VN Ren'Py The Roommate [v0.11.11] [togs]

[bigtommyd]

I would say it is probably a first time dev realizing that providing choices creates a tremendous amount of work to create multiple versions of the same scene but when playing it you only get 1 version so the update feels short and telling a story that makes sense is hard when you try to make almost any scene avoidable.

In short it is probably just difficult balancing the choice players have become accustom to, the story making sense, and the exponential amount of work compounding choices creates.

And there's your winner. When I first discovered this game a couple of years ago, I was really impressed by the writing but it became obvious halfway through my first playthrough that it was growing out of control. Too many characters, too many side paths and wayyyy too many variables. I don't have any particularly strong feelings either way about the "dark path" and while I'm normally a "if you're not having fun, just stop playing and stop whining about it" kind of person, I get why people are irritated with the direction this game has slowly devolved in to. So many of the choices are dead ends, the characters often act in ways counter to the choices you make and the things they say and most of that is because he's trying to stuff 10 lbs. of shit in a 5 lb. bag.

There's no way togs is going to be able to reasonably finish this game in a satisfying manner for ANYONE with all of the loose ends he has to tie up. The sister harem alone is a complete game idea but he's trying to juggle that with the Lactomax story which is a complete game idea and all of the whore/BDSM stuff. And that's before we even get to the 15 other women that are sort of optional, the weird cult harem in the basement and the company management piece that comes and goes depending on the update. There's simply no way to reasonably finish all of those intertwining stories without either working on the game until the day you die trying to account for all of the variables or simply giving up at some point and pulling a Mass Effect 3 where all of the choices end up boiling down to one ending with a few lines of flavor text that say "you sure did do that thing back on day 75!"

In short, the game is a project manager's nightmare: an absurd amount of scope creep with seemingly no outline or process map. He just takes everyone's requests (some a little more seriously if you're doling out big Patreon dollars) and the game becomes more and more bloated and near impossible to balance. I wish the guy the best as he's clearly talented and well-intentioned but he's written himself in to a corner and he's going to have to make some difficult decisions at some point that are going to piss a lot of people off.

 

[NebulousShooter]

I just wish people, in general, would stop getting so butt hurt over shit. Each of us have had our own experiences in life and we all have different thoughts and feelings about shit. Of course there are going to be those who hate even the whisper of NTR while there are going to be others who want to see some sluttification. Interestingly, this thread has been pretty balanced, but the dev has obviously been getting some communications we are not seeing and I think that's too bad because the dude seems to be taking it pretty hard.

And speaking as one of his supporters, I think if we were all into the sharing/whoring stuff then this would not be an issue. In my experience, he is probably getting it from the non-sharing/whoring group but it is not really "public". I am sure he is getting it as DM or private conversations.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens.

The game was pretty vanilla when it came out, an early controversy was about Kari sneaking out and hiding that from the MC, might have been also a kiss?(forgot the details, you can still find remnants of that fight in the early pages)Well that was enough to get that entire storyline scraped pretty much, so its fair to say that the early fanbase was more vanilla leaning.

But with each update, new controversies and 'mistakes' that were walked 1 step back in a later patch, while at the same time moving 2 steps forward in the next update, it started leaning more on free sex/'dark content', the plot became more and more ridiculous, at this point you would have to be disingenuous to not see that as the bigger focus. Vanilla is what now, 1/3, 1/4 of the total content a girl has across all routes?
I am actually shocked he publicly acknowledged this happening because it was my impression he was feigning ignorance the last few controversies it happened.

People interested in the type of content throwing exorbitant amounts of money to realize their dream scenario(s) with the characters they like is nothing new in the genre, that doesn't make it less disappointing that games get shaped around them, if it was from the 0.1 catering to them and now they were paying for more, sure fair enough, but I don't think it was the case with this game. (Granted I haven't played since early on and only come back every other update just to read the thread, so I might have redacted info.)

 

[Maviarab]

(Granted I haven't played since early on and only come back every other update just to read the thread, so I might have redacted info.)

That's an overreaction and to be fair, as you say, you cannot really make any comment as you have not played in God know's how long. You're commenting and making reactions based on other people's words. Never wise, especially when half of them whine about shit that isn't even worth whining about. But hey, it's F95, people here whine they canp;t fuck their mother's dog ffs.

Most are overreacting many are fragile. There is still no fucking NTR, yes the slut/sharing paths seem to be taking a precedence lately.

None of that matters and is all perfectly fine. What does need addressing is the multitude of plots, stories that have gone nowhere, the multitude of women in the story who have code to be romanced but well, probably more chance of screwing Omega at this point than some of the girls that have been in since the first couple of weeks.

People whining about baby-making. it's OPTIONAL and togs has stated more than once, there will be another way to cure yourself. So if poeple don't want to play happy harem families with Kari and her sisters...no one needs to! (however, I will concede,m if not on any path at all with Kari but you have agree'd to the baby-making, she should not be slutting herself out...completely agree with that).

Just fix the loose ends, fix the story (though not actually sure there is an actual story at the moment), fix the damn bugs, stops introfucing new plots, new girls, new ideas...and start tidying things up. This is what this VN needs right now more than anything.

 

[SlapE]

Most are overreacting many are fragile. There is still no fucking NTR, yes the slut/sharing paths seem to be taking a precedence lately.

While I do agree mostly with what you're saying, it's not even that the slut/sharing paths are taking precedence. It's that elements of those paths are seeping into the girlfriend/romance paths... it's just all inconsistent and non-sensical. I do hope the game improves, and like I have said, I'm willing to give it another shot in the future if it does. It's too much of a mess currently.

 

[Pr0GamerJohnny]

People whining about baby-making. it's OPTIONAL and togs has stated more than once, there will be another way to cure yourself. So if poeple don't want to play happy harem families with Kari and her sisters...no one needs to! (however, I will concede,m if not on any path at all with Kari but you have agree'd to the baby-making, she should not be slutting herself out...completely agree with that).

Moderation of this point - and do correct me if I'm wrong; I thought the whole sisters babymaking path was forced on the player IF they are on a Kari girlfriend path. You get the choice with "Proceed with Dr Klein's (whatever his name is) plan?" / "Find another solution?", but AFAIK the 'Find another solution' path either isn't implemented or really doesn't do anything, all the other sisters still throw themselves at you again and again.

 

[Maviarab]

Moderation of this point - and do correct me if I'm wrong; I thought the whole sisters babymaking path was forced on the player IF they are on a Kari girlfriend path. You get the choice with "Proceed with Dr Klein's (whatever his name is) plan?" / "Find another solution?", but AFAIK the 'Find another solution path either isn't implemented or really doesn't do anything, all the other sisters still throw themselves at you again and again.

Nope. Can be with Kari and still opt out and not go through with it.

However, given the coding with this....it is entirely possible that depending on prior choices etc the code doesn't let you heh. I have numerous saves with Kari where not on the baby plan.

 

[Pr0GamerJohnny]

Nope. Can be with Kari and still opt out and not go through with it.

However, given the coding with this....it is entirely possible that depending on prior choices etc the code doesn't let you heh. I have numerous saves with Kari where not on the baby plan.

Wait now I'm entirely confused! You say it is possible to be with Kari as your gf and not do the preggers path, okay, I believe you.

But then you say that prior choices can nullify the ability to make that choice? Which forks are we talking about?

 

[Maviarab]

Wait now I'm entirely confused! You say it is possible to be with Kari as your gf and not do the preggers path, okay, I believe you.

Correct.

But then you say that prior choices can nullify the ability to make that choice? Which forks are we talking about?

No, I'm saying it possible due to how much bad code there is that something else unrelated could be stopping the choice if you have never had the option. What that could be, who the hell knows.

 

[SteelyDan14]

The game was pretty vanilla when it came out, an early controversy was about Kari sneaking out and hiding that from the MC, might have been also a kiss?(forgot the details, you can still find remnants of that fight in the early pages)Well that was enough to get that entire storyline scraped pretty much, so its fair to say that the early fanbase was more vanilla leaning.

But with each update, new controversies and 'mistakes' that were walked 1 step back in a later patch, while at the same time moving 2 steps forward in the next update, it started leaning more on free sex/'dark content', the plot became more and more ridiculous, at this point you would have to be disingenuous to not see that as the bigger focus. Vanilla is what now, 1/3, 1/4 of the total content a girl has across all routes?
I am actually shocked he publicly acknowledged this happening because it was my impression he was feigning ignorance the last few controversies it happened.

People interested in the type of content throwing exorbitant amounts of money to realize their dream scenario(s) with the characters they like is nothing new in the genre, that doesn't make it less disappointing that games get shaped around them, if it was from the 0.1 catering to them and now they were paying for more, sure fair enough, but I don't think it was the case with this game. (Granted I haven't played since early on and only come back every other update just to read the thread, so I might have redacted info.)

I am a big fan of the game. I was not at the beginning because there were a lot of strange paths and even the basic decisions seemed to not have any purpose. I was also not a fan of having Kari basically forced on you but I realized she was the core of the story so it was silly for me to think that way.

Having said that, I am well aware of the plot holes and coding issues as well as the myriad of LIs that seems to randomly fall into and out of the story. I am also surprised the dev continues to introduces new LIs like the cop or the old GF. My MC made a deal to be a sugar daddy with the LI from the coffee shop and that went no where despite the fact the money keeps getting pulled out of his account. I will also admit I found it completely out of character for Kari to suddenly show up in the back room of the TKilt turning tricks just because the MC was not interested in her.

Acknowledging all of that, the dev does continue to produce regular updates and is moving the story forward for the most part. It is possible I have been a little oblivious to some of the problems because I tend to like some of the "dark" things, but we still have to give the dev some props for continuing to produce updates when so many devs cut and run (including me) and never finish a project. Additionally, he does it all himself. Coding, artwork, story.... that's tough to do and an awful lot of work. So for him to cowtow to the peeps who are paying him... well... it's hard to argue that. He has to do what's best for him.

Personally, I would like to see him take a pause and take stock of everything, create a plan to move forward, tighten up the story and then start up again.

 

[Joshy92]

I saw Kari getting fisted even though I didn't want to it annoyed me.
The amount of bugs is ridiculous like I have said multipe times I got forced into a threesome.
Lois acts like I slept with her even though I didn't.
It feels like a Bethesda game and honestly I can't take it seriously anymore.

 

[TigerWolfe]

I saw Kari getting fisted even though I didn't want to it annoyed me.
The amount of bugs is ridiculous like I have said multipe times I got forced into a threesome.
Lois acts like I slept with her even though I didn't.
It feels like a Bethesda game and honestly I can't take it seriously anymore.

If giants hit you, you achieve exit velocity?!

 

[Pr0GamerJohnny]

I saw Kari getting fisted even though I didn't want to it annoyed me.
The amount of bugs is ridiculous like I have said multipe times I got forced into a threesome.
Lois acts like I slept with her even though I didn't.
It feels like a Bethesda game and honestly I can't take it seriously anymore.

That's a bridge too far joshy!

 

[SteelyDan14]

I saw Kari getting fisted even though I didn't want to it annoyed me.
The amount of bugs is ridiculous like I have said multipe times I got forced into a threesome.
Lois acts like I slept with her even though I didn't.
It feels like a Bethesda game and honestly I can't take it seriously anymore.

There was ZERO reasons to slam Bethesda games.... Life without Skyrim would be like an ice cream cone without ice cream.

 

[divingmedic]

There was ZERO reasons to slam Bethesda games.... Life without Skyrim would be like an ice cream cone without ice cream.

Not after Starfield and Fallout 76, they deserve every bit of shit slung their way.

 

[SteelyDan14]

Not after Starfield and Fallout 76, they deserve every bit of shit slung their way.

Fallout 76 I would agree, but I liked Starfield. I didn't love it, but I liked it. What turned me off from it was when you advanced through the Starfield you had to start all over again with nothing. I am hoping the DLCs add some value to it, but the ship building and space battles are pretty awesome. And hey... even the great ones can't be perfect all the time.

Have you seen the Fallout TV show? OMG freaking amazing!

 

[divingmedic]

Fallout 76 I would agree, but I liked Starfield. I didn't love it, but I liked it. What turned me off from it was when you advanced through the Starfield you had to start all over again with nothing. I am hoping the DLCs add some value to it, but the ship building and space battles are pretty awesome. And hey... even the great ones can't be perfect all the time.

Have you seen the Fallout TV show? OMG freaking amazing!

Saw some clips of it on You tube. I loved the companions in FO4 and Skyrim. Hate the ones in Starfield. Lack of main story also. Sorta like the AVN. Story is getting lost in the kinks. Still a good AVN though. (Keeping us on topic )

 

[LWtbo]

Ok I still wish the Dev luck but even though I may of enjoyed this game uptil the start of update 0.11.01 but now.
I'm gonna go find a game by a Dev that still remebers Anal Is a fetish.
And should be a choice for the player not forced on them have fun all.

 

[Spfjolietjake]

This update disappointed me. I've liked all the ones prior. Loved the darkness of them and the kink.

Why the fuck did the dev give Kari a even shorter hair cut Ugh
Mallory's milking machine scenes were a thing I greatly enjoyed and now the dev has her kneeling on a fucking ottoman and the mc doesn't want to fuck her or at least get her off himself; this after several updates of making plans to milk her and then not having it happen wtf

Also I still would lose the damn calendar it has added absolutely nothing. And maybe have someone to help code or at least test all the paths.

I do wish the dev luck, however I really hope the dark and kinks don't go away just the bugs.

 

[Chickenman1234]

check out togs recent public update on his patreon page. I think this is a great solution and great job.

 

[gregers]

I mean, the simpler option would be to just let the choices the player makes in the game have logical consequences, but I guess this could work as a second-best option. The implementation could get messy though, depending on how togs ends up divvying up the scenes into levels.

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I'm making changes to further isolate the so-called "Dark Content."

I'm sorry if that phrase bothers people but I haven't come up with anything better.

If you cast your mind back to the start of the game there's a question about what kind of content you're comfortable with. Originally there were just two options, but that's now been expanded to FOUR...

For the sake of clarity, Level 1 would allow Anal Sex, milking Mallory and limited BDSM options.

Level 2 would include treating the girls like sluts, allowing Gina to "do" Lois at The Lodge, and letting Kari and Aria have their little girl-on-girl adventure before Aria leaves for London.

At Level 3, in theory, anything goes.

Obviously, I'm not expecting you to start over, so there's an alternative method you can use in-game.

Hit "Escape" to enter the Save Menu and select the "Enter Code" option.

You'll be prompted to enter a code. Enter "Fetishes" (without the quotes)

It'll tell you the current level, and ask you to enter the new level, which must be a single digit from 0-3 inclusive. You can hit Escape to Cancel without changing the current level.

It will take me some time to introduce some of the revised variable thresholds and add any extra content that may be needed to bridge any gaps but I plan to get us to the point where any given content can be made invisible to those that don't care for it.

Getting back to the future, so to speak, what's coming up next?

MC's evening ends in an entirely unexpected fashion.

Back in the office the next day, intrepid reporter Avril O'Neil comes in to interview you and Lois, and Kiki has updates on some of the projects she's been working on.

There'll also be further advances in the side stories for some of the reception staff, depending on who you have on your roster.

I'll keep you all up-to-date as things progress.