You tend to make much quicker progress than most devs I follow yet considering the greatly expanded scope of Stellar Crossroads compared to the two and a half years that Callisto took to produce, SC will likely take between three to four years to complete. Is that a fairly accurate estimate?
Hopefully it will not take quite that long. Whilst there will be more narrative freedom in Stellar Crossroads, I'm still aiming for about 10 releases with about 3 months between releases. As such total development time should be about 2.5 years, bringing the conclusion at the end of 2024.
Many games, even the popular ones, tend to stray and continue to introduce new central characters. This just gives them another thread to tie before they can bring the game to a conclusion. Some of these were started before I began on Callisto.
By concluding games and moving onto the next project, you have the opportunity of a clean slate and putting to use what you have learnt on the previous work.
By concluding games and moving onto the next project, you have the opportunity of a clean slate and putting to use what you have learnt on the previous work.
This seems like a pretty sensible philosophy, but I can count on one hand the number of Adult game Devs who follow it consistently.
I mostly blame the Patreon business model, which greatly encourages the infinite milking of supporters.
Devs also seem to like to reboot, remake, or remaster games that are not finished to showcase their learning progress.
Then there is Daniels K, who finishes games in a timely manner, but storytelling and writing never seems to improve.
So, thank you for showing others the proper way to make an AVN, I hope it brings you much success.
Speaking of Success, I think Callisto would do well on Steam, are there plans for a Steam release?
This seems like a pretty sensible philosophy, but I can count on one hand the number of Adult game Devs who follow it consistently.
I mostly blame the Patreon business model, which greatly encourages the infinite milking of supporters.
Devs also seem to like to reboot, remake, or remaster games that are not finished to showcase their learning progress.
Then there is Daniels K, who finishes games in a timely manner, but storytelling and writing never seems to improve.
So, thank you for showing others the proper way to make an AVN, I hope it brings you much success.
Speaking of Success, I think Callisto would do well on Steam, are there plans for a Steam release?
As far as Callisto on Steam, this was never really the plan. Whilst the overall game I think turned out pretty well, the initial introduction to the game is clumsy and the free roam a little poor. With an environment such as Steam, it really seems to be a matter of creating a ground swell, such that it excels at launch. Fail to do this and it flops. This issue I see with Callisto is that it is a bit of a niche (sci fi) and also has some valid flaws that can be criticised. Hence I doubt that it will have much success on Steam. Rather than trying to milk the last game, I am putting my efforts into getting the next one right.
One of the things that I did on Patreon was to suspended billing following the release of Callisto. I believe it is important to look after current supporters, allowing them to see what the new game was like, before they made the decision to fund it's development. There was an extended period where I did not have any real Patreon income, however thankfully I released the first episode of the new game at the start of the month. I just hope most of them like what they saw and stick around when the billing kicks back in at the start of October.
I used to work in consultancy where we believed that the customer was our focus and we should act in their interests. Sadly this mentality has disappeared in organisations over the last 10 years, which in part lead me to taking on a new career path.
This seems like a pretty sensible philosophy, but I can count on one hand the number of Adult game Devs who follow it consistently.
I mostly blame the Patreon business model, which greatly encourages the infinite milking of supporters.
Devs also seem to like to reboot, remake, or remaster games that are not finished to showcase their learning progress.
Then there is Daniels K, who finishes games in a timely manner, but storytelling and writing never seems to improve.
So, thank you for showing others the proper way to make an AVN, I hope it brings you much success.
Speaking of Success, I think Callisto would do well on Steam, are there plans for a Steam release?
Callisto is one of my favorite first games from any AVN author, hands down. Instead of a remaster, Xav implemented his progress right into the game as it is. This is most evident to me in the animation improvements between the first and latter halves of the game. Xav took a ton of pressure from fans to have an orgy/harem ending but never caved. Xavster starts with his vision and sticks to it. He does accept input from his dev team for ideas that will help enhance his vision but the stories, the renderings, the characters and all the twists and turns are all from Xav. He does allow patrons to vote on matters of appearance, like hair styles and outfits but never on choices that affect the actual story. The multiple path story of Stellar Crossroads was written before render one was even started. I admire the hell out of that! My friend, I know exactly what you are saying about devs who milk their patrons and take way longer than needed to release updates and often never finish what they start.
Xavster, on the other hand, is one of a kind. I've been hanging around since the early chapters of Callisto and have been blown away with how he operates all the way. Callisto is an incredibly well polished game yet it is merely Xavster's proof of concept. So, you won't see it on Steam. I am hard pressed to give a better example of a quality AVN developer than Xavster. I know several that are in the same league but Xav is the best. You would do well to follow Xav's progress. I am too poor, living on a small disability stipend, to support Xav financially. I help in other ways like play testing and finding good royalty free music for the Stellar Crossroads soundtrack. One such piece is Warrior's Morning which just seemed perfect for the main menu title screen as the main theme. Since chapter one of Stellar Crossroads has now released, I can share that music... Hope you like it...
Adventure ever on my friend, Phat
Hence I doubt that it will have much success on Steam. Rather than trying to milk the last game, I am putting my efforts into getting the next one right.
I can understand wanting to move on, and if it's a lot of work to get it on Steam that makes sense, but I think you may overestimate the quality of the vast majority of adult games on there.
Granted there are some top tier offerings like Being a DIK and City of Broken Dreamers, but most of the games are pretty Meh. Piles of porn puzzle games with stolen art assets, going for 2 to 5 bucks a pop. Mountains of crappy censored Japanese AVNs. Anything can get on there really, as long as it follows their rules.
As far as Niche games, if Voids Calling and Space Rescue Code Pink can sell thousands of units, I think it would find an audience. As long as it has adult content and isn't too pricey, probably around 10 bucks I'd say, it can definitely help you pay the bills.
I think Fresh Women has sold 200k units in just a few months. Granted it's very mainstream, pretty much a straight clone of BaDIK, but this game has more content and a much better story than that one. Just my 2 cents.
How can I see if I reached max stats in the sparring training?
Heavy bag and move practice got a message saying when you reached max but both sparring sessions seem to go on forever
How can I see if I reached max stats in the sparring training?
Heavy bag and move practice got a message saying when you reached max but both sparring sessions seem to go on forever
There is no specific visual indicator that you have reached maximum. Seems pretty redundant if you have already been messaged that you are at maximum.
The sparing sessions are still repeatable should you choose to go through them. They will not however have any affect on your statistics. Even the most skilled martial arts practitioners still practice their skills.
PS: Your fighting skills are taken into effect in the Krillen story line.
How can I see if I reached max stats in the sparring training?
Heavy bag and move practice got a message saying when you reached max but both sparring sessions seem to go on forever
There is another way to tell when you've reached your full potential in training with Kara that is more organic and immersive for me... You progress from heavy bag to the training mat and Kara puts you on your backside every time until you finally get good enough to dodge her kicks. That is how I tell when I'm ready. There is also an added opportunity after that, an additional dialogue when Kara once again knocks you down there you'll see the chance to sweep the leg. Kara will escape this attempted trap move but you end the session with a kiss. You see, there is another purpose to training with Kara than just your martial arts prowess, it also helps your relationship with Kara, hence the repeatable nature of the training for both initial and ongoing relationship building. Also, once you are beyond max fight training you also have the opportunity to train Kara in pistol marksmanship so continued training advances as well.
I have played this wonderful title a few dozen times now because I love this story. The game does not hold your hand and provide you with step by step instructions like most other AVN titles. You must be proactive and read the various screens provided to determine your best next course of action like the wheel that shows your relationship score with each of the girls (not only does that let you know where you stand with each LI but also how they stand with each other... when one of the LI falls too far behind her rival, pranks ensue... I put a couple of images in a spoiler showing two of the pranks), the listing of every available quest and at what stage it is presently (you can also replay certain quest scenes from there) and the commodities screen that Tiffany enables to give you an easy format to know what and where to buy and sell, just to name a few. When you have questions, please ask. There is always one of us here to help. Hope this helps you.
There is another way to tell when you've reached your full potential in training with Kara that is more organic and immersive for me... You progress from heavy bag to the training mat and Kara puts you on your backside every time until you finally get good enough to dodge her kicks. That is how I tell when I'm ready. There is also an added opportunity after that, an additional dialogue when Kara once again knocks you down there you'll see the chance to sweep the leg. Kara will escape this attempted trap move but you end the session with a kiss. You see, there is another purpose to training with Kara than just your martial arts prowess, it also helps your relationship with Kara, hence the repeatable nature of the training for both initial and ongoing relationship building. Also, once you are beyond max fight training you also have the opportunity to train Kara in pistol marksmanship so continued training advances as well.
I have played this wonderful title a few dozen times now because I love this story. The game does not hold your hand and provide you with step by step instructions like most other AVN titles. You must be proactive and read the various screens provided to determine your best next course of action like the wheel that shows your relationship score with each of the girls (not only does that let you know where you stand with each LI but also how they stand with each other... when one of the LI falls too far behind her rival, pranks ensue... I put a couple of images in a spoiler showing two of the pranks), the listing of every available quest and at what stage it is presently (you can also replay certain quest scenes from there) and the commodities screen that Tiffany enables to give you an easy format to know what and where to buy and sell, just to name a few. When you have questions, please ask. There is always one of us here to help. Hope this helps you.
Lol that shower scene happened on my first run. I thought it was part of the story.
Thanks for the tips.
The problem I'm currently having is that one time she holes her punches and another time she kicks me on the floor hence why I didn't know when I reached the max
Lol that shower scene happened on my first run. I thought it was part of the story.
Thanks for the tips.
The problem I'm currently having is that one time she holes her punches and another time she kicks me on the floor hence why I didn't know when I reached the max
As pointed out earlier, the menu for 'training session' adds a new option. This means you've maxed the points of the earlier options. The 'Train Firearms' being the final one.
You can always go back and repeat any or all of them and keep your points at max (they don't go away but, it is something to do in the afternoon) because you do need them later.
As pointed out earlier, the menu for 'training session' adds a new option. This means you've maxed the points of the earlier options. The 'Train Firearms' being the final one.
You can always go back and repeat any or all of them and keep your points at max (they don't go away but, it is something to do in the afternoon) because you do need them later.
MC can watch Kara and Rachel spar but can't join, more's the pity. But, there's always the basketball game with Tanya and MC vs Kara and Rachel There's a fun shower scene afterward if you win
MC can watch Kara and Rachel spar but can't join, more's the pity. But, there's always the basketball game with Tanya and MC vs Kara and Rachel There's a fun shower scene afterward if you win
It's a shame Kara doesn't join in there but plenty of fun lateron.
I'm a few missions away from the end of the game.
Only need to do Orion Council G, Hive F, Fight for Survival D and under Others only Club Exotica left.
I'm however very confused by one aspect (I probably screwed something up)
I can do the 3-some with Julia and Tiffany in their room but the shower scene stays locked for some reason.
Any idea what I missed?
It's a shame Kara doesn't join in there but plenty of fun lateron.
I'm a few missions away from the end of the game.
Only need to do Orion Council G, Hive F, Fight for Survival D and under Others only Club Exotica left.
I'm however very confused by one aspect (I probably screwed something up)
I can do the 3-some with Julia and Tiffany in their room but the shower scene stays locked for some reason.
Any idea what I missed?
With the imminent release of Callisto on itch.io, I have created a promotional video for Callisto. My first attempt at real video editing, however I think it turned out pretty well. If you would be so kind as to take a look and perhaps slap like or post a comment, it would be appreciated.
With the imminent release of Callisto on itch.io, I have created a promotional video for Callisto. My first attempt at real video editing, however I think it turned out pretty well. If you would be so kind as to take a look and perhaps slap like or post a comment, it would be appreciated.
What a beautiful game! And this was a first effort?
I do have criticisms. I had to play halfway through, to figure out what was going on.
The walkthrough helps with trading & salvage, but a player ends up walking into the Krillen battle
almost blind. I had a feeling that I hadn't done well, so I read the entire forum comments. Ouch!
Xavster, you can ignore 99% of the criticism. That being said, I felt that I was on a railroad for
the last portion of the game. I would set course for wherever, and find out that I was landing on Phoebe.
If you're going to railroad me, just do it - don't pretend that I have any choice. As a courtesy, you could
have warned me that I had no choice.
My 2nd complaint is with the progression; I felt like I'd seen all of the sex scenes by about halfway through
the game. At that point I was just trying to keep the crew happy (and sexually satisfied).
On the positive side ... holy shit!
The story is really, really good - both the relationships and the wars. I like the mix of sandbox and VN
(again, never mind the critics)
The renders are f***ing amazing. I will readily confess that I found Tanya and Julia had great bodies, but Kara
was simply spectacular. You really put a lot of effort into her facial expressions - even when she was in the
background! Just so you know - the 2nd most attractive character was Shari.
I wasn't immediately attracted to most of your other characters, but you went to great lengths to give each
one a distinct and unique personality and history, with considerable depth. That was well done.
Okay, the endings were a bit disappointing. You might have included some new sex scenes as a payoff.
The only one that was satisfying was Kara's.
After all of that ... I would rate this game a solid 12 out of 10.
I look forward to trying out your next effort!
You should be very proud of Callisto.
Yours,
AspernEssling
What a beautiful game! And this was a first effort?
I do have criticisms. I had to play halfway through, to figure out what was going on.
The walkthrough helps with trading & salvage, but a player ends up walking into the Krillen battle
almost blind. I had a feeling that I hadn't done well, so I read the entire forum comments. Ouch!
Xavster, you can ignore 99% of the criticism. That being said, I felt that I was on a railroad for
the last portion of the game. I would set course for wherever, and find out that I was landing on Phoebe.
If you're going to railroad me, just do it - don't pretend that I have any choice. As a courtesy, you could
have warned me that I had no choice.
My 2nd complaint is with the progression; I felt like I'd seen all of the sex scenes by about halfway through
the game. At that point I was just trying to keep the crew happy (and sexually satisfied).
On the positive side ... holy shit!
The story is really, really good - both the relationships and the wars. I like the mix of sandbox and VN
(again, never mind the critics)
The renders are f***ing amazing. I will readily confess that I found Tanya and Julia had great bodies, but Kara
was simply spectacular. You really put a lot of effort into her facial expressions - even when she was in the
background! Just so you know - the 2nd most attractive character was Shari.
I wasn't immediately attracted to most of your other characters, but you went to great lengths to give each
one a distinct and unique personality and history, with considerable depth. That was well done.
Okay, the endings were a bit disappointing. You might have included some new sex scenes as a payoff.
The only one that was satisfying was Kara's.
After all of that ... I would rate this game a solid 12 out of 10.
I look forward to trying out your next effort!
You should be very proud of Callisto.
Yours,
AspernEssling
Glad to see you enjoying a game that I have enjoyed myself, several dozen times now. I agree that some things aren't readily evident always as this game is not one to hold your hand and tell you constantly what your next move should be. So, it is possible to miss some things, especially your first time playing. And yes, the renders are f***ing amazing. Lia is my favorite yet I love all the girls, Tanya, Julia, Tiffany, Kara, Alice and Rachael. A captain could not ask for a better crew.
Did you read/view the prologue from the computer console in the captain's cabin? It's the first thing I recommend to new players. The prologue plays like a kinetic AVN title and give back story on the Captain, crew and other persons of interest that intersect with Callisto and her crew. There are other informative documents in there as well as the icons along the top bar. I recommend making use of all of that.
Make sure to farm the side quests whenever they come available. Click on the lightbulb icon in the top bar to view the full list of available and completed quests. The side quests are listed in the middle and most can be picked up in the bar at the Beehive station.
Things do escalate quickly with the Krillen after your initial encounter with them orbiting Helion but you need not take every engagement right in order. We generally made at least one trade run and one salvage run in between going out to hunt up another spider bot. That is in addition to having run all or most of the side quests between initially meeting Lia and escaping the Krillen blockade with her brilliant aid and returning with the spider bots. There is just so much to see and do that it is rather easy to miss things. So, if you EVER have questions, please ask here in forum or link to Xav's discord from the invite on the OP. There is a separate post here on F95 for Stellar Crossroads, Xav's current game in progress. You can talk about and receive information regarding both games on the discord. Stellar Crossroads is much larger in scope that Callisto and promises to be an even better game. It takes place 150 years after the Hive war with a whole new story and cast. However, even though the story and cast are new, SC still takes place in the same galaxy and universe setting, just 150 years later.
Again, my friend, I am glad you enjoyed Callisto. There are quite a few of us uber fans both here in forum and on discord on a regular basis. So, if you need a point in the right direction, just ask. Like I said, Xavster's games do not hold your hand. It's up to the player to explore the world and find all the goodies. So, we help each other, just like a good crew should.
