Just for consistency, the check to extend the challenge match for the number three seed should probably be easier, to match the other stat requirements tested around the same time, like with the devils doesn’t challenge. Yeah, you weren’t going to win the thing, but with finesse, tactics, endurance, and agility all at 30, I should have at least been able to win that first set, although admittedly it would make sense for that agility/endurance check to be much higher because that’s his specialty. Also, the two chances before that to raise one stat as something you’re training on specifically, that increase should probably be larger.
I also really like the language idea and the other new customization plans, probably going to have my guy speak Hindi, because I play him as Nepali and most of us can understand Hindi to a certain extent because those two are so similar
For what little it’s worth, my MC was able to get that set with these stats:
The checks are actually pretty sensible imo, these are all ways you can pull it off:
#Ramp up the power behind my shots. I might be able to slip one or two past Deepal's defense. @{tutorial_mode [[i]Strength[/i]]|}
*if (strength > 33) or (beast_mode)
// ...
#Stay smart about my shot selection. I could potentially hit some good winners. @{tutorial_mode [[i]Tactics[/i] + [i]Finesse[/i]]|}
*if ((tactics + finesse) > 60) or (beast_mode)
// ...
#Keep applying pressure at the net. I may be able to hit a couple of good volleys beyond Deepal's reach. @{tutorial_mode [[i]S/V[/i]]|}
*if (serve > 33) or (beast_mode)
// ...
#Play Deepal's game, but play it [i]better[/i]. Keep myself in every rally, and refuse to let any ball get past me. @{tutorial_mode [[i]Endurance[/i] + [i]Agility[/i]]|}
*if ((endurance + agility) > 64) or (beast_mode)
Meaning, you either have one strong card (at 34+) or two semi-strong cards you can combine. It seems in your case what did you in was to have them all at exactly 30, with no actual specialization that’d grant you advantage over Deepal. The jack of all trades, etc. If your tactics or finesse was at 31 you’d clear the >60 check and pull off a win.
I could’ve sworn I had at least one of tactics/finesse at 31 and the other at 30, but I’ll double check, that scene in general just seemed to be buggy in general, as well, because even though I lost the first set, the game acted like I’d be going into a third and then jump back to as if I’d lost both
Edit: I take it back, I did actually have both at 30, somehow, just sheer dumb luck. I do reiterate my point about the earlier stat increase, though
Something to me always feels odd about these stats . If the mc is a high school level winner (nationwide) and hoping to turn pro he should atleast have 60+ stats. I mean that would be acceptable for a good amatuer tennis player trying to turn pro. But instead the stats start from zero which doesn’t make much sense.
It’s all a matter of interpretation: zero in this case could very well mean “good amateur level” as opposed to complete lack of ability. It’d also mean these numbers represent quite higher level of skills than what you take them for.
Anyone have any recs for what to pair with a Tactics specialty?
Finesse is a pretty good match,maybe S/V?
Checking options available to the player in the challenge matches, the number of times where Tactics is combined with other skills are as follows:
- Finesse, 16 times
- Strength, 5 times
- Endurance, 4 times
- Serve/Volley, 1 time
- Agility, 1 time
i didn’t look into later matches, but this seems to be fairly strong trend.
Thank you so much for the breakdown! I’ve been running mostly Agility, Strenght, and Endurance since the two former help out with other social events, but I really want to do a Tactics and Finesse run.
I love doing Tactics+Finesse. It’s my main build preference.
@060_sc and @fsix Mm yeah! In response to the comments on the stats sort of hovering around the 25-40 range right now, it really is a relative metric. I could just as easily set it at 60 but by setting it at ~20 at the start, I’m leaving room for MC to chart their future improvement through the course of the game (and having that be tracked by the stats).
@fsix thanks also for running the numbers! I definitely think tactics and finesse is a common combination, as is strength and agility, agility and endurance, s/v and finesse (among others). @AnneWest
@sertrude aww thank you so much i really appreciate the love and support!
@Sujan_Dhakal and @idonotlikeusernames yay im glad that the new customization options help with the roleplaying options!
Sneak peak about to drop. Super exicited.
Public release of Sneak Peek A
The singles match against Empire State will be released as promised on 15 Jun, 9pm GMT-5 (U.S. East Coast time). Apart from the features below, it also includes the extra customization option for a second language.
Early-release of Sneak Peak B
I will also be aiming to release the portion with the dinner with Sam and bar scene by the same time on 15 Jun, but I’m still editing it and if I do take a little longer, I’m hoping the spillover/delay won’t be much more than a day or two, the aim’s definitely still to release it by the end of the weekend.
Features
- Go to dinner in a fancy restaurant with Sam (dress up if MC wants, or just wear their usual jock clothes)
- Get into a bar with Sam
- Pick some songs on a jukebox
- Kiss??
- “Is this a date?”
Yooooo. I. Am. Pumped.
What if we kissed G after the match…in front of everyone…and she called the MC “Ma jock” 
This going to be a awkward dinner when Sam learns that my MC has a girlfriend.
The PUBLIC RELEASE of the Empire State singles match is available for ko-fi supporters! I’m so excited for you guys to read it. I know it’s been a while, but we are ~back~!!
Un-beta-tested at the moment, but do let me know if you spot any errors or bugs AND/OR have feedback!
Wordcount: 54k with code
Features: See above!
Here’s the Crowdsourced playlists to accompany your playthrough (or to add to if you feel inspired), and here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to buy me a coffee! 
A small note: because the name of the game in the save system initialization line was changed from college_tennis to college_tennis_working all saves from previous build are not accessible in this new demo. Don’t know if it’s intentional, but mentioning just in case.
edit: also, a small error on stats screen, not sure if mentioned before:
[b]Rayyan Afiq[/b]
// ...
*if nicknames
Nickname for you: ${tobin_nickname}
the game prints Tobin’s nickname for MC in Rayyan’s profile, instead of ${rayyan_nickname}
edit2: a small trick:
$!{D_name} lifts the sign up and waves it around proudly, a huge ear-splitting grin on ${team_his} face. Addie points at the words at the bottom of the sign, which reads "KILL THEM ALL, $!{first_name}!!" in colorful cut-out letters.
using double ! instead of single: $!!{first_name} will capitalize entire name instead of just first letter, which would make the words on poster uniform.
edit3 possibly minor bug:
#Step in, and pull ${doubles_partner} into a hug.
*set friendly %+4
*set rayyan_hug true
*if doubles_partner = "Rayyan"
the *set is before/outside of the if branch, so the flag for rayyan_hug gets set regardless if Rayyan was actually the doubles partner who got hugged.
I just did a playthrough with Sam as my main focus and I just want to say how much I appreciate you giving us romantic options that also allow us to be respectful of our partner. It’s an easy trap to fall into when writing romantic fiction to go for the big gestures, like kissing the person you’re in love with at the climax of a big win, but having the option to stop and think “Hey, I really want to do this, but even though I’m pretty sure we’re both madly in love with each other we haven’t discussed anything so it probably wouldn’t be fair to just kiss them in front of absolutely everyone with no warning” and still have it be a romantic option is really refreshing.
Can’t wait for the release of the after match dinner and more potential Sam interaction. I’m having a real hard time choosing who is my favourite love interest in this game.