WTF
Can I be frank about the
current development of the game?
- Initial idea and demo; absolute gold. Over a year ago...
- Taking out rape scenes for "consensual sex" ... kinda weird that you're being assaulted and murdered by said thugs/goons/insects/dogs/mutants/etc... but I get it, Eromancer is afraid of being canceled for an H-game... Because nothing is more politically correct than being sodomized by a giant flying cockroach with a foot-long cock... as long as it's consensual...*rolls eyes*
- Spending almost an entire year to "revamp" all sex scenes so they meet "consensual" standards; red flag #1.
- Showing off various sketches, concept art and new levels; while the base demo game has been the same for almost 2 years; red flag #2.
The biggest red flag so far, is the
sudden scope that the developers want to take the game. Even with their current budget and assuming they're getting the same amount of money each month... There is no way in hell this game will ever be completed given how they've handled the game for the last year.
As I stated in my review of the game, this is an H-Game. Give it the same H-Game budget as you would any other start-up indy company. A couple few levels, story, ending that's no more than 30 minutes long (even the waves are enough padding for time). With what the developers have been pitching for the past few months, it sounds like they're trying to be the next Hideo Kojima or even Stanley Kubrick.
I would not be surprised if sometime next year, the developers will push towards a new goal to make the game a steam release, by having 2 versions of the game. One without any reference of H-Scenes, but then an exclusive R18 version for paid membership or on a site like dlsite. Thus begins another 2+ year development cycle where some of the core programmers begin to drop out of the project entirely. More delays, more disappointment and the eventual cancellation of the game. Good luck with refunds...
THE SOLUTION
This is what any normal "SANE" person would do, given the budget and talent working with the developer. Make the game small and short (20-30 minutes). Release the base game with a hint of a sequel if sales justify it (as any sane person does). Once you hit sales target, announce the sequel, use what you've learned to speed up the development process from the previous game. Hire more people for the amount of more content that you originally planned (IE: a sewer level). Use the good will you earned during the development of the first game, to gain additional backers and supporters through word of mouth.
Then release the sequel with all the things you originally wanted, while knowing you've released 2 COMPLETED TITLES. Everyone can add it to their resume/portfolio and you can plan your next Picasso.
THE BIG CON
But that's being optimistic isn't it? Why have such a logical road map and goal when you can just milk SO MUCH MONEY FROM PEOPLE IN A MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION-LIKE DONATION SERVICE. Take advantage of their good will... ALL OF IT!
The game was essentially Double Dragon with "rape" as it's hook (as most H-Games would); until they kneeled over to the politically correct crowd. So now it's just Double Dragon with consensual sex, but with so much "HIGH" production value that it'll rival any other modern game in the beat-em-up genre.
This makes me appreciate Grimhelm more and more, especially knowing the guy never gave any bull shit excuses or even shows off UNRELATED ART PROJECTS during development of his current game. Grimhelm literally goes radio silence on his developing projects and just drops a playable demo when it's ready.
I would highly suggest the devs do something similar, instead of the blatantly abusing it's donors by stretching out progression in baby steps. You can already see the next update patch notes for August:
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Double Vioreaper scene with Larve
