VN Ren'Py Innocent Witches [v0.11 Alpha] [Sad Crab]

[GlaFo]

Doubt it, wouldn't be the first creator(s) that have 'milking their patreons' as a business model instead of 'making games'.

 

[forbidden_magic]

I love this game thank you

 

[akkeji]

save please

 

[uncommonsence]

Are they planning to finish the game?

no

 

[Guiltyy]

I'm pretty sure that slow progress has been the recurring theme with sad crab for years and this would be far from the first time they've acknowledged it directly. It's normally been followed up by the release of a new road map which they only manage to complete the first step or two, one-two years late.

I've followed this game since about 2017 (was even a patron for a couple years) and the criticism has largely been the same during that entire time, namely the lack of content and progression over very long development cycles. They've also revamped/reset the project at least three times now, actively taking steps back each time and normally replacing the old content with something on that's on par or worse.

What's worse is that a constant point of feedback from the audience has been "focus on, and progress the content for the main girls", but instead the majority of the limited amount of new content that has been released over the years has been on side characters, extending the cast, grindy side quests, holiday events and minigames. When they do actually release new content focused around the main cast, it's either underwhelming, leaves you with blue balls, forgotten about or dropped, or jumps all the way to end game content like sex with little or no narrative build up or anticipation. I don't think this merits being classified and progressive content as its skipping over the meat of what makes these games enjoyable in the first place. I think that latter was probably a new jerk reaction to the constant backlash about the lack of focus around the main cast, so they developed some scenes with a tepid acknowledgement that there needs to be a narrative reason to skip straight to something like sex when the character at hand is barely comfortable with accidental/partial nudity. It seems the new content is solely there justify claims of progress and pad out the game whilst failing to address the underlying criticism and problem. They're focused on the icing, not the cake.

The art has always been great, everyone recognizes that, and good art takes time. The long development cycles would be understandable were they just slowly pushing out content and progressing the narrative of the main cast. Where this game's development falls apart is with project management and writing. They keep focusing on side content no one seems to want (they seem to have a particular hard on for the house elf and Minerva) to pad out the game and redeveloping content that just served as a vehicle to get to the next step with the main cast in the first place.

The project has been going in circles for years now, occasionally making some progress and moving forward, but more often that not either circling in place with side content or taking a step back with resets. It been at least two-three years since the first implementation of the "new plot" was introduced (they changed direction with the new plot at least once since then), and we're still haven't' caught up to where we were in terms of progression with the main cast. This even after considering that the old plot seemed to be taking inspiration from AWAM and dragged progression on at a snails pace to begin with, (we had only just started to get nudity after hours of quest text and multiple years of development before the axed the old plot).

Like most developers who struggle in this space I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt. I don't think they're intentionally milking or trying to screw over their audience, I think they're probably just struggling with basic aspects of project management, and in their defense project management is hard. Don't attribute to malice what can be attributed to ignorance. I think it's more likely they've just bitten off more than they can they chew and haven't learned or managed to adapt yet. I genuinely hope they do, because the base elements of this game, namely the art and presentation, are amongst the best in this space, but given it's been years of this now, I don't hold out much confidence anymore.

It's crazy that after 7 years of them milking everyone and repeating the same mistakes, people still think there's a "benefit of the doubt" to be given because considering how much they make, they should've been way past that and could've already employed someone to take care of management. It's been more than 7 years with a Patreon that makes 20.000 DOLLARS MONTHLY. It's straight up milking at this point.

 

[Scorby]

It's crazy that after 7 years of them milking everyone and repeating the same mistakes, people still think there's a "benefit of the doubt" to be given because considering how much they make, they should've been way past that and could've already employed someone to take care of management. It's been more than 7 years with a Patreon that makes 20.000 DOLLARS MONTHLY. It's straight up milking at this point.

I mean, I don't entirely disagree with you and stated as such. You may be right and these devs have exhausted any good will and don't deserve being extended the benefit of the doubt. Intentional or not, they are taking their supporters for granted since they keep fucking up in the same way. That's fair imo and I'm not and wasn't trying to defend and talked about all the ways in which they've exhausted a lot of good will.

Milking though? That would mean its intentional. Don't you think it's more likely that they either have to much pride or lack the introspection to recognize and fix their own incompetence? It's really easy to see the mistakes in others, it's way harder to recognize it in yourself. Again, don't attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence. I think it's more likely that the devs with the influence to enact the necessary change just have their head up their ass, and cant' seem to pull them out. Having said that, at this point though it's probably just a matter of perspective and we may be arguing semantics. I think the claim they're milking is hyperbolic and a knee-jerk response which takes a very reductive view of the problem, but I can definitely why someone would feel that way with this specific project. I get it. This project deserves a lot of the criticism it gets.

Finally, whilst Patreon displays $20k, after their cut, transaction fees and exchange fees it's probably closer to $16k, and that's divided between 6 (I think?) people and before tax and expenses. So It's not as though they're rolling in bucko bucks. Having said that, I agree it's still enough where they could afford to bring on another person to fix things and take over management if they wanted to, although I have more doubts that it, or throwing money at the problem, would fix anything. This seems to be an issue with the mindset and approach of whoever currently manages the project, so given what we've seen over the last several years, I have doubts they'd have the humility to have someone take over management or embrace any changes implemented, let alone recognize that it might be necessary in the first place.

 

[cxx]

save please

at what version?

no

yes but will we see it is diff. thing.

 

[Mrtooclean94]

What is the best version to view all the old content? And what is the best way to acquire older versions? Was absolutely shocked to check back in on this game after 2 years it have LESS content than before.

 

[Owen.-.]

What is the best version to view all the old content? And what is the best way to acquire older versions? Was absolutely shocked to check back in on this game after 2 years it have LESS content than before.

I recommend you play 0.10b or 0.11a ( both of them have more quests 0.11.2b)
0.10b has more quest and includes the old plot
0.11a has more content that progress the plot but it doesn't include the old plot as far as I know.
Both of them are fun to play. Still, the plot has some hole ( correct me if I'm wrong), some part are not clearly like 0.11.2b.
Honestly, If you are looking for H-scenes, there are nothing much too see eventhough at previous versions (LOL).
The plot is really fun and interesting though.

 

[JoshuaSweden]

Finally, whilst Patreon displays $20k, after their cut, transaction fees and exchange fees it's probably closer to $16k, and that's divided between 6 (I think?) people and before tax and expenses. So It's not as though they're rolling in bucko bucks.

This is true, but considering how many hours per month these guys are apparently spending working the game, it's a pretty hefty rate. If six people were working full time on this game, it wouldn't be this slow and messy... hopefully.

 

[Scorby]

This is true, but considering how many hours per month these guys are apparently spending working the game, it's a pretty hefty rate. If six people were working full time on this game, it wouldn't be this slow and messy... hopefully.

100% agree.

 

[peetto41]

dev is scam nothing updates more sex scene in 7 years lol. It only art and animation reuse.