Your thoughts on my project

[KD142000]

Hey, all!

Wasn't sure exactly where to post this. It does concern a game, but it's not made yet...and I'm looking for a community response. Confusing, what?

So, I recently had the idea of making a furry-themed dating game.
I've got the basic idea down:
You start out on a dating site and then pick someone to go on a first date with.
Of course, you can pick another person after that first date, or keep on dating them.

I wanted to make this part of the creative cooperative currently being developed and also make it expandable.
To do that, I decided to reach out to the community to see what your thoughts are!
And, also offer up the potential for your characters to make an appearance within the game.

Right now, only mine and my boyfriend's (who is helping with the project) OC's are in the game.

NOTE: I want to clarify that due to the limitations of the program I'm using, you'll be playing as my sona during the game. Of course, you'll have the ability to make different choices.

So, I have some questions:

1. Would you ever want your sona/OC to appear as a dateable character?
2. Would you prefer them to be a side character?
3. Do you think it should be strictly SFW?
4. Would it be better if it had a story behind it?

If you can answer one of these questions, or want to ask one of your own, feel free to!
Thanks!

 

[YukineAlterma]

My honest opinion is if you could manage to make a story behind it and each decision in the story affects who you will get with and the overall outcome of the end of the game you would have a really good game in the works. I personally love to read a story while playing any game.

 

[KimberVaile]

First things, first, I do not specifically mind dating sim type games, but they should be done right. You should make the journey meaningful

1. Depends on how much effort that went into the writing, how he was portrayed, and the in game assets regarding the character. There needs to be some attention given to the representation.
2. I think cameos without much purpose don't do much to enrich the product, so not really.
3. NSFW is fine in my book.
4. Immeasurably better, yes. Needs some sort of meaning to stick out.

 

[Faustus]

1. Would you ever want your sona/OC to appear as a dateable character?

No.

2. Would you prefer them to be a side character?

I wouldn't object to certain of my OC's being side-characters, but it's not something I'd pay (or pay more) to see. I also wouldn't object to one of my OC's being a PLAYER character, i.e. in an optional side-story. Don't ask me why this is different from being dateable.

3. Do you think it should be strictly SFW?

This is an entirely subjective decision. My gut feeling - and I'd be interested to see if your research bears this out - is that the larger market is in NSFW art. You could also give the player the option to turn off NSFW art, or sell two different versions of the game with and without NSFW stuff (which might also make it easier to get onto Steam, although they do allow some adult stuff these days.) I'd also consider that some people might SAY they want SFW only, but really they want full pickle and just don't want to admit it publicly

4. Would it be better if it had a story behind it?

This is an absolute 100% MUST. No Story = No Payoff. Dating games in particular are ALL story. There are hybrid games of course, which tie dating or similar situations to other styles of game. Match-3 games work well (see, for example, 'Mirror' or 'Huney Pop'). These usually have a more minimal story, but the gameplay makes up for it (and personally I still like to see some story in there to make the situations relatable).

I'd like to add one important note too, and that's artwork. If you're going for NSFW, it has to be GOOD. There are plenty of free kinky games around the Internet for the average perv to play. You need to offer something that's either innovative in gameplay, or that looks good. If you can't summon up something that's at least presentable, I don't see it selling. Not that there's anything wrong with giving it away for free, mind you. It might open up a few doors just to get something out there.

By the way, what's the program you're using? I was recently introduced to a good freeware game creation tool called Godot which has a VN plugin (that I've not tried yet) and even good ol' Ren'Py is highly customisable if you've a little programming chops to back yourself up.

 

[KD142000]

By the way, what's the program you're using? I was recently introduced to a good freeware game creation tool called Godot which has a VN plugin (that I've not tried yet) and even good ol' Ren'Py is highly customisable if you've a little programming chops to back yourself up.

I'm using TyranoBuilder as I'm not much of an expert when it comes to programming. I haven't yet heard of Godot, actually! May have a look at that as a potential option.

 

[KimberVaile]

I'm using TyranoBuilder as I'm not much of an expert when it comes to programming. I haven't yet heard of Godot, actually! May have a look at that as a potential option.

Just out of curiosity, did you have a demo build of what you have already?

 

[KD142000]

Just out of curiosity, did you have a demo build of what you have already?

The demo build is what I'm working on right now. I need some more art to get that done.

I'm starting out with having a single character to date to show how the game works. Plus, the story progresses differently depending on who you choose to date.
Need to figure that out for all of the characters, but once that's done, it becomes easy to tie things together!

 

[Whimsycal]

So, I have some questions:

1. Would you ever want your sona/OC to appear as a dateable character?
2. Would you prefer them to be a side character?
3. Do you think it should be strictly SFW?
4. Would it be better if it had a story behind it?

If you can answer one of these questions, or want to ask one of your own, feel free to!
Thanks!

Oh I would love for my OC to appear either as side or date.

I believe SFW is good but in the end the choice is yours. Is your game after all.

I believe for a dating sims is good to have a story. I have always enjoyed games with a story because it not only helps immersion, but it also helps me know why are things going the way they are.

If you need a hand with anything I would love to offer a hand with whatever you may need! Even if is something as simple as passing the voice.

 

[KD142000]

After multiple users' responses, I've decided to give a low-down on the story.

My sona (the playable character) works for British Intelligence organisation, tasked with tracking down a drug lord, Cortez. He travels to the place in which he was last reported to be and uses a dating site to find people. Every person you date has some part of their lives in which Cortez and his cartel was involved in.

You date the characters and find clues as to his whereabouts with each one. At the end of the dates, you find out where he is and confront him personally.

There is also a setup for a sequel I'm planning, but that may or may not come. It all depends on the success of this project.

 

[KD142000]

Oh I would love for my OC to appear either as side or date.

I believe SFW is good but in the end the choice is yours. Is your game after all.

I believe for a dating sims is good to have a story. I have always enjoyed games with a story because it not only helps immersion, but it also helps me know why are things going the way they are.

If you need a hand with anything I would love to offer a hand with whatever you may need! Even if is something as simple as passing the voice.

Thank you very much for the offer to have your OC to appear! I'd need a way to tie them into the story and there's a form I have that you can fill out.
The more diverse the character, the better!
I'll send you that form over PM's if you'd like?

And I've left a basic description of the story and how it progresses above.

 

[asthmacat]

this sounds really cool and i’d love to see the journey of the game and if i’m invested i’m excited to draw something from it lmao
dating sims are fairly popular and i don’t think i’ve seen any furry ones yet? not too sure, i haven’t even looked but i probably would have heard about it by now. i think it would be cool to see some background characters, but playable characters for my own opinion sounds a bit strange. maybe just create some new characters for it? idk, people get picky with what’s done with their characters (and rightfully so)!

 

[KD142000]

this sounds really cool and i’d love to see the journey of the game and if i’m invested i’m excited to draw something from it lmao
dating sims are fairly popular and i don’t think i’ve seen any furry ones yet? not too sure, i haven’t even looked but i probably would have heard about it by now. i think it would be cool to see some background characters, but playable characters for my own opinion sounds a bit strange. maybe just create some new characters for it? idk, people get picky with what’s done with their characters (and rightfully so)!

The only one I can think of that is a dating sim and stars furries is Amorous. As for any others, not too sure!

Oh, I have made a few characters for the game, some of which were OC's I already made and didn't know what to do with! I'm mostly advertising for others in case people might like to have their characters make an appearance.

 

[KimberVaile]

this sounds really cool and i’d love to see the journey of the game and if i’m invested i’m excited to draw something from it lmao
dating sims are fairly popular and i don’t think i’ve seen any furry ones yet? not too sure, i haven’t even looked but i probably would have heard about it by now. i think it would be cool to see some background characters, but playable characters for my own opinion sounds a bit strange. maybe just create some new characters for it? idk, people get picky with what’s done with their characters (and rightfully so)!

On the last part, definitely. Adding OC's as main characters should come with the expectation of representing them in some capacity to how the owner would prefer. Which is why you might see some hesitation with people offering up their characters. IE, me.

 

[Whimsycal]

Thank you very much for the offer to have your OC to appear! I'd need a way to tie them into the story and there's a form I have that you can fill out.
The more diverse the character, the better!
I'll send you that form over PM's if you'd like?

And I've left a basic description of the story and how it progresses above.

Works for me in PM

 

[Jackpot Raccuki]

So, I have some questions:

1. Would you ever want your sona/OC to appear as a dateable character?
2. Would you prefer them to be a side character?
3. Do you think it should be strictly SFW?
4. Would it be better if it had a story behind it?

1: Technically it'd depend on what happens, but I guess I don't see why not, who wouldn't want to talk to the big fluffy boi.
2. I don't mind this either, I'm not a picky guy, in some cases I don't mind not being in it at all since I'm not picky.
3. Lewd me: YES. Me: YES. Logical me: Well yes, but actually no; I don't mind tbf, it's your project at the end of the day.
4. Stories are nice. Plus if you're dating peeps I'd imagine it'd have some sort of story behind it as well, some characters may talk about others and you might learn something about them as well that may help you out in other runs or even in the same one.
But in general I think dating sims are far better if they have a story.

After multiple users' responses, I've decided to give a low-down on the story.

My sona (the playable character) works for British Intelligence organisation, tasked with tracking down a drug lord, Cortez. He travels to the place in which he was last reported to be and uses a dating site to find people. Every person you date has some part of their lives in which Cortez and his cartel was involved in.

You date the characters and find clues as to his whereabouts with each one. At the end of the dates, you find out where he is and confront him personally.

There is also a setup for a sequel I'm planning, but that may or may not come. It all depends on the success of this project.

Hmm, it is pretty interesting. Might make some peeps mad if they find out you were just using 'em. >w> MIGHT.

 

[KD142000]

Hmm, it is pretty interesting. Might make some peeps mad if they find out you were just using 'em. >w> MIGHT.

Actually, my sona ends up falling in love with all of them! Granted, he was supposed to just use them...but he isn't a mean-spirited guy!

 

[KD142000]

On the last part, definitely. Adding OC's as main characters should come with the expectation of representing them in some capacity to how the owner would prefer. Which is why you might see some hesitation with people offering up their characters. IE, me.

If I do use anyone else's OC's, the owners will be contacted and kept up to date on the process of adding them in. There's also a long form to fill out, as well.
They'll also get previews of the scenes their character appears in and can suggest edits at every step of the way.

 

[Jackpot Raccuki]

Actually, my sona ends up falling in love with all of them! Granted, he was supposed to just use them...but he isn't a mean-spirited guy!

Thankfully.

But what if they suspect him of cheating though? Or something along those lines. Y'know, I know I'd be a little mad if I found out the guy who dated me is cheating on me, or at least didn't say he was gonna use 'em for information.