VN Ren'Py Summer In The City [v0.21] [FlipDaShit]

[Knight_of_the_lance]

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Spoiler: Wardrobe choices preview

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can't react with both and heart.

on an other note. beside beauty and the thug, there is also Bright Past that allows the player to have the MC shaven or unshaven and tats or no tats. But I must admit if it is possible I would say that the B&T way of doing things looks like the more elegant one since in BP, the last time I played, when you hide the UI the pubes go away with it.


And you guys with that talk about the less socially inclined elements of F95 are making me think about what happened to Blackhand games. A cautionary tale to remain vigilant on the internet. I too am glad that there is not much whining and bickering here.

 

[Dept of Public Worms]

That said, get ready for one or two plebs demanding more hetero content and/or non-con stuff once in a blue moon.

I wonder whether those same people are on other fora, demanding that Sonic the Hedgehog be replaced with a white rabbit and Mario and Luigi be replaced with blonde Swedish girls.

Serious thought: would it be worth having a "wholesome" tag for games, or would policing it and all the arguments about whether it belongs be more trouble than it was worth?

 

[feierflei]

Serious thought: would it be worth having a "wholesome" tag for games, or would policing it and all the arguments about whether it belongs be more trouble than it was worth?

The wholesome tag is coming with the site rework, soon(tm).

 

[Mmushy]

Cute game.
The characters are fun.

 

[Kazanovaromeo]

thjsdnjasn nnfnnfnfnf ddddd

NO

 

[Ciaran8023]

Honestly off to a solid start, the dialogue feels very natural and the characters are diverse and great in their own way. The renders look good and even though it's not using a fully rendered "scene" (i.e models being in a rendered location and using backdrops instead) it just works really well thanks to the solid dialogue and characters. Plus there's always something neat about a "learning about yourself" type deal with a female or male protag getting into a new city and experiences since everyone can relate to it. Really looking forward to future updates.

 

[FlipDaShit]

Honestly off to a solid start, the dialogue feels very natural and the characters are diverse and great in their own way. The renders look good and even though it's not using a fully rendered "scene" (i.e models being in a rendered location and using backdrops instead) it just works really well thanks to the solid dialogue and characters. Plus there's always something neat about a "learning about yourself" type deal with a female or male protag getting into a new city and experiences since everyone can relate to it. Really looking forward to future updates.

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated. Using sprites on backdrops wasn't my first choice but I'm unfortunately limited by my hardware so I had to make some compromises. So far I'm quite happy with the outcome though, for what it is. Maybe I'll be able to render full scenes for the next part - Summer 2: Summer In Space!!!

 

[Ciaran8023]

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated. Using sprites on backdrops wasn't my first choice but I'm unfortunately limited by my hardware so I had to make some compromises. So far I'm quite happy with the outcome though, for what it is. Maybe I'll be able to render full scenes for the next part - Summer 2: Summer In Space!!!

It's working more than fine so I wouldn't fret - full on scene rendering is pretty rough on hardware so this is a great compromise.
Plus, the vast majority of what makes a VN tick is good writing and good setup to scenes which you've already got fairly nailed down (the scene on the bed with FL and Yun, even though it only lead up to a kiss, was hot as fuck) so just keep doing what you're doing honestly.

Plus, using text convos with some renders here and there is a very underrated bit of spice to a VN when used well and this game really does so thus far.

Also I am so calling dibs on any aliens being able to use telekinesis - choke me from afar.

 

[junkgkj]

I have no issues with sprites on the backdrops. It's just a different presentation, and actually can great speed up and diversify the storytelling process.

 

[Knight_of_the_lance]

I think that not enough VNs are using sprites. They can be a great storytelling tool. Also they can be refined and used in a way that makes them superior to whole scene renders. If you want and example of how far you can push sprites using 3D renders rather than drawings you can look at Light of my life. Naughty is pushing those sprites to the limit.

 

[damnedfrog]

To be honest, it doesn't strike me that you use sprites.
They are of very good quality.
And I think it will be easier that way to manage visual variations like tattoos or wardrobe.

 

[feierflei]

And I think it will be easier that way to manage visual variations like tattoos or wardrobe.

It's not just easier – it is nigh impossible for a solo ren'py dev to manage decent customization systems without extensive use of sprites.

Spoiler: I love sprites

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[FlipDaShit]

Another benefit of using sprites is also the flexibility. They're rather quick to make and can enhance a scene by adding unique stuff or expressions. Like Summer having the worst hangover of her life. Yet!

 

[junkgkj]

Exactly. Not every visual novel has to be shot like a film.
There are pros and cons to each method.

 

[FlipDaShit]

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[feierflei]

Holy crap! How long have you been doing this for?

I had to take an involuntary break for a year, but before that... For that particular game, a little over half a year, I think?
Making sprites with HoneySelect is easier since I don't need to actually render them. I doubt I could have come even remotely close to that number using DAZ.
That said, it still took me hundreds of hours, setting up poses, facial expressions, and clothes for all characters; plus manually editing the results to achieve decent transparency and standardize layout. But that's necessary for a complex wardrobe system with 10–20 outfits for each character – which is something I really don't recommend going for if it's not supposed to be an integral part of your game.

Attempting something like this without using sprites would have cost me decades as well as what remains of my sanity. lol

Sprites are awesome for streamlining development, as long as the dev manages to convey character expressions, body language, and emotions through them. Which you are accomplishing nicely, particularly with Summer and Yun.
I only ever see people complaining about sprites if the sprites in question are static or boring (no pose changes/lack of appropriate facial expressions/no outfit variability...).

 

[FlipDaShit]

Spoiler

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Oh, how much I wish I could skip the rendering part, ugh. With the progress in AI and regular technology I'm sure we'll be able to render the stuff we do now in real time within the next ten years. Not gonna be cheap though.

And 10 to 20 outfits? I'm already losing my mind with the four outfits I did, haha. No, thank you. I'll keep the use of a wardrobe system to a minimum for now until I can afford a better GPU and learned how to organize myself better. From an organization standpoint the development of my game is a straight-A shitshow. But as long as it works, right (that's how to advertise your game, kids)?! It's getting better with each day though.

 

[Jarulf]

No, thank you. I'll keep the use of a wardrobe system to a minimum for now until I can afford a better GPU and learned how to organize myself better.

As for getting a better GPU, you know a Patreon account could help a little with that. Just an idea

 

[FlipDaShit]

As for getting a better GPU, you know a Patreon account could help a little with that. Just an idea

I already got one actually, approved and all, it's just in hibernation right now until the content update drops next weekend (if everything goes as planned). I don't expect much to come of it, but it's gonna be fun either way I suppose. Besides developing I'm also working on Summer's online appearance. It's all a bit overwhelming to be honest. But since we talk about that, if anyone is interested, I could use some help with getting my discord in shape. It's already running but I haven't had the time to get deep into it yet. So, if any of you know which bots to use, suggestions for roles etc. shoot me a PM.

 

[Jarulf]

I already got one actually, approved and all, it's just in hibernation right now until the content update drops next weekend (if everything goes as planned). I don't expect much to come of it, but it's gonna be fun either way I suppose.

Oh, that's good. Hope you manage to get a few (or loads, actually) subscribers, but I guess it's a pretty long haul for most devs to build up a following. I'll throw a few euros your way. And did you say, new content? Looking forward to that.
Can't help you with Discord though, not really a fan, but I'm sure someone will step up.