VN Ren'Py Completed Acting Lessons [v1.0.2] [DrPinkCake]

[PHANTOM44]

To be fair I don’t think soccermum was comparing ‘Acting Lessons’ to the great works by Shakespeare - just that the introduction of hate ,sadness,betrayal and violence to it’s characters isn’t the usual fare to be expected for your average AVN.
The good doctor - doesn’t do this for a living; by all accounts this is a hobby that he does in his spare time.I don’t know that he should be judged by those standards - like comparing an amateur football team to Real Madrid or Manchester United.. I’m certainly not qualified to critique his literary work - there are others on this thread ( those venturing opinions on the subject ) who are far more knowledgeable, but as an ordinary gamer ( admittedly new to this gaming genre ) his storytelling is excellent.
I honestly don’t know if this is his first attempt at developing an AVN or not; but if so then I think maybe we should cut him a little slack with this one - and hope that he learns from his experience.
If he does - then I for one will be looking forward to his forthcoming endeavor.

 

[meanie]

I find this a poor perspective of the game and most likely give a very bad impression to new players...

What is the goal of the player? What is your character striving for throughout? What is the carrot dangling at the end of his journey?

- Megan has a goal. She wants to be an actress.
- Liam has a goal. His bucket list.
- Rena has a goal. To be an actress.
- Angela & Hedwig have a goal. Sex.
- Claire has a goal. Love.
- Ana has a goal. Reconciliation.

Spoiler: Revealing Examples.

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

As for leaving a bad impression for potential players, i have nothing but praise for Acting Lessons which was stated in my previously quoted post.

 

[Burt Reynolds Mustache]

To be fair I don’t think soccermum was comparing ‘Acting Lessons’ to the great works by Shakespeare - just that the introduction of hate ,sadness,betrayal and violence to it’s characters isn’t the usual fare to be expected for your average AVN.
The good doctor - doesn’t do this for a living; by all accounts this is a hobby that he does in his spare time. I don’t know that he should be judged by those standards - like comparing an amateur football team to Real Madrid or Manchester United.. I’m certainly not qualified to critique his literary work - there are others on this thread ( those venturing opinions on the subject ) who are far more knowledgeable, but as an ordinary gamer ( admittedly new to this gaming genre ) his storytelling is excellent.
I honestly don’t know if this is his first attempt at developing an AVN or not; but if so then I think maybe we should cut him a little slack with this one - and hope that he learns from his experience.
If he does - then I for one will be looking forward to his forthcoming endeavor.

Look. Adult gaming in the west is pretty much in the garage designer phase right now. There are professionals who work in the space, or semi-pros, I know a couple of published writers, I know a couple of people who are professional programmers as well in their day jobs... but I would say the vast majority of devs right now are essentially amateurs with the successful ones being amateurs who have move up... pretty quickly into a semi-professional space. But even the top tier devs aren't pulling in the money of a mid-tier indy success like Hunie Pop. Then again, even House party started as a tiny team trying to stitch together a game in unity with essentially duct tape and bubblegum. It's sold over 100,000 copies on steam alone and has around 1500 patrons right now. They have moved up to a full-ish studio... massive by WEG standards.

But that's what makes this whole space so exciting. We have people testing what works, testing what doesn't in a more or less wild west scenario, even with Patreon screwing people over. AL caught fire because more than anything its characterization and writing was on another level compared to a lot of even non porn adventure games.. Comparing it to the most popular games in this space elevates it even higher. That he has done this all HIMSELF is amazing, and he deserves every bit of credit that he gets for it.

That being said, I talk about all of this stuff as a gamer. How I felt as I played the game, what strengths and weaknesses I felt existed during the run. For me that has always boiled down to two issues... boring as sin sex scenes... and an overreliance on cheap drama. I ended up getting into this whole business because of this place... playing games... talking about what worked and what didn't. It's why I still hang out here, other than of course, keeping in touch with patrons as well. (Also a nice way to refresh the old synapses.)

 

[Ennoch]

with trashy soap operas or a CW season finale more than just about anything else

As it turns out millions love those trashy soap operas. Maybe Pink doesn't care about academic awards in literature. Maybe he is not interested to raise the standard to the level some people want him to, expect him to, demand(?) him to.
And you are right about this not being Shakespearean, the mere mention in a context where this is compared to something akin to that was a folly as i highly doubt that Pink ever cared to reach such artistic hights. He is just writing an XXX Visual Novel dangit! Yet its exactly you who try to analyze this through the lens of such standards. Heed your own words.

And by the way, you now sure start to sound who "pretty much word-vomited my reasons all over the thread".:relievedface: No need to repeat it every single time you make a comment :winkytongue: I do realize and see that you are actually defending this project, but mostly Pink's effort and talent, while not remaning silent about stuff you precieve as flaws but could you please move on from that?

 

[volto]

You both forget that he's not creating the game to make a bunch of money or win awards. He's said very clearly and on multiple occasions that he's making the game that he wants to play himself and the rest of us are along for the ride.

Burt has pointed out here and on other platforms that the game has flaws. That's true. What's pleasing to you may not be pleasing to me and vice versa. However I've never gotten the feeling that anything in the game was put in to add cheap drama. All the characters have their own goals and motivations to achieve so the events that do happen feel more dynamic and freeflowing, and they truly feel like living, changing characters rather than a troped cliche that stays the same throughout the entire story. Even Peter's actions, the male villian you speak of, are in line with his character and match with what we've seen him do before and from what other characters have spoken about.

How's that yacht scene going?

 

[Burt Reynolds Mustache]

And you are right about this not being Shakespearean, the mere mention in a context where this is compared to something akin to that was a folly as i highly doubt that Pink ever cared to reach such artistic hights. He is just writing an XXX Visual Novel dangit! Yet its exactly you who try to analyze this through the lens of such standards. Heed your own words.

Did I ever try to say it WAS comparing to Shakespeare or high literature? Or analyze it by anywhere near those standards? Some parts aren't as good as other stuff. So no, I judge it against itself and against a story in general. As for what Pink wanted to do or didn't that's his thing. I think he simply wanted to tell a story that was good and more importantly, meaningful to him. He's largely succeeded. Either way, not out to piss people off.

How's that yacht scene going?

Pretty well.

 

[PHANTOM44]

Burt is right he didn’t suggest that pinks work should be compared to Shakespeare.
Soccermum also didn’t compare pinks work with Shakespeare - just that typical Shakespearean influences were introduced to the story - couldn’t that be said of most works of fiction ( isn’t that why Shakespeare is so revered? ) she stated that the MC was hamstrung like hamlet and to some extent she was correct -essentially the MC’s character is still defined by the author - he decides what choices we as players are given - we think we have control but it’s only an illusion - as many people have said we’re just along for the ride.. people seem to be too concerned with the nuances of the overall story arc... it’s like expressing an appreciation for the subtle curves on a roller coaster while everyone else is screaming their heads off...

 

[DoOver]

Liam is the greatest back up character ever!!! #LIAM>LIUTENANT HANK ANDERSON

I know 99.9% of us play these games for the hot chicks and fantasies...but damn!
The Liam character and writing is killing me with laughter. I cannot stop playing this game for that part alone.
Even the fist-bump in improve class was a great touch and easy to miss.

 

[Moviebuff3000]

That and the finale to Episode 6 was an exercise in surprise that wasn't earned and suspense that was wasted.

This coming from a writer on a game that has the same thing at the end of every update for their game. Especially at the end of your 0.11 update.....

That being said Dr. Pinkcake has had to probably change his script a few times because he told me that on discord that he wasnt expecting Melissa to be as popular as she is and many people werent too happy to be exclusivly being with Megan, I being one of them because I really dont like her that much and so comes the ending to Episode 6.....

 

[Burt Reynolds Mustache]

This coming from a writer on a game that has the same thing at the end of every update for their game. Especially at the end of your 0.11 update.....

That being said Dr. Pinkcake has had to probably change his script a few times because he told me that on discord that he wasnt expecting Melissa to be as popular as she is and many people werent too happy to be exclusivly being with Megan, I being one of them because I really dont like her that much and so comes the ending to Episode 6.....

Hey Movie, haven't seen you around the Zone before, figure you're new here. Welcome. Sorry things didn't work out on our end but if what you were donating before had to go somewhere else I'm glad it's Pink. I think you also might like Depraved Awakening.

Have a nice day, and again, enjoy the Zone.

 

[Ignatz]

I've been away from the thread for a while and wondering if I should get back in, but it looks like there's no drama anymore, just pros and cons. I guess I'll wait for 0.7 to come out...don't want my popcorn to go to waste.

 

[Burt Reynolds Mustache]

I've been away from the thread for a while and wondering if I should get back in, but it looks like there's no drama anymore, just pros and cons. I guess I'll wait for 0.7 to come out...don't want my popcorn to go to waste.

 

[UncleVT]

Hey Movie, haven't seen you around the Zone before, figure you're new here. Welcome. Sorry things didn't work out on our end but if what you were donating before had to go somewhere else I'm glad it's Pink.

 

[Banshee647]

What is the goal of the player? What is your character striving for throughout? What is the carrot dangling at the end of his journey?

- Megan has a goal. She wants to be an actress.
- Liam has a goal. His bucket list.
- Rena has a goal. To be an actress.
- Angela & Hedwig have a goal. Sex.
- Claire has a goal. Love.
- Ana has a goal. Reconciliation.
.

Who is Claire? I think you have your games mixed up. There's also Leah and Melissa who are in this game and not listed above.

 

[PHANTOM44]

FIFTEEN DAYS....

 

[meanie]

Who is Claire? I think you have your games mixed up. There's also Leah and Melissa who are in this game and not listed above.

The redhead nurse. (I thought it was Claire)
And Melissa, her immediate goal is to move out of her stepfathers house.

 

[Vordertur]

As it turns out millions love those trashy soap operas. Maybe Pink doesn't care about academic awards in literature. Maybe he is not interested to raise the standard to the level some people want him to, expect him to, demand(?) him to.

(Sigh)

Why is it that any of us who has anything even the least bit critical to say about this project is seen as slamming on the guy writing/programming it?

As has been said, nobody is comparing this to "classic literature" or whatever - in the sense of CONDEMNING it for not being such. These comments are merely a reminder to everyone here to remember what genre we're talking about. And thus to remember what everyone's expectations likely were and now are given all of that.

It's been said, but I'll say it again since I'm not sure the point is being understood. It's one thing to go in expecting shallow storylines, flat characters and essentially no real plot other than the bare minimum needed to advance to the next sex scene. People know what to expect with that, and that's fine. There's nothing wrong with it, but when you see that, you adopt a certain mindset, obviously. A lot of people have commented that they basically had that mindset when they first checked out this game. And were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be more than that.

But having thus fiddled with everyone's expectations, the bar is now raised. I am not expecting Wuthering Fucking Heights (Jesus God, please, no.) But it does make it all the more disappointing when I start to expect more of that same higher quality material and get what I feel is substandard work. I don't think Cake is slacking off, I don't think he's gotten lazy. I think he's been pretty straight with everyone. He's doing this the best way he knows how, and I respect his good faith effort, but I'd argue I'm still allowed to criticize. Not because I want to bash the guy "just because," but because I think he's done a good job so far, just that there are some rough spots that mar an otherwise solid effort overall.

 

[Ennoch]

I'm glad you wish to debate over matters that now start to get absolutely off-topic but for this reason i composed my reply and sent it to you through PM.

 

[soccermum]

Thanks, Phantom44, you got my point exactly. Of course it's soapy, but then all Soaps draw 99% of their content from the classic high literature. I'm myself are not too much into the artsy kind of movies and most so called "high literature" just bores me ( but get me some good pulp fiction and hard-boiled detective stories anytime, if I knew how to program hard-boiled erotic VN would probably be my thing )but the ideas, the elements of storytelling that the great writers of the past have used to reach such greatness fascinate me.
And as I stated before, my method of really digging into the story takes time ( and just as the games is developed I do it besides work and taking care of family, so it REALLY takes time ) and I only reached the end of chapter 3. So maybe, my opinion will still change once I reach the end of chapter 6, but so far having at least played it all already I have a good feeling about it.

 

[PHANTOM44]

I feel that sometimes people forget that not everyone who posts on here has English as their first language..