Is it just me or is this game underrated here, this thread is pretty dead.
It is very heavily praised here in the thread, but it's only had 2 real updates, and the dev is mostly absent here. I think that is the main reason it isn't that popular yet.
The render quality is amazing, and almost all of the characters are quite compelling so far, though they could use a lot more individual character depth. But the game is just getting started, so we will see. With so many characters already, it is going to be difficult to really have a lot of depth, with with each one, unfortunately. I would have preferred 3 or 4 max, but that is just me. Others like to have dozens of LIs, with more superficial characters, to choose from (see WVM or Echhi Sensei for an extreme example, with 50+ LIs).
I think it is clear that "family" stories get the most attention here, so it doesn't surprise me that yet another college story doesn't immediately get a huge amount of popularity.
It is getting pretty good income on Patreon. About 2/3rs of the game Radiant, which blew up here like crazy, and also has just 2 updates.
I think the dev is taking things at his own pace, but updates every other month or more frequently, on some predictable schedule, and frequent postings on F95 BSing with the fans, would do a lot, I think, to make this game more popular, and lead to more Patreon support. Plus, with some teases of a more intricate story in the near future, and lots of content planned, I am confident AOA Academy will get more and more popular.
For me, it is impossible not to see the many comparisons with Being A Dik, starting with Jenny's model of course, but for me AoA takes the best qualities of Being a Dik, without all the BS of annoying minigames, unnecessary character drama, and silly college stereotypes that weigh BaD down, and make it a technical marvel, but not a lot of fun to play, IMO. AOA is a breath of fresh air, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what is to come.