VN Ren'Py Summer's Gone [S1 Steam + DLC] [Oceanlab]

[John972]

Well, let's not put it past Ocean. As much as we talk about things being plausible, he will stretch what is probable to fit his agenda...

Some excellent points in your post. One can only wonder how Ocean with manage all these subtle plot points.

On the subject of Ocean's agenda, among the Easter Eggs Ocean put in Season 1...



Hugo Reyes is definitely not impressed...

 

[Miranha157]

Looking at each independently is wise, I don't think there's a specific orchestrator of a smear campaign (although Sasha's 'maybe he did deserve it' comment about Nika getting locked up suggests some people have axes to grind.

First instance - there can always be someone else listening in. It'd just be poor form. Nora is likely to start rumours just by speaking anyway, even if Miriam tells her off. Nora probably wouldn't consider it gossip, because she's telling the facts ...she's intentionally designed as a character to be flighty, ditzy and loose lipped. But we know Robin mentioned it herself to people at the bookclub, so there's the chance that the rumours have multiple sources.

Second instance, yeah, can't imagine any of them signed non disclosure agreements. JUst a guy being locked in the locker rooms would be enough to joke about and be in their social media feeds. Surprised there's no post on aurora of Nika in handcuffs yet.

Last, consider that Bella's absence is noted by the girls, and that's a pretty minor thing, but her going out with Nika is an established fact without NIka, Nami or Bella having said anything publicly - except for Nika at the bar, talking with Ayua, Trey, Jeff, Damian - oh and Robin's there. So imagine Sai turns up with a face looking like a split tomato, and Nika's got a split lip. Even NOra will put two and two together. Even if no one has seen it other than those, everyone would be asking Sai what happened, just like they asked Nika. And Jeff knows about it from the hallway moment and the bar talk. So there's no NDA's here either, and people don't need to see the event to start a rumour.

I need the Red Bull effect to wear off, after that I'll read and comment, for now I'm thinking about sucking Vanessa's tits.

 

[LHDLLB]

Well, let's not put it past Ocean. As much as we talk about things being plausible, he will stretch what is probable to fit his agenda. We already know the cabin is located too far to drive to for a day trip, but close enough to walk to. Compared to that, rumours will be Ocean's 'get out of jail free' card. "How did they knoy THAT? ...oh right that person in the background ...rumours." It's quite a clever mechanism. Any important event, we'll have to think, what it professor plub or colonel mustard?

As far as Nika's reputation, there are parallel lines in the game concerning that. One is Nika is going to be a rising star of the team, so he'll be exposed to public scrutiny, triggering panic attacks etc. What better way to expose him to panic attacks than rumours he has no control over? He suffers one in the middle of an important game maybe? Then there is is record, he's been charged, even if the charges were dropped. Ceril has it out for Bella, rumours (such as assault or theft) will give her excuses to investigate Nika. Reputation will confirm her suspicions to start tracking him.

And don't forget Emilio deals in rumours. He sends Desiree out to dig up dirt, she's there behind the reporter.



Looking at each independently is wise, I don't think there's a specific orchestrator of a smear campaign (although Sasha's 'maybe he did deserve it' comment about Nika getting locked up suggests some people have axes to grind.

First instance - there can always be someone else listening in. It'd just be poor form. Nora is likely to start rumours just by speaking anyway, even if Miriam tells her off. Nora probably wouldn't consider it gossip, because she's telling the facts ...she's intentionally designed as a character to be flighty, ditzy and loose lipped. But we know Robin mentioned it herself to people at the bookclub, so there's the chance that the rumours have multiple sources.

Second instance, yeah, can't imagine any of them signed non disclosure agreements. JUst a guy being locked in the locker rooms would be enough to joke about and be in their social media feeds. Surprised there's no post on aurora of Nika in handcuffs yet.

Last, consider that Bella's absence is noted by the girls, and that's a pretty minor thing, but her going out with Nika is an established fact without NIka, Nami or Bella having said anything publicly - except for Nika at the bar, talking with Ayua, Trey, Jeff, Damian - oh and Robin's there. So imagine Sai turns up with a face looking like a split tomato, and Nika's got a split lip. Even NOra will put two and two together. Even if no one has seen it other than those, everyone would be asking Sai what happened, just like they asked Nika. And Jeff knows about it from the hallway moment and the bar talk. So there's no NDA's here either, and people don't need to see the event to start a rumour.



Nadia also owes a favour depending on your choices (ie not on Bella's path):

View attachment 4421289 View attachment 4421290



Well, with what Bella writes on Mario's car, the whole basic plot to get Stefan cucking Mario, it's already decided that Nika and Bella are trying to do that in some form.

Further on that, from WiaB we know the Holgerson's had a 'paper' business, and the parents were resisting digitising it. I suspect paper means newspaper, not a paper mill. That might mean the reporter is Stefan's employee.



Halfway through this reply, I realised I should mention there are more rumours. Kate already calls Bella Nika's girlfriend the night after they go to the diner (if you get that locker room scene because you didn't kiss Bella). Vanessa also knows things. And not all rumours will be based on Nika.

We also assume Emilio is on our side, but we don't know anything about Emilio other than he's for hire these days, which presumably means he's had a falling out with the Zanes.



And for all we know, her character exists only to gossip with her smirks. But if this is the grey dyed version of the brunette we saw earlier with Sasha, she talks with Coates in the mensa. So she might actually have a serious plot.



Oh and I missed this one:

View attachment 4421321 View attachment 4421322 View attachment 4421324 View attachment 4421325 View attachment 4421326

So we don't know which rumour, but given Robin's embarrassment, it's probably the one about her, so yes, she did dpill the beans.

I quite agree on all fronts. What I intented to say is that there is no master mind behind those rumours. People gossip and make up stories, it does not need to have a person or group of people scheming against Nika.

 

[Pl@y3r]

Nika has the option to press both Maja and Robin for favors. At this point, I suspect he'll cash them in to aid one of his various plots/schemes, rather than asking for sexual favors.

It's optional yes, not canon and I doubt Nika will ask Maja for money or sexual favors considering Victoria's situation:

We also assume Emilio is on our side, but we don't know anything about Emilio other than he's for hire these days, which presumably means he's had a falling out with the Zanes.

But he's on Bella's side. And after the barbershop visit, whether on her path or not, I consider Emilio at least neutral towards Nika if not an ally.

 

[rudy007]

It's optional yes, not canon and I doubt Nika will ask Maja for money or sexual favors considering Victoria's situation:
View attachment 4422687


But he's on Bella's side. And after the barbershop visit, whether on her path or not, I consider Emilio at least neutral towards Nika if not an ally.

I'm only curious that a guy who is well informed didn't know who is Cyrus... Or MC...

 

[BobTheDuck]

It's optional yes, not canon and I doubt Nika will ask Maja for money or sexual favors considering Victoria's situation:
View attachment 4422687


But he's on Bella's side. And after the barbershop visit, whether on her path or not, I consider Emilio at least neutral towards Nika if not an ally.

To some extent I agree, but still consider - he was Leia's right hand in WiaB, he is now independant and has knuckle tattoos (from prison time?). If he knew Katie Zane is interested, would he be more or less wary of Nika? Katie currently is officially working with Leia, at least publicly non antagonistic. Emilio is independent insteant of a Zan employee - why did that change? Did leia fire him, did he reject the Zane modus? Essentially, Emilio is shown as a neutral, but is he pragmatically neutral (because he is powerless to affect the Zanes)? He's on Bella's side because he doesn't know who Nika is or might be, he's just a stray Bella's brought in. Until Desiree does the fact finding.

This is all stuff yes to be uncovered, so I am rhetorical about it, also way too drunk to be more concise

 

[LHDLLB]

To some extent I agree, but still consider - he was Leia's right hand in WiaB, he is now independant and has knuckle tattoos (from prison time?). If he knew Katie Zane is interested, would he be more or less wary of Nika? Katie currently is officially working with Leia, at least publicly non antagonistic. Emilio is independent insteant of a Zan employee - why did that change? Did leia fire him, did he reject the Zane modus? Essentially, Emilio is shown as a neutral, but is he pragmatically neutral (because he is powerless to affect the Zanes)? He's on Bella's side because he doesn't know who Nika is or might be, he's just a stray Bella's brought in. Until Desiree does the fact finding.

This is all stuff yes to be uncovered, so I am rhetorical about it, also way too drunk to be more concise

I mean I don't disagree but can we assume so much from Emillio ? Why you think he is operating as a interdependent ? The only thing we know is that he operates in the black market and trades information, who is to say that it not Leia still pulling the strings ?

 

[dameromexxx]

I'm only curious that a guy who is well informed didn't know who is Cyrus... Or MC...

Well, it could be many things, either a well-kept secret or Nika Cyrus is a character of no great importance or Nika does matter but the surname Cyrus is not because it is adopted. Generally, Ocean does not reveal the surnames of many characters for a very long time when we find out that Bella is Von Halen? I think it is only in the second half of the game. We even know what Nami's surname is ?, in the Wiki it says Cyrus but it is probably outdated, since they are not siblings, they probably cannot have the same surname, I do not remember it being mentioned even once during the game and on the bus card there is only her first name, as if Ocean did not want us to know her surname now

To some extent I agree, but still consider - he was Leia's right hand in WiaB, he is now independant and has knuckle tattoos (from prison time?). If he knew Katie Zane is interested, would he be more or less wary of Nika? Katie currently is officially working with Leia, at least publicly non antagonistic. Emilio is independent insteant of a Zan employee - why did that change? Did leia fire him, did he reject the Zane modus? Essentially, Emilio is shown as a neutral, but is he pragmatically neutral (because he is powerless to affect the Zanes)? He's on Bella's side because he doesn't know who Nika is or might be, he's just a stray Bella's brought in. Until Desiree does the fact finding.

This is all stuff yes to be uncovered, so I am rhetorical about it, also way too drunk to be more concise

A few days have passed, a lot of things have happened. Desiree has done some research. I wonder how he will behave when we visit him again. I'm not entirely sure, but I think Nika is planning to visit him already on Sunday?

 

[Miranha157]

I'm only curious that a guy who is well informed didn't know who is Cyrus... Or MC...

If the Zanes' intention was to hide Nika or Nami, they did very well, after all William disappeared for years and not even Dylan was able to track him down.

 

[RNasc4444]

I'm only curious that a guy who is well informed didn't know who is Cyrus... Or MC...

Do you blame him? I mean at this point are we even sure Ocean knows?

This shit is enough to fry anyone's brain. Imagine a new player, getting into the game without the ipatch and trying to make sense of the relationship between the MC and Nami. Now imagine him being confronted with the information that the MC's last name is Cyrus and Nami's is Cyrus too. They are such childhood friends and roommates that they somehow were given the same last name. Coincidence? Then tell him Nojiko used to be Cyrus and now is Miyazaki for some reason.

They don't share a last name so they are probably not legally adopted. But they live with Nojiko. Foster parent? Legal guardian? But then again MC clearly says he's adopted.

I've been following this shitshow for 5 years and yet I'm still mostly clueless about who any of these people are or what they mean to each other. Ocean seems to want to keep everything in this permanent quantum state where everything is and isn't at the same time.

 

[BobTheDuck]

If the Zanes' intention was to hide Nika or Nami, they did very well, after all William disappeared for years and not even Dylan was able to track him down.

See this is the problem, Dylan isn't Uncle Joe. Dylan isn't inherently doing illegal things. Helen is keeping her family straight (until the fracture of William leaving), and Scarlet is married to Joe, not Helen. It's Joe that has the illegal activities, and most probably who Leia ended up identifying with, because Dylan and Helen are part of the reason she (maybe) lost Willi. Leia is closed to the rest of the household because they are the reason (assuming we know anything based on our unconfirmed headcanon based on the pre reworked version) Willi left.

So head to Nika, because this is SG - we only have fantasies that he is a Zane. The fans want it for real. But it hasn't been stated. Ocean says he's a Cyrus. We assume it's just a trick.

What if Ocean is real and Nika is a Cyrus and there's no Zane at all in him? What conflict does that have with SG's story? Absolutely zero. We know nothing about the real reason Willi left, or was in prison in th current version, and we know nothing other than Nika is a Cyrus, and Katie is watching him. Suspicious? Yes, but nothing is stated. Purely fan fiction until Ocean states it. Nika has never been a Zane in Ocean's writing to this point, we simply don't know why Katie is interested. And that only happened in chapter 5. Nami's earring, well, that's equivalent to Sasha's. She's also not a Zane but a Petrova. I'm pretty certain Ocean has a convoluted plot for that reveal, because he's been keeping it secret while teasing it for ages.

I'm also not saying Nika isn't a Zane, we simply have nothing to prove either assumption. Nika is a Cyrus, legally though.

 

[rudy007]

If the Zanes' intention was to hide Nika or Nami, they did very well, after all William disappeared for years and not even Dylan was able to track him down.

Yeah, but understandable, Zanes had resources to hide him, or both. Willy was famous to find a empty pussy when he was young. But it could be Nami is there only to hide MC's identity (without knowing it)... Or it could be Ocean laughs his ass off from a fake profile on our conversations...

 

[Miranha157]

What if Ocean is real and Nika is a Cyrus and there's no Zane at all in him? What conflict does that have with SG's story? Absolutely zero. We know nothing about the real reason Willi left, or was in prison in th current version, and we know nothing other than Nika is a Cyrus, and Katie is watching him. Suspicious? Yes, but nothing is stated. Purely fan fiction until Ocean states it. Nika has never been a Zane in Ocean's writing to this point, we simply don't know why Katie is interested. And that only happened in chapter 5. Nami's earring, well, that's equivalent to Sasha's. She's also not a Zane but a Petrova. I'm pretty certain Ocean has a convoluted plot for that reveal, because he's been keeping it secret while teasing it for ages.

But Sasha's earring was given to her by Leia, the woman she described to Nika apparently matches Leia. That's what I keep saying, Nami must be the daughter of someone close to William, like Daphne or Monica. Leia must be somehow to blame for her parents' deaths, that's why she kind of takes care of Nami from afar, and if we think about that, it makes sense that Nojiko doesn't like the Zanes.

See this is the problem, Dylan isn't Uncle Joe. Dylan isn't inherently doing illegal things. Helen is keeping her family straight (until the fracture of William leaving), and Scarlet is married to Joe, not Helen. It's Joe that has the illegal activities, and most probably who Leia ended up identifying with, because Dylan and Helen are part of the reason she (maybe) lost Willi. Leia is closed to the reaso of the household because they are the reason (assuming we know anything based on our unconfirmed headcanon based on the pre reworked version) Willi left.

Let's think that everything changed, William's relationship with Joe, Katie's blackmail, the reason he was arrested. The only person who managed to track William down was Leia after years, but he claims to be a writer, right? So he published a book using the name or surname Zane, so it became easier to find him. Having a son who ran away from home, meeting Joe and wanting to ease my wife's (Helen) pain and because of everything Leia went through with not eating and becoming depressed, I would do anything to find my son (William), including using illegal means, which would be Joe.

So head to Nika, because this is SG - we only have fantasies that he is a Zane. The fans want it for real. But it hasn't been stated. Ocean says he's a Cyrus. We assume it's just a trick.

Nika and Nami's origins are still unknown, but from what they mention about their memories with their parents, it seems that they are siblings or share a common parent. But anyway, out of everyone in town, why would Katie show up out of nowhere just when a student from her college shows up at her book club? After all, it's been a while since Katie Zane showed up. If he's not a Zane, he's the son of someone powerful that they're afraid of, or he's simply a renegade from the Zane family. Anyway, for me, it all comes back to the gang war. William or Leia got involved with someone on the other side of the war and since they couldn't be "together", the boy was given up for adoption. Maybe Nojiko delivered the baby. I don't know, man, I'm getting tired of walking on eggshells.

 

[Miranha157]

Do you blame him? I mean at this point are we even sure Ocean knows?

This shit is enough to fry anyone's brain. Imagine a new player, getting into the game without the ipatch and trying to make sense of the relationship between the MC and Nami. Now imagine him being confronted with the information that the MC's last name is Cyrus and Nami's is Cyrus too. They are such childhood friends and roommates that they somehow were given the same last name. Coincidence? Then tell him Nojiko used to be Cyrus and now is Miyazaki for some reason.

They don't share a last name so they are probably not legally adopted. But they live with Nojiko. Foster parent? Legal guardian? But then again MC clearly says he's adopted.
View attachment 4422985
I've been following this shitshow for 5 years and yet I'm still mostly clueless about who any of these people are or what they mean to each other. Ocean seems to want to keep everything in this permanent quantum state where everything is and isn't at the same time.

According to a guy on WiAB, surnames and ties don't matter, they won't change history.

 

[Miranha157]

To some extent I agree, but still consider - he was Leia's right hand in WiaB, he is now independant and has knuckle tattoos (from prison time?). If he knew Katie Zane is interested, would he be more or less wary of Nika? Katie currently is officially working with Leia, at least publicly non antagonistic. Emilio is independent insteant of a Zan employee - why did that change? Did leia fire him, did he reject the Zane modus? Essentially, Emilio is shown as a neutral, but is he pragmatically neutral (because he is powerless to affect the Zanes)? He's on Bella's side because he doesn't know who Nika is or might be, he's just a stray Bella's brought in. Until Desiree does the fact finding.

This is all stuff yes to be uncovered, so I am rhetorical about it, also way too drunk to be more concise

I don't remember the sentence very well, but he doesn't mention that he (Nika) is similar to someone familiar, like not in appearance but damn I forgot the word, it's something similar to attitudes and character, the word really didn't come to mind.

 

[RNasc4444]

According to a guy on WiAB, surnames and ties don't matter, they won't change history.

I understand Yossa's perspective on this and he's entitled to feel like relationship and ties are not that important to a story. Or to this story in particular. I just vehemently disagree. What I take offense to is his notion that anyone who cares about these things is only in it for the disgusting incest angle.

The characters are the lifeblood of any story. How they connect to the world and each other is vital.

I don't need these characters to be related. I need clarity on who they are right now and how they connect to others. Even if there are future plot twists, I just care about what and who they are at this precise moment in the story. That's not too much to ask.

 

[Miranha157]

I understand Yossa's perspective on this and he's entitled to feel like relationship and ties are not that important to a story. Or to this story in particular. I just vehemently disagree. What I take offense to is his notion that anyone who cares about these things is only in it for the disgusting incest angle.

The characters are the lifeblood of any story. How they connect to the world and each other is vital.

I don't need these characters to be related. I need clarity on who they are right now and how they connect to others. Even if there are future plot twists, I just care about what and who they are at this precise moment in the story. That's not too much to ask.

Exactly, that must be frustrating for those who have been following the game since it was released before the remakes. I started last year and I'm already going crazy and upset that there is so little information and so many blank spaces, imagine you.

 

[BobTheDuck]

But Sasha's earring was given to her by Leia, the woman she described to Nika apparently matches Leia. That's what I keep saying, Nami must be the daughter of someone close to William, like Daphne or Monica. Leia must be somehow to blame for her parents' deaths, that's why she kind of takes care of Nami from afar, and if we think about that, it makes sense that Nojiko doesn't like the Zanes.



Let's think that everything changed, William's relationship with Joe, Katie's blackmail, the reason he was arrested. The only person who managed to track William down was Leia after years, but he claims to be a writer, right? So he published a book using the name or surname Zane, so it became easier to find him. Having a son who ran away from home, meeting Joe and wanting to ease my wife's (Helen) pain and because of everything Leia went through with not eating and becoming depressed, I would do anything to find my son (William), including using illegal means, which would be Joe.




Nika and Nami's origins are still unknown, but from what they mention about their memories with their parents, it seems that they are siblings or share a common parent. But anyway, out of everyone in town, why would Katie show up out of nowhere just when a student from her college shows up at her book club? After all, it's been a while since Katie Zane showed up. If he's not a Zane, he's the son of someone powerful that they're afraid of, or he's simply a renegade from the Zane family. Anyway, for me, it all comes back to the gang war. William or Leia got involved with someone on the other side of the war and since they couldn't be "together", the boy was given up for adoption. Maybe Nojiko delivered the baby. I don't know, man, I'm getting tired of walking on eggshells.

So: Nami's earring (still writing drunk, so apologies) could be a sign of Leia's protection. Nami could be the child of someone Leia felt resposnible for. How that happens? I don't know. It doesn't mean that Nami is defintiely related by blood to Leia, or, Nami is related to Sasha. Sasha is a Petrova, and only fan theories explain the earring. We haven't yet come to Ocean's reveal of that, and that has never existed in any form of the game. We make conjecture, and they are good conjectures, but there will at some point be a canon explanation. While SG is on patreon, any theory that involves incest is false, or SG dies. Simple.

Dylan is shown as a beta, who will be cucked by William most likely. He is shown as relatively passive in his and Helen's relationship, accepting that Helen is shutting him out. As far as Willi being an author, he mentions that he kinda doesn't want to show Helen from memory, because it's an erotic novel or something. So Dylan doesn't follow the who's who of erotic novels. Not a plot hole. Leia has Emilio, who is her employer. Joe is in prison. Not a plot hole. Dylan might have looked earlier, but didn't have the time while dealing with an anorexic/bulemic/suicidal Leia. We know Abigail gets stonewalled in her investigations about Helen - what if Helen had asked Abigail and the villains stonewalled her ten years ago while Abigail tried to find Willi? What if Willi is the sone of the villain in charge of this mysterious group?

All fan theories. THere are plausible explanations, we just don't have one, and Ocean strings us along to keep us interested, like every storyteller does.

The Katie connection: Katie has a plot that needs a good basketball player. Hill was already stalking Nika when he was at Tropics high school. That is stated in game. Innuendo implies more, but it's not revealed. We've debated these things over and over but need more morsels to chew on, so I'd love to see WiaB Ch4 and SG S2Ch1 tomorrow. I really would, everyone in this thread would.

I don't remember the sentence very well, but he doesn't mention that he (Nika) is similar to someone familiar, like not in appearance but damn I forgot the word, it's something similar to attitudes and character, the word really didn't come to mind.

Nah, he mentions "She reminds me of someone. Also, do abackground check on the boy." Desiree "Do you expect something?" "No, no, but you can never be too sure." It's Bella who reminds Emilio of someone, not Nika. But he knows Bella well from all the haircuts, so I assume just poor portentious writing there.

I understand Yossa's perspective on this and he's entitled to feel like relationship and ties are not that important to a story. Or to this story in particular. I just vehemently disagree. What I take offense to is his notion that anyone who cares about these things is only in it for the disgusting incest angle.

The characters are the lifeblood of any story. How they connect to the world and each other is vital.

I don't need these characters to be related. I need clarity on who they are right now and how they connect to others. Even if there are future plot twists, I just care about what and who they are at this precise moment in the story. That's not too much to ask.

As much as I love theories, in this we agree. Dragging out the mystery to the point that it becomes boring doesn't serve the story. I suspect Ocean will reveal it when Nika next talks to Amber, and he talks about his and Nami's deal. We'll at least get some perspective. If OCean is truthful about every important girl getting a scene, Amber has a scene. It's probably a therapy session, and we'll get flashbacks and revelations. Maybe not enough, but more than now.

 

[Pl@y3r]

at this point are we even sure Ocean knows?

Ocean seems to want to keep everything in this permanent quantum state where everything is and isn't at the same time.

Like the LI list?

-everything can still change in development
-could be different
-Ocean is not entirely sure yet
-should be
-Ocean refuses to say if she is a LI
-very low chance of becoming a main LI
-Ocean has not decided yet.
-we'll see how she develops
-currently not a LI "but nothing is ever set in stone"...
-it is also possible that some LIs will be dropped

it could be Ocean laughs his ass off from a fake profile on our conversations...

Or takes notes...

 

[BobTheDuck]

Like the LI list?



Or takes notes...

The LI list is fan made, not Ocean's official list. Yes, it's based on remarks Ocean has made, bt as I posted about Maja, (who has been listed as lewdable for a long time) Ocean is saying she's still on his lewdable list at least, and that cheating is a thing. That doesn't contradict the list, but the list is just a small sample of Ocean's statements collated and paraphrased. It's not gospel canon.

If Ocean isn't laughing at me at least, I'll be so unhappy. I want to write to him to include "brains in parsley sauce" as a meal on his menu, because I once came across a microwave that had that setting - how to reheat brains in parsley sauce. Who even does that? Well, if it appears as an item, I guess he'll have read this post. If it doesn't we'll still wonder as much as we wonder about the Zan family tree.