Ren'Py Abandoned Power Vacuum [Ch. 12 Official] [What? Why? Games]

[BBC God]

Of course Hunter's existence serves the narrative, but calling that "cheap" is subjective. Hunter is the antagonist and source of conflict. There's a saying in writing: "there is no story without conflict." If Hunter wasn't part of the story then it wouldn't BE a story, it would just be a series of events, and that is boring.

Hunter is also the benefactor. As FoolishFool0 astutely pointed out, Hunter is the one to get his hands dirty, which means Sterling doesn't have to stoop to the level of other games' MCs while still reaping the rewards. That's why Hunter really exists, in a meta sense. These games are a fantasy, but in order to be even slightly plausible the MC needs some kind of gimmick or advantage that helps him easily seduce every female in his life. Such gimmicks are usually unethical and almost always contrived, but having them implemented by a villain allows the other characters (especially the MC) to keep a clear conscience.

What makes this game shine is the characters. The believability of the premise was never what made this game stand out, it was always a means to an end, so maybe try not to get hung up on it.

I view Hunter as more of an imaginary plot device. He has no real power, his actions will never adversely affect the game because there is no consequence, you speak of conflict but the game doesnt punish you, in fact it does all it can to make it so you never fail.

Hunter being a benefactor is just another "reason" to justify his existence, a debt can be saddled to anyone, a mother struggling to make ends meet, a very wealthy aunt who helps out her sister, a relative who passed away and set very specific regulations in a will, are all perfectly usable plot devices. The situation is only like that because the dev wanted it to be. It feels like the developer split 1 character into 2. Instead of 1 MC who does all the typical stuff you would expect we get 2 MC's, Sterling who acts holier than thou even tho he still wants to fuck his family and Hunter who is pretty much doing what every incest MC does in these types of games.

I agree that the only shine I am seeing here are the characters. I was expecting to be blown away by how you guys seemingly talk about this game here but I gotta say its very generic outside of the girls.

 

[Fayn Arawn]

I view Hunter as more of an imaginary plot device. He has no real power, his actions will never adversely affect the game because there is no consequence, you speak of conflict but the game doesnt punish you, in fact it does all it can to make it so you never fail.

Hunter being a benefactor is just another "reason" to justify his existence, a debt can be saddled to anyone, a mother struggling to make ends meet, a very wealthy aunt who helps out her sister, a relative who passed away and set very specific regulations in a will, are all perfectly usable plot devices. The situation is only like that because the dev wanted it to be. It feels like the developer split 1 character into 2. Instead of 1 MC who does all the typical stuff you would expect we get 2 MC's, Sterling who acts holier than thou even tho he still wants to fuck his family and Hunter who is pretty much doing what every incest MC does in these types of games.

I agree that the only shine I am seeing here are the characters. I was expecting to be blown away by how you guys seemingly talk about this game here but I gotta say its very generic outside of the girls.

First, while we often refer to Power Vacuum as a "game", it's really a semi-interactive visual novel, with only one "true" story. Many stories have villains that are valid threats but who ultimately fail.

For the sake of discussion, I'll admit it might be more interesting if Hunter had some success in order to prove himself as a threat and raise the drama, but in fact he has already done so with Nora and Keira in the journal flashback. I think this was a clever way to address the issue you're describing without "sacrificing" any of the other female characters who've been built up so far.

I wouldn't necessarily have been opposed to Hunter having a canon "win" in the present storyline, but that would be a bold move that would almost certainly alienate a lot of fans. The Rebecca/Cerberus subplot did not go over well with some fans; Hunter scoring with any of the girls "for real" would cause 100 times the outrage. Again, I'm not arguing for or against, but this is a porn fantasy, not some grimdark epic, and it's understandable the dev might not want to give Hunter any of the other ladies.

 

[BBC God]

First, while we often refer to Power Vacuum as a "game", it's really a semi-interactive visual novel, with only one "true" story. Many stories have villains that are valid threats but who ultimately fail.

For the sake of discussion, I'll admit it might be more interesting if Hunter had some success in order to prove himself as a threat and raise the drama, but in fact he has already done so with Nora and Keira in the journal flashback. I think this was a clever way to address the issue you're describing without "sacrificing" any of the other female characters who've been built up so far.

I wouldn't necessarily have been opposed to Hunter having a canon "win" in the present storyline, but that would be a bold move that would almost certainly alienate a lot of fans. The Rebecca/Cerberus subplot did not go over well with some fans; Hunter scoring with any of the girls "for real" would cause 100 times the outrage. Again, I'm not arguing for or against, but this is a porn fantasy, not some grimdark epic, and it's understandable the dev might not want to give Hunter any of the other ladies.

Yeah I think he shoulda went all the way. It would have made for a better story to me and the whole alienation thing would happen but only in regards to Harem vs NTR, which at this point I am pretty sure is a good thing for games rather than bad.

 

[BeingADikDik]

Still playing through this game, now on chapter 10 and it's taking a turn for the worst. With the far too many transvestite references, religious references, feminism etc... my love for the game, where the human was great, is quickly tanking.

Just wait til you get to Nazi Sterling !

 

[Strong1]

Closing in on a year and still no update!

 

[Klaigh]

My only knock against WWG has ever been about the nonsensical chatting during what should be a hot sex scene. Overall, fantastic game created by a talented developer. I guess I knocked him for banning me from his Patreon, but I was pretty much begging for it, so I gotta take the heat for that one.

 

[Night Hacker]

My only knock against WWG has ever been about the nonsensical chatting during what should be a hot sex scene. Overall, fantastic game created by a talented developer. I guess I knocked him for banning me from his Patreon, but I was pretty much begging for it, so I gotta take the heat for that one.

That is another thing that annoyed me as well. They're about to have sex, SHE wants it bad... and yet another PARAGRAPH of nonsensical text appears on my screen, and I am like "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!" and then, as you said, he can't... stop... talking.... man, I was married for over 36 years and I didn't lay there, pumping it into her while having a casual conversation! Talk about a mood killer, and it only seems to be getting worse. It feels like inserting lots of text as filler. It used to be funny, now I see no humour and what they discuss is not important to... anything.

 

[QnotU]

Closing in on a year and still no update!

Wow such an insightful comment that really adds to the conversation.

If you actually took the time to look you would see the developer:

-Has consistently updated people with MANY previews of the update
-Has explained his work ethic (5 days a week/6-8 hour days)
-Has made extra content in the mean time
-Has made updates with tons of content
-Has announced the update should be out this week

This is the wrong developer to complain about in regards to updates. They have shown they are incredibly professional, communicative, and hard working. Sit down when you pee, bitch.

 

[THEBOSS23234545]

Can anyone tell me when chapter 7 came out. Because I started this game about a month before that so I’m just wondering how insanely long it’s been.

 

[RX-9/C]

Mate we are at Chapter 11. If you really just want to know when was chapter 7 it around 1/2021

 

[acehigh]

Just here making sure there's still salt on the table. Seems more points are still needed in Conjuration.

 

[milfkiller]

Wow such an insightful comment that really adds to the conversation.

If you actually took the time to look you would see the developer:

-Has consistently updated people with MANY previews of the update
-Has explained his work ethic (5 days a week/6-8 hour days)
-Has made extra content in the mean time
-Has made updates with tons of content
-Has announced the update should be out this week

This is the wrong developer to complain about in regards to updates. They have shown they are incredibly professional, communicative, and hard working. Sit down when you pee, bitch.

he should go to milfy city

 

[beegemgeege]

My only knock against WWG has ever been about the nonsensical chatting during what should be a hot sex scene. Overall, fantastic game created by a talented developer. I guess I knocked him for banning me from his Patreon, but I was pretty much begging for it, so I gotta take the heat for that one.

*sexy bit begins* ...soooo, wanna hear my comedy night club routine?

 

[john984]

According to latest status update we should get the beta before Sunday right?

 

[BBC God]

*sexy bit begins* ...soooo, wanna hear my comedy night club routine?

I swear the dev has a dictionary next to him while making the dialogue so he can use the most out of place words and jokes to make himself sound smart and eloquent.

 

[Fayn Arawn]

I swear the dev has a dictionary next to him while making the dialogue so he can use the most out of place words and jokes to make himself sound smart and eloquent.

Wouldn't the point of using a dictionary be to ensure the words he uses are NOT out of place?

Even though PV is mostly comedy, I'll agree it would be nice to get a bit more dirty talk during the sex scenes, as long as it doesn't devolve into simple oh-ah-fuck-yes-god-yes etc. which gets boring.

I feel the balance has shifted a little in recent chapters, especially in chapter 11 with Sterling being affected by the new drugs. Making the women admit how much they like his dick etc. is less humorous and more erotic.

 

[BBC God]

Wouldn't the point of using a dictionary be to ensure the words he uses are NOT out of place?

Even though PV is mostly comedy, I'll agree it would be nice to get a bit more dirty talk during the sex scenes, as long as it doesn't devolve into simple oh-ah-fuck-yes-god-yes etc. which gets boring.

I feel the balance has shifted a little in recent chapters, especially in chapter 11 with Sterling being affected by the new drugs. Making the women admit how much they like his dick etc. is less humorous and more erotic.

I meant "out of place" for a porn game setting. Dialogue seems like the dev is trying to impress us with his vocabulary and worldly/religious knowledge lol. We getting monologues and jokes that are meant for C-SPAN not Porn.

 

[Dogorti]

I meant "out of place" for a porn game setting. Dialogue seems like the dev is trying to impress us with his vocabulary and worldly/religious knowledge lol. We getting monologues and jokes that are meant for C-SPAN not Porn.

And I'm not a big fan of some dialogue either, but not because of the "vocabulary" but because I don't find it funny. but it's not bad that a porn game wants to have good dialogue and not your typical brazzers script...

 

[john984]

Monday, Don't hold your breath on it, we wouldve heard something about the release by now if it was actually the case.

Did he say something on Discord about the release?

 

[Fayn Arawn]

I meant "out of place" for a porn game setting. Dialogue seems like the dev is trying to impress us with his vocabulary and worldly/religious knowledge lol. We getting monologues and jokes that are meant for C-SPAN not Porn.

Oh, now I get what you mean. Still, I think "it's not a bug, it's a feature" as they say. A big part of why I enjoy PV is that it's not like typical porn games. And as an intellectual, I'm hardly bothered by the vocabulary or references!