Ren'Py At a cross roads with my game

[blapper21]

So, I started developing my game The Stowaway a while ago.

https://f95zone.to/threads/the-stowaway-0-02a-dazzling-media.201704/


When I started I had no software development experience or game dev experience at all. Feedback hasn't been great, but it could be a lot worse.

I also wasn't working when I started, so I had a lot of time to work on it. But I know work full time and have 2 young kids to help look after.


Now my question is, should I simplify the game a lot, I don't want to abandon it, if so how?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

Having not played it (I don't like kinetic novels... way too boring for me), I'd say strip out the sandbox mechanics if they're really not adding any benefit to the game. Sandbox can introduce a lot of complications. Instead, you can just focus on telling your story.

 

[Waterthose]

Not having played your game. It really depends on what YOU want and what you're committed to. You're at a very early build stage so stripping the sandbox and actually making it a proper kinetic novel is the easiest simplification alongside less paths (to be honest not sure how sand box and kinetic can be combined).

You could also end your current version abruptly and 'relaunch' your game, scrapping that old system entirely and maintain the same thing going forward.

 

[blapper21]

Not having played your game. It really depends on what YOU want and what you're committed to. You're at a very early build stage so stripping the sandbox and actually making it a proper kinetic novel is the easiest simplification alongside less paths (to be honest not sure how sand box and kinetic can be combined).

You could also end your current version abruptly and 'relaunch' your game, scrapping that old system entirely and maintain the same thing going forward.

Thanks. My main worry keeping it as is, it's that it's taking ages to get releases as I do it all on my own and even then it's still buggy.

 

[Waterthose]

Thanks. Main worry keeping it as is, it's that it's taking ages to get releases as I do it all on my own and even then it's still buggy.

Well do you want to tell a story or do you want to make it a sand box the most? If it's to tell a story then the easiest way is to make it a normal AVN with little or no choices.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

Thanks. My main worry keeping it as is, it's that it's taking ages to get releases as I do it all on my own and even then it's still buggy.

Having read your thread a little, another thing that I recommend you doing is running Check Script from the Ren'Py launcher:


This can help you find things like missing images, undefined variables, etc. Before doing a release, I run this, fix things, run it again to be sure, and keep going until it comes back with no results.

 

[blapper21]

Well do you want to tell a story or do you want to make it a sand box the most? If it's to tell a story then the easiest way is to make it a normal AVN with little or no choices.

I was hoping to make it a little bit like the Bad Bobby Saga but it's ended up more just a story. Probably due to my inexperience than anything.

 

[blapper21]

Having read your thread a little, another thing that I recommend you doing is running Check Script from the Ren'Py launcher:
View attachment 4611211

This can help you find things like missing images, undefined variables, etc. Before doing a release, I run this, fix things, run it again to be sure, and keep going until it comes back with no results.

Thank you for this. I normally play through a few times, then release it when I don't see any errors.

 

[Waterthose]

I was hoping to make it a little bit like the Bad Bobby Saga but it's ended up more just a story. Probably due to my inexperience than anything.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to tell a story, plus goals shift all the time. For instance I wanted a battle sim/rpg system in my game but found it completely unviable and tedious. You just got to cut stuff that doesn't work, it'll make a better end product.

 

[blapper21]

There's nothing wrong with wanting to tell a story, plus goals shift all the time. For instance I wanted a battle sim/rpg system in my game but found it completely unviable and tedious. You just got to cut stuff that doesn't work, it'll make a better end product.

Thank man. I think I'll do that and re-release it. I think Haley's story and to a lesser extent Melody were more kinetic/dating sim type games.

Maybe release it under a different name?

 

[Waterthose]

Thank man. I think I'll do that and re-release it. I think Haley's story and to a lesser extent Melody were more kinetic/dating sim type games.

Maybe release it under a different name?

You have to "end" your current game by giving it some kind of ending if you do. You do NOT want an abandoned game, a bad ending is still an ending.

 

[blapper21]

You have to "end" your current game by giving it some kind of ending if you do. You do NOT want an abandoned game, a bad ending is still an ending.

That's a shame as I have about 50 followers on Patreon.

 

[Waterthose]

Well if they are a fan of your work they would likely want to see your next project. You do have to explain to them your situation and why you are making the changes.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

That's a shame as I have about 50 followers on Patreon.

Why end the game/launch it as something else? I'd just remove the stuff that makes it cumbersome to update and keep the story going.

 

[blapper21]

Why end the game/launch it as something else? I'd just remove the stuff that makes it cumbersome to update and keep the story going.

This is more online with what I was thinking. The other thing I was thinking is keeping my it as is, if people are happy with the pace of the releases and see if anyone fancies being a play tester?

I mean I release buggy releases and people still sign up??

 

[Waterthose]

This is more online with what I was thinking. The other thing I was thinking is keeping my it as is, if people are happy with the pace of the releases and see if anyone fancies being a play tester?

I mean I release buggy releases and people still sign up??

I mean you will always have SOME kind of fan no matter your type of project. It's really what you want to do, and what you think is too much.

 

[blapper21]

I mean you will always have SOME kind of fan no matter your type of project. It's really what you want to do, and what you think is too much.

I think I've had some good advice here guys. I think it maybe worth me keeping it as it is for now and just taking my time. One of the biggest issues has been me wanting to get stuff out for my subscribers to keep them happy and rushing things. Putting too much pressure on myself, basically.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

This is more online with what I was thinking. The other thing I was thinking is keeping my it as is, if people are happy with the pace of the releases and see if anyone fancies being a play tester?

I mean I release buggy releases and people still sign up??

Getting some folks for testing is a common approach. Some devs choose specific people, while others open it up to their highest tiers.

I'm a bit confused, though. It seemed like you wanted to simplify development of the game, but leaving it as-is certainly won't do that. If you can provide your players a better experience, I don't see the harm in it.

 

[blapper21]

Getting some folks for testing is a common approach. Some devs choose specific people, while others open it up to their highest tiers.

I'm a bit confused, though. It seemed like you wanted to simplify development of the game, but leaving it as-is certainly won't do that. If you can provide your players a better experience, I don't see the harm in it.

I want to keep people happier with the game and releasing updates with bugs has been a massive issue. So a few people suggested simplifying at but some like it as it is? I guess I'm trying to please everybody.

I never thought subscribers would be interested in testing. That would help a lot as I'm doing this on my own.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

I want to keep people happier with the game and releasing updates with bugs has been a massive issue. So a few people suggested simplifying at but some like it as it is? I guess I'm trying to please everybody.

I never thought subscribers would be interested in testing. That would help a lot as I'm doing this on my own.

Yeah, you won't be able to please everyone. So you really need to look at what it is you want to do and accomplish. Sandbox games often have a negative feel to them, so you will have new folks not even look at your game because they filter the tag out or see it and skip. If you want to grow your subscribers and you notice a general dislike of your sandbox (I saw one person comment on it in the thread, but that hardly constitutes a general dislike), then you can simplify your dev process and potentially bring more people in by removing it.

Subscribers typically love getting stuff early and being apart of the process, so definitely a viable option if they are active.