Ren'Py A House in the Rift [v0.7.15r3] [Zanith]

[mespidey]

Great to see a Dev taking time out to answer questions in a detailed manner. Many people have these Q's, some ask them, but we don't see them answered like this very often. A breath of fresh air, quite like this game.

Check the master post.


There are three unskippable clips in the beginning of the game (and I'll make them skippable when I get time to do it), but other than that, there's just a few blocking animations in the game, and they come much later in the story. And I'll make them skippable, too.


Naomi will get a continuation of her story, it's just that it requires A LOT of prep work, and I can't set aside enough time to do it right now.




Alright, so I'm actually not the only person working on the game for close to a year now. We're something like a 2-and-a-bit-person studio right now. But I think I should explain.

My role on the game's Discord is "Auteur". It's kinda tongue-in-cheek, but it describes me pretty well, in all honesty. I still view the game as my game, and I'm pestering the second 3D artist to make the stills/animations the way I would have made them. And then I still tweak everything myself a bit after that. So even though there are two people working on the game more or less full time, we really aren't going twice the speed.

Still, as we get more and more aligned, the pace of the development increases, but now I'm trying to bring even more people on board, so I have to spend extra time on mentoring them. Hopefully, it'll work out in the end and we'll be able to push out bigger updates soon enough.

The other issue is the asset pipeline. When I started the game, every environment and every character was made using the freely available asset packs. We've moved way past that since. We still use assets for props, sure, but all the the new University environments are custom-made, the Headmaster's robe is our first fully unique costume, and we're working on more stuff in the background. If you play through the early events and compare them to the latest ones, you should notice the improvement in quality, and this improvement takes time.

Same goes for the animations/stills, actually. Early events rarely exceeded 40 stills, most new ones are 60+. Early animations were 8-12 seconds, all the animations in the latest barmaid dream are 20+ seconds, and there are 5 animated characters there. It all takes time, and I don't think we can really go back to the good old days of shorter animations and smaller events.

Last but not least, I'm just too tired to keep up the pace of the first two years of the development. I was working pretty much every day of the week for the first year, got burnt out by the end of the second year, and now I'm trying to pace myself. I'm taking some weekends off and even went on vacation this Summer. I won't apologize for that, but I won't begrudge people who decide to stop supporting the game either.

I hope this clears things up.


Most of the content you listed as undesirable is either skippable or optional, but there might be some events that are somewhat forced on you still. Honestly, I just don't remember if I added the skip option to all the events with such content.


The game is not compatible with Joiplay right now due to my own modifications to the RenPy code. I may explore this venue further, but not right now.


The PC (windows) patches are linked in the master post. There aren't patches for any other versions.

 

[Duergh]

Sure, here u go

 

[Zoran89]

I have to say, this has got to be one of my absolute favourites on this site, even despite the fact that I am only really into Rae and Lyri, Cat on a good day.

It's one of those rare games that are not only properly spellchecked, not only isn't the dialogue an absolute cringe-inducing mess of stereotypes and shortcuts, but the author is actually pretty good at setting up the mood to make the H-scenes feel, dare I say, intimate. Especially with Lyri lately. The knife-ears in fact grew so much on me, she's now my second favourite, despite my early resolution not to give her an inch due to her attitude problems. I definitely keep coming back to this time and time again, whenever I see an update on this page, which is something I can't say for a lot of content on F95. So kudos for that, I am looking forward to future updates.

 

[Nakasan]

what is going on .install the full download move my saves over now my saves will not work in either the old or new version .a fresh start at this point would make a real unhappy bunny

 

[Korr]

I am kinda confused right now.

AFAIK, this update was the introductory steps to Lyriel's "servant route", so

What I thought we would get:

First steps exploring Lyriel's background, self-worth and self-love issues, and sort of exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave. in other words, the beginning of a "Evil" (slave?) route as opposed to a "Good" (love?) route.

What we actually got:

A small scene of breast envy, and then Lyriel's first steps into recognizing her maid (submission?) fetish.


Am I misinterpreting something?

Nothing wrong with either approach to story (Fuck, the conversations were funny AND hot as hell), but, as of now, I feel I have no idea of what Lyriel´s story arc is supposed to be about.

 

[whichone]

I am kinda confused right now.

AFAIK, this update was the introductory steps to Lyriel's "servant route", so

What I thought we would get:

First steps exploring Lyriel's background, self-worth and self-love issues, and sort of exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave. in other words, the beginning of a "Evil" (slave?) route as opposed to a "Good" (love?) route.

What we actually got:

A small scene of breast envy, and then Lyriel's first steps into recognizing her maid (submission?) fetish.


Am I misinterpreting something?

Nothing wrong with either approach to story (Fuck, the conversations were funny AND hot as hell), but, as of now, I feel I have no idea of what Lyriel´s story arc is supposed to be about.

The thing that actually happened ties perfectly into her developing a"servant route".
Discovering that she has a maid/servant fetish will obviously lead to more scenes of that content.

I don't know what you think you misinterpreted, the only thing that seems to be a misinterpretation was your expectation.
Slavery has nothing to do with evil, in this context.
Nor is a servant automatically a slave. A slave is a form of servant, but not all servants are slaves.
A housekeeper is a servant, so is a butler. Basically, anyone who serves you.
They are employees, not slaves.

Having a maid fetish, or even discovering that she's a sub & enjoys a dom partner, is absolutely a servant route.
A servant submits to a master. Sub/dom.

 

[Korr]

I don't know what you think you misinterpreted, the only thing that seems to be a misinterpretation was your expectation.
Slavery has nothing to do with evil, in this context.

Like I said, when I saw "servant route" I thought we would see the

"First steps exploring Lyriel's background, self-worth and self-love issues, and sort of exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave."

 

[whichone]

Like I said, when I saw "servant route" I thought we would see the

"First steps exploring Lyriel's background, self-worth and self-love issues, and sort of exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave."

As I said:

the only thing that seems to be a misinterpretation was your expectation.

Why do you automatically equate "servant" with something as extreme as "sex slave"?
A servant is just a sub. Someone who serves you.
A sex slave is someone held against their will and used as a cum dumpster, or trafficked.
Big difference.

Being a sub, or a servant, is not anything to do with being made to feel good for nothing.
That's sadism/masochism. Not sub/dom.

 

[Korr]

Why do you automatically equate "servant" with something as extreme as "sex slave"?

1-Because if there is a "servant route", it is logical to expect there will be another route. And considering most games in this site that have multiple routes use the "Love vs Slave", that seems to a be a reasonable bet.

2-Considering how much lore was made about Lyriel issues, it seems reasonable that they will be further explored in the story, eventually;

3-And finally, assuming we will have a "servant/love route" dichotomy, it just made sense that, if your character would encourage her to be a servant, as opposed to a Ether mage (there are hints in the story about Lyriel´s potential), it felt natural to assume that the "servant route" would involve further breaking her spirit, as opposed to elevating it.

A servant is just a sub. Someone who serves you.
A sex slave is someone held against their will and used as a cum dumpster, or trafficked.
Big difference.

Look, I think we are experiencing a communication failure here. Let me try to prhase my doubts differently.

Is Lyriel´s "Servant route" going to be part of an overarching character arc (and perhaps going to have alternative routes/results), or it is just meant to a small side chapter (much like the conversations you have with Cait and Rae in the pool) about her preferences/tastes.

 

[whichone]

1-Because if there is a "servant route", it is logical to expect there will be another route. And considering most games in this site that have multiple routes use the "Love vs Slave", that seems to a be a reasonable bet.

2-Considering how much lore was made about Lyriel issues, it seems reasonable that they will be further explored in the story, eventually;

3-And finally, assuming we will have a "servant/love route" dichotomy, it just made sense that, if your character would encourage her to be a servant, as opposed to a Ether mage (there are hints in the story about Lyriel´s potential), it felt natural to assume that the "servant route" would involve further breaking her spirit, as opposed to elevating it.



Look, I think we are experiencing a communication failure here. Let me try to prhase my doubts differently.

Is Lyriel´s "Servant route" going to be part of an overarching character arc (and perhaps going to have alternative routes/results), or it is just meant to a small side chapter (much like the conversations you have with Cait and Rae in the pool) about her preferences/tastes.

1. Your own expectation is, again, where the problem lies.

2. Nothing suggests that they will not. Strawman.

3. Who ever suggested that there would be other routes? Mentioning that she has a specific "servant route" now defined, does not automatically imply that she must have an alternative.
Maybe she will, maybe not. IDK but, again, just your own expectation. Not anything the dev has said.

None of this answers the question that I actually asked.
Why do you automatically equate "servant", with something as extreme as "sex slave"?
They are not in the same ball park & this is why your expectation is so far off course.
What you are expecting is S&M, not sub/dom.
Big difference.

Yes, it's obviously part of her character arc. She's discovering a brand new side to her personality.
If it's something that she enjoys and the MC is happy to play along, why would she randomly want to stop?
Asking Cait & Rae about their preferences is simply discovering what they already know about themselves.
Yes, that information should play a part in future interactions, otherwise it was worthless/pointless.
This is Lyriel & the MC finding out something new about herself, together.
Big difference.

 

[Korr]

1. Your own expectation is, again, where the problem lies.

2. Nothing suggests that they will not. Strawman.

3. Who ever suggested that there would be other routes? Mentioning that she has a specific "servant route" now defined, does not automatically imply that she must have an alternative.
Again, just your own expectation. Not anything the dev has said.

1. Non sequitur.

2. Other than her breast size question, wich one of her issues was dealt with, set up or mentioned, in this update?

3. The mere mention of a specific route sets up the existence/possiblity of another. Otherwise, the dev would say mention the next step of Lyriel´s STORY, not route.

Why do you automatically equate "servant", with something as extreme as "sex slave"?

This is a hentai, A.K.A., porn game. In many porn games, the term "Servant" and "sex slave" are used concurrently;

Also, In porn games, when a character becomes a "sex slave" is DOESN´T automatically equate with real-world sex slavery. Heck, half of the time, in porn/hentai, the characters become "sex slaves" out of their own free will.

And to answer your question, I am using the terms (servant, sex slave) interchanbiably, because I am using them in the context of a hentai game. Nothing else.

Porn game sex slavery is NOT meant to be realistic, as opposed to Real-World slavery;
Big difference

Yes, it's obviously part of her character arc. She's discovering a brand new side to her personality.
If it's something that she enjoys and the MC is happy to play along, why would she randomly want to stop?

No. Discovering a new side of a persononality is specifically a side chapter of her personality.

And overarching character arc is another beast altogether: it relates to the entirety of the character´s role in the story, not small specific parts.

Big difference.

 

[whichone]

1. Non sequitur.

2. Other than her breast size question, wich one of her issues was dealt with, set up or mentioned, in this update?

3. The mere mention of a specific route sets up the existence/possiblity of another. Otherwise, the dev would say mention the next step of Lyriel´s STORY, not route.

1. How do you consider it a non-sequitur, when it's only your expectation that's led to you feeling that you "have no idea of what Lyriel´s story arc is supposed to be about."?
2. No-one claimed that they were. Still strawman.
3. No. It does not. I'm taking this route to get from A to B, does not mean I know of any other route, or that any other exists.
A route simply a path from A to B. "That's the only route to get here."

To keep it simple & short:
Being a servant is representative of submission, not masochism.
Breaking her will, exacerbating her issues/fears & making her feel worthless, etc. is sadism, not dominance.
What you are expecting is a masochist, not a servant.

To clear things up for what her story arc is, so far:
She had superiority issues with the other barmaids, which seems to mask insecurities about status.
Hence why she always reacted like such a spoiled brat, early on.
She previously read some erotic material and has subsequently discovered the joy of sex and is now reading other erotic material, about a sub maid & dom master, which has intrigued her & turned her on.
Now MC's provoking her into experimenting with that.
She clearly has a kink, but who knows where it goes from here? That's kinda the point.

 

[Korr]

1. How do you consider it a non-sequitur, when it's only your expectation that's led to you feeling that you "have no idea of what Lyriel´s story arc is supposed to be about."?
2. No-one claimed that they were?
3. No. It does not. I'm taking this route to get from A to B, does not mean I know of any other route.
A route simply a path from A to B.

1- When a developer mentions a "route", as opposed to "story", it is LOGIC that dictates that another route exists or is planned. Your decision to declare one of the reasonales for my confusion a "expectation" had nothing to do with the point in question. Hence, a non sequitur;

2- And that is why their absence in this update makes it reasonable to question about where the story is going: Making the "strawman" accusation invalid.

3- Utterly wrong: If there is no alternate route planned/intended then there is no reason to call it "route" instead of "story". It is similar to the "Chekov's Gun" concept: If it is not meant to have a role or importance, don´t develop/describe/mention it.

To keep it simple & short:
Being a servant is representative of submission, not masochism.
Breaking her will, exacerbating her issues/fears & making her feel worthless, etc. is sadism, not dominance.

What you are expecting is a masochist, not a servant.

You misunderstood. Again.

I was, indeed, expecting that the "servant route" meant that there would be a classic "Love vs Slave" routes so ubiquitous to hentai games. And yes, I expected that, if dual, opposing routes were planned, the servant one would would be the "evil" one.

Thats not what happened, and I would like to know: Is a "love vs slave route" being planned? If yes, is Lyriel´s current actions meant to be part of one of those routes? Etc,etc.

 

[whichone]

You misunderstood. Again.

No. I did not. Your own words:

First steps exploring Lyriel's background, self-worth and self-love issues, and sort of exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave. in other words, the beginning of a "Evil" (slave?) route as opposed to a "Good" (love?) route.

What you expected, was an S&M situation.
What you got was a sub/dom situation, for which "servant" is perfectly appropriate.
It's not appropriate for what you expected. But you had no reason to expect this.

Hence your own expectation is where the problem lies, as I originally said.

Also, this is not a porn game. Porn is material which is produced purely to arouse the viewer.
This material has a story, outside of the sexual material, that is also interesting.
It's an adult game, but it's not porn.

Thats not what happened, and I would like to know: Is a "love vs slave route" being planned? If yes, is Lyriel´s current actions meant to be part of one of those routes? Etc,etc.

I'm not sure how many other ways I can explain it to you.
You expecting a slave route is where you go wrong. There is no slave.
It's a servant route & a servant is not the same as a slave.
As I already answered:

She clearly has a kink, but who knows where it goes from here? That's kinda the point.

 

[Korr]

No. I did not.

You're right.

I had my doubts at first, but now I am sure. You didn´t misunderstood, you misrepresented.

Big difference.

 

[whichone]

You're right.

I had my doubts at first, but now I am sure. You didn´t misunderstood, you misrepresented.

Big difference.

"You didn't misunderstood"? Really? I hope English is not your first language.
Either way, I'd suggest that you learn about the difference between slaves and servants. The dictionary would be a good place to begin.
A servant is submissive, a sex slave is either a masochist, or a kidnap victim.

Absolutely nothing was misrepresented, don't be dishonest. That's just weak. I quoted you directly and your expectations were/are blatantly wrong.
That is why you do not have a clue what is going on, in your own words.
No-one else is having your difficulties.
I tried to explain to you that your incorrect expectation was the cause of your issues & you proceed to argue about irrelevant strawmans like her tit size.
Good luck getting a clue.

 

[mordred93]

1- When a developer mentions a "route", as opposed to "story", it is LOGIC that dictates that another route exists or is planned. Your decision to declare one of the reasonales for my confusion a "expectation" had nothing to do with the point in question. Hence, a non sequitur;

I want to say two things on this. There are "routes" for all the girls littered in the code. I spent 2 hours yesterday trying to figure out in the code why I cannot for the life of me get 3 different scenes to unlock. 1) The Dev (or group) may not be primary English speakers. To them a route could also be a story - path, etc. 2) There are specific words, that mean specific things in multiple languages (not knowing your background, the dev's etc.) and you might be applying your own judgement/perception to the word choice, without thinking about what is meant by the Dev.

I get wanting to know what is going on, that is called anticipation, and this Dev is good at creating that feeling. Just enjoy the ride and see where they take us.

 

[Korr]

I want to say two things on this. There are "routes" for all the girls littered in the code. I spent 2 hours yesterday trying to figure out in the code why I cannot for the life of me get 3 different scenes to unlock. 1) The Dev (or group) may not be primary English speakers. To them a route could also be a story - path, etc. 2) There are specific words, that mean specific things in multiple languages (not knowing your background, the dev's etc.) and you might be applying your own judgement/perception to the word choice, without thinking about what is meant by the Dev.

Thank you for the answer.

As for 1- and 2-: I am aware, and thats the reason I made my questions. I´m also aware that I might be misreading the hints and clues present in the story, and what it might mean for its future.

I get wanting to know what is going on, that is called anticipation, and this Dev is good at creating that feeling. Just enjoy the ride and see where they take us.

True, but having something to talk about and speculate/try to predict while we wait for the next update is fun, isn´t not?

 

[Raven Tomoe]

decided to start working on recreate the cast of "A House in the Rift" for FanArt hope you like
will post more in the future....

 

[whichone]

True, but having something to talk about and speculate/try to predict while we wait for the next update is fun, isn´t not?

It might be, if it was born out of something that actually happened.
Instead of some fantasy about Lyriel being an S&M sex slave coming from your misinterpretation of the servant route to mean sadist/masochistic tendencies, which have never been introduced, or even hinted at.
If it's not substantiated by, or is contradictory to, the game's content, then it's just fantasy, or nonsense.

1- When a developer mentions a "route", as opposed to "story", it is LOGIC that dictates that another route exists or is planned. Your decision to declare one of the reasonales for my confusion a "expectation" had nothing to do with the point in question. Hence, a non sequitur;

No. It does not. Logic dictates nothing of the sort.
A route is the term for a character's passage, from point A to point B, in the story. Nothing more.
They are also sometimes referred to as "a path". It means the same thing.

Look up the definition of "route". Please.
You will learn that it is not dependant upon any other route existing, whatsoever.
So when a dev mentions a "route", it means exactly what the word does, unless the dev specifies otherwise.

A path from the start to the destination.
Not "one of many" paths. It may be one of many, but it does not need to be to qualify as a "route".
If there is only one way to travel to a place, then there is only one route.

The reason why you mistakenly conflated "sex slave" and "servant" was because of your own incorrect expectation that they would be the same thing.
Seriously, did the 2 instances with the book about the master & the maid that she was getting turned on by, plus her coming to clean up your room, not give you a clue what type of sub "servant" the route was? She's already doing the dishes and the bathroom cleaning.
The reason you do not understand what's happening with her path, is for the same reason.
Your misinterpretation of what the servant route is, is what led you to incorrectly expect that abusive behaviour was coming, when it did not.
But you were not given any real reason to expect it to.
You also expected there to be an alternative route, which there currently is not.
Hence not a "non-sequitur". Your own expectations are what led you to each of these positions.

So, now that you know you had a misinterpretation of what "servant" means, as well as what "route" means, perhaps you will understand why you expecting to see some S&M ("exacerbate her issues, breaking her pride and make her believe that she was good for nothing except a sex slave.") abuse on the "servant route" was incorrect.
Hence me advising, in my very first response, that: "the only thing that seems to be a misinterpretation is your expectation."