Unreal Engine Making a game, currently going through a tone dilemma

[Asdferman]

I'm working on a game, and currently stuck on what direction I want to take the game in. Development of mechanics is going great, but I'm currently stuck on what direction I want to take the story/tone in.
Goal A:
The more lighthearted of the two, combat will have two primary gameplay methods, through beating monster enemies with weapons and abilities, or simply fucking all the enemies(easier). Inspired from karryn's prison's approach to give players the option of simply slutting their way through the game or engaging with the mechanics. The act of sex would then be worked into the plot for a comparatively lighter tone, and the end product will be more of a traditional porn game (with hopefully solid mechanics).
Goal B:
more focus on the intimacy between the squad members and the player character, and as such will only have the traditional combat mechanics. Instead, more focus will be placed on interactions with squad members/overall story, and enemies will be more humanoid. The end product is aimed to be a solid game and solid story with sex scenes. (what i hoped Subverse would be)

I currently believe that these two goals are incompatible, and think that I can only do one of them well, trying to combine both would only lead to both being shitty. I would love to hear your opinions on the matter.

TLDR: i want to make a game with sex scenes, but do not know how far i should go with it.
*This is my first time making a thread so if i categorized it wrong/posted in the wrong place, lmk and i'll fix it

 

[TheExordick]

This is actually an interesting topic and something that, as always, depends on the kind of game you want to develop.

The Goal A, is similar to something i was thinking for future projects, because i believe it's seen as more rewarding for the player (from the sexual point of view)

On the other hand, with Goal B, you are focusing more on the story of the game, and creating a compelling story.

So in the end, it boils down to: do you want to create a porn game for the sake of it? or do you want to create a romance story around your game? Do you play (porn) games for the story? (i don't even play normal games for the story, let alone porn ones... but that's just me)

 

[Asdferman]

This is actually an interesting topic and something that, as always, depends on the kind of game you want to develop.

The Goal A, is similar to something i was thinking for future projects, because i believe it's seen as more rewarding for the player (from the sexual point of view)

On the other hand, with Goal B, you are focusing more on the story of the game, and creating a compelling story.

So in the end, it boils down to: do you want to create a porn game for the sake of it? or do you want to create a romance story around your game? Do you play (porn) games for the story? (i don't even play normal games for the story, let alone porn ones... but that's just me)

i'm personally leaning towards A as well, but games like dead deer's PFF really inspired me to consider going towards a game with porn, rather than a porn game.

 

[Cosy Creator]

I think you've already identified the main problem, and that is compromising between both and doing neither well as a result. So other than that I don't think there's an objectively right answer to which you go with. There's no doubt you can appeal to an audience with either approach if you execute it well, so choose the one that appeals to you the most and fits with your vision for the game.

 

[Asdferman]

I think you've already identified the main problem, and that is compromising between both and doing neither well as a result. So other than that I don't think there's an objectively right answer to which you go with. There's no doubt you can appeal to an audience with either approach if you execute it well, so choose the one that appeals to you the most and fits with your vision for the game.

How do you deal with tonal inconsistencies that come up? Very interested in your experience

 

[TheHighSpire]

Setting the tone for the game is very important. Whether you choose it to be character oriented or battle oriented, pick and go with it. Very few games manages to do both, and those games usually have a lot of ressources.

Here's my thoughts of plan A and B:

I personally don't like "slutting" myself through games. In the same vein, I don't think it should be an easier way of doing it, it should just be a different way with different tactics. On the other hand, I don't mind having the MC's abused mid battle. The important part is that there should be a system for it. For instance, the MC shouldn't be abused if their clothing integrity is high - that would defeat the entire point of having a clothing system in the first place.

Plan B

Now this may come across as a tiny bit blunt, but doing the B; deeper story with more character and story can be more difficult. Well, depending on how deep you want the story to be that is. A quick gander at just a few games on this site reveals that many devs aren't exactly gifted in the writing department. You may very well be quite a skilled writer, just remember to have some idea of where you want to go with the story, and how the characters are. Stay true to that, and don't break their character when it suddenly seems convenient to do so.


You should also consider how many choices the players will have. Remember to make them transparent so the player knows in what direction the choice will take them, but not the destination of said choice ofc. If you give the players choices, then they should have an impact on the story.

 

[Banality]

just put NTR in the game and noone cares about gameplay but for discussions... lol

 

[Cosy Creator]

How do you deal with tonal inconsistencies that come up? Very interested in your experience

I'm probably not a good example, since I'm pretty new myself and my game is all in on option B - just a straight VN (borderline kinetic). I think one thing I would say I do though when it comes to tone: I try to be careful about how and when I include humour. The MCU has a habit of cramming in jokes to lighten the mood whenever anything gets tense or dramatic, and I hate that. How am I supposed to take the things that are happening seriously when the characters don't? So that's something I try to avoid, I want my characters and story to be taken seriously when appropriate.

 

[whizwart]

I don't see why you can't do both beyond time and effort. Light hearted combat and themes with some development at camp or at certain battles.

 

[Asdferman]

I don't see why you can't do both beyond time and effort. Light hearted combat and themes with some development at camp or at certain battles.

It is precisely because of time and effort that I want to focus on one, toiling away at the "perfect" vision in my head without a clear deadline will otherwise never end. I would rather certain aspects to be extremely terrible or extremely good rather than just consistently "mid". Regardless, i've only been at it for a short amount of time, so this is all just my naivete talking