Ren'Py Abandoned The DeLuca Family [Season 1] [HopesGaming]

[Rovenant]

Hopes did say there will be a tutorial contract that will serve as a "Beginners contract" that people will be able to go through before the "Nimble Fingers" contract.

Bit of mixed feelings about actual in-game contracts guide suggestion tbh:

1) Personally, I didn't find the contracts to be that difficult (granted, this is just personal opinion, experience may vary depending on each individual), so while I thought first one or two tries did take getting used to, with more repetitions (mild grind in order to gain the best equipment) I found myself pretty much easing into it.

2) I like the idea of the game not specifically telling me what I should do regarding contracts (no hand-holding), and it gives the freedom for exploration.
With the current existing contracts, I found myself exploring every nooks and crannies of all rooms, checking to see if I missed anything. Doing that, and finding something by surprise was kinda fun.

Having said that, I also do understand some may have struggled with contracts. So if HopesGaming ever decides to implement an in-game Contracts guide, I'd say have it as an option in the settings where the user can toggle the guide on or off depending on their preference.

But there is also a question whether such guide can even be implemented without much affecting the game's code (where everyone would need to start over......again).
If that's the case (where the in-game guide being put in will force everyone to start over), I'd prefer it to not happen (cause we already restarted once already with v0.07 gameplay mechanics being brought in, and it's just way too soon for another restart to happen).

I dont know if a tutorial is needed. The system is unusual and the other VN i know dont use anything similar (maybe the rpg kind), so a tutorial will always help new players (specially if they arent used to this).

It will be usefull to have a reports system where you can read the info that you (the MC) learned in the contract. And if you do the contract again but you take another path and learn more the report adds the new info. It even can be used to resume the info you gather across the story.

Its just an idea, so im not really trying to say we need another system or a change. But I always suffer when i need to replay again every time because i cant remember more than 80% of all the info (and you never know when some thing you saw or read was crucial).

 

[Rovenant]

Hmmmm...... while adding items for purchase I'd imagine wouldn't be a big problem, the main issue I see is the fact how that will impact when playing through the contract itself.
Because you'll need this map and walkthrough implemented when actually going through the contracts, right (since you don't wish to go back and forth looking at a separate walkthrough document file or other walkthroughs and playing the contracts themselves), as in-game guide?

That will no doubt impact the code, but how much will it actually impact it?
Much to force a restart? Or just minimal impact?

I think that question, only Hopes and his coder for the contracts can answer.



And yes, Katana would be pretty dope, ha

When I was doing the contract where you went to find a little girl (i dont want to give spoilers to anyone who reads) the descrpitions were awesome but you had limited time so if you needed to go back it was hard to remember every place you saw. The map helps (the one in the game so far) to remember if you already took a path, but if not its hard to remember (when, like in the example, you are in the middle of the plot and in time consuming event).

And when you go with Luna to the valley with the tree (i cant remember more than the image) you dont know where you are, or when you go to the park its the same. Probably a map to understand how far are the places where you go will be a good idea.

In the event at the abandone house where you are grounded with the girls, it can make a lot of sense if you see in a map that is far away, or areas colored that shows the alliances in blue and enemy in red to understand the relations with the other families (specially if the game change some of them).

 

[JJJ84]

When I was doing the contract where you went to find a little girl (i dont want to give spoilers to anyone who reads) the descrpitions were awesome but you had limited time so if you needed to go back it was hard to remember every place you saw. The map helps (the one in the game so far) to remember if you already took a path, but if not its hard to remember (when, like in the example, you are in the middle of the plot and in time consuming event).

And when you go with Luna to the valley with the tree (i cant remember more than the image) you dont know where you are, or when you go to the park its the same. Probably a map to understand how far are the places where you go will be a good idea.

In the event at the abandone house where you are grounded with the girls, it can make a lot of sense if you see in a map that is far away, or areas colored that shows the alliances in blue and enemy in red to understand the relations with the other families (specially if the game change some of them).

Hmmmm....... regarding the contract to save Eiza's sister Fina "What is truly weak is truly strong" (you shouldn't mind about spoilers so much, since it's been a year since v0.07 came out), I think the timer actually does give the player plenty of time to explore every room unless the player does massive backtracking.

There was enough time for me MC to find the hidden render in the secret room, get into those non-rendered convos with Caterina and Amata, and not to mention pick up all those Ombra Soldato uniforms.

And the contracts themselves, you gotta complete in one sitting anyway (since there are no saves possible during contracts).
Given that contracts maps are pretty straight forward, I'm not so certain we're in need of a map in-game guide (yet), unless the contracts maps get more and more complex (like a spider-web of maze that basically makes my head spin) with future contracts.

Regarding actual map of Lucania (and outside Lucania), following is not in the game yet, but Hopes did reveal it in one of his dev post when he announced gameplay changes for v0.07.
It does contain several of the places you've mentioned (such as Musala Hills where MC and Luna goes due to Luna's business with TJ the gunsmith).
Perhaps this map can be included when Hopes implements his lore section:

 

[JJJ84]

I dont know if a tutorial is needed. The system is unusual and the other VN i know dont use anything similar (maybe the rpg kind), so a tutorial will always help new players (specially if they arent used to this).

It will be usefull to have a reports system where you can read the info that you (the MC) learned in the contract. And if you do the contract again but you take another path and learn more the report adds the new info. It even can be used to resume the info you gather across the story.

Its just an idea, so im not really trying to say we need another system or a change. But I always suffer when i need to replay again every time because i cant remember more than 80% of all the info (and you never know when some thing you saw or read was crucial).

I think for most people who played through and finished v0.07, tutorial is not needed. They get the gist of how the contracts gameplay should go, and even if they weren't initially used to it, they find themselves being familiar with it with more repetition.

Though I guess it could be helpful to those who are first starting out the game, as well as those who are coming back to the game after long absence to do the tutorial as a refresher course (if they forgot).

But I think biggest reason I want the tutorial is because of lore.

That "Town Time" event with Gracie & Isabel's "Blizzard Princess" event both heavily imply that MC worked on his contract in Gina's tavern, as well as was training under the retired Capo Vincent (that Vincent knows our MC's fooling around enough lol).

I'd love to see this tutorial contract connect with those references in "Town Time" and "Blizzard Princess" events with Vincent giving instructions and yelling at our poor MC

 

[Cabin Fever]

When I was doing the contract where you went to find a little girl (i dont want to give spoilers to anyone who reads) the descrpitions were awesome but you had limited time so if you needed to go back it was hard to remember every place you saw. The map helps (the one in the game so far) to remember if you already took a path, but if not its hard to remember (when, like in the example, you are in the middle of the plot and in time consuming event).

I hate to break this to you, if you find that simple map hard to track and remember, you may have a bigger problem with memory. Besides, there's this little technology called "pen and paper" to help if you really can't remember.

And when you go with Luna to the valley with the tree (i cant remember more than the image) you dont know where you are, or when you go to the park its the same. Probably a map to understand how far are the places where you go will be a good idea.

In the event at the abandone house where you are grounded with the girls, it can make a lot of sense if you see in a map that is far away, or areas colored that shows the alliances in blue and enemy in red to understand the relations with the other families (specially if the game change some of them).

I'm not sure if a map in either one of these would help anything as their specific location relative to the town is basically irrelevant in those stories.

 

[Cabin Fever]

Perhaps this map can be included when Hopes implements his lore section:

View attachment 1802243

I have never noticed until now that the money missions can be mapped onto this town map.

 

[JJJ84]

I have never noticed until now that the money missions can be mapped onto this town map.

It's from one of Hopes old dev posts (from late 2020, iirc?).
Basically a lot of places are mapped out.

But there are also some that aren't; for example that fountain like place where MC and Isabel have a talk and fully reconcile in "Fly White Bird Fly."

I'd assume there will be more, and it's gonna be too much to try to map out every single place (though not gonna lie, it would be pretty nice)

 

[Rovenant]

I hate to break this to you, if you find that simple map hard to track and remember, you may have a bigger problem with memory. Besides, there's this little technology called "pen and paper" to help if you really can't remember.


I'm not sure if a map in either one of these would help anything as their specific location relative to the town is basically irrelevant in those stories.

I recommend you to read again to understand what my point. But ill explain it again because you took the time to answer:
The VN doesnt need any minigame, map, or anithing else of what we can call "extras". Its not about using the minimum, as you can probably imagine, so about the actual map in the contracts system.
My point was that if you dont have any directions or drawing to were you went, and if you are far deep you need to read again (remember that the descpitions, between what you can see and what happens are extensive) its easy to forget or at least doubt abour your path.
And yeah, you can take pen and paper (your irony wasnt needed) but as i said if you have a limited time and you dont want to break the immersion its not always a good idea to stop and draw a map.

I can understand if you think that some extra like a map, if doesnt give you some story info or jugability its irrelevant, like you said. But with that way of thinking any game will have to cut at least half of its content. Im not trying to argue against your preference, and i really dont care. My point was to say that a map that give us info about the land were we are and move so we can understand the distance we travel (that gives time to the time it takes) or the zones of family power its a good thing, it can give more immersion.

 

[goodguyforfunstuff]

Wonderful game so far, looking forward to future updates!

 

[Joey the mangaka]

Best girl Cordia and Isabel

 

[Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba]

Best girl Cordia and Isabel

Only Harem could be the best

 

[shiton32]

Best girl Cordia and Isabel

yessssssir

but unfortunately there is no isabel content in the new update

 

[Rovenant]

Only Harem could be the best

Thats my fear. We can see the harem, no colition so far, but i know that when we less expect everything will dissappear as an ilusion and then we will understand that there was no harem option and it was just a dream hahaha.

I didnt took the time to search in older post to know but i thing Hopes talked about this topic, so if anyone know or can lead me to the page where that happened (and if that happened) ill be forever gratefull.

 

[JJJ84]

Best girl Cordia and Isabel

Personally my best girls are Luna and Cordia, but having said that all DeLuca girls are just so lovely.

Thats my fear. We can see the harem, no colition so far, but i know that when we less expect everything will dissappear as an ilusion and then we will understand that there was no harem option and it was just a dream hahaha.

I didnt took the time to search in older post to know but i thing Hopes talked about this topic, so if anyone know or can lead me to the page where that happened (and if that happened) ill be forever gratefull.

This is from Hopes' Patreon Q & A back in July last year (had this saved in a notepad txt file lol).
I've highlighted the question relating to harem and Hopes' answer to it.

HopesGaming

Jul 11, 2021 at 10:27 PM
Q&A
Thanks to the people who participated in the Q&A today!
Parentheses are the names of the people asking the questions.

Q. Harem ending? (Andeddo)
A. There is no plan for a harem ending as of yet. The planned story will not allow it.

Q. will we get to kill people in side missions? (xDrixzy-_-)
A. Yes, there are plans of many kills in the side mission.

Q. Will we able to corrupt the girls a little ? Don’t want to ruin them. (Lucky)
A. There is already a small corruption play with the girls on their sexuallity. Mostly on Gracie. But, that is very mild compared to how corruption are done in trainer games and pure corruption games. The girls will never become degenerates and become 'toilets'.

Q. Will there be more major choices like Isabel's one? And will there be more of a random lewds like in the last update with nuns and killers? (Bbllaaddee)
A. Yes there are going to be a few more choices like those. Planning to add friendship routes to the other girls. Not in depth but just for the people that want to stick with one girl.
There will be many more random lewds at this stage of the game.

Q. Uh uh uhhhh Can we get breast expansion content? (Mr. Ghost)
A. No, that is too hard to add due to how the image and scenes are made.

Q. know we joke a lot about this in other channels, but will the MC actually have kids as result of a "happy accident"? (Rain2reign)
A. I actually thought a lot of kids and even how they play a role in the sequel. But nothing concrete for now.

Q. well not easy to translate but i'm gonna try. I asking if hopes have been hired or demand to create plot for other games? (Notuik)
A. I have received quite a few offer to write for other games, yes. But sadly I do not have the time for other games beside DeLuca.

Q. Whats your favorite part of the creation process? (Flower Boy)
A. I like most of it. Story writing when I do not have a writers block is probably my favorite part. Secondly, and ironically, lewd scenes I enjoy making.

Q. When will the mcs personality start to change/if it does? (XDrixzy-_-)
A. His change is a major part of the story. It happens as he gets more involved actively in the family (compared to now where he is very passive)

Q. Question: don't you think that would be a good idea to have a github for public release version, so any hotfixes can be just pulled and not done by hand? (Bbllaaddee)
A. I don't know much about github, unfortunately.

Q. What's your approach to creating narrative in the DeLuca Family. Do you have a central story already finished in your head with only side-stories being shifted around/made on the spot? Or are you using a more chaotic approach? (Tyr Teg)
A. I have start mid and end planned. Many side events and important moments. The rest happens as I go. An example would be Luna's backstory. I had it planned before even creating her. That is why her bed is in the middle, she hides her eye, and the scenes where she is leaning towards the wall at night. That is due to the cage, electricity, beating, etc.
What wasn't planned was the importance of the girls she met in there. Those stories and changes happens while writting that part.

Q. When are you going to quit that dang restaurant job and make porn full time! We all want more DeLuca! (Mr. Ghost)
A. I don't know. This business is really not stable and you never know what may happen. Not at the stage where I am comfortable enough to drop everything for it.

Q. Will we get sleep sex? Will we be able to interact with the girls in the morning ? Waking them up in different ways …(Cordia's personal panty Licker) (Lucky)
A. I am not too much fond of sleep sex as it is usually non-consensual and then we end up in a very dangerous territory. If it will be done it will be clear that it is consensual.
Interacting with them, like waking them up, for the sake of lewdness is planned, however.

Q. Will we get more legendary, flying flipflops? (Rain2reign)
A. Yes! Probably. Hehe.

Q. Have you been good and healthy? (Blazblue)
A. I've been very good lately, thank you! Just started at the gym and doing some new food plans to get in good shape again. Good for the mental as well!

Q. Where did the Deluca story came from (Cordia's personal panty Licker)
A. I was watching a turkish series called Cukur and that is the reason I went with the mafia theme. But overall it is just everything I've seen and read throughout my life. Hence the very anime like style.

Q. Following the massive and widespread appreciation this image received, (Gym Render) can we please expect future clothing work to outline pussies and buttholes through clothing? Personally and pervertedly speaking, spying one of the characters wear a buttplug or vibrator visible through their clothes would be incredible. (Mr. Ghost)
A. The more we get into it the more 'sweet' and 'lovely' we can experiment with lewd events regarding clothing and toys.

Q. Will we get interactive menus to ask the girl to sleep with us or other things ? (Lucky)
A. Yes

Q. Will we ever have night club or general night life content like normal people in the nearest town/city? (Rain2reign)
A. There will be plenty of night-life events. If it will be like normal people night-life event tho - probably not.

Q. Why is there no Eiza button in #select-your-favorite-characters ? (Andeddo)
A. She's not a main girl. If we add side characters the list will become too long and too many roles.

Q. Are there ever plans to add another dedicated member to the development team, to do coding or help with artwork etc? (MedicBear DeLuca)
A. I want to. It'd be nice to have someone do some art, writting or coding. Especially now we are opening up to many side characters and events.
Problem is finance. Right now I am a bit under normal wage (denmark). If I add someone full time they probably expect real wages. Secondly, this is an adult game and I like to be anonymous. Making a legit contract would require me to share my real name etc.
With all that said, there is already a lot of outside help for the game.
I pay a lot of freelance work for diverse stuff like music and codes. And not to forget the amazing help from mobil and such.

Q. Will Gracie ever use the camera or audio recorder against you as punishment for spying on her in the bathtub? (Rain2reign)
A. There are no cams/audio in the bathroom

Q. What's Luna's favorite movie? Kinda feel that she watches plenty of hardcore gangster action flicks and romance movies are her guilty pleasure. (Mr. Ghost)
A. Scarface!

Q. Will Cordia have a proper route? And will there actually be Cordia content ? Like full nsfw with the mc ? (Shadrack) (Lucky)
A. Yush! There will be lots. No worries.

Q. Will we ever get to see some more fetish content in the game e.g BDSM, cosplay or anything of that sort? (MedicBear DeLuca)
A. I am planning to experiment with lots of different fetishes. cosplay and BDSM included.

Q. What are Lady Cordias measurements? (Shadrack)
A. February 31

Q. Hey Hopes! Long time fan here, first time caller. Will the two DeLuca daughters eventually catch us spying on them in the restroom? I'm curious if they'll appreciate the attention and get aroused, or smack the MC! (Mr. Ghost)
A. There are a few events planned on that front. MC won't be smacked.

Q. Different character outfit? i know, their look is kinda memorable but stil.(Andeddo)
A. The girls (and many of the males) will have clothing change every new season. We are actually one update short for new season

Q. Could we get Luna dressed as a princess for a date one night ? We could have a cave restaurant night part 2 with everyone jealous instead. (Mr. Ghost)
A. Funny actually. I have had a plan for a special event involving Luna, princess like outfit, and main story event. It will shock even Luna herself.

Q. Will we be able to actually have some sort of relationship with the girls ? There are a lot of games that are like … „congrats you got her“ THE END (Lucky)
A. The end of the girl's content is not determined by relationship, but rather story. Even after they seal the deal and get dirty, romance and what not - they still have a story to tell.
So - yes, there will be relationship even after a sex scene.

Q. Are there plans to have the girls find out about your 'activities' with the other girls? (MedicBear DeLuca)
A. Not at the moment, no.

Q. Are there any plans to add in public lewd events ~ such as making Luna and/or Gracie wear vibrators while hanging out in the town? (Mr. Ghost)
A. Public lewds events are hot. So, yush.

Got it all! Hope this was fun for you guys as well. Do tell me if you want more of stuff like this.

-HG

 

[Paco Loco]

This is from Hopes' Patreon Q & A back in July last year (had this saved in a notepad txt file lol).

Of course he stored that info just to throw on the poor faces of everyone, Mr. Cockblock

 

[Rovenant]

Personally my best girls are Luna and Cordia, but having said that all DeLuca girls are just so lovely.



This is from Hopes' Patreon Q & A back in July last year (had this saved in a notepad txt file lol).
I've highlighted the question relating to harem and Hopes' answer to it.

HopesGaming

That was amazing, really appreciate it.

That was something nagging me from the beggining, because the first time i came here i read Hopes talking about this game and how it isnt just a "sex game", so i really wanted more story and tried this VN. At first the game looks like the VNs where the harem is possible because no one care if you are with others, but after reading Hopes and looking at the realism in the game i always thought that it will be strange in this kind of game to have a perfect harem ending.

But its probably for the better. A lot of places where we can see Harem endings and i always dislike that if you dont want that path the friendship with girls is really bad (like it wasnt eve written).

Again, thanks for sharing that info, it help A LOT to know how to set our minds when playing.

 

[JJJ84]

That was amazing, really appreciate it.

That was something nagging me from the beggining, because the first time i came here i read Hopes talking about this game and how it isnt just a "sex game", so i really wanted more story and tried this VN. At first the game looks like the VNs where the harem is possible because no one care if you are with others, but after reading Hopes and looking at the realism in the game i always thought that it will be strange in this kind of game to have a perfect harem ending.

But its probably for the better. A lot of places where we can see Harem endings and i always dislike that if you dont want that path the friendship with girls is really bad (like it wasnt eve written).

Again, thanks for sharing that info, it help A LOT to know how to set our minds when playing.

You're welcome. I just had that Q & A saved cause it's one of the longest comprehensive number of questions Hopes did in one session (in his Patreon), and some of those questions even I had not thought of.

Hopes' answer of "The planned story will not allow it." I think can be interpreted in couple of ways:

1) Harem completely dissolved
In this case, perhaps girls get to the point that they love MC so much to the point that they don't wish to share MC with others. Hence an ultimatum is given to MC (by at least one or all LIs), where he has to choose one (between all the main girls) and that girl becomes the canon ending.

2) Death of one of LIs makes the ending to become not-complete harem by default
It is as I said. One of the main LIs somehow meets her (tragic) end and while MC still keeps a partial harem with rest of the LIs, complete harem which could have been from beginning is impossible.

If scenario 2 happens, well this will be me:

Spoiler

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Tbh, I'm not sure which direction the game will go regarding the LIs (only Hopes would know I guess, that is, if he decided on their eventual direction with MC).

But it sure would be intriguing to find out.

 

[c3p0]

But it sure would be intriguing to find out.

Ain't yah, pal?

Even going in the Vis thread and trying to do the same as you do here with hopes. You're shamless plug.

 

[Rovenant]

You're welcome. I just had that Q & A saved cause it's one of the longest comprehensive number of questions Hopes did in one session (in his Patreon), and some of those questions even I had not thought of.

Hopes' answer of "The planned story will not allow it." I think can be interpreted in couple of ways:

1) Harem completely dissolved
In this case, perhaps girls get to the point that they love MC so much to the point that they don't wish to share MC with others. Hence an ultimatum is given to MC (by at least one or all LIs), where he has to choose one (between all the main girls) and that girl becomes the canon ending.

2) Death of one of LIs makes the ending to become not-complete harem by default
It is as I said. One of the main LIs somehow meets her (tragic) end and while MC still keeps a partial harem with rest of the LIs, complete harem which could have been from beginning is impossible.

If scenario 2 happens, well this will be me:

Spoiler

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Tbh, I'm not sure which direction the game will go regarding the LIs (only Hopes would know I guess, that is, if he decided on their eventual direction with MC).

But it sure would be intriguing to find out.

I believe that too. Like in Being a DIK, where in some point (even if you are going for a harem) the game ask you who you choose. Its not the usual path but i really prefer this way Hopes is going.

Usually the VN can be completed with one time playing going for the best ending (usually an harem one) so there isnt much to replay. Probably here the idea is to replay with different girls and paths. Thats why i have my best hopes (the word, not our devs name haha) in this game and its path/endings.

About theories regarding why we can be with only one (in game), im with you in Point 1, and about Point 2 i believe there will be 'bad' endings but it will be part of roleplaying and it wont be a bad story because of that. Another possibility is going with the girl to places where others cant follow us, so only the girl we choose will come with us and in that section we will only have a romantic story with here. But looking at the realism it will probably be a conflict to have intents in a lot of them.


I will need to have 2-3 different saves to try everything. But it will be worth to try everthing. What girls path will you choose (tell me the order). Mine will be: 1) Luna. 2) Cordia. 3) Isabel. 4) Gracie. But, of course, i love them all.

 

[Deleted member 1108866]

Hope this coder finishes soon, I've got a holiday from work coming up and want to dive into this new update whilst gorging myself on chocolate.