Niuul

Active Member
Jun 25, 2022
681
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I think one thing that gets missed about Ocean versus a number of other devs I follow is Ocean has (up until Very recently) gone with weekly updates where he is very transparent about what is happening re: his workflow and other things impacting his AVNs.

To your points above, I think many devs don't share as much about the things impacting their dev cycle (or at least it feels that way when Ocean gives us weekly updates and many other devs stick to monthly updates, for example).

Some other considerations include:

For those devs who don't buy music and only use more generically available, royalty-free, music - they will not encounter Ocean's issues with depreciation of the value of music licenses getting stretched over 10 years or some of the companies holding the licenses changing the terms of the agreements forcing Ocean to give up songs he literally built animations around (or setting aside the 'don't use my music with adult content' issue).

For those who are not pushing the graphics envelope so hard, they will not worry about the NV link issue with NVIDIA or pushing for such dramatic improvements in the 'look' of early scenes.

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The old renders are perfectly legit for 95% of the other AVNs I enjoy as I don't expect HD level renders for those AVNs (and some would Really benefit from the treatment.)

We have, per Ocean's last count, 27 more chapters to go.

While I think Ocean's 'speed of production' will increase, the proof will be where we are at this time in 2025 and 2026, for example.

How much faster will he create with new equipment and no reworks?

If Steam is a Big success, I anticipate we will get more great music because Ocean will be able to afford it.

The search for this music and, where Ocean decides to build animations around specific songs (like the great animation build around Humble Hey's What My Mama Said) will take time but how much?

My point is just that I trust Ocean to tell us this great story his way, making great use of the $ from supporters on Patreon and SS and Hopefully Many new Steam fans.

Season 1 is Steaming towards us and will hopefully make port Very soon (Apologies for that pun but... I had to :p)

I have already set my sights on Season 2 and am looking forward to our first official Season 2 dev log post Steam submission.

Cheers!! :coffee:
Like I said in a prior post, I'll just be happy when updates are all entirely new story. Updates being split 50/50 between reworks and new scenes felt bad. Need to find out where Summer is before I go missing when I lose my mind due to old age and wander off somewhere never to be seen again.
 

Niuul

Active Member
Jun 25, 2022
681
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Why? who is she to you? what will you do once you find out? be like "ah, okay, time to move on" ? she is dead, married or a whore, you get to decide.

You should have your hands busy with Nami and the rest of the LI's the game is throwing at you or will you say "fuck them" and just wait for Summer?
B-because it's the namesake of the game. I'd like to know lmao. Wasn't that deep.
 

N1ghtcrawler

Member
May 29, 2023
139
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We can say Bella is a sociopath (poor impulse control, acting in anger, showing open disdain for social norms even more than Venessa) while Vanessa is a psychopath (cold, more calculating, lies easily). They both have antisocial personality disorder, which is not the same as asocial btw.
All the traits you attribute to sociopaths can be attributed to psychopaths and vice versa. Moreover, coldness and calculating are not necessary traits of psychopaths, they are cliche from the popular media.

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Now, I'm not a psychiatrist, so you can take anything I say with skepticism. But as far as I know, there is no established distinction between psychopath and sociopath. Both are synonymous with antisocial personality disorder, yes. But what is now called APD used to be explicitly called psychopathy. Sociopath is not a formal term. Sorry if you think I'm trying to act smart-ass here, but both words have been used differently so many times that their meanings is completely blurred now.

From an average point of view, I think it would be accurate to say that the stereoptypical serial killer is a psychopath, but the person who calmly steps over a dying body to get to his car is a sociopath.

There's no way Bella has APD. Given her feelings, which she shows to Nika and her sister, this is simply impossible. If you want to see how a person with APD really interacts with people, I highly recommend you to watch Nightcrawler. This is the most realistic depiction of a sociopath/psychopath who is not a typical serial killer. It's also a great movie. Or just watch these scenes , , , . Judging by them, Vanessa could be in this guy's place. I didn't think so at first, but after you mentioned it, I can see Vanessa has APD, easily. But it's too early to judge for sure.
It’s the opposite really, her behavior changes accordingly with whom she’s talking to. If the situation requires to be socially appropriate or pretend to get ahead she will. That’s how she fooled Bella.
The situation requires is the key here. She changed her behavior because she suspected Bella is one thing, she changed her behavior because she views Bella as upper/lower class is different thing.

No, I realise this. This is actually what I expect, it's like the entry level of society. Someone who believes in the norms of decency when they meet new people. It's the default setting for 95% of people (in the context of their culture), and Vanessa shows how selfish she is by ignoring such things. I'm not arguing for conformity, but even Nika who is considered rude and antagonistic, knows how to bite his tongue. How you achieve something is as important as why and what :)

People who don't believe in normal social interactions tend to end up isolated. Try to make up your own language in order to communicate and see how many people understand you; it's the same thing. All interaction is a dialogue, and requires both expression and reception. Dismissing how people percieve/recieve you puts you at a disadvantage. Nika understands this when he's manipulative, and uses people's expectations or thoughts as his guide to be subversive.



Mila's complicated though - she's been accused of the Holgerson theft, or at least was untile we see how that scene plays out in full. I guess I should try playing a few different paths to see how Vanessa changes if your pursuing Vic or Mila instead of Bella. I've defaulted to Bella's path as it has the most content currently.
Here I was writing an epic reply. "What the hell are you talking about?" "We were arguing about whether Vanessa was intentionally hostile to Nika" blah blah blah. Then I opened the dialog file.

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Bruh. :rolleyes:

So yes, you were right and I was right, she was intentionally hostile to him, but because of the way he looked at her.
The longer we wait for the final version, the more we forget and the more pointless debates we have.
But hey, now you can lower your Vanessa is evil rating at least 80%. 85% considering you were half right.
I'm not arguing for conformity, but even Nika who is considered rude and antagonistic, knows how to bite his tongue.
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Yeah he sure does. :devilish:


However, I noticed something when I was reading the dialogs. Bella mentioned that Stefan lusts after her mother. When I remembered how weird Amber was acting with Nika, and I was like :unsure:. I mean, during my playthrough her behavior didn't seem odd to mee because this is an adult VN. But maybe in the context of Bella's hatred towards Stefan, the problem is actually Amber?
 

BobTheDuck

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2018
1,509
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All the traits you attribute to sociopaths can be attributed to psychopaths and vice versa. Moreover, coldness and calculating are not necessary traits of psychopaths, they are cliche from the popular media.

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Now, I'm not a psychiatrist, so you can take anything I say with skepticism. But as far as I know, there is no established distinction between psychopath and sociopath. Both are synonymous with antisocial personality disorder, yes. But what is now called APD used to be explicitly called psychopathy. Sociopath is not a formal term. Sorry if you think I'm trying to act smart-ass here, but both words have been used differently so many times that their meanings is completely blurred now.

From an average point of view, I think it would be accurate to say that the stereoptypical serial killer is a psychopath, but the person who calmly steps over a dying body to get to his car is a sociopath.

There's no way Bella has APD. Given her feelings, which she shows to Nika and her sister, this is simply impossible. If you want to see how a person with APD really interacts with people, I highly recommend you to watch Nightcrawler. This is the most realistic depiction of a sociopath/psychopath who is not a typical serial killer. It's also a great movie. Or just watch these scenes , , , . Judging by them, Vanessa could be in this guy's place. I didn't think so at first, but after you mentioned it, I can see Vanessa has APD, easily. But it's too early to judge for sure.
The situation requires is the key here. She changed her behavior because she suspected Bella is one thing, she changed her behavior because she views Bella as upper/lower class is different thing.


Here I was writing an epic reply. "What the hell are you talking about?" "We were arguing about whether Vanessa was intentionally hostile to Nika" blah blah blah. Then I opened the dialog file.

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Bruh. :rolleyes:

So yes, you were right and I was right, she was intentionally hostile to him, but because of the way he looked at her.
The longer we wait for the final version, the more we forget and the more pointless debates we have.
But hey, now you can lower your Vanessa is evil rating at least 80%. 85% considering you were half right.

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Yeah he sure does. :devilish:


However, I noticed something when I was reading the dialogs. Bella mentioned that Stefan lusts after her mother. When I remembered how weird Amber was acting with Nika, and I was like :unsure:. I mean, during my playthrough her behavior didn't seem odd to mee because this is an adult VN. But maybe in the context of Bella's hatred towards Stefan, the problem is actually Amber?
Pointless debates??? We're just twiddling out thumbs while we wait, we'd forget more if we didn't! Some of these discussions

I chose all the nicest choices with Nika :) - I'm certain most evil/heartless choices will backfire in a story about healing. But by the context of the dinner with the Benz's, he manages to defuse the Zara situation, and by the end of the night has turned it around. THe subsequent scene with Zara on the street court, her being eager to have Nika around, show that Nika can bite his tongue. He specifically mentions he's there to support Noji when he almost drops Zara in the pool. The locker room thing he takes the hit to prevent too much resentment. There's heaps of times he masks purely to fit the social expectations, and he's rusty, not used to being out in people's faces. Yet, he manages at the book club again. And he knows not to play with private toys he doesn't own, unlike the girls. So yeah, I'd say that he knows when to be polite, and he also knows when to push it. The earlier stuff is a direct result of him not socialising - he's disconnected. By Ch5 he's stressed still by people, bt he's remembered how to respond, how to interact to a fair extent.

Vanessa is also trying to suss him out, but uses Zara as a proxy, tries to get her angry at Nika almost constantly. Sibling rivalry is a thing, but even still. Vanessa might be intelligent, but she seems the odd one out of the Benz's, Nick an Zara both act like solid people even in Zara's case when she's angry. Vanessa for all her intelligence is really obvious in the way she tries to trigger everyone, even Noji. Nick calls her out on it as well, not just Zara. Also her ego makes her think she's special, the way she smiled when she said:

va "Not that I'm not used to being stared at... I mean, look at me.

She's way too into herself.

Regards, Amber, as a psych, she knows exactly what she's doing. Remember that she's giving Stefanie relationship advice on the phone. It seems to me that her professional warmth and empathy go maybe too far - Nika notices it at the bookclub when he realises why she's introducing herself to him - she is perhaps very considerate and it gets misread. But she also has pierced nipples, so, a wild child as well. Bella's got an example of how to live large and calm down later right at home. I think as we find out more about Amber's other daughter we'll get a better idea of this.

Considering Bella stole back the teddy, I'm wondering if it was her sisters, and she sees AMber giving it away as AMber becoming resigned to her sister never waking, while Bella still hopes.

Could Venessa have done research before she met Nika? I mean, I don't remember the exact conversations, but I thought she knew a lot more about Bella and Nika.
Absolutely she does know. Noji would've spoken about them at least, just like you already know that one of Nick's kids is very unique. There's also a case to be made that Vanessa already knows what she needs to know, and is just toying with Nika to prove her superiority, or to make him nervous enough to make a mistake.

"You know the answer":
$ VaInt = True
scene ad706 with dssa
va "*whisper* I do indeed."

Or she just needs people to acknowledge she's better, just like Zara does, and sets people up to prove how she's outmanoeuvred them.
 
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Don Sucio

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2021
1,156
1,951
Why? who is she to you? what will you do once you find out? be like "ah, okay, time to move on" ? she is dead, married or a whore, you get to decide.

You should have your hands busy with Nami and the rest of the LI's the game is throwing at you or will you say "fuck them" and just wait for Summer?
Well, i don´t feel nothing about Summer, Nika yes but not me, i will need that Ocean make me love Summer is she is going to return at some point.
 
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Adhdclassic

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Mar 10, 2024
1,748
2,546
I thought that when i started to play this game, and i have always felt that Nami is more darker than she looks, buuut, it´s a theory without real evidences so...
Absolutely agree, Therapy will be the key if my theory has a chance. When you are at the Frohns house if you take Nami outside he tells her he is going to have to break his word to her and tell Amber something. Think that something is going to be important. what my theory is I will keep to myself till the next update of the game. In another year.
 

N1ghtcrawler

Member
May 29, 2023
139
1,927
Pointless debates??? We're just twiddling out thumbs while we wait, we'd forget more if we didn't! Some of these discussions

I chose all the nicest choices with Nika :) - I'm certain most evil/heartless choices will backfire in a story about healing. But by the context of the dinner with the Benz's, he manages to defuse the Zara situation, and by the end of the night has turned it around. THe subsequent scene with Zara on the street court, her being eager to have Nika around, show that Nika can bite his tongue. He specifically mentions he's there to support Noji when he almost drops Zara in the pool. The locker room thing he takes the hit to prevent too much resentment. There's heaps of times he masks purely to fit the social expectations, and he's rusty, not used to being out in people's faces. Yet, he manages at the book club again. And he knows not to play with private toys he doesn't own, unlike the girls. So yeah, I'd say that he knows when to be polite, and he also knows when to push it. The earlier stuff is a direct result of him not socialising - he's disconnected. By Ch5 he's stressed still by people, bt he's remembered how to respond, how to interact to a fair extent.

Vanessa is also trying to suss him out, but uses Zara as a proxy, tries to get her angry at Nika almost constantly. Sibling rivalry is a thing, but even still. Vanessa might be intelligent, but she seems the odd one out of the Benz's, Nick an Zara both act like solid people even in Zara's case when she's angry. Vanessa for all her intelligence is really obvious in the way she tries to trigger everyone, even Noji. Nick calls her out on it as well, not just Zara. Also her ego makes her think she's special, the way she smiled when she said:

va "Not that I'm not used to being stared at... I mean, look at me.

She's way too into herself.

Regards, Amber, as a psych, she knows exactly what she's doing. Remember that she's giving Stefanie relationship advice on the phone. It seems to me that her professional warmth and empathy go maybe too far - Nika notices it at the bookclub when he realises why she's introducing herself to him - she is perhaps very considerate and it gets misread. But she also has pierced nipples, so, a wild child as well. Bella's got an example of how to live large and calm down later right at home. I think as we find out more about Amber's other daughter we'll get a better idea of this.

Considering Bella stole back the teddy, I'm wondering if it was her sisters, and she sees AMber giving it away as AMber becoming resigned to her sister never waking, while Bella still hopes.



Absolutely she does know. Noji would've spoken about them at least, just like you already know that one of Nick's kids is very unique. There's also a case to be made that Vanessa already knows what she needs to know, and is just toying with Nika to prove her superiority, or to make him nervous enough to make a mistake.

"You know the answer":
$ VaInt = True
scene ad706 with dssa
va "*whisper* I do indeed."

Or she just needs people to acknowledge she's better, just like Zara does, and sets people up to prove how she's outmanoeuvred them.
*thinking about my next epic reply*

1.jpg
Just throwing out a messed up theory twist. Nami killed her. Just throwing it out there.
I've already told you guys. Vanessa kidnapped her and sold her to the Holgersons.
 

N1ghtcrawler

Member
May 29, 2023
139
1,927
I'm cool with that especially her remark to Mila even though Mila never met her. Truthfully we know her boyfriend likes Mila. But please no Leap of Faith shit. She comes back to find out she was 21 undercover Agent.
I have this game on my must try list. Thanks for the spoiler bro (y)
 
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mostwanted8

Active Member
Mar 8, 2024
954
8,183
All the traits you attribute to sociopaths can be attributed to psychopaths and vice versa. Moreover, coldness and calculating are not necessary traits of psychopaths, they are cliche from the popular media.

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Now, I'm not a psychiatrist, so you can take anything I say with skepticism. But as far as I know, there is no established distinction between psychopath and sociopath. Both are synonymous with antisocial personality disorder, yes. But what is now called APD used to be explicitly called psychopathy. Sociopath is not a formal term. Sorry if you think I'm trying to act smart-ass here, but both words have been used differently so many times that their meanings is completely blurred now.

From an average point of view, I think it would be accurate to say that the stereoptypical serial killer is a psychopath, but the person who calmly steps over a dying body to get to his car is a sociopath.
Getting technical there… You mention one study but plenty of other studies mention “sociopaths” and “psychopaths” and their different manifestations within APD, which fit my descriptions. So both terms are perfectly viable when making a distinction.
There's no way Bella has APD. Given her feelings, which she shows to Nika and her sister, this is simply impossible. If you want to see how a person with APD really interacts with people, I highly recommend you to watch Nightcrawler. This is the most realistic depiction of a sociopath/psychopath who is not a typical serial killer. It's also a great movie. Or just watch these scenes , , , . Judging by them, Vanessa could be in this guy's place. I didn't think so at first, but after you mentioned it, I can see Vanessa has APD, easily. But it's too early to judge for sure.
Sociopaths do form attachments although not easily, which totally fits Bella, as you can read in the spoiler below.
At the end of the day Bella still exhibits a ton of antisocial behavior akin to “sociopathy”. Her mom who is a psychiatrist reins her in a lot and has likely done some work with her through the years.
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Also that guy from the movie looks like a psychopath.
The situation requires is the key here. She changed her behavior because she suspected Bella is one thing, she changed her behavior because she views Bella as upper/lower class is different thing.
Well, yeah. Same principle though.
 
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Don Sucio

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2021
1,156
1,951
Absolutely agree, Therapy will be the key if my theory has a chance. When you are at the Frohns house if you take Nami outside he tells her he is going to have to break his word to her and tell Amber something. Think that something is going to be important. what my theory is I will keep to myself till the next update of the game. In another year.
Agree, i respect your decision to keep to yourself your theory, but if you want to share it someday i would like to hear it, is one of the things i most like of this game, the theories.
 
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