Japanese company「ILLUSION」dies. They are ceasing game development and publishing.

[cohenber101]

Hasn't that been happening all the time already with games like Subverse, Wildlife, and Carnal Instinct? Sure, those games might have their own flaws, and they might not be exactly like Illusion games, but isn't that the whole issue with Illusion games? That's why the Illusion Release Cycle meme exists in the first place. They barely did anything innovative. They just rehashed their own work over and over. Doesn't mean their products weren't enjoyable, but if you are looking for people exploring new horizons and risking things, Illusion is not where to look, it's with games like I mentioned before.

I strongly disagree. The only game on that list that came close enough is Subverse, why? Because Subverse is actually playable for most of the public eye. It's already in early access and currently available on Steam.

However, in terms of milestones, they are at the earliest goal to come closer to what Illusion actually accomplished before, during the 'Sandbox Era' of Koikatsu, Honey Select, and other titles. We were talking about what they had back then, like Sexy Beach, Des Blood 2, Sexy Beach, SchoolMate, and all genres before we came to the 'Sandbox' games that we know and love.

Wild Life and Canal Instinct are not even close, but they might get there eventually, I believe.

In summary, people just need something besides Daz3d that is easy to use for making porn games on Ren'Py and comics, but not janky or ugly like Sims 4.

 

[DuniX]

Now, having said that... it's not necessarily the *worst* thing that could happen. Yes, it likely means that the bigger devs using HS or KKS (if they get both licenses) would get asked to pay licensing fees, but it would also possibly mean removing the semi-legitimate aspect from them, which could open up the ability to go onto Steam.

It might also, at some point, mean that we'll be seeing more realtime games reusing the engine; Fakku was a publisher/distributor, and might be interested in setting up deals where they'll license the engine for free in return for being the distributor (as Epic does), or in signing licenses giving source code access to companies that have the ability to push the engine forward.

The reason I don't think that will happen is that is something Illusion themselves could have done to great success and they wouldn't have closed.
They didn't care about the western market so I doubt they will care now.

 

[Droid Productions]

The reason I don't think that will happen is that is something Illusion themselves could have done to great success and they wouldn't have closed.
They didn't care about the western market so I doubt they will care now.

Illusion didn't; Fakku did. Illusion said no, but... Illusion might not say "no" to a cheque for $200k-$500k for a couple of properties that's otherwise going to sit in Yoshimura Tei's drawer and gather dust. You have to understand that from the point of view of an owner of an SME that's just gone bust, making money on *something* is probably enough. Illusion Software was started 30 years ago; likely the guy is in this mid 50s-early 60s at this point. He's unlikely to give this a second go, and if someone writes him a real cheque he'll check out to drink suntory highballs and chill for the rest of his life.

 

[DuniX]

Illusion didn't; Fakku did. Illusion said no, but... Illusion might not say "no" to a cheque for $200k-$500k for a couple of properties that's otherwise going to sit in Yoshimura Tei's drawer and gather dust. You have to understand that from the point of view of an owner of an SME that's just gone bust, making money on *something* is probably enough. Illusion Software was started 30 years ago; likely the guy is in this mid 50s-early 60s at this point. He's unlikely to give this a second go, and if someone writes him a real cheque he'll check out to drink suntory highballs and chill for the rest of his life.

That could be the case, sure.
But my point is there was already opportunity for free money they closed off for no reason.
Even removing the games from selling doesn't make sense as they would still generate some money even without updates.

 

[Droid Productions]

That could be the case, sure.
But my point is there was already opportunity for free money they closed off for no reason.

I think that was always part of their ethos; they embraced fan-content, and supported fan made comics and games (as long as it was screencaps, not content) way before this took off in the west.

Even removing the games from selling doesn't make sense as they would still generate some money even without updates.

Yeah, it's weird. I'm just gonna write that off as one of those Japanese things. They're doing things the way the perceive as "the proper way" because that's what proper Japanese people do, even if they're making porn games.

 

[Dr. Ronald Leopold]

Yeah, it's weird. I'm just gonna write that off as one of those Japanese things. They're doing things the way the perceive as "the proper way" because that's what proper Japanese people do, even if they're making porn games.

Lol, that makes me think all the developers in the company did a group seppuku.

 

[fakeeraser]

Not really surprised about this, i only played 3 games from illusion (hs1+2, koikatsu) and wow they recycle content like it's their only option. Those games' strongest aspects have always been character customization and scene creation tools, never gameplay because it's either so barebones or so boring. If only they marketed this as a tool to create hot girls and sex scenes instead of a "game" people would actually buy it at the price they're charging.

not that it matters now anyways they're gone lol

 

[kornster]

I am still surprised that people ever really "played" these games. Most games, including most of F95, are only good for a fap or two, and the creative mode like Studio Neo. I always get an aneurysm when people here talk about stories and visual novels, it's all super cringe.

All I wanted was StudioNEO 3 and now that won't happen. RIP Illusion.

 

[wibewibe]

Apparently, there will be some movement after the activity is terminated.

You must be registered to see the links

The above account was used by the illusion development team, but has been reset and has been replaced by a new account in preparation.

 

[Lying Mars Bar]

Would be cool if there was a way to incorporate the studio aspect into the main game (stuff like custom animation for example). That could've help added to the "thats all there is" main game of HS2, KK, ect. But that won't ever happen.

 

[SergeantDauterive]

I never heard of this company, what's their best stuff, and is it on Steam?

 

[Artemissu]

I never heard of this company, what's their best stuff, and is it on Steam?

I'd say, their best stuff would be Artificial Academy 2, but that game is rather old by now and is a b!tch to run on modern computers though... If you want their much more modern, but not as good games, you could take a look at Koikatsu and Honey Select 2.

And the last 2 are both on Steam until August, at which point they'll be removed from the store... So if you wanna buy them, you only have up until August to do it, BUT you have to keep in mind two things:

1) The company will be dead on the water in August, so there's not really much reason for you to buy them other than pure goodwill

2) The pirated version of each game is much better than the Steam versions as they have more content and are mod-friendly

 

[SergeantDauterive]

I'd say, their best stuff would be Artificial Academy 2, but that game is rather old by now and is a b!tch to run on modern computers though... If you want their much more modern, but not as good games, you could take a look at Koikatsu and Honey Select 2.

And the last 2 are both on Steam until August, at which point they'll be removed from the store... So if you wanna buy them, you only have up until August to do it, BUT you have to keep in mind two things:

1) The company will be dead on the water in August, so there's not really much reason for you to buy them other than pure goodwill

2) The pirated version of each game is much better than the Steam versions as they have more content and are mod-friendly

Thanks, I appreciate that. Do you know where I could find them aside from Steam?

 

[Artemissu]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Do you know where I could find them aside from Steam?

You can also buy them at

You must be registered to see the links

and i assume at ILLUSION'S

You must be registered to see the links

, though the latter is all in japanese so i can't make sense out of anything DX

 

[dexter111]

rip bozo

 

[Dr. Ronald Leopold]

Apparently, there will be some movement after the activity is terminated.

You must be registered to see the links

The above account was used by the illusion development team, but has been reset and has been replaced by a new account in preparation.

The illusion with this move reminds me of Gandalf, who goes from Gandalf the Grey to Gandalf the White.

 

[Droid Productions]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Do you know where I could find them aside from Steam?

The Better Repacks are your best place to start:
https://f95zone.to/threads/honey-select-2-dx-r13-illusion.53457/

Beware, they're huge

 

[Meaning Less]

I'd say, their best stuff would be Artificial Academy 2, but that game is rather old by now and is a b!tch to run on modern computers though... If you want their much more modern, but not as good games, you could take a look at Koikatsu and Honey Select 2.

I agree with koikatsu.

But honey select is their worst game gameplay wise since you have nothing to do and zero buildup, so I'd say go for Ai Shoujo instead if you want HS visuals but some gameplay.

 

[Schulth]

I agree with koikatsu.

But honey select is their worst game gameplay wise since you have nothing to do and zero buildup, so I'd say go for Ai Shoujo instead if you want HS visuals but some gameplay.

It depends what you want out of the "games" though. If you want to play a game with story and actually care about gameplay thats one thing.

If you want good graphics and a fap then they're the best H games out there. Koikatsu lets you have any anime character you could or would ever want and honey select with a more realistic 3d graphic caters to non anime fans.

 

[wibewibe]

Apparently, there will be some movement after the activity is terminated.

You must be registered to see the links

The above account was used by the illusion development team, but has been reset and has been replaced by a new account in preparation.

You must be registered to see the links

Hmm? What does this mean?