Ren'Py Looking for a bit of feedback on my untitled project that will hopefully be releasing soon

[Cult of Keith]

Hey everyone!
I've been casually working on a renpy game for a while now and I'm finally at the point where I feel like I have something worth sharing. I'm interested in getting as much feedback as I can before I start locking things in and committing fully.

This is my vision for the final product (for now):

• Sandbox dating sim, the player chooses which girls to pursue and which to ignore.

• Little to no grind, just pick the girls you like and keep progressing with them. Still haven't completely decided on progression and balancing.

• Main girls: These are the backbone of the game. They will have longer storylines where the player slowly develops their storyline with them. Each girl will have multiple date locations with location specific interactions that unlock over time. I'm aiming for diversity when it comes to looks and personalities, and at the moment I'm planning for some of the girls to have minor story branching where you can pursue/avoid certain kinks and fetishes. These girls will get the most content by far, but it might take a while to get to that point. So to avoid doing several updates without any of the good stuff, I'm also going to include -

• Side girls: These are minor characters that won't get any dating elements or longer storylines. They'll get a few short scenes before deciding that their clothes are in the way. How much content each of them is going to have is something I still haven't decided on.

While Daz reigns supreme in the adult games industry, I've decided to try using VaM for my game instead. The reason for this is that while Daz is the king of static renders, VaM can also look pretty good in the right hands. I also think VaM is better at mass producing high quality animations that don't come off as stiff and awkward, which Daz animations do in a lot of cases. VaM also shines when it comes to soft body physics. It's always bothered me how things never bounce and react the way you'd expect them to in Daz animations, but that might just be me.
VaM will also allow me to produce content at a fast pace, since there is no need to worry about render time, botched renders and ques.

I'm also hoping to shine a light on the incredible VaM community and the talented people who keep producing amazing assets, both free and premium.

Below, I've included some renders that will (probably) be part of 0.1, as well as a few WiP animations that definitely won't be, but that I've included anyways to show what I'm working on for future updates. There will be other animations in the first release, but I don't want to spoil anything in case anyone actually decides to play this






I'm looking for any and all feedback. Is this a game you'd be even remotely interested in, or would it be a waste of a Patreon account?

Do you like non-grindy sandboxes where can choose what to focus on, or do you prefer a more curated VN style?

Does VaM look good or would you prefer something similar made with Daz?

If everything goes as planned and the general census isn't that this is worthless, I'm hoping to have the first release ready some time next month.

Thank you for your time!

 

[CigarRex]

I'm on the same boat, just using Honey Select 2 instead. Didn't know VaM had such great physics, specially those colliders!
It's refreshing for sure, I don't remember seeing many games that use it. These look real clean

As for the structure, I'm also a sucker for Sandbox games. But it's very easy to miss the point with those, as some (many) games have in the past.
In my eyes, the point of a Sandbox is to prioritize immersion, instead of a more cinematic experience like you'd get in a Kinetic Novel, or too many branching paths in other VNs. Not that these are mutually exclusive, but getting them right (specially the branching stories part) in a Sandbox takes a truckload of effort, so it's usually reserved for more linear means.

When a Sandbox fails, in my opinion, is when you start needing to read walkthroughs to get anywhere. Some hidden stuff here and there is fine (e.g the fish girl from STS), but some games simply use the clickity, grindy gameplay of sandboxes to tell a linear story. That's lame.

My advice is to keep a focus on what kind of story you want to tell, so that you don't lose track by adding too many characters (that don't get fleshed out enough?), or create too many "bottlenecks" in the progression (forcing the player to play linearly for too long).

Additionally, try giving the player the most information and as clearly as you can (or are willing to), ranging from simple UI that facilitates comprehension (what can/can't you do, how to do X, etc.), or even in-game "help" menus to freshen anything the player might need to know (tips on what to do to advance Y plotline, how to advance daytime, etc.).
Porn games usually need to lend an extra hand more often, since we tend to play with only 1.

And, the cherry on top (and a very important one) would be to add extra scenes in lesser interactions with the characters, as you further their relationship. Most games have you unlock more sex scenes as you go, but what about the way this character greets you? When you talk to them about a certain subject, how will the character talk, given you've been fucking her silly for the past few weeks? Immersion! Keep up with the player's progress. At least, that's what I think makes Sandboxes special.

Anyways, I've rambled enough. You have a name for the game yet? Share it so that we can follow it, eventually

 

[Cult of Keith]

I'm on the same boat, just using Honey Select 2 instead. Didn't know VaM had such great physics, specially those colliders!
It's refreshing for sure, I don't remember seeing many games that use it. These look real clean

As for the structure, I'm also a sucker for Sandbox games. But it's very easy to miss the point with those, as some (many) games have in the past.
In my eyes, the point of a Sandbox is to prioritize immersion, instead of a more cinematic experience like you'd get in a Kinetic Novel, or too many branching paths in other VNs. Not that these are mutually exclusive, but getting them right (specially the branching stories part) in a Sandbox takes a truckload of effort, so it's usually reserved for more linear means.

When a Sandbox fails, in my opinion, is when you start needing to read walkthroughs to get anywhere. Some hidden stuff here and there is fine (e.g the fish girl from STS), but some games simply use the clickity, grindy gameplay of sandboxes to tell a linear story. That's lame.

My advice is to keep a focus on what kind of story you want to tell, so that you don't lose track by adding too many characters (that don't get fleshed out enough?), or create too many "bottlenecks" in the progression (forcing the player to play linearly for too long).

Additionally, try giving the player the most information and as clearly as you can (or are willing to), ranging from simple UI that facilitates comprehension (what can/can't you do, how to do X, etc.), or even in-game "help" menus to freshen anything the player might need to know (tips on what to do to advance Y plotline, how to advance daytime, etc.).
Porn games usually need to lend an extra hand more often, since we tend to play with only 1.

And, the cherry on top (and a very important one) would be to add extra scenes in lesser interactions with the characters, as you further their relationship. Most games have you unlock more sex scenes as you go, but what about the way this character greets you? When you talk to them about a certain subject, how will the character talk, given you've been fucking her silly for the past few weeks? Immersion! Keep up with the player's progress. At least, that's what I think makes Sandboxes special.

Anyways, I've rambled enough. You have a name for the game yet? Share it so that we can follow it, eventually

Hey, thanks for the feedback!

I agree with most of your points, which is why I'm trying to make my sandbox as simple as possible. Progressing with characters will be as simple as going to their location and talking to them to start their next scene. I could have completely cut out the sandbox and the game would have remained mostly the same. The main reason I decided to stick with the sandbox was because I wanted the player to be able to pick which girls to focus on, as well as include fun little side characters that wouldn't fit in anywhere in the story. Now I can just place them out in the world for the player to discover. I don't plan on including any stat grind, but I'm currently debating whether or not I want to include a money system or not. Money would be used to buy gifts, pay for dates or unlock small side activities in the sandbox.

As for immersion when interacting with the girls, I'm currently planning to do a system where the girls advance through 5 levels as you progress through their storylines. The levels will affect how they address the player, their sandbox dialogue, what kind of dates you can take them on, which interactions are available and so on. I'm hoping this will help make the player feel like they're actually making progress and constantly improving their relationship with the girls.

I haven't landed on a title yet, but my working title is Perfectly Clean and Wholesome. I've actually grown to like that title alot, so I might end up keeping it

 

[Niv-Mizzet the Firemind]

Renders and animations look good, so good job on that.
I'm not particularly fond of the models, but that's my problem rather than something being wrong with them.

As for the sandbox element, if it's gonna be a simple sandbox, why not just make it a vn and just have the player either open or shut off a path through a menu or something like that?

As for immersion when interacting with the girls, I'm currently planning to do a system where the girls advance through 5 levels as you progress through their storylines. The levels will affect how they address the player, their sandbox dialogue, what kind of dates you can take them on, which interactions are available and so on. I'm hoping this will help make the player feel like they're actually making progress and constantly improving their relationship with the girls.

This sounds really good.

Lastly the title 'Perfectly clean and wholesome' doesn't mesh well with the animation of presumably the mc facefucking the brunette.

Most importantly, if you want to make a sandbox, make a sandbox. Do something you will have fun doing.

Good luck with your endeavour and I hope to see your game released.

 

[CigarRex]

Hey, thanks for the feedback!

I agree with most of your points, which is why I'm trying to make my sandbox as simple as possible. Progressing with characters will be as simple as going to their location and talking to them to start their next scene. I could have completely cut out the sandbox and the game would have remained mostly the same. The main reason I decided to stick with the sandbox was because I wanted the player to be able to pick which girls to focus on, as well as include fun little side characters that wouldn't fit in anywhere in the story. Now I can just place them out in the world for the player to discover. I don't plan on including any stat grind, but I'm currently debating whether or not I want to include a money system or not. Money would be used to buy gifts, pay for dates or unlock small side activities in the sandbox.

As for immersion when interacting with the girls, I'm currently planning to do a system where the girls advance through 5 levels as you progress through their storylines. The levels will affect how they address the player, their sandbox dialogue, what kind of dates you can take them on, which interactions are available and so on. I'm hoping this will help make the player feel like they're actually making progress and constantly improving their relationship with the girls.

I haven't landed on a title yet, but my working title is Perfectly Clean and Wholesome. I've actually grown to like that title alot, so I might end up keeping it

I see! I feel you got the gist of it. I'll be having my characters "live" out their standard routine (being in X place at Y time of the day, Z day of the week), and we can go there interact with them, which will prompt a scene for that time and place, further the relationship "xp" and, eventually, newer "corruption levels" will switch all these routine scenes for newer versions (I feel my main inspiration is the game Sweet Affection, on that regard).

As for the money stuff, I'm planning on including something too, though I don't know what exactly I'll do with it. My gut feeling is to use the money more as a plot device and less as a "grindy timesink", meaning certain plotlines will give you money naturally, just like you level up the relationships by regular interactions.
The main thing I got in mind for in-game money is gonna be for "meta" purposes, such as unlocking scenes in the gallery (from segments where you branch the story and has to pick a single option), cheating and changing character names, and whatever else comes up.

It's tricky to get money right, I feel. It often feels unnecessary, or too limiting, but each game may have a place for different interpretations of such a system.

I wish you good luck! Let's see where the tides will lead us

 

[Cult of Keith]

Renders and animations look good, so good job on that.
I'm not particularly fond of the models, but that's my problem rather than something being wrong with them.

As for the sandbox element, if it's gonna be a simple sandbox, why not just make it a vn and just have the player either open or shut off a path through a menu or something like that?


This sounds really good.

Lastly the title 'Perfectly clean and wholesome' doesn't mesh well with the animation of presumably the mc facefucking the brunette.

Most importantly, if you want to make a sandbox, make a sandbox. Do something you will have fun doing.

Good luck with your endeavour and I hope to see your game released.

Hey and thank you!

The reason why I want to do a sandbox is because I want to fill it with plenty of side content that is unrelated to the main girls. Scenes like going to the nightclub, try to pick up girls, get a short scene and followed by a sex animation or two. Simple, little scenes to serve as spicy filler so I don't feel rushed to include sex scenes with the main girls before the story naturally leads to it. I don't want to do multiple updates with some teasing and a handjob, if that makes sense.

As for the title, it might not be a good indicator of what kind of depraved stuff you'll end up doing in the game, but it is a good indicator of what kind of humor you can expect from the writing. I have an incredibly dumb sense of humor, and some of it will inevitably rub off on the script.


Out of curiosity, could you let me know what don't like about the models? I'm aiming for variety with the models and it would really help to know what kind of models people prefer.

 

[Niv-Mizzet the Firemind]

The reason why I want to do a sandbox is because I want to fill it with plenty of side content that is unrelated to the main girls. Scenes like going to the nightclub, try to pick up girls, get a short scene and followed by a sex animation or two. Simple, little scenes to serve as spicy filler so I don't feel rushed to include sex scenes with the main girls before the story naturally leads to it. I don't want to do multiple updates with some teasing and a handjob, if that makes sense.

Fair enough.

As for the title, it might not be a good indicator of what kind of depraved stuff you'll end up doing in the game, but it is a good indicator of what kind of humor you can expect from the writing. I have an incredibly dumb sense of humor, and some of it will inevitably rub off on the script.

This gets better by the second.

Out of curiosity, could you let me know what don't like about the models? I'm aiming for variety with the models and it would really help to know what kind of models people prefer.

I want to reiterate that there is nothing wrong with the models per se. It's just that I'm not a huge fan of the massive mammaries and mature body types all the pics and animations show. To get a little more specific:

The expression of the girl in the first picture throws me off just a tiny bit.
I love the face of the girl on the second picture.
The girl in the third picture is too bimbo-y and milfy, if that makes sense.

And since I've written way more words criticizing your work than I feel comfortable doing, here's some more:
The proportions on the face of the girl in the first picture seem a tad off, I feel like her nose is a touch smaller than perfect. I feel that this is me being an asshole though.
The only real feedback is about the second animation. The girl's neck movement is a bit robotic, like there are a couple of frames missing, or that the keyframes are a bit off.
Lastly, the face fucking is excellent, no feedback there.

Don't take my feedback too seriously, most of it is personal preference and me being nitpicky.

 

[Cult of Keith]

Fair enough.


This gets better by the second.


I want to reiterate that there is nothing wrong with the models per se. It's just that I'm not a huge fan of the massive mammaries and mature body types all the pics and animations show. To get a little more specific:

The expression of the girl in the first picture throws me off just a tiny bit.
I love the face of the girl on the second picture.
The girl in the third picture is too bimbo-y and milfy, if that makes sense.

And since I've written way more words criticizing your work than I feel comfortable doing, here's some more:
The proportions on the face of the girl in the first picture seem a tad off, I feel like her nose is a touch smaller than perfect. I feel that this is me being an asshole though.
The only real feedback is about the second animation. The girl's neck movement is a bit robotic, like there are a couple of frames missing, or that the keyframes are a bit off.
Lastly, the face fucking is excellent, no feedback there.

Don't take my feedback too seriously, most of it is personal preference and me being nitpicky.

Don't worry, I'm not taking any of it personally. I'm asking for feedback not just to see where I can improve, but also to see what kind of content and models people would like to see.

I gotta throw my hands up and admit that bimbo milfs are what gets my blood pumping in the morning, so no argument there.
I have made an effort to try and include a wide variety of body types tho. Here are a couple of other models I'm currently outlining scenes for:




As for the one with the off-putting expression, I actually really like the model, so I'm hoping it's just the pose/expression and not the model itself.



The animations are early WiP, so you're absolutely correct about them being choppy. But I'm hoping they'll look absolutely sick when they're done

 

[Niv-Mizzet the Firemind]

Don't worry, I'm not taking any of it personally. I'm asking for feedback not just to see where I can improve, but also to see what kind of content and models people would like to see.

I gotta throw my hands up and admit that bimbo milfs are what gets my blood pumping in the morning, so no argument there.
I have made an effort to try and include a wide variety of body types tho. Here are a couple of other models I'm currently outlining scenes for:

View attachment 2465087
View attachment 2465089

As for the one with the off-putting expression, I actually really like the model, so I'm hoping it's just the pose/expression and not the model itself.

View attachment 2465092 View attachment 2465094

The animations are early WiP, so you're absolutely correct about them being choppy. But I'm hoping they'll look absolutely sick when they're done

Nice models. The girl with the blue streak is *chef's kiss. You are correct, the expression was a bit off, the model is fine.

 

[Johnny_Hotbody]

Looking damn nice my dude!
I'd suggest to create a thread in the development section, to get some more eyes on it!

 

[Cult of Keith]

Looking damn nice my dude!
I'd suggest to create a thread in the development section, to get some more eyes on it!

Thanks for the tip! I'm pretty new to these forums, so I wasn't sure where to post this. Will make a new thread there asap!