HTML Inner Empire [v1.7] [Defiant Explorer]

[Defiant Explorer]

So comparing a narrative driven rpg to another narrative driven rpg is "incredible absurd"? and pretending i was asking for equivalence between a triple A game and a text based twine game isnt a strawman at all? lmfao.

Ahem. I was tempted to observe a potential debate, but maybe you shouldn't, huh? You obviously don't understand the varieties of the RPG genre.

There are narrative RPGs (Storytelling RPGs, Story-based etc.). There are open-world RPGs. There's action RPGs. There are tactical RPGs. And a lot more. When I asked for an example of where it's better than mine, you cited a big studio that specializes in very different RPGs. With the same success, you might as well scold my game for a bad combat system, citing the example of, I dunno, Diablo? So yes, that's funny a bit, sorry.

And I'm so not listening to critique that while I was making another scene today, I didn't forget to make these edits:

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See? You did a good thing and helped a little. And about the rest... problems of expectations, I guess.

 

[legolasistaken]

Yeah, I understand what you mean - you wrote about it, like, straight up. But you won't let me escape the wall of text without explanations, huh? Fiiiine...

• I have no money for an artist. Right now the game is barely collecting for its own development.
• One drawing, as you suggested, is surely not enough for most of my scenes. Given their variations, there's a need for at least 3-4. For each scene.
• Porn/hentai gifs from the internet I'm not even considering. It's a stylistic nightmare.
• I'm not sure it's a good idea at all. Text and images are perceived differently. Text engages the imagination to the fullest. Images, on the other hand, relax it. Yes, some formats combine these two approaches (like VN), but my game requires your imagination to work to its fullest. Non-critical moments are accompanied by art as it is. Portraits relieve me of the need to give descriptions of appearances every time. Just like maps serve the same function, especially in locations where the story allows freedom of movement. But the sex scenes... that's different. Specifically, in my game, the effect of accompanying them with art can be exactly the opposite of what I want. Instead of immersion through reading some people will start lazily clicking looking for art for quick wanky-wanky.
• So the art for the sex scenes will move me from the niche of text games to 2D/3D. And I'm quite warm and cozy in the niche of text games. Here I control the key element, the text, rather than relying on an outside artist.
• I don't think any "transition" is necessary. People who are used to reading comics can read books. Yes, it will take them a little time to adapt, but that's all. I don't think authors of books should turn them into comics, even if the audience for comics is larger. It's not just about the money here.
• Some text game authors are complex out mentally in the vein of "oh no, I don't have images! Need to do something!" And me? Nope. I've seen some devs do with their text games all sorts of perversions, remake the introduction for 2-3 years for purely design "improvements" that in no way improve the gameplay or tried to cram their games into 2D or whatever, completely forgetting that their main element - the text, is really something worth working on. I don't have the slightest desire to set foot on that path. Instead, I'll keep pushing the story forward, step by step.
• So you're either with me, enjoying the game, or farewell. There are more than enough games with graphics for every taste, but not mine. I'm doing something... different.

I could go on, but enough is enough. I hope I have answered your question. As well as any potential questions from other players about these topics.

Hello.

Well.. as the owner of original question i'm gonna say that i am satisfied with your answer and i thank you for your sincerity.

I understand that you won't even consider any particular visions. That's fine of course its your game you own it. So i try it out some more chapters then look what's going to become. Keep up the good work

 

[DewyCave]

I was really enjoying it until the scene with Cadonis . What was the point of all those choices clearly indicating MC doesn't like them if she's just gonna do a complete 180 in a single creepy interaction?

I'm ok with situations that are out of control of the MC, but usually we can at least try to fight it. In that scene we're railroaded into the MC wanting and choosing something without player input, and that makes no sense, specially if she stated she wasn't interested in them. What's even worse is that seemingly the only way to avoid it is blocked by a 4 willpower check, the highest stat MC has is 3. Some stuff will obviously be blocked by stats, but this is still the beginning of the game, MC hasn't done anything that would make her need to act that way yet. Either you build willpower from the start or you will boink Cadonis Even going back to change the scene in the flower field, so MC's feet wouldn't be dirty doesn't do anything, just railroads again, without flavor text.

The choices in the scene itself, apart from the high skill check, are there just for roleplay; the result is the same. Dominatrix ending doesn't change the fact MC chooses to sleep with Cadonis regardless of any past choices or player input

Non-con is fine with me, I wouldn't have downloaded this game if it wasn't, but that scene isn't non-con. The game takes player agency away and "forces a consensual engagement", as paradoxical as it sounds. It plays out like a mind control scene, but the NPC isn't portrayed as an antagonist.

Sorry if I seem salty or pissed, to be honest I think this game has lots of potential. English isn't my first language either and I think the writing is fine, the characters are interesting and the story is compelling. I wouldn't have bothered to write all this if I didn't care about or wasn't interested in the game. It's just that this single scenario kinda ruined it for me and I don't feel like starting over focusing on willpower just to escape a situation that should just be a choice.

 

[Samuel Hidayat]

I'm ok with situations that are out of control of the MC, but usually we can at least try to fight it. In that scene we're railroaded into the MC wanting and choosing something without player input, and that makes no sense, specially if she stated she wasn't interested in them. What's even worse is that seemingly the only way to avoid it is blocked by a 4 willpower check, the highest stat MC has is 3. Some stuff will obviously be blocked by stats, but this is still the beginning of the game, MC hasn't done anything that would make her need to act that way yet. Either you build willpower from the start or you will boink Cadonis Even going back to change the scene in the flower field, so MC's feet wouldn't be dirty doesn't do anything, just railroads again, without flavor text.

The choices in the scene itself, apart from the high skill check, are there just for roleplay; the result is the same. Dominatrix ending doesn't change the fact MC chooses to sleep with Cadonis regardless of any past choices or player input

If you refuse/reject Cadonis from the very beginning, 1 point of Willpower is enough to not let MC getting fucked by him. The willpower requirement increases because you give him a chance to seduce MC at some point.

This has been discussed ad nauseum already, you might want to roll a couple of pages back.

 

[GravGrav]

If you refuse/reject Cadonis from the very beginning, 1 point of Willpower is enough to not let MC getting fucked by him. The willpower requirement increases because you give him a chance to seduce MC at some point.

This has been discussed ad nauseum already, you might want to roll a couple of pages back.

Which is funny, since DewyCave claimed that the MC did a 180 from hating Cadonis, but clearly they must have been picking the choices of being okay with him to get that willpower outcome. The sir doth protest too much, methinks.

 

[Defiant Explorer]

DewyCave , as Samovych Hydzinski correctly pointed out, this has already been discussed. A couple of past pages.

Briefly, in this situation, the Willpower check changes dynamically. The less PCs use lines with Willpower checks, the more the hidden seduction parameter rises, and the higher the final Willpower check for avoiding this scene (from 1 to 5).

As this situation progresses, the text descriptions change as well. Also, the protagonist begins to be haunted by wet (erotic) dreams. At 0 seduction (hidden parameter) this will all be gone, and the final check will be very easy (1).

[Edited] No, no, no. There was a bad idea here. Removed.

 

[DewyCave]

If you refuse/reject Cadonis from the very beginning, 1 point of Willpower is enough to not let MC getting fucked by him. The willpower requirement increases because you give him a chance to seduce MC at some point.

This has been discussed ad nauseum already, you might want to roll a couple of pages back.

Which is funny, since DewyCave claimed that the MC did a 180 from hating Cadonis, but clearly they must have been picking the choices of being okay with him to get that willpower outcome. The sir doth protest too much, methinks.

I rejected him everytime with the exception of the kiss while trying on the costume, but from the dialogue options I thought it was clear MC was uncomfortable and Cadonis was overstepping. In my mind she was trying to prove she could perform or, of course, I could have simply misinterpreted things.

DewyCave , as Samovych Hydzinski correctly pointed out, this has already been discussed. A couple of past pages.

Briefly, in this situation, the Willpower check changes dynamically. The less PCs use lines with Willpower checks, the more the hidden seduction parameter rises, and the higher the final Willpower check for avoiding this scene (from 1 to 5).

As this situation progresses, the text descriptions change as well. Also, the protagonist begins to be haunted by wet (erotic) dreams. At 0 seduction (hidden parameter) this will all be gone, and the final check will be very easy (1).

I understand, it just felt a bit jarring to not be able to get out of that situation when that wasn't the direction I was going at all. I don't know which choices impact this parameter, but I never felt like the MC was warming up to them. Obviously, I'm not gonna tell you how you should make your game, just sharing my experience, that other people have gone through as well, that this scene came out of the blue for me.

Again, if I seem like I'm being rude or "protesting too much", I'm sorry, not my intention at all. The game is good, I have no complaints other than this.

 

[Defiant Explorer]

DewyCave

Well, it's a situation of seduction of Cadonis vs. the protagonist's Willpower. Challenge. Specifically there, when Cadonis acts, any of your responses increase the hidden seduction parameter. Some more, some less. And only Willpower checks reduce it. Only they.

In general, I don't want to change anything in this scene, precisely so that the players clearly realize - they have no control over the protagonist's physical desire, her fears, her level of pain, etc. To overcome this is exactly what Willpower is for, that's the specialization of this Ability.

If you want to have a chance to confront such situations, I recommend putting Willpower at least 1. However, it can sometimes cost a bunch of Insight with high checks, but if you really want to avoid it... And if you want to play a "cinematic" character who acts absurdly brave in dangerous situations or is in complete control of her desires, it's a Willpower-based build. For such a build this whole situation is just a great opportunity to get a pile of exp, and send Cadonis to fuck off at the end.

 

[Kagarus]

BTW, I just re-checked, I don't think the "Abilities need to be at least 1 to be boosted" rule is mentioned during character creation, which seems like an oversight since other rules like "active checks can be boosted, passive ones can't" are stated?

If willpower/seduction were to be explicitly mentioned as an example ("For example, if you want to be able to resist seduction attempts, you should start with at least 1 level of willpower to be able to boost it if necessary" or something), it could help to make clear that willpower is important if you don't want your character to be seduced.
(Personally, I think it's fine, but since evidently there seem to be quite a few people being surprised by it, and since the surprise doesn't seem like design intention...)


Anyway, great release, looking forward to the next one.

 

[Defiant Explorer]

BTW, I just re-checked, I don't think the "Abilities need to be at least 1 to be boosted" rule is mentioned during character creation, which seems like an oversight since other rules like "active checks can be boosted, passive ones can't" are stated?

If willpower/seduction were to be explicitly mentioned as an example ("For example, if you want to be able to resist seduction attempts, you should start with at least 1 level of willpower to be able to boost it if necessary" or something), it could help to make clear that willpower is important if you don't want your character to be seduced.
(Personally, I think it's fine, but since evidently there seem to be quite a few people being surprised by it, and since the surprise doesn't seem like design intention...)


Anyway, great release, looking forward to the next one.

Mentioned. Click on Insight and "know more".

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There is even a hint in the settings.

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I actually don't force the player to read it all (even though there are only 2 pages of rules...). Out of sake for the potential replayability when the player already knows it all. So all things are hidden under hyperlinks.

But I don't think that's the problem. I bet the problem is that some players are used to playing RPGs with characters without personalities. Yes, they have stats, most often focused on combat, and all they do is like Strength gives + damage in close combat, Dexterity + damage in ranged combat, and Intelligence + magic damage. And the characters themselves... are empty. They have no past (or it's indicated by one line), relatives, or emotions, and in general, they are chosen ones... again. So their lines are mostly like yes/no/sarcasm.

That's why some players were outraged by this situation. Come on, I don't want to sleep with him! So the character doesn't want to! Wrong. The player may not want to, but the character wants, and the more of his tricks she "misses," the stronger that desire is. Because she's a living person. She has her own desires, too. As well as a past and a personality. She can behave capriciously or even foolishly. She can pretentiously declare one thing, and when it comes to a real test of willpower, she can't hold back and spreads her legs right away. Personally, I find it a very... realistic approach.

That's why I don't want to change anything in this scene. Not out of stubbornness. It's just a great moment where the players realize for the first time how important it is to plan the build and keep a few Insight points in reserve.

 

[Kagarus]

Mentioned. Click on Insight and "know more".

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There is even a hint in the settings.

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I actually don't force the player to read it all (even though there are only 2 pages of rules...). Out of sake for the potential replayability when the player already knows it all. So all things are hidden under hyperlinks.

Doh, I'm blind. In my defense, the link to Insight only shows up the page after you've assigned your experience points (so you'd have to go back to change your abilities), and it's less "noticeable" than the Ability one on the experience assignment page (probably because that one is in the main window surrounded by non-link text vs. on the side).

But I don't think that's the problem. I bet the problem is that some players are used to playing RPGs with characters without personalities. Yes, they have stats, most often focused on combat, and all they do is like Strength gives + damage in close combat, Dexterity + damage in ranged combat, and Intelligence + magic damage. And the characters themselves... are empty. They have no past (or it's indicated by one line), relatives, or emotions, and in general, they are chosen ones... again. So their lines are mostly like yes/no/sarcasm.

That's why some players were outraged by this situation. Come on, I don't want to sleep with him! So the character doesn't want to! Wrong. The player may not want to, but the character wants, and the more of his tricks she "misses," the stronger that desire is. Because she's a living person. She has her own desires, too. As well as a past and a personality. She can behave capriciously or even foolishly. She can pretentiously declare one thing, and when it comes to a real test of willpower, she can't hold back and spreads her legs right away. Personally, I find it a very... realistic approach.

That's why I don't want to change anything in this scene. Not out of stubbornness. It's just a great moment where the players realize for the first time how important it is to plan the build and keep a few Insight points in reserve.

I think you're correct about what the main problem is (and yeah, changing that scene would diminish it), was just thinking whether there is some UX/UI thing that helps/complicates matters.

 

[Defiant Explorer]

Doh, I'm blind. In my defense, the link to Insight only shows up the page after you've assigned your experience points (so you'd have to go back to change your abilities), and it's less "noticeable" than the Ability one on the experience assignment page (probably because that one is in the main window surrounded by non-link text vs. on the side).

I think you're correct about what the main problem is (and yeah, changing that scene would diminish it), was just thinking whether there is some UX/UI thing that helps/complicates matters.

Well, in theory, I could add something, like "if you're playing for the first time, be sure to click here and here, blah blah blah" at that screen:

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But... Honestly, I don't think it would fix anything. Attentive or curious players will click on everything anyway. And hurry-ups or not-so-interested players - won't read anything regardless of how many "important" warnings I leave anywhere.

 

[chu2834822]

I went back to work after 2 years of avoiding the pandemic, and now I'm a Patreon on the game. Hopefully there will be more gangbang scenes in the future

 

[Defiant Explorer]

I went back to work after 2 years of avoiding the pandemic, and now I'm a Patreon on the game. Hopefully there will be more gangbang scenes in the future

Yeah, I saw you joining - thanks!

The scene, which I think you'll like, will be roughly in ~ 1-2 updates. I need to get the story to the right point.

 

[Deleted member 260853]

This story has so much potential kudos to the dev for making such a good world

 

[Follick]

I like the game thus far, will there be any femdom?

 

[Defiant Explorer]

I like the game thus far, will there be any femdom?

Kinda already is, a soft one (Cadonis scene, Agility 3 check, cowgirl variation). Something like that would be in the future as well, I guess. But if you mean something like an XXI century dominatrix, all in leather and with a whip, going around and dominantly fuck everything... Unlikely, it just doesn't fit in the setting well.

 

[Follick]

Kinda already is, a soft one (Cadonis scene, Agility 3 check, cowgirl variation). Something like that would be in the future as well, I guess. But if you mean something like an XXI century dominatrix, all in leather and with a whip, going around and dominantly fuck everything... Unlikely, it just doesn't fit in the setting well.

Figured it wouldn't fit the bronze age locale, how about the special skills or is that a spoiler?

 

[Defiant Explorer]

Figured it wouldn't fit the bronze age locale, how about the special skills or is that a spoiler?

No, that's not a spoiler. The special skills section is a kind of placeholder. In case if I need to include skills that require unambiguous possession of certain knowledge and thus can't be "covered" by the six basic Abilities. It's not a fact that I'll need it, but I prepared in advance by creating this section.

 

[GTK/HLK]

Great game so far.., but seeing the last page.., feels like losing the nose to spite the face.
[wont go far into it, seems like expectance or viewing as a certain mindset/playstyle being superior, or as the younger would say "based/gigachad". whilst the more majority types-which are still a minority in themselves like all other types- are lesser.]

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Really liked the campfire interaction with the old man, though kinda disappointed it was only flavor text when Protagonist looks at characters in a certain scene. but seems in part with the nature of following along and sticking to the order.

Looking forward to seeing what the next scenes in future updates entail.