Why is it taking so long? (3)
Added 2021-05-08 03:46:04 +0000 UTCThe final element I think is making the production of the game is how I try to mix the writing with the gameplay. This is a Visual Novel and I try to make it as interactive as I can manage, and often times that means that I end up biting almost more than I can chew, pushing my limits update after update.
But I’m not referring to just quantity of available paths and variables at play. I try to integrate the gameplay and the experience in a way that has substance and feels engaging. I have a good example of that: In chapter 7 Lena has to decide what are her feelings for Ian: does she sees him as a simple friend with benefits or maybe she’s starting to feel something more? When I wrote the update, this choice happened the morning after they slept together, while Lena was working at the café and reminiscing about it. The choice was presented during her inner monologue, but this felt kinda lazy and mechanical and uninteresting. While going over the chapter, I realized there was a much better way to implement that choice: during the actual sex scene with Ian, in the end, Lena could choose to snuggle up with Ian, acting on her feelings and confirming them, or just go to sleep, showing a colder, less romantic attitude. This way the choice was integrated in the scene and felt more meaningful and symbolic, rather than having a de-contextualized menu elsewhere. So I had to go and scrap what I had written and re-do that particular monologue and set of choices. Maybe these kind of details don’t seem too important, but they are to me.
Something similar happens with character interactions. The draft says these characters need to have a date or conversation in this chapter, so it leads to a sex scene. But what do they talk about? What information do I give to the player that’s new, relevant, interesting to read and that develops the characters and allows you to know more about them? That’s not always easy and sometimes struggle to come up with something worthwhile that makes the character feel like characters, and not just empty plot devices that lead to kinky scenes.
Sometimes I think I make things more complex than they have to be, but I’m trying to learn how to balance stuff. In any case, this is how I like to craft my VN’s, and I’ll keep doing it. I just wish I could do it faster!
Comments
These posts jus reassure me more and more that this wait is worth it. I no longer feel impatient toward a release. I've reached a zen level of patience because I KNOW the wait is worth it. We look forward to your work, whenever it will be ready.
Kurt Wagner
2021-05-10 17:03:08 +0000 UTC6 in the morning is just normal bedtime for ultra nerds!
Breadloaf
2021-05-08 20:50:51 +0000 UTCHi Mac, I think, I understand your point of view, but I wanna add another piece from a different perspective. In "regular" visual novels (more sex-driven, less life-like, less developed characters, less consequent decisions), I would totally agree with you. Before I press "Decision A", I do want to completely understand what it stands for. Not what consequences it brings, but what intention of the character will be expressed though it. If I misinterpreted it, I go back and re-choose. But in Eva's more "living" game, I feel a certain amount of uncertainty is quite interesting. Because it reminds me that it is not me myself putting on a female body (Lena) and *playing as her*, but it's only me *guiding* Lena through her decision. So when discovering the meaning of her choice-options after the decision is made, I discover a bit of her (and of course Eva's) thinking that led to this description. Additionally, some meanings and intentions may even be hidden for Lena herself, so this also brings in a part of a subconciousness. For the cuddling-decision, this means to me: Maybe Lena does not even know by herself if she is in love with Ian, but maybe the good sex in combination with the cuddling makes her fall in love *afterwards* or helps her realizing it. So the decision may not be a hidden "Do I love him?", but just a simple "Do I want to cuddle?" and for Lena, concious or subconcious, this might later on translate to "Oh, I realize, because of my wish to cuddle with him, I am in love with him". Hope, I could explain my feelings a little. In other, less "psychological" novels, I think of unclear decisions as a sign of a lack of the author's craftmanship, but here, where the characters seem to have have a deeper mind, it just adds another layer of getting to know the characters. There are some other points in the game where you rather make a subconcious decision: "Calling Lena now or later?" for example: "I" called later and found out, "me" and Lena did not come together. Wow, liked it! While choosing I thought "I want her, but let's not rush things", but hey, thats what you do when you have not fallen in love with somebody. There is one downside for my with Eva's games, though: Playing most of the other "will you sleep with the blond or brown girl?" - "will you do it nice or bad?" now does feel a littel two-dimensional despite them sporting 3D-characters ;) .
Dennis
2021-05-08 20:33:46 +0000 UTCThank you for the insight into your development process. The cuddling decision you ultimately settled on feels more organic and textured than your first internal monologue decision as a matter of game mechanics for defining Lena's perception of her relationship with Ian. However, all else being equal, your first approach has the advantage of more clearly explaining the choice being made by the player. The significance of cuddling can be quite ambiguous, especially when you consider the D/s and other kink elements at play in this game. Lena's desire for cuddling could represent an expression of simple intimacy, possessiveness towards Ian, or a desire to be possessed by Ian as just a few examples. Conversely, Lena not wanting to cuddle with Ian could be influenced by any number of motivations, perhaps even a fear that Ian might not enjoy or even reject cuddling with damaging implications for his perception of her. What most clearly communicated to me how my version of Lena interprets the cuddling decision and what you didn't mention in your post was the heart icon. You use them sparingly and sometimes ambiguously, but little UI elements like the relationship icons are often a great help to me in more clearly identifying what the character intends with a choice. I don't want to know the outcome of the decision, particularly as it interacts with all the other decisions I've made and the factors at play in the game world. That's your domain as the storyteller, and you do a far better job than I could of coming up with surprising and exciting content. I've been turned off by lesser games that fail to adequately inform me of what my character intends with the choices I'm asked to make on their behalf, and I worry that this may be a source of frustration for some players who aren't willing to go through multiple playthroughs or consult guides and walkthroughs, particularly in cases that aren't as straightforward as "like Ian, therefore cuddle with Ian." At some point, you might consider taking a look at how you're using the icons in your toolbox, whether you might need new ones for relaying specific information, and how clearly you want the player to understand them as they were never individually defined in the tutorial or anywhere else to my knowledge. For my taste, I don't think you're far off from a perfect balance between subtle hints and obvious storyline navigation signals, but some tweaks here and there might be helpful. You've clearly explored this issue far more than I have, so I'm really just trying to provide player feedback rather than analysis of game design choices. Thanks again for your time and work on this great game. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the choices I've made in preceding chapters shape Ian and Lena's experience in the evolving amusement park you're constructing.
Mac Poleon
2021-05-08 16:20:21 +0000 UTCTake some rest. Eat good food. Don't stress yourself out. We can wait.
FRsinewave
2021-05-08 16:18:23 +0000 UTCI'm not a patient guy but in your case I have all the time in the world. Your work speaks for itself. You can feel the impact of your decisions and grow attached to the lives of those in the game through your writing. Keep working, keep doing your thing and when it's ready, it's ready. It's all good. Also remember to sleep every now and then 😂
MoC
2021-05-08 14:58:32 +0000 UTCWe are all eagerly waiting, but that doesn't mean we are demanding it now. We aren't the cyberpunk fans demanding an unfinished product. We would much rather see you satisfied with your baby. Keep up the good(hard) work!
Hawken
2021-05-08 11:12:23 +0000 UTCEva Kiss! You are working very carefully and anxiously on a visual novel and that means you like this work! This is a difficult path, but it leads to success! And I like to walk along the waves of your memory! Sorry ! Through the labyrinths and nooks of a visual novel! Well, I have to go!
VALERY SMAISER
2021-05-08 08:58:17 +0000 UTCIIRC, if Ian ignores Lena, there is a scene with her and Ivy in the sex shop, where in the dialogue you can decide if Lena is interested in Ian at all.
Brother Bethor
2021-05-08 08:51:02 +0000 UTCFirst of all: do you ever sleep? A new article posted at almost 6 in the morning, on Saturday? I know that this is your passion but, please for the love of God, take care of yourself and rest. Now, as always your insights in creative process are very interesting. Keep them coming...from time to time. The scene with Ian and Lena you've mentioned was amazing. So much passion and very erotic. But that ending, when Lena could decide to cuddle (or not) with Ian - it was a chef's kiss. <3
Brother Bethor
2021-05-08 08:48:45 +0000 UTCActually I'm really enjoying these post, they're a fascinating insight into the "nut's & bolt's" of how you craft a game.
David D
2021-05-08 08:29:15 +0000 UTCI'm with Sean! Don't beat yourself up and remember to take care of yourself. Burn out isn't allowed! :p I nearly always only play games with strong queer content. Your games are the exception because they're so well done. I don't mind the het content because the characters are so well done and the imagery is so hot. The dual POV is alot of fun. I love playing Dominant player-with-heart-of-gold Ian and Ivy-Lite Lena. And yes, I have them pursuing each other even as they have many naughty experiences with others. I wonder if a Ian/Cindy/cuck-Wade might be possible or perhaps an Ian/Lena/Jeremy 3some? There has been and hopefully will continue to be plenty of Ivy/Lena fun times. Maybe the guys might experience some too? Can't you tell how much I look forward to your game updates? You've got me hooked. ;)
Ray
2021-05-08 05:36:59 +0000 UTCDon't be so hard on yourself - you make AMAZING games and this is your process! Please keep doing what you love to do and don't burn out :)
Sean Cannon
2021-05-08 04:59:45 +0000 UTCwill there be a choice for Lena and Ian not to sleep together I've already made the choice for them not to get together to see how the story would unfold want to see them with someone else or no one for my first play trough.
ghost viper
2021-05-08 04:54:28 +0000 UTCTake your time! Your game is very interesting )
SUPER ALEX
2021-05-08 04:20:20 +0000 UTC
