Opinion: Would you play an heavy story-based game?

[おい！]

It all depends if the story is any good, for example
https://f95zone.to/threads/redemption-for-jessika-final-tora-productions.202/
https://f95zone.to/threads/dreaming-with-elsa-final-tora-productions.4961/
https://f95zone.to/threads/finding-miranda-final-tora-productions.1326/

IMO are some of the best story based games out there and should be the standard that all devs/writers strive for.

 

[Avaron1974]

That's all I do play.

I am here for interactive adult games, mainly VN's. I'm not bothered about the sex, I can get porn anywhere, I need a decent story and characters or the sex is pointless.

 

[thecardinal]

Not a lot of developers (myself included) are talented enough writers to carry a story just based on writing ability alone.

If a game is heavily story-based, the writing would have to be top tier to retain my attention.

 

[pilots2013]

You are basicly discribing a multi protaganist(it is a tag) visual noval.
I dont care for those.

I dislike story games in general because that have a bad habbit of being 98% reading boring text 2% of picking a choice that change's a single sentence.


This is what i do like.
I play games for the gameplay.
They also tent to have bigger stories(Not having to stay within a 30 min timeframe helps alot)
Porn games are great at creating a world where you have alot of options you dont have a real life.

For example i will never rape someone but i love rape games.
Why?
Because the thrill of the hunt, they feeling of outsmarting my prey and then breaking her feels fantastic.
The sex itself is meaningless.
What leads up to it makes it great.


Sure i could play other stealth games but they tent to lack the same thrill of the hunt.

Or incest games where i corrupt the family.
It isnt about the sex but the mind games.


A good story can make or break a game.
But it is a game first and formost.
Gameplay>everyhing else.

Oh I assure you that I didn't want to imply the absence of gameplay when I said those words.
I've been programming from 4-5 years. I'd shoot myself in the foot if I wasn't planning to use that knowledge to my favor to deliver a different gameplay

Not a lot of developers (myself included) are talented enough writers to carry a story just based on writing ability alone.

If a game is heavily story-based, the writing would have to be top tier to retain my attention.

That's why an underlying functional gameplay structure is needed. If the game can't catch the player attention and the story bores him there's alway the ludic part of the game that is supposed to save the day.

 

[Deleted member 290972]

Yes, if your story is good you will get a playerbase.

My game, The DeLuca Family, has no sex in it nor is the story focused around anything related to porn. Most physical it got so far is groping and kissing (and one finger action). Yet, It is among the top-rated here and got a healthy playerbase.
In fact, right now I am working on lore writing (think of game of thrones lore story with timelines, important persons, important eras and events and different familie information and history. Just with mafia world instead and with an amateur writer instead of a world-class writer like George R.R Martin.)
So, as you can read, not a lot of that has anything to do with porn. Actually, today I made my most 'porn' like render ever. That was a request from a patron and it was a BJ render. I feel so dirty now.

So, yes, it is definitely possible to do what you want to do. But it is harder than doing it the 'normal' way. A porn game can get away with a lot. People are in it for some sexy time so they tend to skip anyway. But if the focus is the story, then it better be amazing. Not fine, good or great. Make it amazing.
One thing is to gather the attention of people who are in it for the story, it is a whole nother ballgame trying to gather the attention of people who are originally in it for the fap.

Of course, if you end up making it you will still get people who get annoyed at you for doing it your way (where da sex at?!).
Those are what we call entitled brats who think that all games have to be specifically made for them (none like them people). Anything that is not should be removed from the site. All my positive reviews are different, all my negative reviews are the same (lack of sex).

But even if they are loud- they are few and should be ignored. The danger is for a dev to actually get afraid and listens to 'em and change the game due to that. That is a big no-no.

I hope that helps it a bit. Always look forward to fellow story writers.

(And for the love of God, if you're going story route than don't make a mundane slice of life setting. It can work, but it has to be beyond amazing.)

I have to say, I just came across your game not too long ago and it's AMAZING!!! I'm actually a writer myself and would like to try my hand at writing for someone who does Ren'py stuff. I'm really big on story being important. Hands down, DeLuca Family is one of the BEST games I have played on here. Not to mention, the writing is definitely well done. It's an immersive game with fun and unique characters. And, the MC isn't a total flake. I look forward to seeing if the MC gets any sort of fight training. It'd be great to see him just kick ass alongside Gracie and Luna.

Especially compared to a lot of the dribble I've tried on here. Yours is truly a masterpiece. I look forward to seeing what you do.

Great work!

 

[⑨⑨⑨⑨⑨]

Most Japanese VNs are heavily story driven, and I think this is what I prefer.