VN Ren'Py Being a DIK [v0.10.1] [Dr PinkCake]

[Roger-a-Dale]

We're up to episode 10, and the development time keeps getting longer and longer, the chart below shows how many days each chapter has taken so far (we have no gauge for when chapter 1 was started so that's been excluded).

If we extrapolate that out to the projected 16 episodes that have been suggested...

...it'll be about 15 years before the game is done!

My calculations may be a little off, but episode development time is still increasing per episode, and at a minimum, I'm expecting a year per episode from now on.

In the past I would have justified why each recent episode has taken longer, but in the end, I think the developer is just milking it:

• The animations are getting longer, and are of a higher frame rate.
• The renders are getting more detailed, and where 5 renders would have been cycled in a conversation between two people, now 20+ renders are being used for different expressions etc.
• More minigames are being designed and added.

But none of the above is making the game "better", it's just making it bigger and dragging out development time.

Making the game better is a rather abstract concept. I agree that improving the visual aspect certainly has no impact on the core story. But while that is the most important part of a story driven game, it's not like the visuals are meaningless. Having different expressions adds body language to the conversations and makes the characters seem more like actual people. It improves the immersion and thus improves the game.

Provided obviously that DPC is good at it. Is he? Well mostly I'd say yes, but there is definitely room for improvement. And I don't mean increasing the specs further. That would be him getting more advanced tools. What I'd like to see is improvement in how he wields the tools he has now. Producing better art without increasing demands on the hardware and development time.

If we get an episode every December, 16 would be done in 2029. I consider expecting him to stick to that pace optimistic, so I draw the line at 2030. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong.

What I doubt most is the story being done in 16 episodes. Yes, I know what DPC says about it. I don't think he'll manage it. Why? Because if we consider how far the story has progressed in terms of time, we have only gotten to Thanksgiving. The halfway point is the start of spring semester and we haven't reached that yet. At this rate I expect it to take both episodes 11 and 12 to get there.

I acknowledge that season 1 is about establishing the starting points of the various plot lines, but if it still takes two whole seasons to deal with the fall semester, then dealing with the whole spring semester in just one season will mean that the episodes are either going to be absolutely massive or they will really rush the story.

I'd rather have 10 more episodes of well paced story than 6 that ruin the ending by rushing it. But then stories progress in events rather than time so maybe we really are past the halfway point of drama and spring semester actually can be told in fewer instalments without being rushed. Maybe I just have too high hopes for it.

 

[shazba jnr]

Making the game better is a rather abstract concept. I agree that improving the visual aspect certainly has no impact on the core story. But while that is the most important part of a story driven game, it's not like the visuals are meaningless. Having different expressions adds body language to the conversations and makes the characters seem more like actual people. It improves the immersion and thus improves the game.

Provided obviously that DPC is good at it. Is he? Well mostly I'd say yes, but there is definitely room for improvement. And I don't mean increasing the specs further. That would be him getting more advanced tools. What I'd like to see is improvement in how he wields the tools he has now. Producing better art without increasing demands on the hardware and development time.

If we get an episode every December, 16 would be done in 2029. I consider expecting him to stick to that pace optimistic, so I draw the line at 2030. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong.

What I doubt most is the story being done in 16 episodes. Yes, I know what DPC says about it. I don't think he'll manage it. Why? Because if we consider how far the story has progressed in terms of time, we have only gotten to Thanksgiving. The halfway point is the start of spring semester and we haven't reached that yet. At this rate I expect it to take both episodes 11 and 12 to get there.

I acknowledge that season 1 is about establishing the starting points of the various plot lines, but if it still takes two whole seasons to deal with the fall semester, then dealing with the whole spring semester in just one season will mean that the episodes are either going to be absolutely massive or they will really rush the story.

I'd rather have 10 more episodes of well paced story than 6 that ruin the ending by rushing it. But then stories progress in events rather than time so maybe we really are past the halfway point of drama and spring semester actually can be told in fewer instalments without being rushed. Maybe I just have too high hopes for it.

There's not much left that needs to happen in detail. The relationship(s) progression needed time, and it took time, so that's done. But all the remaining shit could be resolved in one episode.

Of course, all that serious shit needs to be interspersed with some fucking and some comedy, so 6 episodes is more than a enough to wrap things up as well as have some climactic face off with Vinny and then have some epilogue.

An epilogue that was penned almost 4 years ago:

So the mc has a great time at college, many short term romances, enough great experiences to last a life time. Some tearful goodbyes with promises to meet again as he heads off after graduation to start a small engineering firm in his home town. He's conducting interviews for a receptionist and his mind starts to wander back to the girls from his past when this beautiful redhead walks in looking to apply for the position. The MC's heart skips a beat, could this be fate?​

Spoiler: ...

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[Roger-a-Dale]

There's not much left that needs to happen in detail. The relationship(s) progression needed time, and it took time, so that's done. But all the remaining shit could be resolved in one episode.

One? Care to elaborate on how you would actually do that?

 

[Better Cock Spock]

We're up to episode 10, and the development time keeps getting longer and longer, the chart below shows how many days each chapter has taken so far (we have no gauge for when chapter 1 was started so that's been excluded).

If we extrapolate that out to the projected 16 episodes that have been suggested...

...it'll be about 15 years before the game is done!

My calculations may be a little off, but episode development time is still increasing per episode, and at a minimum, I'm expecting a year per episode from now on.

In the past I would have justified why each recent episode has taken longer, but in the end, I think the developer is just milking it:

• The animations are getting longer, and are of a higher frame rate.
• The renders are getting more detailed, and where 5 renders would have been cycled in a conversation between two people, now 20+ renders are being used for different expressions etc.
• More minigames are being designed and added.

But none of the above is making the game "better", it's just making it bigger and dragging out development time.

Is DPC milking? Perhaps.
But have you considered the possibility that you're just an entitled whiner on a pirate forum with no real opinion of value? That any data used or extrapolation made is irrelevant, because you're on a website dedicated to getting games for free? That having the ability to criticize developers with no immediate danger of being banned for "unwarranted" negativity, makes you a loser with no life? And that by reading this comment, you are part of the problem? DPC is going to spend all this extra dev time on creating the newest Main Girl branch for Yoga Girl? The loveliest angel in yoga class, the most gorgeous lab student, she shines the brightest amongst a sea of stars.

Behold, a cosmic beauty in the heavens above.

Spoiler: Possible seizure warning, not a joke!

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[shazba jnr]

One? Care to elaborate on how you would actually do that?

What's left to do? Here's the list of the outstanding issues and simple resolutions to all of them (taken from this link):

Spoiler: Issues to be resolved.

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So, after writing all that shit, there are a few issues that shouldn't be rushed:

• Bella's backstory needs to be dramatic considering all the foreshadowing, but only for people on her path.
• Breaking up the throuple, or cheating on Jill with Bianca needs to be handled well, and DPC would definitely drag out that kind of drama, but once again, it's only people in the throuple that this could impact.
• The whole security camera in the DIK house probably needs to take time to evolve, and this is a plot point for all players.
• The whole deal with Vinny, Quinn and that cube shit needs some decent build up. Probably the full story will only be available to players who are on Quinn's path.

But if you go back to the original episodes and see just how much shit happened in one episode, you'll see DPC can do it if he wants to. It's just that recent episodes are really starting to drag their feet.

I'm gonna concede again that if everything above was resolved in one episode, it could come across a little rushed, and I definitely don't want that. But my initial point was that 6 episodes is more than enough to wrap this up. Maybe suggesting just one episode was pushing it a bit...

 

[godkingxerxes]

What's left to do? Here's the list of the outstanding issues and simple resolutions to all of them (taken from this link):

Spoiler: Issues to be resolved.

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So, after writing all that shit, there are a few issues that shouldn't be rushed:

• Bella's backstory needs to be dramatic considering all the foreshadowing, but only for people on her path.
• Breaking up the throuple, or cheating on Jill with Bianca needs to be handled well, and DPC would definitely drag out that kind of drama, but once again, it's only people in the throuple that this could impact.
• The whole security camera in the DIK house probably needs to take time to evolve, and this is a plot point for all players.
• The whole deal with Vinny, Quinn and that cube shit needs some decent build up. Probably the full story will only be available to players who are on Quinn's path.

But if you go back to the original episodes and see just how much shit happened in one episode, you'll see DPC can do it if he wants to. It's just that recent episodes are really starting to drag their feet.

I'm gonna concede again that if everything above was resolved in one episode, it could come across a little rushed, and I definitely don't want that. But my initial point was that 6 episodes is more than enough to wrap this up. Maybe suggesting just one episode was pushing it a bit...

Coming to realize, so few questions actually matter to me. Just want to spend time with Quinn.

 

[znar25]

Making the game better is a rather abstract concept. I agree that improving the visual aspect certainly has no impact on the core story. But while that is the most important part of a story driven game, it's not like the visuals are meaningless. Having different expressions adds body language to the conversations and makes the characters seem more like actual people. It improves the immersion and thus improves the game.

Provided obviously that DPC is good at it. Is he? Well mostly I'd say yes, but there is definitely room for improvement. And I don't mean increasing the specs further. That would be him getting more advanced tools. What I'd like to see is improvement in how he wields the tools he has now. Producing better art without increasing demands on the hardware and development time.

If we get an episode every December, 16 would be done in 2029. I consider expecting him to stick to that pace optimistic, so I draw the line at 2030. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong.

What I doubt most is the story being done in 16 episodes. Yes, I know what DPC says about it. I don't think he'll manage it. Why? Because if we consider how far the story has progressed in terms of time, we have only gotten to Thanksgiving. The halfway point is the start of spring semester and we haven't reached that yet. At this rate I expect it to take both episodes 11 and 12 to get there.

I acknowledge that season 1 is about establishing the starting points of the various plot lines, but if it still takes two whole seasons to deal with the fall semester, then dealing with the whole spring semester in just one season will mean that the episodes are either going to be absolutely massive or they will really rush the story.

I'd rather have 10 more episodes of well paced story than 6 that ruin the ending by rushing it. But then stories progress in events rather than time so maybe we really are past the halfway point of drama and spring semester actually can be told in fewer instalments without being rushed. Maybe I just have too high hopes for it.

We shouldn't rush an ar---teeeest. If it takes 2054, so be it.

 

[znar25]

I have this route. But here it is clear that anger will be justified. Imagine that you fucked your girlfriend's mom and she found out about it.

Or, you dumped your potential girlfriend for her mom.

 

[The Dick]

Making the game better is a rather abstract concept. I agree that improving the visual aspect certainly has no impact on the core story. But while that is the most important part of a story driven game, it's not like the visuals are meaningless. Having different expressions adds body language to the conversations and makes the characters seem more like actual people. It improves the immersion and thus improves the game.

Provided obviously that DPC is good at it. Is he? Well mostly I'd say yes, but there is definitely room for improvement. And I don't mean increasing the specs further. That would be him getting more advanced tools. What I'd like to see is improvement in how he wields the tools he has now. Producing better art without increasing demands on the hardware and development time.

If we get an episode every December, 16 would be done in 2029. I consider expecting him to stick to that pace optimistic, so I draw the line at 2030. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong.

What I doubt most is the story being done in 16 episodes. Yes, I know what DPC says about it. I don't think he'll manage it. Why? Because if we consider how far the story has progressed in terms of time, we have only gotten to Thanksgiving. The halfway point is the start of spring semester and we haven't reached that yet. At this rate I expect it to take both episodes 11 and 12 to get there.

I acknowledge that season 1 is about establishing the starting points of the various plot lines, but if it still takes two whole seasons to deal with the fall semester, then dealing with the whole spring semester in just one season will mean that the episodes are either going to be absolutely massive or they will really rush the story.

I'd rather have 10 more episodes of well paced story than 6 that ruin the ending by rushing it. But then stories progress in events rather than time so maybe we really are past the halfway point of drama and spring semester actually can be told in fewer instalments without being rushed. Maybe I just have too high hopes for it.

Well... Since this became mostly a kinda slice-of-life game, it could theoretically go on forever (even if Mr. DPC dies, if he has children, they could carry on his legacy), but, when it comes to plot -- and, if actually still there's one, it's a matter of debate, but let's not touch this point yet --, it could perfectly end in 16 episodes. In fact, about a year and a half ago I posted that Mr. DPC seemed to be following the "Save the Cat" recipe. I still think it's so, thus, six episodes are more than enough to wrap around everything that's going on right now. Of course, if he decides to end after this cycle, there'll be people pissed off that some things could have been deepened; and, of course, after this cycle -- as it happens with many TV shows -- he can decide to continue, creating new plots (or mini-plots, side plots, etc.) and keep going on until he gets bored. But, according to the image in the post I linked, he's exactly in the middle of the third quarter, reaching the "dark night of the soul when all is lost". Since, as it has been mentioned, he has to add comedy and debauchery, it may happen in the next or in episode 12, but the time is coming to shit hit the fan--and Riona's kidnapping was the tell to it. I think the downfall will happen at the end of episode 11; in episode 12, Mr. Tremolo, after the tribulation period will start to prepare his revenge against his enemies, which will start in episode 13 and, probably, will last until episode 14; and the last two episodes will serve to wrap around the side plots and romance paths. Whether it will continue after that, depends on Mr. DPC's mood--if he wants to enjoy his fortune or continue with the game.

 

[ReallyNotTimmy]

Yeah, I haven’t posted anything for several weeks. ReallyNotTina and I had some illness stuff to deal with, then wedding and honeymoon stuff. But everything’s back to normal… well, our awesome new normal.

Anyway Friday night she said, “When’s the last time we played Being a DIK?” and so we did some of that. Just to remind you, we’re on a Maya/Josy run, and episode 3 begins with a cold open, not “Previously on…” clips.

Wife. Wait, I need the “previously” part. It’s been too long!​

Me. We’ve played this before.​

Wife. Yeah but I don’t remember what’s different.​

Me. Very little is different. But I think the “previously” part comes after. You’ll see it.​

The ep starts with someone knocking on the Alphas’ door, and envelopes for Chad and Dawe tucked under it. (In two different fonts. Don’t know why.) The message to Chad is, “Is this the secret you’re hiding?” and he immediately thinks of the MC.

Spoiler: Our big-ass Episode 3 recap

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[DavDR]

Is DPC milking? Perhaps.
But have you considered the possibility that you're just an entitled whiner on a pirate forum with no real opinion of value? That any data used or extrapolation made is irrelevant, because you're on a website dedicated to getting games for free? That having the ability to criticize developers with no immediate danger of being banned for "unwarranted" negativity, makes you a loser with no life? And that by reading this comment, you are part of the problem? DPC is going to spend all this extra dev time on creating the newest Main Girl branch for Yoga Girl? The loveliest angel in yoga class, the most gorgeous lab student, she shines the brightest amongst a sea of stars.

Behold, a cosmic beauty in the heavens above.

Spoiler: Possible seizure warning, not a joke!

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

Yoga Girl is part of the problem. Just like the Vixen's and Zoey. DPC continuing to add more characters to an already over populated story is the clearest indication that he is in fact milking. This whole mess could easily be over in 11 or 12 episodes

 

[Roger-a-Dale]

We shouldn't rush an ar---teeeest. If it takes 2054, so be it.

Dude, I suggested 10 episodes. Are you now pretending there would be 30? Or that the average dev time would be triple the longest up to now? Or are you just bad at math?

People who resort to hyperbole know they are wrong. 1 year each for 10 episodes would be Dec 2033. Adding five years to that would be cynical, but not hyperbole. You added two decades.

 

[Better Cock Spock]

Yoga Girl is part of the problem. Just like the Vixen's and Zoey. DPC continuing to add more characters to an already over populated story is the clearest indication that he is in fact milking. This whole mess could easily be over in 11 or 12 episodes

If we get an actual path with Yoga Girl, like at least on par with Lily or Nicole, I would not complain... as much.

Are the Vixens supposed to be actual characters? I thought it was just about the introduction of real temptation. Now that you can be monogamous, every other girl is a vixen—Sarah, Mel, Lily, Cammy, Rio, and more give you those tc points when you get too flirty with them. If the Vixens are actually supposed to be those 3 girls in the intro animation, then that's just stupid.

 

[Roger-a-Dale]

Well... Since this became mostly a kinda slice-of-life game, it could theoretically go on forever (even if Mr. DPC dies, if he has children, they could carry on his legacy), but, when it comes to plot -- and, if actually still there's one, it's a matter of debate, but let's not touch this point yet --, it could perfectly end in 16 episodes. In fact, about a year and a half ago I posted that Mr. DPC seemed to be following the "Save the Cat" recipe. I still think it's so, thus, six episodes are more than enough to wrap around everything that's going on right now. Of course, if he decides to end after this cycle, there'll be people pissed off that some things could have been deepened; and, of course, after this cycle -- as it happens with many TV shows -- he can decide to continue, creating new plots (or mini-plots, side plots, etc.) and keep going on until he gets bored. But, according to the image in the post I linked, he's exactly in the middle of the third quarter, reaching the "dark night of the soul when all is lost". Since, as it has been mentioned, he has to add comedy and debauchery, it may happen in the next or in episode 12, but the time is coming to shit hit the fan--and Riona's kidnapping was the tell to it. I think the downfall will happen at the end of episode 11; in episode 12, Mr. Tremolo, after the tribulation period will start to prepare his revenge against his enemies, which will start in episode 13 and, probably, will last until episode 14; and the last two episodes will serve to wrap around the side plots and romance paths. Whether it will continue after that, depends on Mr. DPC's mood--if he wants to enjoy his fortune or continue with the game.

Now this is actually reasonable and well thought out. However, it assumes that all open plot lines gain progress in every episode. This is exactly what I mean about the episodes bulking up to the point of being roughly double the size. You have to expect some story lines to take a break for each episode. It's what every episode has done so far.

 

[Better Cock Spock]

Yeah, I haven’t posted anything for several weeks. ReallyNotTina and I had some illness stuff to deal with, then wedding and honeymoon stuff. But everything’s back to normal… well, our awesome new normal.

Anyway Friday night she said, “When’s the last time we played Being a DIK?” and so we did some of that. Just to remind you, we’re on a Maya/Josy run, and episode 3 begins with a cold open, not “Previously on…” clips.

Wife. Wait, I need the “previously” part. It’s been too long!​

Me. We’ve played this before.​

Wife. Yeah but I don’t remember what’s different.​

Me. Very little is different. But I think the “previously” part comes after. You’ll see it.​

The ep starts with someone knocking on the Alphas’ door, and envelopes for Chad and Dawe tucked under it. (In two different fonts. Don’t know why.) The message to Chad is, “Is this the secret you’re hiding?” and he immediately thinks of the MC.

Spoiler: Our big-ass Episode 3 recap

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

Hey welcome back, glad you're both okay. I enjoy reading these, no matter how long they are.

 

[godkingxerxes]

If we get an actual path with Yoga Girl, like at least on par with Lily or Nicole, I would not complain... as much.

Are the Vixens supposed to be actual characters? I thought it was just about the introduction of real temptation. Now that you can be monogamous, every other girl is a vixen—Sarah, Mel, Lily, Cammy, Rio, and more give you those tc points when you get too flirty with them. If the Vixens are actually supposed to be those 3 girls in the intro animation, then that's just stupid.

There's no way some random new girl, no matter how hot she is, should end with similar content to Nicole or Lily.

Nicole and Lily are right now, maybe a rung below Quinn in term of Others content.

Introducing a new character and having her overtake Riona, Camila, Jade, Zoey, Cathy, Sarah, Melanie, Sandy, Nora, Sally, Karen etc etc in content would be a baffling decision.

Pinkcakes should be working to cutting out the excess others girls and focus on elevating the ones he current has.

 

[Better Cock Spock]

There's no way some random new girl, no matter how hot she is, should end with similar content to Nicole or Lily.

Nicole and Lily are right now, maybe a rung below Quinn in term of Others content.

Introducing a new character and having her overtake Riona, Camila, Jade, Zoey, Cathy, Sarah, Melanie, Sandy, Nora, Sally, Karen etc etc in content would be a baffling decision.

Pinkcakes should be working to cutting out the excess others girls and focus on elevating the ones he current has.

You couldn't let me pretend


*sniff* ...... it is true though. Like Cammy alone has been criminally underutilized, and just maybe that will be rectified next episode.
Still, I will continue to simp for Yoga Girl's proper introduction, bewitching romance, and showstopper sex scenes. Even if it means I subsist on nothing but copium.

 

[ReallyNotTimmy]

There's no way some random new girl, no matter how hot she is, should end with similar content to Nicole or Lily.

Nicole and Lily are right now, maybe a rung below Quinn in term of Others content.

Introducing a new character and having her overtake Riona, Camila, Jade, Zoey, Cathy, Sarah, Melanie, Sandy, Nora, Sally, Karen etc etc in content would be a baffling decision.

Pinkcakes should be working to cutting out the excess others girls and focus on elevating the ones he current has.

You assume PinkCake is making up the story as he goes. He appears to be doing that with some elements, but the main story arc was figured out long ago, and will conclude, with Being a DIK, with episode 16. Plenty of room, and time, for him to squeeze in new characters.

Especially if some of the existing characters (Sally, Karen) never go anywhere, others (Jade, Nora, Riona; hope I’m wrong about Riona!) were meant to end early and poorly, and others (Camila, Melanie, Sandy, Sarah) were never meant to come to anything; they’re just dalliances.

 

[shazba jnr]

There's no way some random new girl, no matter how hot she is, should end with similar content to Nicole or Lily.

Nicole and Lily are right now, maybe a rung below Quinn in term of Others content.

Introducing a new character and having her overtake Riona, Camila, Jade, Zoey, Cathy, Sarah, Melanie, Sandy, Nora, Sally, Karen etc etc in content would be a baffling decision.

Pinkcakes should be working to cutting out the excess others girls and focus on elevating the ones he current has.

Zoey is the only exception, because she's a significant part of the big picture, but yeah, it would be weird to start building a random rapport with some other new character. Still want to blast one in Becky's ass though, but for different reasons.

On the subject of Karen, has there been any special renders / reward renders that include her at this point? I know Sally had her little office rendezvous with the mc in a render set. But Karen's had fuck all, right?

Spoiler: And there's so much potential!

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[godkingxerxes]

Zoey is the only exception, because she's a significant part of the big picture, but yeah, it would be weird to start building a random rapport with some other new character. Still want to blast one in Becky's ass though, but for different reasons.

On the subject of Karen, has there been any special renders / reward renders that include her at this point? I know Sally had her little office rendezvous with the mc in a render set. But Karen's had fuck all, right?

Spoiler: And there's so much potential!

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I think she had a clone series, but I'm not fully sure.

And she was in the April Fool's Day render with Sally, but yeah that's it, definitely needs more.

Becky needs to get it as well, I'm beginning to not trust Jacob so I don't believe him when he says she's a lame fuck.