Why the heck are most MCs in VNs with Koikatsu-assets some generic Sousuke?

[Deleted member 4963437]

I'm probably spelling his name wrong, it's been a while since I actually opened up Male Maker. But almost every koi VN I have seen (only played 2 - don't have enough free time to sit and play since I am developing a game myself) had some girlboss-looking girl characters but some budget Walmart Sousuke MC from a Chinese vendor. I'm unsure about HS/HS2, as I have never actually used the HS games to the point that I know what the MC in that game looks like.

Like, to the people who make these games, how come you spend so much time perfecting every slider of your Koi waifu to use in your VN but never even actually try with the MC? We won't be able to customize the MC, we can only customize his name, so why make him look so boring? The only good-looking MC I have seen is probably Sieg (I don't know if that's how you spell his name) from Scarlet Law (thank you JYP ) but almost every other MC has that generic Sousuke look >.> (I'm looking at you Mentor Law, Lessons in Love, etc.)

Most people probably don't have an issue with this since most of the users on F95zone are male (more like, almost every porn game site/porn video sharing site) but it's DEFINITELY A PROBLEM FOR ME!! Where are my cute Koikatsu men?!?!

 

[paust.alex]

I'm probably spelling his name wrong, it's been a while since I actually opened up Male Maker. But almost every koi VN I have seen (only played 2 - don't have enough free time to sit and play since I am developing a game myself) had some girlboss-looking girl characters but some budget Walmart Sousuke MC from a Chinese vendor. I'm unsure about HS/HS2, as I have never actually used the HS games to the point that I know what the MC in that game looks like.

Like, to the people who make these games, how come you spend so much time perfecting every slider of your Koi waifu to use in your VN but never even actually try with the MC? We won't be able to customize the MC, we can only customize his name, so why make him look so boring? The only good-looking MC I have seen is probably Sieg (I don't know if that's how you spell his name) from Scarlet Law (thank you JYP ) but almost every other MC has that generic Sousuke look >.> (I'm looking at you Mentor Law, Lessons in Love, etc.)

Most people probably don't have an issue with this since most of the users on F95zone are male (more like, almost every porn game site/porn video sharing site) but it's DEFINITELY A PROBLEM FOR ME!! Where are my cute Koikatsu men?!?!

Because it is generic and you can self insert easier, or his face wasn't intendet to be shown at all, so why even bother.

 

[Meaning Less]

1. The illusion male character maker is much more limited, so only people that use mods can actually make good looking males and that becomes harder and requires more artistic skills, they also look uglier in general and have less polygons because that is part of the optimization of the engine, it isn't a game about males at the end of the day.

2. Because of the first reason, the online library of characters is very scarse of male characters, so while it is possible to find a good looking female card online you will still have a lot of trouble with males.

 

[Deleted member 4963437]

Because it is generic and you can self insert easier, or his face wasn't intendet to be shown at all, so why even bother.

(sorry for the late reply) Actually, that makes sense. However I don't enjoy self-inserts all that much, I like seeing MCs with their own personality instead of something you can insert yourself into because you got no bitches. It's saddening of the amount of visual novels with generic-looking Koikatsu MCs. Well, you can't self insert yourself into a beautiful looking guy

1. The illusion male character maker is much more limited, so only people that use mods can actually make good looking males and that becomes harder and requires more artistic skills, they also look uglier in general and have less polygons because that is part of the optimization of the engine, it isn't a game about males at the end of the day.

Also makes sense. Even with mods - it's limited and you'll have to use female uncensors and you'll have to put in effort to make a cute guy. If you're going out of your way to code a fully fledged VISUAL NOVEL, with routes, cute girls, nice music, everything, you should at least put in the effort to make a cute guy as an MC, to appeal to the.. opposite audience :3

 

[Fzeren]

(sorry for the late reply) Actually, that makes sense. However I don't enjoy self-inserts all that much, I like seeing MCs with their own personality instead of something you can insert yourself into because you got no bitches. It's saddening of the amount of visual novels with generic-looking Koikatsu MCs. Well, you can't self insert yourself into a beautiful looking guy

It feels kinda weird how many times I've heard some variation of this egotrip when it comes to games, movies, anime, whatever.

If the MC is depicted negatively: "How else are these losers gonna be able to self-insert?"

If the MC is depicted positively: "How else are these losers gonna have their power fantasy?"

I think some people are just hellbent on rationalizing protagonists in whatever way lets them feel a sense of superiority.

But to the main point, I think they just don't care enough about how the male characters look. Sometimes it goes in the other direction, and the male sidechars look really good, and you're left dissapointed because there isn't any scene with em...

 

[lop333]

Because why bother its already to much customizing the game.

 

[Deleted member 4963437]

Because why bother its already to much customizing the game.

Welp, I guess you also have a point. However, you can still make a decent looking self insert without having to make it some generic Sousuke, like, I don't understand how people won't try to even fix up one of the most important parts of the game (It's called "main character" for a reason.) Heck - I'd even be happy with some low-life ugly bastard if it doesn't HAVE TO BE THAT STUPID FUCKING SOUSUKE!! I don't know, I just want to get it off my chest.

It feels kinda weird how many times I've heard some variation of this egotrip when it comes to games, movies, anime, whatever.

If the MC is depicted negatively: "How else are these losers gonna be able to self-insert?"

If the MC is depicted positively: "How else are these losers gonna have their power fantasy?"

I think some people are just hellbent on rationalizing protagonists in whatever way lets them feel a sense of superiority.

But to the main point, I think they just don't care enough about how the male characters look. Sometimes it goes in the other direction, and the male sidechars look really good, and you're left dissapointed because there isn't any scene with em...

Good point. Yes I am exactly disappointed when the only times there's a male sidecharacter and he looks real spicy.. Guess what? THERE'S NO SCENE WITH THEM!!! Heck I'll just make my own yaoi game to make up for it, but that's besides the point. I know people will come and say "If it's such a problem why don't you make your own game with a decent-looking MC that doesn't look like a generic Sousuke" but... I'm doing that right now... But that's also besides the point.

Like it's annoying because you have this stupid looking MC you won't be able to customize for the rest of the game. That's why I'm mostly mad about it.

But going to the "egotrip" point - I don't think I've ever seen an instance of people "rationalizing" protagonists to that extent. I do know people mostly self-insert into MCs because they have no bitches - and use those MCs to make it seem like they got bitches (fictional bitches at that) That's also besides the point. But please, game developers, just put a bit more effort into character making and you can please both audiences!!!!

 

[WigglyWorld84]

I only speak english, so I do not know what most of those terms you use mean. Maybe i am just old and these are common terms for, "kids these days."

You mentioned "koi" though, I do appreciate a good koi pond!

 

[lop333]

Welp, I guess you also have a point. However, you can still make a decent looking self insert without having to make it some generic Sousuke, like, I don't understand how people won't try to even fix up one of the most important parts of the game (It's called "main character" for a reason.) Heck - I'd even be happy with some low-life ugly bastard if it doesn't HAVE TO BE THAT STUPID FUCKING SOUSUKE!! I don't know, I just want to get it off my chest.

Because most game wont bother showing the face anyway

 

[Deleted member 4963437]

Because most game wont bother showing the face anyway

What do you mean? Most games I've played had a scene with a glimpse of the MC's face. With some sex scenes, you'll have to see the MC's face anyway. Even a shadow cover on the face would suffice as SOME effort to the MC, it's just the ones who put barely any modification on the MC (mostly their face). But I feel like I'm too much trying to justify my point on "Game devs need to put more effort into Koikatsu MCs" when the whole thread was asking "WHY do game devs barely put any effort into Koikatsu MCs". Case closed.

I only speak english, so I do not know what most of those terms you use mean. Maybe i am just old and these are common terms for, "kids these days."

You mentioned "koi" though, I do appreciate a good koi pond!

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll try to say this in the most formal way possible. So, when I say "koi" or "Koikatsu", I am referring to a Japanese eroge game developed in Unity, created by a Japanese game company named Illusion. Please don't play it for the story, there is none. The most fun you're gonna get out of it is the character creation aspect and the scene-creation aspect. I don't want to go too in-depth on what Koikatsu is, as that's semi off-topic.

MC = main character. Or, the protagonist. In eroge (Erotic/adult game), the MC is usually male. HS = Honey Select. HS2 = Honey Select 2. Honey Select and Honey Select 2 are both made by Illusion. They are both games with character creation and scene creation mechanics. JYP (or JYPGames) = In this case, a game developer who used Koikatsu assets to make his game, Scarlet Law, which is fairly popular. I'm not a big fan of the girl's appearances, but the main character guy of the game is cute. (To me that is.)

Or, JYP can also mean JYP Entertainment, a South Korean entertainment agency and music label. Founded by some dude named J.Y. Park. The company is known for many K-Pop groups.

Visual novel = Interactive fiction. You can click and make choices. You probably already know this if you're on F95zone, of all places.

 

[desmosome]

Because Illusion games are designed as sandbox games and was not meant to be used as a creation tool to make bootleg VNs. They don't care that the males have much less customization options since people playing their games don't really give a fuck about the details of the male looks.

 

[Deleted member 4963437]

Because Illusion games are designed as sandbox games and was not meant to be used as a creation tool to make bootleg VNs. They don't care that the males have much less customization options since people playing their games don't really give a fuck about the details of the male looks.

The reason those crappy bootleg Illusion VNs exist is because simply - people can't draw. People who use DAZ - they can't draw either. I'm sure Illusion doesn't mind - I mean people have even opened up Shopify stores with graphics using ILLUSION ASSETS. That's against the terms of service. Is Illusion doing anything to tackle this? No. So these crappy VNs will continue to exist unless Illusion does something about it. Which won't be good for them in the long run.

Well - it's an issue for me because I give a fuck of how the male looks But I just don't understand why people won't take the extra mile to make a decent-looking self insert, and instead resort to the cheap bootleg Sousuke.

 

[3DReaver]

Not caring how the MC looks is weird to me. This is even worse when you consider the fact that in most of these games he assembles a harem. Why do these women care about this short wimpy guy ? Is he filthy rich ? usually no. is he super famous ? nope. the self insert doesnt even work because he is not even generic average guy. Most of the male mc's are bellow average besides having a comically large dick.

You usually get more sensibly designed characters when they are made by women. the male characters are tall and good looking and the female characters don't look like horrible caricatures filled with botox and silicon.

 

[Deleted member 4963437]

Even HS and HS2 VNs had better looking MCs. It's an issue because you won't be able to customize these guys (most of these types of VNs are made directly in Ren'Py, to achieve the customization effect you have to use Unity or a similar engine, like Unreal Engine or something) So you're forced to stay with this generic Sousuke looking MC.

Why do these women care about this short wimpy guy ? Is he filthy rich ? usually no. is he super famous ? nope.

Because anime logic, and laziness. Reading the replies, it seems that most devs just can't bother. But it's the same Koikatsu VNs with unrealistic and low effort proportions on the girls. It's stylistic and personal taste, but.. wow. Beauty is definitely subjective. I hope your ideal woman does NOT look like that.

 

[VNPlayerCalisto]

Because too many players will feel like they are fapping to some surfer dude NTRing their harem.

People are used to Mr wimp and ignore him, change him to surfer dude and now he stands out when most people least desire to see another guy.

Never underestimate the importance of conformity in product design. The majority of people who are comfortable doing something will avoid a product that is different unless that difference substantially improvse the product in their eyes.

That applys 10 fold for FAP material.

 

[Rafster]

Maybe that's why I don't see any gay games on this engine. I guess it's all about the girls with Koikatsu.

 

[Toweke]

I always figured it was more a matter of how hard it actually is to make a normal (let alone good) looking male in Koikatsu editor. It's much harder than it is for the women. It's easy to make hot girls, but the men always come across as overly beta, chubby or feminine somehow. Probably because Illusion just put next to zero effort in that side of things, I figure the male editor is a crappy port of the female side which they put the absolute minimal time into.

Which is an opinion backed up by how disappointing Koikatsu is as a game in other areas; I mean when you compare it to their earlier games like Artificial Academy 1/2, which people have long awaited a good sequel to, where they had an equal division of male / female students in school (opening up way more playability, cheating, etc)... yeah, Koitkatsu is just kind of bad by contrast. It's an okay for one play-through game, followed up by being quite good at developing porn scenes & games, but the lack of male customization has always sucked and that is purely on the devs IMO.