Ren'Py The Null Hypothesis [v0.8c] [Ron Chon]

[Mutation8888]

i hadnt actually sat and thought about it in depth until reading your theory but when you think about it Null is the phone (philosophically speaking)! hes created to be broken and evolves through being broken and even draws closer and gets romantically involved with broken females! its this brokenness that defines who Null is! his power to disable other powers doesnt work like other powers and thus can be seen as a "broken" power! it seems to me that the concept of being broken is illustrated in the scene with the phone and it coincides with everything that occurs in the course of the story!

the fact that Null interacting with the "broken" females to be their link to becoming somewhat normal again leads me to think that either we're looking at the possibility of the story going two ways! the first is the happy sunshine and rainbows path where Null fixes the girls social anxieties and they all become lovey dovey and we all live a nice sexy harem life of superpowered debauchery in the Xavier Institute. Or we see the story take a darker turn and embrace the whole "broken" theme and Null meets with more disastrous scenarios leading to even further suffering but eventually bringing a disastrous end to our hero and "breaking" the females even more once Null is gone!

this is just speculation on my part, but it would fit with the theme of everyone and everything in the game being "broken"! however its probably the least likely scenario as a bleak route like that would be hard to keep sexy time going when your dealing with dark themes and existential crisis content! who knows though, it was just my thoughts on the matter after i read your comment!

I hadn't really gone down the route of potential endings with the broken females, but I was more thinking about the Shadow King reappearing in a scene that mirrors the breaking of the phone or Nulls powers appearing (him being in stress and feeling internal pain as his body changes to accommodate a new power) being an element later on since it may be that the broken phone foreshadows something later in the story. The phone could actually indicate a fractured identity or even a delusional world where reality is trying to break through the cracks since the phone may well indicate Null's only connection with the real world. While it is fun to overthink things, we also have to see the simpler explanation.

It just seemed interesting to me that the creators chose a broken phone and spent so much time and effort on that phone scene for it to all be just to show that Null's power broke a phone. Much like Chekhov's Gun, if you show a gun/phone early on, that element should reappear later on to tell part of the story (the gun used to shoot someone/the phone used to provide connection with something else). The entire title of the game is Null Hypothesis which lends itself to interpretation since Null's power is not just Nullification, but something bigger. It was a hypothesis in which the evidence has not been provided that Nulls main power is nullification. The evidence points to something different, therefore, voiding the hypothesis. For such forethought to be provided just in the title indicates we are dealing with some thinkers in the creative group... so why stop being creative just in the title?

 

[Sweetluvd]

Someone please tell me how could MC make girls satisfy when they make out. In my case, MC can touch girl's body and kiss girls, but the textline popped up and showed that girls checked time and disinteresting. Please help.

 

[junior366]

I hadn't really gone down the route of potential endings with the broken females, but I was more thinking about the Shadow King reappearing in a scene that mirrors the breaking of the phone or Nulls powers appearing (him being in stress and feeling internal pain as his body changes to accommodate a new power) being an element later on since it may be that the broken phone foreshadows something later in the story. The phone could actually indicate a fractured identity or even a delusional world where reality is trying to break through the cracks since the phone may well indicate Null's only connection with the real world. While it is fun to overthink things, we also have to see the simpler explanation.

It just seemed interesting to me that the creators chose a broken phone and spent so much time and effort on that phone scene for it to all be just to show that Null's power broke a phone. Much like Chekhov's Gun, if you show a gun/phone early on, that element should reappear later on to tell part of the story (the gun used to shoot someone/the phone used to provide connection with something else). The entire title of the game is Null Hypothesis which lends itself to interpretation since Null's power is not just Nullification, but something bigger. It was a hypothesis in which the evidence has not been provided that Nulls main power is nullification. The evidence points to something different, therefore, voiding the hypothesis. For such forethought to be provided just in the title indicates we are dealing with some thinkers in the creative group... so why stop being creative just in the title?

Long term storytelling, I like it!!!

 

[Mutation8888]

I have another question.
Started fresh yesterday and for the first time I payed attention to the blackboard at the Farouk lecture. I thought he was teaching psychology, not discrete maths. Something changed during development or he is just too lazy to wipe the board?

Psychology also delves into measuring, describing, and analyzing data (Statistics) so math does play a part in psychology. Just obtaining scores on an intelligence test or psychological assessment is not the end.. the numbers have to be analyzed and shown to mean something. The stuff on the board may look random (difficult to tell since it is tiny and blurry), but it could still fit.

 

[Evil13]

Someone please tell me how could MC make girls satisfy when they make out. In my case, MC can touch girl's body and kiss girls, but the textline popped up and showed that girls checked time and disinteresting. Please help.

The point of the game is that you are building love and trust with the girls throughout the game year. So early on, you can make out with them, maybe rub their leg. But that's it. As you progress through their stories, earning their trust and how you aren't a bastard, they'll let you do more.

 

[Mutation8888]

Someone please tell me how could MC make girls satisfy when they make out. In my case, MC can touch girl's body and kiss girls, but the textline popped up and showed that girls checked time and disinteresting. Please help.

The game has a help menu in the Database for Cerebro. One of the help items deals with intimacy. You can't just do one thing over and over, you have to change things up and try different things. Early on it is difficult to please the ladies when there are limited actions, but it is possible. The further you get and more actions you activate with time (love/trust) the easier it gets.

 

[ShinyBoots1993]

Public nudity, one of the best parts of Rogue Like.

We're not Rogue Like.

Just didn't notice any reactions when I made all the heroines walk around with their tops open.

If there was nipple showing than it's an exploit we didn't account for.

Though we do have plans for some reaction to skimpy clothes. Just hasn't been the highest on our to do list.

Started fresh yesterday and for the first time I payed attention to the blackboard at the Farouk lecture. I thought he was teaching psychology, not discrete maths. Something changed during development or he is just too lazy to wipe the board?

I don't think it really matters either way. it could just be a random asset they grabbed and put there and didn't really bother looking at it to see what was on it

An easteregg. That's all I'm allowed to say.

like a switch route for Laura, sibling dynamic without the light femdom for Jean, and more noticable ways to dom Rogue

These are things we've discussed for when we go back and make the situation less binary.

if I'm really lucky some foot fetish stuff (without any humiliation please).

It's on the list. We had to cut it for time.

There's already code and dialogue hidden in the game for cumming on their feet, shoes, and socks/stockings.



Side note. Daily reminder that we're in EARLY Beta. Expect bugs and other issues.

Also, I'm not allowed to remark on fan theories but I do like the direction you guys are going on!

 

[Mutation8888]

Also, I'm not allowed to remark on fan theories but I do like the direction you guys are going on!

We know.. we just like to overthink and see what happens.

 

[ShinyBoots1993]

It's not often I respond to reviews directly but this one in particular made me happy with how constructive it was and I want to break it down. Thank you gpsywolf

So after a thorough playthrough, I feel like i compiled enough info to make a fair review of this game. First of all I would like to put in here that if you are looking for a quick fap, this is not the game for you. However, if you are looking for quality, beautiful graphics with intriguing story, then I recommend you check this out, you will not be dissapointed. On to the review.

First off I appreciate that you acknowledge that this is not a quick fap game and are civil in stating the fact that this game is not for those who aren't invested in the story.

First of all, the graphics are stunning. The attention to detail is impressive and I love it, 10/10.

Our artists work hard. I'll pass on the love.

Story is around a 7/10 simply because through all the available content, it seems as if there is not really any character growth with your heroines. They all have the same problems they started with, and regardless of your help, they dont seem to get any closer to solving them. They just keep repeating their frustration at not being able to figure out how they tick and that's pretty much the running theme. (except for Laura who knows exactly who she is and has a 100% grasp on her own powers).

I will state that we decided to take the bullet on this one. the game is planned to be 5 chapters long and will contain a sixth chapter that is purely sandbox which will have add-on stories we can't fit within the main timeline.

The girls will be gaining character development throughout the entire game.

For those worried about the girls introduced in chapter 5 not being as well fleshed out as girls who had 5 chapters, we plan to follow up on their plots in chapter 6's add-on stories.

You can blame me. I haven't mentioned it in a while because I don't like to take away from the writers' hard work but I outlined the general story. Basically, it was my decision to have chapters 2-5 follow the comic timeline and chapter 1 be an introduction to our version of the Marvel Universe. Beyond that, I have very little involvement in the writing so all praise should go to Maddening and Holder.

The only drawback that i can see at all is the BALANCE of the mechanics system. For every interaction or choice that you make you recieve "love" and/or "trust" points. These points are required to "level up" your relationship with the heroines, and while the game does not punish you for dating more than one at a time, (in fact you can establish a polyamorous relationship in the beggining), The grind gets exponentially larger as the game goes on. For example, part 1 is fairly quick to max gir's stats, part 2 is double that, and part 3 is just... painful. This definitely needs to be addressed by the developers to make it a more comfortable and playable game.

The current caps and their gains have been streamlined to the point where we're happy with and they will not be streamlined further. However, we will be adding content such as interactions, events, gifts, and other things to give higher boosts in love and trust.

We want people to play how they want, to an extent as we're not allowing any abuse to the characters, so we're putting in fun side content to not force a "perfect strategy" as the girls and other characters will be responding to certain dialogue choices down the line. One option they may not like now may have a pay-off in later chapters.

The other Complaint i had off the bat is that if the stat grind wasnt tedious enough, the actual "sexy time" interaction mechanics are clunky and also unbalanced. Also confusing. As you progess your relationships with the girls, they will open up more sexual options to you, but the positions and actions combinations as well as the tedius "next" click... It might be better if it was simplified quite a lot. Also, you if you are wondering when you actually get any serious action its not gonna be until around the 2nd half of the current content so expect maybe 4-5 hours before anything really interesting.

We're actively working on this. We've held off on streamlining the sex beyond being playable as we'll be adding brand-new sex art and more positions with the introduction of live2D.

My advice would be to use the console to edit the stats to minimize the current grind.

I don't advise this as it can sequence break things.

Overall i would definitely recommend this game, I absolutely love it and hope the dev comes out with frequent updates. Its rare to find a game this good, especially on this site.

We're glad you enjoyed it and we'll push out updates as frequently as manageable.

 

[CptValor]

Also, I'm not allowed to remark on fan theories but I do like the direction you guys are going on!

i could have elaborated more on my theory and really got into detail if it wasnt as early as it is! also didnt wanna post a book as a comment! lol
but yeah just overthinking and over analyzing things on my end as well...

 

[Sweetluvd]

The point of the game is that you are building love and trust with the girls throughout the game year. So early on, you can make out with them, maybe rub their leg. But that's it. As you progress through their stories, earning their trust and how you aren't a bastard, they'll let you do more.

Thanks for your help. I followed your instructions, but I haven't been able to max out the lust bar. At the beginning when the MC was just caressing the girls, I saw a heart-shaped icon appear that suggested to me what the girl wanted, but when the lust bar was almost at max, next to the actions only dots were displayed. (.) or space, and I really don't know what to do next, the bar doesn't increase, it even decreases, can you please show me the details.

 

[Elodrass]

An easteregg. That's all I'm allowed to say.

Before you had our curiosity now you have our attention

 

[Dazzier31]

Before you had our curiosity now you have our attention
View attachment 3343355

I'm not good at maths but I think I recognize some symbols related to electricity?

 

[ImmortalKing]

Hi there! Absolutelly love the game so far, got a quick questio since we have a few pubic hair styles(hairy,bushy,etc):
How about armpit hair? Is it possible in the future updates? or we'll never get it.

 

[Elodrass]

Being way to rusty when comes to Calculus all i can go with is my gut feeling when looking at that board, what i'm kinda of getting is that Faruk is trying to prove something mathematically about the X-Gene and Omega class mutants?
Also, Faruk and a writting board gives me total flashbacks to this scene from Legion:

Null is the David Haller of Earth 69 i'm telling you all! lol

 

[wiseold6996]

Before you had our curiosity now you have our attention
View attachment 3343355

Is he solving some kind of hypothesis?

 

[merleved]

Hi there! Absolutelly love the game so far, got a quick questio since we have a few pubic hair styles(hairy,bushy,etc):
How about armpit hair? Is it possible in the future updates? or we'll never get it.

It is possible and, based on statements from some members of the team, highly likely. It isn't at the top of the art priority list right now, so some patience will be required. But chances are good that it will be an option.

 

[Mutation8888]

Being way to rusty when comes to Calculus all i can go with is my gut feeling when looking at that board, what i'm kinda of getting is that Faruk is trying to prove something mathematically about the X-Gene and Omega class mutants?
Also, Faruk and a writting board gives me total flashbacks to this scene from Legion:

Now that I can see the board more clearly (you were able to enhance it quite well compared to the blurry image I was trying to copy, paste, and edit) I get the same thing. Omega symbol and "m" denoting mutant is likely. I also recognize Germanic words and if I am not mistaken (still a bit illegible) the formula for deviation from the mean (the mu symbol indicates a population mean of "m" mutants). There is also what appears to be a Dutch surname Scheilen if I am not misreading it. Possibly trying to determine how many Omega level mutants could be in existence compared to the general population, who they are, and where they likely reside statistically.

 

[Mutation8888]

Is he solving some kind of hypothesis?

Perhaps a Null Hypothesis.

 

[Elodrass]

Is he solving some kind of hypothesis?

Some Null Hypothesis maybe?
By the look of it Faruk is trying to prove this actually:

But since they're in a goddam Physicology class i'm guessing that is in context to something, if we go by what the MC responds to Faruk when you're a smart ass the lecture was about the Jungian Shadow, that coupled with the news about people having amnesia and being desoriented after commiting violent crimes the MC was seeing on his notebook... Wait a goddam moment!
Just saw something when replaying the intro, the Nullification power is TOTALLY like the other powers, the MC being "I want that sort of power..." and getting it, he thought EXACTLY and i quote:
"There can't be anything worse than being brainwashed like that. I'd give anything to not be affected by that kind of danger..."
Then he got the pain on his body like the other times a power comes up and Faruk attacked him.

My guess now is that Faruk noticed that the MC had some sort of reality bending power cof David Haller Confirmed cof and was keeping a eye on him, then he saw Null hearing about his or another telepath "pranks" (or if it was Faruk he was experimenting with the Jungian Shadow concept? Like, instead of actually brainwashing people he was just taking away their inibitions to see what happened) on the news and coming with a power to protect himself, Faruk panicked thinking it was now or never and tried to brute force his way inside the MC mind, but at that point was to late and the X-Men noticed screwing up his long term plan.