The next major updatev0.11 is nearing completion! As previously announced, the update will launch on Steam sometime between late this month to early February.
In this update, Valerie and Rena invite the MC out for a special outing. During the date, they buy a new outfit for the MC as a gift, and spend some time eating and drinking together at the tavern. While the two still can't resist bickering with each other, this scene highlights how much friendlier their relationship has become. Combined with the Ann + Rena event, this update is designed to make the character dynamic feel more like a team and if you so choose, your very own harem. This scene also includes a new outfit for Valerie, with her hairstyle being determined by your preference.
If you've chosen the sharing route, there will be a special scene where Valerie reports on her activities at the tavern. You'll have the option to let her tease you or instead take a dominant position. This choice will influence future sharing events, determining whether Valerie adopts a more submissive role or takes the lead. I thought it was important to include this choice, as players might have a preference for one dynamic over the other.
This update also marks the introduction of the map system, which allows players to (optionally) spend their free time with a character or event of their choosing. This first iteration includes a total of five different events, split across two time periods (Morning & Afternoon). While I expect most players will choose the heroine events on their first playthrough, several side events have been included to flesh out the world and foreshadow future developments. These events provide opportunities for me to explore side characters, offering scenes that aren't essential to the main story but which may still be of interest to those who wish to dive deeper into the world of Uldreza.
Last week, I upgraded to a new work computer with significantly more powerful hardware. There were some limitations in the past (such as the number of characters that could be rendered in a single scene), which are no longer an issue now that I have much more VRAM to work with. There's some other improvements and features I've been cooking up, some of which will be ready for this update. I've been listening to all the feedback so far and am committed to making Rebel Duet even better throughout its Early Access period. I hope you enjoy playing v0.11 when it launches in just a few weeks. Thank you so much for reading this post and for supporting Rebel Duet!