VN Ren'Py The East Block [v0.8.3] [Bobbyboy Productions]

[gregers]

Cheers, I didn't even see this variation, that just shows how I usually play I guess. "Too eager" is just ridiculous. Pretty much every time Luke (the player) has asked Kat to do these things until now. Now we will shame her for doing them? I guess now Kat staying with Pat almost makes sense IF you have fucked around.
This combined with Luke's reaction to what Kat says while on the livestream, after putting the pics and videos of her on there. I hate when dev's give you control and then give you no say over stuff like this. The dirty talk was kinda hot and I wanted to encourage her, not freak out over it.

What is odd is that the dev has already included a choice that could be used for this: Back during the hospital visit, the player gets to set markers for how both Luke and Kathryn are feeling about the craziness surrounding them. It would have made far more sense to call those as reference points during both the cam show and their argument during dinner.

Instead you get a forced reaction that makes sense on some playthroughs, but seems completely incongruous on others.

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Hey guys, it's time for another dev log! You'd better strap in because this is going to be a long one. This dev log will contain spoilers for chapter 8, so proceed at your own risk if you haven't played the update yet.

Well, chapter 8 is in full swing with the early releases and wow, the response has been wild. Most of the people I heard from love it and some were less than happy.

Before I get onto what's in store for the future of this project including chapter 9, I want to take a moment to talk directly about why Chapter 8 plays out the way it does, because I know some reactions have been strong. Some players absolutely loved the intensity of the chapter, and others felt upset or blindsided. I understand both reactions, and I want to explain exactly what my intentions were as the writer.

From day one, The East Block has always been a story about a couple, Luke and Kathryn, who deeply love each other while navigating a new life in New York and experimenting with risky desires. Up until now, the sexual themes have generally revolved around NTS dynamics where Luke is willingly involved and both characters engage together or not based on player choice. Chapter 8 changes that formula, and that’s intentional.

The purpose of this chapter is not to “ruin Kathryn,” destroy their relationship, or turn the entire story into pure NTR. The purpose is to introduce real adversity, a genuine threat, something that forces both characters to confront the consequences of their actions, their desires, and their flaws. Every love story needs a moment where the characters face a situation that could break them if they aren’t strong enough to work through it. For this game, Chapter 8 is that moment.

The chain of events, the club fight between Luke and his father, the miscommunication, the storm, the motel, Kathryn’s emotional vulnerability, was all designed to push the characters into uncomfortable territory where their choices actually matter.

This chapter isn’t the end of their story; it’s the midpoint crisis. It’s the moment where things feel like they’re falling apart, so the characters can grow and eventually come together stronger than before. For players who enjoy the corruption/NTS dynamic, there’s still a lot of that ahead. For players who prefer the pure, faithful route: this chapter still supports that path. The consequences, guilt, regret, and healing are all part of that experience.

Kathryn has been placed in a moment of conflict, pressure, and vulnerability, just like Luke has been many times throughout the game. Characters aren’t compelling if they’re perfect. They’re compelling when they’re human.

I’m grateful for all the feedback, both positive and negative. If the chapter made you feel angry, anxious, protective, or emotional, good! That means the characters matter to you. That emotional investment is exactly what makes storytelling meaningful. The story is in full swing and there's lots more to come, so stay tuned to see what happens next.

What's next.

Work is in full swing on chapter 9, and I'm really excited to be working with my new employee for this update which will take some pressure off me. He'll be assisting with some of the tiring and monotonous stuff and also ensure development continues in at least a small capacity when I'm busy with family or other life matters. The sets for each scene are all made and ready for action. I'm already knee deep in the first scene and I feel really positive that I can get this update out quicker than the last two. I'll post a teaser soon from the next update as well as one poll for something I'm undecided on so look out for that. You all voted on Kathryn's sparkly red dress for this update and that is all ready to go, and she looks beautiful especially in the lighting I chose for that scene. Just so you guys know, after November 26th I'll be away for a week so my responses to messages will take longer, but like I said thanks to my helper, development will continue both on chapter 9 and updates to the old chapters, like animations and render fixes, grammar, etc.

Anyway, I think I'll leave it there. I want to thank everyone that gave constructive feedback and helped uncover bugs and typos etc, it was an amazing help. And once again, thank you all so much for the support, it really does mean a lot!

See you in the next one,

Bobby

Thanks for sharing! A lot of words about the forced events and none about the animations I notice, so presumably those are likely to continue as seen in this release.

 

[Dessolos]

It might have been the aim, but personally, I think he missed the mark here. We didn't get Kathryn seeing the same adversity Luke has been facing, it was completely different, but made more so by the way it was poorly forced.

I've said before, I don't have a problem with it being Kathryn cheating - and I had even said a few times that I was looking forward to what I (correctly) presumed would be Pat with Kathryn in this episode (or possibly just teased here and actually saved for the next one). It was just the way it was shoehorned in to be available on all paths that didn't at all work well.

yeah the execution wasn't done all that well it's why I can respect the idea of it for the story telling or whatever but don't love it because of the execution of it

 

[dexterousgecko]

yea, the only about 'drama' is that it has to be remotely believable. If your 'realistic' characters are acting completely out of character just to create your drama, it kind of defeats the purpose.

If you've been following a loyal path up until now, chapter 8 is a complete 180 on personalities, and makes no sense.

Look, I get it, NTR and angst brings in the money, but don't pretend that all the other paths won't suffer because of it.

 

[nonotme101]

So the developer of this of this game is called Bobbyboy and the MC wife is banging his father

 

[Justaphase]

You must be registered to see the links

Hey guys, it's time for another dev log! You'd better strap in because this is going to be a long one. This dev log will contain spoilers for chapter 8, so proceed at your own risk if you haven't played the update yet.

Well, chapter 8 is in full swing with the early releases and wow, the response has been wild. Most of the people I heard from love it and some were less than happy.

Before I get onto what's in store for the future of this project including chapter 9, I want to take a moment to talk directly about why Chapter 8 plays out the way it does, because I know some reactions have been strong. Some players absolutely loved the intensity of the chapter, and others felt upset or blindsided. I understand both reactions, and I want to explain exactly what my intentions were as the writer.

From day one, The East Block has always been a story about a couple, Luke and Kathryn, who deeply love each other while navigating a new life in New York and experimenting with risky desires. Up until now, the sexual themes have generally revolved around NTS dynamics where Luke is willingly involved and both characters engage together or not based on player choice. Chapter 8 changes that formula, and that’s intentional.

The purpose of this chapter is not to “ruin Kathryn,” destroy their relationship, or turn the entire story into pure NTR. The purpose is to introduce real adversity, a genuine threat, something that forces both characters to confront the consequences of their actions, their desires, and their flaws. Every love story needs a moment where the characters face a situation that could break them if they aren’t strong enough to work through it. For this game, Chapter 8 is that moment.

The chain of events, the club fight between Luke and his father, the miscommunication, the storm, the motel, Kathryn’s emotional vulnerability, was all designed to push the characters into uncomfortable territory where their choices actually matter.

This chapter isn’t the end of their story; it’s the midpoint crisis. It’s the moment where things feel like they’re falling apart, so the characters can grow and eventually come together stronger than before. For players who enjoy the corruption/NTS dynamic, there’s still a lot of that ahead. For players who prefer the pure, faithful route: this chapter still supports that path. The consequences, guilt, regret, and healing are all part of that experience.

Kathryn has been placed in a moment of conflict, pressure, and vulnerability, just like Luke has been many times throughout the game. Characters aren’t compelling if they’re perfect. They’re compelling when they’re human.

I’m grateful for all the feedback, both positive and negative. If the chapter made you feel angry, anxious, protective, or emotional, good! That means the characters matter to you. That emotional investment is exactly what makes storytelling meaningful. The story is in full swing and there's lots more to come, so stay tuned to see what happens next.

What's next.

Work is in full swing on chapter 9, and I'm really excited to be working with my new employee for this update which will take some pressure off me. He'll be assisting with some of the tiring and monotonous stuff and also ensure development continues in at least a small capacity when I'm busy with family or other life matters. The sets for each scene are all made and ready for action. I'm already knee deep in the first scene and I feel really positive that I can get this update out quicker than the last two. I'll post a teaser soon from the next update as well as one poll for something I'm undecided on so look out for that. You all voted on Kathryn's sparkly red dress for this update and that is all ready to go, and she looks beautiful especially in the lighting I chose for that scene. Just so you guys know, after November 26th I'll be away for a week so my responses to messages will take longer, but like I said thanks to my helper, development will continue both on chapter 9 and updates to the old chapters, like animations and render fixes, grammar, etc.

Anyway, I think I'll leave it there. I want to thank everyone that gave constructive feedback and helped uncover bugs and typos etc, it was an amazing help. And once again, thank you all so much for the support, it really does mean a lot!

See you in the next one,

Bobby

One thing is for sure and that is the next update is going to be make or break for some of us IMO.
I feel like it's going to be difficult for the NTR path to now switch back to NTS or Loyal, so he's going to have to keep going with it surely? Once you start down the NTR route and get those fans, they won't be happy with Luke being in full control again. So either way there's going to have to be some elements of Kath sneaking around, at least on the path where she cheated.

 

[whoabacha]

So is this new guy he brought in responsible for the AI? If so he should be fired......from a cannon into the sun

 

[whoabacha]

One thing is for sure and that is the next update is going to be make or break IMO.
I feel like it's going to be difficult for the NTR path to now switch back to NTS or Loyal, so he's going to have to keep going with it surely? Once you start down the NTR route and get those fans, they won't be happy with Luke being in full control again. So either way there's going to have to be some elements of Kath sneaking around, at least on the path where she cheated.

Hopefully he'll do the sensible thing this time and make it so choices actually matter, so most can be happy.

 

[dexterousgecko]

One thing is for sure and that is the next update is going to be make or break for some of us IMO.
I feel like it's going to be difficult for the NTR path to now switch back to NTS or Loyal, so he's going to have to keep going with it surely? Once you start down the NTR route and get those fans, they won't be happy with Luke being in full control again. So either way there's going to have to be some elements of Kath sneaking around, at least on the path where she cheated.

No way he can have a fulfilling loyal/nts AND ntr path, the amount of separate scenes/logic jumps/characters that just aren't present at all/personality shifts would be impossible to work. It's going to have to be something like were loyal gets almost nothing, nts gets ntr-lite stuff (Luke is suddenly cool with her banging the guy she cheats on him with) and ntr will get the bulk.

At least that's what I'm calling.

 

[Vigeous]

The dialogue branches during Kat and Luke's dance. If you get the branch where they argue over their sex life rather than over Luke's relationship with Pat, Luke accuses her of being too enthusiastic about fucking other people without him around, and Kathryn accuses him of cheating. The dialogue there has minor variations, but not to the extent of separate branches.

Spoiler: danceclubfight

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Thank you friend. That definitely didn't happen in my save.

It all makes sense now. After replaying the game and choosing Kath and Luke to be both cheaters. Now this path makes total sense. Why? Because in this case, they have an argument that leads to a fight between them, which is why Luke leaves and acts immature. After their fight, Luke tells Kath to stay here and give him space, but she refuses at first, but is forced to accept so that Luke can cool off. But the issue is that even if Luke and Kath are not cheating, the same outcome happens, which is stupid. If you play the last dance scene with Luke and Kath having both cheated on one another, the phrase Kath tells Pat about returning in separate planes actually makes sense, but otherwise it's bad and lazy writing. I think Bobby was just lazy and in a hurry to release this update without seeing how this could ruin his game. From an NTR standpoint, where both are cheating, it was well made, but if it's from an NTS standpoint, or even if one is cheating and the other is not, this is just ridiculous.

 

[bulbor]

hmmm if that is the direction he wants the story to go for story telling of the relationship while I don't love it , I can respect it. However I feel there was no reason not to include NTS with Franklyn at the very least.

Indeed, all the Dev had to do was include the option to make Luke take a quick look behind him and see Franklin probing her pussy. Luke would smile, nod to Kat, instant NTS. Or not look, instant NTR. Everybody happy. Same with the old guy in the bath tub, phone Luke or not. As for Pat, frontal collision with a truck in the rain, Kat miraculously unharmed, Pat turned into minced meat. Father son issues instantly resolved.

 

[xert13]

I played "everybody get some" path and, frankly, saw the Pat thing coming a mile away. It made sense especially with the mystery drug floating about making people act out of character. At least on that path you get a lot of foreshadowing. I suppose if you played the pure Luke cuck path (NTS, but it's cuck) the Pat situation - even if you opt out of it - may have been jarring. Regardless, I found the Dev's skill progression notable since I hadn't played this since first release.

 

[Adhdclassic]

Played both cheating and loyal path. The restaurant scene was not bad. But I have to say when she said maybe you should leave and he looked at both of them. That to me was done well. Showed humiliation and betrayal no matter what she said after damage was done. Wonder if it will be addressed next update because saying that means she chose a side that was not his.

 

[Joshy92]

I certainly felt things that's for sure

But what's done is done I'm putting it behind me and focusing on chapter nine. I just really don't want another chapter like that.

 

[SerasAshrein]

I understand both reactions, and I want to explain precisely what my intentions were as a writer. He wanted to have it both ways, to please everyone — and his two halves split apart and managed to sit on two chairs. But now his Mariana Trench was under threat, one that could enter and exit freely, like a storm after a rainy walk.

 

[NewGuy2022]

Yeah this is the main problem and for some reason so many can't get it through there thick skulls, like we are complaining just cause of NTR. I still hope someday Bobby will change this down the line, even near end of game and rework stuff, cause it just feels bad to me and invalidates prior scenes like her crying to me.

I am a bit more calm, but one thing I think SHOULD definitely happen is after making up, a really good sex scene(she mentions "giving us best sex ever"when she got home). Something that mixes roughness and love. Add some spanking in there, maybe some slight choking, but can also add some kisses and other stuff. I think adding a bit more rough stuff, could help show the hurt she caused him, while also making up and showing they are still together and in love.

So this could make up for and hope that line Bobbyboy48 inserted about giving us best sex ever wasn't a throw away, cause this could alleviate my concerns a bit, as long as he follows through.
He should also change some of those AI animations, specifically lingerie show and cam show, being the worst. Some are really good, but some are like really, really bad, so some sort of adjustment.

(Also I really hope the dev let's us have fun with Rebacca with Kathryn's permission. I want some sex with her, no cheating, please Bobby, this would also help me feel better.)

I see what you're saying but for my 2 cents... ...once I know she has cheated (if she cheated), I'm done with her.

I don't want make up sex at that point; I would just want for her to GTFO. If she wanted to kiss I'd wonder who's semen was in her mouth; while I understand some are into that kind of thing, it doesn't do it for me.

If she actually cheats and the MC finds out, the only option I would want at that point would be the option to cut all ties to her and move on with life.

Edit: since this is a game, the choice to beat her then leave her by a dumpster could be nice, too. Something I'd never do in real life but since this is a game... why not?

 

[Dessolos]

I see what you're saying but for my 2 cents... ...once I know she has cheated (if she cheated), I'm done with her.

I don't want make up sex at that point; I would just want for her to GTFO. If she wanted to kiss I'd wonder who's semen was in her mouth; while I understand some are into that kind of thing, it doesn't do it for me.

If she actually cheats and the MC finds out, the only option I would want at that point would be the option to cut all ties to her and move on with life.

Edit: since this is a game, the choice to beat her then leave her by a dumpster could be nice, too. Something I'd never do in real life but since this is a game... why not?

good thing it's optional haha and kind of why if I do play a cheating path in NTR type of games I make my MC into a cheater too if allowed to that is. So that way it doesn't feel that bad if the wife / GF cheats on me since I was also just as guilty as her. Then again im not into NTR for the cheating like NTR fans but rather I only ever play NTR paths just to see more content if I like the game or character enough.

 

[Jhin00]

best update ever thx dev <3

 

[nonotme101]

As a sexual deviant with a severe humiliation fetish I find the bang his dad thing very disturbing

 

[NewGuy2022]

It might have been the aim, but personally, I think he missed the mark here. We didn't get Kathryn seeing the same adversity Luke has been facing, it was completely different, but made more so by the way it was poorly forced.

I've said before, I don't have a problem with it being Kathryn cheating - and I had even said a few times that I was looking forward to what I (correctly) presumed would be Pat with Kathryn in this episode (or possibly just teased here and actually saved for the next one). It was just the way it was shoehorned in to be available on all paths that didn't at all work well.

Forced content never works unless you're running a purely kinetic novel (and then it's expected). If choices are offered, then they need to influence how things play out in the future. Others will disagree and that's fine.

Mixing choices with forced content to override choices never works well, IMO. If you intend to force content counter to the choices I made, then just don't offer me choices at all. Call your product kinetic and we all will understand that.

 

[Turret]

yea, the only about 'drama' is that it has to be remotely believable. If your 'realistic' characters are acting completely out of character just to create your drama, it kind of defeats the purpose.
If you've been following a loyal path up until now, chapter 8 is a complete 180 on personalities, and makes no sense.

Instead you get a forced reaction that makes sense on some playthroughs, but seems completely incongruous on others.

Exactly! If both Luke and Kati never cheated, this forced confrontation about something that never happened is laughable and idiotic. It is even WORSE when both never cheated and discuss Pat and stuff! There is not a single plausible reason why Kathryn would stay with Pat instead of leaving. She knows how much Luke despises Pat!
On the love and sharing/swinging paths this forced NTR setup is highly stupid, unbelievable and a complete breakdown of writing! I am a hobby writer myself and would never publish such a pisspoor event chain!
On love and sharing paths Kathryn chooses slimy Pat over Luke for exactly nothing at all. It is absolutely crap writing and unbelievable. It also character assassinates Kathryn on those paths. She chooses Pat over Luke for no reason at all. Choosing a slimy bastard over the love of your life for no reason, what has ridden Bobby to write this rubbish? This is practically cheating even without bodily contact. Luke should make her round when she comes home. This is a worse breach of trust than fucking around.
How in God´s name will Bobby repair this trainwreck? Another example how catering to the NTR crowd poisons a whole game. I doubt Bobby will repair the love and sharing paths, time to throw this game on the NTR rubbish heap!