Ren'Py Whispers of Desire [v0.35] [Mr_Fable]

[PureoSpice]

Come on, man, don't give them ideas.

Naaaaah, We cool mate. I think 99.9% of people are here for Sarah’s juicy nectar and not for a snake bouncing on Alex’s lap di "Full Neilson" The other 0.1% may secretly beating it on Neil’s creepy ass but still haven’t been emerged from the shadow

 

[dontcarewhateverno]

I am thinking of toning down Neil in the sharing and faith full route sand giving more control to the couple. But of course in other routes Neil will be even more menacing.

I'd like to have the option for that at the very least. I have 0 interest in Neil & have purposefully chosen selections that I'd guess would give him less or no power, even if it hampers things I might want in other paths. Though I'm sure other people are fans.

 

[dontcarewhateverno]

I think it's because of this guy
View attachment 5496532

I really wish they would hire this guy for 60 Minutes. Give some credibility back. He gets the 10 minute "Why R U Gae?" segment at the end with various celebrities.

 

[NewGuy2022]

Yeah just played. Great game. I love the control that you have with it. But I will say, the only thing I eliminated was Neil getting any sort of action with the FMC. I mean I found many of the solo male choices for FMC to be cartoon villain, creepy, or childish lol. The ones in relationships were far better adjusted. The beach boys were cool too. My main path is sharing and running a happy couple path too. Will likely get to the betrayal paths (I find them ok, but not very entertaining) at some point but even then...no Neil lol.

My two cents, I would not really bother with this too much. The character type is meant for a certain content group and for them he is great as is. For others, it feels too late to change him, the blackmail of the doctor and manipulations to this point got him into a bucket. Any major changes to make him more "acceptable" would likely feel forced. What makes him "fun" for some and likely fun to write for in terms of those intense scenes is that he the person he is. However you do you on that end. I would just request the ability to continue to be able to reject partners.

I'll avoid Neil (unless I can find some way to humiliate him) but I agree the dev wouldn't need to 'nerf' Neil. Honestly, if Neil is not a total a-hole it kinda weakens the whole "blackmailing Eva" vibe... ...you'd have to be a jerk to extort a health care professional into manipulating patients. I mean for a medical provider? That's a pretty big no-no... I'd offer that Neil works as he is. But, since I won't touch him anyway, what happens happens

 

[TonyMurray]

I'll avoid Neil (unless I can find some way to humiliate him) but I agree the dev wouldn't need to 'nerf' Neil. Honestly, if Neil is not a total a-hole it kinda weakens the whole "blackmailing Eva" vibe... ...you'd have to be a jerk to extort a health care professional into manipulating patients. I mean for a medical provider? That's a pretty big no-no... I'd offer that Neil works as he is. But, since I won't touch him anyway, what happens happens

I agree on all this, and I think his character is good for the role he's playing. Those who want the sharing with Neil might not mind so much that he's a slimeball, and those who think he's a slimeball are probably not going to be made to reconsider their opinion just by toning him down a bit. For me, as far as Neil goes, "what happens in the gallery stays in the gallery."

 

[CursedByAll]

I agree on all this, and I think his character is good for the role he's playing. Those who want the sharing with Neil might not mind so much that he's a slimeball, and those who think he's a slimeball are probably not going to be made to reconsider their opinion just by toning him down a bit. For me, as far as Neil goes, "what happens in the gallery stays in the gallery."

I understand that Fable has a wish to get more players involved with Neil, so that they can play through the scenes he is obviously invested in render-wise; ie those with Sarah/Neil...but if its about some sort of character that is "Neil-lite", then perhaps "Dom Alex" could develop those traits instead, and make Sarah do somehow naughtier things?

Without a substantial plot twist, eg discovery and thwarting of Neil's subterfuges, it is probably too late for any change to Neil to be believable in the context of his current "personailty", and therefore for a lot of players to actually want to change routes, which they would have to, in order to "play" with Neil. Neil, even as a "friend" or "desirable" target could currently only appeal to Route 3 or 4 players, I reckon. Any Route 2 players seem to only ever want to either avoid or cuck/subjugate Neil, and Route 1 players won't even go there.

I am going to be very amused by Fable's plot machinations in order to create this "Neil-lite", that is actually accepted by the couple willingly.......I do wonder what that might be. And even then, just how it might change the whole story.

 

[megadrive2000]

She is soo HOT!

But Neil is too young (same age as Alex?) for a big boss (and ugly)… and Alex is a pussy…not really a cheating option.

So,cheating is unavoidable for her.

I hope there are other possible partners coming…

 

[CursedByAll]

She is soo HOT!
and Alex is a pussy…not really a cheating option.

You are not the only one of this opinion, mainly due to the lack of Alex's agency in what has mostly been a buildup about Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Only options presented so far is what will Alex do about Sarah, if he has any say at all, or if he will be possibly tempted by something else.
Where is the Alex we need? I mean, we have Sarah, but who the F is Alex? He may as well be a cardboard cutout....

 

[NewGuy2022]

I understand that Fable has a wish to get more players involved with Neil, so that they can play through the scenes he is obviously invested in render-wise; ie those with Sarah/Neil...but if its about some sort of character that is "Neil-lite", then perhaps "Dom Alex" could develop those traits instead, and make Sarah do somehow naughtier things?

Without a substantial plot twist, eg discovery and thwarting of Neil's subterfuges, it is probably too late for any change to Neil to be believable in the context of his current "personailty", and therefore for a lot of players to actually want to change routes, which they would have to, in order to "play" with Neil. Neil, even as a "friend" or "desirable" target could currently only appeal to Route 3 or 4 players, I reckon. Any Route 2 players seem to only ever want to either avoid or cuck/subjugate Neil, and Route 1 players won't even go there.

I am going to be very amused by Fable's plot machinations in order to create this "Neil-lite", that is actually accepted by the couple willingly.......I do wonder what that might be. And even then, just how it might change the whole story.

I don't see how the dev can credibly "nerf" Neil going forward; I'd assumed he would do a rewrite of the game up to this point and change him that way. Maybe Sarah will find something to hold over Neil to blackmail him into behaving; with her being the IT lead maybe she'll find something embarrassing/incriminating on his computer... I mean we know it can't be anything due to Alex; these games with NTR themes or threads always seem to write in the MC as little more than a doormat.

 

[CursedByAll]

I mean we know it can't be anything due to Alex; these games with NTR themes or threads always seem to write in the MC as little more than a doormat.

But Fable has always said that Alex will not be a doormat, unless you choose to make him that way (Route 3 or 4)
In Route 1 & 2, he is supposed to be a "man who actively participates in a loving/open relationship - sharing his passions with his equally loving/open wife"....So, where is that guy? And how does the game develop without Neil getting his way? Is Alex still supposed to just be a doormat, leaving this avoidance option entirely up to Sarah? Come on...surely not....the guy must grow some balls and whip Neil outta the picture somehow?
Otherwise, its just gunna be the Sarah Game, or the Neil Game....a shit choice to make really imo

 

[redoubt27]

I don't see how the dev can credibly "nerf" Neil going forward

Doesn't need to nerf Neil's personality or plot at all.
Just keep giving Sarah and Alex the ability to dodge around it...
Yeah, they're gonna get into sharing and swinging, just with everyone but Neil...

 

[redoubt27]

You are not the only one of this opinion, mainly due to the lack of Alex's agency in what has mostly been a buildup about Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Only options presented so far is what will Alex do about Sarah, if he has any say at all, or if he will be possibly tempted by something else.
Where is the Alex we need? I mean, we have Sarah, but who the F is Alex? He may as well be a cardboard cutout....

I understand some of the criticism, to a degree.
Alex isn't a pussy, unless you play him that way...
And Sarah only goes "too far", making Alex seem like he has no agency, if you play her that way...

The build-up has been Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, because she's the one that had the farthest to go to get on board the sharing/swinging train, or the NTR corruption train if that's the route someone wants to play...
Alex is already there, he just needs to figure out how far to go. But before he can do that, Sarah has to be on the same train...

 

[JarrenBlake]

But Fable has always said that Alex will not be a doormat, unless you choose to make him that way (Route 3 or 4)
In Route 1 & 2, he is supposed to be a "man who actively participates in a loving/open relationship - sharing his passions with his equally loving/open wife"....So, where is that guy? And how does the game develop without Neil getting his way? Is Alex still supposed to just be a doormat, leaving this avoidance option entirely up to Sarah? Come on...surely not....the guy must grow some balls and whip Neil outta the picture somehow?
Otherwise, its just gunna be the Sarah Game, or the Neil Game....a shit choice to make really imo

I understand some of the criticism, to a degree.
Alex isn't a pussy, unless you play him that way...
And Sarah only goes "too far", making Alex seem like he has no agency, if you play her that way...

I get all the above sentiments as well. In truth I am newer to these NTR games than some. I like their potential to bring tension, but there are a few things about them that have always felt off, but I could not really put it into words. The more I play and talk with other, the more some things come into focus. One of which is Male MCs in these games. I agree that Alex is largely ok, but there are a few moment that are glaring examples of a response generated for game/plot.

1) The late night text message. This was my top WTF moment. So his wife's boss, that he knows/suspect to be a player, gives her a gift card to buy a dress. Then asks her to send a photo to which he reply "Oh that must have been a joke". Later...in the middle of the night, said boss makes the request again, very directly. And Alex says...nothing. He waits to see what Sarah will decide. That is the type of agency loss I feel Cursed is referring to. What non doormat husband stays silent there. I realize my personal response is not what any and all would do. But I am out of the bed, putting on clothes and about to drive to someone's home residence to have a "discussion". At the very least most husband would go "He said what?!?".

2) The video. After the above you find and see a video of him in the office, with another female employee. So now you have proof of a history of a certain behavior. Call HR, call our attorney, call the cops to stop me. And hence the reason why the MC has to be somewhat generic. The non doormat choices end these plots too quickly or write themselves into a corner of conflict due to the tag line that serves as Cursed's signature.

3) In general: Instances to negative relationship points just for expressing concerns or what your boundaries are.

4) NTR themes and scenarios invoke a wide range of possible responses. Too many to typically portray in a game and so the agency of characters feels limited as a result. This is further compounded when you do not get a choice at all because it is considered a moment of dialogue as opposed to a fork in the plot. But character personalities are defined during those dialogue moments just as much, if not more so, as in those plot fork moments.

 

[TonyMurray]

I get all the above sentiments as well. In truth I am newer to these NTR games than some. I like their potential to bring tension, but there are a few things about them that have always felt off, but I could not really put it into words. The more I play and talk with other, the more some things come into focus. One of which is Male MCs in these games. I agree that Alex is largely ok, but there are a few moment that are glaring examples of a response generated for game/plot.

1) The late night text message. This was my top WTF moment. So his wife's boss, that he knows/suspect to be a player, gives her a gift card to buy a dress. Then asks her to send a photo to which he reply "Oh that must have been a joke". Later...in the middle of the night, said boss makes the request again, very directly. And Alex says...nothing. He waits to see what Sarah will decide. That is the type of agency loss I feel Cursed is referring to. What non doormat husband stays silent there. I realize my personal response is not what any and all would do. But I am out of the bed, putting on clothes and about to drive to someone's home residence to have a "discussion". At the very least most husband would go "He said what?!?".

2) The video. After the above you find and see a video of him in the office, with another female employee. So now you have proof of a history of a certain behavior. Call HR, call our attorney, call the cops to stop me. And hence the reason why the MC has to be somewhat generic. The non doormat choices end these plots too quickly or write themselves into a corner of conflict due to the tag line that serves as Cursed's signature.

3) In general: Instances to negative relationship points just for expressing concerns or what your boundaries are.

4) NTR themes and scenarios invoke a wide range of possible responses. Too many to typically portray in a game and so the agency of characters feels limited as a result. This is further compounded when you do not get a choice at all because it is considered a moment of dialogue as opposed to a fork in the plot. But character personalities are defined during those dialogue moments just as much, if not more so, as in those plot fork moments.

A lot of this to me stems from the bit redoubt27 said about Sarah and Alex being on the same train. For instance, the silence when Neil asks for a photo - I don't see that as Alex being a doormat, I see that as Alex waiting to see what Sarah will do, because he will then be able to use her decision to gauge where her head is at about it all. It's sort of a test, I guess, as by saying either "do it" or "don't do it", he'd be taking away Sarah's agency and he won't know anything unless she turns around to him and says "but I want to/don't want to".

You can have the discussion about this stuff, but seeing what your partner chooses to do when the fork in the road arrives will tell you a lot more.

Obviously, there's previous choice and chosen path to come into it as well, as I can only see the silence being an issue if you've been staunchly against anything Neil (and perhaps anything with other men, too) and then Sarah is looking like she's thinking about doing it. Otherise, you're already setting the stage for some sharing or hotwifing (or at least teasing) experiences, but then complaining when something falls in your lap.

 

[Mr Fable]

I get all the above sentiments as well. In truth I am newer to these NTR games than some. I like their potential to bring tension, but there are a few things about them that have always felt off, but I could not really put it into words. The more I play and talk with other, the more some things come into focus. One of which is Male MCs in these games. I agree that Alex is largely ok, but there are a few moment that are glaring examples of a response generated for game/plot.

1) The late night text message. This was my top WTF moment. So his wife's boss, that he knows/suspect to be a player, gives her a gift card to buy a dress. Then asks her to send a photo to which he reply "Oh that must have been a joke". Later...in the middle of the night, said boss makes the request again, very directly. And Alex says...nothing. He waits to see what Sarah will decide. That is the type of agency loss I feel Cursed is referring to. What non doormat husband stays silent there. I realize my personal response is not what any and all would do. But I am out of the bed, putting on clothes and about to drive to someone's home residence to have a "discussion". At the very least most husband would go "He said what?!?".

2) The video. After the above you find and see a video of him in the office, with another female employee. So now you have proof of a history of a certain behavior. Call HR, call our attorney, call the cops to stop me. And hence the reason why the MC has to be somewhat generic. The non doormat choices end these plots too quickly or write themselves into a corner of conflict due to the tag line that serves as Cursed's signature.

3) In general: Instances to negative relationship points just for expressing concerns or what your boundaries are.

4) NTR themes and scenarios invoke a wide range of possible responses. Too many to typically portray in a game and so the agency of characters feels limited as a result. This is further compounded when you do not get a choice at all because it is considered a moment of dialogue as opposed to a fork in the plot. But character personalities are defined during those dialogue moments just as much, if not more so, as in those plot fork moments.

I think redoubt27 and TonyMurray captured most of what I am about to explain. First of all most of the corruption will be focused on Sarah because at least in my mind Alex will get to that state of mind much quicker compared to Sarah. For example if Sarah tells Alex "hey let's ask Jessica/Eva/Emma/Rachel for a threesome" I think Alex will need much less convincing to go through. But if Alex says "let's ask Neil/Erik/Dwayne/Vincent for a threesome" Sarah will most likely turn him down unless she is exposed to these ideas first. Or at least that's how I picture the scenario.

And about Alex becoming a doormat, this only happens if you let it happen. Every interaction when Alex expresses his opinion on something Sarah has the option to follow it or ignore it. (This will be true with Alex events too like when Sarah says she doesn't like the idea of Alex having lunch with Emma, but he can still do it). So if you are playing route 1 and route 2, Sarah is supposed to respect Alex's wishes and respond accordingly (or vice versa). You have to work as a team. If Sarah (or Alex) are going to go against their partners wishes then they will automatically become a silent observer (or doormat). What is not going to happen is their partner pushing back leading to disagreement and fighting. Why not ? because this game is not trying to emulate the human condition, but rather allow you to follow one of the four routes based on your liking. So if an interaction is going to take a lot of development resources without advancing the game on one of these paths, they will be dropped. There can be disagreement or fighting but near the end of the game.

1) Alex have already mentioned his opinion. If you are playing route 1 and 2 Sarah should be on the same page. If Sarah goes against Alex's wishes you are making the choice to make Alex the silent observer. What Alex is not going to do is push back and argue (or go and fight Neil) because that will take a lot of development resources and make the game slow without advancing on the routes much.

2) Same thing. If you want to avoid Neil you will forget the video and move on with your life. Because going to the HR or cops would create too many branches in the story that will unfortunately cripple production.

3) I have explained why this happens before and how this doesnt affect Route 1 and Route 2

4) I think this is mostly answered.