Future Game Question

[adwagcuck2013]

Hello everyone,

I just have a question for those that are into story or enjoy story heavy games. I'm about to start writing chapter 9 for my "potential" VN. Epilogue introduces you to the story and future characters of the game. Chapter 1-4 is all bout the main 4 characters; 1 for each. backstory, drama, cheating, etc. now I'm at a crossroad. it came to me when i took a break from writing and started playing "Artemis". Now, my story isn't close to what happens there. Artemis is beautifully written. i can only hope you guys enjoy the story as much as we enjoy Artemis.

For those that will ask what type of VN is going to be, it will be choice based. I'm writing out the story first, vanilla as if it were a kinetic novel, then the choices will be on a different page and the choices for that page, etc etc. until all routes are done and if i can manage to get it off the ground, the VN production will start.

For the choices. I have it in a way where some choices won't affect certain scenes until a certain choice happens. For example, MC #3 has a choice in Chapter 1 that will lead to something happening if certain choices aren't made between MC#3 and SC(side character)#2. in which it'll lead to a bigger event down the road. you can either continue the path they're are in for it'll end bad for SC#2.

From what i have plan for content i have either written/or in the process are; Straight, Gay(not yet written), Lesbian(not yet written), threesome(not yet written); 2M 1F, 1M 2F and 3F, Trans/Futa(not yet written), etc. For the story are; horror(suicide/killing), depression, drama, cheating, drinking, g(r)ape(i have yet to write this. I don't plan to have it shown/written into the story, it will be hinted at and the path you choose to help this person).

The setting will be in the last few month of High School. The story is written between March(Spring Break) to August(First week). It will continue onto first year of college. That story will be separate, only 1 MC(depends on what MC you choose at the end of that story), compared to 4.

Anyhow, I'm not close to getting the game off the ground. I figure the story needs to be finished first before having anything else done(Ex. movies). Now the question I want to ask is, would you prefer the VN be in characters POV like in Dual Family(ex. Dad & Son POV) which MC you choose, you will play their story or have all of their POV in one chapter(ex. Being a Dik; Sage POV when she confronts Chad about cheating).

I'm only asking since I have about 360k words written so far from Epilogue-Chapter 8, that doesn't include the choices/branches that will lead to the ending. I may end up having someone help cut the story short. I'm not sure yet. What will be easier to digest?

thank you in advance,

adwagcuck2013

 

[Spiderling77]

Okay, I am curious taking into consideration how important is the POV. How do you manage to write 360k words of the story without having the POV set in stone?

 

[TessaXYZ]

Hello everyone,

I just have a question for those that are into story or enjoy story heavy games. I'm about to start writing chapter 9 for my "potential" VN. Epilogue introduces you to the story and future characters of the game. Chapter 1-4 is all bout the main 4 characters; 1 for each. backstory, drama, cheating, etc. now I'm at a crossroad. it came to me when i took a break from writing and started playing "Artemis". Now, my story isn't close to what happens there. Artemis is beautifully written. i can only hope you guys enjoy the story as much as we enjoy Artemis.

For those that will ask what type of VN is going to be, it will be choice based. I'm writing out the story first, vanilla as if it were a kinetic novel, then the choices will be on a different page and the choices for that page, etc etc. until all routes are done and if i can manage to get it off the ground, the VN production will start.

For the choices. I have it in a way where some choices won't affect certain scenes until a certain choice happens. For example, MC #3 has a choice in Chapter 1 that will lead to something happening if certain choices aren't made between MC#3 and SC(side character)#2. in which it'll lead to a bigger event down the road. you can either continue the path they're are in for it'll end bad for SC#2.

From what i have plan for content i have either written/or in the process are; Straight, Gay(not yet written), Lesbian(not yet written), threesome(not yet written); 2M 1F, 1M 2F and 3F, Trans/Futa(not yet written), etc. For the story are; horror(suicide/killing), depression, drama, cheating, drinking, g(r)ape(i have yet to write this. I don't plan to have it shown/written into the story, it will be hinted at and the path you choose to help this person).

The setting will be in the last few month of High School. The story is written between March(Spring Break) to August(First week). It will continue onto first year of college. That story will be separate, only 1 MC(depends on what MC you choose at the end of that story), compared to 4.

Anyhow, I'm not close to getting the game off the ground. I figure the story needs to be finished first before having anything else done(Ex. movies). Now the question I want to ask is, would you prefer the VN be in characters POV like in Dual Family(ex. Dad & Son POV) which MC you choose, you will play their story or have all of their POV in one chapter(ex. Being a Dik; Sage POV when she confronts Chad about cheating).

I'm only asking since I have about 360k words written so far from Epilogue-Chapter 8, that doesn't include the choices/branches that will lead to the ending. I may end up having someone help cut the story short. I'm not sure yet. What will be easier to digest?

thank you in advance,

adwagcuck2013

Regarding POV: It's a stylistic choice that depends on the sort of narrative you're building. Whether to have it presented from the point of view of a single character or to have an ensemble cast will depends on things you didn't include in your post and on your own preferences. Be wary of anyone giving you a suggestion here, because they don't have all the info needed to properly suggest anything one way or the other. That said, it's concerning that you don't know your own story's structure when you've already written several novels worth of text.

Regarding the length of your story: It's longer than most, yes. If the story is compelling, so be it. Some thoughts, however:

• LOTR is about 480,000 words. Does your story have a comparable quantity and depth of plot beats and character arcs to justify that sort of word count?
• You're at 360,000 words and you haven't written most of the other content? How are you going to integrate so many optional character types into a single story without undermining what makes each of those sorts of characters unique or undermining the MC's own characterization? IMO, keep the story lean and focused. Don't spread it so thin that it loses believability and its own identity, or that it grows too complicated to actually produce.
• Why have someone else cut the story short? How would they do a better job than you at figuring out what to cut?

PS: I think you mean Prologue. Epilogues are at the end of a story.

 

[adwagcuck2013]

Okay, I am curious taking into consideration how important is the POV. How do you manage to write 360k words of the story without having the POV set in stone?

its written with multiple points of view. each character has its own story within. its very similar to everyday type of thing. you experience something throughout the day, while someone else is experience something. you may have had an great day with people you've met while on the other end, someone is having a hard time. people they meet, experiences, conversions etc. that's what i mean when i say multiple pov. i guess the best way to describe it is 3rd person POV.

 

[Spiderling77]

its written with multiple points of view. each character has its own story within. its very similar to everyday type of thing. you experience something throughout the day, while someone else is experience something. you may have had an great day with people you've met while on the other end, someone is having a hard time. people they meet, experiences, conversions etc. that's what i mean when i say multiple pov. i guess the best way to describe it is 3rd person POV.

Oh, third-person omniscient. Got it.

 

[adwagcuck2013]

Regarding POV: It's a stylistic choice that depends on the sort of narrative you're building. Whether to have it presented from the point of view of a single character or to have an ensemble cast will depends on things you didn't include in your post and on your own preferences. Be wary of anyone giving you a suggestion here, because they don't have all the info needed to properly suggest anything one way or the other. That said, it's concerning that you don't know your own story's structure when you've already written several novels worth of text.

Regarding the length of your story: It's longer than most, yes. If the story is compelling, so be it. Some thoughts, however:

• LOTR is about 480,000 words. Does your story have a comparable quantity and depth of plot beats and character arcs to justify that sort of word count?

that is the plan. currently, in the stage i am in. MC#2 is about about to find out how a certain event in the past is catching up. it takes about a day or 2 for MC#2 to digest it and how to feel. you see MC talking to their parents, friends, and ends up getting a therapist. full dialogue for all these events. you get see MC#2 emotions, their thinking, etc. just like a person IRL would when facing something big. you get see see/hear about their trauma again but in more detail(compared to their own chapter. i like to sprinkle it when necessary) The situation that leads up to it and the result of that decision. In the meantime that is happening, we get to see MC#1,3, and 4 during those 2 days and the events are unfolding by the news. this is 1 of 2 major decisions that will happen in chapter 9. its not written yet. i tend to think of how i want a chapter to go. What to include, how i want the events to unfold. i make a rough draft then another until i feel satisfied that is the route i want it and go and write it

* You're at 360,000 words and you haven't written most of the other content? How are you going to integrate so many optional character types into a single story without undermining what makes each of those sorts of characters unique or undermining the MC's own characterization?

i have plan to have only 8 characters that will be part of the story and a handful of one offs, to keep the story going. from what the books i read, what makes a character unique is the way they are written. i have a page of all the characters traits and what makes them good, bad, and the ugly. which is why im asking is it better to write is as a whole or divide the story each characters POV instead. so you feel connected to just one or want a full story.

• IMO, keep the story lean and focused. Don't spread it so thin that it loses believability and its own identity, or that it grows too complicated to actually produce.

i see what you mean, i have down 8 characters. 4 MC, 2 LI, and 2 that will change 2 MC's life(good or bad). I don't want to spoil the story. All 4 MC are connected in a way that seems organic without forcing too many things. I'm trying to make it natural as i can. if you don't mind, posting a chapter once i'm done and get more feedback. i structure every chapter. it may be a bit too technical but i want some honest feedback.

• Why have someone else cut the story short? How would they do a better job than you at figuring out what to cut?

In case it seems too much. based on your comment, i may be over-doing it. some people don't like filler content due to it not part of the main story itself but part of something just to add content. **as im reading this, most the content that be filler, it would be best to use the scene to show it, instead of having it written out. this is, if it ever gets to the VN stage.**


PS: I think you mean Prologue. Epilogues are at the end of a story.

yes sorry. that's what i meant.

edit: added a new sentece

 

[adwagcuck2013]

Oh, third-person omniscient. Got it.

yes sorry. i just off of work and my brain is everywhere.