Would you be interested in a game with a 40-something protagonist?

[frap]

Sounds human alright. But I'm suspicious that 'engaging' depends on a lot of other factors, because what you've described is just a bunch of peoples' regular-ass lives. There's a reason that "Stories of You Having Sex in Missionary Position in the Dark with Your Own Wife on a Tuesday, Weekly Edition" has such low readership, after all: because that's a really boring fantasy, and considering that a video game can be about pretty much whatever you want, that's just a sad idea to have for a porn game.

Not saying it's impossible to do this well, mind. But you have to work much harder to keep up with games that have an actual premise. That is: better writing and/or better art and/or better minigames, just because your idea is so boring and terrible, at least from the way you've described it here.

Side note: no problem with changing up the protagonist. 18 year old? Forty year old? Sixty? No problem! But give them something to fucking DO! Give them a story worth making a game about!

Thanks for being frank. If it sounds boring, that's fine. I'm not laying out the plot here, just some of the basics. I'm not relying on gimmicky devices to make the game engaging - it's about the story. If the story falls flat, that's on me. There are far too many games that rely on some gimmick for their entire plot, and they end up just falling into the same old tired tropes. There are plenty with good writing, however, where there is no "special power" or other gimmick to the MC. Just a good story told well.

Yes, it's a slice-of-life story at its heart - if you're not into that, cool. Not everyone likes the same thing, I just happen to like a well-told story, whether it's high fantasy, far-out science fiction, or, yes, slice-of-life.

 

[Akamari]

All good ideas. I think you may have the basis of your own game in there somewhere.

Just to be clear: I have already begun writing the game, and you can play as a male or a female...
The background is set, the character:

• has money, but isn't "wealthy" by a stretch
• has no children or siblings
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc
• has a solid degree and career history in tech
• is not trying to build a harem, just trying to pick up the pieces and build a life again

There are, currently in writing, waaaay too many romancable characters (ranging in ages from 23 to 40), and 26 planned endings (not all good, a few are just meh, a couple are bad.) There's the simple "find a waifu/husbandu" story, and it can be played as that. Deeper there is a plot of corporate espionage that the player may, or may not, want to uncover. (To get the whole story would require 4 playthroughs, one in each of the jobs you can pick from in the beginning.) If you really want, you can be a playboy/playgirl... sleep around and end up with no life partner. Or you could end up in a relationship that's casual. Or, you could go full monty and end up in a marriage. Your choices, (and the partner you choose - not everyone wants a forever someone) determines what kind of relationship you end up in.

It's not a grand story, but it is (or I think it is, at least) an engaging and human story.

I have to say I really like the concept. There are few words as sexy as "multiple endings", "plot", "choices" or "or" when reading about someone's game idea. Definitely beats lists of fetishes that I see many fledgling developers describe, while having two sentence long "story" description.

I have to ask one obligatory question though. Do you plan it to be ACIO compliant?

 

[frap]

I have to say I really like the concept. There are few words as sexy as "multiple endings", "plot", "choices" or "or" when reading about someone's game idea. Definitely beats lists of fetishes that I see many fledgling developers describe, while having two sentence long "story" description.

I have to ask one obligatory question though. Do you plan it to be ACIO compliant?

Absolutely. I'm hoping the tag gets approved by the time I get around to having something to share.

 

[Akamari]

Absolutely. I'm hoping the tag gets approved by the time I get around to having something to share.

Perfect! I'll be keeping an eye on your project.

 

[Niteowl]

The MC can be any age as far as I'm concerned. In some of my favorite games, like Slave Lords of the Galaxy we never even learn how old the main character is.

Still, tbh your concept doesn't sound interesting at all.
Don't get me wrong, I love well written stories of any kind and I don't doubt your ability to write one.
But, and it's a big issue, we are talking about a video game/VN. Most people play video games to live a different life and do something exciting, not deal with the same shit they deal with in real life.

If you were to write a novel or make a movie it's different...but a VN about every day life and problems.....? Chances are it won't be successful man .
Just an opinion but up to you and best of luck.

 

[Ataios]

Of course I can only speak for myself and I can't predict whether your concept appeals to many people, but as far as the setting goes, a present day enviroment with an average person protagonist is the least appealing to me regardless of the protagonist's age.

The concept most appealing to me is the option to chose gender. If there are other interesting characters and a lesbian route I may still like the game despite not liking the setting, otherwise I'd most likely don't bother playing it.

That is certainly not to say that think it will be objectively bad, it's just not my cup of tea.

 

[hameleona]

Well, all the DmD clones should probably have protagonists in their 40s or so late 30s. The one that does the best job of describing such a person for me is Our Fate. There is a reason the "No life dad" is a trope here. It's hard to write older people - they have lives and writing a bunch of characters that are not directly related to banging all the girls seems to feel like wasted resources for a lot of devs.

 

[frap]

Well, all the DmD clones should probably have protagonists in their 40s or so late 30s. The one that does the best job of describing such a person for me is Our Fate. There is a reason the "No life dad" is a trope here. It's hard to write older people - they have lives and writing a bunch of characters that are not directly related to banging all the girls seems to feel like wasted resources for a lot of devs.

Older people? You mean older than the writer, or are we all just write-offs after 40?

What I like about it is that it's a character that has a life, that has their own experience to draw on as they see fit, and being put into a situation where they can either:

• embrace change, and create a new life for themselves
• let their pain guide them to ruining their life
• or just wallow in their own past and never go anywhere (if wallowing is your kink, no shame, you do you)

I see a few comments that slice-of-life isn't worth playing. I'll reiterate: not everyone likes the same thing, which is a good thing (life would be pretty boring otherwise). That said, think of the games from Tlaero & Mortze (or Tlaero & Phreaky prior) - those are all slice-of-life and very well done. They have a supernatural element in them (in the Elsaverse stories, and Mortze's Pandora) but it isn't what drives the story. The characters drive the story.

Heavy Five by Nottravis is a sci-fi, but at its heart it is a slice-of-life story with adults who all have their own lives, motivations and drives. Again, the characters drive the story and that's what it's all about.

The setting and plot devices are not what makes a story - they're the dressing on top. It's like the adult equivalent of the thousands of school-setting games. This one will be set in a workplace, that, (admitting to a trope here), is full of attractive people you can possibly have sex and/or a real relationship with. In all honesty, though, as I look through the lineup, it looks a lot like the employee rosters of a dozen or more small - medium tech companies around this area, so not totally unrealistic.

Now, as to how boring it sounds, let's lay out the same sort of things for the MC of one of the most popular games on this site (which is also set in the present day, no magic, no super drugs, etc):

• has no money or steady job
• has not graduated high school
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc
• has no job skills or anything to really offer
• lives with his parents and siblings

Sounds pretty boring. Guess that's why it's at the top of the trending games. Without the plot, of course it's boring. If I give away the plot (as it stands now) and then any part of it changes (which happens sometimes) I'll just end up pissing someone off.

My point with this thread was not to advertise, but just to make sure I wasn't completely wasting time with this. I'm about 1/20th (or less) of the way through the writing at over 30,000 words in around 3,000 text blocks with 41 menus (choices, man, choices.) I also have an idea for another game or two (totally different setting/vibe/mechanic), but I thought I'd work through this one first.

 

[hameleona]

Older people? You mean older than the writer, or are we all just write-offs after 40?

I mean older as a rule, most characters in the games here are younger than me (barring the MILFs who often look younger).

Now, as to how boring it sounds, let's lay out the same sort of things for the MC of one of the most popular games on this site (which is also set in the present day, no magic, no super drugs, etc):

• has no money or steady job
• has not graduated high school
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc
• has no job skills or anything to really offer
• lives with his parents and siblings

You see boring, I see game potential:

• Gaining money.
• Overcoming a huge obstacle.
• But maybe he can become one.
• The underdog bites back!
• No need to clean, cook and do laundry!

And you can condense those challenges in manageable time chinks. You also have a bunch of people to fuck on hand. There is a reason people do this concept, even if a lot of them don't really think about it.

Not saying 40s protagonists won't work, just that they need a lot more work on the writing side. A no-life 18 year old is kind of expected. A no life 40 year old needs explanation.

 

[frap]

<snip>...

Not saying 40s protagonists won't work, just that they need a lot more work on the writing side. A no-life 18 year old is kind of expected. A no life 40 year old needs explanation.

Why does a character need to have no life? You can have a life and still find yourself in new situations. Speaking as someone who has a life and has found himself in new situation many times throughout it I can confirm.


Going back to the original:

• has money, but isn't "wealthy" by a stretch - as in, he or she still needs to work to keep the lights on
• has no children or siblings - as in, has no one to fall back on if shit hits the fan
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc - as in, has to rely only his/her ordinary experience to deal with whatever comes their way
• has a solid degree and career history in tech - as in, work can be handled, but if you know anything about the tech industry finding a new job over 40 is hard as hell, as can be fitting in with what is a mostly-younger crowd
• is not trying to build a harem, just trying to pick up the pieces and build a life again - hmmm, why would I say "pick up the pieces and build a life again"? Could it be, there is some sort of backstory we're not seeing that needs to be dealt with?

 

[hameleona]

Why does a character need to have no life? You can have a life and still find yourself in new situations. Speaking as someone who has a life and has found himself in new situation many times throughout it I can confirm.


Going back to the original:

• has money, but isn't "wealthy" by a stretch - as in, he or she still needs to work to keep the lights on
• has no children or siblings - as in, has no one to fall back on if shit hits the fan
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc - as in, has to rely only his/her ordinary experience to deal with whatever comes their way
• has a solid degree and career history in tech - as in, work can be handled, but if you know anything about the tech industry finding a new job over 40 is hard as hell, as can be fitting in with what is a mostly-younger crowd
• is not trying to build a harem, just trying to pick up the pieces and build a life again - hmmm, why would I say "pick up the pieces and build a life again"? Could it be, there is some sort of backstory we're not seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I think you are mistaking me with one of the posters before - I'm not saying it's going to be boring, I'm saying it's much harder to write.

 

[frap]

I think you are mistaking me with one of the posters before - I'm not saying it's going to be boring, I'm saying it's much harder to write.

I think you may be correct. Apologies.

 

[I'm Not Thea Lundgren!]

Going back to the original:

• has a solid degree and career history in tech - as in, work can be handled, but if you know anything about the tech industry finding a new job over 40 is hard as hell, as can be fitting in with what is a mostly-younger crowd

This is very true (has been in the tech industry for almost 30 years and I'm in my 40s) unless you have a very specific skill set, you aren't getting a good job in tech anytime soon. By specific, I mean something like being able to convert COBOL or Fortran to Visual Basic or something along those lines.

• is not trying to build a harem, just trying to pick up the pieces and build a life again - hmmm, why would I say "pick up the pieces and build a life again"? Could it be, there is some sort of backstory we're not seeing that needs to be dealt with?

Intriguing indeed...

 

[Ataios]

Older people? You mean older than the writer, or are we all just write-offs after 40?

What I like about it is that it's a character that has a life, that has their own experience to draw on as they see fit, and being put into a situation where they can either:

• embrace change, and create a new life for themselves
• let their pain guide them to ruining their life
• or just wallow in their own past and never go anywhere (if wallowing is your kink, no shame, you do you)

I see a few comments that slice-of-life isn't worth playing. I'll reiterate: not everyone likes the same thing, which is a good thing (life would be pretty boring otherwise). That said, think of the games from Tlaero & Mortze (or Tlaero & Phreaky prior) - those are all slice-of-life and very well done. They have a supernatural element in them (in the Elsaverse stories, and Mortze's Pandora) but it isn't what drives the story. The characters drive the story.

Heavy Five by Nottravis is a sci-fi, but at its heart it is a slice-of-life story with adults who all have their own lives, motivations and drives. Again, the characters drive the story and that's what it's all about.

The setting and plot devices are not what makes a story - they're the dressing on top. It's like the adult equivalent of the thousands of school-setting games. This one will be set in a workplace, that, (admitting to a trope here), is full of attractive people you can possibly have sex and/or a real relationship with. In all honesty, though, as I look through the lineup, it looks a lot like the employee rosters of a dozen or more small - medium tech companies around this area, so not totally unrealistic.

Now, as to how boring it sounds, let's lay out the same sort of things for the MC of one of the most popular games on this site (which is also set in the present day, no magic, no super drugs, etc):

• has no money or steady job
• has not graduated high school
• is not a secret agent, super scientist, special ops, etc etc
• has no job skills or anything to really offer
• lives with his parents and siblings

Sounds pretty boring. Guess that's why it's at the top of the trending games. Without the plot, of course it's boring. If I give away the plot (as it stands now) and then any part of it changes (which happens sometimes) I'll just end up pissing someone off.

My point with this thread was not to advertise, but just to make sure I wasn't completely wasting time with this. I'm about 1/20th (or less) of the way through the writing at over 30,000 words in around 3,000 text blocks with 41 menus (choices, man, choices.) I also have an idea for another game or two (totally different setting/vibe/mechanic), but I thought I'd work through this one first.

I have to disagree as far as the setting goes. It is an Integral part of the story and by extension the characters as it defines their backgrounds. It does not define the quality of writing but it does among other factors define to whom a story appeals. Again this is not meant to critisize you or your work but for me if the main character of story is an average person in the present era in most cases this means I wont continue reading unless maybe it is some work of comedy.

 

[Nottravis]

Given:

• There are a ton of games where the protagonist is "18" and still in high school with his older sister and his younger sister who is also "18."
• There are a ton of games where the protagonist is just over 18 and in college.
• There are a ton of games where the protagonist is in their 20's.

How would you feel about a game with a protagonist in their 40's? They've had life experiences, they're not sexually inexperienced or incompetent, and they have an actual life? Not like going after your own son/daughter (who is "18") but interacting with, and pursuing other adults with their own experiences and lives?

Is it a bridge too far? Or are there more grown men/women out there playing these games feeling a bit like something is missing from the protagonists?

Personally I'd love an older MC.

A game where men are men , not boys - and women are women, not girls floats my boat tbh.

I'm tired of the MC being some adolescent prick who just needs a slap, and equally tired of the females all being 18 year old thunderjugs.

Give me grown ups FFS!
(Oh and a story; and options; and characterisation; and.....*shushes as she's probs getting greedy*)

 

[prrt]

Make list too of things NOT to do.
Like house fires.
Not fuckable beautifull mums
No possible but not planned incest

It doesn't matter in the game but the thread is more enjoyable.

 

[Akamari]

Like house fires.

House fires are not bad if you can prevent them. Or extinguish them. Or tell whoever is inside they shouldn't wait for your arrival. Or set neighbor's house on fire... (no wait that can spread to your house, someone else's house then?)

 

[hammerface]

Yeah I'd like it, so long as it's a male and he isn't the normal shut-in wage slave kind of person. Don't get why 90% of the games out there feature a tiny, skinny virgin (why?? Who wants to fantasize about being a virgin again??) who's shorter than the average girl.

 

[Akamari]

(Oh and a story; and options; and characterisation; and.....*shushes as she's probs getting greedy*)

Oh no, keep going... *takes notes*

 

[frap]

Personally I'd love an older MC.

A game where men are men , not boys - and women are women, not girls floats my boat tbh.

I'm tired of the MC being some adolescent prick who just needs a slap, and equally tired of the females all being 18 year old thunderjugs.

Give me grown ups FFS!
(Oh and a story; and options; and characterisation; and.....*shushes as she's probs getting greedy*)

Story: planned and main arc set down, filling in plot points now
Options: many - ACIO!
Characterization: (spelled with a "z" since it's set in the US ) working very hard on that