Ren'Py Abandoned Defective Sexbot Chop Shop [v0.4.1] [Radnor]

[cavebear]

ok, i just finished a playthrough on normal using the save/load cheat to get parts and bots i wanted from the dump.
paid off the last of the debt and 1 more bot by day 213.
i have 2 teche bots assistances, 2 clerk bots and one currently just a sex toy in the bedroom. all 5 bots have skills combat c and all others at b with the ability to get mechanics, sex, and social to a. it appears for combat that it will take training all 5 from c to b to raise mc combat skill to b, which will allow me to train all bots to combat a.

electronics skill is the slowest to raise, discounting the computer skill which is currently not used to train anything for the bots. maybe in the future we will get the option to "create" program chips to slot into the cpu of bots to allow them to do other things like, teaching citizens of the slums basic to advance general knowledge skills for a fee, or offer classes to humans in the art of love making to help with human partners, and things like that.

 

[jjpizzo]

I thought the game was sensational, since you were asking for expansion ideas I think it would be a good idea to focus on more designated actions. For example, when you choose to train (combat) have variations within this option and present different scenes the same for the others, especially the sex scenes. Since randomly as it is in the current form of the game, it is difficult to know if you have already viewed all the scenes or if something else can be unlocked, so choosing specific actions such as (Vaginal, blowjob, anal) among other variations would make the game more organized .

 

[Radnor]

well they are robots so their "minds" are just software after all. What if you could copy a bots training onto a server and then try to upload it directly to a fresh bot without needing to train it. To balance a 'mind' would have system requirements based on how good it is. an S ranked mind would need a bot with parts that bring it to an aggregate of S rank in order to accept the upload without crashing.

Not yet decided how to do it, but i don't want it to be easy way to clone trained bots. Will keep your idea in list, but no promises.

Training twice to use two energy before working takes seven clicks. If you move the training buttons to the profile on the right it will take 3-5, which helps alleviate a lot of the grinding clicks.

Tried different layout before, too many buttons. Either buttons become too crowded for my taste or bot quick info will be scrollable. Don't like both.
Already implemented one-click "repair random part in workshop inventory" button, as suggested in this thread earlier. Maybe will add similar to repair current/random bot. This way there will be no unwanted button in main UI, yet there will be way to click less.

ok, i just finished a playthrough on normal using the save/load cheat to get parts and bots i wanted from the dump.
paid off the last of the debt and 1 more bot by day 213.
i have 2 teche bots assistances, 2 clerk bots and one currently just a sex toy in the bedroom. all 5 bots have skills combat c and all others at b with the ability to get mechanics, sex, and social to a. it appears for combat that it will take training all 5 from c to b to raise mc combat skill to b, which will allow me to train all bots to combat a.

electronics skill is the slowest to raise, discounting the computer skill which is currently not used to train anything for the bots. maybe in the future we will get the option to "create" program chips to slot into the cpu of bots to allow them to do other things like, teaching citizens of the slums basic to advance general knowledge skills for a fee, or offer classes to humans in the art of love making to help with human partners, and things like that.

Will be honest, i really didn't expected people actually play it that much, was just tech demo i wanted to playtest, gather ideas and so on. Great feeling
Some not sex-related activities will be added too, for sure, to add to "world" feeling.

I thought the game was sensational, since you were asking for expansion ideas I think it would be a good idea to focus on more designated actions. For example, when you choose to train (combat) have variations within this option and present different scenes the same for the others, especially the sex scenes. Since randomly as it is in the current form of the game, it is difficult to know if you have already viewed all the scenes or if something else can be unlocked, so choosing specific actions such as (Vaginal, blowjob, anal) among other variations would make the game more organized .

With asset packs i don't think there will be reasonable way to check if you seen everything except for looking directly at files present. Plus adding extra buttons is something i try to avoid when possible.
Maybe will add some sort of achievements/unlocks screen to track things. Maybe will use it for some sort of NewGame+ mode, addressing "mc skills grows too slow" complains. So, i think it will be possible to track if you cleared quest lines, maxed skill/expertise/reputation levels, visited places, spent/earned money and so on. But i doubt there will be a way to track seen scenes.

 

[Squib2187]

Not yet decided how to do it, but i don't want it to be easy way to clone trained bots. Will keep your idea in list, but no promises.


Tried different layout before, too many buttons. Either buttons become too crowded for my taste or bot quick info will be scrollable. Don't like both.
Already implemented one-click "repair random part in workshop inventory" button, as suggested in this thread earlier. Maybe will add similar to repair current/random bot. This way there will be no unwanted button in main UI, yet there will be way to click less.


Will be honest, i really didn't expected people actually play it that much, was just tech demo i wanted to playtest, gather ideas and so on. Great feeling
Some not sex-related activities will be added too, for sure, to add to "world" feeling.


With asset packs i don't think there will be reasonable way to check if you seen everything except for looking directly at files present. Plus adding extra buttons is something i try to avoid when possible.
Maybe will add some sort of achievements/unlocks screen to track things. Maybe will use it for some sort of NewGame+ mode, addressing "mc skills grows too slow" complains. So, i think it will be possible to track if you cleared quest lines, maxed skill/expertise/reputation levels, visited places, spent/earned money and so on. But i doubt there will be a way to track seen scenes.

I think you may be onto something with this game, part of it that it isn't too complicated. This could defiantly got bogged down in minutiae. Right now you have a simple satisfying game play loop, just be careful not to smother it with feature creep.

 

[Radnor]

I think you may be onto something with this game, part of it that it isn't too complicated. This could defiantly got bogged down in minutiae. Right now you have a simple satisfying game play loop, just be careful not to smother it with feature creep.

Yup, this is why i rarely reject UI/UX ideas, but story/gameplay ideas will need to fit game scope. While i want to expand game world, i want to keep things controllable.
There will be more or less simple main loop. And there will be optional side activities, making main loop easier/more interesting, but not breaking it. At least i hope so.

 

[1234fillername1234]

I really enjoyed this game. My only complaint is that it just needs MORE. That's it. Right now we have a good glimpse, but everything is still simple. Could use more girls, more animations, more things to do, etc.

Right now because the cap is basically 50k for selling bots there is no incentive to max the bots out, also I didn't notice any kind of special reward for maxing out traits. It would maybe be nice if you unlocked something for maxing out a bots stats. I'm sure there are plans for more higher end bots, and higher end vendors, etc.

I really enjoy the sex bot business management lol, I love how you can use one of the good processors to level up a bot then replace the bad cpu back into the bot when you sell them. Felt very real lol........

I enjoyed the quirks mechanic, again I just wish there was more to it. I also enjoy the mechanic of the bots being trained to do other tasks, though I would hope that gets flushed out a little more.

I think this is a pretty great little game, I would love to see more added to it. I think switching to good 3d models is a GREAT idea. I liked the pornstars currently in the game, but I think having more poses and more control over the models would be a great addition. You could have poses for them helping and stuff, where as you can't really do that with porn gifs. Also having different outfits and stuff would be nice.

Really good job. Was fun.

 

[Lillibilli]

well they are robots so their "minds" are just software after all. What if you could copy a bots training onto a server and then try to upload it directly to a fresh bot without needing to train it. To balance a 'mind' would have system requirements based on how good it is. an S ranked mind would need a bot with parts that bring it to an aggregate of S rank in order to accept the upload without crashing.

Not yet decided how to do it, but i don't want it to be easy way to clone trained bots. Will keep your idea in list, but no promises.

I'm fairly sure that there is a mention of this in the hacking menu when it explains the database, could be implemented as exp bonuses for training, or you could hack in traits that you unlocked.

 

[docclox]

well they are robots so their "minds" are just software after all.

My preference would be to leave this vague. On of the most interesting questions in Cyberpunk/AI fiction is whether or not the robots and AIs are aware - whether they have "souls" if you like.

The thing is, the question is interesting, but answering it either way is boring. By all means lets objectify the hell out these poor 'bots, cause that's sexy. But let's leave the question open as to whether or not there's a real person inside all the bits and bytes.

That's how I'd do it, anyway.

 

[Daedalron]

I would assume that the corporations who make those bots would put protections on the psychocore to prevent people just copying them. They want to make sales, afterall ^^
So it would most likely require a hard test on both electronics (for the hardware part), and computers (for the software part) in order to copy a psychocore with its skills and personality. With the drawback that if you fail your test too badly, the psychocore get wiped out and restart from factory settings.

Then the corporations making the bots could offer to sell specific skills / personalities, but for a huge price.

Also, as docclox said, part of the personality might be buyable / copyable, another part might only be nurtured, and cannot be copied in any way.

As an alternative to teaching the bots (which limits you with your own ability in that skill), I think later on you could also introduce tutors, who make a living teaching bots for those people who can't afford or don't want to pay the huge price asked by the corporations.

That way you have different solutions to improve the skills of your bots. You can pay a fortune to get the skills immediately from the manufacturer, you can pay a tutor a decent fee (and time spent teaching), they'll teach your bot above your level (the price would of course depend on the level of skill of the tutor). Or you could do it yourself, which only takes time but you're limited with your skill level.

 

[Forgotted]

Was watching Men In Black the other day and this pic reminded me of your game.
Thinking way down the road, could allow us to make a pretty version of the sorter for use in a glory hole room at a club or something.
Could eventually 'expand' into all sorts of custom bots maybe they wouldn't even need to have arms, for example...
Just musing.

Cheers and Keep up the Great Work,
We really appreciate it.

 

[Radnor]

I would assume that the corporations who make those bots would put protections on the psychocore to prevent people just copying them. They want to make sales, afterall ^^
So it would most likely require a hard test on both electronics (for the hardware part), and computers (for the software part) in order to copy a psychocore with its skills and personality. With the drawback that if you fail your test too badly, the psychocore get wiped out and restart from factory settings.

Then the corporations making the bots could offer to sell specific skills / personalities, but for a huge price.

Also, as docclox said, part of the personality might be buyable / copyable, another part might only be nurtured, and cannot be copied in any way.

As an alternative to teaching the bots (which limits you with your own ability in that skill), I think later on you could also introduce tutors, who make a living teaching bots for those people who can't afford or don't want to pay the huge price asked by the corporations.

That way you have different solutions to improve the skills of your bots. You can pay a fortune to get the skills immediately from the manufacturer, you can pay a tutor a decent fee (and time spent teaching), they'll teach your bot above your level (the price would of course depend on the level of skill of the tutor). Or you could do it yourself, which only takes time but you're limited with your skill level.

True. If you can easily copy for quick buck, then Corps would do it too and sell already trained bots. Basically PsychoCore is more or less unique crystal, so each bot will need more or less personal training/humanization. Surely there are shortcuts, like boosting speed of training, affinities, prepared basic knowledge databases, but i don't want to add too easy ways for this. I mean training is one of core features.

 

[urbanvoid]

Just explain it away with technobabble and DRM.

 

[cavebear]

hello all,

i just did an experiment and yes you can get skills to level S. what does that level allow the mc or bots to do with that skill level??

 

[Radnor]

hello all,

i just did an experiment and yes you can get skills to level S. what does that level allow the mc or bots to do with that skill level??

Basically it give you best boost to whatever it used with. As people suggested earlier there could be some specialization system, like skill/perks tree, at S there could be some very nice bonus. But this is not a priority right now.
Also prices rise exponentially, so if skill used in calculation level S will result in much higher number than level A or B.

 

[Tweaker69]

Radnor

I'm a bit addicted to this project of yours, so I'm playing again on Hard Mode. Man, that debt is outrageous... Ouch. Not sure there is really any point of picking a harder difficulty, other than experiencing it... Is there/will there be anything like bonuses or lack of for choosing easy, normal, hard modes? I haven't noticed anything, except that the dump seems WAY stingier (My imagination?).

Is there/will there be any reason to stabilize a bot's psychocore? Feels like getting them unstable and leaving them there is just fine. Do they seriously not even level up there inherent/gained quirks unless they are glitchy? I was thinking there might be something like a sweet-spot, but it just seems like its best to leave 'em at 0%... Does computer skill affect more than simply hacking/repairing cores?

I saw you mention orders a few times, but maybe you were talking about the botclub and flea market as buyers? It certainly would be nice to get bigger$$ and custom orders. Are there currently any other buyers besides those two spots?

Mechanic and Hacker reputation is torturously slow, but is there even a reason in the techdemo (v0.1.1) to work, at all? I mean the mood hits and profit loss (not using AP to find/fix/sell bots, instead) are harsh, and the rep and occasional nice item for sale only soften the blow so much (if they even happen). Also, using 5AP for work seems to give the same range of rewards as 3AP, but I only tested it a few dozen times. Currently, work needs some love...

Looking forward to your responses, and thanks again! One last question... ETA/status of update?

 

[Radnor]

Radnor

I'm a bit addicted to this project of yours, so I'm playing again on Hard Mode. Man, that debt is outrageous... Ouch. Not sure there is really any point of picking a harder difficulty, other than experiencing it... Is there/will there be anything like bonuses or lack of for choosing easy, normal, hard modes? I haven't noticed anything, except that the dump seems WAY stingier (My imagination?).

Is there/will there be any reason to stabilize a bot's psychocore? Feels like getting them unstable and leaving them there is just fine. Do they seriously not even level up there inherent/gained quirks unless they are glitchy? I was thinking there might be something like a sweet-spot, but it just seems like its best to leave 'em at 0%... Does computer skill affect more than simply hacking/repairing cores?

I saw you mention orders a few times, but maybe you were talking about the botclub and flea market as buyers? It certainly would be nice to get bigger$$ and custom orders. Are there currently any other buyers besides those two spots?

Mechanic and Hacker reputation is torturously slow, but is there even a reason in the techdemo (v0.1.1) to work, at all? I mean the mood hits and profit loss (not using AP to find/fix/sell bots, instead) are harsh, and the rep and occasional nice item for sale only soften the blow so much (if they even happen). Also, using 5AP for work seems to give the same range of rewards as 3AP, but I only tested it a few dozen times. Currently, work needs some love...

Looking forward to your responses, and thanks again! One last question... ETA/status of update?

Well, i added difficulty mostly to test different settings. Some people like a challenge. Some don't.
Yep, dump site is one place where difficulty currently used to calculate chances of finding something.
Oh, also i have added hardcore difficulty for even more enjoyment And to test/add other core variables/flags to internals.

As for bonuses, if/when i add achievements/unlocks system then maybe. Get bot's Sex to S at Hard, get permanent boost to Sex xp for this bot model in any playthrough. This kind of stuff. So hard will be hard, but longer you play less hard it will be.

Yes, if you want to change/mold bot's mind you lower stability, do your evil deeds, then stabilize it back. If you keep it unstable there will be chance of bad/weird events. Think bot going berserk or CPU get burned out due to excessive "thinking".

Computer skill will affect your interactions with bots, you know how their hardware/software works, so you can train them better. Also i will add NetConsole to Home, it will be used there too for multiple purposes.

When talking about orders i meant when you work you can get "client want their bot repaired". Basically specific task for you to complete. RoboSechs and Market are different, you have to initiate deal yourself.
More such tasks and traders will be added later with different requirements and rewards.

Reputations are not used right now, when i get to it, i will rebalance numbers.

In 0.1.2 work will give more xp and become somewhat good way to earn both money and xp. Also there is chance junkie will bring you top parts, like v7, for spare change.
If there is extra AP then rewards are increased, but i guess i should up it a little.

Code-wise 0.1.2 is more or less ready. Waiting for renders to replace current girls assets. No hard ETA, but if all goes well, this weekend, maybe next weak. Meanwhile will close more UI/UX todo entries

 

[Tweaker69]

Well, i added difficulty mostly to test different settings. Some people like a challenge. Some don't.
Yep, dump site is one place where difficulty currently used to calculate chances of finding something.
Oh, also i have added hardcore difficulty for even more enjoyment And to test/add other core variables/flags to internals.

As for bonuses, if/when i add achievements/unlocks system then maybe. Get bot's Sex to S at Hard, get permanent boost to Sex xp for this bot model in any playthrough. This kind of stuff. So hard will be hard, but longer you play less hard it will be.

Yes, if you want to change/mold bot's mind you lower stability, do your evil deeds, then stabilize it back. If you keep it unstable there will be chance of bad/weird events. Think bot going berserk or CPU get burned out due to excessive "thinking".

Computer skill will affect your interactions with bots, you know how their hardware/software works, so you can train them better. Also i will add NetConsole to Home, it will be used there too for multiple purposes.

When talking about orders i meant when you work you can get "client want their bot repaired". Basically specific task for you to complete. RoboSechs and Market are different, you have to initiate deal yourself.
More such tasks and traders will be added later with different requirements and rewards.

Reputations are not used right now, when i get to it, i will rebalance numbers.

In 0.1.2 work will give more xp and become somewhat good way to earn both money and xp. Also there is chance junkie will bring you top parts, like v7, for spare change.
If there is extra AP then rewards are increased, but i guess i should up it a little.

Code-wise 0.1.2 is more or less ready. Waiting for renders to replace current girls assets. No hard ETA, but if all goes well, this weekend, maybe next weak. Meanwhile will close more UI/UX todo entries

Woohoo! I was starting to think I'd have to spend time with my wife and kids this weekend!

I always played Jack of Nine-tails on the hardest setting and with Johnny ofc. I don't get to brag about that nearly as often as you'd think. Glad to see there will be some fun stuff to entice and reward those taking the roughest, windiest and likely grindiest road.

Do repair orders need an empty capsule to spawn? Or perhaps the job has a reputation requirement? Not sure how I've missed it after working at least 100 times. Regarding the Unstable events.... Are those in game? I've gotta see what happens! Hehe, thanks again for your time. Good luck!

 

[Radnor]

Woohoo! I was starting to think I'd have to spend time with my wife and kids this weekend!

I always played Jack of Nine-tails on the hardest setting and with Johnny ofc. I don't get to brag about that nearly as often as you'd think. Glad to see there will be some fun stuff to entice and reward those taking the roughest, windiest and likely grindiest road.

Do repair orders need an empty capsule to spawn? Or perhaps the job has a reputation requirement? Not sure how I've missed it after working at least 100 times. Regarding the Unstable events.... Are those in game? I've gotta see what happens! Hehe, thanks again for your time. Good luck!

Ah, yes, Johnny, useless horny little shit

Yes, orders and dump scavenge first checks if you can take new bot.
Unstable events not in game, will be probably next month, still need to add few core systems.

 

[Snapped]

Going to add that I really like the set up of the game, and the fact that the UI and other parts are so smooth makes the lack of content rather glaring. Most times everything is really really rough on the first release, so I think you're doing pretty great.

I haven't gone through the entire thread yet, but in general my big wants are more bots, more specialties, and more parts that impact gameplay. There just isn't much to do, and building a personal harem of highly upgraded sex bots isn't quite possible. But the game makes me want them, so that's working great.

The more minor thing I'd suggest is when your out on town, move the 'go home' button somewhere else that's not one of the other clickables. Since it takes 1 AP to leave the shop, it's pretty easy to accidentally spend AP walking in circles.

All and all, with the skimming I've read in thread and the game itself, I think you're doing really great. There's not really bloat or useless clicking like so many 'open world' games, you can only go to places that matter and while things can be streamlined, you're not wasting time. It's a great Alpha.

 

[Radnor]

Going to add that I really like the set up of the game, and the fact that the UI and other parts are so smooth makes the lack of content rather glaring. Most times everything is really really rough on the first release, so I think you're doing pretty great.

I haven't gone through the entire thread yet, but in general my big wants are more bots, more specialties, and more parts that impact gameplay. There just isn't much to do, and building a personal harem of highly upgraded sex bots isn't quite possible. But the game makes me want them, so that's working great.

The more minor thing I'd suggest is when your out on town, move the 'go home' button somewhere else that's not one of the other clickables. Since it takes 1 AP to leave the shop, it's pretty easy to accidentally spend AP walking in circles.

All and all, with the skimming I've read in thread and the game itself, I think you're doing really great. There's not really bloat or useless clicking like so many 'open world' games, you can only go to places that matter and while things can be streamlined, you're not wasting time. It's a great Alpha.

More everything, mhm. Eventually

Back/Go Home buttons are at bottom right corner for a reason. Want to visually separate things.
Also you can right click to get "back", or click middle mouse button/wheel to "go home". This way no/less missclicks.

Thanks Hopefully 0.1.2 will address most of UI/UX issues mentioned earlier.