VN Ren'Py Harem Hotel [v0.17.2] [Runey]

[Runey]

Runey don't mistake any of this with being a hater, I like Harem Hotel, but I would like to get some clarification on a couple of things you said.

It seems weird to me that you say the story is not about slavery but all the main characters except F&E have direct ties to the overall slavery story focus. Lin is obvious; as is Maria; Ashley is looking for a slave that impacted her life; Autumn is in line to be the new 'pope' of her religion that seems to be instrumental in the elf slavery; Kali's story line focuses on her father who is making slave 2.0 from the elf slaves; lastly Android is a robot that are effectively a slave that is making a new race of robots (I wager that's going to intersect with Kali's storyline). This is not including 5/9 side characters and other reoccurring characters that are also involved in the slavery focus.

Right now it seems like the better way to encapsulate the overarching story would be "Changing the world by getting rid of slavery". But that's still a story about slavery.
I guess in the next few updates we could discover that there was an error and Maria is not a half-elf, Ashley imagined Mrs Rin, Autumn's story line never goes into the slavery aspect (which would be kinda plot-holy), Kali's dad's elf 2.0 project fails and we don't get the whole "are robots slaves" direction for Android, but that would be a really weird overall direction.

You're focusing on one theme too much, the slavery theme. That's why you notice it everywhere. The same could be said about greed. Why does slavery exist? Greed. Why does poverty exist? Greed. Capitalism? Greed. It's reductionary, like what I just did. It could easily be said that every story is about Freedom too. Freedom from slavery, power, greed, etc. Ms. Ren isn't just missing because she's a slave, she's missing because powerful, greedy people wanted to abuse her.

The point is, every theme bounces off each other, and always has. I think what you really might be saying is "I don't like the slavery and wish there was less of it". You notice things you hate more, after all.

Also I wonder if one of the reasons you get bad feedback is that the 'meta' for visual novels is a small period of build up/forming relationships then once that happens they are 50/50 story to sex scenes (if not more tilted to sex scenes). You were doing this but now you are doing 80%-90% story with the remainder being sex scenes. This makes it seem like you're trying to make some kind of statement rather than make porn.
Just a shower thought though, dunno how accurate it is.

It was certainly my intention to front load the sexual content, because I hate it when games with porn in them string you along forever. That content is also repeatable, so you can always come back to it. That content keeps being refreshed with outfits, or freestyle. I wouldn't say it's 80%-90% story, It's more like 60%-70% story, which is actually what most people polled prefer. 1 sex event for every 3 - 4 story events. (With a priority on story, meaning I don't just include sex to fill a quota, I do it when it feels right)

And no, I'm not "trying to make porn". As I've tried to make very clear, I'm trying to write a story. This is an Adult Visual Novel.

 

[Deneuve]

Runey don't mistake any of this with being a hater, I like Harem Hotel, but I would like to get some clarification on a couple of things you said.



It seems weird to me that you say the story is not about slavery but all the main characters except F&E have direct ties to the overall slavery story focus. Lin is obvious; as is Maria; Ashley is looking for a slave that impacted her life; Autumn is in line to be the new 'pope' of her religion that seems to be instrumental in the elf slavery; Kali's story line focuses on her father who is making slave 2.0 from the elf slaves; lastly Android is a robot that are effectively a slave that is making a new race of robots (I wager that's going to intersect with Kali's storyline). This is not including 5/9 side characters and other reoccurring characters that are also involved in the slavery focus.

Right now it seems like the better way to encapsulate the overarching story would be "Changing the world by getting rid of slavery". But that's still a story about slavery.
I guess in the next few updates we could discover that there was an error and Maria is not a half-elf, Ashley imagined Mrs Rin, Autumn's story line never goes into the slavery aspect (which would be kinda plot-holy), Kali's dad's elf 2.0 project fails and we don't get the whole "are robots slaves" direction for Android, but that would be a really weird overall direction.

To be fair though, their world, or rather the continent(?) country(?) they live in is primarily into legalized slavery, it's not a surprise that most of the characters will brush with the concept since it's a key part of their culture.

But I think Lin is the key story of slavery here. While Ashley is looking for her slave "mom", her core story is about her struggles as a poor kid and her depression, like Kali's is about her being born a rich girl and the responsibility that comes with that, and the Twin Clones being about, like Runey, said, Greed.
Most of F&E's scenes aren't slavery, they're about them always fighting over you. And Shir-01 (android, sorry it's just I named her and it's easy to forget it's a custom named character), is about her existence, while the questions of elf slavery and human acceptance comes into play, it's still mainly about her being a new species and how she'll be treated while using humans' treatment of elves as comparison for what her fate might be.

 

[Runey]

To be fair though, their world, or rather the continent(?) country(?) they live in is primarily into legalized slavery, it's not a surprise that most of the characters will brush with the concept since it's a key part of their culture.

But I think Lin is the key story of slavery here. While Ashley is looking for her slave "mom", her core story is about her struggles as a poor kid and her depression, like Kali's is about her being born a rich girl, and the Twin Clones being about, like Runey, said, Greed.
Most of F&E's scenes aren't slavery, they're about them always fighting over you. And Shir-01 (android, sorry it's just I named her and it's hard to forget it's a custom named character), is about her existence, while the questions of elf slavery and human acceptance comes into play, it's still mainly about her being a new species than about the slavery.

To add on to this, these themes are just flavors on the core, which is the characters. So yeah, common themes won't even always be present. Not every Lin event will include something about slavery.

 

[Rutonat]

The bad feedback will mostly come from people that mainly want something to jerk off to. To be honest, yes, on this basis there are other games that will scratch that itch better or faster.
But what this game has over all of those is nothing to underestimate, at all. Runey you do more than just arouse with your game. You make us care about the characters, about them feeling better, figuring themselves out. Not every storyteller out there, especially with an adult game, can pretend to be able to do that.
Hell, I'm a huge fan of Superhuman, yet if I'm to be perfectly honest, while I love those characters and care about what happens with them in the amazing story the game tells, I'd say on a "personal" level, I care more about the characters you crafted in HH. You manage a level of psychological depth very few devs can achieve, even in non-porn games.

You're like a lot of other cases in the game industry. You won't get awards out the ass, but you'll have a die-hard core of very dedicated and loyal fans. Sure we're not gonna be able to fund you enough to buy your own space station to live in. But you'll also never see us turn away saying the game became shit, at the rate you're going.

Honestly.
Thank you for this game.

 

[Shadesishere]

*Snip*

Holy...

Wow, just wow Runey, when I suggested some ideas for things the MC to do, I honestly didn't expect anything like this! Bravo!

As for the rest : Ignore the haters, I personally think you've been doing a phenomenal job with your writing, although I can't help but think you missed something when you listed the characters and their themes... MC = Acceptance and Love (plus Sex), the MC accepts the girls as they are, good and bad, and I think the majority of players play as a "Nice Guy" for the most part.

Really looking forward to the next update.

 

[Cocoftw]

Hello everyone, can i upgrade from 12.4 to 15.1 without losing my saves?

 

[TheDevian]

Hello everyone, can i upgrade from 12.4 to 15.1 without losing my saves?

Yes, but you will need to download the full version, not the update patch.

 

[Cocoftw]

Yes, but you will need to download the full version, not the update patch.

Thank you!

 

[Lord Ashram]

..
The thing is that 70,78% of the users of this website are dumb as fuck... write shit like "uPDaTe wHeN" or ask for saves to access the gallery and missing the point of the game entirely.
..

You forgot to mention the extreme levels of emotional immaturity and not just the 12 year olds on here either.

 

[Debonkers]

Hello everyone. I may be posting here a bit more often in the future now that development has been going on \o/

A rant, feel free to ignore:
It is disheartening to see that as time goes on and Harem Hotel gains a clearer identity, that identity seems to be more and more misconstrued, specifically only by some people on this website. I'm not sure if the demographics of this website changed in the last year, or what, but it's one of the reasons I've been avoiding this place more recently. The clearer I try to become, both in game and with my words, the worse it seems to get here.

I want to be clear, Harem Hotel's overarching story is not about slavery. However Lin's story is, and every elf you encounter will have a story about slavery, but that should be obvious. They've all been enslaved.

Story is my sole focus. In simple terms, the story is about changing the world. More broadly, it's about fighting a very powerful injustice with your own justice in a near-future contemporary world that is a twisted mirror to our reality. (These are similar themes to The Boys, which is one of my favorite series right now)

Each character has their own story, each story has it's overarching themes as well. (Lin = Slavery/Hope) (Kali = Capitalism) (Ashley = Poverty) (Maria = Feminism) (Android = Humanity) (F&E = Greed) (Autumn = Freedom) (Next Character = Connection)
A lot of these descriptors are very reductionary. Many may be confused by what I mean by Maria = Feminism for example. By that I mean, she's our most independent woman trying to take her body back from higher powers, whatever they may be at the time. Other words could be used to describe these, and they obviously aren't the only themes. Many of these themes mix, like with Maria and Lin, or F&E and Ashley.

It's not my goal to write a depressive, dark story. It's quite the opposite in fact. Harem Hotel was always planned to have a happy ending. Every character's personal story is planned to have a happy ending, and even every character's arc within those stories are will have at least neutral endings. It's common writing sense to start each chapter off with a challenge that needs to be overcome by the end of it, and that's what I plan on continuing. I love writing all types of stories, and attempting to make the reader feel different emotions. I don't want to reduce myself, or be reduced to sadness. I hope that isn't the only emotion I'm making people feel. Though, apparently it is from the feedback I get here.

But I know most people who hold these opinions will never see this post, so I apologize for the rant. I miss coming to F95 to discuss lore or answer game questions or read suggestions / hopes for the future. All I've been noticing lately is this huge disconnect between me and a lot of people here.

If anyone would like some clarification, or would like to share their hopes for the future, I would love to discuss

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In other news, I finished a massive event for Android last week should be wholesome!
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I have also been working hard on Caliber's environments for the new early game MC-only explore events. Many things, like the ads are still under construction.

MC arrives in Caliber after first starting the game (optional at front door), not knowing anywhere to go, he Explores. At which point a small event will come up and you'll unlock some areas.
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After the Explore/Continue option, you will arrive at the "2nd Street", where you get more and different options. Each location is meant to have many short 2 - 5 minute events that will appear. You will likely have the ability to view 3 of these events in a row before going back to the hotel, 1 for each street.
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These images should also help the player get immersed in the culture of Syl'anar. Elvish slavery, androids, police with very expensive cars next to homeless people, etc etc
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Game so far has been great, looking forward to more

 

[Mindblowew656]

Does it work in android?

 

[KonfinedKnat]

Does it work in android?

Yes. There are instructions for how to use it in the OP.

 

[vbnmhjkl]

Thanks for talking to us Runey
I think you're going to have to choose (or lampshade) what these women actually want.
So far, on an individual level, they have gotten satisfaction from being owned, physically dominated, impregnated, sexually exhibited, told who and what they are, mentally dominated, told they are now in a harem, and tricked into corruption. (I went down the list of girls in order)
This is either what they actually wanted at that moment, or they have been mistreated by the MC, or they've just accepted being inferior to their sexual partner because that was their best choice at the moment.

So far they seem to want or accept the things that you're talking about: slavery, greed, being submissive.
So there's this contrast. Are these "problems," if your own characters desire them in small doses?
This game is a wish fulfillment fantasy, so exactly what wish are we fulfilling?
Do we want Maria to take back her full confidence and independence? Or would that be a disappointment? And for who?

I'm trying not to give my opinion on this subject, because this is your story. I'm just saying, it could be schitzophrenic or just plain dishonest if a character chooses to liberate slaves in public, and then goes home to bow down to her owner, with a big sultry smile on her face, later that same day.

 

[EscapesMe]

I'm trying not to give my opinion on this subject, because this is your story. I'm just saying, it could be schitzophrenic or just plain dishonest if a character chooses to liberate slaves in public, and then goes home to bow down to her owner, with a big sultry smile on her face, later that same day.

There's a big difference between sexual desires, and an actual deprivation of freedom. Someone can enjoy being subservient, without actually wanting to be a slave.
For many people, being able to give into those taboo desires is in itself very freeing so I don't feel that Runey's story is schizophrenic.

 

[vbnmhjkl]

There's a big difference between sexual desires, and an actual deprivation of freedom. Someone can enjoy being subservient, without actually wanting to be a slave.
For many people, being able to give into those taboo desires is in itself very freeing so I don't feel that Runey's story is schizophrenic.

No, I don't think so either. It's a question of how many questions will be left unanswered. Does it make perfect sense for anyone to condemn what they believe slavery is (or feminine subjection) when they have chosen it in their own life?
Isn't this a 'its fine for me to own a harem of subs and slaves, but everyone else has to accept that all women are free and powerful and independent and equal to their husband in every way!'?
I'm not asking if that is selfish, mean spirited hypocrisy, since life is always a struggle between classes and groups. I'm asking if the girls and MC are just kind of casually ok with imposing morality on others that they don't bother with in their own life. (If the real world is anything to go by, the answer is a strong yes, they will definitely impose a choice on others as long as it doesn't negatively affect them.)

 

[EscapesMe]

No, I don't think so either. It's a question of how many questions will be left unanswered. Does it make perfect sense for anyone to condemn what they believe slavery is (or feminine subjection) when they have chosen it in their own life?

Yes. Because no one in the hotel chose slavery. Lin isn't a slave for the MC, despite her official title or what her romantic and sexual relationship with the MC is.

Isn't this a 'its fine for me to own a harem of subs and slaves, but everyone else has to accept that all women are free and powerful and independent and equal to their husband in every way!'?

The women of Harem Hotel get treated with respect by the MC, and are free to pursue their own goals. The MC actively encourages it, and helps them figure out what and who they are as a person.
People that engage in fetish play have a lot of trust in each other and mutual respect.

I'm not asking if that is selfish, mean spirited hypocrisy, since life is always a struggle between classes and groups. I'm asking if the girls and MC are just kind of casually ok with imposing morality on others that they don't bother with in their own life. (If the real world is anything to go by, the answer is a strong yes, they will definitely impose a choice on others as long as it doesn't negatively affect them.)

We all impose our own morality onto others, hypocritical or otherwise. But I don't think there's a dissonance here, since I can't see how or why someone fulfilling a fantasy of being a breeding bitch can't also be against others being used against their will.

The girls wants the things the MC does to them. Slaves don't want to be slaves. It's two very different mindsets that in no way oppose each other.

 

[vbnmhjkl]

"Slaves don't want to be slaves"
This is the part that I partially disagree with.
Slaves that don't want to be slaves need to set themselves free, so that all the power rests in their own hands.

 

[Uthuriel]

"Slaves don't want to be slaves"
This is the part that I partially disagree with.
Slaves that don't want to be slaves need to set themselves free, so that all the power rests in their own hands.

It's not that easy. Like not even close.

 

[Perniciousducks]

"Slaves don't want to be slaves"
This is the part that I partially disagree with.
Slaves that don't want to be slaves need to set themselves free, so that all the power rests in their own hands.

They’ve tried multiple times collectively to do this not to mention innumerable times individually. It has mostly gone very badly

 

[TheDevian]

They’ve tried multiple times collectively to do this not to mention innumerable times individually. It has mostly gone very badly

In fact, that is part of what they are working toward. Spoiler: That's kind of the plot of Lin's story.