Working on a new game and need some feedback

[bob82]

I've partnered with a writer from CHYOA and we've started to make a game based on one of their stories. Currently, we've decided to try and make it in GameMaker and I wanted to know if that was a good idea based on what we're trying to do. I've got some experience in both Java and Python but Gamemaker seemed like an easier tool to use than to spend weeks constructing one specifically for the game.

1. A grid-based war map with units you maneuver to fight the AI. With three types of units in a rock paper scissors thing(sword beats spear, spear beats ax and ax beats sword).
2. The sex bit of the game will take place in events and after the battles. Currently, they're going to be text-based as neither of us is a good artist.
3. Construction of buildings on tiles to provide bonuses.

Another game that looks sort of like what we're thinking would be XXXivilization but the premise is different and the combat is traditional.(Though nobody dies as it's a sci-fi setting where war no longer kills people due to using advanced armor and medieval weapons.)

thoughts?

 

[Yoshiiki]

Idea isn't bad, sounds a little bit like Sengoku Rance, you may want to take a look into it.
Not sure how it will look characters wise, but war where no one dies seems pointless and boring, more like olympics. Idea about advanced armor and medieval weapons has this aftertaste of Girls und Panzer with new tech and old tanks. No one says it's influenced by that.
Maybe a little bit of Fire Emblem playing for looking at ideas regarding story with mix of strategy?

For the rock-paper-scissors battles... Unless it's done irl, it's annoying rng. Plus, it sounds like a cheap method to deal with battles. I would rather have some modified version of Risk rules or 2-3 stats for units and do simple comparison or comparison mixed with rng rolls.

 

[Yoshiiki]

Yeah, go for the most popular, don't try anything new. Keep doing same shit over and over. Not like a lot of people love Sengoku Rance or Eiyuu*Senki. You don't have skill or budget, not like both can't be gained.
I am glad you spared us this mental torture and didn't go on this "rant", it would be boring and tedious.

Anyway, wouldn't recommend going with king of the jungle advice. You have an idea, shape it more, because right now it sounds like brainstorm phase to figure everything out, but that's fine, everything needs to start somewhere.

 

[Yoshiiki]

Again, Sengoku Rance, Eiyuu*Senki, Daibanchou. It can be done with focus on porn and story. Just because you were never introduced to properly executed idea like this, doesn't mean it sucks. That's why I am saying to ignore your advice as it seems you could try more games before that.
Anyway, this thread is going to get derailed, if you want to argue that whole issue of game that's focused on porn, go with PM or even make a thread.

 

[Yoshiiki]

I have tried a few of the Rance games and I hated everything about the first 15 minutes. Googled the other 2 and I was less than impressed. Look at it like this: The majority of people here ignore these types of games, but everyone likes the ren'py/unity games(you know which ones I'm talking about). Even mediocre ones like "School, Love & Cousins" filled with pointless grind are almost guaranteed 1k on patreon. I am sure that the combat system,lack of art and the fact that the game is made on "RPG Maker" are nothing more than hills that the dev will have to climb on his way to attract a sizable audience.

Depends which ones, as Sengoku Rance drops whole RPG-like idea in place of different gameplay.
So instead of someone trying something new, you advice them to go for easy cash and shitty practices. Great, waiting until lootboxes are in porn games. Literally why devs do whatever they want to milk people.
Any other reason than "everyone does it, so I follow, baa" and "go where money is"? Because I still find it as shitty advice unless you just want money, probably setting latest version to $15 pledge like a dickhead.
Good that you said "here". As I am looking at most viewed threads and don't see Monster Girl Island and few others. Seriously, if not for that "here" I would bother saying something.
What RPG Maker? You are the only one mentioning it, OP said GameMaker. Those aren't same things, but you may not knew that, so I am not going to drop that on you.
Anyway, as I stated, this is just derailing, go with my previous idea if you want to continue this. Though, looking at this, it's probably going to be tedious and boring, so being nice won't be needed. Said more than my five cents, OP asked for feedback and we went somewhere else. Pointless to continue this here.

 

[redknight00]

As far as ideas go, this one is not bad, I haven't seem many good games that have decent gameplay and approve of more. Have you tried rpgmaker? As much as some will say it sucks, it is great for more combat/rpg oriented games, plus it's accessible for beginners and you can go far with some Java knowledge.

 

[bob82]

Idea isn't bad, sounds a little bit like Sengoku Rance, you may want to take a look into it.
Not sure how it will look characters wise, but war where no one dies seems pointless and boring, more like olympics. Idea about advanced armor and medieval weapons has this aftertaste of Girls und Panzer with new tech and old tanks. No one says it's influenced by that.
Maybe a little bit of Fire Emblem playing for looking at ideas regarding story with mix of strategy?

For the rock-paper-scissors battles... Unless it's done irl, it's annoying rng. Plus, it sounds like a cheap method to deal with battles. I would rather have some modified version of Risk rules or 2-3 stats for units and do simple comparison or comparison mixed with rng rolls.

I didn't really explain it that well but the reason it's like that is because most of the population of the human race was killed in a massive war against an alien species with genocidal tendencies. I'm not sure if I can really explain it well because I'm not the story guy but the full story makes enough sense for a game premise. Though currently, we're still deciding a few things hence the reach out for feedback.
I've played Rance and while I hated the story and protagonist I greatly enjoyed Eiyuu*Senki and Fire Emblem.
I think you may be right about the rock paper scissors mechanic. What I could do is keep it but instead make it just a + to a roll system. With the other two stats being experience and numbers. It shouldn't be too hard to code a basic system with those variables.
In response to the possibility, it may not be popular that's fine. A paetreon isn't a planned part of this, while one might happen eventually my partner already have jobs that safely keep the bills away.

 

[bob82]

As far as ideas go, this one is not bad, I haven't seem many good games that have decent gameplay and approve of more. Have you tried rpgmaker? As much as some will say it sucks, it is great for more combat/rpg oriented games, plus it's accessible for beginners and you can go far with some Java knowledge.

RPG maker is a bit of a problematic engine for what we're currently trying. If the focus shifts a bit it might be viable but for now it just doesn't really mesh even though I know a few games in it have a good war system.

 

[Yoshiiki]

I didn't really explain it that well but the reason it's like that is because most of the population of the human race was killed in a massive war against an alien species with genocidal tendencies. I'm not sure if I can really explain it well because I'm not the story guy but the full story makes enough sense for a game premise. Though currently, we're still deciding a few things hence the reach out for feedback.
I've played Rance and while I hated the story and protagonist I greatly enjoyed Eiyuu*Senki and Fire Emblem.
I think you may be right about the rock paper scissors mechanic. What I could do is keep it but instead make it just a + to a roll system. With the other two stats being experience and numbers. It shouldn't be too hard to code a basic system with those variables.
In response to the possibility, it may not be popular that's fine. A paetreon isn't a planned part of this, while one might happen eventually my partner already have jobs that safely keep the bills away.

Well, if there is some believable reason for it, fine. But looking at post-apocalyptic genre, I doubt people wouldn't want to continue killing, especially during war. Really sounds more like some friendly tournament than a war.
Well, I like Rance as a character, but that's a matter of preference, so nevermind that. I got that Eiyuu*senki x Fire Emblem vibe from this idea, but if you played it then I have nothing more to add
Yeah, I went with simple idea that should technically be more interesting than jan-ken-pon, should give some more strategy elements (or zerg option xD).
Well, patreon should be used to support/finance development, not as a way to make money (unless free game), that should be done with sales. But we all know it's stupidly abused. Anyway, it's nice to hear that, gives a lot of hopes that it's going to be made based on idea of creating rather than pure money making.

 

[bob82]

Its sort of is more like a friendly tournament. Its used as a way to settle disputes but its also a way to help repopulate as the soldiers of the losing side who "die" become sex slaves for a period of 5 months(a genetic modification reduces pregnancy time to 3 months rather than 9).

 

[M$hot]

It sounds highly complex but also relatively different. And while the gameplay may be enjoyable, from my experience (sorry to put it so harshly) if the artwork is good enough most gameplay can be 'suffered' through anyway. After all, the priority in an adult game is the adult stuff right? But you do have an idea for interesting window dressing. I've caught myself enjoying the gameplay now and then on some of the adult games, but I've caught myself suffering through the gameplay for the artwork far more often.

Now I have no idea which camp your gameplay will fall into, but I do know that artwork is like 75% of the game.
That said, I will be interested to see how this pans out.

 

[bob82]

That's not harsh at all. The whole point of this is getting honest feedback. While artwork currently isn't part of the game in terms of images it could be. The basic systems are already working and I don't think it would be hard to integrate artwork if we eventually commission some or learn how to draw.

 

[Yoshiiki]

(...) from my experience (sorry to put it so harshly) if the artwork is good enough most gameplay can be 'suffered' through anyway. After all, the priority in an adult game is the adult stuff right? But you do have an idea for interesting window dressing. I've caught myself enjoying the gameplay now and then on some of the adult games, but I've caught myself suffering through the gameplay for the artwork far more often.

Not always. It's not that hard to turn normal game into some sex crazed world via modding. Like Skyirm for example, instead of getting killed when you lose, your heroine can get raped. That's a nice alternative.
Whenever it's an adult game or not, only one thing is true: It should be fun.
For some people treating adult game like a clickable porn movie is good enough, some want gameplay. Both sides are correct and wrong. It all depends on who you ask so there is no cemented answer. But making it fun applies always, it's just what someone considers fun.
So while I can't agree with you, I do see your point, it's just not my perspective on it.
Also, don't consider what you are saying as harsh, because it's not. Not even fucking close, it's an opinion, that's all. Otherwise you will loose ability to judge and worry about saying anything.

That's not harsh at all. The whole point of this is getting honest feedback. While artwork currently isn't part of the game in terms of images it could be. The basic systems are already working and I don't think it would be hard to integrate artwork if we eventually commission some or learn how to draw.

Well, depends on how porn stuff is implemented. Personally would like to see some form of trainer-like minigame and sex scenes after battle, just to not make it repetitive going from battle to battle.
Well, I would say start learning how to draw, but, it can be a long process (in case of talent, not as long), so better keep that in mind. Commissioning art is also an idea and it does sound like you want something drawn. But, as an valid option: you can make 3D model look like drawn art, the more cartoonish model (like anime or western comics), easier it will be to make it work. It's an option, still requires to learn about body and how it works, like in case of art, to pose it properly, but should be way shorter process.

 

[M$hot]

@Yoshiiki Well, thing is, I play adult games for a very different reason than I play other games. If I want to have fun playing a game, it will never be Living with Temptation or SoaB or whatever. However, for well, a good jerk I won't ever boot up Rainbow Six or Watch_Dogs. I like to watch sexy female shapes in a tempting situation, so while some people may be cool with all the intermingling, I would never put up with statbuilding in LwT if it didn't lead to a broadening of the sensual and sexual options.
But everyone has varying opinions and tastes, which is why there is such a nice variety (disregarding all the clones) of games on here. And I personally think saying 'I may be able to suffer through your game for the sweet puss' to be kind of harsh, but maybe people go far harsher, I don't know.

@bob82 When I say artwork I basically mean everything associated with sensual and sexual atmosphere. I can deal with statbuilding if it leads to options, I can deal with fighting wars if the spoils of victory involve some kind of sexual/sensual reward. Technically SoaB has no artwork at all, but I still enjoy that game, so maybe artwork is not the right term. It's just, every game throws up some hurdles/obstacles/objectives to overcome for the reward (which is sensual/sexual in nature). I prefer to not mind or enjoy the hurdles, but if the reward is good enough I can suffer through most obstacles. I hope that made it clearer.
I can only speak for me, but the height of the hurdle should be sort of in line with the quality of the reward. If I fight a war for a line of text that says 'you just had amazing sex, trust me', that doesn't work for me.

 

[bob82]

Ah I get what you mean. What I'm about to say may change but currently there are going to be three different kinds of sex scenes.
The first is going to be generic 'go check on the prisoners' sex scenes where you'll see a random scene play out. There's not going to be a detailed scene after every battle because that would get tedious for both the player and the writer.

That's where the second type of scene comes in. This game is going to be focused on just 1 campaign of a larger war with 2 Generals pitted against each other. The player and the AI. Each side will have 3 special leaders who add a bonus whenever they fight. Whenever one of them is defeated it will result in a detailed scene with player interaction. So this incentivizes the player to aggressively target them or for a player just looking for a quick scene they can throw their own into hopeless situations to get a scene quicker.

The last type of scene is the bad ends or good ends depending on how things go.

The project is obviously ambitious so a smaller project with a similar premise(i.e using the same systems on a much smaller scale) is what's being worked on right now just to see what is possible.