MultipleChoiceStudios

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 26

Chapter 26 takes us on a trip back into the spirit world, one of my least favorite places to be! In any sort of media, whether it's a tv show like Lost or a videogame like Kingdom Hearts, I'm not a fan of things that take place in not-the-real-world. I want actions and events to have real consequences, and that's really hard to do when you're in some different kind of reality.

Thankfully, that isn't the case here in Book 6. This is a very important trip for our MC, and it gives us some ...

Reading Endurance

(It’s been quite a while since I’ve done polls! I’m eager to get back into the habit of bothering you guys for your opinions!)

I think the ability to sit immersed in text while staying attentive and engaged is a muscle like any other--if you don’t use it, you start to lose it! So be honest: how’s your reading endurance these days compared to 2, 3, 4, 5+ years ago?

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 25

April 15th is certainly one of my least favorite days, and if you're a self-employed American taxpayer, you know exactly why. Oh well, it could be worse: there could be a tariff on interactive fiction, lol!

One thing's for sure: Chapter 25 is an emotional rollercoaster for MC. They finally make it to Nanbu Ranch--and to the kid--though not all is going according to plan. Kohaku confides in MCsami/MCsashi a bit too much for MC's tastes, and our protagonist is put into a very awkward posi...

Tabletop Nights: Session #6

It's been a while, hasn't it?

Between moving houses and all sorts of RL stuff this past year, I haven't had the extra free time to devote to TTN lately. I'm looking forward to that changing, though—because these sessions are really fun to make!

Just as a refresher: Tabletop Nights is a D&D interactive fiction thing where you're sitting at the table with a group of (weird) friends, going through an adventure with tons of in-character and out-of-character moments. There's dice...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 24

Before I forget: there's a new Tabletop Nights session coming out on the 21st! It's been a while, so check it out if you need a refresher!

Villain introduction chapters are always fun. The general rule of thumb for the main badguy is that the earlier you can introduce them into your story, the earlier the protagonist (and reader) can start finding reasons to hate them, the better!

Doesn't hurt tha...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 23

A new month, a new chapter!

We are well and truly into the Fun & Games part of the Westlands Arc now, my friends! This chapter is a good time to point out what my primary motivators are going into any new book/game/project thing: it's a series of images in my head of things I really want to bring out into reality.

Whether you're 2d/3d artist, a screenwriter, or a sculptor, it all starts with the image in your head, the scenes you can see so vividly that you desperately have to...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 22

Got a meaty chapter to start off the new year!

The ronin and ninja get some time together, dialogue is indeed spoken, and there's even a mini-investigation sequence (when you're partnering with Tosh, what else do you expect?). I like the Westlands a lot: it's a new area both for me the writer, you the reader, and MC our narrator. MC really feels like an outsider, and that's going to be a reoccurring theme for this arc.

My favorite part of this chapter is the introduction of a new ...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 21

I know I'm early in saying this, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This year has been a rough one for my family, and I'm happy to see it behind us!

I'm sure MC is glad to see the Academy behind them, too, but in their case, it's a bittersweet farewell. We get to see that in Chapter 21 as the journey continues and MC must return to the "real world" in pursuit of the kid--and their old body.

What new challenges await in the Westlands? That's where the second (and final) arc of...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Rin - 3

Sorry about being a bit late on this one! It's Rin's turn, and spoiler alert: she gets really pissed off!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 20

I know I usually give my spiel about the latest chapter here, but this time I wanted to give you guys an update on my IRL status instead. I don't do it very often, because honestly there's not much to report, but I have been very busy these past 6 weeks with landscaping, home repairing, cleaning out, moving out, and selling my grandpa's house. It's been a full-time job and then some!

Given family circumstances, I've had to fill multiple dumpsters, deal with a bunch of contractors, and m...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Tetsuo - 3

Tetsuo returns to take on Book 3's drama himself!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 19

It's time to slay another demon!

Doing so isn't going to be easy, of course, but if lessons learned are applied and MC embraces new character growth, literally no antagonist can stop them. That is the greatest power of any protagonist—in fact, it's the only way they can win!

In this case, the 'lessons learned' are regarding friendship, magic, and yes, even love. It may sound sappy but this is a serious area of growth MC has been woefully deficient in given their upbringing and p...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Akane - 3

Akane is up and ready for some Toshio drama!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 18

This is a very important chapter for the series. Relative to every other chapter so far, MC gains a ton of insight on the main quest of the entire game due to the Demon of Knowledge flaunting his, well, knowledge. As expected of a villain thinking he's about to win!

As you all are aware of by now, I'm not big on large amounts of exposition. I'm very reluctant to throw a sequence where lots of information is presented to the player because I myself often find those sections to be a slog ...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Kenji - 3

I'm back with a new batch of videos, this time for Book 3! I've added subtitles to them now, and though it was a bit of a hassle, I think you'll agree that it was well worth the effort!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 17

(Before I forget: the 4 Ronin videos for Book 3 start up this month! I'm made subtitles for them this time around, and I think it really takes them to the next level!)

Chapter 17 is honestly Chapter 16 Part 2, but there needed to be a break in the planning and "marshaling the troops" segment to give the reader a breather from the breather between story beats. That sounds a bit odd now that I've typed it out, but it's true!

We see MC really embrace the leadership role/"grown-up in ...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 16

We're entering the finale portion of the Academy Arc!

The first parts of the finale are often collectively referred to as the "Storming the Castle" segment of the story, where the protagonist gathers together their team and starts working on a plan to take the antagonist down.

This is the last breather for both MC and the reader before the narrative gets much more intense, and it's important to tie up any loose ends or minor details at this point because once you're locked in on t...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 15

It's a hell of a coincidence that this chapter is being released in June!

That's right, we see a return (of sorts) of a certain RO many readers care deeply about—one way or the other! This chapter has two main branches, depending on how you feel about Junko/Jun, and I definitely encourage you EA folks to read both sides to get a fuller grasp over their relationship.

Something to really focus on isn't Junko/Jun at all: it's how MC changes in their presence. MC has a dynamic with ...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 14

Chapters in which secondary characters "pop off" or "step up" are often some of my favorite. While the end of every story arc is dominated by our protagonist (by design—otherwise it's not MC's story!) it's on our way there that the other characters have a chance to shine.

In chapter 14's case, it's Hikiko & Hitomi. We get to see a lot of stuff from them, emotions from compassion to grief—but most importantly, and especially for MC, we see what it means to be a friend. While they...

Tabletop Nights: Session #5

The cast of TTN makes their return! This time, slightly stronger—and animated, too!

If you don't know what Tabletop Nights is, it's a D&D simulation game that makes you feel that you're at the table with a group of fictional friends playing with their fictional characters in a fictional...actually, just click the link below and see for yourself!

https://www.multiplechoicestudios.com/ttn/ ...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 13

There's a ton of bold text in this one. That's how you know it's an important chapter!

If you're like me, you hate lore dumps. They're a steaming pile of exposition about stuff that isn't immediately (or potentially ever!) relevant to what's going on, and can really grind your pacing down to a staggering halt. Of course there are readers who will muster on through like good soldiers because they just like the story that darn much.

But why put them through suc...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Rin - 2

Rin is back and at it again!

This time next month, I should have Tabletop Nights Session #5 ready for you guys. I think you're going to like it!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 12

A chase scene, multiple text input sequences, observation tags and introspective choices—this chapter has a bit of everything! It even has some...lore.

People who know me (or have asked me SoH questions before) know I'm not a big fan of lore. My stance on worldbuilding is that if it's not a necessary detail to the story you're trying to tell, why bother wasting brainpower on it? It also poses a very real danger: the act of putting down even a seemingly insignificant detail (ex. Tosh's...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Tetsuo - 2

Time for Tetsuo!

On the topic of videos, I'm sure you've all heard about ChatGPT's Sora! I knew we'd get high-quality AI generated videos this year...I just didn't think it'd be in February! For better or worse, the tech out there is accelerating at a rapid pace.

Who knows? Maybe the next batch of trailers will be an actual anime!

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 11

Welcome to the Mid-point Twist of the Academy Arc! We're starting to see the "Bad Guys Close In" and unfortunately for our ronin, that means the Fun & Games are over! Expect the stakes to be raised and for a greater sense of urgency throughout the rest of the arc.

For me, this chapter highlights why I like Masami's friends so much and how they interact with each other. There's also a great moment in there where MC gets to experience something we (the player) so often take for grante...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Akane - 2

Akane makes her return!

Of all the voices, hers probably resonates with me the most for an MC. And there's a reason for that: SoH is partially inspired by Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007). If you haven't watched that series, I highly recommend you do! It's about a female bodyguard who travels around the land protecting a wealthy boy of noble birth. There's some spirits involved as well. Sound fami...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 10

I've been very eager to spring this chapter on you guys! MC's meeting with Masa's father is a big one, and it changes a good deal based on whether it's Masami, Masashi, and whether MC is male or female. What's nice about the early access is that you guys are going to be able to see it all at once.

Lord Hashimoto has got news from the Imperial Palace that MC is unaware of, and there's no shortage of forebodingness in the air! What plots is the wealthy patriarch scheming? We also get to s...

【Samurai of Hyuga】| 4 Ronin Project | Kenji - 2

I'm back at it again making SoH youtube videos!

This one takes us back to a scene from Book 2 that I really enjoy. We get a chance to hear from and see everyone in the main group: MC, Masa, Tosh, Hatch, and Momoko! It's very nostalgic.

I'm slowly (but surely) getting better at making these: I hope you'll find the artwork and voices are better than before! I'm learning a lot every time I make these, and with all the tools out there and the ones on the horizon, who knows? SoH might ...

Book 6 Early Access: Chapter 9

In this chapter, we have a fresh new sidequest to prepare for (I hope you like tea!) and a few characters we haven't heard from get some well-deserved screentime.

It's really neat to watch MC discover more of who Masami/Masashi is via the interactions they have with others. There's a lot MC doesn't know about the kid, and that'll change during this chapter and especially the next.

I can't explain why exactly, but there's something about taking a situation that's inherently not dan...

Tabletop Nights: Session #4

It's time for another game of D&D with your favorite cast of players!

If you don't know what Tabletop Nights is, it's a D&D simulation game that makes you feel that you're at the table with a group of fictional friends playing with their fictional characters in a fictional...actually, just click the link below and see for yourself!

https://www.multiplechoicestudios.com/ttn/ 

Sessi...