Mod Ren'Py Lab Rats 2 mod ~ Diconica

[Sick&Alone]

Not sure if this is best place to post? but, Compare mods: (feel free to add)
Ways main mod better:
1) Extra "click" to change location [1 click x 5,000 adds up!]
2) Change font size (hey some of us really *DO* wear glasses IRL!)
3) Sarah (HR director---MOD ONLY) Indispensable! Besides HR, helps w bad work opinions (... "thinking about quitting") + the "specific search" function (still buggy, seems to take several weeks/tries before working properly---but *VASTLY* better than just resumes!)
4) Even Alt mod sometimes doesn't make sense [hard 2 believe stripper would "hate showing her tits"]
5) shows you how many you've met (#/total #) of NPCs
6) Give panties. (+1 Obed) early, or for "free spirit"/low Obed girl hard to increase Obed [NOT temp---PERMANENT] This helps.
7) Loc info: Can see who's in location w/o having to go there

Lots of things hard 2 compare---main mod is V48, while alt is v49 (& lot of changes!)
Main game is a *MESS*! Neither one allows for frequent autosaves, which sucks. or even the standard 8 savegames/page (very much needed in stuff like this w countless branching decisions--not to mention buggy)

Alt mod:
=======================
1) Even though u can't change them, shows all [incl undiscovered] opinions] (at least this way you're not guessing blind. Important since dev thinks we have ESP & penalty for *UNKNOWN* opinions! (bad enough we have 2 agree w her on everything, now we have 2 read her mind!)
2) Generally very few opinions. [if you're not cheating, this is *MUCH* much better than lots of bad ones!]
3) #1&2 alone are a *VAST* improvement over base game! THANKS VERY MUCH Diconica!

Maybe alt mod can be incorporated into V49 [main] mod?

DOWNSIDE:
Alt mod still has all the other problems of the base game. (like paying salary on weekend when NOBODY works!)

 

[Sick&Alone]

I'd like to see alt mod add in #s 1, 2, 5,6,7; NONE of these are cheats, but all improve gameplay.

 

[Sick&Alone]

Ways basegame bad (not fixed either mod)
==========================================
*UNREALISTICALLY HARD*! 4 Example,
1) you hire people but don't get there phone #; [Every BOSS can contact their employees!]
2) Hiring off street *WAY* more cost than doing search [should be dirt cheap!]
3) "Mrs" should not be a title option for single women. [unrealistic --only applies to *Married* women Dev!]
4) the whole "change title" thing is complete BS! Reminder should be removed! We don't get 2 pick our names; Penalty for disagreeing *SUCKS* dev! [ie refuse to change title] Again, not realistic---Bosses very rarely allow you to change name/title, & certainly not by you demanding it!
5) Happiness penalty 4 breaksups & "refuse to change title" is too much. (dev already docks happiness EVERY DAY anyway!) lots of people break up---but they don't quick their jobs because of it.
6) "Clinical Testing Procedures" This isn't a trait & should not take up a trait slot. + Value is too low---Major Drug companies use this & make *BILLIONS* (that's a capital B!)
7) Family taboos are *WAY* too difficult--& unrealistic! [again, makes us want to have cheat mods!] V46 worked fine on this; (maybe 2x) v48's a MESS! Besides if she's slutty enough (realistic!) Taboo's shouldn't matter; Taboos should be *BOTH WAYS* [realistic] or, not at all. [doesn't matter who starts or is in charge---still "wrong"] Making it easy 4 her but hard 4 MC, is just bad design! [+ not everyone like FEMDOM so should always B an option to QUIT. Girls tease---& leave---all the time. MC needs this option too.
**8) Character opinions should match story. If she wants (or doesn't) something, her opinions need to match her "speech." Emily is good example. Every character with her own story needs unique personality. ** This is ESPECIALLY important since opinions affect not only happiness but STATS! [bad idea]
Also makes some iterations Extremely difficult (eg, hates small talk hates flirting etc) if you don't cheat. Strippers should enjoy showing skin, etc
** Haven't used alt mod enough yet to thoroughly test this.
9) "bills" [mom-sat] Keep option to "say please!" (inc Obed)
10) ""I know this is strange..." WTF?!? HORRIBLE INTRO!!! Really really bad way to intro yourself.

 

[Diconica]

Not sure if this is best place to post? but, Compare mods: (feel free to add)
Ways main mod better:
1) Extra "click" to change location [1 click x 5,000 adds up!]
2) Change font size (hey some of us really *DO* wear glasses IRL!)
3) Sarah (HR director---MOD ONLY) Indispensable! Besides HR, helps w bad work opinions (... "thinking about quitting") + the "specific search" function (still buggy, seems to take several weeks/tries before working properly---but *VASTLY* better than just resumes!)
4) Even Alt mod sometimes doesn't make sense [hard 2 believe stripper would "hate showing her tits"]
5) shows you how many you've met (#/total #) of NPCs
6) Give panties. (+1 Obed) early, or for "free spirit"/low Obed girl hard to increase Obed [NOT temp---PERMANENT] This helps.
7) Loc info: Can see who's in location w/o having to go there

Lots of things hard 2 compare---main mod is V48, while alt is v49 (& lot of changes!)
Main game is a *MESS*! Neither one allows for frequent autosaves, which sucks. or even the standard 8 savegames/page (very much needed in stuff like this w countless branching decisions--not to mention buggy)

Alt mod:
=======================
1) Even though u can't change them, shows all [incl undiscovered] opinions] (at least this way you're not guessing blind. Important since dev thinks we have ESP & penalty for *UNKNOWN* opinions! (bad enough we have 2 agree w her on everything, now we have 2 read her mind!)
2) Generally very few opinions. [if you're not cheating, this is *MUCH* much better than lots of bad ones!]
3) #1&2 alone are a *VAST* improvement over base game! THANKS VERY MUCH Diconica!

Maybe alt mod can be incorporated into V49 [main] mod?

DOWNSIDE:
Alt mod still has all the other problems of the base game. (like paying salary on weekend when NOBODY works!)

First, this mod and the other mod serve two different purposes.
Second, I wear glasses as well. I have no issue with it. But then again I don't play games on a phone or other portable device.

I made the mod for my own benefit to start with. A few people expressed an interest in it. So I eventually put it up on the site.
I don't make any money on it. I also have my own life and a living to make and a family to support.
So in honesty this mod isn't a priority to me.
If you want changes beyond what I have done as I said in other posts people are free to fork or modify my mod or make their own.

Lastly before I invest a huge amount of hours in adding to this mod. I would redo the base code of this game including dumping Renpy as the engine.

 

[Diconica]

Ways basegame bad (not fixed either mod)
==========================================
*UNREALISTICALLY HARD*! 4 Example,
1) you hire people but don't get there phone #; [Every BOSS can contact their employees!]
2) Hiring off street *WAY* more cost than doing search [should be dirt cheap!]
3) "Mrs" should not be a title option for single women. [unrealistic --only applies to *Married* women Dev!]
4) the whole "change title" thing is complete BS! Reminder should be removed! We don't get 2 pick our names; Penalty for disagreeing *SUCKS* dev! [ie refuse to change title] Again, not realistic---Bosses very rarely allow you to change name/title, & certainly not by you demanding it!
5) Happiness penalty 4 breaksups & "refuse to change title" is too much. (dev already docks happiness EVERY DAY anyway!) lots of people break up---but they don't quick their jobs because of it.
6) "Clinical Testing Procedures" This isn't a trait & should not take up a trait slot. + Value is too low---Major Drug companies use this & make *BILLIONS* (that's a capital B!)
7) Family taboos are *WAY* too difficult--& unrealistic! [again, makes us want to have cheat mods!] V46 worked fine on this; (maybe 2x) v48's a MESS! Besides if she's slutty enough (realistic!) Taboo's shouldn't matter; Taboos should be *BOTH WAYS* [realistic] or, not at all. [doesn't matter who starts or is in charge---still "wrong"] Making it easy 4 her but hard 4 MC, is just bad design! [+ not everyone like FEMDOM so should always B an option to QUIT. Girls tease---& leave---all the time. MC needs this option too.
**8) Character opinions should match story. If she wants (or doesn't) something, her opinions need to match her "speech." Emily is good example. Every character with her own story needs unique personality. ** This is ESPECIALLY important since opinions affect not only happiness but STATS! [bad idea]
Also makes some iterations Extremely difficult (eg, hates small talk hates flirting etc) if you don't cheat. Strippers should enjoy showing skin, etc
** Haven't used alt mod enough yet to thoroughly test this.
9) "bills" [mom-sat] Keep option to "say please!" (inc Obed)
10) ""I know this is strange..." WTF?!? HORRIBLE INTRO!!! Really really bad way to intro yourself.

Sure companies usually get employee contact information.
However, abusing that can get them in hot water in real life in most countries.

That said most companies put out job ads for a specific job with a list of qualifications. Then HR tends to weed out the unqualified.
My point is there is a lot about the game that isn't realistic. It's a game. One way of looking at its in alternate world or fucked up country.

Mrs:
My guess is the developer isn't really used to the difference in Mrs, Miss, and Ms. They may not even know there are 3 forms.

The entire changing title thing isn't so much about work as it is about the relationship the MC and the female have.
I think it is meant to serve 2 purposes. The first is it allows you to see the change in the relationship. It also gives the player some control over what they want.
Example: You might want the girl calling you sweaty while another player may want to pretend they are more domineering and want to be called Mr. or Master. It certainly can be done a lot better.

Family Taboos:
I use them to my advantage. Everytime you get hit with a family taboo they drop the sluttiness down. This also reduces the requirement needed to raise it up. So I raise up the sluttiness then do the task they give. This then restores the lost sluttiness on top of what they just gained. It makes things actually easier. Before you had to have a certain level of love and combined happiness to even be able to get her to agree to doing certain stuff. Now, I can use his gimmick once we hit 25 love to raise her sluttiness all the way up if I want without cheating.
Doing that leads to another advantage when it comes to the family. I can raise their obedience and happiness up also.
Each time they orgasm it raises up happiness. Various actions raise up obedience such as stripping, taking orders, various sex ...

Character opinions and story:
That's one of the types of issues with Vren and his development. He doesn't tie stuff together. Relies way to heavily on things being purely random.
Examples: Skills and opinion conflicts, wardrobe and opinion conflicts ... If she doesn't like red why would she put on a red outfit. If she doesn't like research work why would she become great at it. Of course skills and stats are another conflict in the base game. That's an issue I fixed along with the skills and opinion issue.

The fact is if I was to fix all these issues. It would result in there being very little of the original game left.

As for the other mod I haven't played using it. The most I've done is look at some of the differences in how I dealt with issues and they did.

 

[Edwarf]

I have to agree about font change for some texts (or using a single easy-to-read font for everything), I find them difficult to read sometimes. It's like the coconuts joke, I guess.

Edit_: Great, v0.50 released with some interesting features I won't enjoy untill summertime, or whenever the other guys release their mod for it, as I will not play the base game ever again.

Again, a few can beat the mayority.

 

[Sick&Alone]

I have to agree about font change for some texts (or using a single easy-to-read font for everything), I find them difficult to read sometimes. It's like the coconuts joke, I guess.

Edit_: Great, v0.50 released with some interesting features I won't enjoy untill summertime, or whenever the other guys release their mod for it, as I will not play the base game ever again.

Again, a few can beat the mayority.

"staff Review" & Contracts (details --small print but important!)
Both way too small!
--BTW, I too use mostly a desktop w large monitor---doesn't make up for tiny fonts though.

I heavily edited v46-48 to make readable, (b4 found other mod) but that plus all the other fixes *EVERY* VERSION* is ridiculous.

I don' mind having the *OPTION* to change titles, but being asked every 5 min sucks.... [sounds like a little kid 'mommy can I have a ....']

Dicon----The problem w making too much random, is 1) lots of things no longer make sense [as you mention--but would include titles too] 2) can make some playthroughs a *LOT* harder & 3) encourages cheats & "save & reload" methodology. I'm not a fan but don't know of better way (even in game can't backtrack much, disables or heavily restricts most of Renpy functions!) IRL things R very structured & *NOT* random----as u say applying for jobs;
RL randomness is things falling apart; breaking; chaos; Finally, 4) Unless restricted (which dev doesn't) can make what's normally fun, not fun at all. Nobody likes to loose or have lots of bad things happen---unless there's a way to recover.
(1 reason mods/cheats R so popular)

Personally, I prefer a good design which *INCLUDES* [like many devs got very little or no help---have to figure everything out. (like new sales/attention sys) ] good Hints/guides/How-tos for anything not obvious.
Mythic Mansion is example that had lots of good hints (every lvl)

V49;
*NOT* a fan of V49----modded version is MUCH better, but still overall got a lot worse compared to v46-48; (including whole attention/contract/etc sales crap!)
It's more tedious, harder, & overall less fun. Everything's slower making mistakes a lot more costly! (no cheat mode or GUIDE or WALKTHROUGH or anything to help w that either; Found an older walkthrough, & even back then it suggested lots of "save & reloads" ---which is basically same as cheating. It's worse now.)
Besides most of the stuff *SHOULD* BE LEGIT! (like most drug companies!) "attention" crap is basically dev saying MC's making illegal shit! REALLY BAD MOVE!!! :-( [remember most drugs R prescription anyway, so already restricted; Plus if you're only doing small batches they're likely for wholesale, *NOT* retail, science & testing purposes. (lest rules/laws/red tape vs public use) Governments have to pay people, so they really only investigate if it's worth their while!
Making business seem shady/illegal---*REALLY* bad move!
Would love to hear from anyone else who has done *BOTH* V49 [w or w/o alt mod] *AND* either V46 or V48; [note that main mod uses V46;]

 

[Sick&Alone]

just Curious----D----u mentioned redoing in another language----done some programming myself (also new to Renpy---spaces formatting no tabs ugh drives me nuts!)----what would you use that's moddable? Or, would you disallow mods in your new version? Alas, so much is prone to errors; + u have so many who want something different; Not always, but IMHO in general, moddable games R much more popular & longer lasting, than fixed compiled ones. 1 of Renpy benefits is it's highly open to change & modding. (* mostly; Dev can lock a lot up, so this is relative. For example, even in modded version, can't find a way to change # of Autosaves in LR2)
Moddable also encourages creativity & teamwork (like in main LR2 mod!) whereas compiled stuff discourages it. [tongue in cheek--depends upon how much is opensource...]
I think these kinds of community's R great way to encourage sharing, teamwork (saw a # of things with *MULTI-COUNTRY* teams!) positive things rarely seem elsewhere.

 

[eldoen]

Mrs:
My guess is the developer isn't really used to the difference in Mrs, Miss, and Ms. They may not even know there are 3 forms.


Character opinions and story:
That's one of the types of issues with Vren and his development. He doesn't tie stuff together. Relies way to heavily on things being purely random.
Examples: Skills and opinion conflicts, wardrobe and opinion conflicts ... If she doesn't like red why would she put on a red outfit. If she doesn't like research work why would she become great at it. Of course skills and stats are another conflict in the base game. That's an issue I fixed along with the skills and opinion issue.

Mrs: drives me up the wall, only because I do professional Genealogy. but Miss Ms is certainly a cultural thing

the second item, current the npc's are just so random they feel so fake, but I agree to fix it would change the base of the game. Should it be, I say yes. but then I don't have the time or skill or gumption to start my own game.