VN Ren'Py Friends in Need [Ch. 9 v0.60c] [NeonGhosts]

[Dessolos]

I would think it depends on the Dev.

I wouldn't likely independently listen to a lot of the music some Devs put in their VNs, but a really good Dev matches music to the mood and energy of a scene. Think about how John Williams scored Star Wars or Howard Shore scored the LoTR movies - they created tension, hope, relief, etc. Your favorite hip-hop, EDM, Death Metal, Narco Corrido or Classic Rock mix (whatever your tastes) probably won't have the same impact as what a good Dev deliberately chose to pair with a scene. It's like wine and food - you can drink Boone's Farm or Mogen David with every meal if that's what you want to do, but it will be even better if you let someone that has experience putting those things together and knows how they compliment each other do it for you. Again - that's my experience.

This right here it's why I never mute music in these games even if it's just a loop most of the time. Never know when a scene won't use the loop music but something crafted for the scene by the dev.

Every game that I've played that had music, the music is some lofi/retro/or some shit type of homegrown rock/pop/whatever and is always shit. So, I mute it. Same with games that has environmental/atmospheric sounds or sex sounds. I don't want to hear any of that shit.

that's true as well it's rare for a game to not use some kind of music on a loop but custom tracks for the scenes not many do but ive seen some change tracks based on the scene. But I don't trust my taste in music when there is some in the game by default. I never listened to music growing up just for the sake of listening to music so my taste is shit and I know it. So I much rather trust a dev's taste even if it sucks compared to mine.

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

I would think it depends on the Dev.

I wouldn't likely independently listen to a lot of the music some Devs put in their VNs, but a really good Dev matches music to the mood and energy of a scene. Think about how John Williams scored Star Wars or Howard Shore scored the LoTR movies - they created tension, hope, relief, etc. Your favorite hip-hop, EDM, Death Metal, Narco Corrido or Classic Rock mix (whatever your tastes) probably won't have the same impact as what a good Dev deliberately chose to pair with a scene. It's like wine and food - you can drink Boone's Farm or Mogen David with every meal if that's what you want to do, but it will be even better if you let someone that has experience putting those things together and knows how they compliment each other do it for you. Again - that's my experience.

Every game that I've played that had music, the music is some lofi/retro/or some shit type of homegrown rock/pop/whatever and is always shit. So, I mute it. Same with games that has environmental/atmospheric sounds or sex sounds. I don't want to hear any of that shit.

 

[ThorinKing]

Every game that I've played that had music, the music is some lofi/retro/or some shit type of homegrown rock/pop/whatever and is always shit. So, I mute it. Same with games that has environmental/atmospheric sounds or sex sounds. I don't want to hear any of that shit.

I take it you must have a very narrow definition of what is, or can be, "good". Enjoy your Miller Lite - I'm thinking about a Belgian ale.

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

I take it you must have a very narrow definition of what is, or can be, "good". Enjoy your Miller Lite - I'm thinking about a Belgian ale.

Nice way of tryin to judge me. I'll bite. Belgian ale is trash anyway. Drink up and let the garbage swill flow through you. You deserve it.

 

[ThorinKing]

Nice way of tryin to judge me. I'll bite. Belgian ale is trash anyway. Drink up and let the garbage swill flow through you. You deserve it.

Good lord - don't tell me: you drink IPAs.

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

Good lord - don't tell me: you drink IPAs.

Hell fuckin no. Dos Equis mostly and sometimes a Blue Moon Belgian.

 

[ThorinKing]

Hell fuckin no. Dos Equis mostly and sometimes a Blue Moon Belgian.

Well, as "Belgian" as Miller can be.

Once helped float a keg of that stuff during a "no return lunch" right after it first hit the scene - almost 30 years ago now. Wasn't bad on a hot day, drinking on a patio overlooking the river. I like my beers darker (porters, bocks, stouts, dark/brown ales of all descriptions); Shiner Bock if I don't want to get weighed down - it's kind of refreshing. Have a buddy that drinks Dos Equis regularly - but not if he doesn't have limes.

So when you and Frank fly Artemis away, it will be to a Blue Moon?

 

[hoshimota]

Thorin has it to a T. I can't believe people are not grasping the concept that a good dev making a quality adult game uses music as one of the many tools to set the mood and tone for the scene. You know, just like they do in TV shows and movies...

And to add insult to injury who TF in their right mind doesn't like belgian beer....

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

Thorin has it to a T. I can't believe people are not grasping the concept that a good dev making a quality adult game uses music as one of the many tools to set the mood and tone for the scene. You know, just like they do in TV shows and movies...

And to add insult to injury who TF in their right mind doesn't like belgian beer....

Reaction:


Resply:
ThorinKing and I take the piss outta each other often. It's why my last post about it was sayin I drink Blue Moon Belgian.

 

[hoshimota]

Reaction:


Resply:
ThorinKing and I take the piss outta each other often. It's why my last post about it was sayin I drink Blue Moon Belgian.

Thank fucking God dude, I let the blue moon one slide but trust me inside I was like "yeah well that's like the fucking McDonald's of 'belgian' beers"

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

Thank fucking God dude, I let the blue moon one slide but trust me inside I was like "yeah well that's like the fucking McDonald's of 'belgian' beers"

Hey, I do love me some hot MickeyD's fries though.

 

[PHIL101-YYouPPHard]

Well, it worked...until other characters started interacting with her, and started calling her by her name and then her full name.

Back to the drawing board...but thank you.

Do a text replacement on top of it. Should be in the same place, but it's a plus icon instead of a little character + pencil. Probably let it 'replace parts of words' too. The character rename feature isn't always 100% reliable, so sometimes you need another line of defense hehe. This should 100% fix it, I can't see it not working after this; should've mentioned from the beginning. But sorry if this doesn't do it, I'm out of other options. Oh, and if a character has a nickname, be sure to replace those too when/if they pop up.

 

[NewTricks]

Thorin has it to a T. I can't believe people are not grasping the concept that a good dev making a quality adult game uses music as one of the many tools to set the mood and tone for the scene. You know, just like they do in TV shows and movies...

And to add insult to injury who TF in their right mind doesn't like belgian beer....

Quoting Monty Python once again...

 

[Xythurr]

While it isn't absolutely necessary (as when you're reading a good book), I think it does enhance, and I miss it when it isn't part of a VN - especially since I've gotten used to some Devs that do it so well (Drifty and Caribdis, for example).

But, for my taste, leave out the voice acting, with the possible exception of decent "moan" type sounds during sex scenes - subtle stuff, not that ahegao crap where the porn actress sounds like she's having an orgasm just because the guy is within three feet of her. I also like when a Dev will put in something like the "announcement" voice where it makes sense (e.g., Caribdis in Eternum when you're logging on), and things like indistinct background chatter, nature sounds (rain, waves, wind, birds), or even traffic noises where appropriate - things that help create the atmosphere of a scene, but which don't overpower.

My two cents; you're mileage may vary.

1000% agree with everything you just posted.

 

[NebulousShooter]

Yeah when a game has music/sound I usually just turn it down/mute it inorder to play my own videos in the background.

gay

 

[NeonGhosts]

RE: Music -- I'd love to have music in the game, and it's part of my longterm plan. But, does anyone want me to take that time out of the art and writing? Because I only have so many hours in a day.

Sooo, that leaves me with the option to:

• do a bad job of the music and take some time from the writing/art
• do a good job with the music and take a lot of time from the writing/art
• continue to ignore the music to focus on the writing/art

Note that if I did spend a dozen hours and a few thousand dollars making my ideal soundtrack, someone will just tell me they hate the music, don't listen to the music, or "Hey, why aren't there options to change the style of music?? I don't like jazz, I think this scene should have operatic rock!"

I'm not trying to be snippy, but I work an average of 60 hours a week at my day job, and haven't taken more than a week off from active development in two years. I put out content as frequently as I can, and I basically never miss updates on my subscription platforms. For that, here's a sample of the comments I can expect to get in return.

Spoiler

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Now, I'm not throwing a hissy fit. My supporters are lovely and my appreciation for them is bottomless.

But, every time I try to do something special/nice for people, it's rarely received with that energy from the more vocal segments of the internet.

I do a special little Halloween update, free for everyone?

"Why'd you even make this? Boring. Lame. Stupid."

I stay up all night on Christmas Eve, and sacrifice most of my Christmas Day, so I can release a free preview of Chapter 8?

"Ugh, short. Boring. Dev makes us wait months for this shit?? Dev doesn't know what he's doing. Too many paths, too much missed content."

I add much-requested features?

"I liked it the other way, change it back."

So: I plan to add music, eventually. Ditto quality animations. This isn't a short-term project for me. I anticipate working on it for a good while. But, I don't see myself having the time until Season One/Book One/Whatever the Fuck I Call It wraps up. At that point I'll start prepping the game for Steam distribution, and look at doing a lot of spit and polish work. But for now, the cost::benefit ratio is such that I see zero incentive to put more work on my plate.

To add a spoonful of sugar to this medicinal post, here's some older Wanton Weekends content, showing what this scene may have looked like if Britt's costume poll had swung towards another option.

 

[Xythurr]

RE: Music -- I'd love to have music in the game, and it's part of my longterm plan. But, does anyone want me to take that time out of the art and writing? Because I only have so many hours in a day.

Sooo, that leaves me with the option to:

• do a bad job of the music and take some time from the writing/art
• do a good job with the music and take a lot of time from the writing/art
• continue to ignore the music to focus on the writing/art

Note that if I did spend a dozen hours and a few thousand dollars making my ideal soundtrack, someone will just tell me they hate the music, don't listen to the music, or "Hey, why aren't there options to change the style of music?? I don't like jazz, I think this scene should have operatic rock!"

I'm not trying to be snippy, but I work an average of 60 hours a week at my day job, and haven't taken more than a week off from active development in two years. I put out content as frequently as I can, and I basically never miss updates on my subscription platforms. For that, here's a sample of the comments I can expect to get in return.

Spoiler

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

Now, I'm not throwing a hissy fit. My supporters are lovely and my appreciation for them is bottomless.

But, every time I try to do something special/nice for people, it's rarely received with that energy from the more vocal segments of the internet.

I do a special little Halloween update, free for everyone?

"Why'd you even make this? Boring. Lame. Stupid."

I stay up all night on Christmas Eve, and sacrifice most of my Christmas Day, so I can release a free preview of Chapter 8?

"Ugh, short. Boring. Dev makes us wait months for this shit?? Dev doesn't know what he's doing. Too many paths, too much missed content."

I add much-requested features?

"I liked it the other way, change it back."

So: I plan to add music, eventually. Ditto quality animations. This isn't a short-term project for me. I anticipate working on it for a good while. But, I don't see myself having the time until Season One/Book One/Whatever the Fuck I Call It wraps up. At that point I'll start prepping the game for Steam distribution, and look at doing a lot of spit and polish work. But for now, the cost::benefit ratio is such that I see zero incentive to put more work on my plate.

To add a spoonful of sugar to this medicinal post, here's some older Wanton Weekends content, showing what this scene may have looked like if Britt's costume poll had swung towards another option.

View attachment 3328397

View attachment 3328394

View attachment 3328395

Try not to let the ingrates get you down bud. Your game is fantastic from the story to the eroticism of the writing in the lewd parts.
I would rather have that quality dialogue than animations if I had to choose. Too many games with nothin but an animation loop and 3 sentences of uninspired dialogue during the spicy parts.
We have standard porn for that IMO.
Keep up the great work and thanks for the great AVN!

 

[Dessolos]

Not gonna lie after reading you do plan to do animations at some point I somewhat cant wait for you to get to the point where you feel it's a good time to add them as I personally prefer animations before music. I agree story and renders should come first especially cause you didn't start with them. As to me me story and renders are more important than music or animations.

 

[Auriel the autistic bot]

Hey bud, I know its hard to deal with this kinda of thing, I'm sure its just a tiny part of them that says stuff, but still hurts to see those sad comments about what you are hard working to deliver this awesome game that us love so much. Unfortunaly, this is something that you will always ending up seeing, so I just wish perseverance and lots of patience, this is one of the games that I am always glad and anxious to play, every update, and even though you see hurtful things here and there, I just want you to know, I love your game, love your work, you are a awesome dev and a good friend to the community. I wish you the best, and from the bottom of my heart, thanks NeonGhosts , you and your work are more than just a few petty comments

 

[NebulousShooter]

RE: Music -- I'd love to have music in the game, and it's part of my longterm plan. But, does anyone want me to take that time out of the art and writing? Because I only have so many hours in a day.

Sooo, that leaves me with the option to:

• do a bad job of the music and take some time from the writing/art
• do a good job with the music and take a lot of time from the writing/art
• continue to ignore the music to focus on the writing/art

Note that if I did spend a dozen hours and a few thousand dollars making my ideal soundtrack, someone will just tell me they hate the music, don't listen to the music, or "Hey, why aren't there options to change the style of music?? I don't like jazz, I think this scene should have operatic rock!"

I'm not trying to be snippy, but I work an average of 60 hours a week at my day job, and haven't taken more than a week off from active development in two years. I put out content as frequently as I can, and I basically never miss updates on my subscription platforms. For that, here's a sample of the comments I can expect to get in return.

Spoiler

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

Now, I'm not throwing a hissy fit. My supporters are lovely and my appreciation for them is bottomless.

But, every time I try to do something special/nice for people, it's rarely received with that energy from the more vocal segments of the internet.

I do a special little Halloween update, free for everyone?

"Why'd you even make this? Boring. Lame. Stupid."

I stay up all night on Christmas Eve, and sacrifice most of my Christmas Day, so I can release a free preview of Chapter 8?

"Ugh, short. Boring. Dev makes us wait months for this shit?? Dev doesn't know what he's doing. Too many paths, too much missed content."

I add much-requested features?

"I liked it the other way, change it back."

So: I plan to add music, eventually. Ditto quality animations. This isn't a short-term project for me. I anticipate working on it for a good while. But, I don't see myself having the time until Season One/Book One/Whatever the Fuck I Call It wraps up. At that point I'll start prepping the game for Steam distribution, and look at doing a lot of spit and polish work. But for now, the cost::benefit ratio is such that I see zero incentive to put more work on my plate.

To add a spoonful of sugar to this medicinal post, here's some older Wanton Weekends content, showing what this scene may have looked like if Britt's costume poll had swung towards another option.

View attachment 3328397

View attachment 3328394

View attachment 3328395

I think music and sfx is a very underrated part of art/cinematography, there is a reason we don't make silent movies anymore, but unless you want to fully embrace it is not worth it. Maybe after you finish the game.

That being said I can't tell you how many people I've seen comment about DPC and Drifty's soundtrack and how well they fit a scene. BUT those are the exceptions, for every LOF and DIK there a hundreds that just spin the wheel of 4.0 tracks with zero effort to fit the mood of what they are trying to convey with the scenes.

One more argument against it, the cost for premium soundtrack is in the 10k+ range for a longer VN, so don't know what return for investment you have without the Steam bucks.