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

[shazba]

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I would say the story is melodrama written compellingly. All the drama is just everyday bullshit that people go through, but it's done with humour and articulated so well that it's enjoyable to read.

There are some intriguing aspects, but on paper it wouldn't sound all that interesting, it's just that we are invested in the characters now, so it's enjoyable to follow them on their college journey.

The game started with a good hook, young dude off to college, meets some babes, goes through a crazy hazing week while setting up the premise for a bunch of ongoing drama, and now we're hooked.

But overall, the story is not that fantastic. There's no strong overarching plot line; there's no impending doom, mc must save the school, his family, friends or anything like that. There's no life or death journey (excluding Bella's potential as an axe murderer), so I can see that some people could get quite bored with the story.

The mc isn't even phased with uncovering the seediness of B&R. He couldn't give a fuck really.

By all rights this game should have been just a meandering casual gaming experience. Something equivalent to melodramatic soap operas like, "Days of Our Lives", in a genre of games aspiring to much greater heights (without naming games in the fear of being moderated, we have Blade Runner-esque entries, sword and sorcery tales inspired by 90s point and click adventures, film noir detective games with grit, and so on).

But instead of being dwarfed by loftier plotted stories, due to its myriad of uniquely realised characters, adeptly chosen music, flowing and engaging dialogue, expertly crafted nuance, and highly satisfying scene direction, BaDIK has elevated itself well beyond the status of some poorly acted, daytime soap for old women.

Oh yeah, and there's a lot of fucking.

 

[Oliver Wendell Homely]

Please list what's so great about this story.

It's true that BaDIK does not have a "great story" from a literary standpoint. None of it is particularly original, either. I think what most of us appreciate about BaDIK and call "story" is just the collection of situations and conflicts that each character in the game faces. So many characters in BaDIK (not just the MC) have their own motivations, interests, and worries, and the story is how they all come together and conflict with each other in compelling ways. The reason they are compelling is because most players like the characters, so we feel invested in what happens to them.

Many of the situations are melodramatic (ie, a bit like a soap opera) and often predictable, but thanks to the music, the funny, well-written dialogue, the great artwork, etc., we don't care. We care about the characters and want to know what happens to them.

The only porn game I know that seems to have much story, in the sense that I think you mean, is maybe "City of Broken Dreamers" or something? Nothing else really comes to mind, though admittedly I've played only 30 or 40 titles here.

I know lots of players come to fap (I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I need a game to get me in the mood first ), and it's true that BaDIK takes a while before the sexy times get started. It's not until the MC gets to college, has the fight with Troy, and runs into Quinn and Camila in the HOTs bathroom that we have more than a few seconds of tits and ass. I don't know what Count_Chocula is looking for or why BaDIK didn't grab him, but if it's the lack of fappable activity for the first several minutes, I would simply urge him to make a lot of DIK choices and stay with it until that scene with the MC, Quinn, and Camila. The sexy times come pretty regularly after that and they are generally very well done.

 

[LizaS]

I would say the story is melodrama written compellingly. All the drama is just everyday bullshit that people go through, but it's done with humour and articulated so well that it's enjoyable to read.

There are some intriguing aspects, but on paper it wouldn't sound all that interesting, it's just that we are invested in the characters now, so it's enjoyable to follow them on their college journey.

The game started with a good hook, young dude off to college, meets some babes, goes through a crazy hazing week while setting up the premise for a bunch of ongoing drama, and now we're hooked.

But overall, the story is not that fantastic. There's no strong overarching plot line; there's no impending doom, mc must save the school, his family, friends or anything like that. There's no life or death journey (excluding Bella's potential as an axe murderer), so I can see that some people could get quite bored with the story.

The mc isn't even phased with uncovering the seediness of B&R. He couldn't give a fuck really.

By all rights this game should have been just a meandering casual gaming experience. Something equivalent to melodramatic soap operas like, "Days of Our Lives", in a genre of games aspiring to much greater heights (without naming games in the fear of being moderated, we have Blade Runner-esque entries, sword and sorcery tales inspired by 90s point and click adventures, film noir detective games with grit, and so on).

But instead of being dwarfed by loftier plotted stories, due to its myriad of uniquely realised characters, adeptly chosen music, flowing and engaging dialogue, expertly crafted nuance, and highly satisfying scene direction, BaDIK has elevated itself well beyond the status of some poorly acted, daytime soap for old women.

Oh yeah, and there's a lot of fucking.

And I agree. If this was mainstream, the story is horrendous, terrible, you could even say garbage.
To quote you, "there is nothing fantastic about the story".
But to say, compared to other AVNs or any other games in this site that the story isn't good, that is just ignorance. In my humble opinion.

To be able to make readers, such as me, be emotionally invested into the characters says a lot.
Like, I can't emphasize enough about how other VNs in this site is getting carried by their lewd scenes just to milk money from down-bad players.

I'm one of those who play VNs mainly for the plot, and the lewd scenes are just a plus to me.

But instead of being dwarfed by loftier plotted stories, due to its myriad of uniquely realised characters, adeptly chosen music, flowing and engaging dialogue, expertly crafted nuance, and highly satisfying scene direction, BaDIK has elevated itself well beyond the status of some poorly acted, daytime soap for old women.

And this is what made it special. You could say that there are a chosen few where other VNs have better render quality and/or story. But overall, the soundtrack, render quality, game-mechanics, branches, and story, add those categories and BaDIK has a better overall rating.

I bash DPC a lot because of the convenience of his stories, but there is a reason why BaDIK is a success, popular, and why this thread has 10K pages.

 

[shazba]

It's true that BaDIK does not have a "great story" from a literary standpoint. None of it is particularly original, either. I think what most of us appreciate about BaDIK and call "story" is just the collection of situation and conflicts that each character in the game faces. So many characters in BaDIK (not just the MC) have their own motivations, interests, and worries, and the story is how they all come together and conflict with each other in compelling ways. The reason they are compelling is because most players like the characters, so we feel invested in what happens to them.

Many of the situations are melodramatic (ie, a bit like a soap opera) and often predictable, but thanks to the music, the funny, well-written dialogue, the great artwork, etc., we don't care. We care about the characters and want to know what happens to them.

The only porn game I know that seems to have much story, in the sense that I think you mean, is maybe "City of Broken Dreamers" or something? Nothing else really comes to mind, though admittedly I've played only 30 or 40 titles here.

I know lots of players come to fap (I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I need a game to get me in the mood first ), and it's true that BaDIK takes a while before the sexy times get started. It's not until the MC gets to college, has the fight with Troy, and runs into Quinn and Camila in the HOTs bathroom that we have more than a few seconds of tits and ass. I don't know what Count_Chocula is looking for or why BaDIK didn't grab him, but if it's the lack of fappable activity for the first several minutes, I would simply urge him to make a lot of DIK choices and stay with it until that scene with the MC, Quinn, and Camila. The sexy times come pretty regularly after that and they are generally very well done.

And I agree. If this was mainstream, the story is horrendous, terrible, you could even say garbage.
To quote you, "there is nothing fantastic about the story".
But to say, compared to other AVNs or any other games in this site that the story isn't good, that is just ignorance. In my humble opinion.

To be able to make readers, such as me, be emotionally invested into the characters says a lot.
Like, I can't emphasize enough about how other VNs in this site is getting carried by their lewd scenes just to milk money from down-bad players.

I'm one of those who play VNs mainly for the plot, and the lewd scenes are just a plus to me.



And this is what made it special. You could say that there are a chosen few where other VNs have better render quality and/or story. But overall, the soundtrack, render quality, game-mechanics, branches, and story, add those categories and BaDIK has a better overall rating.

I bash DPC a lot because of the convenience of his stories, but there is a reason why BaDIK is a success, popular, and why this thread has 10K pages.

People often conflate the "plot" with "writing".

BaDIK's plot is borderline forgettable, but the writing is fantastic.

I've never, in my life, read a book twice. Once I've read a book, the twists and turns laid out for me, while the book may be memorable, I won't go back and read it again.

Other acclaimed stories here (CoBD being the immediate one to come to mind), I replayed it from the beginning after the last release, and it was a chore. I knew where the story was going, and the plot was initially interesting, but the execution was significantly lacking. Sure the graphics are good, but the dialogue is hackneyed, the scenes are boring, and I find the sex scenes to be very uninspired.

BaDIK, on the other hand:

Reliving the mc's day to day experience at college, making out with Josy, catching up with the gang, pissing Bella off, playing mind games with Quinn, flirting with Mel and Sarah, getting on Heather's nerves, hanging out at the HOTs (because he's a snowflake), headbutting Jill in the eye with a dildo, getting Nicole to sign his cock, playing footsies under the table with Jill, DnG, spanking Sally's ass, twice, hanging out with 4 naked girls in the sauna, thrashing Jill at tennis, "accidentally" groping Jill after tennis, fucking Quinn on the roof, drinking fuck loads of beer, fucking Riona on the balcony, serving Champagne a la Dick to the girls in the sauna (you know you loved it Heather), drinking tequilas with Lily without any salt, painting the fence, doing yoga, repairing the mansion, DnG, putting wieners on Sage's head, hanging out with Nicole at the bar, fucking the shit outta Nicole and Sandy, getting high with Quinn, rolling with Lily, watching Becky puke her guts up, sharing with Riona and Cammy, getting caught fucking Sage by Riona and Quinn, destroying Tybalt in tennis, working out with Josy, cleaning up at the Pink Rose, struggling to choose between Lily and Nicole, throwing piss into the back of Derek's head, helping Sage with her bucket list, finally fucking Jill...

That shit I can read again and again.

DPC knows how to fucking write.

 

[DrSoong]

But overall, the story is not that fantastic. There's no strong overarching plot line; there's no impending doom, mc must save the school, his family, friends or anything like that. There's no life or death journey (excluding Bella's potential as an axe murderer), so I can see that some people could get quite bored with the story.

For me, it's because it could be a real world story (boring as you said), too much "Save the Day/College/World-Hero" story wouldn't attract me for a longer time. The setup is like it could be happen anytime and anywhere (DPC decided to write it like the US system), there are no unnatural heroic characters. I think the secret why this game is this successful is cause you can bond with one or more characters, hate or more ones (because they remind you of existing ones) and fantasize about playing your role in the story. And what would be more satisfying than criticize the writer for his story bragging you could do it way better?
We are all different types of players, this is why this thread is that good. Opposite meanings, hopes and fantasies about the past and upcoming story gives us motivation to discuss, play again and find another small parts to talk about and also bond with the others here. This is also what i like on it, to interact with real people (even when it is about fiction).

 

[bluehound36]

Theory, as Sarah and Melanie learned from Chad and Troy. They saw the two of them having sex at this orgy.

View attachment 1872668

I do not remember this scene, what episode was it in and what path?

 

[DrSoong]

I do not remember this scene, what episode was it in and what path?

There is no scene, as dalli_x wrote, it's a theory (by him). Mel and Sarah knew about Chad and Troy, so it was his explanation why they know.

 

[fasdfaq123]

I do not remember this scene, what episode was it in and what path?

If I remember correctly, it's a scene from chapter 8. It's because the MC decides to invite Maya and Josy to spend a night in his room because he thinks they are still fighting because of what happened in chapter 7 (Josy staying with the Hots, despite Maya's hatred for them). Now I don't remember if this scene jumps if you are in the trouple or not (it should be noted that I am referring to the image shown, not the dalli theory).

 

[PashafromRussia]

HOLY this thread has 9600 pages. Anyway, I would like some advice from you guys. I tried to play this once and I couldn't really get into it. What is the appeal for you guys that makes you like this game so much? I want to get into it and see what all the hype is about, but I'm having trouble without an obvious hook.

It's true that BaDIK does not have a "great story" from a literary standpoint. None of it is particularly original, either. I think what most of us appreciate about BaDIK and call "story" is just the collection of situation and conflicts that each character in the game faces. So many characters in BaDIK (not just the MC) have their own motivations, interests, and worries, and the story is how they all come together and conflict with each other in compelling ways. The reason they are compelling is because most players like the characters, so we feel invested in what happens to them.

Many of the situations are melodramatic (ie, a bit like a soap opera) and often predictable, but thanks to the music, the funny, well-written dialogue, the great artwork, etc., we don't care. We care about the characters and want to know what happens to them.

The only porn game I know that seems to have much story, in the sense that I think you mean, is maybe "City of Broken Dreamers" or something? Nothing else really comes to mind, though admittedly I've played only 30 or 40 titles here.

I know lots of players come to fap (I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I need a game to get me in the mood first ), and it's true that BaDIK takes a while before the sexy times get started. It's not until the MC gets to college, has the fight with Troy, and runs into Quinn and Camila in the HOTs bathroom that we have more than a few seconds of tits and ass. I don't know what Count_Chocula is looking for or why BaDIK didn't grab him, but if it's the lack of fappable activity for the first several minutes, I would simply urge him to make a lot of DIK choices and stay with it until that scene with the MC, Quinn, and Camila. The sexy times come pretty regularly after that and they are generally very well done.

Not all games need a good story or a complex plot. It sounds absurd, but it's a fact. Pink positions the game as an erotic sitcom. If you have watched such series as The Big Bang Theory or Friends, you will also notice that there is no plot in them. This is more a story about young people, about how they cope with their problems and how they build relationships, and change, grow before our eyes. Being a Dik is about that too.

And now imagine that the plot has become more complex in the game. For example, it turns out that Lily is officer of DEA who was infiltrated into a strip bar to expose Vinnie's large drug organization and decided to use Quinn to frame Vinnie and recruit her for сourt. It turns out that Burke is one of the secret sponsors of the drug organization, as well as the owner of a brothel for rich men, supplying young pussies from college.
Sounds interesting? Maybe, but it would destroy the game. In my opinion, the main problem with such a good game as AOA is that there is too much plot in it. And it is not served in portions, but immediately falls out in the face. There are many complaints about Pink, but his letter structure is outstanding. He clearly has experience in writing a script, it feels obvious.
The letter is a lesser claim to him on my part. I have much more complaints to him about the fact that he took on too much, which is why many aspects of the game (mainly the graphic part) are already suffering.
Pink's letter is working. It works as needed for the plot.

 

[Geralt From Rivia]

Not all games need a good story or a complex plot. It sounds absurd, but it's a fact. Pink positions the game as an erotic sitcom. If you have watched such series as The Big Bang Theory or Friends, you will also notice that there is no plot in them. This is more a story about young people, about how they cope with their problems and how they build relationships, and change, grow before our eyes. Being a Dik is about that too.

I would also add the American Pie franchise to the list of analogies. I'm sure Pink was inspired primarily by American Pie. Student comedy with elements of drama.
Here I am tormented by the question, who is more suitable for the role of Stifler: Derek or Tommy?

 

[Ottoeight]

There has to be a reason why Bella is so fiercely protective of Jill, and why Jill looks up to her as a mentor (more than just a college association), so Lana could easily be the key there.

But I guess the most important association would be with Lynette and the Royce.

You hit the point!

3 years and a half, 8 episodes and a half... and what do we know about the main characters?

MC - a lot about him, barely nothing about his family.

MC's dad - everything we need to know.

MC's mom - a little; we're missing a lot of key facts and infos about her and her family

Josy - everything we need to know, except who her mom and her stepmom are (you can tell they aren't important for the story, by now - so we know everything we need to know)

Maya - everything we need to know

Derek - everything we need to know

Sage - everything we need to know, as far as we can tell

Jill - we're missing a lot of key facts and infos about her and her family

Bella - we know almost nothing

Quinn - everything we need to know, as far as we can tell

 

[sixart]

View attachment 1875623

Nope
Got milk ?

 

[sixart]

I heard motard had been banning anyone mentioning other games here

Does this mean you want me to get banned ?

 

[sixart]

I thought you were baiting that chad

Good to know

 

[Bendover885]

Sage - everything we need to know, as far as we can tell

To be fair, Sage is the only LI not to have a backstory flashback scene. I imagine if DPC were to give her one, it seems like a fitting place after Chapter 8's ending. I mean, even Quinn got one, Rusty and Tommy.

 

[Kellermann]

For me, it's because it could be a real world story (boring as you said), too much "Save the Day/College/World-Hero" story wouldn't attract me for a longer time. The setup is like it could be happen anytime and anywhere (DPC decided to write it like the US system), there are no unnatural heroic characters. I think the secret why this game is this successful is cause you can bond with one or more characters, hate or more ones (because they remind you of existing ones) and fantasize about playing your role in the story. And what would be more satisfying than criticize the writer for his story bragging you could do it way better?
We are all different types of players, this is why this thread is that good. Opposite meanings, hopes and fantasies about the past and upcoming story gives us motivation to discuss, play again and find another small parts to talk about and also bond with the others here. This is also what i like on it, to interact with real people (even when it is about fiction).

Agree with a lot of this. I do need to be specific and parse things out when I say good or bad writing. When I say this game has good writing, I am talking about dialogue and character interactions. Those are second to none and the game could coast on the strength of its characters/interactions alone. Example of bad writing would be some story logic (or lack thereof) and exaggerated drama. That wacky shit isn't really necessary and I view it as more of a hinderance than a help.

I do like very much that the player is not always a save the world hero as you stated (you can even be a bit off a baddie). Not everything needs to be a Marvel-esque battle for the future of the universe. That is not at all needed in a story like this. You can easily place yourself into the shoes of MC and believe that you are living through the day-to-day ups and downs of a first year student at university. Going to class, parties, having inter-fraternity conflicts, as well as meeting and getting to know people, all seems quite realistic to me. There is, of course, some level of fantasy, like the amount of pussy you can get in quick succession at a free roam party, or having a magic penis that not even a lesbian can resist, but the overall emotion of the game, just feels right.

 

[AchedCroissant]

So, a flashback about Sage's comes on EP 9

 

[Bendover885]

So, a flashback about Sage's comes on EP 9

That's my guess, as she's the only one without one.

 

[felicemastronzo]

People often conflate the "plot" with "writing".

BaDIK's plot is borderline forgettable, but the writing is fantastic.

I've never, in my life, read a book twice. Once I've read a book, the twists and turns laid out for me, while the book may be memorable, I won't go back and read it again.

Other acclaimed stories here (CoBD being the immediate one to come to mind), I replayed it from the beginning after the last release, and it was a chore. I knew where the story was going, and the plot was initially interesting, but the execution was significantly lacking. Sure the graphics are good, but the dialogue is hackneyed, the scenes are boring, and I find the sex scenes to be very uninspired.

BaDIK, on the other hand:

Reliving the mc's day to day experience at college, making out with Josy, catching up with the gang, pissing Bella off, playing mind games with Quinn, flirting with Mel and Sarah, getting on Heather's nerves, hanging out at the HOTs (because he's a snowflake), headbutting Jill in the eye with a dildo, getting Nicole to sign his cock, playing footsies under the table with Jill, DnG, spanking Sally's ass, twice, hanging out with 4 naked girls in the sauna, thrashing Jill at tennis, "accidentally" groping Jill after tennis, fucking Quinn on the roof, drinking fuck loads of beer, fucking Riona on the balcony, serving Champagne a la Dick to the girls in the sauna (you know you loved it Heather), drinking tequilas with Lily without any salt, painting the fence, doing yoga, repairing the mansion, DnG, putting wieners on Sage's head, hanging out with Nicole at the bar, fucking the shit outta Nicole and Sandy, getting high with Quinn, rolling with Lily, watching Becky puke her guts up, sharing with Riona and Cammy, getting caught fucking Sage by Riona and Quinn, destroying Tybalt in tennis, working out with Josy, cleaning up at the Pink Rose, struggling to choose between Lily and Nicole, throwing piss into the back of Derek's head, helping Sage with her bucket list, finally fucking Jill...

That shit I can read again and again.

DPC knows how to fucking write.

replayability/readability is a genre issue that has little to do with the quality of the writing (for better or worse)

the more emotional a narrative is, the easier it is to replay to relive. it is much easier to rewatch with pleasure a comic film that we enjoyed than a thriller (a genre par excellence based on plot)
the more central the plot the harder it is to relive the same emotions, because a perfect twist only works the first time, once you know who kaiser soza is it's not like you can pretend you don't know

there are telenovelas that go on for decades telling the same story with the same characters just by changing the order and I don't think anyone would extol their quality of writing

to stay in the genre of BADIK, most AVNs are pretty tiring to go through even just the first time, but all of the ones that spend effort on making connections with their characters (few but not very few) you more than gladly replay.
writing in an exciting way is definitely a quality, making the characters interesting also, and BADIK has them

you don't like COBD, just in general, I don't see the oddity that you don't like replaying it....

 

[AchedCroissant]

That's my guess, as she's the only one without one.

Knowing that she is adopted, it would be very stupid of DPC not to explain about Sage's childhood.