The thing is, they are NOT and never have been "roomies" by any (non-game) definition of the word. They're either adopted or foster children (probably the latter).
"Roomies" is presumably only mentioned because it's AVN code for a certain other relationship dynamic. There is no other reason for Nami to say it, unless she's willfully choosing to hide her status as a foster or adopted child (which I don't buy, because such reticence isn't explained or made clear in the game).
I agree with foster children or wards, and I understand the obvious logic even with those terms. Such a position is clear, concise and definitely implies no relationship beyond circumstantial living arrangements.
If I grew up with a housemate who was my best friend, what would I use as a single noun to describe our relationship that wasn't cringey? Anthing I choose would sound lame. Most of our reason for disliking the term 'roomies' is it isn't a term anyone would use in any real situation, at best I've heard people say housemate or flatmate. Mostly I hear people saying "we just live together" or "we share a house". They don't even share a room. It breaks the fourth wall as an inserted word external to the game universe, and enforces a patreon friendly approach to avoid misunderstanding. But Nami knows shit all about patreon. There's no need to define their relationship if they're unrelated.
In such a situation, I'd be like "Woah dude, we live in the same house and grew up together. Don't make it weird." It still avoids the issue of what they are defined as, but it's something I'd actually say if flustered. It also then reflects Noji's idea that they have a weird relationship. Something like that would strengthen the plot rather than break immersion, while keeping the logic as it currently is (undefined).
The majority of people have undefined relationships with each other if you think about it; in real life we mostly let people introduce themselves and take that on face value. The only thing it reveals is that they have a intimacy/synergy that makes it obvious to people observing them that they are really really close knit, closer than just living under the same roof regardless of a defined relation.
I'm also looking at the term in isolation, as it specifically breaks immersion. When Zara says "I expected asians" that feels like a more natural conversation - they get sitetracked intomeeting Vanessa rather than explaining their life story in the foyer.
Thank you for your reply. A bit rude, because you're missing the context a bit, but thank you all the same.
It's presumptuous to believe that I'm using the "fan-made" excuse to make money even with over 3500 renders created as a simple hobbyist and novice.
And I don't understand why the look would make it even worse. I bought the right to use these 3D assets in the same way as Oceans and it was not at all complicated to recreate the same faces. I even changed some details like hair colors and more. My MC even has scars.
Did you know that the figure used for Nami is also in the visual novel Love Season?!
I realize that I should have simply stopped at “share it” instead of adding “and even sell it”.
On the other hand, for personalities, it is on this point where I agree and which posed a moral problem for me, even if I strongly doubt that this is enough to be taken to court since they have nothing iconic. Even Sonic or Mario, much more iconic personnalities, have fan-made ones.
Brief. I am scrupulous enough to know that your message alone is enough to make me forget about the possibility of being able to sell it. I simply wanted to be exhaustive in my approach to get fair feedback.
Let's forget about selling it and just stick to the idea of sharing it.
I'm waiting to have a little more opinion before knowing if I should put all this in the "trash".
Thank
As far as fan made goes, clearly stating it's fanfiction and sharing it without seeking financial game does keep it as fan art. That should be fine. *Should be*. Keep in mind that as fan fiction, you'll be doubly judged - not just for the content you've developed, but for your inspiration - you'll be continually compared to something that get's criticised here in quite a polarised way. Are you comfortable with that criticism?
By the way, your description doesn't sound like you've copied much, you've just been heavily inspired by the type of story. and the look of the story. Nika is not a street racer, yours is. Bella and Nika are unrelated, Yours are. Nami and Bella are not friends, yours are. GOing to university is not something unusual. Starting from there, I can't see how there would be much parallel, and would suggest it's not fan fiction, just that you've been inspired to write a VN and you liked the looks.
Also, you've already done it, why would you trash it? If it brings you pleasure to do it, you can keep doing it for yourself in private regardless of anyone else. That is already a sufficent outcome.
