Mysterious Messenger v3.3.0

This release is updated with bug fixes and quality of life improvements on Ren'Py 8.0.3+. The full changelog for all versions can be found in the docs. Updates include:

• Automatic chatroom backgrounds
• Adaptable screen sizes
• Email testing hub
• Splash screen

Mysterious Messenger v3.2.0

This release is updated with bug fixes and improvements on Ren'Py 7.4.8+. The full changelog for all versions can be found in the docs. Updates include:

• GUI-based chatroom creator
• Manually sent text messages
• Phone hangup callback
• (Windows only) Select a profile picture from your computer

v3.1.0 Prerelease

This release fixes some bugs from v3.0.1 and adds several new features, such as:

• Missed call callbacks
• Phone call-only characters
• Flexible input prompts
• Profile updates

You can find the complete changelog at https://mysterious-messenger.readthedocs.io/en/latest/changelog.html

v3.1.0 is intended for use with Ren'Py v7.4+. The current tested engine version is v7.4.4.

Mysterious Messenger v3.0.1

This release is updated for use with Ren'Py v7.4.2+. The full changelog all versions can be found in the docs. Updates for the full release of v3.0.1 include:

• Chatroom links
• Additional assets for Story Mode and chatrooms
• Condensed ChatCharacter definitions
• Recolorable Story Mode window background
• General bug fixes and small QoL updates

v3.0.1 Prerelease

This release fixes the issues found with v3.0 and is ready for general use. However, due to issues with v7.4 of Ren'Py, v3.0.1 will remain in prerelease until these engine bugs have been addressed.

As such, v3.0.1 is intended for use with v7.3.5 of Ren'Py

The main issues with v7.4 at the moment are a box spacing issue which can cause some screen elements to display incorrectly, and an image attribute issue, which causes errors during two of the Story Mode sections on Tutorial Day and may cause errors with user scripts. These look to be addressed in the upcoming prerelease of v7.4.1, and Mysterious Messenger will be out of prerelease as well when these issues are fixed.

v3.0.1 includes all the features described for v3.0, as well as:

• Characters can use each others' special speech bubbles
• Improved way of adding and unlocking new ringtones
• Improved clarity on when it's possible to reply to a text message
• Easy way of adding incoming and outgoing phone calls outside of route setup
• Several bug fixes and QoL improvements

v3.0 Prerelease

This is the prerelease for v3.0. While it has been tested as thoroughly as I can manage, there may still be issues and bugs, particularly when using code from v2.x. Compatibility is a priority, so any issues with using old code can be opened in the repository or mentioned over on the Mysterious Messenger Discord server. If you are trying out Mysterious Messenger for the first time, you should pick up v2.2 instead.

Note that the wiki pages are not up-to-date for v3.0, and many are no longer relevant or applicable. The new methods of writing code and creating routes are demonstrated as thoroughly as possible through Tutorial Day with comments on the relevant functions and labels. Wiki pages will be coming later.

The complete changes can be found in the changelog , but the major updates are as follows:

• Route declaration changes
  • Route declaration has been changed to a new class of objects, which inherit from a base TimelineItem class. This allows for features like "story calls", phone calls that appear on the timeline and must be played to advance the story, and standalone Story Mode sections.
• Creator-Defined Statements
  • Many commonly used features such as composing text messages and awarding heart points have been turned into CDSs for better readability and easier typing.
  • In particular, composing text messages and writing timed menus have been greatly improved and simplified.
• Paraphrased choices
  • v3.0 has a variable which can be set on a per-route basis to have the program automatically make the main character say the dialogue shown in a choice box.
  • This can be turned on/off universally or on a per-menu or per-choice basis as well.
• Code cohesion and readability
  • With the exception of the prologue, call chat_begin/jump phone_end style calls and jumps are no longer required. Every label ends with return.
  • Other lines, like call answer, are no longer necessary.
• Profile picture callbacks and unlockables
  • Profile pictures for the player and characters can be unlocked as new images are seen in-game.
  • A function is provided which allows the characters to comment on the MC's profile picture choices by sending them a text message or calling them, among other actions.

Mysterious Messenger v2.2

Features include:

• Ability to jump between Story Mode/VN sections and chatroom sections
• Timed menu improvements; can now have the chat "wait" for an answer and move on if the timer runs out
• Special speech bubbles have been upscaled and individually resized for optimum placement
• Hourglasses are automatically awarded pseudo-randomly during chatrooms
• Can easily create a route without an introductory chatroom
• Python classes and functions have been updated to use docstrings for clarity and consistency

Bug fixes and QoL improvements:

• Animated backgrounds hide before ending CGs
• Messenger screen logic cleaned up and relocated to the ChatEntry class where possible
• Background music doesn't interfere with ringtone test audio

Mysterious Messenger v2.1

New features include:

• Modified Profile screen to keep track of number of endings and routes viewed
• Settings screen additions -- number of bubbles is adjustable; can now toggle an option to see which choices you've selected in previous playthroughs
• Hub screen buttons refactored into Links button
• Skip Intro button added to introductory chatrooms
• Testing Mode now unlocks all chatrooms on a route and allows you to proceed through plot branches regardless of number of chatrooms viewed
• Animated backgrounds -- a new toggle allows you to turn them on or off

Bug fixes:

• Timed answer bar disappears if you select Answer before the timer is up
• Music no longer resets when opening the History screen from a VN section
• Fixed a rounding issue with SPEED in chatrooms
• Added option to reset persistents in Developer Settings
• most_recent_chat set to work properly with Testing Mode

Mysterious Messenger v2.0

This version streamlines many existing features and makes the program much more readable and consistent. Major new features include:

• A wide array of accessibility features, including adjustable background opacity, audio captions, and animation toggles
• A History screen which shows all seen chatrooms, endings, and phone calls
• A guestbook to keep track of all guests the player has invited to the party
• A unified way of writing VNs, phone calls, text messages, and chatrooms

As before, it also includes:

• Chatrooms
• Phone Calls
• Text Messages (both regular and "real-time")
• Story Mode/Visual Novel (VN) sections
• Emails
• Albums with unlockable CGs
• Changeable pronouns
• Fully-featured routes with optional real-time, plot branches, and more