Ren'Py Onhold On the Mountain Top [Ch. 2] [Professor Amethyst Games]

3.90 star(s) 14 Votes

Maviarab

Doing Mafia Helmet Things....
Donor
Jul 12, 2020
14,052
34,716


I know I've gone from radio silence to way the hell too many posts. I'm sorry. I'd like to discuss my future as a game creator with all of you. I've decided I'd like to try making a poll. Let me explain. I love making games. A lot. However, making my flagship titles are a huge investment of time. Unless you've done it, I can't explain it other than to say it's a lot of intensive work night after night after night. I have a problem (as my long time followers know) dealing with depression and burnout. It sucks both for me and for people who want to play my games. I know what you're thinking. What bullshit is this guy going to come out with now? I'm not cancelling either OTMT or L&J. I promise.

Here are the options:

A) Get my ass back to work on OTMT and be grateful for the support I've been given.

B) Put OTMT on a temporary hiatus.

If A is the preferred option, then I will shut up and do just that.

If B is something you're willing to allow me to do, then another poll will follow shortly after. That poll will offer a couple different stories that I am very excited to work on. These titles will not be focused on NTR/NTRS like L&J is, so my regular fans do not need to panic. They will also not be a flagship game like OTMT or ODS. It will be a traditional old school visual novel with choices like L&J is. In other words, another Professor Amethyst Vignette. So, instead of spending 90% of my time doing renders, I will be able to spend 80% of my time doing what I love; which is writing the story and dialogue as quickly as my fingers can dance across the keyboard and only have to spend about 20% of my time on the graphics. I am able to do updates MUCH faster on the vignettes. So, I will be able to bounce back and forth between L&J and the other story quite quickly.

I know doing something like this is very risky. Those of you who've shown me so much patience will likely be frustrated and abandon ship. Which is why I'm making this a poll instead of just arbitrarily forcing my decision on all of you. Please be sure and vote, so I have good representation on what my next move should be.

For the strict L&J fans, there is not an option to just do L&J. I need another creative outlet. I want to do something less grounded and more "out there".

View attachment 5075394
So basically...start a third consecurtive VN? And people are actually preferring this? Fuck me....
 

MiltonPowers

Twins Basil! Twins!
Donor
Jr. Uploader
Jul 26, 2023
17,441
43,054
So basically...start a third consecurtive VN? And people are actually preferring this? Fuck me....
From what I can gather looking at the comments, they are mostly Love & Jealousy fans and don't play OTMT, so they're voting to put it on hold, because they'll get quicker updates of L&J. :cry:
 

dpasta11

Newbie
Oct 27, 2020
35
22


I know I've gone from radio silence to way the hell too many posts. I'm sorry. I'd like to discuss my future as a game creator with all of you. I've decided I'd like to try making a poll. Let me explain. I love making games. A lot. However, making my flagship titles are a huge investment of time. Unless you've done it, I can't explain it other than to say it's a lot of intensive work night after night after night. I have a problem (as my long time followers know) dealing with depression and burnout. It sucks both for me and for people who want to play my games. I know what you're thinking. What bullshit is this guy going to come out with now? I'm not cancelling either OTMT or L&J. I promise.

Here are the options:

A) Get my ass back to work on OTMT and be grateful for the support I've been given.

B) Put OTMT on a temporary hiatus.

If A is the preferred option, then I will shut up and do just that.

If B is something you're willing to allow me to do, then another poll will follow shortly after. That poll will offer a couple different stories that I am very excited to work on. These titles will not be focused on NTR/NTRS like L&J is, so my regular fans do not need to panic. They will also not be a flagship game like OTMT or ODS. It will be a traditional old school visual novel with choices like L&J is. In other words, another Professor Amethyst Vignette. So, instead of spending 90% of my time doing renders, I will be able to spend 80% of my time doing what I love; which is writing the story and dialogue as quickly as my fingers can dance across the keyboard and only have to spend about 20% of my time on the graphics. I am able to do updates MUCH faster on the vignettes. So, I will be able to bounce back and forth between L&J and the other story quite quickly.

I know doing something like this is very risky. Those of you who've shown me so much patience will likely be frustrated and abandon ship. Which is why I'm making this a poll instead of just arbitrarily forcing my decision on all of you. Please be sure and vote, so I have good representation on what my next move should be.

For the strict L&J fans, there is not an option to just do L&J. I need another creative outlet. I want to do something less grounded and more "out there".

View attachment 5075394
I really like OTMT and would hate to lose it forever. The characterizations are deep, the situations meaningful, and there's also some humor in it. If you feel you have to take a break from it, that's fine, just please don't forget those of us who love it. I also like L&J, it gives a different viewpoint on relationships, but OTMT will always be my favorite.
 

Zorro#34

Active Member
Apr 23, 2022
553
881


I know I've gone from radio silence to way the hell too many posts. I'm sorry. I'd like to discuss my future as a game creator with all of you. I've decided I'd like to try making a poll. Let me explain. I love making games. A lot. However, making my flagship titles are a huge investment of time. Unless you've done it, I can't explain it other than to say it's a lot of intensive work night after night after night. I have a problem (as my long time followers know) dealing with depression and burnout. It sucks both for me and for people who want to play my games. I know what you're thinking. What bullshit is this guy going to come out with now? I'm not cancelling either OTMT or L&J. I promise.

Here are the options:

A) Get my ass back to work on OTMT and be grateful for the support I've been given.

B) Put OTMT on a temporary hiatus.

If A is the preferred option, then I will shut up and do just that.

If B is something you're willing to allow me to do, then another poll will follow shortly after. That poll will offer a couple different stories that I am very excited to work on. These titles will not be focused on NTR/NTRS like L&J is, so my regular fans do not need to panic. They will also not be a flagship game like OTMT or ODS. It will be a traditional old school visual novel with choices like L&J is. In other words, another Professor Amethyst Vignette. So, instead of spending 90% of my time doing renders, I will be able to spend 80% of my time doing what I love; which is writing the story and dialogue as quickly as my fingers can dance across the keyboard and only have to spend about 20% of my time on the graphics. I am able to do updates MUCH faster on the vignettes. So, I will be able to bounce back and forth between L&J and the other story quite quickly.

I know doing something like this is very risky. Those of you who've shown me so much patience will likely be frustrated and abandon ship. Which is why I'm making this a poll instead of just arbitrarily forcing my decision on all of you. Please be sure and vote, so I have good representation on what my next move should be.

For the strict L&J fans, there is not an option to just do L&J. I need another creative outlet. I want to do something less grounded and more "out there".

View attachment 5075394
Damn… And I've only just recently discovered OTMT, with it being the only dark horse AVN that managed to impress me in several months…:cry: Well, I guess he's found more success with the kinky AI stuff…
 
  • Like
Reactions: dpasta11

HentaiGamerN00b

Active Member
Sep 6, 2020
966
844
Linux Manjaro. Lutris registry:

Started initial process 7172 from gamemoderun ./OnTheMountainTop.sh
Start monitoring process.
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/lib/py3-linux-x86_64/../../OnTheMountainTop.py", line 304, in <module>
main()
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/lib/py3-linux-x86_64/../../OnTheMountainTop.py", line 300, in main
renpy.bootstrap.bootstrap(renpy_base)
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/renpy/bootstrap.py", line 304, in bootstrap
renpy.display.presplash.start(basedir, gamedir)
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/renpy/display/presplash.py", line 133, in start
window = pygame_sdl2.display.Window(
File "src/pygame_sdl2/display.pyx", line 168, in pygame_sdl2.display.Window.__init__
OverflowError: can't convert negative value to unsigned int
gamemodeauto:
Monitored process exited.
Initial process has exited (return code: 256)
All processes have quit
Exit with return code 256
 

Maviarab

Doing Mafia Helmet Things....
Donor
Jul 12, 2020
14,052
34,716
Linux Manjaro. Lutris registry:

Started initial process 7172 from gamemoderun ./OnTheMountainTop.sh
Start monitoring process.
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/lib/py3-linux-x86_64/../../OnTheMountainTop.py", line 304, in <module>
main()
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/lib/py3-linux-x86_64/../../OnTheMountainTop.py", line 300, in main
renpy.bootstrap.bootstrap(renpy_base)
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/renpy/bootstrap.py", line 304, in bootstrap
renpy.display.presplash.start(basedir, gamedir)
File "/home/mars/Juegos/OnTheMountainTop/renpy/display/presplash.py", line 133, in start
window = pygame_sdl2.display.Window(
File "src/pygame_sdl2/display.pyx", line 168, in pygame_sdl2.display.Window.__init__
OverflowError: can't convert negative value to unsigned int
gamemodeauto:
Monitored process exited.
Initial process has exited (return code: 256)
All processes have quit
Exit with return code 256
Delete the splash screens in the game folder and try again.

Then try to use the search feature or scroll back a couple of pages to learn the answer yourself next time.
 

MiltonPowers

Twins Basil! Twins!
Donor
Jr. Uploader
Jul 26, 2023
17,441
43,054
Sad news. :cry:



Okay, it seems like the poll weighed heavily in favor of giving me an opportunity to try something different. Let me stress to the OTMT fans that I am not abandoning that game. I love that world and those characters. I will be working on it in the background and will pick it back up towards the end of the year.

Now, it's time for you to decide what I'm going to tackle in the meantime. I've got three different stories that I'd love to tell. So, I'll be happy with whichever one you choose. I'll include a teaser of each story, a little background on what you can expect from each. Then click away on your favorite idea. None of these games have NTR themes in them. I may throw some easily avoidable sharing into the mix if I'm feeling saucy.

Okay, here are the stories you'll be voting on:

I Live Next Door To The Harem King
(Serious Parody, Some Sci-Fi Elements)


"You grew up in Lake City living a normal life. You and your best friend Charlie were inseparable since middle school. A month after the two of you graduated high school a strange event occurred. A portal from an alien world opened briefly and twelve beings of light came through to explore and learn more about our planet. The twelve beings chose human hosts and your friend Charlie was one of them. Ten men and two women now share bodies with the strange aliens. A side effect of this is that they become irresistible to members of the opposite sex. Ten years later and Charlie lives a life of luxury with his harem of beautiful women in a mansion next door to your tiny one bedroom house. Charlie still loves you as a best friend, but what kind of life could you possibly live in his shadow? A silly and sometimes painful look at what it means to be the best friend of the MC in a harem game. How do you find love and success in a world where you're a side character in someone else's story? Maybe it's time you found out."

This game is not a comedy. It's a parody, but one that will be taken seriously. There will be funny moments in the game, but this is an earnest look at a ridiculous premise. With love, sex and maybe a little netori along the way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Augusta's Home for Wayward Girls
(Supernatural, Gothic, Mild Horror Elements)


"You are a thirty something, burned out private detective who inherits a house on the coast of New England from his estranged Aunt. A large historical home filled with old furniture and strange objects. All you know about your deceased Aunt is she lived a very private life running a home for wayward girls. Upon arrival you find that the nearby town is filled with a strange cast of eccentric neighbors. As you dig through your Aunt's life you discover something odd. All of the girls she cared for seemed to be in some kind of trouble, but your Aunt never turned anyone in need away. What happens when you discover that your Aunt's final wish was for you to carry on her legacy? When word gets out that Augusta's Home for Wayward Girls is once again up and running, troubled souls begin showing up at your doorstep."

This game is both a gothic tale with some horror elements while also a heartwarming story of helping beautiful young women overcome the difficulties in their lives. It just so happens that not everything is what it seems. Sexy and sometimes a little spooky.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Contract With The Devil
(Supernatural)


"Your dad was a successful record producer and you always wanted to follow in his footsteps. You gave up your comfortable life to chase that dream. Success eluded you and you failed miserably. Broken and defeated you find yourself drinking at a dive bar somewhere on the wrong side of town. A strange woman approaches you with a deal of a lifetime. Sell your soul in exchange for a shot at the big time. You don't even believe in god or the devil so what do you care? You cross paths with two sisters who have the look and the talent to make it. You take them under your wing and start both them and yourself on the path to stardom. Step one, earn their trust. Step two, put together the rest of the band. Step three, do whatever it takes to get them noticed. Success stands before you, but the devil is only two steps behind. Where will this road take you and what are you willing to sacrifice, to make sure their dreams will come true? Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll sure as hell ain't what it used to be."

This game is a supernatural story with definite religious overtones. It just so happens to wrap that premise around the idea that you'll take a group of beautiful young women and help them achieve their dreams to become rock stars. And of course help the MC find love (and lust) along the way.
 

Maviarab

Doing Mafia Helmet Things....
Donor
Jul 12, 2020
14,052
34,716
Sad news. :cry:



Okay, it seems like the poll weighed heavily in favor of giving me an opportunity to try something different. Let me stress to the OTMT fans that I am not abandoning that game. I love that world and those characters. I will be working on it in the background and will pick it back up towards the end of the year.

Now, it's time for you to decide what I'm going to tackle in the meantime. I've got three different stories that I'd love to tell. So, I'll be happy with whichever one you choose. I'll include a teaser of each story, a little background on what you can expect from each. Then click away on your favorite idea. None of these games have NTR themes in them. I may throw some easily avoidable sharing into the mix if I'm feeling saucy.

Okay, here are the stories you'll be voting on:

I Live Next Door To The Harem King
(Serious Parody, Some Sci-Fi Elements)


"You grew up in Lake City living a normal life. You and your best friend Charlie were inseparable since middle school. A month after the two of you graduated high school a strange event occurred. A portal from an alien world opened briefly and twelve beings of light came through to explore and learn more about our planet. The twelve beings chose human hosts and your friend Charlie was one of them. Ten men and two women now share bodies with the strange aliens. A side effect of this is that they become irresistible to members of the opposite sex. Ten years later and Charlie lives a life of luxury with his harem of beautiful women in a mansion next door to your tiny one bedroom house. Charlie still loves you as a best friend, but what kind of life could you possibly live in his shadow? A silly and sometimes painful look at what it means to be the best friend of the MC in a harem game. How do you find love and success in a world where you're a side character in someone else's story? Maybe it's time you found out."

This game is not a comedy. It's a parody, but one that will be taken seriously. There will be funny moments in the game, but this is an earnest look at a ridiculous premise. With love, sex and maybe a little netori along the way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Augusta's Home for Wayward Girls
(Supernatural, Gothic, Mild Horror Elements)


"You are a thirty something, burned out private detective who inherits a house on the coast of New England from his estranged Aunt. A large historical home filled with old furniture and strange objects. All you know about your deceased Aunt is she lived a very private life running a home for wayward girls. Upon arrival you find that the nearby town is filled with a strange cast of eccentric neighbors. As you dig through your Aunt's life you discover something odd. All of the girls she cared for seemed to be in some kind of trouble, but your Aunt never turned anyone in need away. What happens when you discover that your Aunt's final wish was for you to carry on her legacy? When word gets out that Augusta's Home for Wayward Girls is once again up and running, troubled souls begin showing up at your doorstep."

This game is both a gothic tale with some horror elements while also a heartwarming story of helping beautiful young women overcome the difficulties in their lives. It just so happens that not everything is what it seems. Sexy and sometimes a little spooky.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Contract With The Devil
(Supernatural)


"Your dad was a successful record producer and you always wanted to follow in his footsteps. You gave up your comfortable life to chase that dream. Success eluded you and you failed miserably. Broken and defeated you find yourself drinking at a dive bar somewhere on the wrong side of town. A strange woman approaches you with a deal of a lifetime. Sell your soul in exchange for a shot at the big time. You don't even believe in god or the devil so what do you care? You cross paths with two sisters who have the look and the talent to make it. You take them under your wing and start both them and yourself on the path to stardom. Step one, earn their trust. Step two, put together the rest of the band. Step three, do whatever it takes to get them noticed. Success stands before you, but the devil is only two steps behind. Where will this road take you and what are you willing to sacrifice, to make sure their dreams will come true? Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll sure as hell ain't what it used to be."

This game is a supernatural story with definite religious overtones. It just so happens to wrap that premise around the idea that you'll take a group of beautiful young women and help them achieve their dreams to become rock stars. And of course help the MC find love (and lust) along the way.
Well I think it's obvious which is going to be picked :FacePalm: :rolleyes:
 

Vortex@

Active Member
Jun 28, 2022
903
2,808
That 1st one doesn't sound fun at all if I'm reading it correctly. We play as the side character, and the other guy has the harem? Sounds bad, just like that other vn where the mc is trying to corrupt and steal the other guys harem. The other two sound pretty good (y)
 
Last edited:
Jan 5, 2023
45
32
A question about OTMT......am I the only one who can't get the game to run, no matter what I have tried? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

MiltonPowers

Twins Basil! Twins!
Donor
Jr. Uploader
Jul 26, 2023
17,441
43,054


Thank you to everyone who participated in the polls.

I am now hard at work building out the world of Augusta's Home For Wayward Girls. I'll post an update once I'm deeper into the first release.

Keep your heads up and don't forget to find a release for your creative energy. It doesn't cure depression or feelings of isolation or loneliness. But it makes a big difference. I promise.
 
3.90 star(s) 14 Votes