Amethyst

Let's talk about the categories in the Status Update block, since some of them have changed a bit from before. Gen VII Updates: (we didn't even have a dev blog last time there was a generation update!) Sprites We can't use the Smogon set, so we've gotta scrounge up our own. Fortunately many pixel artists list theirs as free use and so I've been able to gather a solid chunk. We'll polish them and make the rest. This progress bar also includes Shiny and Egg spriting. Scripting Marcello is a peach and this will be almost (if not) entirely his domain. It includes updates to old battle stuff, most of which have already been done as of this writing, and the implementation of all moves and abilities. It is a long road! Data This is basically everything in the PBS files, such as data, movesets and TM availability, plus details on the new items/moves/abilities. Marcello is actually a peach and a half and is fronting most of this work as well. Field Updates Although I had hoped we would be done with them before, Psychic Terrain will be added. This section will also include adding new attributes to all field for any relevant moves and abilities. Gameplay The most generic name possible. This is a catch-all for adding new Pokemon into events/encounters and trainer battles, and distributing new items. Tbh this is the fun part. New Content: Misc Updates So I lied and this isn't actually new content at all but whatever. In the past we had separate categories for graphic/event/etc updates but there's few enough this time that I'm lumping them all in here. AI Updates A planned renovation to get down and dirty with the AI. Right now most moves have little or no AI coding specifically for them. I won't get through all the moves this episode, but I'll spend some quality time with a good chunk of them. Graphics/Maps Previously these were separate but I put them together since the graphics in question are usually tilesets for new areas, and I prefer to tailor tiles to their maps. There are 7 new areas to make this episode, so this will be the bulk of the content work! Eventing Teleport events, area puzzles, encounters, items and special Pokemon. This is sort of a catch-all for everything that is not mapping, but also not part of the main story. Story All story events. This episode will have a branched story, so it will take a little longer.

Remember that time I said Gen VII content wouldn't be implemented until the last episode? Well it turns out I'm kind of impulsive and I want my Ninetales. even if it's already too late for me ...among other reasons. So yeah Gen VII coming to a Reborn near you featuring all the bells and Wishi's. Those of you who were around for the Gen VI update (or who know that I didn't even finish Mega sprites until much more recently) will probably know that spriting is the major hurdle here. Fortunately, I've already gotten quite the jump on that during community release, and with the help of Jan, Zumi and previous animator Koyo, we are fast tearing through them. Our plan is to release a Gen 7 sprite pack for all fan games to use. But until then, there's a lot of work to be done, especially on the back sprites. Have a few of the finished fronts in the mean time.