One request criticism is fine but don't bad mouth. If you are a dev you must know the hardwork needed to make a vn.
Part of that hard work is market research and knowing your audience.
Despite the length of this post... I actually cut explanations and examples.
Tried to only leave what is necessary.
So here are the main points:
- To be blunt: Issue is an obvious one, it's common knowledge here that the two demographics basically hate each other.
- A quick search and you will find this on most newer harem games "Will there be NTR?" with a Yes getting the ignore button clicked. (avoidable or note, LI ain't loyal if they have an NTR route).
- Even an open ended answer is often treated as a "yes". (why risk wasting ones time?) So pick your poison, and stick to it.
- It's become almost a norm for a Dev that is making a harem game, to have "No NTR" on the main post somewhere. (usually under genre or Dev notes).
And I say a harem game, because when you mix in non-harem content, it is no longer a harem game, but a game that has some harem content... I shouldn't have to specify this but I know some need this note.
- Part of the "Hardwork" is planning out the game in it's entirety so you know where you are going... You should already know the rough story, and what genres it will have in planning phaze, not production. (most amatuer devs don't to be fair, and it's why they are so sporatic and lose focus because there is no guide to focus on because they never wrote one).
- "Realism" is a fkn joke. In the words of Gabe Newell "Reinforcement". (A wall taking damage when you shoot it)
Basically use realism compliment the game, not forcing in "realism" for "realism" sake.
"" because what many here say is for realism... isn't even realistic.
- Using your example, if those women truly loved MC, they wouldn't cheat back... they'd want his attention, and focus on how he hurt them, not on trying to hurt him back.
And who tf wants that kind of woman as an LI in a harem game? (not any harem fan)
- Protip: Harem LIs, should have personalities and stories that make sense.
If the LI seems like they belong in a brothel.. they probably do, so don't force them into your story. (who's it even for?)
Don't confuse "slutty for MC" with just being a slut.
- Most hate weakling/wimpy MCs, especially in harem games. (as for realism, such an MC would never get a harem to begin with)
Women are hypergamous by nature (they date up). Why would they even notice him if he isn't more capable?
That's some realism you can use to reinforce the game. Make MC someone who deserves the female attention.
I could honestly write a whole essay on this, already wrote a mini to be honest. I really should delete half the list since it already too much info in one post, but w/e.
If there is only one thing you take away from the post, it should be this: CHOOSE a target audience, and RESEARCH THEM, then make a product for them, then tell them about it.
Example:
Do you like harem?
Sick and tired of harem games that don't focus on harem?
Well here's X, it focus's on harem, and only harem.
So what are you waiting for?
The girls are waiting for you!
Honestly... it would be so easy to dominate the harem market. Cause most are too lazy to do the research, so they're always off the mark somehow. (probably why studio games from japan do so well).
Okay... sorta minirant time:
And sometimes it's not even the game itself, but the desc that is the issue.
Imagine how many more downloads games would get, if the desc was the above ONLY.
It'd be enough for them to check it out, because, fun fact, MOST DON'T GIVE A SHIT, you don't market a T-bone steak for the bone, you market the MEAT.
But here's the kicker, most devs aren't even selling the bone, they're selling the salt, without story, the game is just porn, bland ordinary sex on a screen.
But with only story "This is salt, it is white, it disolves into things, it's salty." into "This is chuck, he lives in town, town has events happening, very eventful life ahead."
When you use salt (the story) to sell the experience, "Succulent and tender steaks, juicy and delicious." Right there I just used salt to sell the idea of a steak, without even a mention of salt, but instead what the salt brings.
"You're in over your head, yet again another beautiful women won't leave you alone, you already spend half you time burried in the bossom of your wives, and now your pure sister won't leave her hands off you since moving in."
This is a more refined story version of "DO YOU LIKE HAREM? WE HAVE HAREM! COME PLAY HAREM!"
Just look at Caribdis' games, they're main point is depth of story, there's sex obviously, but the main thing is their story, immersing the player into the shoes of MC, as they are MC, and as such their descriptions show it.
None of this "MC is in x town, and has x problem." but instead "You live in..." "You're moving..." They go straight into placing the reader where they WANT to be.
It's all about:
Okay.. there's the mini essay XD
Had fun writing that.
Remember though: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE, that way you can actually give them what they want, but also, know who to give your game to.