jimdattilo

Writing Updates

I’m about four days away from sending the files for Part 4 to Hosted Games. Right now, it’s sitting at just over 1 million words (1,019,320, to be exact), and that’s not counting the code or updates I’ve made to earlier parts.

What am I doing right now?
I’m playing through the game on different paths, fixing grammar errors, and catching any obvious bugs. I’...

ZE: Safe Haven Sneak Peek

I had to rewrite the confrontation between Bailey and Madison in chapter 15, because it didn't make sense within the continuity of the story. Below is a sneak peek of the rewrite.

Bailey and Madison stand nearly nose to nose, their bodies squared off. Bailey's hands are clenched at her sides, shoulders rigid under her cream-colored blouse.

Bailey and Madison stand almost nose to nos...

MC POV - Interactive Story - 17

Continued from scene 16

“Let’s go back to my place and grab the rest of my gear. We’re packing up my car and heading out of the city as soon as we can.”

Jessica brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’d like to stop at my house, too, just for a minute. I need to grab a few...

Outbreak Scenario 27

You’ve been on the road with your group for weeks. Food is nearly gone. Tonight, in the ruins of a gas station, you spot a man crouched behind a burned-out car. He’s mid-thirties, rail-thin, and shaking from exhaustion. His jacket is torn, one sleeve soaked with dried blood from a deep cut on his forearm. A rusty pistol hangs from his belt, but he keeps his hands up when he sees you.

...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Artwork poll

My artist is working on Nora and will soon be ready to create another character portrait for Safe Haven. Which character would you like to see next?

Schedule for October, 2025

If you haven't checked out my latest newsletter, it is now open to every member.

10/3 -- Outbreak scenario poll (Free tier)

10/4 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (MC POV) scene 17. ($3+ tiers)

10/6 -- Content Sneak Peek ($3+ tiers)

10/9 -- Game updates (Free tier)

10/12 -- C...

ZE Outbreak Novel, Chapter 7

continued from chapter 6

Amber’s Father’s House, Early Evening of Wednesday, May 9, 2012

"Don't come any closer," I said, my words echoing in the kitchen. "Do you understand me? Is there anything left of you in there?"

The creature let out a guttural moan, its head tilting to the side as if thi...

ZE: Safe Haven Part 4 Content Sneak Peek

I am adding minor events that occur to simulate realistic things that challenge the group. Below is a sample code to show how these events play out.

In this first example, heavy rains affect the junkyard. You can see that based on different structures, you may lose valuable resources.

...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 4 Test Version (Sept 25, 2025)

Here's the link:

Test version (click here)

Part 4 is over 1,010,000 words! Please check the log notes after loading the page above.

On CoGDemos, you must create a free account to save your game!

Guidelines

• Pl...

  2025-09-25 18:23:16 +0000 UTC View Post

Nora from ZESH, version 1

Here is the initial sketch of Nora as she was seen when first introduced in Part 1. What are your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions to make her look more authentic?

For my visually impaired readers: The image is a black-and-white line drawing of Nora shown from the waist up. She has her hair pulled back into a bun and a lined face with visible cheekbones and wrinkles....

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Future Plans

Welcome to my 95th newsletter! This has been a strange month. I’ve been working exclusively on Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 4, and trying to work out the bugs, fix grammar and spelling issues, and add content that I missed before. It’s not been my normal work months, since I typically write for the first twenty-five days and then spend the last few testing and editing. This has been most...

Future Development

With Part 4 of Safe Haven almost ready to hand in, I’m looking ahead at what comes next. I have a few big projects on the table, but I’d like to know what you want me to focus on first. Your feedback will help me decide where to put my energy after Part 4 is done.

MC POV - Interactive Story - 16

Continued from scene 15

Ryan jogs to the end of the hallway and disappears into a bedroom. You hear drawers sliding open and slamming shut, the muffled sound of Ryan muttering to himself as he digs through things. After a few moments, he steps back out, clutching something close to his chest. H...

Content Sneak Peek

Below is a new scene I wrote that takes place in chapter 16 only if you have a radio room built. Since you get to pick the radio operator, the example below is showing Woody as the radio operator. And since you may have different relationships with Thelma's gang, I wrote below as if you are allies with them.

---

You stand with Jaime and Rachel near the hood of an old truck, a map sp...

Parker from ZE:SH, final version

This is the final version for Parker.

He wears a light blue hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and dark sunglasses. He has a thick gold chain hangs around his neck with a large gold cross pendant. His hair is dark brown, short on the sides and longer on top. He also wears a gold wristwatch on his left wrist.

This is how he looks when he is first introduced Part 1. Some people don't...

Writing Updates

September is a busy month because I am supposed to hand in Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 4 before the end of the month. I will discuss that below, but coding, editing, and troubleshooting have taken up most of my time.

I’m also thinking about what happens after I turn in this part of the game. I keep going back and forth on my plans and will ask for feedback in my newsletter on the twe...

ZE: Safe Haven Content Questions

I'm writing more scenes where you are confronted by multiple romantic partners (those not interested in a poly/open relationship). Some have asked to have private conversations.

1. In the scene that follows, you discuss your relationship with one of your romantic partners. If you want to try to stay with them, do you think it should be based on their personality alone or a skill check? O...

MC POV - Interactive Story - 15

Continued from scene 14

You see the bathroom door unlock with a soft click. It cracks open just enough for a pale, narrow face to peek out. Ryan looks about fifteen, thin and lanky, with messy brown hair hanging over his forehead. His eyes are red and swollen from crying, and his cheeks are ...

Outbreak Scenario 26

It’s been four months since the outbreak, and most cities have fallen to the undead. You’ve been moving carefully through backroads and avoiding the main highways until now.

Your supplies are low, and the fastest route to the next safe zone runs straight through a massive interstate choked with abandoned cars. Twisted metal, shattered glass, and burnt-out husks form a maze stretching ...

Schedule for September, 2025

If you haven't checked out my latest newsletter, it is now open to every member.

9/3 -- Outbreak scenario poll (Free tier)

9/4 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (MC POV) scene 15. ($3+ tiers)

9/6 -- Content Sneak Peek ($3+ tiers)

9/9 -- Game updates (Free tier)

9/12 -- Conten...

ZE Outbreak Novel, Chapter 6

continued from chapter 5

Pharmacy, Afternoon of Wednesday, May 9, 2012

A few customers ran near us and grabbed items off the shelf, stuffing them into bags without a second thought. As I peeked out farther, more people were doing the same. The only safe store in Philadelphia had fallen to...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 4 Test Version (August 23, 2025)

Here's the link:

Test version (click here)

Part 4 is over 985,000 words! Please check the log notes after loading the page above.

On CoGDemos, you must create a free account to save your game!

Guidelines

• Plea...

  2025-08-23 19:19:34 +0000 UTC View Post

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Trade System  

Welcome to my 94th newsletter! This has been a great month. My health is getting better, and I am back to work full-time. Most of it has been spent on Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 4, especially the trade system I will discuss later in this newsletter. We are getting close to the 1-million-word mark for this part. I’m not including some code that supports the narrative, or I would easily be...

MC POV - Interactive Story - 14

You rest your hand against the bathroom door, speaking clearly so Ryan can hear you through the wood.

Continued from scene 13

You rest your hand against the bathroom door, speaking clearly so Ryan can hear you through the wood. “I’m sorry. She was turning. I had to stop her before it...

Parker from ZE:SH, version 2

Here is an updated image of Parker. I asked my artist to make him look a little older but relaxed. And I asked for a gold cross to be added to the necklace.

For my visually impaired readers: The sketch shows Parker standing, wearing a hoodie with the hood up, dark sunglasses, and a wristwatch on his left wrist. Around his neck hangs a thick chain with a large cross pendan...