Developer Update: A Peek Behind the Curtain
Hi everyone! We wanted to take a moment to share some exciting updates about what’s been happening behind the scenes here. You’ve probably been wondering where we’ve been, so let’s dive right in.
What We Were Working On
When we set out to remaster the beloved Beauty Shows feature, our goal was simple: let players dress up their dogs according to a theme, showcase their creativity, and have tons of fun! However, as we started digging into the feature, we realized that the sheer volume of images—outfits, accessories, backgrounds, and more—needed a better way to be managed.
We initially aimed to just upgrade the system for Beauty Show images, but as we worked, it became clear that we needed a more robust solution for managing all the assets on our servers. Enter: the Digital Asset Manager (DAM).
What’s a DAM?
A DAM is essentially a tool to help us organize, store, and retrieve content like images, animations, and files. Think of it as a super-organized library where we can quickly find exactly what we need. It started as a solution for managing the Beauty Shows, but along the way, it evolved into something much bigger. Our DAM now has the potential to handle:
- Beauty Show images.
- Dog items (think leashes, collars, costumes, etc.).
- New breeds and their unique assets.
- Potentially everything else we’ll ever create for the game.
Why Did This Take So Long?
Our servers are really old, and we’re unable to rely on modern tools like simple file-sharing systems (e.g., NFS). So, we had to build this from the ground up to ensure it works efficiently with our existing infrastructure. It took some time (a little over a month!), but it was necessary to lay the foundation for a smoother and more organized future.
What’s Next?
Initially, we planned to focus on inventory and item systems after remastering Beauty Shows, but we realized the DAM was essential for organizing server content efficiently. Now that it’s in place, we can shift gears toward improving gameplay systems and adding more fun features.
Why This Matters to You
While you may not see the DAM directly, it’s going to make a big difference. It means:
- Faster content updates (think new outfits, items, and features).
- Better organization for all future assets, ensuring stability and performance.
- A solid system that can support exciting new additions, like new breeds or themed event items.
We truly appreciate your patience as we tackled this project. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but it’s a game-changer for us behind the scenes and will enable us to deliver an even better experience for you.
Thank you for sticking with us, and stay tuned for updates as we roll out more features. Your dogs are going to look fabulous! 🐾
