The Creator’s Curse: Demotivation
Added 2020-02-04 18:11:34 +0000 UTCSalutations!
I’m not hw21. My name is Locke, I work with hw21 behind the scenes, and I’m writing this on his behalf.
hw21 doesn’t make XXXivilization for the money, at all. I can’t stress enough how much it doesn’t mean to him. Every penny goes back into the game’s development and creation in some way, shape or form.
He created XXXivilization because he wanted to make something for people to enjoy, a game for people with like-minded tastes in NSFW games – something with more gameplay meat on the bone akin to a Free Cities or something like Civilization with a more NSFW twist.
What this means is that, while pledges certainly still help the game grow, his metric for the success of XXXivilization is built more upon direct feedback than it is from pledges. And unfortunately, that’s something he’s struggled quite a bit to get from Day 1 and continues to struggle to receive even with a 2000+ person Discord server surprisingly enough (and yeah, that’s after a recent pruning of the members).
Motivation isn’t a fountainless well that some people have and others don’t. It’s a reservoir that has to be regularly supplied or else it runs the risk of being drained dry – and once that reservoir is dried out, the creative machine it’s being used to power ceases to function.
That may not be the best analogy but if you think back to times where you strove to create or otherwise succeed at something, I think you’ll get the point.
Everyone has their own reservoir of motivation that’s supplied by something; be it praise from a group of person or a certain person, monetary gain/achievement, the acquisition of trophies and/or accolades, self-perceived progression, etc.
hw21’s reservoir is supplied by feedback. Not even necessarily positive feedback, just something that shows people are actually playing the game – that people care about what he’s working for hours on end every night after work to create.
hw21 is honestly feeling a little demotivated right now. And it’s nobody’s fault, these moments happen over the course of a game’s development whether you’re working on an indie project or a massive AAA production. But even knowing that doesn’t make them any easier to get through.
Aside from a couple general pats on the back, hw hasn’t gotten much (or really any) feedback on the latest release.
I know the game can take a while to get through. I know it’s only been a few days since release and everyone has lives of their own, and I know many of you reading this may not even be patrons so you’re waiting for the public release to be able to play it to begin with.
But, if you could, drop some feedback for hw21. You could do in the comments of this post, in the Discord server or via DM. It doesn’t have to be about this particular update. Just drop a line or two to show the creator you care. It’ll mean more to hw21 than you know and, as someone who knows and deals with quite a lot of other creators, I promise you doing the same for others will go a long way too.
I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this, even if it was just to skim the bold parts,
- Locke Kosta
Comments
iv been playing the game every update i i can get my hands on sense it came out and i have to say i have always loved what you do it keeps me interested with new sexiness and new combat and leadership machanics i just love your game. just wanted to say good job keep up the good work.
2020-02-08 15:06:10 +0000 UTCi don't ever post, but this game is awesome. it's very unique and almost too addicting. it scratches my (civilization) gaming itch while also providing great story and sexy graphics. i love the customization aspect too, it really makes me more invested in the character. i hope you fell better
2020-02-07 01:36:32 +0000 UTCThank you all for your kind words, they really help giving me a feeling that people actually play and care about the updates I put out ;)
2020-02-05 16:57:10 +0000 UTCThis game has so much potential. I really can’t wait to see what it has in store next! One thing that would be cool would be to have the different factions not only come under your rule, but to form alliances with. Maybe have some become vassals or something. Then you could possibly have loyalty and such with the other states/regions. That brings up the possibilities of war and scuffles, which will in turn make the game easier to play for extended periods of time.
IcyO
2020-02-05 15:58:29 +0000 UTCGreat post. I agree that everyone really needs a different motivation, and I wish you to achieve high goals
VitAnyaNaked
2020-02-05 10:48:03 +0000 UTCBeen playing for quite some time now (almost since the first release on TFGS), and I'm consistently impressed with the quality of both the game elements and the erotic elements. There's enough customization and variation that I'm sure I haven't even seen everything there is to see in the game, and I keep going back. I really like the game, from concept to execution. I haven't had a chance to play though the latest content yet, but I'm really looking forward to it.
Nerina
2020-02-05 06:33:42 +0000 UTCYou've got a great thing going for you, And to be honest with what I've played so far - it's very well balanced between being a game and having NSFW components. If I could say one thing - and I'm not exactly sure how much others might agree with this - It would be nice to have a downloadable version of the game (not if there is one or not, just wasn't able to find anything besides the website) because I feel a little better about having a physical save on my computer and not relying on a internet connection to play it. Just a thought though, If that would be way too difficult to implement then it should by no means stop any progress in the story just for that alone.
2020-02-04 23:50:44 +0000 UTCGotta agree with everyone here as well. I been enjoying this game for some time. Loving it where it is at right now. Hope to see new content. Believe it or not, I keep a close eye for updates. I might not drop a comment down often, but that's mainly because I like my privacy.
2020-02-04 23:35:28 +0000 UTCWhen a project’s feedback plateaus, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people are losing interest or no longer acknowledge it. In most cases it means that your audience no longer thinks of this “new idea” as a spark that needs to be breathed into existence and is now something tangible that exists in their lives. Additionally, without the inclusion of new concepts, feedback will naturally feel redundant to an audience as the topic remains the same. I recommend polls for new content. Even letting the public choose the color of a skirt can be fun and get some people involved. I am not downplaying the feeling of being unmotivated. I attribute demotivation to the lack of impact you feel when an idea first gets realized and when you have to follow through and expand on it. To present your ideas to the world you are bearing your soul, more so when they involve sexual themes. Negative feedback can sting but the honesty can easily be appreciated. Positive feedback can mislead you but can fill you with determination. No feedback, however, can only fill you with doubt if you allow it. I can only hope that when you sit to work on your art that the primary reason for doing so is never that you cannot let your followers down or that you need to appease them. This will inevitably consume you. I struggle to even begin to learn how I can get my ideas out to the world. For my part, I look up to you and selfishly take comfort that even someone such as yourself can feel demotivated as I do. Best of luck and thank you for your beautiful creation. Tribe
Tribe
2020-02-04 23:21:03 +0000 UTCHi there. I tried the game on earlier stages and I'm following the progress to retake it when there's some more content, because I think it's great potential. That being said, if the development is more a hobby than a necessity, I believe there's nothing wrong with putting it on hold, letting other people take on it, starting something new... just do whatever you feel like, haters gonna hate anyway and the ones who care would understand. Cheers
PGrillo
2020-02-04 22:00:27 +0000 UTCI've been playing this on/off again since it's 2nd or so update. Like way back, and I have to say I've loved it every time I come back with new enjoyable content. Being both sexy stuff and conquering my foes, developing my peoples culture and expanding my nation. I have to say this is one of my favorites, if I wasn't so poor I'd pay you for my fun. But I can't really. Though I can pay you in praise. You're doing a great job guys, truly this feels like a labor of love and not a cash grab like some porn game devs who see how Patreon is flooded with Visual Novels and try to make a quick buck. You made an interesting and sexy world, with neat concepts I haven't seen any where else. AND you're doing it WELL. I'll reiterate, Good Job Dudes.
FearTheDee
2020-02-04 21:52:23 +0000 UTCI have followed ever since June of last year and I really enjoyed every update. I think you have done a wonderful job making this game and it has always put a smile on my face whenever I see some news about it. Keep up the good work and don't give up.
Mr.Maynard
2020-02-04 21:10:09 +0000 UTCKeep it up I really enjoy your work and appreciate the time and effort.
mutatiio
2020-02-04 19:15:05 +0000 UTCIve got to say. I never liked text based games like this... Until I played this one. I just got it 3 days ago and my gods it is fantastic. I am thoroughly enjoying the story-line, the gameplay and the universe that hw21 has created. I was a bit disapointed that I could only cure the werewolves and not recruit them but otherwise I think this is a great game and I am eagerly await the next expansion.
Nikoli
2020-02-04 18:24:54 +0000 UTC
