Ren'Py Harem Hotel [v0.19.1] [Runey]

[jimmyjoo]

I didn't take your message as a complaint, I'm just stating it has been complained about.

In her previous event, the last line of dialogue is "I need to buy her something on my computer" since the event was all about Androids not being allowed in a restaurant.

OK, thanks. For me the event was quite some time ago, so I probably just forgot about it.

 

[theGlassAlice]

A question:
Are there any mechanics or other things you think could be improved about HH?

Better navigation may be? It's odd that the bar and the front door get shortcuts, while more frequently visited places don't. Shortcuts to girls rooms would be much appreciated.
Also may be give a 500$ headstart at day 1 would make early game much less waiting around for money.

 

[Runey]

Since people have complained about an early game emptiness, I plan to address this in v0.16. I also want to give players extra income for doing these events. These events will be only for MC, and will have him explore the new continent he is on (mostly by going to the nearest city).

Any suggestions for this content? Something that can explain the world (Like an interaction with a police droid, or seeing construction mechs, or maybe an elf being abused and an option to save her), and some ways to earn extra money?

 

[Runey]

Better navigation may be? It's odd that the bar and the front door get shortcuts, while more frequently visited places don't. Shortcuts to girls rooms would be much appreciated.

This would hurt the game in a large way, mechanically. The player needs to visit the lobby and each floor for some events that occur in those areas to start. Going from hub to hub is a core aspect of how this game plays. Being able to teleport to each room would subconsciously make you lost. You would think "What do I do? Why aren't some events happening? Where do I need to go to make them happen?" But with how it currently works, you naturally come across events by simply walking around.

Also may be give a 500$ headstart at day 1 would make early game much less waiting around for money.

Question, what do you need $500 for in the early game? Everything you need should be purchasable when those options become available and no sooner or later. For example, Kali's hard drive becomes buyable right when the player has the money to buy it. And you couldn't use any outfits, the second floor wouldn't have any use, and the bar doesn't become available until later, at which point you should have been able to accumulate all the money necessary to buy it passively by just playing the game. Please help me understand so I can make the game better.

Otherwise, I would rather have this money be gained through these "MC events" I plan to add in v0.16, where he learns about the world, interacts with it, and also gains money all in the very early parts of the game.

 

[Runey]

Let me preface by saying that HH is awesome, one of the best stories I've read in an H-game

But, I have one feedback.

I started playing HH when it was v0.14. Played through entire game, all side characters, all upgrades, etc. Then v0.15 came out. After switching versions, I noticed then that the "skip unseen text" doesn't work at all, for any scenes I try to play. I thought that this was because you revamped certain scenes, but the "skip already-seen text" doesn't work for anything. I'd be nice if this was fixed so I can skip scenes I've already looked at in a previous version

Note: I'm not sure if this is a HH problem or mac problem or a V0.15 problem.

You can only skip text that your save has already seen, I've done nothing to adjust this so this suggests you started a new save or something. Dunno.

 

[jimmyjoo]

Since people have complained about an early game emptiness, I plan to address this in v0.16. I also want to give players extra income for doing these events. These events will be only for MC, and will have him explore the new continent he is on (mostly by going to the nearest city).

Any suggestions for this content? Something that can explain the world (Like an interaction with a police droid, or seeing construction mechs, or maybe an elf being abused and an option to save her), and some ways to earn extra money?

How about hooking up with an ex while he's there? It could always invite the possibility of her visiting the hotel at some point.

 

[Runey]

How about hooking up with an ex while he's there? It could always invite the possibility of her visiting the hotel at some point.

Hm, that's not a bad idea, but it does take away some of the self-insert-iveness the PC is supposed to have.

 

[ankhtar]

Any suggestions for this content? Something that can explain the world (Like an interaction with a police droid, or seeing construction mechs, or maybe an elf being abused and an option to save her), and some ways to earn extra money?

In one of my recent shorts, the character arrives at a new city and spreads his arms, inhales that "new city" air and is promptly smacked in the face by a foreign bill that was being carried by a gust of wind.
I don't know if comedy is what you're going for with any of these events but I thought it could be a fun little way of getting those extra $10, if nothing else.

 

[Runey]

I also have another question for you all.

I'm trying to understand why some players feel the game is being too preachy, or includes too much exposition, or having too much lore. Have you ever felt this? Where does this happen?

Any written exposition is supposed to be purely optional, like Nala telling you and Kali about elvish history. None of it should be in your face if you don't want it to be there, I try to add that in only for people who are interested.

The only thing I can think when I see "too preachy" is that this person must enjoy slavery and oppression (not literally in the real world of course), or not want to be told its bad. I don't understand where this comes from, and I'd like to understand.

Unfortunately, when I try to open dialogue with people who rate this game low, I just end up losing brain cells and not getting anything out of it. I've tried to talk to every person who has written a low review to ask them for clarification or to explain some things, but it never turns out well on this website.

In one of my recent shorts, the character arrives at a new city and spreads his arms, inhales that "new city" air and is promptly smacked in the face by a foreign bill that was being carried by a gust of wind.
I don't know if comedy is what you're going for with any of these events but I thought it could be a fun little way of getting those extra $10, if nothing else.

Honestly, finding Syl'anar's currency on the ground or something is a good way to gain money and add visual exposition. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Uthuriel]

...

No. Worldbuilding and lore are essential for a game like this and it never felt preachy to me either.

I think people that complain about things like that just want a quick fap and have no interest in it to begin with.
Don't let a vocal minority dictate how you write your story.

 

[shadowtempered]

People already complain about a grind though. I'm not sure if adding more money sinks is a good idea.
Honestly, I'm not sure how to take that. Most people tell me that there is no grind, but then I'll get the odd review here saying "omg insane ridiculous nonsense grinding all the time, 1/5 stars" and I don't even know what to think except "Is it only a 'grind' because you can't have everything instantly? All the income is mostly passive."

But I do plan on adding more functionality to the webcams at some point.

I think you have plenty of visitors who fit the instant gratification category and until the game launches with a cheat or something to enable the gallery at start for them, you won't ever truly appease them and their reviews show that.

I don't know what kind of complaints you see, besides those you bring up, but folks not being able to figure out story elements / money issues are the primary posts I respond to and it's almost always the same thing. They didn't follow the story advice to invest in the bar / use photoshots and they didn't click on a door / visit a location to follow the in-game hint system. Maybe you could have a "tips" options with Ellen who tells you how to make money and her tips expand as you progress?

From personal experience having recently just cleared a new save: the game isn't difficult and I think the only "grinding" that I've had to do was leveling the girls stats(lol grinding, get it? eh... eh? ... ) and maybe 1 week of extra income to buy story related stuff(currently at 9k $$ with nothing to buy). I'd love fewer clicks to get around, but I understand your goal to drive folks to certain locations for events to trigger.

I also have another question for you all.

I'm trying to understand why some players feel the game is being too preachy, or includes too much exposition, or having too much lore. Have you ever felt this? Where does this happen?

Any written exposition is supposed to be purely optional, like Nala telling you and Kali about elvish history. None of it should be in your face if you don't want it to be there, I try to add that in only for people who are interested.

The only thing I can think when I see "too preachy" is that this person must enjoy slavery and oppression (not literally in the real world of course), or not want to be told its bad. I don't understand where this comes from, and I'd like to understand.

No. I agree with @Uthuriel
You won't reach those people. You can try and grow your player base by trying to appease them, but I think it'll ultimately be more work than it's worth and you potentially lose what you already have.

 

[elnahat]

A question:
Are there any mechanics or other things you think could be improved about HH?

An option for bigger text box and text size. The game has grown really big, so it offers a ton of things to read and I really like that option in games with good story like this.
I have seen renpy games that have in their save screens an option that turns on an off save naming, so you can name your saves only when you want to, and not be asked for a name every time you save.

 

[theGlassAlice]

This would hurt the game in a large way, mechanically. The player needs to visit the lobby and each floor for some events that occur in those areas to start. Going from hub to hub is a core aspect of how this game plays. Being able to teleport to each room would subconsciously make you lost. You would think "What do I do? Why aren't some events happening? Where do I need to go to make them happen?" But with how it currently works, you naturally come across events by simply walking around.

Okay, I understand.

Question, what do you need $500 for in the early game? Everything you need should be purchasable when those options become available and no sooner or later. For example, Kali's hard drive becomes buyable right when the player has the money to buy it. And you couldn't use any outfits, the second floor wouldn't have any use, and the bar doesn't become available until later, at which point you should have been able to accumulate all the money necessary to buy it passively by just playing the game. Please help me understand so I can make the game better.

There's not much to do early game, so if I decide to take Lin out on a date to the cafe, then I won't have enough money to buy Kali's hard drive, and have to wait for another day. Just a little bit of extra money would make everyone more comfortable in the beginning, rather than operating on tight budget, only getting just enough money.

 

[ankhtar]

Any written exposition is supposed to be purely optional, like Nala telling you and Kali about elvish history.

That was actually the one time so far I've felt the game laid it on a bit too thick, but I also said nothing about it because, as you mentioned, it's entirely optional. The option to refuse was clearly there, I was just curious about it but it ended up going on for longer than I anticipated, which is my fault, not the game's.

The only thing I can think when I see "too preachy" is that this person must enjoy slavery and oppression (not literally in the real world of course), or not want to be told its bad. I don't understand where this comes from, and I'd like to understand.

That likely stems from the kink. There are, although rare, entire games devoted to slavery, the darker side of corruption and such things. Which is fine, I mean, each of us has to rely on whatever gets the ol' engine up and running. The problem arises when people with this kink hear or read about this game containing slavery, only to be disappointed by the fact it is more about telling a story than it is about RPing their fantasy, which leads to them leaving poor reviews.

Honestly, and this may just be the misanthrope in me attempting to break out, I wouldn't read too much into it. As was mentioned above, the people complaining are (most likely) those who expected a quick vertical meat wrap and care very little (if anything) for any story, going so far as to let everyone know that porn games shouldn't have a story to begin with and that we're all terrible people for disagreeing. If they go into a game without reading reviews, or at least skimming the thread to see what the hype is all about, then that's on them, not you.
I think your vision of what you want your game to be and what they want out of a game are never going to be on the same page. Trying to force it is likely going to make the quality of the game suffer and, more importantly, likely deal a heavy blow to your sanity (or what's left of it by now). If you fall into the endless, dizzying pits of insanity, then who is going to continue proving us with the quality content you have? It certainly wouldn't be me, I'd probably take your IP and turn it into a humorless HBO sitcom that nobody likes. Please spare the faeries from that ghastly fate.

At the end of the day, they just wanted something from the game that it couldn't give them, is all.

 

[jimmyjoo]

Hm, that's not a bad idea, but it does take away some of the self-insert-iveness the PC is supposed to have.

Life happens to everyone, including the PC...

 

[WhitePolarFoxxx]

why some players feel the game is being too preachy, or includes too much exposition, or having too much lore. Have you ever felt this? Where does this happen?

No, I have not. But I suppose that this thing starts from the moment when half of the girls turn out to be half/quarter/octa-elves. Maria, Hana. Ashley!!! Who will be next, MC's grandpa? Note: I'm not complaining here. Lore details and exposition become necessary for explanation why girls end up in our harem hotel. Without this explanation all plot twists would be meaningless.

The only thing I can think when I see "too preachy" is that this person must enjoy slavery and oppression (not literally in the real world of course), or not want to be told its bad.

How many elves in the game, who are totally okay with their slavery? They just have nothing to say. In the same moment, liberty supportes have to talk a lot about their disagreement.
To be honest, I don't know what's going on in the slave routes. I'm average love enjoyer

not want to be told its bad

One austrian artist... Nevermind.

 

[wiseold6996]

I also have another question for you all.

I'm trying to understand why some players feel the game is being too preachy, or includes too much exposition, or having too much lore. Have you ever felt this? Where does this happen?

Any written exposition is supposed to be purely optional, like Nala telling you and Kali about elvish history. None of it should be in your face if you don't want it to be there, I try to add that in only for people who are interested.

The only thing I can think when I see "too preachy" is that this person must enjoy slavery and oppression (not literally in the real world of course), or not want to be told its bad. I don't understand where this comes from, and I'd like to understand.

Unfortunately, when I try to open dialogue with people who rate this game low, I just end up losing brain cells and not getting anything out of it. I've tried to talk to every person who has written a low review to ask them for clarification or to explain some things, but it never turns out well on this website.



Honestly, finding Syl'anar's currency on the ground or something is a good way to gain money and add visual exposition. Thanks for the suggestion.

Its depends on kink. People who like domination or slavery kink don't like to be lectured about it .

 

[Corvus Belli]

A question:
Are there any mechanics or other things you think could be improved about HH?

The Lust mechanic. I think the actual content is great, but the mechanc is counter-intuitive. As it currently stands, if I use every possible opportunity to have sex with Lin, then she eventually gets frustrated that she acts out in a bratty manner, or Ashley jumps your bones after tying you up because she's been pushed to the edge. Why? In order to trigger the Lust events, you need to have had sex with the girls three time per Lust Level, so between Lust Event 2 and Lust Event 3, the player would have had sex with the girls three times. Why are they still pent up?
Surely it should be the opposite; for every full day that goes by WITHOUT the player having some sexual content with the girls, their Lust Level should tick up.

When you've finished remaking earlier scenes you don't feel are up to your current standard of quality, I'd like to see some of the Dungeon content get a rework.

I like the new UI changes in the Stats screen, except for the font you chose for the girls name; a very minor thing.
I'd also like if the traits on the right side of the screen were in a standardised order; again, very minor, and really just because I like things in order.

Any suggestions for this content? Something that can explain the world (Like an interaction with a police droid, or seeing construction mechs, or maybe an elf being abused and an option to save her), and some ways to earn extra money?

Have him visit/walk past some places that you originally introduced in some of the girls events. Walk past the exterior of the restaurant you take the girls to on their dates, for example (and think to yourself it looks like a very expensive establishment, so that when Kali first takes you there, the player has an idea of how seriously she's taking it). Or stop for a coffee at Hazel's Coffee Shop (it would be nice to have a friendly first interaction with Hazel, which is then soured if you take girls to the cafe for Exhibitionism events).

I also have another question for you all.
I'm trying to understand why some players feel the game is being too preachy, or includes too much exposition, or having too much lore. Have you ever felt this? Where does this happen?

I've never felt that way, but I think I can answer the first part of the question, about it being "too preachy".
I think it's because you're writing a story which deals with various forms of oppression, and opposing that oppression, and there's a not-particularly-small portion of the population who HATE everything to do with that, because it reminds them of efforts to oppose real-world oppression. It's why so many people seem to hate Vanessa, despite the fact that she's objectively right in her anger towards, y'know... the concept of owning sapient individuals as if they were property.
When people complain about being "lectured about Elven history", some of those people mean that as not-particularly-subtle code for "I'm sick of being lectured about Black history/queer history/whatever else they don't want to be told about". Some of them, however, mean exactly what they said, and assumed they'd be penalised if they didn't agree to listen to it, and quickly grew bored/discontent.

 

[freedom.call]

Well, for starters, I would like a button to go straight to the kitchen, like we have for the bar, so maybe a better navigation setup. One of my few complaints about this game is trying to do something (especially when I load an old save), and having events trigger on me, not letting me go where I want to go.

I concur about a readily available kitchen button, pausing or temporarily skipping autostart events could be gudd too...

Though, this would had a problem with the side girls, but most could be done by going to them or having a button in the lobby/front door to trigger the ones who don't live there? IDK..

Wrecked the bar, now he wants to clutter what's left of the lobby.

 

[Skode]

A question:
Are there any mechanics or other things you think could be improved about HH?

Tips for newer players on how to level the stats of the girls. Some are very specific and have to be stumbled on - Want Lin footjobs? you must ask her to wear her apron in the kitchen and only then will you get the option. Want titty wanked by Autumn? sure, visit her on specifically Sunday Morning in the shower and so on.

Also feel it would be ideal to have a shortcut to the Elf House - its the one place that required as many clicks as it does to access. A shortcut would be ideal like say the Bar has vs having to go to lobby then selecting the front door and then selecting to go there. Speaking of the elves is there any tangible difference to bothering with the mechanics there? Like say giving them cheap food and denying them tv rights?