd start chopping up my image sheets and putting them into the game. And hope to finish by 11 so I wouldn't be too wiped the next day. These days it's more like 8-10pm. Working in the early mornings can be good if you're very determinedly getting through some pre-assigned tasks but can be harder and more frustrating if you're trying to be more exploratory about things. I guess to the extent I’d draw any lesson from this it’d be, set aside a very specific time period for working on stuff but also try to have a process where “working on stuff” can involve a certain level of constructive busywork just so you don’t come home and have to immediately face a blank page? “Placing stuff around on a screen” is ultimately what absorbs me so working in a way that let me do that as quickly and aimlessly as possible helped a lot. Well, that’s my opinion.

- GAMEPLAY: I used the default 8-directional walk system in MMF2, and the default screen-follows-the-player function, so many times in the course of these games that I just burnt myself out on them entirely. They’re fine, but using them so many times over a brief period made me more and more conscious of them to the point where it could feel like I was just filling in the same template each time... I think part of why I shifted to Unity, even though it’s more of a hassle, is just to be able to escape that sense of a singular unchangeable “point of view”  and make things where moving or looking around would feel a bit looser and less set in stone. I hope this helps explain my gradual, doomed love affair with extremely idiosyncratic camera systems.

- THEME: Did any themes carry over to any of my post-50SG games? Maybe some but to me it’s less noticeable than seeing what was stripped out. Having a deadline and a very fixed scope did sort of push me more towards including “real world content” in whatever strange way – dreams, specific moments of the early morning or the night, events like work nights out, locations I knew... Compare that to the longer games I’ve done which all kind of take place in these dreamy, private fantasy dimensions. I enjoy that too, and it’s easier to do that when you’re making a game that’s just sort of endlessly adding to itself over time.. It’d be good to get back to working in a way which encouraged that material connection.

- WRITING: I think the notes file that came with 50SG was the first time I did any real writing about the process of making these things, or ideas and notes, etc. And now I can’t shut up!! Well, I did a similar writeup document for Magic Wand, and hope to do so with my current game eventually as well. I think writing that, and having people be encouraging about it, did help me become more interested in looking at and recording the state of my brain as it’s slowly rotted into goop from exposure to these terrible machines. Which is in itself not a bad reason to keep doing it. 

- DISTRIBUTION: This was my first commercial game and probably the biggest impact of that was in getting me to move away from PC-only tools. I'd planned a mac version of this game at some point, or specifically to do HTML versions and then use a workaround I'd read about to convert HTML files to Mac and Linux apps... but the HTML conversion sometimes led to strange bugs, and I never had a testing computer to see whether the actual ports would work, and the multiple layers of things that could go wrong (making a html export, to be put into a mac or linux wrapper, to be loaded from a Unity scene...) eventually made me slowly give up on this. I think of getting back to it but to be honest I have such limited energy and for the five months a year I don't just want to hibernate I'd rather keep working on new projects.... I am sorry.... Well, this was a big impetus to try moving to pure Unity and HTML which had more multiplatform support from the get-go. I don't know if I took any other commercial lessons from it! It sold around 500 copies, and talking to other people making weird scrappy narrative type games it sounded like they mostly also sold 500 copies, maybe to the same people or maybe just to each other. At this level of economic activity you can just do what you like.

So in conclusion 50 Short Games is a land of contrasts. It feels distant to me, I don't have any strong feelings about it anymore, but I also feel sort of like I'm still moving around in the terrain this game originally sketched out for me, and still kind of responding to it in either positive or negative forms. Thank you to anyone who bought it. I just put it on sale again to mark the five year anniversary, you can find it on itch.io, gamejolt or kartridge. Please buy several hundred copies and salt them around through hidden disc drives buried in a desert somewhere so that some day they can inspire some form of apocalypse cult.

In the year 2525 if man is still alive if woman, still survives they will find.....

- stephen 2019

[truekomaeda]

V3 Chapter 5 - Transcript

Right, first thing’s first; the transcript / guide to New Danganronpa V3′s chapter 5 trial. Every line of dialogue (Minus the rebuttal showdown and scrum debate, I couldn’t copy those aside from their solutions), with some descriptions of the images when I felt it necessary. Some liberties were taken, such as Ouma’s laugh, and changing all first names to last names. The puzzle solutions might be different if not on normal/normal mode. MAJOR SPOILER WARNING FOR NEW DANGANRONPA V3!!!

(Note - the Exisal’s lines are marked with whoever’s voice they’re using, followed by a question mark)

Chapter 5 Trial Transcript -

“Unified against the mastermind, Ouma, the students must survive a Class Trial without knowing the murderer or the victim. An unpredictable trial begins…”

Class Trial - In Session

Monokuma: Ahem! Now then, let’s begin with a basic explanation of the class trial! During the trial you'll present your arguments for who the culprit is, and vote for “whodunnit.” Vote correctly, and only the blackened will be punished. But if you pick the wrong person… I’ll punish everyone *besides* the blackened, and that person will grad-

K1B0: Graduation is meaningless here… we already know that… We don't need your rules anymore! We’ll find our own reasons to live! And we’ll do whatever it takes to survive!

Monokuma: Wow! An actual talking robot! I've never seen one of those before!

K1B0: Seriously?!

Harukawa: What happened to Kokichi? Why isn't he here?

Monokuma: Aw, don't make that face, killer. This case has some unique circumstances.

Yumeno: Unique circumstances?

Monokuma: Cuz for this murder, the victim’s identity is completely unknown! Given these circumstances… -camera flashes to Momota’s and then Ouma’s photos, each with a question mark drawn over- I decided to start off this class trial while the victim is still anonymous! After all, it’d be a shame if i let such a rare opportunity go to waste!

Shirogane: Is that possible? I thought everyone had to participate in the class trial.

Monokuma: don't worry. The person who’s still alive is waiting behind the scenes for their cue. It’s all part of the overall production. Anyway, let’s get this trial moving!

K1B0: I guess we have no choice but to start the trial under these conditions…

Yumeno: What’s there to even talk about? The blackened is the mastermind, Ouma.

Shirogane: Yeah, that’s the only thing i can think of, too.

Saihara: It’s too soon to decide anything for certain. We don't even know if Momota was the victim…

Harukawa: How long are you going to say that? The victim is Momota… end of discussion.

Saihara: But we need to be absolutely sure. If we don't positively identify the victim… -camera pan, same as previous- ...the other person will never show themselves, right?

K1B0: Before we can identify a suspect, we need to determine who the victim is.

Yumeno: why are we even talking about something so obvious? What a pain…

Harukawa: …

Saihara: (Everyone thinks that Momota is the victim, but i have my doubts… There’s a chance Momota is still alive… If we keep discussing the case, I'm sure we’ll see the truth!

NONSTOP DEBATE

Y- the victim has to be Momota.

S- Ouma took him prisoner... S- So he could’ve killed him whenever he wanted!

Yumeno- and it was his clothes inside the hydraulic press

H- the victim can’t be Ouma because there’s no evidence for it (Present) So the victim must be Momota.

Y- we lost a really good guy today... Y- Kazing! If only mages could cast revive spells…

Saihara- (there’s no evidence that allows us to confirm the victim or the survivor. It’s too early to declare who the victim is!)

(Present) - Ouma’s clothes

Saihara: I have evidence that points to Ouma being the victim! I found *this* in the hangar!

Yumeno: Nyeh! Is that Ouma’s coat!?

Saihara: yes. And look here-- there are bloodstains on the sleeve. That would indicate that Ouma suffered an external injury, correct?

Shirogane: Ouma was injured?

Saihara: the fact that these were flushed down the toilet implies they’re evidence of a crime.

Harukawa: what about it? Momota’s clothes were in the hydraulic press. As long as we have that evidence, there’s no doubt that Momota was the one murdered.

Yumeno: y-yeah, that’s right… it’s one of those irrefutable evidence thingies.

Saihara: … (Ever since she found the body in the hangar, Harukawa’s insisted that it’s Momota’s... -Flashback visual to the three training- But why is that? I thought we had an understanding… I thought… she’d want to believe Momota is still alive. Either way, it seems Harukawa is hung up on Momota’s clothes. In that case, I need to demonstrate the flaw in relying on that evidence. If i do that… i think she’ll realize. There’s a chance that Momota is alive.) Actually, there’s something bothering me about the clothes found in the hydraulic press.

Yumeno: Nyeh? What about them?

Saihara: (there’s something peculiar about those clothes...)

Choose - The sleeve of the jacket

Saihara: Why was only the sleeve sticking out of the hydraulic press? If Momota had been crushed by the press, the sleeve shouldn't have been empty… There should've been an arm inside the sleeve as well. So the fact that we found an empty sleeve should--

Rebuttal Showdown - Harukawa

Saihara: (Huh!?)

Harukawa: you're dumber than i thought if i have to go out of my way to explain it to you. If you can’t even see that, then be quiet. Otherwise, you're just annoying me.

Rebuttal Showdown -

He never put his arms through his sleeves. (PRESENT)

Present - Momota’s coat

Saihara: yes, it’s true, Momota never put his arm through his sleeve… -Normal Momota sprite- ...but that was just his right arm. He wore his left sleeve normally. -Hydraulic press photo- And the left sleeve was the one we found outside the press. Knowing how Momota wore his coat, that’s awfully strange, isn't it?

Harukawa: Then maybe neither of his arms were through the sleeves.

Saihara: huh?

Harukawa: it’s a possibility… in the end, your reasoning is full of holes. Stop getting in my way. I have to defeat Ouma.

Saihara: (Harukawa… what’s really going on? Seems you've made up your mind that Momota is definitely dead. But why would you do that?)

Shirogane: it’s like Harukawa said, though… Momota’s gotta be the victim. Cuz if Ouma, the mastermind, was dead, the killing game would be over.

Yumeno: yeah, that’s true.

Harukawa: Monokuma, hurry up and bring Ouma here. We already know who the victim is.

Monokuma: huh? Already? You sure it’s not too soon?

K1B0: we need the suspect present now that he’s the subject of our discussion

Monokuma: gotcha. I guess I'll bring him out now. Hey mister suspect! That’s your cue!

-Exisal enters court through opened door and jumps over-

Saihara: An Exisal!?

Yumeno: Wh-What!? Why is an exisal here!?

Momota?: Haha, whoops! My bad. Seems like i gave you guys a scare, huh?

Saihara: (...What is this?)

K1B0: is that… Momota’s voice!?

Harukawa: ...Momota?

Momota?: There was a lot going on, so i just hid in an Exisal and kinda dozed off. Haha, and that’s why I'm so late! Anyway, what’s goin’ on, guys?

Shirogane: H-Hold on. Then the one that died wasn't Momota--

Ouma?: Stuuupid! That was just a lie! Ah-haha, you guys thought i died!? I would never! Noooo way!

K1B0: O-Ouma!?

Ouma?: “I’m gonna live till I die! I'm gonna laugh ‘stead of cry!”

Yumeno: wow, that’s old! How old are you!?

Harukawa: I thought as much… your appearance right now is fit for a lowly asshole like you.

Ouma?: Nishishi… you're making me blush! You're getting so angry over me.

Saihara: … Is that really you, Ouma!?

Ouma?: That’s right, Cracker Jack!

Yumeno: Seriously, how old are you!?

Saihara: Then why are you hiding in there? Show yourself!

Ouma?: Oh, this is more for self-defense. Little Miss Crankypants would kill me if i showed myself.

Harukawa: …

Ouma?: I understand how you guys must feel. You can't believe it because I'm like this, right? Nishishi… that’s what i thought. In that case, I brought evidence!

K1B0: ...evidence?

Ouma?: tadaaa! The video camera! It was in the warehouse but i brought it to the hangar, just in case. Man, that was a smart move! Thanks to this, I filmed it so everyone could see it clearly. The moment the victim died…

Yumeno: Nyeh!? Wh-what did you say!?

Ouma?: alrighty then! Let’s watch this shocking moment! Heeey Monokuma! Can you connect the video camera to the monitor?

Monokuma: Roger that!

Saihara: (Monokuma grabbed the camera from the Exisal, hooked it up to the court room’s monitor… And played the tape for us.)

-Momota is shown laying motionless on the hydraulic press, and it lowers to crush him, splattering blood everywhere.-

Saihara: … ...Huh?

M-Momota!?

Shirogane: Th-this is terrible! Why would… something like this…?

Harukawa: …

Yumeno: I-I saw it through my fingers.... the moment… Momota was crushed… I'm… gonna… *huuurk*

Ouma?: by the way, I'd like to add that this footage has not been doctored in any way! This video camera only has the basic functions… Just the Play, Record, and Pause buttons, so you can't edit after filming it. And of course, I didn't upload it to a computer to edit it either. Riiiight, Monokuma?

Monokuma: …

Ouma?: oh, you can talk. Your answer is necessary for a fair discussion.

Monokuma: I see! If it's necessary for a fair discussion, then i will answer! No trace of that footage was found on any of the computers inside the academy!

Ouma?: see? If it wasn't connected to any computer, then editing the footage would be impossible. Which means, this footage is 100% real!

K1B0: If that’s the case… then it would seem our suspicions can be lifted. The body we found inside the hangar, crushed in the hydraulic press, is definitely Momota!

-Truth Bullet added: Murder Video-

Saihara: … (Was that…? Was that really him?)

Yumeno: Poor Momota… I can’t believe he died such a horrible death… I can't believe he died with his guts and his brains splattered all over that machine!

Shirogane: S-stop it… now I'm starting to not feel well…

Yumeno: That’s probably because i used my magic to transfer all my barf over to you.

Shirogane: I know that’s a joke, but the thought of it… *huuurp*

Saihara: (...why? Why was… Momota… killed? Ouma had no reason to kill Momota… He had just told us all that he was the mastermind, that the killing game was over. So what would he gain by killing Momota?)

Ouma?: Nishishi… it looks like you finally believe that I'm the one in this Exisal.

K1B0: Yes. With that, we can definitively say that the culprit is… ...you.

Ouma?: huh? Why?

K1B0: you filmed the moment the victim died, which means you were present at the scene… As the person who filmed this footage, you're the only one who could be the culprit!

Saihara: but if the culprit shot the video, why would they go outof their way to show it--

Ouma?: aw maaan, ya got me. Yeah, I'm the culprit.

Saihara: (...What?)

Ouma?: geez, i totally dug my own grave! Here’s the truth-- i decided to participate in this trial in an exisal after i killed Momota. Of course, it was mostly to make the victim unknown, to jazz up this trial! I took that footage for proof, so i could reveal it after you guys get the correct answer… But...ah-haha! I toootally spaced out! I wasn't supposed to show it right away!

Shirogane: so does that mean… you admit to the crime?

Ouma?: … Oh, man! I dug my own grave again!? Well, i don't think you guys will believe any of the excuses i make now… So...I give up!

Yumeno: you're giving up? Does… that mean it’s been decided?

Shirogane: is it okay that this trial was so short?

Harukawa: that’s fine. We knew from the very start that Ouma was the killer. But before we vote, I want to say something to Ouma… You may be the mastermind, but i won't let you escape after you violated the rules. That would desecrate the killing game Junko Enoshima created, right? ...Your beloved Junko Enoshima.

Ouma?: … Junko…?

Yumeno: Whatever! It’s Voting Time now! Let’s go before Ouma changes his--

Saihara: No, hold on a second! This isn't right! The culprit comes in, confesses to the crime, and the trial ends? That's not how this goes! That doesn't sound like the kind of game Ouma or Monokuma or Junko would play!

Shirogane: what if the mastermind got tired of it? The Remnants of Despair were like tha--

Saihara: no, if they were tired of it, they wouldn't have put all that effort into the video. There would have been no need for this class trial in the first place. Something’s not right. We need to get a better feel for the situation. I think… Ouma has some sort of plan. He’s trying to trap us.

Harukawa: Trap us? Are you saying Ouma isn't the culprit? Then, are you suggesting one of us is the culprit?

Saihara: (What?)

K1B0: If it’s not Ouma, then the culprit must be one of us…

Yumeno: one of us?

Shirogane: that’s not possible!

Saihara: No, i didn't say that! I was just saying it’s dangerous to trust Ouma--

Ouma?: Nishishi… Saihara is so distrusting… But it’s exaaactly like Saihara said! I'm actually nooot the culprit!

Saihara: (...Seriously?)

K1B0: wh-what? But that contradicts what you said previously.

Ouma?: Yuppers, that was a lie. Sorry! I lied again. The real culprit of this case is super bad at hiding themselves, so i thought i could help… I pretended to be the culprit by using the footage! It made the game more interesting, too!

Shirogane: A-are you serious?

Yumeno: Nyeeeh! What’s the truth and what’s a lie!? I don't know anymore!

Harukawa: it’s fine… because Ouma is the culprit. He killed Momota… no matter how much he deceives us, it won't change our minds. The footage shows he did it! Ouma has to be the only option!

Saihara: (The only option? Is that really true? Are we just going to leave it at that?)

NONSTOP DEBATE

H- There’s no doubt that Ouma is the culprit. H- We all saw that video from earlier, right?

Y- Momota got crushed to death. (Present) Y- What a horrible video.

K- Whoever committed that crime... K- Was in the hangar with Momota!

H- Which just leaves Ouma.

S- Then, the culprit is...

H- Kokichi Ouma, the mastermind of this killing game H- is Momota’s killer!

Saihara: (Ouma killed Momota with the hydraulic press. That's the consensus right now. But is that even possible?)

-Present: Safety Function-

Saihara: the safety function would make it impossible to kill Momota with the press!

Yumeno: a safety function?

K1B0: yes, it was written on the safety precautions. The hydraulic press will automatically stop if its infrared sensor detects a living organism.

Shirogane: so the hydraulic press won't move at all if there's a living person under it?

Saihara: which is why it couldn't have been used to kill Momota!

Harukawa: …

K1B0: which means, it’s more likely that Momota was crushed after being killed by some other means.

Yumeno: so what we saw in that video.... he was already dead by then?

Harukawa: but you could disable the infrared sensor of the safety function with an Electrobomb

Saihara: No, i don't think Ouma would use an Electrobomb for that purpose. It would’ve taken down the hangar’s alarm system and the Exisal’s remote control.

K1B0: it would’ve put Ouma at a significant disadvantage.

Ouma?: but you can't be too sure i wouldn't do that… I'm the type who would do anything for fun.

Harukawa: Also, we don't have any evidence of a different murder method other than the hydraulic pr--

Saihara: No, we do. I have a plausible theory for the murder.

Harukawa: what?

Saihara: (yes, there is a clue that suggests the victim was killed before being crushed. I found it somewhere around the hydraulic press…)

Select - Swipe pattern bloodstain

Saihara: there was a swipe pattern bloodstain in the hangar, suggesting a body was dragged. The bloodstain goes from the bathroom all the way to the press.

Shirogane: Oh! That was the restroom where Momota was being held, wasn't it!?

Saihara: Bloodstains were also found inside the bathroom. That can't be coincidence.

Yumeno: so Momota was killed in the restroom, then dragged to the press and crushed!?

Harukawa: ...If the bloodstain even was Momota’s.

Saihara: What?

Harukawa: We only guessed that Momota was killed in the bathroom… Since his body was crushed, we’ll never know if Momota died some other way.

Saihara: (We might not be able to examine the body, but… We do have evidence that suggests a cause of death.)

Point Out - hole on sleeve

Saihara: the small hole on the sleeve of Momota’s coat is the key to his cause of death.

Yumeno: s-small hole…? No, no, no! There is no way that hole’s got anything to do with a weapon! I'll hit you with my “Everything You Buy Will Go on Sale the Next Day” curse!

Shirogane: Yumeno, what's wrong? Why are you freaking out all of a sudden?

Yumeno: um… I'm not freaking out… I'm just saying… it's impossible for the weapon to be that small.

Saihara: (No… it’s not impossible. I can show you. The weapon that left that small hole in Momota’s sleeve…)

Select - Crossbow

Saihara: I believe the weapon was the crossbow found in the bathroom.

Yumeno: Nyeh!?

K1B0: A crossbow arrow would certainly leave a hole that small. Can we then conclude that Momota was shot with that crossbow? If so, then that crossbow might have been the actual weapon used to kill Momota--

Yumeno: I-I see! It's so surprising that a crossbow was the murder weapon!

Shirogane: Seriously, Yumeno… what’s wrong?

Ouma?: She probably needs to pee. Anywaaay, about Momota getting shot… If that was his cause of death, then i wonder who shot him with the crossbow. Well, I already know! But i won't tell youuuu!

Shirogane: he’s just… playing with us…

K1B0: then let’s show him that playtime is over. Let’s show him that the students of Hope’s Peak Academy will never submit to despair!

Ouma?: … Hope…? Despair…?

NONSTOP DEBATE

O- I wonder who shot Momota with the crossbow.. O- What a mystery, right guys?

K- Who else but you could have done it?

H- The shot would need to be fired... H- From inside the hangar to hit Momota (Present)

Y- We couldn't go in the hangar! Y- The alarm system and electric barrier were in the way!

S- If we couldn't go in the hangar... S- And Ouma was in there, then he must be the one!

O- I see, so I'm the culprit!

Saihara: (Momota would have been in there, but the murder weapon was a crossbow… Knowing that, we should be able to visualize the murder…)

Present - Bathroom window

Saihara: Even without going in the hangar, it was possible to land a shot with the crossbow. There was a window in the bathroom of the hangar. Maybe it wasn't possible to get in, but you could have shot through the window. And remember that Momota was confined to the bathroom.

Ouma?: So if they shot Momota through the window, they could've killed him in the hangar. Which means, the murder suspect list grows to six people, including me!

Yumeno: Nyeh!? What did you say!?

Shirogane: But… put plainly, that means…

Harukawa: it seems Saihara wants to make one of us the culprit. Is that it? ...Is that what a detective does?

Saihara: ...Huh?

Harukawa: Do detectives always accuse people, even when they're friends? ...It seems like it. You suspected Momota in the previous class trial, too. You're always suspicious of your friends.

Saihara: …

Shirogane: Wh-what’s wrong, Harukawa? You seem like you're kind of on edge…

Harukawa: Of course I am. When we said we would defeat the Remnants of Despair, *someone* got in our way.

Saihara: no, you don't understand, I'm not trying to--

Harukawa: It doesn't matter how much you get in my way, i will absolutely defeat Ouma. I won't let despair escape… i won't let it win…

Ouma?: Now, now! Let’s stop this boring fight and continue on with the not-so-boring trial! So we all agree that the murder could be done by anyone and not just me, right?

Yumeno: Th-that might be true, but… I… didn't know about the window…

K1B0: Neither did I…

Shirogane: Really, Yumeno. What’s the matter? You’ve been weird since we mentioned small holes.

Yumeno: Wh-what!? Are you after my small hole too!?

Shirogane: See? Now that’s definitely weird.

Ouma?: Look at it this way-- just because the culprit could be anyone, not everyone is a suspect. We can pretty much narrow it down to anyone who knew about the crossbow.

Yumeno: I never knew about any crossbows! I-in other words, I'm not suspicious! So you can't consider me--

K1B0: it does concern me that Yumeno went to the hangar last night.

Yumeno: Nyeh!?

Ouma?: Whoa, really? You went to the hangar, Yumeno?

K1B0: Yes, she did. I definitely saw her.

Yumeno: Y-you were watching me?

Ouma?: it’s awfully suspicious that you went to the hangar last night… Okay, then the culprit is Yumeno!

Yumeno: W-wait, don't say it’s me! Harukawa’s more suspicious than I am!

Harukawa: ...What?

Yumeno: Th-Th-That crossbow came from your research lab, right? Y-you could’ve gotten that crossbow whenever you wanted!

Shirogane: Anyone could’ve gone to her research lab, though. She’s not the only suspect.

Yumeno: I-I dunno about that! She’s...  d-definitely the most suspicious!

Harukawa: …

Yumeno: E-even if you make that scary face at me… I-I’m not gonna get scared…

Ouma?: Cuz if you start panicking , then we’ll know that you're the culprit!

Yumeno: I said I'm not the c-culprit! I swear! O-Ouma’s the suspicious one! Harukawa too! They're both the culprits!

Harukawa: Why am i a suspect? Anyone could've entered my research lab.

Ouma?: Yeah, I'll admit that I'm suspicious! O-kay! Maybe i am the culprit!

MASS PANIC

<Yumeno’s segment>

Y- I went to the hangar, but... Y- I was only replenishing my magic!

S- What do you mean, replenishing your magic?

Y- There’s a good source of magic around there. Y- So i went empty-handed... (Present) Y- And i left empty-handed

<Ouma?’s segment>

O- I'm the number one suspect

K- “you are the culprit...” K- then explain the crossbow

O- that thing doesn't matter at all… O- I'm the number one suspect! O- I'm the one who shot Momota!

<Harukawa’s segment>

H- Why am i being treated like the culprit? H- The crossbow at the crime scene H- Did not come from me.

S- Anyone could've gotten it from her research lab!

K- Then who actually did?

H- Ouma did, of course.

Present - K1B0’s account

Saihara: you said that you went to the hangar empty-handed, but that’s a lie, isn't it?

Yumeno: Wh-what are you talking about…? It’s… not a lie…

Saihara: But Kiibo saw you. He said you were headed toward the hangar, carrying a large black bag.

K1B0: Yes, Yumeno was definitely carrying a large black bag…

Yumeno: N-no! That was probably… Shirogane cosplaying as me!

Shirogane: You know i can't cosplay as someone unless they're a fictional character!

Saihara: Yumeno… This is the bag you were carrying, isn't it?

Harukawa: that’s… the crossbow case!

K1B0: there’s no mistake. That is the bag i saw Yumeno carrying.

Yumeno: Nyeh… Nyeeeh!

Shirogane: what!? Hold on! Yumeno went to the hangar with a crossbow!?

Yumeno: Nyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!

Ouma?: Uh-ooohh! Welp, it’s decided then.

Yumeno: W-Wait! That’s wrong! I just brought it there… I-I didn't shoot it! It’s the truth! Please believe me!

Ouma?: You're right-- I believe you! Yumeno is totally telling the truth!

Yumeno: Not you! If you believe me, it makes me look like I'm lying!

Saihara: (...That...is true... But can we really trust Yumeno here? She was acting very suspiciously…)

NONSTOP DEBATE

Y- I'm not the culprit!

O- Yeah, I totally agree

Y- I only carried the case

O- Yep-yep, that’s true too!

Y- i didn't even use the crossbow… (Present)

O- Mh-hm! another true statement!

Y- And that's all! I didn't do anything else at the hangar!

O- One hundred percent exactamundo!

S- Why does this all sound so fishy...?

Y- Nyeeeh! Cuz Ouma won't shut up! Y- Get out of my head, Ouma!

Saihara: (To hit Momota with the crossbow, you’d have to be fairly good with it.. Could Yumeno have done this? That’s the question…)

Present - Crossbow

Saihara: I don't think Yumeno used the crossbow. More accurately… she couldn't use it.

Shirogane: Couldn't use it? Why not?

Saihara: the crossbow inside this case was disassembled. Momota and I learned how to assemble the crossbow from Harukawa, so we could have done it. But I don't believe someone without the proper training could have assembled it.

Ouma?: Well… what if Harukawa taught Yumeno how to assemble the crossbow?

Yumeno: Sh-she didn't teach me that! Right, Harukawa?

Harukawa: …

Yumeno: wh-what’s wrong? Are you… mad about before?

Harukawa: …

Yumeno: S-sorry… I thought they were gonna suspect me, so… I lied.

Ouma?: I really have to question your morals if you're blaming Harukawa for your lie, Yumeno!

Shirogane: I don't think you're allowed to say something like that…

Yumeno: I'm sorry, Harukawa… please… can you tell them the truth?

Harukawa: Fine… I'm not going to lie. I didn't teach Yumeno how to assemble the crossbow. She couldn't have used it.

Yumeno: See! I told you! Just like i said! Everyone who suspected me needs to apologize right now!

Shirogane: She changed back so fast… I think I might have whiplash now…

K1B0: Then… why did you bring the crossbow to the hangar, Yumeno?

Yumeno: I… was asked to.

Saihara: (Asked to…? Perhaps the person who asked was…)

Select - Kaito Momota

Saihara: was it… Momota?

Shirogane: Huh? Momota?

Saihara: Only Momota or Ouma would have asked for a crossbow to be brought to the hangar. Because Momota knows how to assemble the crossbow, he certainly could have used it. Knowing that… I can't imagine that anyone else would have asked Yumeno.

K1B0: I do not think she would bring it at Ouma’s request…

Yumeno: Of course not! Why would I ever listen to Ouma!?

Ouma?: Cuz i know you like meeee.

Yumeno: Nuh-uh! I hate you!

Ouma?: But i like you.

Yumeno: Nyeh!?

Shirogane: Hey! Don't play with Yumeno’s heart!

Saihara: (But to think that Momota asked Yumeno to do that… Maybe Momota is trying to keep the promise we made yesterday…)

-Flashback-

Momota: Don't worry! I'll do something about all this! That’s a promise! All you guys are working so hard, so I can't just sit back and relax!

-Flash forward-

K1B0: But why were you keeping that a secret, Yumeno?

Yumeno: Well, Momota… sorta asked me to keep it a secret… Then Momota died and… I got scared. I thought i was gonna be next.

Ouma?: you're the worst for trying to pin the blame on Harukawa just for that reason! Harukawa, teach this dumb monkey the true terror of human beings!

Yumeno: Don't bully the person you like!

Shirogane: This is way beyond bullying a grade school crush…

Saihara: Yumeno, when exactly did Momota ask you to do this?

Yumeno: Ummm… I think it was around evening yesterday.

I was so nervous about fighting Ouma, I couldn't get to sleep… So i took a walk near the hangar, and that’s when Momota called out to me. I got startled, and wet myself a little, and then he asked me to get him a crossbow.

Shirogane: Umm… that one part was, uh… You know what? Never mind. So if Momota asked for a crossbow, does that mean he was going to kill Ouma?

Yumeno: No, he said it was to disable Ouma. I wouldn't have helped him otherwise. I trusted Momota and took a crossbow from Harukawa’s lab.

K1B0: That’s when i witnessed Yumeno.

Shirogane: But then, what did Momota do after he had the crossbow?

Yumeno: i dunno. I just handed him the crossbow then went right back to the dorms.

K1B0: Presumably, Momota tried to attack Ouma, only to be disarmed of the crossbow… And then, Ouma returned fire and shot Momota. That sequence seems logical.

Saihara: No, it happened a little differently. Both Momota and Ouma shot the crossbow. (And there’s proof of that…)

Select - Ouma’s Clothes

Saihara: Remember that when we found Ouma’s clothes, there were holes in the back and sleeve. The same kind of hole that was found in Momota’s coat.

Yumeno: So Ouma was shot by the crossbow, too?

Shirogane: Then it was Momota who shot him, right?

Ouma?: Hmmm, I'm not suuure. I don't remember anything like thaaat.

Shirogane: you don't remember whether or not you were shot…?

K1B0: There is no doubt that they shot each other with the crossbow, but--

Harukawa: It doesn't matter.

K1B0: ...Huh?

Harukawa: It doesn't matter what happened in between. In the end, Ouma killed Momota.

Saihara: … (Harukawa’s been acting strangely… But why? Does she know something? If so… what does she know?)

Yumeno: Maybe Harukawa’s right. It doesn't matter what happened in the middle. Cuz in the end, there’s no mistake that Ouma killed Momota.

Harukawa: Then, let’s hurry up and vote--

Saihara: No, it’s too soon. There are still mysteries--

Harukawa: who cares about that? We already know who the culprit is.

Monokuma: You sure about that?

Harukawa: ...Huh?

Yumeno: What? Now he’s joining in?

Monokuma: As the one running this trial, it bothers me when anyone says mysteries don't matter. It affects the overall entertainment value, so i encourage you to reaaaally think about things. After all, there should be some mysteries that still matter… For example, is Ouma really inside that Exisal? Stuff like that…

Saihara: ...What?

Ouma?: …

Harukawa: What are you saying? We already finished that discussion a while ago.

Yumeno: Ouma’s gotta still be alive, since the killing game’s still going. His voice is even coming from the Exisal and everything.

Monokuma: But we heard it speak in Momota’s voice earlier, didn't we?

Momota?: Yeah, don't rely on that. After all, this Exisal has a voice changer.

Saihara: (...It what?)

Momota?: Hah! Cuz of that, nobody realizes I'm pretending to be Ouma! But no more! Sorry for the wait, guys! The Luminary of the Stars has arrived! This time for real!

Yumeno: Wh-what? What’s going on?

Momota?: I told you, I'm Momota. I was just pretending to be Ouma is all. There’s a bit of a situation going on, so I didn't really have a choice… Sorry about tricking you guys like that. My bad!

Shirogane: Huh? So Momota’s in there after all?

Harukawa: ...Don't be stupid. How many times are you going to be tricked by him? That's Ouma pretending to be Momota.

Momota?: Hey now, Harumaki. Don't you believe me?

Harukawa: Don't… *ever*... call me that!

Momota?: Whoa there! Chill! You really think I'm Ouma? I mean, i guess i understand. Sorry, I can't really get outta this thing right now.

K1B0: Why not?

Momota?: I can't move cuz of the injury i got from Ouma… Its so bad i cant even stand. That's why I'm in this exisal.

Yumeno: I-Is that so…?

Momota?: But if you guys don't believe me, then we can't move on… So, you're up, Saihara!

Saihara: What!? Me!?

Momota?: Explain to everyone how I wasn't the one that died!

Saihara: … (Momota is alive after all… No… maybe… that’s just what I want to believe. Is it really true? What story does the evidence tell? Does that story end with Momota or Ouma being the victim? I need to give a well-reasoned answer to that question, and soon. ...I can't look away from the truth.)

Select - Momota

Saihara: (I'm trying, i really am, but I can't think of anyone other than Momota. Most of the evidence we have points towards him being dead…)

Momota?: What’s wrong, Saihara? Just go ahead and tell everyone how I'm not dead. Should be easy!

Saihara: No… I won't. Because you're not Momota. Momota is already dead!

-Monokuma interjects-

Monokuma: Puhuhuhu! Good, good! This is already more entertaining! Now, the Ultimate Academy is proud to present its very own morphenomenal trial grounds!

Alright! Let’s give it everything we’ve got!

SPLIT OPINION - SCRUM DEBATE

Which is dead? Exisal , injury, crushed, arrow hole, mastermind, alive

Saihara: I don't… want to believe it… In a way, I still can’t… But the evidence… The evidence shows that Momota must be the one who died. I hate it… I hate it so much, but it’s the truth.

Momota?: …

K1B0: I see. If that’s the conclusion you've arrived at, Saihara, then there must be no mistake.

Shirogane: Then, the one here is…

Momota?: Heh, looks like I messed around too much.

Ouma?: Soooorry! That was just a little joke!

Yumeno: Wh-what a sick joke!

Harukawa: You're still an asshole…

Saihara: True, and I can’t forgive him… but we still need to stay calm, be rational. Because we need to get to the truth of Momota’s death.

Monokuma: Y-y-y-yeah! Just keep calm and carry on!

Yumeno: Why are you saying that!? And what part of that was calm!?

K1B0: Getting back on topic… Why don't we examine the crossbow a little more closely? I think we need to get all the facts straight so we don't fall for any more lies.

Shirogane: I agree, but… what do you think, Harukawa?

Harukawa: … ...Fine.

Ouma?: O-kay! Let’s discuss that then!

Yumeno: Why are you acting like you're in charge of things?

Ouma?: So, if we assume that Momota and I shot each other with the crossbow… ...Then the most efficient way to solve this is to set up a timeline of events!

Yumeno: Hey! I said, why are you--

Ouma?: Alrighty then! Let the debate begiiiin!

NONSTOP DEBATE

O- When the crossbow fired... O- What was even going on?

Y- As if you even need to ask, you were there!

S- The crossbow was in Momota’s possession first... S- So he probably fired the first shot at Ouma, too!

K- Then Ouma disarmed Momota, took the crossbow.. K- And returned fire!

O- I didn't take the crossbow from Momota! O- I secretly brought a different one!

H- But only one crossbow was missing... H- The other two are still in my lab.

Y- And only one shot was fired (Present) Y- So how could they both shoot each other?

O- By the way, crossbow shots hurt a lot! O- My wound is still aching something fierce!

Saihara: (...What? ...What was that just now? I feel like that goes against the information I have.)

Present - Three arrows

Saihara: Wait, Yumeno… what do you mean one arrow?

Yumeno: Nyeh? Well, I only gave Momota one arrow, so…

Saihara: (...What?) Are you positive?

Yumeno: Of course! There’s no way I got that wrong!

Saihara: Well then, that’s strange because… ...there were three arrows in the bathroom, remember?

Yumeno: Nyeh!? Three!? I know I only gave him one! Momota even told me to only bring him one. He said he wanted to avoid fighting.

Saihara: (there were three arrows at the scene, but Yumeno said she only brought one. What is going on here?)

Shirogane: Um… Maybe Ouma had some hidden away?

K1B0: Why would Ouma have two arrows when he didn't have a crossbow to fire them?

Saihara: But we know for certain that three arrows were recovered from the scene… ...and all three arrows had blood on them.

K1B0: And altogether, their clothes had three perforations in them. So we know for certain that they shot three arrows at each other…

Saihara: (Then where did those arrows come from? I don't think Yumeno is lying… There must be some angle to this we haven't considered yet… What is it…? What could have happened? Think! I need to think!)

PSYCHE TAXI

How many arrows did Yumeno Give to Momota? 1 Were all the arrows inside the hangar from the start? No Who brought the two arrows? A third party

Saihara: Could it be… that the additional arrows were brought in by a third party?

Shirogane: A third party? So someone besides Ouma or Yumeno?

Harukawa: That’s just a guess, though. There’s no way a third party exists.

Ouma?: if a third party did exist, why would they bring two arrows?

Yumeno: Momota was the only one with a crossbow. I made sure i handed it to him…

Saihara: Momota said he only needed one arrow. Clearly, he didn't want a fight.

Yumeno: Yeah, that’s right.

Saihara: So, the other two arrows weren’t for Momota… They were for the third party to use themselves.

Ouma?: So, the third party didn't hand the arrows through the window… Instead, they went into the hangar and shot the crossbow themselves?

Harukawa: impossible. There was an alarm system and an electric barrier around the hangar.

Shirogane: Yeah. That hangar should have been completely closed off, right?

Saihara: (It was completely closed off? But can we confirm that? I feel like there might be another way. Some way that we haven't figured out yet. I'm overlooking something… Think, think… What method did the third party use to enter the hangar?)

Spell - Exisal

Saihara: That’s it… the Exisal! The Exisal could be used to enter the hangar! We couldn't get in because of the alarm system and the electric barrier… ...but that shouldn't have been a problem for any of the Exisals, right? So if you wanted to enter the hangar, all you had to do was pilot an Exisal!

K1B0: I saw an exisal enter the hangar last night… So was this third party piloting it?

Ouma?: by the way, i just wanna confirm something with Monokuma. Would the alarm still go off if there was a person inside an exisal?

Monokuma: well, i wasn't trying to keep this secret, but since it’s about the details of the hangar… ...I guess i can tell you guys. It makes sense that the alarm system and electric barrier wouldn't react to an exisal. After all, the hangar is where the exisals are supposed to be stored. It’d be a hassle to disable the security every time an exisal comes and goes, y’know? So even if someone is inside an exisal, the security system wouldn't catch ‘em. Cuz it’d be a hassle to leave the exisal every time you have to put it away.

Yumeno: So it’s like Saihara said? A third party got in an exisal and entered the hangar?

Shirogane: But… can just anyone pilot an Exisal?

K1B0: ...Well, Ouma?

Ouma?: It's surprisingly easy. If you use both hands, both feet, and both nipples, you can do it.

Yumeno: Nipples, too!?

Saihara: Anyway, this third party commandeered an exisal and infiltrated the hangar. That same person must have brought the other two arrows with them!

Harukawa: I told you, that’s impossible.

Saihara: (...Huh?)

Harukawa: There’s no way you can get through security if you pilot an exisal. It’s… not possible…

Saihara: What? Not possible…?

Harukawa: …

Saihara: (Maki… what are you talking about? What are you thinking? What do you know? Why are you trying to hide it? Why…? Why won't you tell me?)

NONSTOP DEBATE

K- If someone was piloting an exisal K- They could’ve used it to enter the hangar

H- That’s not possible.

S- Is operating the exisal S- Really that difficult?

H- Do you even know how to get inside an exisal? H- There were four exisals outside the hangar... H- And all of them were moving, too.

O- I was controlling them remotely!

K- The electrohammers weren't an option K- Yesterday, they were all still recharging (Present)

H- There was no way to stop an exisal H- So getting inside one would’ve been impossible.

O- You're right, it’s impossible!

Saihara: (it’s not impossible. There is one way to stop an exisal. I have to show them!)

Present - Used electrohammer

Saihara: Wait, not all of the electrohammers were being charged! I know because I found one. There was a used electrohammer near Monokuma and the exisals.

Yumeno: Was that electrohammer used by the third party!? Maybe they used it to disable an Exisal!

Saihara: Yes, i think so. When i saw them last afternoon, there were four Exisals. But this morning, there were only three.

K1B0: I noticed that, too. Was the missing Exisal taken by the third party?

Ouma?: Nishishi… Saihara is getting warmer… How about you say the answer right now? Who did it? Who is the third party?

Saihara: … (The identity of the third party… The electrohammer gives us a clue. I saw four Exisals at the scene yesterday when i went to meet up with Momota. This morning, when we were trying to get into the hangar, there were three. The culprit must have used the electrohammer between yesterday afternoon and this morning. There’s only one person among us that i think could do that…)

Select - Maki Harukawa

Saihara: Harukawa… you're the third party we’re looking for, aren't you?

Shirogane: What!? It’s Harukawa!?

Harukawa: … ...What are you saying?

Saihara: Remember what Ouma said…

-Flashback-

Ouma: But, be careful. The electrohammer runs out of battery pretty quickly. So if you use it against an Exisal, it’ll run out of juice with just one shot, got it?

-Flash forward-

Saihara: the electrohammer needs to be recharged for 24 hours after it runs out of battery. That hammer was used last afternoon, so it couldn't have been used this morning.

Shirogane: Oh, right. When we were all gathered in the dining hall this morning…

-Flashback-

Saihara: Harukawa… where’s your electrohammer?

Harukawa: ...I don't need it. I’d rather not use a weapon I'm unfamiliar with… ...This is much better.

Saihara: A knife? Well… I suppose you know best.

-Flash forward-

Shirogane: Harukawa was the only one without an electrohammer, wasn't she?

Harukawa: …

Saihara: Knowing that, the electrohammer i found could only belong to Harukawa. And that leads me to the conclusion that Harukawa must be the third party.

Harukawa: …

Saihara: She also knows how to assemble the crossbow and could return it to her lab later.

K1B0: You brought a different crossbow than the one Momota had, right?

Harukawa: …

Saihara: Harukawa took two arrows and her own crossbow from her lab… ...disabled the Exisal with an electrohammer, and infiltrated the hangar. Now we just have to figure out what happened after--

-Harukawa interrupts-

Harukawa: Why… are you doing this?

Saihara: (...What?)

Harukawa: Why… are you getting in my way?

Saihara: Getting in your way? Harukawa, what are you--

Harukawa: Yes, I'm the third party.

Saihara: Huh?

Harukawa: I admit going into the hangar with an Exisal, and then shooting the crossbow. But I didn't kill anyone! I'm not the culprit!

Rebuttal Showdown

Wouldn’t result in a fatal injury (Present)

Present - Poison

Saihara: It wouldn't matter where the arrow hit… if it were poisoned.

Shirogane: P-poison?

Saihara: I noticed something about the poison in my lab during the investigation. There was just a little less in the bottle than before. If that poison had been applied to those arrows… They would've been lethal, no matter where they connected.

Harukawa: …

K1B0: ...Harukawa, do you have a rebuttal?

Yumeno: Wh-what’s the matter? Why don't you say anything? Don't tell me… are you… really the culprit?

Shirogane: Th-there’s no way she is! Cuz… why would she kill Momota!?

Harukawa: …

Yumeno: Nyeeeh! I can't understand if you don't explain anything!

Saihara: Harukawa… is still fighting.

Shirogane: Huh? Fighting?

Saihara: Do you remember that Harukawa said she would do anything to defeat Ouma? Harukawa is trying to kill Ouma in this class trial. She wants to kill the mastermind, a Remnant of Despair!

Ouma?: …

K1B0: Then when Harukawa said she would sacrifice anything, she meant…

Saihara: (The sacrifice that Harukawa is talking about must be…) Select - All of us Saihara: She plans to sacrifice all of our lives in order to kill Ouma…

Shirogane: Sacrifice us?

K1B0: Then by hiding the truth, Harukawa was trying to get us to arrive at the wrong answer… Just to kill Ouma, and the rest of us along with him?

Yumeno: So doesn't that mean that Harukawa’s the culprit?

Shirogane: She knew what happened and tried to hide it from us…

Harukawa: …

Ouma?: But that mischievous plan was ruined alllll thanks to Saihara here. Too bad, Harukawa! I already predicted this would happen.

K1B0: You knew all along that Harukawa was the culprit. That’s why you’ve been so calm.

Saihara: This isn't over.

Ouma?: Hmmm?

Saihara: Maybe we do have the truth now, but this isn't over. We have a choice to make. We don't have to follow where the evidence leads.

Shirogane: Huh? What do you mean?

Ouma?: Does this mean… you're gonna vote for someone else, even if it’s not the truth?

K1B0: Someone else… You mean vote incorrectly on purpose!?

Yumeno: Wh-what did you say?

Harukawa: …

Saihara: Momota told me that only I would be able to grasp what lies beyond the truth. That means finding the truth is not enough. We need to grasp the hope just beyond it. So, Harukawa… please tell us the truth! The truth that only you know!

Harukawa: … So Momota… said that to you. Then… does that mean you guys made up before he died?

Saihara: Yeah… When i went to see him yesterday.

Harukawa: I see… … ...Okay, I'll talk about it. Especially since it’s my responsibility for involving everyone. Saihara… you're so persistent. Were you always like that?

Saihara: Ah, you think so? Maybe Momota’s charisma is starting to rub off on me…

Harukawa: That guy… could be pretty stubborn.

K1B0: Then… what really happened?

Shirogane: Harukawa, please tell us.

Yumeno: Please!

Harukawa: …

Monokuma: And so, Harukawa began telling the truth. A truth that would leave us all in shock!

Yumeno: Don't just start narrating things! You're ruining the mood!

Ouma?: … Well… I guess this turn of events isn't exactly boring either.

-INTERMISSION-

(In the Monokuma & Cubs theater he basically just says that he can't do the theater without the kubs. I don't feel it necessary to fully transcribe)

-IN SESSION-

Harukawa: The flashback light became the motive. When Ouma remembered that he was a Remnant of Despair, I planned to kill him… I thought that if I killed him, this game… and the battle between hope and despair… would end. I was confident in my talent as an assassin. I knew I would be able to do it.

Shirogane: We’ve tried to end this killing game before, but…

Harukawa: ...We were naive.

Shirogane: Huh?

Harukawa: That’s what i thought. I knew Ouma would take advantage of my naivete, simply because it’s him.

Ouma?: Nishishi… Harukawa totally gets me.

Harukawa: That's why i needed to settle it myself. I took the poison arrows and the crossbow… ...and broke into the hangar with an Exisal. But when i entered the hangar, I saw something i never expected. Momota and Ouma were fighting each other. Ouma was shot in the arm with a crossbow arrow, probably by Momota when he fought back. Both of them stopped and looked at the Exisal, most likely surprised by its sudden appearance. Ouma immediately took out his remote and attempted to control the Exisal i was in. I jumped out of the Exisal before he could, and shot Ouma in the back with an arrow. That should’ve been enough to stop him, since the arrow was coated in poison.

Saihara: The strike-9 poison, correct? But why that particular poison? Some of the poisons in my lab were far more lethal…

Harukawa: ...I wanted Ouma to confess his true intentions before he died. And find out why he was always lying and trying to confuse us.

Yumeno: What do you mean?

Harukawa: If he was the mastermind, it would’ve been easier for him to hide in the shadows, right? He could’ve made it seem as if the late Junko was secretly behind this killing game. That way, he could reveal himself as the “surprise mastermind” to liven up the game. Because of his suspicious actions, anyone would already suspect him as the mastermind. Especially with that message in the courtyard… Ouma said it was a hint, but was it necessary for him to go out of his way just for a hint?

K1B0: As a Remnant of Despair, I imagine he wanted to feel the despair of his plan being thwarted.

Harukawa: I think that if he wanted the thrill, he would’ve carried out the plan carefully. So when his carefully laid out plan goes to waste, he would be in utter despair.

Yumeno: Nyeh… That’s a good point.

Saihara: Harukawa must have wanted to hear it directly from Ouma himself…

Harukawa: But it was pointless. I was a fool for thinking I could have a serious talk with him.

-Flashback-

(Harukawa has her crossbow pointed at Ouma, who looks to be in pain and has two arrows sticking out of himself. He’s kneeling in front of her.) Ouma: Wh-what are you... talking about…? Remnants of Despair… what’s that…? I-I don't understand… anything… you're saying… But a-anyway… why are you… starting up the k-killing game… when it should've ended? Y-you already… know it’s all meaningless… and th-that I'm the mastermind… Do you… love killing that much?

Harukawa: ...Shut up, you asshole! I realized it was pointless to continue the conversation, so i shot the final arrow. But then…

-Momota lunges in front of Ouma- Momota: Grk!

Harukawa: What?

-Flash forward-

Saihara: Momota… protected Ouma!?

Yumeno: Wh-why? Why would Momota protect Ouma?

Harukawa: At that moment, my mind went blank. I knew I had to do something about the poison. I rushed to Saihara’s research lab for the antidote.

Saihara: So you didn't have the antidote with you at the time…

Harukawa: I used strike-9 poison to torture Ouma for info, but I planned to kill him from the start.

Ouma?: Ah-haha! That’s sooo mean!

Harukawa: But that was my first mistake. Because of that… …

Shirogane: You what…?

Harukawa: ...I ended up killing Momota.

Saihara: …

Harukawa: When i returned with the antidote, the hangar shutter had been closed. I assumed it was Ouma’s doing. But because of that, I couldn't enter the hangar anymore. I needed to give Momota the antidote somehow, so i went to the bathroom window.

-Flashback-

Harukawa: Momota, can you hear me!? Quick! Drink this antidote!

-Flash forward-

Harukawa: After calling out to him, I chucked the antidote through the bathroom window. Momota noticed it and grabbed the antidote… But… Ouma stole it from him.

-Flashback-

Ouma: Sorry… but I can't die here… Since I’m… the mastermind of this killing game…

Harukawa: Wait! There’s only one antido--

Ouma: Oh… you don't have to worry about Momota. He fulfilled his dream, right? He already… went to space.

Momota: Tch… damn it!

Harukawa: S-stop!!!

Ouma: Phew! I feel so much better! I guess that’s a wrap… ...or maybe not. Because now another class trial is going to start.

Harukawa: Class trial…?

Ouma: You’ll be the blackened for this case, y’know? The blackened who killed Momota.

Harukawa: I...I killed…?

Momota: Shut it! Screw the class trials! Like hell am I gonna let you have your way!

Harukawa: Momota! Why did you protect Ouma!? If you didn't help him, then--

Momota: I couldn't help it… Even if it’s Ouma… I-I can’t have you kill anybody!

Harukawa: ...What?

Ouma: Awww… Momota wasn't protecting me… He was protecting Harukawa! … The situation just got way worse, huh? Harukawa is gonna become the blackened responsible for killing you… all because you protected me.

Harukawa: …

Momota: D-don’t you worry, Harumaki. I'm not gonna die that easily… Just leave it to me. I'll put an end to this killing game!

Ouma: Ah-haha… you're still full of energy, even like that… You really are… not boring.

Momota: What?

Ouma: Nishishi… I wanna see what a dying Momota can do. So show me what you've got! I won't meddle with your plans!

Harukawa: What are you--!?

Momota: Don't mind me… Run, Harumaki! Just… hurry up and run… Run… ...and live! You gotta live!

-Flash forward-

Harukawa: But, i refused to give up… I tried to enter the hangar by breaking the control panel with my knife… In the end… I couldn't…

Yumeno: So that's where the marks on the control panel came from, huh?

Saihara: …

Harukawa: After that, I returned to the bathroom window once more, but I didn't see anyone. The bathroom door was closed. I called out, but neither Momota nor Ouma answered… I couldn't do anything anymore… All I could do… was leave. That's when I made up my mind. As the blackened who killed Momota, I would kill Ouma during this class trial… ...in exchange for all of your lives.

Shirogane: So… that’s what happened…

K1B0: Then Ouma, knowing what he knew, still helped Harukawa cover up her crime?

Yumeno: Was that why you smushed Momota in the hydraulic press?

Ouma?: Momota wanted Harukawa to be spotless. As his friend, I felt obliged to help him.

Harukawa: How dare you… make fun of him! You call yourself a friend…? You enjoyed watching us suffer! You… fuckin’ asshole!

Ouma?: Ooohh, Harukawa is so scaaary. Good thing I'm in this Exisal. Pretty sure Harukawa would've already killed me if I was out there in the flesh.

Harukawa: …

Ouma?: So… what are everyone’s plans now? With the truth out in the open, who are you guys gonna vote for? You can vote for me, but if you do we’ll all die together. Or vote for Harukawa and live. Welp, choose whichever you want. I don't care either way.

Yumeno: Why…? Why are you so calm? Your life depends on this, too!

Ouma?: Who cares? Just choose already. C’mon, who are you gonna vote for?

Saihara: No, we can't vote yet. ...We don't have the whole truth. This case isn't over!

Ouma?: ...Huh?

Saihara: Thank you for telling us everything, Harukawa. Thanks to you, i finally understand… There’s another hidden truth within your testimony.

Harukawa: ...A hidden truth?

Saihara: Yes, I'm positive. Because there’s something wrong with the testimony you've given us. (The part of Harukawa’s testimony that doesn't add up…)

Select - Control panel being damaged

Saihara: Harukawa said she used the knife to try and break the control panel and enter the hangar… But that doesn't make sense, because there is an alarm system on the shutter.

Shirogane: Oh yeah! The alarm should’ve gone off if someone got close to the shutter!

Harukawa: I was too focused to notice at the time, but now that you mention it, it is odd.

Yumeno: Maybe the sensor just missed her?

Monokuma: Nah, the security there isn't that sloppy. If a shady person got near the shutter, the alarm would've gone off without question.

Harukawa: Then why didn't the alarm go off…?

Saihara: Like I told you, this isn't over. There's still a hidden truth to find. (That's right, there must be some kind of reason behind all these oddities. Finding that reason will help us find the hidden truth!)

NONSTOP DEBATE

H- I did attempt to enter the hangar H- And I tried to destroy the control panel with my knife H- At the time the alarm system didn't go off

K- If you had approached the shutter... K- The alarm system would have gone off with 100% certainty. (Present)

Y- Maybe it was just broken

S- Perhaps it was turned to a special setting?

O- Or maybe Harukawa is just telling a lie… O- Did you really try to destroy the control panel with your knife?

H- I’m not going to tell any more lies.

Saihara: (It seemed like the alarm system itself was working properly... So what can we learn from that?)

Present - Electrobomb

Saihara: There is a way to disable the alarm system. An electrobomb would take it down.

K1B0: But Harukawa only had one bomb, and she used it during the raid this morning…

Shirogane: Then the only other person who could’ve used one is Ouma, right?

Ouma?: Huuuh? Why would I use an Electrobomb? I had no reason to shut off the alarm, right? I’d be at a disadvantage if I did that.

Yumeno: I guess so… I can't come up with a reason why Ouma would wanna cut the alarm.

Saihara: (But we know the alarm system was neutralized. It had to be. In that case, then…) I've got it! Disabling the alarm system wasn't the real objective!

Shirogane: What?

Saihara: (The main objective of Ouma using an Electrobomb was…) Select - Disable press’ safety function. Saihara: It was to deactivate the safety function on the press!

Harukawa: Deactivate… the safety function?

Saihara: The electrobomb wouldn't have just taken down the alarm system… ...It also would have disabled the hydraulic press’s safety function!

Yumeno: That’s true, but… why would he do that?

Saihara: There’s only one reason that anyone would want to do that… But if I'm right, it means that we’ve been thinking about this all wrong!

Harukawa: All wrong…?

Saihara: (What aspect of this case runs contrary to the new evidence?) Select - Momota’s cause of death Saihara: ...Momota’s cause of death.

Harukawa: ...What?

Saihara: If the electrobomb was used while Harukawa was trying to deliver the antidote… Maybe Momota didn't die by poison. It could be something else entirely. (Yes, the cause of death could now be…) Select - Hydraulic Press Saihara: The hydraulic press! Momota could've been killed by the press after all!

Shirogane: What!? He could’ve!?

Saihara: If the safety was off, the press could have crushed Momota while he was still alive.

Harukawa: Right after i threw the antidote, I tried to open the shutter… So… Momota should've still been alive!

K1B0: And if he was crushed by the hydraulic press after that, then we have our cause of death!

Yumeno: If that's the case, it’d mean the one who killed Momota wasn't Harukawa…

Saihara: It would be whoever was operating the hydraulic press… Ouma!

Ouma?: … I see… very impressive. The hydraulic press *could* have been the cause of death. But that’s… just a possibility.

Saihara: What do you mean?

Ouma?: it’s possible that I killed Momota with the press, but there’s no way to know. Momota’s death could have been either the poison arrow or the hydraulic press. Both causes are possible, but you'll never be able to determine it… ...No matter what.

Shirogane: No matter what?

Yumeno: Th-that’s not true! We can probably solve this mystery, too! Right, Saihara?

Saihara: … (Is it really possible to determine Momota’s actual cause of death?) Select - It’s not possible. Saihara: I hate to admit it, but Ouma is right. We have no way to prove the cause of death.

Yumeno: Wh-what did you say!?

Ouma?: You can't check the body, and you don't have any conclusive evidence… You can't deduce any more from here on out. There’s no way to know what happened. ...But I know, cuz I was actually involved.

Saihara: ...Ah! So that’s what you were trying to do… You were trying to commit an unsolvable murder!

Ouma?: Nishishi… Do you finally get it? Yup, that was my plan. The gimmick of this murder case isn't the unknown victim… But rather, the unknowable culprit! No one understands but me! Only *I* know the answer! There’s no more room for deduction here! Choose the culprit with your own intuition!

K1B0: I-intuition?

Ouma?: Nishishi… Are you troubled? I'm sure robots don't have intuition, right? But there’s nothing you can do about it. This is just how the trial goes. So… who is the culprit? Harukawa or me…? The heart-racing excitement as the blackened and the spotless face off! It’s… VOTING TIME!!!

Select - Any, it doesn't matter

Monokuma: Hey! That's my line! I'm the one who decides when it’s Voting Time!

Ouma?: Aw, c’mon… No one’s gonna figure out the truth. Let’s just vote already. This won't be a problem, right, Monokuma? Cuz you know who the culprit is, don't you? ...Just like you always do.

Monokuma: ...Eh? … Y-yes… of course…

Yumeno: Nyeh? What kind of a reaction is that?

Monokuma: Th-The culprit, you say? Ah, y-yes… of c-course I know…

K1B0: Hm? Why do you seem so flustered?

Monokuma: F-Flustered? Me? Hahahaha! What are you talking about?

Saihara: (...What’s going on with Monokuma right now…?) Monokuma… do you not know who the culprit is either!?

Monokuma: Huh!? Whaddaya mean I don't know!? Uh, what don't I know, huh!?

Harukawa: ...You don't know, do you?

Monokuma: …

Yumeno: What does this mean!? Why doesn't Monokuma know who the culprit is!?

Saihara: (Monokuma… doesn't know who the culprit is either? If Monokuma doesn't know, what does that tell us about this case…? Wait… this case?) Yes, that's it! So that’s what Ouma’s real objective was!

Shirogane: Huh? What are you talking about?

Saihara: Ouma wasn't just trying to commit a murder that we couldn't figure out… He was trying to commit a murder that Monokuma couldn't figure out, either!

Harukawa: ...A murder Monokuma couldn't figure out?

Ouma?: …

Yumeno: But what’s the point of that? Ouma’s the one who’s controlling Monokuma!

Saihara: But consider how many elements of this case would be cleared up. Prior to this case, Monokuma always knew the specific details of each crime, correct? That must mean that he was using some way of monitoring us…

K1B0: Perhaps there are hidden cameras, strategically placed to avoid our detection…

Saihara: I can’t say for certain, but he must be keeping watch somehow. Ouma probably used the electrobomb to scramble whatever that was. The electrobomb *would* prevent any cameras from sending video wirelessly.

Harukawa: Which means, it wouldn't matter where the surveillance cameras were hidden.

Yumeno: Like I said, what’s the point!? Ouma’s the one who’s controlling Monokuma!

Saihara: Before we determine that for sure, I want to make one thing clear. If the objective were to create a crime that would stump Monokuma, the Exisals… Yes… the Exisals weren't protecting Monokuma, they were… Select - watching him Saihara: They were watching Monokuma.

Shirogane: Watching him!?

Saihara: Yes. Remember what Monokuma said earlier in the investigation?

-Flashback-

Monokuma: Oh, at the time, the Exisals were on auto-pilot and directed to only observe me.

-Flash forward-

Saihara: If they were protecting him like bodyguards, they wouldn't have been facing him. They would have been scanning the area, watching us. But they weren't. That implies that they weren't watching us, they were watching *him*. They were trying to make sure that Monokuma wouldn't go near the crime scene

Harukawa: That reminds me… before I stole an Exisal, all four units were focused on Monokuma. That's why when i stole one to enter the hangar, the other three didn’t pursue me.

Saihara: So Monokuma must have been talking about Harukawa…

-Flashback-

Monokuma: Even if it puts someone at a disadvantage, the class trial must always be fair. The person who shared that info with me didn't seem interested in sharing it with you guys… So you share it instead! That way, it'll be fair to all the participants!

-Flash forward-

Saihara: She didn't want to share that information because it would’ve linked her to the murder. In which case… It could only be Harukawa.

Harukawa: ...You’re right.

K1B0: Um, so… to summarize this discussion… Ouma used the electrobomb in the hangar, and the exisals to watch Monokuma… Thereby creating a scenario in which Monokuma has no idea who the culprit is?

Yumeno: I told you there’s no point! Ouma’s the one who's controlling Monokuma!

Saihara: No, Ouma might not be controlling Monokuma at all!

Yumeno: Wh-What!?

Shirogane: But Ouma’s the mastermind, right!? Shouldn't he be controlling Monoku--

Saihara: Ouma might not be the mastermind!

Yumeno: Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What!?

Saihara: Remember that the only reason we think that, is because Ouma told us. Monokuma hasn't said a word about that. It's possible that Ouma is just lying to us.

Ouma?: Ah-hahahaha! No way I lied! I'm definitely controlling Monokuma. The mastermind of the killing game is totally me. The one who pitted humanity’s last survivors against each other is… all me, baby!

Yumeno: That’s right! He’s a Remnant of Despair! How’d we forget that?

Saihara: But that doesn't necessarily mean that he’s the mastermind.

Shirogane: Umm...well...I guess. But is that really possible?

Harukawa: ...Well, Monokuma?

Monokuma: … I can't answer that without causing problems, cuz I gotta run this trial fair and squa--

Saihara: Even more reason to give us the answer! If you don't tell us the truth right now, you'll be an accomplice to Ouma’s lies. Does that sound like a fair game? Would you say this class trial is fair?

Shirogane: Yeah, tell us! Is Ouma the real mastermind or not!?

Ouma?: No need to think about it. You're being way too forward, y’know?

Monokuma: Aren't you normally the forward one?

Saihara: (...Ah!)

Monokuma: I mean, I don't mind cuz that's probably part of your strategy, too… But, in the interest of fairness, I suppose it’s time to tell the truth. Unlike the lies you love so much, the truth should be impartial to everyone.

Ouma?: …

Harukawa: ...And what *is* that truth?

Monokuma: I'm not being controlled by Ouma. Cuz he’s not the mastermind.

Yumeno: Wh-Wh-Wh-WHA-WHA-WHA-WHAAAAAAAAAT!?

Shirogane: Is that… really true?

Monokuma: Ouma Was just messing with you. I never once said he was the mastermind.

K1B0: Then it was all Ouma’s lie!?

Monokuma: Yeah, that is what that would mean. With the key from the last motive, he was the first to learn the truth of the outside world… Based on his deductions, he fabricated a lie to make you all think he was the mastermind.

Saihara: I see. Ouma’s own deductions…

-Flashback-

Ouma: Do you wanna know? Then I'll tell you. I'm getting kinda bored with all the lying, so everything I say now will be the truth, ‘kay?

-Flash forward-

Monokuma: His deductions got a lot of details right, though. Pretty impressive, honestly.

Ouma?: …

Yumeno: But, what about the Exisals!? If Ouma wasn't the mastermind, how’d he control them so easily?

Monokuma: He just used Iruma’s remote control, right?

Saihara: (Iruma’s remote control…?) So the remote that Ouma was using was made by Iruma?

Monokuma: Oh, you didn't know? Iruma not only invented the electrobomb and the electrohammer… She also made a remote control that can hijack any electronic device. Ouma just slapped a receiver on each of the exisals and took them for a spin!

Ouma?: Hey, isn't it a bit unfair to tell them all that?

Monokuma: Fairness has nothing to do with it. I offered up that info purely out of spite. Spite towards you, for trying to usurp the mastermind’s role and take over the game!

Ouma?: Well, whatever. It’s way more interesting to defeat an enemy who plays dirty anyway.

Shirogane: Wh-what's going on? It seems like they're… actually fighting…

Saihara: There’s no doubt about it. Ouma isn't the mastermind.

Yumeno: Were we just being dragged around by Ouma’s lies the whole time!?

Shirogane: What were you trying to accomplish by pretending to be the mastermind, Ouma?

Ouma?: …

Yumeno: Nyeh! Now you're gonna be all quiet!? This is so frustrating!

K1B0: Then if he’s not the mastermind, who is!?

Monokuma: Why are you so certain there’s even a mastermind to begin with?

Saihara: (...What?) What do you mean?

Monokuma: Why, that's on a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know.

Yumeno: But I wanna know!

Saihara: (The real mastermind is not Ouma… who could it be? I was thinking it was Junko Enoshima, but that can't be it. She’s dead. We’ve never come into contact with her. If so… who’s done this? Who planned this killing game?)

Monokuma: Anyway, this conversation has flown off the rails. Let's get things back on track. This class trial is to figure out who the culprit is, not the mastermind. So, yeah… Get to talkin’!

Ouma?: I agree. Before we worry about who the mastermind is, or what my intent is… Let's figure out the culprit!

K1B0: But Monokuma doesn't know who it is. How is he supposed to confirm the results?

Ouma?: We don't need to worry about that. Let's just leave the decision-making to Monokuma. But… you gotta run the class trial, too. So no mistakes, okaaaay?

Monokuma: ...Are you tryin’ to get me to do something?

Ouma?: you've been watching us solve all these cases, but you can't be a spectator anymore. You're gonna participate in the class trial from here on out.

Saihara: (Huh?)

Ouma?: So, let's resume this class trial! Monokuma, you gotta use your brain too! This will be the final class trial! Me versus Monokuma!

Saihara: You versus Monokuma?

Ouma?: ...When I play a game, I intend to win. But what’s considered winning in this game? Beating the other players? No… beating the game’s mastermind is the true victory. And that’s how I'll win! That's why I decided to challenge Monokuma! If I can deceive Monokuma till the very end, then I'll be the winner!

Shirogane: You’re dragging us around like this… just so you can win a game?

K1B0: As I suspected… your thought process defies all logic.

Ouma?: But since the outside world is in total ruin, this game is the only entertainment we have… At least I can enjoy this game to the fullest and feel good winning.

Harukawa: You really are a Remnant of Despair… your way of thinking is just chaotic.

Ouma?: … ...Remnant of Despair? Eh, whatevs. Let's just get this started. If the students or Monokuma don't know who the culprit is, that means I win--

Monokuma: Don't underestimate me. Or Saihara and the others for that matter.

Saihara: (...What?)

Monokuma: Puhuhu… It’s just like a Remnant of Despair to try to assume control of the game. But these kids are all that’s left of Hope’s Peak Academy. If you think they're gonna make this easy for you, you better think again!

Yumeno: Who’s side are you taking he--

Monokuma: Side? Isn't it obvious!? ...Monokuma joins your party.

Yumeno: Nyeh!? Who invited you!?

Monokuma: Now, let’s join forces and unravel the truth behind this case!

Shirogane: Well, we were going to do it anyway…

K1B0: Let’s just ignore Monokuma. His actions are always beyond comprehension.

Monokuma: Yeah! Let's just focus on the case!

Yumeno: Hey! Be quiet so we can ignore you!

Monokuma: Now, where should we start? We’ve already established what Ouma is after…

Shirogane: He’s just gonna keep talking anyway, isn't he?

Monokuma: In my experience, whenever you learn a new fact… …You learn something else along with it.

K1B0: Yes, let's look for that!

Yumeno: You warmed up to him real fast… I guess you *are* both robots.

Saihara: (So, another truth comes out… That piece of evidence makes more sense now. The evidence that I couldn't wrap my head around.) Select - Murder Video Saihara: Let’s discuss the video of Momota being crushed by the hydraulic press. Ouma said that he filmed that video to prove he was not the victim. But we know Ouma was just trying to mislead Monokuma, so what about the video? It’s pretty strange to present evidence that condemns you, after all.

Monokuma: Then what kinda mistake was Ouma tryin’ to get me to make?

K1B0: Maybe he crushed Momota with the hydraulic press so the cause of death would be unknown?

Saihara: But if that were the only objective, there would be no need to film it. Discovering the crushed body would have been enough. No need to show us the film.

Monokuma: That’s true.

Yumeno: I guess you're starting to fit in after all. If you get any cuter, I’m gonna hug you!

Shirogane: Huh? Really?

Saihara: There must be a reason you went out of your way to show us the body being crushed.

Ouma?: No reason, really. That's just my twisted personality.

Saihara: (You're lying again, Ouma. There’s a method to your madness. If you wanted Monokuma to make a mistake, then showing us the video… It must have something to do with trying to fool Monokuma. Taking the video of the murder but keeping the victim’s identity hidden… What does it show? What doesn't it show?) Spell - Victim Saihara: ...The victim.

Harukawa: Huh?

Saihara: (Is it even possible? No, that’s a question for later. For now, we know that…) If you show us the moment of Momota’s death, of course it would lead us to believe he died. Even if we can't positively identify the body, we would still believe Momota was the victim. And that might be exactly the mistake Ouma was going for.

K1B0: D-Does that mean the victims were switched!?

Yumeno: Nyeh!? Switched!?

Shirogane: Then it was some other dead body that got crushed by the hydraulic press?

Harukawa: What?

Yumeno: Where would he even get another body!?

K1B0: There should be plenty to choose from if you reuse the body of a former victim--

Ouma?: If there was an unknown body, then we could guess the victim was switched… Ah-hahaha, but too bad! Switching the victims was impossible! The footage showed the body being crushed… When in the footage would they have been able to switch the victim? And we already established that the footage was not doctored in any way. The camera doesn't have any editing functions-- just play, record, and pause. Monokuma also said that no computer was used to edit the footage, remember?

Monokuma: Dammit! Me and my big mouth!

Ouma?: Which means, switching out the victim would not be possible. Also, if the victim was switched, then that would mean Momota is still alive. We already discussed this sooo many times. The chance of that happening is imposs--

Harukawa: ...It might be possible.

Ouma?: Huh?

Harukawa: There could be a trick to make the switch possible. We just haven’t noticed it yet…

Ouma?: Ooohh, and what trick is that?

Harukawa: …

Ouma?: See, you don't know do you? I told you, it’s imposs--

Saihara: Harukawa’s not wrong. There is a way it could be done… So we can't just give up here!

Harukawa: … Hey, Saihara… I’ll think harder about this as well… So… can you confirm whether or not the victim switched places? If Momota is… alive or not?

Saihara: Harukawa…

Harukawa: I don't like the thought that i killed Momota… I don't… want that.

Yumeno: Okay then, let’s talk about the possibility that Harumaki mentioned.

Shirogane: Yumeno, if you call her that again--

Harukawa: ...Yes, please.

Shirogane: Oh… Uh… Okay. Then let’s all talk it over together!

Saihara: (Together…)

-Flashback-

Momota: And don't forget… you're not alone! Don't try to do everything yourself. It's just gonna wear you out. When times are hard, you gotta rely on your friends.

-Flash forward-

Saihara: Yeah… I'm sure we’ll figure something out.

Ouma?: Geez, you guys are a stubborn bunch. There's no trick.

Monokuma: That’s probably another lie.

K1B0: However, if the victims were switched, then that would mean the footage was altered. How could it be altered when we know that the footage wasn't edited?

Shirogane: If we could figure that out, maybe we’d know how they switched places.

Yumeno: i knew there was a trick to that video the whole time!

Ouma made it, so it’s 100% suspicious!

Saihara: (A trick to that video… What could it be? What’s suspicious about it?)

NONSTOP DEBATE

Y- There must be some trick to that video!

M- That’s what you all gotta figure out!

O- There is no trick. O- You can check but you won’t find anything.

S- Did the placement of that camera seem odd to any of you? S- The filming angle seems unnatural, don't you think?

H- The person in that video... H- Was it really Momota?

K- Something seemed off about that video to me.. K- When the hydraulic press stopped for a brief moment. (Agree)

Y- Could it be… Y- The video was shot at another location?

M- Any other bright ideas? M- Come on everybody, speak up!

Saihara: (I feel like someone said something that gives us a clue… If we put our heads together, we can find hope… We won't fall into despair!)

Agree - Hydraulic Press

Saihara: Kiibo is on to something! Isn't it weird that the hydraulic press stopped for a second!? Because when Kiibo and I first investigated that hydraulic press…

K1B0: Yes, that's right! The hydraulic press kept lowering itself without stopping!

Saihara: But in the video…

Harukawa: The hydraulic press stopped briefly… right before it crushed the body!?

Shirogane: But… why would it stop?

Saihara: (Why did the press stop? There's only one reason I can think of.) Mind Mine - Stop Button Saihara: The only way to stop the hydraulic press is the “Force Stop” button.

K1B0: An electrobomb went off in the hangar, which would've interfered with the safety function… There’d be no way to stop the hydraulic press unless someone used the “Force Stop” button.

Harukawa: When you say someone… you mean Ouma, right? He was the only one there.

Ouma?: … Hm, actually… maybe I pressed it by accident? I don't really remember… So what of it? The press only stopped for like, a sec. You can't switch the victim in such a short time, can you?

Yumeno: That's true…

Monokuma: There’s also the question of how the bodies got switched while the camera was rolling. That would've clearly been caught on camera.

Saihara: (While the camera was rolling…) Ah, I see. It wasn't just the press that stopped…

Monokuma: ...Eh? Huh? Whaddaya mean?

Saihara: If you stop something else at the same time you stop the hydraulic press… (Yes, I see it now. That's how the bodies were switched! If you stopped that, you could have swapped the bodies easily…) Mind Mine - Camera Saihara: The culprit stopped the video camera at the same time as the hydraulic press. Then, while the camera was off, they switched the body under the hydraulic press. After the body was swapped, the press and the camera were started simultaneously. So it just looks like the press stopped for a moment.

Monokuma: That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time!

Yumeno: When did you ever say that?

Shirogane: So they stopped at the same time… The camera position did seem odd to me… But now I get it. The trick wouldn't work unless it was set up there.

Monokuma: ...Huh? Why?

Saihara: To get the trick we just described to work, the camera had to be set up precisely. (Let’s pin that down. Where was the camera set up…?) Select - control panel Saihara: The video camera must have been set up somewhere around here. To operate the press and the camera at the same time, it would have to be near the switch.

Shirogane: That’s why the video was taken from that unnatural angle. If they were recording it like normal, they would've used a better angle.

Harukawa: And if it was recorded at such an odd angle, then that proves a trick was used.

Yumeno: Camera angles, huh? Looks like your cosplayer experience is finally useful.

Shirogane: Well, cosplay doesn't really come up all that much in class trials…

Saihara: There was a reason the camera was set up there, but also a reason for the height. When the press was stopped, you couldn’t really see who was inside it, correct? That was intentional. The body was mostly hidden by the press, making the swap easier.

K1B0: The camera must’ve been placed at such a high position so it would produce that angle.

Shirogane: I wonder if they used that tripod in the hangar to adjust the camera’s height.

Monokuma: Did they get that from the warehouse, too? Geez, that place is like a 4D pocket!

Yumeno: You don't get to make that reference…

Harukawa: Then… that logic is correct, right? Ouma used that video angle trick, and switched the victim in the hydraulic press. In that case, Momota is--

Yumeno: Before he was crushed by the press, he was swapped with a different body! So Momota’s still alive!

Saihara: Well, wait just a minute…

Yumeno: What!? But I just summed it up so nicely!

Saihara: … Yumeno, the different body you mentioned… what are you talking about?

Yumeno: The bodies from the other cases. Ouma’s the mastermind, so he’d-- Nyeh…? Wait… The mastermind…?

Saihara: Yeah. Ouma isn't the mastermind, so… ...I don't think he’d be able to produce a body to switch out.

Harukawa: ...What?

K1B0: Well, Monokuma? Do the rules allow for a body to be reused?

Monokuma: Very well, I'll answer that.

Ouma?: ...You’re giving in pretty easily.

Monokuma: Well, it’s crucial information to make the trial fair. This discussion is pointless if it’s not clear what the culprit was allowed to do, right?

Ouma?: Ah-haha, you're a convenient mastermind. But I guess that makes defeating you worth my time.

Monokuma: Now then, regarding the re-use of a dead body… That is impossible! All the dead bodies have already been thrown away!

Yumeno: Th-Thrown away!?

Harukawa: The other bodies are… gone? Then who did Momota switch places with?

Saihara: … (Ouma and Momota were the only ones in the hangar at that time. If they were the only ones present during the body-swapping trick… Then the real victim was…) Select - The other person in the hangar Saihara: (If it wasn't an old body, it could only be…) …

Harukawa: ...What’s wrong, Saihara? Who did Momota switch places with?

Saihara: Harukawa… I think I missed something very important here…

Harukawa: ...Something important?

Saihara: (If I have the timeline right, there were only two people in the hangar at the time. Which means that something had to have been decided before… I have to pin that down. Can't let anything escape me this time!) Spell - Victim Helped Saihara: I can't believe I overlooked this!

K1B0: What do you mean?

Saihara: There were only two people in the hangar at the time the bodies were swapped. Which means… they were working together.

Shirogane: Huh? Working together…?

Saihara: The only two people involved in the swap were the victim… and the culprit. The culprit was operating the camera and the hydraulic press, while the victim lay inside. If they switched places while the press and the camera were stopped… ...Then the person who turned the camera and the press back on was the original victim. To put it simply, both people operated the press and camera at different times. An impossible trick… unless the victim and culprit agreed to cooperate beforehand!

Yumeno: The victim and culprit cooperated? Is that… even possible?

Saihara: It sounds bizarre, but perhaps that was the whole point. Commit a crime that was so confusing, even Monokuma would be tricked.

Monokuma: Geez, this culprit’s a real jerk. ...So, have you realized whodunnit yet?

Harukawa: …

Saihara: (The culprit of the case… If my detective work hasn't failed me, the culprit is inside that exisal…)

???: …

Saihara: (It can only be them.) Select - Kaito Momota Saihara: The apparent victim we saw in the video was Momota. Which means… ...Ouma was operating the press and the camera… at first. If the two of them switched while the press was stopped… ...Then the culprit who started the hydraulic press again and crushed Ouma… ...Must be Momota!

Harukawa: …

Saihara: So… the person inside that exisal isn't Ouma… It has to be Momota!

Yumeno: Wh-What did you say!?

???: …

Monokuma: So the culprit for this case is… Kaito Momota… That is what the Ultimate Detective has deduced, right?

Shirogane: Momota is the culprit? What…? You're joking, right? You can't be serious…

Saihara: i don't want to believe it either… but it’s the only way any of this makes sense. My detective work has led me to the conclusion that Momota is the culprit.

???: …

K1B0: ...Is that true? Is Momota… really in there?

???: …

Shirogane: hey, answer us! If you really are Momota then--

Harukawa: I'm the culprit.

Saihara: (Huh?)

Harukawa: There’s just no way that Momota can still be alive… Because I'm the culprit.

Yumeno: Wait, you? But didn't you say--

Harukawa: I saw it with my own eyes. Ouma drank the antidote that he stole from Momota… There’s no doubt Momota died. And he died because of my poison arrow.

Yumeno: But you told us that you didn't want to kill Momota and--

Harukawa: Yes, I never wanted to. I wanted to believe that I didn't kill him. But… the truth speaks differently. In the end, I was just running away from the facts.

Yumeno: H-Huh? I don't understand…

Saihara: … (Harukawa, are you…? Trying to protect Momota? If he’s the culprit, you're trying to help him get away?)

Harukawa: There was only one antidote, so it’s more likely he died from my poison arrow. This is the truth…

Ouma?: It’s not decided yet. I could’ve still killed him with the hydraulic press. Either way, those are the two options. Monokuma knows the answer, riiight?

Monokuma: ...Huh? Are those the only options?

Shirogane: I guess that’s how things turned out…

Saihara: No, that can't be! The person in that Exisal is--

Harukawa: It's not Momota! I saw Ouma drink the antidote! There's no mistake… Momota is dead… I… killed Momota… There is absolutely… no doubt. That's… the truth.

Saihara: (Ah, I thought so. Harukawa is trying to protect Momota. I understand how she feels, but if Momota is the culprit… Why did he agree to Ouma’s plan?)

Ouma?: …

Saihara: (I can't imagine that Momota would do something so selfish… There must be some reason for it. I truly believe that… But I have to get to the bottom of this before i can uncover that truth…) But Harukawa… you don't know for certain that Ouma drank the antidote.

Harukawa: ...What?

Saihara: You saw him drink it right in front of you, but you couldn't confirm he actually did it. So maybe… there’s another possibility.

Harukawa: What… are you talking about? Impossible… That’s… impossible… There is no other possibility! I killed Momota!

Argument Armament - Pretended to drink the antidote

Saihara: Ouma just pretended to drink the antidote! He didn't actually drink it!

Harukawa: He pretended… to drink it?

Saihara: Drinking the antidote was part of his lie. Harukawa could only see so much through the window. She didn't confirm Ouma drank it. I believe that Ouma knew this and just pretended to drink the antidote. After Harukawa left, he gave the antidote to Momota. There's a strong possibility that all of this was done… … To make Momota cooperate.

K1B0: Make him cooperate?

Ouma?: …

Saihara: The swapping trick required the victim and culprit to work together. Momota’s cooperation was essential to Ouma’s plan. However, I don't think Ouma would be able to sway Momota easily… He needed leverage. He gave Momota the antidote… in exchange for his cooperation.

K1B0: In exchange for his own life, you mean.

Saihara: Momota had no choice, he had to cooperate after Ouma saved his life. That's just Momota’s character, and Ouma knew that. He swallowed his pride with the antidote, and agreed to participate in Ouma’s plan.

Yumeno: But didn't Ouma make this plan? What good is it for him if he’s dead!?

Saihara: I imagine this was all part of Ouma’s plan to confuse us. You wouldn't think that someone would plan their own murder.

K1B0: He went so far as to give up his life… just to create this mystery?

Saihara: Only Ouma could think of something so nefarious. Who else would agree to die just to execute their plan?

Yumeno: He’s crazy… why would he go that far?

Monokuma: I bet Ouma was determined to beat me at my own game, no matter what.

Ouma?: …

Monokuma: But too bad! Saihara figured out the truth!

Ouma?: ...Truth? Are you sure it’s not delusion?

Saihara: Delusion?

Ouma?: A delusion completely off the mark, to make you think that I died… But, who cares what you guys think? This is between me and Monokuma. I don't give a crap if the extras in this game get it right or not.

Shirogane: E-extras…?

Yumeno: I'm fine with being an extra!

Shirogane: Huh? Why?

Yumeno: If we’re just extras then even if we get it wrong, we won't get kill--

Monokuma: No, I'd still kill you all. Don't put Ouma’s words in my mouth.

Yumeno: Wh--!? But why!? You were being so friendly with us!

Ouma?: If Monokuma gets it right, then he takes everyone’s lives, yeah? But if Monokuma gets it wrong, then he’d have no right to take everyone’s lives. If Monokuma doesn't know who the culprit is, then this killing game can't function anymore.

Saihara: (Can't function anymore…) … Momota… I believe in you.

Ouma?: ...Hm?

Saihara: (If you're cooperating with this plan… you must have a reason. To determine that reason, I need to reveal the truth!) I still think Momota is the culprit. Thinking of it that way makes all the pieces fit. I will show you the truth… The truth you can't deny!

Closing Argument -

Let’s go over the trick that Ouma and the culprit created together… Last night, Kiibo saw Yumeno from the window of his lab. She was carrying a black case and heading to the exisal hangar. When she reached the hangar, she handed the case to someone through the bathroom window. That someone… is the culprit of this case! Locked in the bathroom, the culprit had asked Yumeno to bring him a certain weapon. A disassembled crossbow from Harukawa’s lab. The culprit was going to use the crossbow to challenge Ouma to a fight. Some time passed, and Harukawa made her way to the hangar. She was going to the hangar to kill Ouma and save the culprit trapped in the bathroom. However, the hangar had an electric barrier preventing her from entering. Fortunately for her, she had an electrohammer to get around the barrier… in a way. She used her electrohammer to disable an Exisal and climbed inside. She knew Exisals could bypass the barrier… so she got inside one! Around that time, the culprit and Ouma began their confrontation. While Ouma was checking up on them, the culprit ambushed him with the crossbow. But the culprit didn't intend to kill Ouma, they just wanted to disable him. That’s why the culprit aimed for Ouma’s right arm. If they really wanted to kill him, they would have shot him in his vitals. Ouma reeled from the arrow, and the culprit jumped on him immediately. He didn't want Ouma to have the chance to summon an Exisal with the remote. While they were fighting, something happened that caught them both off guard. The shutter of the hangar opened, and an Exisal stepped inside! Ouma was definitely not expecting an Exisal to interrupt them. He pulled out his remote in an attempt to control the Exisal… But Harukawa leaped out of the cockpit and shot Ouma with her crossbow. The arrow hit Ouma right in the back. And it was no normal arrow. The tip was covered in a lethal poison from my lab called strike-9 poison. The poison kills slowly. It seems as if Harukawa wanted Ouma to confess before he died. But even with poison in his veins, Ouma continued to spin his lies. When she had had enough, Harukawa tried to finish him off with another poisoned arrow… ...But this time, Harukawa was the one caught by surprise. To keep Harukawa from becoming the blackened, the culprit used their body to shield Ouma. The culprit’s left arm was struck by a poison arrow. Harukawa remembered that there was an antidote in my lab, and immediately ran off to get it. The strike-9 poison slowly circulated through their systems, and would soon kill them both. But in that desperate situation, Ouma thought up a clever lie. He incorporated this unforseen event into his plan to help him win the killing game! Or, should I say… help him defeat Monokuma. That was Ouma's true objective. It's why he claimed to be the mastermind. Thinking fast, Ouma closed the shutter so that Harukawa could not re-enter the hangar. Thus Ouma’s final lie was set into motion. When Harukawa returned with the antidote, she couldn't get back inside the hangar… ...So she went around to the hangar bathroom, and passed the antidote through the window. But after the culprit was given the antidote, Ouma immediately snatched it. Ouma drank down all of the antidote while the culprit and Harukawa watched in horror. Harukawa must have been panicking, thinking the only antidote was now gone. She believed that the culprit was going to die from her own poisoned arrow. But it was all another one of Ouma’s lies. He had only pretended to drink the antidote. Harukawa tried desperately to break into the hangar, even slashing the control panel. But she couldn't get the shutter to open again. Defeated, she had no choice but to leave. After Harukawa had left, Ouma took out another weapon. An electrobomb capable of disabling communication devices for hours. Ouma’s plan was to use an electrobomb to knock out Monokuma’s surveillance cameras. That was why he commissioned Iruma to make the bombs in the first place. After detonating an electrobomb, Ouma coerced the culprit into drinking the antidote. In exchange for the antidote, Ouma asked the culprit to cooperate with his plan. Ouma needed to work together with the culprit to execute his final lie. Under normal circumstances, the culprit would never have agreed to such a plan… But because the culprit owed him for saving their life, they agreed to Ouma’s request. Ah, “request” is a generous term. It was more like blackmail. In any case, the two were now working together as accomplices in an insane plan. There was a lot to prepare, and not a lot of time. They had to work fast. If Ouma died from the strike-9 poison, the whole plan would be ruined. After fabricating the scene in the bathroom, the culprit dragged Ouma to the hydraulic press. This is how the swipe pattern blood stain from the bathroom to the press was created. Ouma, with the support of the culprit, stood in front of the press’ control panel. The two of them were finally ready to execute the insane lie! While Ouma was setting up the video camera near the hydraulic press’ control panel… The culprit laid face up inside the press, draping their coat over their shoulders. Then, Ouma activated the press and the camera’s record button at the same time… The hydraulic press came down slowly, all caught on tape for us to see. Normally, the safety function would have triggered, but the electrobomb had disabled it. The press got lower and lower, and just as the culprit disappeared from view… Ouma pressed the “Force Stop” Button and the camera’s pause button simultaneously. The two then switched places… and also switched roles. The “culprit”... and the “victim.” The would-be victim became our culprit and started up the press and camera. Ouma had saved the culprit’s life because his trick required their cooperation. He wanted to win the killing game… even if it meant dying himself! And so, Ouma was crushed by the press, and the whole thing was caught on video. The culprit’s left sleeve was dangling from the press, making us think he was the victim. Now alone, the culprit collected the video camera… ...and tore the hydraulic press’s power cord, so that it could never be raised again. This would make it impossible for us to determine the identity of the crushed body. But there was another reason the victim was killed in this way… It obfuscated the cause of death, making the case that much more difficult to solve. This was all part of Ouma’s plan to create a murder that not even Monokuma could figure out! With the press disabled, the culprit returned to the bathroom to flush Ouma’s clothes. Finally, they climbed inside an Exisal to hide, and waited with bated breath. And here they are now, in this trial… pretending to be Ouma. They're trying to deceive Monokuma in order to defeat the true mastermind! ...And that’s it. That's Ouma’s Unidentified Culprit Trick. The culprit is in that Exisal. ...It’s you, isn't it? ...Kaito Momota, the Ultimate Astronaut!

Saihara: ...I’m right, aren't I? That's you in there, isn't it, Momota?

???: …

Shirogane: Really? Is it really Momota?

K1B0: I must reluctantly agree with Saihara’s deduction--

Ouma?: Man, Saihara sure loves his cuh-raaaazy deductions!

Harukawa: ...Huh?

Yumeno: You’re… still not gonna admit it?

Ouma?: Admit it? But it’s wrong.

K1B0: But, logically speaking, his deduction tracks…

Shirogane: If it’s really Momota in there, he would have admitted it by now…

Yumeno: Was Saihara’s reasoning wrong somehow?

Saihara: (No, my detective work was flawless. It's the truth. I'm sure Momota is inside that exisal. So why is Momota still fighting me? Is this about Monokuma? Or is there another aspect to this?

Ouma?: You claim everything is set, and that’s it. You don't have any evidence, do you?

Saihara: …

Ouma?: You all think the body was switched when the hydraulic press stopped for a moment… ...But that’s just speculation in the end. No evidence to back it up. So if we reverse our reverse way of thinking, then it’s likely I didn't do anything, right? It's totally possible that the body-switching never happened, and Momota is dead. Not *just* possible, it's the actual truth…

Shirogane: Well… it’s true there's no proof that the bodies were switched…

K1B0: No, we should trust Saihara’s deduction! I'm sure everything will be okay! This emotion I've learned… I believe you call it “faith”. That's what I'm feeling right now.

Yumeno: That's right… We have to believe in Saihara.

Ouma?: Well, I don't care either way. But if you guys get it wrong… … You'll have to deal with Monokuma.

Monokuma: …

Ouma?: What will the results of this Voting Time be? If Monokuma makes a mistake, he won't be able to execute anyone, right? Then it will be my victory. And that will ruin the entire killing game.

Saihara: (Ruin…? I see… so that's your objective! You mean to ruin the killing game itself! That's why Momota has been so stubborn all this time… But… what does he mean by ruin, exactly? Monokuma can do whatever he wants to the rules. How do you “ruin” something like that? What would be the point…?)

Ouma?: C’mon, Monokuma. Start the voting already.

Monokuma: Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to it. Sheesh… let's proceed with Voting Time, shall we? Sorry I fell short of your expectations, but I'm pretty sure I won't make any mistakes. Cuz I got the Ultimate Detective’s airtight logic on my side.

Saihara: … (...Now I know. The whole truth, and why. I believe in my own logic… And… I believe in Momota… From this point on, it's not about logic! It’s about how far I'm willing to go! I believe in you, Momota. Not as a detective, but as Shuuichi Saihara.) Ah… can I just say something? I’d like to have one last conversation before we vote.

Monokuma: ...Hm? One last conversation?

Harukawa: There’s… more to talk about?

Saihara: You see, before we vote… there's something I have to say. I just need you all to listen…

Ouma?: …

NONSTOP DEBATE

Saihara- Alright, let’s pin this down

Saihara- Who’s inside that Exisal?

K- Hm? Momota, right?

H- That’s what you said isn’t it

M- Ouma's the one who died (Lie) M- And the culprit is Momota standing right there!

S- Isn't that correct?

O- Ah-haha! Of course not! O- I would never die!

Y- I trust Saihara!

Saihara: (Momota is trying to ruin the game. That's why he’s hiding the truth. I don't know exactly why, but he’s putting his life on the line for it. So to put my faith in him… this is the only way Everything we’ve determined up to now… what if I turned it all on its head? Yes, I need to lie…)

Lie - Ouma’s Disappearance | Ouma Seen

Saihara: Ouma, I'm sorry. I just… can't lie for you anymore…

Ouma?: ...What?

Harukawa: What do you mean… lie?

Shirogane: Why did you say “Ouma”? The one in the Exisal is--

Saihara: I'm so sorry, everyone. I've deceived you all.

Monokuma: ...Huh?

Saihara: The truth is… after we found the crushed body, I… saw Ouma.

Yumeno: Nyeh!? You saw Ouma!?

Ouma?: …

Saihara: Yes. He threatened me, told me that if I didn't do what he said, he'd kill us all. He wanted me to lie about what I saw so that the trial would be more interesting… But I can't do it anymore! I can't keep lying like this! I have to tell the truth… Ouma isn't dead! He's alive!

K1B0: H-Hold on! Why did you wait until now to mention this!?

Saihara: I'm so sorry Kiibo, but… it's true. (Really… I really am sorry. But this is the only way. Momota is trying to fool Monokuma… Trying to ruin the class trial. If Momota is risking his life to do this, then I'll stand by him. I believe in Momota! I will believe in what he’s trying to do! He's not doing this to hurt us… I'm sure he’s trying to save us all.)

Monokuma: …

Saihara: (If Monokuma wants to rely on my detective work, fine… I'll just lie.) Everyone, please… don't vote for Momota. There's no doubt about it. Ouma is in that exisal! He's the culprit!

Ouma?: …

Monokuma: Hey Saihara… I dunno what you're scheming… But as far as I'm concerned, you guys aren't extras at all. If you guys are wrong, you're gonna hafta take your punishments like champs! Got it!?

Saihara: … ...I’m not wrong. We can't vote for Momota!

Momota: Stop it! That's enough.

Saihara: Huh?

Momota: It’s… over. -Momota exits the exisal- Momota: If you guys get it wrong and Monokuma gets it right… Then you'll all get punished. There's no way I can let that happen. So… It's fine. Let's end this.

Harukawa: M-Momota!

K1B0: So… it really was you?

Momota: My bad for tricking you guys. I'll explain everything. But before that, it's Voting Time. Alright, don't get it wrong! I'm definitely the culprit, you got it!? I'm the one who killed Ouma!

Saihara: Momota, no!

Momota: Just like you to figure it all out, Saihara. You're really something else. So all you gotta do is believe in your reasoning. That's what detectives do.

Saihara: …

Momota: Hey, Monokuma! Let's hurry up and get this vote started!

Monokuma: Puhuhu… Well said. Let's get this started, then. The heart-racing excitement as the blackened and the spotless face off! It’s… VOTING TIME!!!

Select - Kaito Momota

Monokuma: Puhuhu… It seems the voting has finished. Now then, let's see the result.

-All votes for Momota-

Monokuma: Who’ll be chosen as the blackened!? Will you make the right choice or the dreadfully wrong one!?

Verdict - Kaito Momota

Post-trial -

Monokuma: Well, if the culprit’s gonna confess, then I guess even morons can't screw this up… The blackened who killed Kokichi Ouma is Kaito Momota! You all got it right!

Saihara: …

Harukawa: …

Momota: So you all got it right, huh? Even Saihara and Harumaki voted for me… What a relief! Well, I knew you guys wouldn't get it wrong.

Shirogane: …

Momota: But man was it hard to act like Ouma the whole time… I mean, sure, he wrote most of his own lines. Seriously, look at this huge script. He wrote the whole thing. -Book of Ouma lines- It's even got a bunch of alternative lines for different events, too.

Yumeno: …

Momota: But even so, I still had to ad-lib. You guys couldn't tell though, huh?

K1B0: …

Momota: Hey, c’mon guys… don't look so sad... You guys got it right. It's all good.

Harukawa: Why…?

Momota: Hm?

Harukawa: Why… did you kill Ouma? You were so against the killing game… So why did you kill him? I believed… that you absolutely wouldn't do… such a thing…

Saihara: Harukawa… (Was she protecting Momota… or just believing in him, like me…?)

Momota: Yeah, I should explain. Most of it’s just like Saihara said. After Ouma pretended to take the antidote, he gave it to me… Then he told me I had to cooperate with his plan…

-Flashback-

Momota: Plan? What plan?

Ouma: I-I’ve been thinking… this whole time… of a plan to throw the mastermind off guard…

Momota: Throw them off guard? What are you talking about? You're the mastermind!

Ouma: Ohhh… um, that was a lie… I-I only pretended to be the mastermind…

Momota: Pretended!?

Ouma: You all fell for it… But y’know… I prepared a bunch of stuff… Like this remote control… I had Iruma make it… The mysterious message in the courtyard… Using Gonta and making him a murderer… All that preparation was just to make you guys think I was the mastermind.

Momota: Wh-What the hell!? Why’d you do all that…?

Ouma: The reason why… I pretended to be the mastermind… ...was to end this boring killing game!

Momota: To end it?

Ouma: I thought if I showed you the despairing truth, you guys wouldn't want to go outside anymore… I thought it would end the killing game. But instead… this happened. I'm gonna die by Harukawa’s hands… Why do you think this happened? Why do you think Harukawa tried to kill me? Why do you think the killing game started again?

Momota: Why…?

Ouma: Because the true mastermind instigated it. I'm certain of it. They made a move… without us noticing. Maaan… thanks to that, everything is ruined…

Momota: The true mastermind instigated it? So whoever that person is, they also instigated Harukawa’s actions, too?

Ouma: Yeah… they probably tried to eliminate me because I pretended to be the mastermind…

-Flash forward-

Harukawa: ...My actions were instigated by the true mastermind? B-But that can't be… The reason I tried to kill Ouma was… ...because I remembered the truth from the Flashback Light.

Saihara: Maybe… making you remember the truth was what the mastermind wanted…

Harukawa: ...What?

Saihara: Maybe the true mastermind had us use the Flashback Lights… ...so we would target Ouma as a Remnant of Despair?

K1B0: So the Flashback Light itself was the true mastermind’s trap all along? They expected us to target Ouma once we remembered he was a Remnant of Despair?

Saihara: Ouma certainly expected it. That's why he talked about the true mastermind. (But… even so, this is all rather convenient for the true mastermind. The person claiming to be the mastermind just so happened to be a Remnant of Despair? We’re all students of Hope’s Peak Academy, and our fates are tied to the Remnants of Despair… I never would have imagined that fate would bring us to Ouma’s murder. It just plays too nicely for the true mastermind.)

Momota: I didn't know about that Flashback Light. Guess that's another mystery for you. Anyway, like I was saying…

-Flashback-

Momota: Then who is this true mastermind!?

Ouma: Wh-Who knows… I dunno either… But it doesn’t matter… we can’t lose… This game is pointless… unless you win. That’s why… I thought of a special plan… When I'm on the verge of losing… ...my plan will help me win!

Momota: I don't really get it, but is this the plan to throw off the mastermind?

Ouma: Well, it's not that difficult… Momota… I need you… ...to kill me.

Momota: Wha-!?

-Flash Forward-

Momota: The plan was… to make a case where the victim was unknown. And then trick Monokuma into thinking I was the victim so he’d mess up. If he ruled that either Ouma or Harukawa were the blackened… Then I'd show myself and Monokuma’s ruling would be invalid. And if Monokuma’s ruling was invalid, the killing game would end.

Saihara: That's what I'm most curious about. What makes you think it would end?

Momota: Yeah, I asked Ouma about that myself. Why would Monokuma care if he messed up on who the blackened was? And… this is what he said.

-Flashback-

Ouma: Even if it’s Monokuma or the true mastermind, they can't break the rules as they please… Being unfair like that… isn't allowed…

Momota: What do you mean?

Ouma: Death games are meant to be watched. If no one was watching, there would be no reason to be such a stickler for the rules… There would be no point in making this a game in the first place… But Monokuma’s been a stickler about the rules, and making this game interesting. That's why he agreed to my plan in the Virtual World… Which means Monokuma is aware that someone is watching us… In which case… I have no doubt that this death game is being shown to someone.

-Flash Forward-

Yumeno: So… this is some kind of show!?

Shirogane: But who’d be watching? We’re the only people left, aren't we?

K1B0: That's right! The Flashback Light is the reason we even remember that!

Momota: But Ouma mighta been right. Why have a death game if no one’s watching? I wasn't sure about it at first, but after this class trial, there’s no doubt. Monokuma can't do whatever he wants. He’s bound by the rules of the game. That's why he couldn't afford to get the culprit wrong. Why he relied on Saihara. It's just like Ouma said! If this game’s rules matter so much, someone’s watching.

Saihara: (A death game is made to be watched...) If that's true, then… who? Who… is watching this?)

Yumeno: What's this all about, Monokuma!? Is this killing game really a show for someone!?

Monokuma: Puhuhu… Who can say?

Yumeno: Nyeh!? Why won't you tell us!? We were friends during the trial!

Monokuma: ...Honestly, I was just happy you guys cooperated with me. Humans love to help. They jump at any opportunity to extend a helping hand.

K1B0: Then, here's another question-- Who are you, really? If Ouma, a Remnant of Despair, is not the mastermind… Then who’s the true mastermind? Is it another Remnant of Despair like him?

Monokuma: I'm not gonna spill the beans on a perfect “To Be Continued” cliffhanger like that!

Yumeno: Wh-Why you… are just too cute!

Shirogane: Huh? Really?

Harukawa: I understand Ouma’s plan, but… why did you agree to work with him, Momota? Why did you agree to kill Ouma? Because he saved your life? You should've just… ignored him. He's better off dead anyway…

Momota: It was kinda hard to ignore such an annoying guy.

Harukawa: ...What?

Momota: Geez… I wonder how far ahead he planned this evil scheme of his.

-Flashback-

Momota: Y-Yeah but… killing you… What are you talking about!? You want me to kill you!?

Ouma: I figured you'd react like that… But… are you sure you're okay with that? Because if this poison kills me, then Harukawa would become the blackened. And her crime would be exposed so easily. If that happened, then Harukawa and I would've died for no reason, right? Which is just what the true mastermind expects…

Momota: Wha-! Dammit… that's playing dirty! So that's why you gave me the antidote…

Ouma: Nishishi.. I *am* the Ultimate Supreme Leader. There is no depths I won't sink to. ...Even if I have to sacrifice myself.

Momota: …

Ouma: Anyway… this is our chance… Our chance to end this killing game. That's why… you have to kill me, so we can win and ruin this killing game… We’ll bring the true mastermind and everyone who’s watching… ...We’ll bring them down to utter despair! Then everyone who died can rest in peace! Ah-hahahahahaha!!! ...Ack, aw crap. I'm gonna die soon… Can we get this started already?

Momota: You're seriously crazy, dude.

Ouma: Nishishi… But, y’know… I… wasn't boring, right?

-Flash Forward-

Harukawa: Then… he blackmailed you by using me!?

Momota: No. I agreed to his plan once I heard the words “ruin this killing game”. He was crazy, but that let him come up with some crazy plans… And we needed a crazy plan in order to stand a chance against Monokuma. I bet on that chance. I didn't have any other choice… Cuz… I'm outta time.

Harukawa: Time…

Saihara: Momota… you mean, your health…?

Harukawa: But you said you were fine! You told me not to worry about it anymo--

Momota: Ah, my bad. That was a lie.

Harukawa: A-A lie...?

Momota: Haha, yeah it’s pretty bad. Honestly, I'm at my limit just talking.

Harukawa: N-No… it can't be…

Momota: But I gotta wonder how this happened. I don't remember at all. In my memories, I was fine during the medical exam for my training…

Saihara: (If he was fine during the medical exam, then that means…) This might be… the virus.

Momota: Virus?

Saihara: One of the plagues that caused our planet to crumble. A virus carried by meteorites that spread across the globe. Hope’s Peak Academy, along with the rest of the planet, was in danger of extinction. Even though we had come so far and triumphed over so much despair… We were almost wiped out in an instant. This must have something to do with the virus. Momota didn't use that Flashback Light, so he might not remember it…

Shirogane: But weren't we supposed to be immune? We were selected because we didn't--

Monokuma: Perhaps the virus was dormant when you were selected for the Gofer Project… You could've been infected the whole time, showing no symptoms until very recently.

Yumeno: W-What!?

Harukawa: Momota is… infected with the virus!? But how could that be!?

Momota: I dunno what you're talking about, but… I guess I'm pretty screwed, huh? Well, I knew this was coming. That's why I agreed to Ouma’s plan.

Saihara: …

Momota: But you know, when I found out about the plan, I thought it was pretty awesome. Ouma left me with a whole outline of it. I freaked out when I read it. It was a pretty good plan. I thought we might be able to trick Monokuma. But I knew Saihara’d see right through it in the end!

Saihara: ...What?

Momota: Haha, and that's exactly how it went! Nice job, Saihara! You're really something!

K1B0: Momota, did you…

Momota: Yeah, I knew you guys would figure everything out. That's why I was able to get on board with Ouma and lie like that. Even if I messed stuff up during the trial, Saihara’d see the truth. Heh. Just what I'd expect from my sidekick.

Saihara: Wh-Why…? If you knew I'd see through it, why--

Harukawa: If you knew it was pointless from the start, then you shouldn't have gone that far…!

Momota: Nah, it wasn't pointless. It ended up being a huge success.

Yumeno: W-Why?

Momota: Because of this plan and Ouma pretending to be the mastermind… We got closer to the true mastermind’s lair… Behind this truth, there’s gotta be a hint that leads to the real truth.

Saihara: The real truth?

Momota: Yeah, no doubt. That's why Ouma gave his life.

K1B0: You talk as if… he was your partner. When you hated him so strongly before…

Momota: Oh, I hate his guts. Honestly, I'm still pissed off at him. He made us go through so much crap. To the end-- No, even beyond that… He was a lying sack of shit.

-Flashback-

Ouma: I-It’s getting… harder to breathe, so… Please… can you…

Momota: Hey, can I ask one thing? You want to ruin this killing game, but… You kept saying how fun this game was.

Ouma: … That was a lie… obviously… H-How could a game… that you're forced to play… be fun…? I had to think this game was fun to survive… I had to lie to myself!

Momota: You little…

Ouma: The bastards who created this game to toy with our lives… and the shits enjoying it… They all… piss me off! Th-that’s why… I'm willing to do whatever it takes... to end this game!

-Flash Forward-

Harukawa: Ouma said… that?

Momota: That coulda been a lie, too. He probably just said that so I’d cooperate with him.

K1B0: Was it really a lie…? I think his dying words may have been the honest truth…

Yumeno: No, it's definitely a lie. He’s not the type to shed real tears.

Shirogane: I wonder which one it is…

Saihara: (A lie… or the truth? Even now at the very end, I don't really understand Ouma… But maybe that's what lying is all about. The truth is in the eye of the beholder, huh? Ouma… was the very embodiment of a lie.)

Momota: That pretty much wraps up my explanation. Now, finally… I need to apologize to Saihara.

Saihara: What? Me?

Momota: To be honest… I was jealous of you.

Saihara: Jealous…?

Momota: Because you were always saving us, y’know? Your detective skills kept us alive… You were just way too cool, and I got frustrated… So that's why I was so harsh on you. My bad…

Saihara: … Hey… No, Momota, that's not true… I was only so confident because you were there for me, Momota. When you made me your sidekick, you said that you’d “take the responsibility”... And that… That’s why I can do all this. If you didn't talk to me back then, even now I'd be--

Momota: Hrkh! *cough* *cough* *cough*

Saihara: Momota!?

Harukawa: M-Momota!

Shirogane: Momota, are you okay!?

Momota: Heh… H-How can I be okay? I'm… about to die…

Monokuma: You sure are, bucko! Cuz it's punishment time!

Saihara: Punishment!?

Harukawa: ...I won't let you… ...I won't let you kill Momota!

Monokuma: Oh? You planning on getting in my way? You know what'll happen if you do that, don't you?

Harukawa: I don't care what happens! I planned to kill you anyway from the start.

K1B0: Y-Yes… I’ve been determined to fight back for a while now…

Momota: N-No… Stop…

Saihara: No, Momota, I can't! I can't let you die, Momota! I don't care if you're sick! I don't care if you're dying! I won't let Monokuma touch you!

Monokuma: … ...Puhu. Puhuhuhuhuhuhu. Puhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu.

Shirogane: Wh-What’s so funny…?

Monokuma: Oh, just thinkin’ about life… and how irreplaceable it is. Know what I mean?

Saihara: What…?

Monokuma: When a life ends, those closest to it mourn. But if you could somehow recycle that life… Then those closest to it wouldn't need to mourn anymore, right? If we could recycle life, the world would be filled with hope. That's my point.

Saihara: What are you talking--

Monokuma: Alright, kids! Time for your grand re-entrance!

Monokubs: Rise and shine, ursine! With our powers combined, we are the monokubs!

Saihara: Huh?

Monotaro: I'm Monotaro! No matter how you read it or spell it or say it, it's still Monotaro!

Monophanie: What the-!? That's totally a lie!

Monosuke: What the hell’s goin’ on? I coulda swore there was more of youse chumps before!

Monokid: Fuck if I know! Let's destroy Monodam now! This sadsack is bummin’ me the fuck out!

Monodam: …

Yumeno: W-What the!? Weren't all the Monokubs completely destroyed!?

Monokuma: Those old Monokubs were destroyed. These Monokubs are the latest model. They still got their factory settings, so in a way, it's like they’re brand-new characters… But who cares!? Now that my cubs are back, I'm not lonely and miserable anymore!

Shirogane: You… brought them back on a whim like that?

Monokuma: You guys are just as replaceable. Maybe not as replaceable as the Monokubs… But finding other people to participate in this killing game is easier than ya might think.

Saihara: (Finding other people?)

Monosuke: I got no idea what’s goin’ on or what any of this means, but that’s right!

Monokid: Hell yeah! We’re so fuckin’ lovable and shit! Except Monodam, of course!

Monodam: …

Monokuma: Oh, do you know what else this means? Now that the Monokubs are back, I’ve got my Exisal entourage protecting me again. Still wanna defy me now?

Yumeno: Th-This is bad! If he’s got the Exisals again-

Harukawa: So what? It doesn’t matter… I won’t let you kill Momota. I’ll… fight until the end…

Momota: S-Stop… Even if you fight the Exisals, you’ll just get killed, dammit! The remote control and the last electrobomb were crushed in the press.

Harukawa: No… I won’t give up.

Momota: Harumaki! Enough alre-

Harukawa: I’ve never felt this way before! I’ve always fought to kill, but… this is the first time I’ve fought to protect someone!

Momota: Huh?

Harukawa: And… I’ve never… ...Been given a nickname like “Harumaki” before, either.

Momota: You…

Harukawa: And I’ve never… ...met someone as stubborn as you before… … And… I’ve never… (Harukawa starts crying) ...Fallen for someone before.

Momota: Harumaki!

Saihara: Harukawa…

Harukawa: I… don’t want this to end. I just… don’t… That’s why I won’t let you kill Momota! I absolutely won’t let you!

Momota: … Harumaki… I’m sorry… but that’s not an option. I don’t have as much time left as you think... I’m… fighting just to stay standing.

Harukawa: B-But I…

Momota: Hey, Harumaki. I asked you before… What’s your enemy? Before… you hated yourself so much. You didn’t even like yourself a little… And wasn’t that the reason you tried to distance yourself from others? You decided that you didn’t deserve to have friends, didn’t you? That was your enemy. But not anymore, huh? You’re alright now! You fell for a guy like me! Now you can learn to like yourself!

Harukawa: … U-Ugh… uuugh…

Momota: Hey, hey… don’t cry. Can’t you send me off with one last smile? You guys, too. I’m not gonna allow any tears. Send me off with a bang.

Saihara: … Alright… Momota. I… won’t cry.

Yumeno: M-Me too! I’m gonna hold it in!

Shirogane: Yeah! I’ll endure it!

K1B0: I can’t cry. Even if I wanted to… (Ironically, his crying sprite is displayed.)

Momota: Hey, sorry about the wait, Monokuma. You can go ahead and start now.

Monokuma: Can do!

Monotaro: Oh boy! My first Punishment Time! I’ve never seen one before!

Momota: But let me just say this to the true mastermind controlling Monokuma… You better get ready! My friends aren’t gonna lose to you!

Monokuma: …

Momota: That’s all. I’ll leave the rest to you guys! End this ridiculous killing game!

K1B0: We’ll end it. So, please... don’t worry.

Momota: And Saihara… Never forget, you’re not alone. You have friends. Don’t try to do everything by yourself, okay?

Saihara: Yeah... Momota. Okay.

Momota: Don’t forget! The impossible is possible! All you gotta do is make it so!

Saihara: Yeah! Thanks, Momota!

Harukawa: …

Momota: Harukawa.. How long are you gonna cry? You should smil--

Harukawa: I-I can’t… That’s impossible… I can’t…

Momota: Haha... of course… My bad for making you cry like that.

Harukawa: Ugh… U-Uuuugh…

Momota: Alright then! Let’s end this with a bang! A special punishment suited to the Luminary of the Stars!

Monokuma: You don’t gotta tell me! I’m excited to get this started!

Momota: Oh yeah? Well screw you! I’m not gonna die the way you want!

Monokuma: It’s… PUNISHMENT TIME!!!

-Momota’s Execution-

( Momota is put into a rocket similar to that shown in danganronpa 1, though this time the rocket flips downwards and descends into the core of the earth in a spinning, drill-like motion. It resurfaces on the other side of the world and flies him to space from there, at which time his illness finally kills him and the execution fails. The rocket returns, and Kiibo protects everyone from the debris, getting his ahoge disconnected in the process. Monokuma seems furious.)

Saihara: M-Momota!

Harukawa: …

K1B0: … (He appears to be glitching.)

Shirogane: Kiibo, are you okay!? You got hit by that debris when you protec--

K1B0: I-I’m… fine… More importantly…

Monokuma: Ghghghgh…!

Saihara: What’s the matter, Monokuma!? Upset that Momota won!?

Monotaro: Eh? Whaddaya mean Momota won?

Harukawa: He died before the end of your punishment. Momota didn’t die from your execution!

Yumeno: Th-That’s right! Momota wasn’t killed by you!

Shirogane: It’s… Momota’s victory.

Monokubs: Wah! We lost!

Monokuma: Hmph… I dunno if he meant to do it, but he certainly went out like a stubborn jackass. Well, whatever! It’s not like this is the end of the killing game! So it’s fine!

Shirogane: It’s… not over?

Monokid: Hell yeah! No shit!

Monosuke: Ain’t it written in the school regulations?

Monophanie: The killing game will go on until there is just one blackened or two spotless.

Saihara: School regulations… So you’re gonna follow the regulations, huh? The only reason you want rules is because you’re showing this to someone!

Monokuma: ...I just want an entertaining killing game, but you’re entitled to your opinion.

Saihara: … That’s… enough! Enough of your bullshit, Monokuma! I made a promise to Momota! I will end this killing game! And to give Momota’s death meaning, I swear I *will* keep my promise!

Shirogane: Yeah! We’re not going to let anyone else die!

Yumeno: Who’s gonna even play that game anymore!? It’s already over!

K1B0: …

Monotaro: Hmm… you could cut this tension with a knife. What’s everyone talkin’ about, anyway?

Monokid: Feels like we stumbled into the last act. I dunno what’s happenin’ at all!

Monosuke: Yo Pops! Fill us in! We wanna help ya out!

Monophanie: Oh! Monosuke is acting nice! He’s sucking up for brownie points!

Monokuma: Ohhhh, I just can’t help myself around you cute little cubs. Gather ‘round, kids… I’ll spend a whole month telling you about what you missed.

Monophanie: A whole month!? Won’t that take longer than the whole chapter!?

Monodam: …

Monokuma: I’ll tell you all about it, while I smother you with hugs and kisses! You kids go on ahead and wait for me at home.

Monokubs: Okay! So long, bear-well! (For some reason it zooms on Monotaro specifically)

Monokuma: Huh? Why did I stay behind? Cuz I wanna give you all a reward for working so hard.

Yumeno: We don’t want it! Just go away!

Monokuma: By the way… I dunno where you got the idea that this killing game can be stopped. There’s nothing a participant can do to end this killing game. No way! Nuh-uh! This game is gonna keep going and going for a long time!

Saihara: (During his ranting, Monokuma took out…) Huh? A Flashback Light?

-Monokuma uses the light, no memory plays-

Saihara: Urgh… Gah…

Yumeno: W-What? What did you just do?

Harukawa: Was that… A Flashback Light just now?

Shirogane: Is it… broken? I don’t feel like I remembered anything.

Monokuma: Puhuhu… this Flashback Light has a special effect. You’ll remember soon enough… You’ll remember that despair is the only choice you have. And that hope doesn’t exist here at all! Ah-hahahahaha! The killing game will never end!

Saihara: (And then… Monokuma left. He declared that this killing game would continue. He declared… there is no hope. )

…

(After that, I honestly don’t remember how we got back. It took all I had just to accept the reality that Momota was gone... And not just Momota… Ouma too… Someone we all trusted, and someone none of us trusted... we lost them both. But it wasn’t all for nothing. Because we’re drawing ever closer to discovering the true mastermind…)

-Junko Silhouette in front of Motherkuma-

???: The killing game will never end… Never ever! As long as I’m around, it’ll never end. It’ll repeat over and over and over… Why would I ever let something this fun end? I want to have more fun. As long as it’s fun, we have to keep doing it. That’s just simple supply and demand. Puhuhuhuhu… Puhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu. Such... despair.

-In the courtyard-

Saihara: (Later that night… I found myself standing in that one spot in the courtyard. The place where Momota and I would train together... My heart… felt crushed. All the loss and guilt and helplessness… sinking into my chest. But still I… I stood there.) …

Harukawa: ...What are you doing?

Saihara: Ah, Harukawa…

Harukawa: ...So, you came too.

Saihara: Yeah... … Harukawa… I’m sorry.

Harukawa: For what?

Saihara: I was the one that drove Momota into a corner… Just like Akamatsu I… I end up betraying everyone important to me... It’s all my fault.

Harukawa: … ...Are you feeling lonely?

Saihara: Huh?

Harukawa: Are you lonely… now that Momota is gone?

Saihara: … Yeah… lonely. I… I feel so lonely, and so sad I… I don’t know what to do… The only reason I’m still alive right now is because of Momota. If he hadn’t have been my friend, I would be…

Harukawa: ...Me too. I can’t remember the last time I ever cried that hard. I wonder how long it’s been… But, I won’t cry anymore. I’m sad, but… I’m grateful to Momota.

Saihara: Grateful?

Harukawa: Yeah. I want to tell him that rather than being sad or lonely… ...I’m grateful to him. … That’s why… I won’t cry anymore. I’m not going to wallow in pity. I want to show him how much I appreciate all the things he did.

Saihara: Yeah… Yeah, I guess it’s the same for me too. I want to show my appreciation, too. I’m sure that our friends who’ve passed on… don’t want to see us miserable. ...Thanks.

Harukawa: Yeah…

Shirogane: Ah, so you guys were here after all. Just like I thought.

Yumeno: I knew you guys would be here cuz I cast a spell to find you.

Saihara: Shirogane? Yumeno?

Shirogane: Umm… If you don’t mind, can we join in your training?

Saihara: Huh?

Yumeno: I’ll train you all from the ground up so we can end this killing game together.

Harukawa: We’re… going to end this together?

Shirogane: Yumeno and I promised Momota.

Yumeno: Yeah. We’re gonna do what we promised and work together to end this killing game.

Shirogane: We can’t afford to lose to despair!

Saihara: … Yeah… Absolutely. (Monokuma said there’s no hope anywhere… But he’s wrong. There is hope. My friends are my hope. Momota said it best… I’m not alone. That’s right. I have friends. Not just my friends here, but also the ones who have died… They all gave us their hope too… That’s why… I’m going to live. I want to live for everyone who died. Despair cannot defeat me. I will hold on, and survive no matter what. … Thank you… Momota.)

-Flashback-

Momota: Let your sweat wash away all your sadness, fear, worry, and hardships... Just start moving your body and your pain will become memories before you know it.

Harukawa: ...Then you should train, too.

Momota: Well, I don’t have anything to worry about. Cuz, I mean… I’m Kaito Momota! Luminary of the Stars!

Saihara: Hey! No fair, Momota!

-Flash Forward-

Shirogane: Oh, by the way… What happened to Kiibo? Do you know where he went?

Saihara: Kiibo? Ah, I don’t know…

Yumeno: Nyeh… What is that guy off doing?

Harukawa: I don’t think a robot really needs to do any training...

Shirogane: But the rest of us are here. I kinda wish he’d come, too…

Saihara: …

-Blank screen-

K1B0: It’s quiet… Too quiet… And yet, this silence is quite refreshing. I used to hear my inner voice with perfect clarity… It would fill me with the power of hope… Guide me along the right path… ...I can’t hear it anymore. All I hear now… is silence. That silence means my will is now my own. Even if despair is all we have to choose… Even if hope no longer exists… I will never give in to despair! I...I will end this. No matter what, I will force this to end. This school, this Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles, is steeped in despair...

-K1B0 flies into the camera-

...And I will destroy it.

[pleaseload165]

Flash After Effects

Flash After Effects

Flash After Effects Tutorials

The Flash After Effects

Flash over after effect? Or After effects over flash? Just recently I have worked out how to animate sprites in after effects. Previously I would animate my sprite animations in flash then convert it into a video file and add the sound effect on after effects, and any other further effects. Here is something I created a few years back which I made in flash, then converted and edited in after effects.

Subscribe Now:More:light flashes on After Effects is.

Flash Player's end of life is December 31st, 2020. Please see the Flash Player EOL Information page for more details. This document lists the file formats which Adobe After Effects can import and export. You can add support for additional file formats to After Effects by installing a third-party plug-in.

Hello!Today I'll be showing you how to make black flashes in after effects, enjoy!If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments! After months of waiting - It's time to learn how to use STRIKE the right way! Recreating Flash running in Adobe After Effects!Download it here: https://www.

But recently I worked out that sprite animation was possible in after effects. So i created this very short animation.

So this in mind, it got me thinking. What program was better for sprite animation?

In flash, sprite animation is easy because you can add all the images and take the character frames out of the original image then put into the work space. In after effects to get the frames for the animation, you have to key out the background to the sprite sheet, then mask out each picture frame that you want. It’s a slightly different way to flash, however in both pieces in software it is quite tedious and time consuming.

Flash is also very handy for creating animation loops, like walk loops. These are obvious where it comes in handy, but I have not found any way of making an animation loop in after effects for this sort of thing.

After effects however can produce better quality images compared to flash because you don’t have to convert any file, and because the software won’t mess up any of the images. You don’t have to change any of the options to get a better image, whereas in flash to view high quality animations you had to go into the JPEG option and increase the quality.

After effects is also handy with how you can manipulate the objects, as the rotation, scale, position and other aspects are split into their own sets on the timeline, in flash all the manipulation is on one timeline for each object, which means if you wanted to manipulate two different aspects of an image, but at different times, it may get a little more complicated and time consuming in flash, than it would in after effects.

After effects has a much more powerful and flexibly virtual camera. Flash on the other hands has an actionscripited camera that, don’t get me wrong works effectively. However cannot do 3D effect at all, whereas the camera in after effect has to be in 3D to work. This give it an edge because it means you can make more elaborate animation with foregrounds and backgrounds, and also make more than one angle, rather than it just being a platform.

Adding effects is also easier in after effects because you can add proper effects on to any file, whereas in flash you can only add effects onto movie files. After effects has an input motion blur which reacted to the movements of the file and adds the blur in relation to the movements. In flash you have to add them manually. Any blurred camera looks have to be manually done too, but after effects has it built in.

The last thing is that after effect allows you to animate in a 3D environment, this can also be done in flash, but is more complicated and time consuming as part of it has to be scripted to do it properly right. No scripting is involved in after effects.

Flash After Effects

Well-rounded and powerful program which enables you to create professional-looking photos, render 3D graphics and add motion to them

What's new in Adobe After Effects CC 2021 18.1:

Bugs Fixed:

Fixed an issue that could cause After Effects to crash when copying layers using Linear Color key.

Fixed an issue with 3D Scene Navigation that caused spring loaded “C” AND “V” keys to not work correctly.

Read the full changelog

Professional multimedia editors are already aware of the importance of their software, as the application they use needs to be both feature-packed and intuitive enough to allow users to easily locate each function with ease. Adobe After Effects is one of the most complex tools one can work with in regards to designing motion graphics or cinematic visual effects.

Time-consuming installation and a few tips

First and foremost, it needs to be mentioned that this software comes with a large installer, therefore it takes a while to download, go through the entire setup and load.

When first launching the software, the Welcome Screen comes in handy to beginners and pros alike, as it displays some tips meant to optimize the manner in which you operate Adobe After Effects.

Import images and take advantage of incorporated presets

When creating a new composition, users can customize it by adding text strings, solid colors, camera, lights, as well as new distinct layers. Alternatively, the composition can be viewed as a flowchart, to ensure smooth manipulation of its components.

The application also supports inserting common images or Photoshop-based ones, and users can apply effects such as stylize, distort, and shatter. All the elements can be combined, adjusted and edited so as to obtain a custom high-quality animation - presets can also be of use when looking for inspiration for a new project.

Includes a standalone animation tool that helps users bring characters to life

The Adobe Character Animator is deployed alongside Adobe After Effects, providing users with a powerful animation tool they can use to bring to life models created with Photoshop or Illustrator.

The great thing about Adobe Character Animator is that it can track facial expressions and motion using a simple webcam, and apply them to two-dimensional characters. Moreover, it can mimic mouth movement and enables users to use audio recording to become the voice of their characters, with worry-free lip-syncing.

Apply an array of effects and set up various parameters

Considering the numerous types of effects and layer actions (such as time-reverse, mask, blend, switch) supported by Adobe After Effects, it is best to experiment with them before applying them to your final creation.

Experts are bound to access the Preferences section when they want to adjust the amount of RAM that can be used by the software, or to configure the video preview and audio hardware settings.

Conclusion

It might burden your computer’s performance, yet you should know that all jobs are finalized in a fair amount of time without running into issues such as errors, crashes or bugs.

Although the interface might seem a bit overwhelming, it is quite professional and there are plenty of Help contents integrated. All in all Adobe After Effects is an efficient and reliable piece of software, which deserves all the credit it has been given over the years.

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heroes barracks tour: infantry part 1 (colourless)

As infantry units are by far the most common, it only makes sense to split them up into several posts. I’m starting with colourless as that covers two different physical weapons and all of my army of healers.

But first, as usual, updates!

Armour update

Build improvements

Refined w!Tharja’s Candelabra for +def.

New units

+def –atk

I just pulled her this morning :D

The bane is really unfortunate; if my sources are correct it’s a superbane (-4 instead of -3) which frankly kind of sucks. That said, I intend on building her with Blarblade+ which would make up for the loss in damage.

Otherwise there’s nothing but great news here. I’ve completed the mage armours trifecta, got another unit with Armour March, and a 40% bonus for the upcoming Tempest Trials. The only reason I haven’t levelled her yet is that I refuse to do it in the Training Tower and today’s training maps (all fliers) are really not suited for –atk magic users with 1 movement. 

Plans

Blarblade+, Moonbow, Draw Back for Lyn. I should have enough feathers for that fairly soon.

Flier update

Build improvements

1. Caeda now has access to a personal weapon, the Wing Sword, although I don’t have enough SP for it yet. 2. Gave s!Camilla Gronnblade+, Draw Back, and Darting Blow 3. 3. Inherited LaD3, Glimmer, and Reposition to Shanna (my free summon on Love Abounds was a 4* Sothe) 4. Gave Renewal 3 to Nowi 5. Beruka is now +4 and has Bonfire

New units

+hp –def

I got her from Love Abounds actually and not Sacred Memories, and also yesterday, which is why she’s still unlevelled. It’s kind of ironic; I tried summoning for her on SM and got pitybroken at 4%, then I summoned on a different banner and she pitybroke me at 4%.

-def is hindering to her as Great Flame’s effect relies on it, but oh well. It does make me consider giving her Lightning Breath+ instead. It would give me access to another DC flier at a relatively low cost, and I could refine it for more def. I still have that one Hector lying around, which is an option, but I don’t want to use him on yet another green.

Whatever I do with her, it’s awesome that I have her, as she fits two separate teams. On the one side, she provides Hone Dragons (although to be honest that’s not anything gamebreaking for me as all of my dragon builds rely on QR making the +6 speed boost rather pointless). On the other side, she is another source of magic damage for my fliers.

Plans

Nothing new short-term besides figuring out a B slot for Myrrh

Cavalry update

GUESS WHO’S BACK

yaaaaay i only waited like 9 months

Yes I got him this morning like everybody else and immediately levelled him I WAITED NINE MONTHS, I saved that PA Olivia and that 2* Subaki for ages, fucking FINALLY

I gave him one of my Wind blessings, largely because I just wanted the SP boost, but it doesn’t hurt that if I ever pull Gunnthra she’s likely going to be on the same team as him and he could really use the extra Res. Distant Defence helps, of course, but only so much.

I’m going to merge him later, obviously.

Back to infantry

Bows

+atk –def

I got her randomly from Rite of Shadows (Celica and co’s first banner).

This build is an absolute mess. I just threw together a bunch of scraps for her when she was a bonus unit in the second ever Tempest Trials. It functioned okay there but there’s not a whole lot she can do now. She’s just really not suited for her own default build, Firesweep weapons are for fast glass cannons while Faye is slow and bulky.

Usage: She has 3k HM. The bulk of it was from the aforementioned TT, and the rest I grinded out afterwards on autobattle just for feathers. Now with the rise of shit like Zelgius, Firesweep + Poison Strike can be useful in AA provided there’s a dancer (not a problem considering I have 7) and only one foe left.

Future improvements: I’m interested in a Guard Bow build. In fact that was going to be the next thing on my to-do list (chosen randomly), but V!Lyn’s arrival overthrew Faye there, sorry girl

+spd –def

Baby boy. Baby.

I got him on the first day I’ve had this account, with the 10 Nintendo Network gift orbs from a full colourless circle, and I love him very much. He was my summoner support for a while. Then he became overshadowed by a different unit I built who did the exact same thing as him but better and also I loved him more because you know who he is, but I’ve missed using him so I didn’t hesitate at all in feeding off the dupe Faye I got from Legendary Ike’s banner. Now he has a niche again.

Usage: Oh boy. I used him for the first four Tempest Trials, and those were a lot more difficult than the ones now and I didn’t autobattle, so you can imagine. He was one of the first units to max HM... twice... and he has 3500 HM again now and going to be a bonus unit in the new TT so lol. I’ve also used him to clear high-end content like GHBs many times.

Improvements: LaD3 as soon as I get another Sothe. I’m also going to start merging him. I got a ton of Kleins while trying to pull for NY!Takumi, and I have 3 in my barracks. I’ve decided that every second one I pull goes towards merges, so that’s one merge for now.

+hp –spd

From Fjorm’s banner.

Unbelievably shitty IVs, of course, but it doesn’t matter. I wanted her primarily because her art is amazing. I wasn’t going to build her with BB+ or Firesweep over Klein and my baby, so in a way I was kind of relieved she wasn’t +spd or +atk, that way I had a justification for prioritising them that wasn’t just personal bias :D

Usage: As you can see she doesn’t even have her default C slot learned yet. I’m planning on using her as a TT healer at some point (through BoL6).

I’ve said before how I feel about Corrin as a character, but Maiponpon draws him so cute I can’t stay mad at him. Look at his wittle face

Anyway, this is a very simple build, pretty much just his default set with Bonfire + Bowbreaker, to capitalise on his own bulk and the defensive buffs he provides to other units. Also, this screenshot was taken before I refined his Hama Ya (for +def).

Usage: He does stuff in AA sometimes, his primary function is to be a bow Lyn counter

+spd –res

The apple of my eye, my child whom I raised all these years etc etc. From Hero Fest 1 :D

All I ever wanted when Heroes was announced was to have a Takumi. Well, here he is with perfect IVs to boot. I love him so much. It’s impossible to tell from menu screenshots like this (unless you know the stats by heart I guess), but he’s my current summoner support.

Quad builds are very powerful; I know not everybody likes them but I do. Oh I do.

Usage: he has 9999 SP take a wild guess

Improvements: Threaten Spd isn’t really the best C slot, but I haven’t really figured out what it can possibly be replaced with

+atk –something, +9

I just realised looking at this that he has the same def/res as Takumi :D

He’s actually +10 now, I just didn’t bother taking the screenshot. Virion, similarly to Est, is a product of spite more than anything, but I do actually kind of like him as a character, so there’s that.

I don’t really have a lot to say about him, he’s just there. I’m going to merge 4* Virions I get instead of sending them home, so that maybe one day I can upgrade him from here to a 4*+10.

Daggers

+hp –res

Got her on the first day of Performance Arts.

Honestly there’s not much to say, she’s a dancer and does dancer things with her dancer build. And her chibi sprite is unbelievably adorable.

Usage: dancer tier

+atk –hp

Apparently I pulled her at 4* on the first day, so when I switched mains and looked at what I had it was a pleasant surprise. I’d had great experiences using a +atk Kagero on my other accounts by then, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to promote her.

Usage: I actually don’t use her all that much outside of AA because she doesn’t do very well against non-infantry teams. Still, I’d say she’s worth the investment even in the current meta.

neutral

mochi baby

The other day I was reading my old comments on the FEH subreddit and found this gem in a thread that was about which characters you wanted to be added drawn by which artist:

Naturally I had to do everything in my fucking power to get him and at 4,50% (...after another 4% broken by Airzura) he came home <3

I don’t know what this build is supposed to be. Antimage, I guess? The double BoLs are because I used him as a combat medic in the two TT minis. He also has Iceberg learned but for TTs a big nuke with Glacies is better, considering Kagami Mochi has a killer effect anyway.

Usage: See above, combat medic for TTs. I’ll probably continue to use him to fill an extra slot and cover healing until he maxes HM (although for the next TT the main team slots are all taken, sorry boo)

Improvements: Desperation is kind of silly now that he no longer has boosted stats from being a bonus unit and I should replace it with something but I haven’t decided what. I might also throw him a Sothe at some point for a neat 51/41 offensive spread.

+1 iirc, +spd –something

This is a consideration more than anything. I don’t really like Gaius’ art but I do love Gaius, and daggers are in a marginally better place than before or at least more interesting, so if I get more 4* copies of him I might build something out of that, probably with a Smoke Dagger.

Staves

+spd –hp

Free summon from Maria and Minerva’s BHB banner, and my only 5* healer, lol.

I have the exact same IVs on a 4* copy, which is now merged to +4. My plan with all healers (that aren’t 5* exclusive, not that I have any of those) is to make them 4*+10s with 5* unlocked staves, so I guess once I get 3 or 4 more Marias I will merge this one into the 4* copy as well. I like the golden sparkles and everything but stats are more important, and I’m just not willing to work on 5* merges for healers on my main.

Since healers don’t really differ that much from one another, at least not when they’re 4*, here’s the rest of the ones I have. I’m not going to look up their IVs because who cares. Most of them will have theirs changed before I’m done with them.

(both +4)

(+2)

(+1 iirc?)

That’s pretty much all. I’m going to promote a copy of Azama/Serra/Wrys/Lissa/Clarine (who’s a horse but I didn’t talk about her or Prissy last time) once I get them to a high merge level to unlock their staves. As for Sakura/Lucius/Lachesis/Priscilla I’m probably just going to wait until they inevitably pitybreak me so I don’t waste my feathers.

Part 2 will cover tomes and also probably V!Eliwood!

[cryamore]

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE ROUNDUP

We’ve gotten a number of questions from our Discord members in the past month and it’s time to share them with everyone along with our answers.

See what a handful of our backers have been asking Rob, Aivi, surasshu, and me after the jump.

Kishou asks the following questions:

Can you change Esmy's appearance? Like, with armor sprites?

Sadly, given how Cryamore’s sprites are designed, it’s too taxing to make armor sprites for Esmy as we’d have to make armor sprites for a lot of unique animations, idle, running, hit, ground cast, mid cast, high cast, Vanish animations, Boulder Dash animations, etc. and then multiply that with 3 or 5 directions each.

The most we can offer for visual customization are palette swaps.

Featured above are palettes for default, Braxton, Bliss, “Dewritos”, and Black & Blue

I just want to see Esmy in something revealing like a swimsuit

Rob can probably arrange that in another artwork. I could sprite Esmy in a swimsuit but I don’t think we have any scenarios written down that feature her in one.

Of course, we could always write one in...

I'm not sure if this is asked before but is there a love interest in mind for Esmy?

Esmy’s too focused on her work and studying cryamore to notice anyone that may have feelings for her.

Right?

There's no "right" or "wrong" way to clear the game right? Like, surely some spells solve puzzles but there will be proficiency in not just weapon choices but spells in fighting too?

We’ve done our best to make sure your offensive/defensive ability and weapon loadouts will always be viable so whether you like playing ranged weapons with hard hitting close combat abilities, using mobility enhancing abilities with melee weapons or whatever playstyle tickles your fancy, we’ve spent a lot of time ensuring we got everything balanced and fun enough so there won’t be an absolute god tier and worst tier loadout.

Phosphatide asks:

About story flow: with games now searching for the perfect balance between "linear progression" and "open world freedom" to avoid blatant in-game walls preventing the possibility of sequence-breaking exploration or aimless wandering with no sense of urgency... what was your goal for Cryamore?

Alan: Honestly, I personally wanted full-on freedom to go explore some of the hardest areas of the game and risk the chance of getting wrecked, but we had to corrall things a bit to ensure you stay within the story bounds. Rob being the lead on this has final say on direction.

Rob: I wanted to instill a sense of survival in the game and make sure that the abilities are a big focal point for both puzzles and combat so we were able to block off certain areas of the world the way Metroidvanias would; give you a hint at what might be ahead, but you're blocked by something that needs a new ability

Alan: There's still freedom to be had but you can only go so far before you either hit a roadblock which needs an ability or sometimes story progression (you need clearance to explore south of the island)

So yeah, the goal was to give some freedom but not too much and I'm hoping we managed to achieve it with the world design I've done and with enough usage of the puzzle solving abilities we've made.

Tomar asks:

Curiosity here. Do you guys do art asset sharing through your VC system, or do you use something simpler like dropbox/google drive?

We’ve mostly used Dropbox all throughout to share asset files.

Above are the four folders we have set for Cryamore. Backgrounds has Rob and me contributing to it, Illustrations has Rob, me, and JC and Juby’s contributions, Inspiration Music has Aivi and surasshu’s work (a lot of unheard of to the public music WIP files) and Sprite-Animations has my work.

Once something like music, animation or an environment asset is set, Rob or I transfer it to Unity, apply any settings necessary (import and display settings for 2DToolkit, audio settings for Master Audio, etc.) and then upload it to the SVN so the file and all its settings will exist for anyone on the team with a Unity key and access to the Cryamore SVN.

Do you use freecamp for like kanban/task management stuff?

When we had more people in our team, we used OpenOffice and then switched to Freedcamp to keep track of tasks and bugs. Now that it’s just Rob and me, and Aivi and surasshu on sound and music, we mostly just keep a personal to-do list.

Xaelon asks:

I have no idea if this is possible with how the game is built, but something you could add to promote replay after the base game is completed would be a "randomizer mode" that shuffles various things into different places.

We could probably apply that to enemy spawns and some cryam deposits but the environment layouts though aren't as flexible sadly as we don’t use tilesets and the collision bounds of the environments aren’t generated by object due to a lot of irregular organic shapes.

We definitely have considered implementing a NG+ option though, maybe with levels and certain abilities intact on the next play but with more mobs and other difficulty boosts. 

shadowreaper5 asks:

Do skills with timers (like the buff to breathe underwater) have a visual representation of the time left?

To a certain extent, yes. Esmy’s going to have a breath meter over her head while underwater without the Oxy Barrier ability.

We initially wanted to just have a blue fill over Esmy’s status portrait (which changes to her holding her breath) while underwater but so it’s easier to keep track of, she’ll have a meter above her head when she isn’t using Oxy Barrier underwater.

While we do have spells with durations, some of them won’t have a meter and rely on visual cues: a timed magma mine will blink when it's about to explode, time paradox clones should blink when they're about to fade, and shadow cloak should fade back to full visibility upon ending. As it is though, we will mention the duration of spells in their info box at the menu.

Tarquinn2049 asks:

Ok. This question is a bit on the other end amd might make me sound like a jerk due to timing. But does it support 4k? And if so is it by pixel doubling? I can totally play it at 1080p if hardware scaling will ultimately look better.

Our native resolution is 720p which we’ll be upscaling to 1080p. We won’t be able to provide 4K support as working primarily in 2D where our target resolution is 720p would require us to rework the assets in a larger size so as not to lose crispness of lines and pixels on a larger resolution.

Rob:  The game looks freaking good on a 50-70 inch, though haha! I for one can't wait to playtest a lot on console (devkit).

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Unity editor-wise, Rob has been working on optimizing the code further. The sorting order of the game was archaic and clunky, so Rob decided to squish it down to a simpler and more effective form that relies on Sorting Order that Unity didn’t have early on during our development. We instead relied on Z index which required a lot of fiddling around with when setting objects up.

You can see in that test room video that the “Order in Layer” is changing value. Back then it would be the Z in the Position attributes and we’d have to manually set the value beforehand to make sure things appeared behind or in front of objects right.

Rob also implemented full analog movement instead of just the D-pad, this allows for more control, though it’ll need a bit of tweaking as it currently looks like Esmy’s skating along the ground like she’s about to break it down and provide everyone with boosted shields.

There’s been polish going on in multiple fronts on the graphical end as animations and environment assets get fixed.

Above is the fist weapons, we initially were going to go with brass knuckles but decided that it wouldn’t be that noticeable on the sprite unless we made it large but I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t miss the weapons so I designed these gauntlets that shows a bit of the transition from steamtech to cryamtech and also offers a more interesting silhouette while also making a bit more sense as a viable weapon against dangerous monsters.

The fists primary function work as a mashable combo. One press of the attack button does a jab, two presses in quick succession performs a jab and punch, three does a jab, punch, uppercut combo. It’s quick but it doesn’t have that much range or width in its melee attack range.

The second function is the parry which allows you to negate any damage if timed right. Rob’s in charge of securing the timing for all these as he’s the one in Unity and more well-versed with the parrying system this was inspired from (Street Fighter 3) so I trust he’ll make sure it’s balanced. We wanted to make the fists fun to use but even better if you master it and hopefully it’ll show.

The crossbow also underwent an animation rework during its polish phase. The old animation was too focused on being realistic that it didn’t look interesting (i.e. it looked too slow) and the crossbow already has it tough in being interesting when up against the pistols. So far everyone feels it looks much snappier now while still keeping to the timing of the old animation.

What differentiates the crossbow from the pistol is that Esmy can hold her shot and slowly strafe while doing so, only firing when you let go of the attack button. The crossbow also has different types of bolt quivers that you can equip. Currently we’re playing around with piercing properties and stagger/slowing/knockback properties.

We’re also looking into displaying the ammo/bolt count below Esmy everytime she fires so the player can easily keep track of their shots (we’ve been running on infinite ammo all this time just to get a feel of the weapon first before applying a limit). 

The rapier’s animations will still need the pixel pass but its roughs are ready.

You’ll notice two phases in the rapier animation. The basic thrust and the secondary backdash. These are the primary and secondary functions of the weapon. One allows you to dash forward with a piercing strike and another for quick evasion, making the rapier a weapon all about mobility (which could be handy for speedrunning too).

The Ghilcrest buildings are undergoing their design polish as well. You’ve all seen the Cryatisium and Esmy’s Home and now the Inventorium and the Cafe are joining them in polished goodness.

The overworld environments have also been undergoing its rework. More unique object assets have been made and its design is now following the Overworld map that I completed.

Worry not about the above image. Though we do have Brax (and some other characters) following you at some points in the game, it’s not a dangerous escort mission where you’ll have to struggle to keep your companion alive, the Berribuns were added on the map just for this screenshot (they ignore Brax and only go for Esmy).

I’ve tried to incorporate hints of the past steamtech throughout areas of Noka Island that the settlers covered, some machines like the one on the screenshot above were retrofitted to use cryam instead of steam (I did receive comments on how the smoke blobs look more like rocks so I’ll probably change it to wispy smoke).

The HUD has also undergone a visual polish to make it look more bronze plated to go with the early post steampunk-ish feel.

I’ll be continuously working on more animations and environment asset polish all throughout while Rob cleans up code, works on other background assets or lays said assets out in the Unity editor.

ART SPOTLIGHT

Every now and then, Rob (and sometimes I) take a breather and make some art (which will all eventually end up in the artbook) so here’s some of the choice pieces as of late.

Rob made something that could be wallpaper material once he cleans it up in a higher res, it’s an array of Bliss in a custom outfit.

Another wallpaper-ish piece from Rob with Deseret, Bliss, and Sorbet looking all tough and showing what I’ll just assume to be Ghilcrest gang signs... despite it being a small community.

Here's a more realistic pin-up style Bliss that Rob also made.

Rob also pays tribute to Atlus’ Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series by rendering Esmy in Shigenori Soejima’s style.

I did the same and tried making a Shigenori Soejima tribute using his soft paint style commonly present in Stella Deus and some Persona art. I chose to represent Team Bliss.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 

We’ve also got a few new submissions of fanart from the community that we’re proud to share with everyone. We’re grateful to have all your support and enjoy seeing everyone’s renditions of the Cryamore cast.

@Cliffist pays tribute to the fab queen, Bliss because clearly, she’s supposed to be the star.

@boss_ruru also decides to rep Team Bliss with this lovely piece of Ms. Barson in one of her many alternate outfits.

But it’s not all Bliss as MellowMarz aka @HeartlessHat provides a pistol toting pixel-art Esmy.

I’ll be working on the pixel art and animation featurette next. I had to hold it off since I needed to prep this first.

It should give an idea of what the update will cover.

I hope you enjoyed this update and all the news! Thanks for taking time to read through these.

- CM Alan

P.S. I also managed to secure one of the previous builds we made and will be preparing a guide to go with it for the backers on Discord.

[antiques-for-geeks]

Atari 8-bit lucky dip!

The Atari 8 bit was never a popular machine in the UK. Given its relative obscurity here (...if there's one thing I'm a sucker for it's the obscure) and the fact that it's a product of a fertile period for one of the most famous gaming brands, I've always been interested in getting one to play with.

After a bit of fishing on Ebay I managed to get a 600xl for a reasonable price; old hardware is getting pretty expensive and A8's seem more expensive than most. The 600xl is the smaller brother of the flagship 800xl, and is appealingly diminutive for an 8 bit micro. It does have one main disadvantage - it only comes with 16k of ram, so until I can upgrade it to 64k I'm left with a machine that will only be able to play simpler, earlier titles.

Scrubs up quite well!

I bought a flash cart (an UNO cart, which has worked flawlessly) and loaded it with games that should play on my 16k machine. Among the conversions of popular arcade titles of the time, there were many that I didn't recognise. Over the coming weeks I'm going to trawl through all of the games I can get to work and give them each a short review ...for better or worse...

Abracadabra

TG Software / 1983

Wander round a single screen maze blasting wizards with your magic, collecting keys and treasures. To make things more exciting, the walls move periodically, changing the layout of the maze. 

I really thought I was going to like this game. These single screen maze shooters are often a lot of fun, but sadly the movement of main character is stiff and awkward here. He seems to want to follow a narrow path even where it looks like you have a wider area to move in, leading to frustrating moments where you push a direction and nothing happens. If there's one thing an arcade style maze game needs it's precise control, so I can't recommend this one.

Alien Ambush

DANA / 1983

This is a fairly basic vertical shooter with a scrolling star background. The graphics are chunky, but a bit muddy - more like an early C64 game. One or two aliens appear on the screen - simply shoot them and avoid their wreckage. Sometimes they split into smaller enemies when hit. It’s competent enough, but there's not much to make this one stand out.

Alpha Shield

Sirius Software / 1983

This seems like a simplified Star Castle rip-off, and is a game which I remember previously playing on the Atari 2600. This version is very similar, though a touch more colourful. The original version seemed like a clunky attempt to get around the limitations of the 2600, substituting the Asteroids style point and thrust controls of the arcade for more traditional directional control. While it qualified as a decent effort for that machine it’s a bit out of place on the much better equipped 8-bit.

Anteater

Romox / 1983

Extremely similar to the arcade game Dig Dug with most of the excitement sucked out. A single anteater follows your ant through the tunnels left behind as you dig through the layers of earth. The goal here seems to be to collect ant eggs from a pile on the surface and bring them back to your nest. It might well get more exciting as the levels progress, but I found the first one so tedious I refuse to give it any more of my precious time ...especially as I know there are 2 different official conversions of Dig Dug itself coming up later!

Asteroids

Atari / 1981

F-ugly but functional take on one of my favourite games ever. Asteroids is one of the handful of early arcade games I always enjoy playing. It's an ageless classic, so a mediocre conversion like this is a real shame. It has chunky and jerky graphics, and the movement of the ship is too crude to properly capture the feel of the original. It's not the worst game ever, and has a handy 4 player mode if you're using an Atari 400/800 with enough joystick ports... but it's not a patch on the 7800 version, and even the cut down Atari 2600 is probably more playable despite it's inaccuracy.

Astro Chase

First Star Software / 1982

Can I skip the intro where astronaut walks slowly to their ship and takes off please? This has quite nicely drawn graphics for an early game. You fly through a maze of planets, scrolling in 4 directions. You can shoot some enemy spaceships... but what the hell am I supposed to be doing here? I’m not sure instructions will improve matters, because there seems to be no urgency or excitement to this game at all.

Atlantis

Imagic / 1983

A conversion of the Imagic Atari 2600 classic - like a simplified version of missile command designed to fit in with the limitations of the VCS. You have control of 3 defensive turrets protecting a city from an attacking space fleet. When I say ‘control’ what I mean is that you can choose to fire lasers from one of the turrets, but you cant change where they fire; one goes left, one right and one straight up. It’s purely an exercise in timing shots, made more difficult by the possibility of one or more of your turrets being destroyed. This is just a small graphical upgrade over the 2600 version. It's a playable game for sure, and gets quite frantic, but I never found it quite as fun and well balanced as its inspiration.

BC's Quest For Tires

Sierra On-Line / 1983

A sort of proto-typical endless runner, this has very bold cartoon graphics for early 80's game. You control a cave-guy riding ever rightwards on a single stone wheel. You start off by jumping pot holes and ducking under branches. There are some sections later where you have to time a jump over a river on some bobbing turtles backs. It's got some entertainment value, but I found it pretty repetitive stuff and I got stuck timing the river jumps. Bit of a theme forming here - games that wowed people with fancy cartoon graphics are often exposed as hollow experiences after a few decades have passed!

Beamrider

Activision / 1984

This is more like it! A solid version of a fun old-school shooter. This could be described as being like a simplified version of the arcade game Tempest, played out on a flat plane. You fly over a grid toward an infinite horizon, blasting enemies as they travel down fixed lanes toward your ship. I liked this one on the Atari 2600, and I like it here too. It's got the right mix of stylish but abstract graphics and frantic game-play to feel like it could have been an arcade effort of the time, something that many of these games clearly aspire to.

Berzerk

1983 / Atari

<Thwak!> ... boots Atari across the room ... I can't get this to work on my flash cart for some reason. I love this game, and I know from past experience that this is probably the best home version around (or at least the best that was released at the time). The game-play is spot on, and it has quite a bit of the metallic robot speech that livened up the arcade version. When I get a working copy of this it will get the full review it deserves.

Blaster

Williams / 1984

The only home version of a really obscure Williams into the screen arcade shooter, this is blocky and slow, with crazy psychedelic line drawing graphics. Apparently this was made before the arcade version, but was never officially released. It’s as basic as they come; you avoid things and shoot things. The game-play is shallow, the controls are treacly and the graphics are possibly seizure inducing .... and yet I somehow found this one quite appealing!

Boulder Dash

First Star Software / 1984

A stone cold classic dig-a-thon. You move through a scrolling level, hollowing out the earth a behind you to collect all the diamonds. Once all are collected you can exit to the next level. Making things more difficult, rocks dotted about will fall when undermined - a crush danger - and butterfly like enemies follow you through the tunnels you leave behind in the earth. The levels take on a heavy puzzle element - much more so than in Dig Dug, from which this takes some inspiration. The patterns of rocks have to be worked round with careful consideration to get all the diamonds. This seems like a great version that I'd like to spend more time with.

Bristles

First Star Software / 1983

Here is quite a likable single screen platformer where you catch lifts to visit different parts of the screen in order to paint all the walls. As expected, there are enemies to avoid who will bump you down a level on contact. There's also a 'lady' who wanders the halls leaving dirty hand prints on your new paint work. These have to be repainted to complete the level and she'll make you swear with rage before too long. When all the walls have changed colour on move to the next level with more walls to paint and more enemies to avoid. Being repeatedly bumped down the levels by errant enemies and lifts can frustrating, but once you have the hang of what the game expects of you it's fairly compelling.

Buck Rogers Planet of Zoom

SEGA / 1983

A conversion of the early SEGA into the screen shooter. This one appeared on many of the computers and consoles of the time, no matter how primitive - there's even an Atari 2600 version. The arcade game must have been very impressive at the time, using scaling sprites to convey the impression of barriers and enemies rushing toward you from the horizon. Sadly, like most of these home conversions, this version looks crude in comparison, sporting flickery graphics and jittery controls. It's also missing a 'trench run' stage present in the arcade which I'm sure could have been re-created in some form on the home hardware. It's not a terrible game, but has aged poorly and is ultimately pretty dull. I did like the colourful psychedelic flashing when a level is complete!

Captain Beeble

Inhome Software / 1983

This one didn't look much at first viewing, but turned out to be quite good fun, if frustratingly difficult at times. Fly around caverns on a jet-pack, fighting against the effects of gravity and blasting all the aliens on each scrolling level. Making things much more difficult, large crushing blocks fly across the level and deadly walls fry you on touch. I've always enjoyed games where you had to fight against gravitational effects, and it adds quite a bit to what would otherwise be a simple game. The graphics are quite plain, and this would be an easy game to overlook - give it a go.

[oh-my-otome]

Midnight Cinderella Suitor’s Fashions

@aquisces-arts wanted to see what the suitors would look like in modern clothes, so I did my best conceptualizing what each would wear and why.

Let’s start with King Byron:

Byron dresses very monochromatically-- wearing different shades of black head to toe, and choosing gold accents that catch the light. 

If you look at his hair, you can see that his wisps are very controlled. Even his cowlick is styled neatly. He would probably use a light pomade. The details on the jeans give texture without distraction, like his black casual shirt in the game. 

The gold zipper on the knees also satisfies his love of gold hardware. If you notice, Byron does not wear jewelry aside from his earring, which he shares with Nico, so I think a planetary key chain would be a good choice for him, as it combines his star-gazing hobby with an outlet for an accessory.

Of course, a Rolex is a must, and I think he would always give himself a chaste spritz of cologne before stepping out of the door. This scent is unisex and has a dry-down that smells of vanilla, woods and leather.

I don’t think he would shy away from stylish shoes-- he may even be a subtle trend-setter. Because Byron can hold his liquor with the best of them, and because he doesn’t tend to let himself get too casual out in the open, I thought martini glass novelty socks would be a fun twist. It would be his own little secret. While it may not be that wild of a thing for the rest of us, considering Byron’s aloof personality, he may feel that it really is daring indeed.

Let’s keep going with another king, Robert:

Robert’s overcoat may be green, but he actually wears a lot of brown and beige. I feel like Robert would want to keep a low profile-- he’s not into drawing attention to himself.

Robert seems like he would be at home in comfortable clothes that are no-fuss, and extra-comfy. He may purposefully fly coach, but his fancy schmancy luggage would be designer first class-- the better to spot it on the carousel in the airport. 

I think he would splurge on some plush headphones to pass the time on the plane, as he country-hops. Since he likes rather long necklaces, I kept the length, but changed the style, so that it wouldn’t compete with his favorite tee. 

Because he likes to switch up his hair-do, flexible shaping spray is a must; and you just know he’s the type to carry a pocket comb. I also added some scrub because he just seems like the type to exfoliate at least once a week. 

In his bag, he probably has a small journal for jotting down whatever corner bistros catch his fancy. Maybe he even has a small sketch pad and colored pencils, too, for when inspiration strikes.

As for footwear, he would need something super comfortable to carry him from museum to museum. The paint splatter on these are a callback to his profession.

Here’s what I think Nico would wear:

Because Nico’s hair is already dyed pink, I think he wouldn’t try to be too matchy with his clothing. One item that matches and that’s it, so I tied in the color of his locks with a button-down. The pants give him ease of movement, since he does all types of ninja stuff when you’re not looking. Plus it has lots of pocket space; you just know he’s got all types of short swords, poison darts, tea cups and whatever else. As one does.

As Nico is the only suitor who canonically conceal-carries, I thought having him carry a large pocket knife, with other accessories, would suit his tastes. Nico also tends to wear suspenders, both on his butler uniform and his casual clothes, so I gave him a pair here as well. 

He seems, to me, to be the type who just sticks their hand in the closet and puts on whatever comes out, so I gave him items which are both black and brown to maximize his styling options for whatever he throws on that day. 

He has a comfortable pair of shoes for quick escapes. Nico likes wearing scarves and neckties. Here, I’ve given him a bandana instead, which he can wear for fashion or use as a bandage. In keeping up with his big bro, they have the same headphones, only Nico’s are silver.

Here, Nico’s overall look reflects his character: completely unassuming badass.

I feel like Alyn would be a sneaker head:

He tends to make his shoes the focal point. He would be the type to have a whole closet section just for his shoes. He needs style and function-- something that would suit his tastes and also allow him to defend the princess even when off-duty. I feel like he would choose hard-toe boots and sneakers with a lot of cushioning.

Alyn keeps his shirts plain, almost always choosing raglan shirts and henleys in baby soft modal cotton. He goes with a basic feel-good pair of jeans in a deep color, every time.

He almost always chooses to wear red and navy together. Playing up the red in his eyes, and his auburn hair, you can find that color in everything from his tees, to his shoes, to his phone case. 

As he is technically always on duty to guard the princess, Alyn, like Nico, would carry a small knife. Since he wears a necklace with almost every outfit as it is, I chose to give him a ring instead. 

Alyn trains hard everyday as part of his job, so I feel like he would be concerned about smelling like it, too. This exfoliating soap smells of cedar wood and oak moss, and would keep him smelling so fresh and so clean.

Leo, like his twin, also accessorizes with red a lot:

I didn’t want to make them too matchy, though. Unlike Alyn, Leo tends to roll his sleeves up, so I gave him a tee, plus a flannel shirt that has tabs to hold up the sleeves. Leo calls more attention to himself, so he would like louder jeans than Alyn, who doesn’t go in for distressing.

Leo wears a lot of hardware every day, so I simplified it to just a bracelet and a necklace. The dog tag has a cross on it, just like Leo’s brooch. Because he is afraid to sleep, I imagine Leo drinks a lot of coffee to keep himself awake. Since he’s always encouraging the princess, I chose a coffee mug that encouraged him instead.

If you look at his sprites, Leo wears a lot of different materials, so to visualize that, I went with different textures. The stars on his sneakers are raised, the tee is textured jersey for softness, and the jeans have mock rips. To pull in the reds that he goes for, I thought he would like this phone case with a colorful snake.

Let’s do Giles:

I feel like Giles would be the type of person who would be chucking deuces on the way out of the office door, on a Friday, like “lmao, see you suckers!” 

He would be as dressed down as possible. He wears so many hats, so I think he would be the most likely to sleep in. Rather than drinking coffee, he would probably have a hot chocolate overflowing with marshmallows to satisfy his sweet tooth.

I gave him a feather soft twin set with flocking so that he could cozy up with his kitty and get some shut eye. But, should the princess suggest it, Giles would throw on some smart duds and hang out at the local coffee shop, no matter how pooped he felt. Here, he’s drinking a mocha cookie crumble frappacino. His second one that evening. And don’t touch his vanilla scones! Okay, maybe a bite-- a small one.

Albert has no chill, so I think that this is as dressed down as you’ll ever see him:

The jeans are quilted and paneled for a biker inspired look, and they are flexible enough that he can take down any attackers without a wardrobe malfunction. I didn’t give him a knife, because I thought he would probably go for hand-to-hand combat.

If Albert was going to make a statement, I think he would do it with actual words. So you can not only feel his disdain, you can read it, too. He’d definitely have a snarky coffee mug and his phone case reflects his work ethic.

Because Albert canonically works until he drops, his version of casual clothes are simply whatever is under his uniform that day. He just takes his coat off, but it probably feels like heaven to him at the end of the day. It looks so heavy!

While Alyn and Nico would have shoes with traction so they can do knight stuff, Albert would choose oxfords because he is also the king’s adviser. He has to do two jobs at once, so he needs to be able to look the part as he transitions between supporting the crown and actually defending it.

I gave him a sturdy watch and kept his glasses mostly the same. Since this is modern Albert, I imagine that he would wear contacts for the most part and switch to glasses after hours.

Albert often wears ties, but I gave him a dog tag made with black sapphire stones instead.

Louis wears almost all blue, so I added in some brown accents to switch it up:

I gave him some dressy-casual oxfords to take him from the ball room to the chic café in town. He has a patterned scarf since, like Nico, he can’t go without something covering his neck. Instead of gloves, I thought he might like a thick cuff bracelet. Louis looks so delicate, so I wanted to choose different materials and textures. 

I get the feeling that, no matter what, his sense of style is always semi-formal, but he tries to use at least one piece of clothing to make it a little casual. Even though he complains about the formalities of his social rank, he can’t quite bring himself to dress down like a townie, but he doesn’t feel like himself all dolled up in a tux either.

Louis’ hair is always on point-- and it looks so fluffy! But I bet if you touched it, it would be full of hair gunk to keep those tresses right where he wants them.

I wanted to give Sid something he could run to the store or hang out in:

I think Sid is very meticulous about his skincare and always buys the full product line. He would always have a pair of sunglasses in his pocket. His faux leather jacket has an attached hoodie, providing not only warmth-- but he can also use it to disguise himself.

I think this look will help him blend in, since he tends to go to more casual places to do his work. Similar to the hood, the sunglasses also give him an incognito look. Since Sid works all over in different countries, he would listen to music during his commute.  

I didn’t pair Sid with any fragrance, because I thought that would make him stand out more-- which is bad for the type of work that he does. He doesn’t need people remembering specific details about him, and the sense of smell is the strongest.

I don’t know much about Rayvis, but I wanted to style him anyway. He’s another one that wears a lot of one color, so I pulled out his accent color here:

He looks like a rather stiff person at first, so I imagined him as someone who has a really cute secret weakness, like indulging in decadent desserts at the end of the day. Chocolate strawberry cheesecake seems like it would do the trick, and it fit with the colors of his formal clothes.

For texture and mixed materials, his wool coat has leather sleeves, the maroon sneakers have plush velvet and the cable knit cap provides interest. 

I added a color-blocked button down and his black skinny jeans have distressing that you’d have to get up close and personal to see. 

His sunglasses also have a subtle hint of color. I don’t know what it is with MidCin guys and scarves, but I couldn’t let Rayvis be chilly, so I added something for him to cover himself with.

@astridapples, @widzzicles

[myongfisher]

Web design, web development, UI and UX: What’s the difference and which do you need?

What’s the difference between web design and development? And what about UI vs UX? What do these divisions mean? Why are there so many acronyms?? Don’t tech people want everything to be user friendly!?

Hybrid Herbs homepage design by BryanMaxim

If you’re new to getting a website designed, coming across the terminology of the tech industry can feel a lot like listening to a foreign language—except most foreign languages have rhyme and reason. But working with a web professional is something every business should do at some point; if you want a successful website, you may need a translator.

That’s what this article is for. If you’re getting your first website designed or just looking to understand the industry better, here we explain and dissect four of the most used and most troublesome terms in tech today: UI, UX, web design and web development. After reading this, you’ll not only know what each field does, but also which one you need your business to focus on most.

The ABCs of IT —

Wireframe of new website design, via Pexels

Let’s start off with some basic definitions to ease your initial confusion and give your some context before we dive deeper:

Web design — A broad umbrella category for everything that relates to designing the visuals and usability of a website. Both UI and UX design, along with many other fields, are included under web design.

Web development — The technical part of making a website, focusing on code. Web development is further divided into “front-end” and “back-end,” explained below.

User Interface (UI) — A specialization of web design that deals with the controls people use to interact with a website or app, including button displays and gesture controls.

User Experience (UX) — Another specialization of web design, this one dealing with user behavior and feeling when using the site or app. UX design encapsulates many other areas, but views them from the perspective of the user.

As you can see already, none of these areas are exclusive and there’s tons of overlap. Web design and development are just two sides of the same coin, UI design influences UX design, web development supports them all… it’s less about which fields handle which tasks, and more about how each field considers the same task from a different point-of-view.

For example, let’s look at loading times, a common problem for every website. How does each field address loading times:

Web design: If a page takes too long to load, there’s either too much content or content that’s too complex. The image files can be compressed, assets can be adjusted & re-exported and  pages can be trimmed of excess content.

Web development: To make content load faster, we can try better file compression to reduce the file sizes of the content, CSS sprites to save bandwidth or a content delivery network to improve loading times in specific geographical regions.

UI: Controls must be as responsive as possible, so the interface must be simple enough that interactivity is instantaneous.

UX: The likelihood a user will “bounce” (leave your site after just a few moments) increases with every second of loading time, so we should prioritize reducing the load time on the home and landing pages first before addressing the problem site-wide.

In a perfect world, you would hire a specialist or team of specialists for each of these fields so you have an expert looking at your website from all angles. However, budgetary constraints often mean choosing one field over the other, or hiring freelancers on a project-by-project basis.

Occasionally you’ll find someone who claims to do it all:

Designers who can code sometimes label themselves as the all-in-one package, but in reality they’re more limited than two separate specialists (though sometimes this might be a smart hire if you have a simple site).

UI designers have many overlapping skills with web designers, so some people will use those titles interchangeably.

UX and UI are often lumped together, considering they’re both sub-specializations.

UX is often treated as a skill in other professions, even outside of design, such as a product management.

Such people can be useful in a pinch, but just remember that a jack of all trades is master of none—they may know the basics of multiple fields, but they’ll likely only be an expert in one, if any.

You also want to make distinctions between websites & apps and desktop & mobile. Each worker has their own individual specialities—some developers have more experience building mobile sites; some designers stick exclusively to apps and never do websites. Again, there’s plenty of overlap, but if you’re hiring for a specific project, make sure your candidates can handle the specifics.

So which one of these specialists can help you with your particular business goals? And what should you look for when hiring them? Let’s take a deeper look at each now.

Web design —

“Web design” is a bit of an archaic term, dating back to the days when a single person handled all the design aspects of a website. By modern standards, the term “web designer” can be a bit vague; today, thanks to technology and our increased understanding of the craft, we have a rainbow of subdivisions.

Figgy & Plum home page design by DSKY

The subcategories of web design include both UI and UX, but also other fun acronyms like IA (information architecture, dealing with site mapping and navigation) and CRO (conversion rate optimization, fine-tuning the site’s design to increase sales, signups or other specific actions). There are dozens of these subcategories, with new ones created every day as designers try to get better jobs in a competitive market.

Generally speaking, web design relates to the visuals and functionality of a web site. It’s a field intrinsically tied to graphic design at every level, and deals with the same design principles of visual communication.

Chef Brain landing page design by Vallentin

But web design is more than just graphic design. Whether working with websites or apps, designers must know functionality, technical constraints, digital trends and user expectations, which change frequently.

There’s also a degree of business know-how in web design: designers should understand digital sales tactics, such as how to place the “call-to-action” (CTA) button for eliciting sales and email signups. Site layout heavily influences user behavior, but because it’s so nuanced, some designers are better at it than others.

The web designer handles traditional graphic design concerns like color and typography along with digital concerns like choosing the best aesthetics for different screen sizes. They also require an understanding of business concepts like leading and closing to create layouts that make the call-to-action more appealing. After all, a designer’s duties sometimes include making the icons, graphics or interface buttons from scratch, which draws on expertise from all three.

As far as specific job responsibilities, the design process is mostly up to the designer, as long as they work within existing brand guidelines. Typically the process involves the designer creating prototypes of the design, and then testing those prototypes with either actual users or stakeholders, and then incorporating feedback into future designs.

Designers can also make wireframes, bare-bone layouts of a design to prepare for a prototype, or a mockup, a pixel-perfect image of what the screen will look like except without interactivity.

Once the prototype is approved, it’s sent to the developer for coding.

What to look for when hiring a web designer…

More than anything, you need to know what you want before you can find the best web designer for you. Because of so many specializations, it’s not about whether a designer is good or bad, but whether they’re a good fit for you.

Pay attention to their portfolio. With the emphasis on graphic design, web designers each have their own unique artistic styles.

Look for a mastery of the aspects you value. If you have a text-heavy site, see how they handle typography, readability and page layout. If you’re building an ecommerce store, see if they know what makes a good product page.

Is their preferred software compatible with what the rest of your team uses? There’s a lot of different design software—Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Sketch, as well as prototyping software like UXPin or Balsamiq. Check with your other staff to see what your options are.

Ask your designer about their design process and its time frame. Designers all have their own methods and design cycles, so double-check that you’re hiring someone that fits your company culture as well as its schedule.

Web development —

Web design and development are distinguished by the use of code. Development is where things get technical, but the good news is you don’t have to know what your developers are talking about as long as they do (though it’s certainly helpful to learn the basics).

Web development is divided into two main categories:

Front-end (a.k.a. client-side): The code for how web site (or app) is displayed on screen. The front-end developer is in charge of bringing the web designer’s vision to life, typically using computer languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Naturally, not everything the designer planned is realistically feasible, so the front-end developer often works back-and-forth with the designer.

Back-end (a.k.a. server-side): The “front-end” pulls from a digital system of resources hosted on a server. The back-end developer manages those behind-the-scenes resources, coding the data in the database and optimizing how that data gets delivered. They use languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, Java or .Net.

Similarly, a full-stack developer is someone who can handle both front-end and back-end development. Sometimes they’re a smart option for startups who can’t afford more than one hire, but ideally you’d have a whole team of developers with diverse specializations.

What to look for when hiring a web developer…

Be sure to see if they’re fluent in the languages you need. If you can’t tell the difference, tell them what you’d like to do with your site and listen to their recommendation.

Although not required, it’s helpful for a developer to be involved with the design process. For example, a developer could preemptively tell a designer if their choices are possible, saving time on revisions in the long-run. You may want to look into how well your developer works with a team, since some prefer to work autonomously.

Review their previous websites through a lens of functionality. Does everything work as it should? Any flags pop up? You may not know enough about development to understand how it works, but you certainly know what it’s like to be a normal person using a site.

User interface (UI) —

Now that we’ve explained web design and development, we can discuss the more specialized fields, starting with user interface design. UIs are something everyone uses without giving much thought to—you don’t need to know the history of the hamburger icon to know that the button with three lines is your menu.

Icon design by tongal

And that’s an ongoing principle in most web design fields: if their jobs are done well, you shouldn’t even notice them. This is most prevalent in UI design: with a truly intuitive interface, the user doesn’t have to think about it to use it.

If you have to actively think about how to use the controls, it’s considered bad UI design. Searching for the button you need or spending a few seconds figuring out what a button does both distract you from the overall experience of using the site. The goal of UI design is not only to provide all the controls a user could want, but also to create self-explanatory controls that users understand at a glance.

Another concern is space-management. UI designers have to find the happy medium between giving users a lot of options and conserving screen space. That’s how techniques like hover controls and pull out menus came about. It’s the duty of the UI designer to decide which controls need to present at all times and which are negligible enough to hide or disregard completely.

Icon design by Meileelogo

UI design often coincides with another field called interaction design with the abbreviation “IxD”. Interaction design specializes in all the ways a user interacts with the system, including the interface but also areas like pop-up, chat and error windows. Because interaction design emphasizes user behavior so much, it’s like a halfway point between UI and UX design.

What to look for when hiring a UI designer…

A UI designer’s portfolio should tell you everything you need to know. Test drive your candidate’s previous sites and see how easy it is. Can you find everything you need? Was using the site/app frustrating or easy?

More-so than other categories, look for past work in the specific type of project you’re hiring for. The world’s best website UI designer might be awful at making an interface for a gaming app. Hire someone who has the right experience.

User experience (UX) —

In many ways, UX is like the field of web design from the perspective of the user. How does the web page layout affect the user? How does the UI affect the user? When you progress to the advanced stages, UX becomes far more strategic, as in, “how do we design a page to make the user want to sign up?”

GIF banner design by Maryia Dziadziulia

As you can imagine, UX design also incorporates many other fields in web design. A lot of people talk about “UI vs UX,” but the truth is that the two work together instead of competing. In fact, there’s so much overlap that all kinds of web designers can benefit from knowing a little about UX. That’s precisely how UX became a separate discipline—hiring an individual UX specialist relieves a bunch of other responsibilities from the rest of the team.

Although it may seem superfluous at first, there’s actually a direct correlation between UX design and business goals like sales or conversions. Considering that much of human decision-making comes from emotion and gut instincts, it makes sense that optimizing the design of a web site can encourage certain behaviors and create an atmosphere more conducive to those behaviors.

For that reason, UX designers also draw a lot on graphic design principles: attracting attention with size, eliciting the right emotions with colors, creating a predictable visual flow across the screen and placing CTAs in the right spots. However, unlike traditional graphic design, UX specialists must also factor in additional concerns like interactivity and timing, making it a discipline completely separate from all others, while simultaneously interconnected to them all.

What to look for when hiring a UX designer…

Just like with UI designs, you want to “test drive” previous sites or apps from your candidate. Are they easy to use? Are you enjoying the experience of using their site?

If you don’t have the budget to hire a separate UX designer, ask candidates in other fields about their UX expertise. These duties can sometimes be handled as a crossover effort from different teams; a product manager or marketer can explain what they want the UX to be, and then the design team handle the visual design and implementation.

What about template sites? —

What about if you’re using a template site like WordPress, Squarespace or Wix? Do you still need a complete team? Do you need anyone extra?

WordPress theme design by Mike Barnes

Template sites follow most of the same rules, with some major exception:

If you’re using a template site, you don’t need to worry as much about backend development.

Template sites usually have limited and fixed options for UI.

Make sure candidates have experience in whichever site you’re hosting yours on. Being good at WordPress doesn’t necessarily translate to being good at Squarespace.

Other than those exceptions, using a template site is similar to any other site. Pick your designers according to what you need most.

Which one do you need most? —

By now, you should be able to tell apart web design and development and you know that “UI vs UX” is not as accurate as “UI + UX.” The question is, which one should you prioritize most if you can’t hire specialists for them all?

There’s no universal answer for that one. Because these fields each deal with different areas, it all depends on your company’s unique needs. Considering your own goals and shortcomings, you may need one specialist more than the others.

To help you understand which one you need most, here’s a short list of the problems each field specializes in solving. Find your biggest obstacles below and look into the corresponding field for the solution. If you already have an existing site, conduct some user tests beforehand to see what complaints actual users have.

Web design

site isn’t responsive (meaning the site doesn’t look good on mobile devices)

site looks outdated

low quality graphics

customers aren’t going to the pages you want them to

time on page is too short

Web development

bugs (site functions not working as they should)

web security & hack prevention

too many 404 errors

too many failed DNS lookups

site goes offline

certain content fails to load

UI

poor navigation

lack of customization options

lack of social sharing options

complaints about “how do I do this” or “where can I find that”

UX

poor conversion rates (lots of traffic but few conversions)

high bounce rate (visitors leaving after a few seconds)

users are not finishing content (videos or blogs)

fragmented visits, i.e., user leaves after one page and instead of staying and exploring

Of course, some problems can be fixed by different methods, as we explained with the example of slow loading times above. That’s why it’s important to know what aspects you want to prioritize, so that whatever solution you choose is most aligned with your priorities.

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