Ren'Py Completed Personal Trainer [v1.1.2] [Domiek]

[Qmil679]

This scene always makes me laugh..
Amazing Jenna.

Spoiler: You look amazing!

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[Qmil679]

I know he was using this as a "practice project", but honestly, who cares if it was practice or not because even if that's the case, it shouldn't just end when the dev feels they've had enough and are ready to move on to their main passion project; that's what leads to games either having deliberately rushed endings or games that feel like they have rushed endings as this game does.

Even as a practice project, a dev, in this case Domiek, should have at least planned a proper beginning, middle, and end for the characters in this game and for the overall story of the game. It's not just about learning the technical aspects like DAZ development, animations, coding, game design, etc, that a dev needs to master, it's story writing as well, knowing how to develop a story with multiple characters and conclude it in a satisfactory way, and sadly Domiek has failed at the conclusion part. Telling people multiple times that this game is just for practice doesn't excuse the disappointing and open-ended nature of its so-called "completion", it should just have been to alert people to the fact that it might vary a bit in quality as their skills improve during production.

You can't really call this game "complete" when there are so many things left open:

1. Where does the MC and Dani's relationship go from here?
2. Where does the MC and Jenna's relationship go from here?
3. Where does the MC and Amy's relationship go from here?
4. Where does the MC and Sophie's relationship go from here?
5. What happens if the MC cums inside Daisy?
6. What happens with Hikari after her Dad finds out she's a stripper?
7. The MC and Mayan were getting closer, what would have happened there?
8. Would we ever see more of Karen?
9. How would the MC resolve being in relationships with all these different women?

I agree with you.

We have here unique characters (Sophie, Amy, Dani), and the story is not completely finished.
I feel unsatisfied.

 

[Deleted member 1961891]

I normally never post on games, but I've decided to come out of my hidey-hole in response to a lot of flak the dev is getting. I played the entire game through and have to say, although there is no "certain" ending, it was still wonderfully animated and written. The dialogue is hilarious and touching when it needs to be. You can play each girls ending to a conclusion (up to you of you consider it natural or not) with the exception of mayan, who seemed to have been discarded. (Personally, she wasn't my cup of tea but I suppose if she was I could see how one would be disappointed) The conclusions are left relatively (pun intended) open-ended however, and if that will upset you don't play this game. I tend not to get attached to games too much and take it all with a grain of salt. This game is no masterpiece, and the dev never claimed it to be such. Play it if you want to laugh and wank off to increasingly good animations.

Hats off to you dev!

 

[BarbarrossaNA]

I spent over half a year learning Daz, blender, photoshop and Python/Ren'py before feeling competent enough to start making this game. I've invested too much to call it quits and fully intend on seeing this through to the end!

Honestly putting in the time he did learning before even attempting this game impressed me. While it's true that many were not happy with 'the ending' I wonder what percent of first time/first release games reach 275 pages of discussions? Personally I'm not going to throw stones and drive off a DEV who's put in the time and effort Domiek has. What I'm going to do is cheer him on and encourage him to continue down this path. 'cheers!' 'Encouraging words!' Hopefully there a a lot of people who feel as I do..

 

[seamanq]

Honestly putting in the time he did learning before even attempting this game impressed me. While it's true that many were not happy with 'the ending' I wonder what percent of first time/first release games reach 275 pages of discussions? Personally I'm not going to throw stones and drive off a DEV who's put in the time and effort Domiek has. What I'm going to do is cheer him on and encourage him to continue down this path. 'cheers!' 'Encouraging words!' Hopefully there a a lot of people who feel as I do..

Amen. And I can speak from experience that full-on assaults like those on the last few pages is what gives many developers or would-be developers pause as to if they want to subject themselves to putting something out there if they are going to be so thoroughly abused. If there are less games out there, you only have yourselves to thank. One can disagree without being disagreeable. I echo BarbarrossaNA in their comments to you, Domiek - hats off to you for creating a very entertaining game that has amused me for the best part of the last few years.

 

[linkinn]

Amen. And I can speak from experience that full-on assaults like those on the last few pages is what gives many developers or would-be developers pause as to if they want to subject themselves to putting something out there if they are going to be so thoroughly abused. If there are less games out there, you only have yourselves to thank. One can disagree without being disagreeable. I echo BarbarrossaNA in their comments to you, Domiek - hats off to you for creating a very entertaining game that has amused me for the best part of the last few years.

I didn't see anyone attacking the dev, mostly his commitment to finish something he started. I would endure anything if my first game got to 200+ pages, i would feel like i own those people and mostly my subscribers... yes yes, they knew he was about to put an end to the game, but me as a developer would not feel happy leaving as it is. In the end its his choice and adding that his subscribers are fine with it theres not much to be done. But there is no denying it sucks.

 

[Mistress_Kixen]

I will let Yakko have the final word for all the trolls who are complaining about how awful, incomplete, etc. this game was despite the fact that Domiek never hid that it was never intended to be a full game, etc.

A bit off topic but while funny I am surprised to see Yakko of all characters using the mallet on the monster. That if I remember correctly was always Wakko's thing.

But to be honest I never read the entire thread myself just played the game as the updates came and I never knew he never intended that. While I still feel there was a lot of potential within the game and a lot of the ends and routes (such as the MC getting shot only for you to end up in the apartment at the end) made no sense to me.

 

[Taraki1]

im stuck with amy just completed two scenes with her and there is no more hints

 

[botc76]

What an absolutely unsatisfying end to a game I've liked so much for so long.

I can live with all "endings," but even the most complete one with Sophie still misses a few bits, Jenna and Dani are basically okay, but leave so much to be desired, especially some sort of epilogue to see how the relationship would develop.

And Amy.... well that one really sucks. It's just not enough. This one conversation after her husband hits her, that's just nowhere near enough. Amy had been my favourite from the start, and it just sucks that I couldn't get an ending I'd appreciate.

I can't agree with the position some have, that "Well, at least he finished the game" attitude. He did not.
He brought FOUR stories to a short and abrupt ending and left all others unfinished. There's no form of closure IMO for any of the characters but Sophie and after playing this game for so long I can't be satisfied with this and really, no one should.

That this was basically a test drive for Domiek also doesn't mean much. The mere factor that this project was created to learn the ropes, doesn't mean it shouldn't give the players a satisfying conclusion. Even if it ends rather suddenly, there would have definitely been better ways to handle this.

Yes, I accept that Domiek was upfront from the start and didn't promise us shit, but it's not like that changes the disappointment over the way the game ends, and it shouldn't.
I'm not angry or screaming for Domiek's head, but I don't like how the game ended and how he handled it. This honestly isn't better handled than how Slonique handles the "endings" to his games. This game basically is as completed as any Slonique game.

It also really bothers me, whenever I see the arguments that people voicing their disappoint could lead to a dev stopping developing games at all and that simply voicing that disappointment is an attack or ripping the dev a new one.
It isn't. Not only that, but it's on one hand a testimony of the strengths of Domiek's work and otoh if you decide to work creatively AND SHARE that work with the public in any form, YOU DO INVITE people reacting to it, you do put yourself out there for praise and criticism both.
And if you can't deal with the negative part of the public's reaction, then DON'T present your work to the public, because if you do there will always be negative reactions as well as positive ones and the more controversial your handling of a situation is, the more divided the reactions will be.

No one likes it when people react negatively to what is in many ways your baby (at least your creation), but it is part of it, as much as the praise and the money and the satisfaction you get for people reading/playing/seeing your work.
Doing creative work isn't something where safe places do apply, that even the notion of it exists is ridiculous.

I mean, if it comes down to it, any simple COMMENT on a video or a news report, a forum post or anything online, invites this kind of reaction.

 

[Monetauro]

Let's face it, it was far from being "complete". Understanding that "it was a learning project" and everything (something that nobody is obliged to know since there is no such warning in the GAME)... It is still a game with characters and stories that we like, which did not have a real Final. The "abandoned" tag would be better used in this case. And there's no problem with that.
Some may say that this is wrong for reasons X and Y, while others may say the opposite for other reasons... That is my opinion.
Jeesh, if you put a screen with a text telling an appropriate ending for each character and that's it, would already remove that shot lol

That said... Although I expect more from this project, exactly because I liked everything about it, I can't wait to try the next Domiek game. He IS among my favorite developers, exactly for breaking some barriers, showing something different and for all the creativity and humor.
I have no doubt that your next project will be at least as good as PT was. Looking forward to it!

 

[seamanq]

A bit off topic but while funny I am surprised to see Yakko of all characters using the mallet on the monster. That if I remember correctly was always Wakko's thing.

But to be honest I never read the entire thread myself just played the game as the updates came and I never knew he never intended that. While I still feel there was a lot of potential within the game and a lot of the ends and routes (such as the MC getting shot only for you to end up in the apartment at the end) made no sense to me.

I was surprised at that. I remembered it as Wakko doing it (because that was his thing), but this time it was Yakko. I rather liked the many endings, including some development of the Dani story, which really had not been developed in the story up til the end. I don't disagree with a lot of people that were unhappy and wanted more, but I do respect the author's right and decision to end their story the way they wanted to.

And Yakko's answer to the trolls (cuz it was deleted earlier).

 

[supprzem]

I'm very impressed with how good renders and animation looks at the end. I love segmentation on 9 different stories. With few very good one I'm glad i don't have to choose.
The endings was not satisfying for me in different proportions:
1. Amy: a little more. This have a lot of touching, and deep moments. With beautiful story and heavy staff. Great character development although maybe a little to wild to be possible but i love it.
2. Sophi: It's look complete but maybe some positive addition on the end will make us feel good. Great love story and strong decisions,
3. Dani: It feels like it's starts when it's end. The journey to first intercourse was great but maybe something more to improve and develop it further.
4. Mayen: Hardcore sorry but weak development. When You think it will start it abruptly ends. A lot is missing
5. Jenna: Quite good but not my favorite. It's only my opinion.
6. Hikari: Looks quite finish but some more explanation will looks good.
The worst thing:
MC development. It's probably quite hard to show it properly when story is segmented into so many not connected parts but for Amy and Sophie story MC looks weak and not mach to the situation: low paying job, no perspective and still broken from his tragedy.

 

[Holy Bacchus]

Amen. And I can speak from experience that full-on assaults like those on the last few pages is what gives many developers or would-be developers pause as to if they want to subject themselves to putting something out there if they are going to be so thoroughly abused. If there are less games out there, you only have yourselves to thank. One can disagree without being disagreeable. I echo BarbarrossaNA in their comments to you, Domiek - hats off to you for creating a very entertaining game that has amused me for the best part of the last few years.

Here's the thing, using this as a practice project is totally fine, but even practice projects should have proper endings, and characters and stories that are fully developed. The "practice" is in the development of the technical elements, but there should always be a planned out story, even if the plan is just where you want them to end up and I have a hard time believing any of these endings were planned because they aren't actual endings, some of them have only just really started to become something.

 

[MLBnoob]

With Domiek's decision to just abruptly end it, he and his white knights should have these negative but NOT TOXIC comments. Also its a learning project, what you can't learn from negative comments which point out one's shortcomings and weaknesses? Also there's no name-calling or insults thrown, don't act like that happened white knights.

Domiek don't take to heart the negative comments and don't let positive comments build your ego, as a human being and a dev you must learn from both and balance to improve yourself. As positive criticism only brings about devs who just use their fans and supporters like the devs of summer saga with unusually long wait for updates or devs who keeps making excuses like the dev of Dual Family and that dev of Milfy City. And negative criticism brings only abandonment and the unrealization of talents like devs with few to no supporters who then abandon the game rather than learn and comeback with a chance of a big bang, I've seen devs of unpopular games come back with big hit sequels.

 

[punisher2099]

Maybe the dev could come back to this eventually or make a sequel at some point. Let them start their new project and call this completed.....for now.

 

[FishHeadPuppet]

I'm going to have to agree with Holy Bacchus and the others that found this ending to be, at best, abrupt and unsatisfying. Domiek may have approached this as a learning experience but I don't remember reading anything here, or elsewhere, where he wrote "don't get invested in the characters because I could turn them off like a light-switch".

People became invested, empathized with certain characters and many of us wanted to see them handled with a little care. I'm not suggesting that every character should have had a "Disney ending", but I think this could have been more fleshed-out without dragging it out for months and having Domiek's apologists assure us that "he'll do better next time" doesn't fix Personal Trainer.

 

[Holy Bacchus]

I'm going to have to agree with Holy Bacchus and the others that found this ending to be, at best, abrupt and unsatisfying. Domiek may have approached this as a learning experience but I don't remember reading anything here, or elsewhere, where he wrote "don't get invested in the characters because I could turn them off like a light-switch".

People became invested, empathized with certain characters and many of us wanted to see them handled with a little care. I'm not suggesting that every character should have had a "Disney ending", but I think this could have been more fleshed-out without dragging it out for months and having Domiek's apologists assure us that "he'll do better next time" doesn't fix Personal Trainer.

Exactly. "Practice project" to, I would say, the majority of people translates to "the quality will improve over time" not, "I'm gonna stop this game when I feel I'm ready to start the game I really want to make". There's still a level of expectation that people have that a game, when it is completed, will be actually completed and have proper endings where everything is wrapped up to a reasonably satisfying degree, even if that game goes from poor quality at the start to awesome quality at the end, proper endings are still expected.

 

[joshuafer2019]

Do this have a walkthrough mod?

 

[preglovr12]

Do this have a walkthrough mod?

It's build into the game already

 

[Deleted member 694527]

I'm going to do something silly and respond here before the dust settles, despite everyone warning me months ahead of time to avoid my thread when ending a game.

When I started this game, I had zero artistic or writing ability. My thought process was that I need to learn the technical ability first before working on a meaningful story. To those that have been here since the beginning, you'll remember the clusterfuck that were the first few versions. Unfortunately, stories are limited by technical ability. There's a reason why so many Daz games have similar stories and settings (i.e available assets). PT started off as a full on sandbox with stats, money and store to purchase items and the writing was an afterthought. I quickly removed all that before releasing the first version. That perfectly summarizes PT, a learning project for both tangible skills as well as understanding my own preferences. There's a reason why I now recommend every new dev to make their first project a short story instead of their dream game. You learn so much in the first 3-6 months.

To those that feel disappointed or unfulfilled, you have a right to be. There is no argument that can change someone's dissatisfaction. I'm a big boy and can handle seeing this. The only thing that bothers me are the few people claiming "Dom obviously doesn't care about his players and just decided to end the game". I've had no joy working on this game for well over a year. PT had accomplished it's original goal for me by that point. Some of the devs know just how many times I joked about North Korea launching a surprise nuke at MC's city. The only thing that made me extend another year was specifically to resolve the main conflicts and bring some closure for the fans. It's a bit frustrating to be accused of the complete opposite as it makes me feel like I put myself through the meat grinder for no purpose. The choice to learn Blender was crucial to continuing the game. Even though I was not emotionally invested any longer, it was at least exciting to use that time to learn new skills and put them to practice. Reflecting back I can confidently say it was the right decision.

I won't be here to argue or defend the quality or satisfaction of the endings but I will argue that it's indeed finished. These open world games never end. All I could do was was resolve the immediate conflicts that were presented from the start of the game. What happens after is up to you. I could spend another 6 months developing the after, but I'm certain I would return to this thread to see people asking "What happens after after"? Only Mayan's story is unresolved as I cut her original ending because frankly, it was too insane. I'm talking Jack the Ripper levels of insane.

What's Coming Up Next?
I haven't been this excited to work in 3D for a long time. I honestly believe the next game will blow everyone away which is a huge contrast considering I always poked fun of PT. I'll release more details later in a public Patreon post, but this will be my baby. I've learned a lot from making PT not only in technical terms but also personal preferences. For this reason, the next game will be a VN with a tight and well defined scope. I've discovered that I would much rather focus on a small cast of characters and carefully explore and develop their character in depth rather than spreading thin on many.

Here are some of the things taken into consideration for the next project.

• The story in its entirety is being planned and outlined from start to finish, including breaking up into logical episode segments
• Each character is having a fully fleshed out character reference sheet being developed, which takes into consideration things like personality, appearance, right down to their posture and how they sit.
• Studying figure drawing to improve posing (I've had to pose everything from scratch since switching to Blender, rather than using Daz pose libraries)
• Custom sculpting to make poses more natural and believable
• Custom sculpting unique details for the characters (and no more identical vaginas on everyone)
• Studying cinematography to understand what makes a shot interesting
• Lighting and color theory

These are some of the things I've been actively working on for the past year on the side. Some of it made it into PT, others were just an ongoing development on the side. Moving to Blender has opened up a lot of options with the ease of integration with other software. This initial planning process is insanely important. I had another project I wanted to do for a long time but once I sat down to sketch everything out I quickly realized that it's way too ambitious and completely outside of my current ability. I've actually found myself intentionally limiting what I want to accomplish next in order to not stretch myself thin. I feel confident in saying that Personal Trainer will look like Big Blue's skid mark in comparison when the first episode of the next game is released.

To those that were defending me in the thread, thank you. I love you too,

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. Don't worry, I'm not getting discouraged or hurt in the least bit. To those that expressed their displeasure, no worries. Fair criticism and feedback is always welcomed. To those who sent me hateful private messages, just know that I read them while grinning and rubbing my nipples. Two nipples, two hands.

To everyone, thanks for playing PT and I hope you'll be looking forward to the next project as much as I'm looking forward to making it. Be on the lookout for the monthly renders I'm posting to

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. These are renders that I'm actively taking time to apply what I've been learning.

Hugs & Tugs