RPGM Abandoned Vis Major [v0.48] [Doki Ninja]

[Andy]

Is it common for developers to not, you know, actually play their own game?

Quote from Doki's today post: "I briefly mentioned that I played this game from start to finish..."
I guess it depends. He has to play it every update to test it, there's no going around that. But does he play it from start to finish every time as well? Highly unlikely if you ask me.

I'm a big fan of the game, but there are some gameplay issues that make it frustrating, especially since the walkthrough doesn't seem to always match up.

He improved quite a bit after some healthy criticism that was posted here previously. So post away.

 

[Hugoger80]

In my opinion it is not really possible to release updates, developing and testing. You will use the feedback. I delivered some content to an open source game. I had no chance to play the game anymore. Writing, balance testing, content check. And so on. Just playing for the look and feel was impossible for me. I started with playing it, I loved it and than I wanted to see it bezzer. From that point the pure playing was over. And I was not alone with this experience. But that is just my history.

 

[greyelf]

Is it common for developers to not, you know, actually play their own game?

It is common for software (and game) developers to manually test only the code that they were working (a form of unit testing), and to use a combination of testing tools and end-user testing to test the software in it's entirety. The main reason for this is mostly due to time or the lack of it, especially if the developer is following a "test often" type of methodology.

eg. It takes 30 minutes of game-play time to get to the section of the game that the developer is working on, the modifications include three types of path (Pure, Corrupt, Blackmail), this results in an elapsed time of at least 1.5 hours per test run.

I personally haven't found any testing tools that work (well) for a game engine like RPGM, so to short-cut the time it takes to run a test I use preexisting save files (or craft them as needed) to by-pass the need to traverse to the part of the game just before the modified code.

Having said this it is a good idea for the developer to play through their game every now and then, if for no other reason that to enjoy their own creation.

 

[fauxplayer]

Thanks for the replies. That makes a lot of sense. I'll be curious to read Doki's post this weekend where he plans to review his own game.

 

[Necore]

has someone the new walktrough maybe ?

 

[Netori Popeye]

has someone the new walktrough maybe ?

It's a fairly simple game

 

[The Revenant]

How do you increase the naivety in the game...to get the scene with the photographer?

 

[Netori Popeye]

How do you increase the naivety in the game...to get the scene with the photographer?

Pick the right options at the start of the game

 

[Doki Ninja]

Hello everyone!

I'll just post a wall of text and run away for now. I'll come back tomorrow and respond to all the comments that require responses. I have read them all.

Hopefully some of you will find this an interesting read and maybe you'll want to add something as well.

Spoiler: Game review - Vis Major

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Have a fun day!

 

[Ignazzio]

Self review is pretty unique thing. I really appreciate that. As you're going to make some changes I think I can share my opinion about issues I have with VM that I find significant when it comes to gathering some further attention.
1) The most problematic issue VM has is plot presentation - intro. It's great if you're already playing for some time but when you see it for the first time it's chaotic and hard to understand due to a different time-frames and characters. First scene takes place after a solid amount of gameplay - far after current content. Later on we're playing as a young father and we have kid/teen stages as well. Before we start an actual storyline, player is confused. In my opinion growing stages are really cool but first infiltration stage and father's are just confusing for many players. Moreover infiltration is restricting for you as a developer as well. People love slow games but in this case players know there won't be real sex scene before reaching an intro and it might be discouraging. Personally I really like this intro but I understand people might have a lot of troubles with it since it requires a lot of content to work and that's connected with point 2.
2) Updates size - In this case I can only guess what's the reason for it but that's pretty serious problem. Updates don't have "weight" as they're rather small. My guess is that it's due to the animations quality which requires a lot of renders and overall complexity of script with many different outcomes and checks. The point is that it's a problem. Every update brings a lot of quality but is simply too short and it affects whole playerbase. It might be that 1 issue would fix overall impression to the point in which smaller updates wouldn't matter but it's worth pointing it out.
That's it. I really don't find any other serious issues with VM. It's a great corruption game with decent plot (for an adult game) and fine characters. Ofc some are underdeveloped and stereotypical but adult games tend to use such a characters as complexity is an enemy for a horny guy. The biggest advantage it has is how complex it is when it comes to branches and character development. It's really enjoyable as I feel I have some control over MC. I hope VM will be even better after your changes cuz for me it's becoming one of the best in this genre here.

 

[kingscard]

Hey Doki, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us .

A few thoughts :

- I've never had the "strength" to play the intro with all the fights.

- I liked the VN intro and the secret agent / student / pregnancy

- I felt embarrassed with young Cara, the idea is great to create her profile, but maybe she's too young for us to decide which perverted way she should take. And, if the "Vis Major" as you described has to occur after the hit and run, then how and why can we decide for her ?

- 18 yo Cara : Good debut ... then she learn her mother's sudden death ... and that's it. There is no empathy between them, her mother is clearly described as a bad person who's jealous as hell about her child because she's too perfect. No love from Cara is clearly showed either, so why would she engaged herself in a weird mission with weird people with a stranger who seems too gentle to be in a porn game ?

- Waitress job : I liked it J, a bit grindy maybe

- George … I would had him if he hadn’t such a freaking huge dick …

- I really liked the “love letter” quest, I’m waiting for the futures steps !

- I already dislike the nurse thing, maybe because of the boss or the “too much” costume

- I like Sheeva

- I can’t understand the librarian

- I like Hugh

- The Gym … ok I guess

- I like the father but couldn’t get a good spanking, I’ll have to retry that

- I strongly disliked that it’s too much work to get some scenes (like Sheeva/George intercourse or the “exhibitionist trait”)

- I like the name "Cara", so I’ll stick with it

As for the monthly content, I'm not a patron so I won't argue. But if I were I would be disappointed by the shortness of them. The good point is you seems to really care about your game !

 

[Doki Ninja]

- I felt embarrassed with young Cara, the idea is great to create her profile, but maybe she's too young for us to decide which perverted way she should take. And, if the "Vis Major" as you described has to occur after the hit and run, then how and why can we decide for her ?

The idea was that you always controlled her, but she did not realize that. After the hit and run, however, she slowly figured it out. But that was back when I actually planned to make it into a thing.


Now I will post another huge wall of text. I believe it addresses most of the points made here by you. If I missed anything, just give me a shout out!

Spoiler: Current plans

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TL;DR: A lot to fix/change. Will do it now. Updates no longer monthly, once in 2-3 months instead. Will post progress update this weekend.

 

[riddikk91]

It's happened again!! As soon as I decide to patron a dev, things change dramatically! LOL!! I'm disappointed about doing updates every 2-3 months though... that's a long time to not see Cara (that cute little pink-haired minx!!).

 

[Ignazzio]

The idea was that you always controlled her, but she did not realize that. After the hit and run, however, she slowly figured it out. But that was back when I actually planned to make it into a thing.


Now I will post another huge wall of text. I believe it addresses most of the points made here by you. If I missed anything, just give me a shout out!

Spoiler: Current plans

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

TL;DR: A lot to fix/change. Will do it now. Updates no longer monthly, once in 2-3 months instead. Will post progress update this weekend.

These changes are much more significant than I expected. That's so complex I can't really grasp it yet but sounds like you know what you're going to do so I wish you best. I can't wait to see some results of these changes.

 

[UncleVT]

If there's something I like about @Doki Ninja it's his passion for that he does. That shows in each of his comments that we read. The game is very good, it is creative and has a good story. Of course, there are things that I like more than others. But he's always trying to make the greatest game he can and improve even what he has already done. That's why I don't care about the more delay between releases. Continue like this and I will continue to support you.

 

[Ken To]

The idea was that you always controlled her, but she did not realize that. After the hit and run, however, she slowly figured it out. But that was back when I actually planned to make it into a thing.

TL;DR: A lot to fix/change. Will do it now. Updates no longer monthly, once in 2-3 months instead. Will post progress update this weekend.

i sudden remember there is a bug....
in the cafe when the guy ask for taking off the jacket
picking up the cup would still have the jacket on....
just in case the mini game doesn't change
and would love to see more

 

[blastwave2k]

The idea was that you always controlled her, but she did not realize that. After the hit and run, however, she slowly figured it out. But that was back when I actually planned to make it into a thing.


Now I will post another huge wall of text. I believe it addresses most of the points made here by you. If I missed anything, just give me a shout out!


TL;DR: A lot to fix/change. Will do it now. Updates no longer monthly, once in 2-3 months instead. Will post progress update this weekend.

i played this game once before and just was confused and not impressed and never touched it again. i am so happy to see that you have taken the time and effort to check it out yourself and SEE that yourself. also super happy to see you as a dev HERE. a lot of the things we talk about tend to be exactly these things. if you can identify and not get tweaked by the inevitable useless "this game suckzor, female mc boo, rpgm nuuuuuuu, etc, etc." hater posters, most of us just really want to see a good game and WILL give you useable feedback. =)

i am really looking forward to and will give it a try again after you do your rework magic, and if i like it you'll earn a spot on my patreon dev watchlist.

 

[RazzleDazzle]

Hey guys, just wondering how far along the game is nowadays? Are there many molestation scenes at jobs? In particular the cafe?

 

[Disco Dancer]

How to activate perfume?

 

[Ignazzio]

How to activate perfume?

You can find it in your inventory. You have to use it in house