VN Ren'Py WVM [S2 Ch.1 Ep.13 F] [Braindrop]

[iroll1s]

Many thanks to you all for correcting my wayward thinking! I’ll abstain from quoting, because that’s kinda tedious in this case.

It seems I was erroneously echoing thoughts without possessing a full technical understanding of the underlying mechanics and planning. (Honestly. Please blame all signs of irony or even sarcasm on the language barrier.)

Choice based. Pre game choices and in game choices will determine the outcome.

I’d rather expected the matches to happen in "real time" aided by (prior) choices, not in some streamlined format, too. On the other hand, for the sake of the argument, this other game called “Calisto” has this whole basketball game thingy, where your tactical choices actually help or hinder the MC to score hoops. And it is tedious, to say the least. So far WVM relies on rather a few clear choices, sometimes impactful, sometimes not at all (again, I might operate on false assumptions). Hm, I guess we'll be doing a lot of replays and rollbacks to make Harper the happiest coach on earth (think clean thoughts).

This is a visual novel about a good guy and a successful basketball player, NOT a competitor to the NBA 2k20 simulator. It's about frendship, love, caring, charming, hugs, sex - all other is just background.

Correct. To some extent.

Being thrown into the fray of a basketball game, surrounded by adoring fans and hulking rivals, alluring cheerleader wriggling on the sidelines like sirens beckoning sailors to their doom is probably not the gameplay everybody looks for in an adult VN. But dammit, it’s also a game about family! Isn’t Elisabeth part of that family? Or Bailey? Or Harper? Do them (I mean "IT") for the team!

 

[lemonfreak]

I'd like the games to have an RPG element to them where the MC, being better than everyone else, win most games almost single handedly but can choose to be a team player which will boost his team-mates stats, or rather, one key stat for each. The right choices would make Mackey less lazy, make Kenji less toxically competative, improve Ayden's technique, etc. and, while this would have no effect on the harem or on the MC's chances of being drafted, it might affect the outcome of the Championship game (I wouldn't rule out that Damien, under Ryker's influence, may underperform to scupper the team's chances)

 

[dunhill]

he/She/They

what the what??? hey buddy are you really trying to assume DB gender?? wow just wow, we let me tell you i've never asked him and he has never officially said anything about it and i'm just going to guess blindly and say that DB sexually identifies as a "1999 slightly used Rubik's Cube still in its orginal packaging"... uh next time you see him ask him about it and he'll tell you about it (just don't say i told you)

 

[c3p0]

I don't want this to be a basketball simulator or game. If I wanted it to one I would buy something like "NBA YYYY".
So I'm for the approach of either the choice previously made during the game will determinate the outcome of the basketball game or the choice durning the baskeball game will determinate (during from the point MC steps in the changing room).

Both have pro and cons. I don't see this basketball game with porn in it, but as a porn game with basketball in it. And tanks, now I'm thinking of how you could basketballs for other sports.

 

[JackBloodwheel]

We'll just have to wait and see what BD goes with for the games, much as i wish we could just have the girls from our harem in the cheerleading squad go commando and distract the opponents. I mean who'd be able to concentrate on the game with an eyeful of Bailey snatch

 

[Master of Puppets]

Strictly from a game play standpoint If I recall right the the games will be handled similarly to how the practices have worked but with more at stake. In other words choice based actions popping up that will determine the flow of the game with right choices leading to a win and wrong ones leading to losing.

I'm sure there will be small dialogue scenes interspersed like a pregame and/or half time pep talks and prolly shots of the girls on the sides cheering or being worried depending on the game is going. Of course even with a minimalist approach it's gonna be a bitch to render all that but I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.

What I'm wondering is how the narrative is going to handle branches with real consequences, so far the game has been extremely linear. But when you start winning or losing games, I can't see how that could fail to make a big difference.

 

[iroll1s]

What I'm wondering is how the narrative is going to handle branches with real consequences, so far the game has been extremely linear. But when you start winning or losing games, I can't see how that could fail to make a big difference.

Rachel has been pushing for the MC to distance himself from Charles, so this might mitigate the fallout at bit.

You are certainly right, though. Even with their new star player it is rather unlikely for the team to breeze through the season and accumulate a plethora of wins. Inevitable losses or screwups by the player will need to have some impact, at least.

We may see a difference in reactions/dialogue from the already enamored girls with the same overall render leading into victory hookups or depending on a game’s success consolation lays. I don’t see any of the already affectionate partners turning away from their perfect guy, because so far he has only ever had to decide “I’m interested.” or “I’m not interested.” without so much of a harsh word to any female character.

 

[lemonfreak]

What I'm wondering is how the narrative is going to handle branches with real consequences, so far the game has been extremely linear. But when you start winning or losing games, I can't see how that could fail to make a big difference.

That's why I think the consequences should be real but limited in scope. The harem story should be what it is and be entirely unaffected by what happens on the court.

For the basketball season, games work like the training session; MC can choose to shoot himself every time which will result in victories and see him drafted at the end of the year, be too much of a team player and lose too many games or a balanced approach where he scores plenty but let's his team-mates into the game as well. These results would be linked to thwarting Ryker's plan, going along with it or forcing him to come up with a new plan, say throwing the championship game or a points skimming scheme.

The key to this, as I said earlier, would be a simple level up system for the other players (and I keep the points invisible). Win on your own and your team-mates won't improve and their morale will suffer (OK Ending), lose all the time and everyone's morale will suffer (Bad Ending), win as a team and they get better and have high morale which takes them to the championship and fucks over Ryker(Good Ending).

 

[The Krypt Angel]

I mean who'd be able to concentrate on the game with an eyeful of Bailey snatch

Well that would certainly simplify winning the championship.... Because win or lose by the end of the season WVM would be the only team left. Every other team will have died in a series of mysterious accidents for daring to lay their heathen eyes upon The Goddess's Promised Land

 

[juan palote]

Strictly from a game play standpoint If I recall right the the games will be handled similarly to how the practices have worked but with more at stake. In other words choice based actions popping up that will determine the flow of the game with right choices leading to a win and wrong ones leading to losing.

I'm sure there will be small dialogue scenes interspersed like a pregame and/or half time pep talks and prolly shots of the girls on the sides cheering or being worried depending on the game is going. Of course even with a minimalist approach it's gonna be a bitch to render all that but I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.

If that happens, we will start needing a walkthrough for the game.

I dont see the point in adding that though, nobody plays this games to decide the outcome of basketball games, its a waste of Dev and player time to do such thing

I think Braindrop should continue with what is working, instead of trying to add complexity in places where it doesnt make sense

 

[TundraLupus]

If that happens, we will start needing a walkthrough for the game.

I don't see the point in adding that though, nobody plays this games to decide the outcome of basketball games, its a waste of Dev and player time to do such thing

I think Braindrop should continue with what is working, instead of trying to add complexity in places where it doesn't make sense

I completely disagree with you, the games are an important part of the story, winning leads to Harper keeping her job, the dean being on your side when dealing with his nephew, you keeping the secret house where the Swiming champion is staying(don't remember her name), you buying able to provide for everybody after college (basically the good ending), you having enough of a presence that people will listen to you in case you want to change things if you think that this has nothing to do with the story I have to assume you skip dialogue and is playing just for the sex scenes.
Losing means the opposite of course.

 

[The Krypt Angel]

If that happens, we will start needing a walkthrough for the game.

I dont see the point in adding that though, nobody plays this games to decide the outcome of basketball games, its a waste of Dev and player time to do such thing

I think Braindrop should continue with what is working, instead of trying to add complexity in places where it doesnt make sense

You seem to be operating under the false assumption that adding some form of interactive basketball element is some random ploy to add "complexity". It isn't....it has always been BD's intent to do it from the very beginning and he has been talking about it since Day 1. I personally could give 2 shits about the basketball part of the game myself but there are quite a few people looking forward to it so even if I'm not one of them if it's part of BD's vision then I respect that.

 

[BoltonGuy35]

You seem to be operating under the false assumption that adding some form of interactive basketball element is some random ploy to add "complexity". It isn't....it has always been BD's intent to do it from the very beginning and he has been talking about it since Day 1. I personally could give 2 shits about the basketball part of the game myself but there are quite a few people looking forward to it so even if I'm not one of them if it's part of BD's vision then I respect that.

I best start reading up on the rules of basketball then haha... Or just keep scrolling back until I picked the right choices to win lol
Being from the uk it isn't something I follow but actually would be something different within the game that I haven't really seen before in any other game, so looking forward to it and like you said this is BD's vision and his story to tell.

 

[Drakan47]

I best start reading up on the rules of basketball then haha...

I'm on the same boat

"The ball is coming towards you, what do you do?"

Me:"Kick it and try to score a goal!"

 

[juan palote]

You seem to be operating under the false assumption that adding some form of interactive basketball element is some random ploy to add "complexity". It isn't....it has always been BD's intent to do it from the very beginning and he has been talking about it since Day 1. I personally could give 2 shits about the basketball part of the game myself but there are quite a few people looking forward to it so even if I'm not one of them if it's part of BD's vision then I respect that.

It does add complexity, because as soon as you add that, thenh you need to create aty least two paths, one where your team is winning, and one where your team is not, which most likely different dialogs and scenes (would Harper even still be available if you lose every game, certainly not with the same dialogs and scenes)

It adds a layer of complexity and adds a lot of workload to the Dev.

It doesnt matter if it was BD idea from day 1, i think its a bad idea, it deviates form what is CURRENTLY working for the game and the extra worload might create new problems with new consequences

That is my opinion

 

[BoltonGuy35]

I'm on the same boat

"The ball is coming towards you, what do you do?"

Me:"Kick it and try to score a goal!"

Or like 99.9% of the premier league football players drop like a sack of shit and try for a foul

 

[juan palote]

I completely disagree with you, the games are an important part of the story, winning leads to Harper keeping her job, the dean being on your side when dealing with his nephew, you keeping the secret house where the Swiming champion is staying(don't remember her name), you buying able to provide for everybody after college (basically the good ending), you having enough of a presence that people will listen to you in case you want to change things if you think that this has nothing to do with the story I have to assume you skip dialogue and is playing just for the sex scenes.
Losing means the opposite of course.

I know games are important, and thats why i think you as person playing the VN should have ZERO weight on wether the game is won or lost.

It automatically adds a lot of workload to the Dev for the added complexity because, as you said, he knows have to create two branches of the story, one where your team is winning and one where your team is not.

The game is working in part because its linear and streamlined, and because 100% of the Devs workload is appreciated. As soon as his time is split in branches that half the people wont see, then it creates new problems.

I think the Dev should decide if you are a winner or not, and how the story unfolds, and keep the game without alternate branches that add unnecesary workload.

 

[Karl Franz 77]

Or like 99.9% of the premier league football players drop like a sack of shit and try for a foul

Not just in the premier, In "la liga" you see that every single game, and then there is Neymar.

 

[Alma_Elma]

I know games are important, and thats why i think you as person playing the VN should have ZERO weight on wether the game is won or lost.

It automatically adds a lot of workload to the Dev for the added complexity because, as you said, he knows have to create two branches of the story, one where your team is winning and one where your team is not.

The game is working in part because its linear and streamlined, and because 100% of the Devs workload is appreciated. As soon as his time is split in branches that half the people wont see, then it creates new problems.

I think the Dev should decide if you are a winner or not, and how the story unfolds, and keep the game without alternate branches that add unnecesary workload.

I guess BD could make it so if you lose a match you "redo" it, or maybe you win a match by a lot or not, and it changes a few things.
But I do agree, I doubt we will get a branch for every match if we lose or win them, since ultimatly, it could create way too much branches to manages in such a project, and i'm all for that to be honest, since I myself have an idea of how much work that would add.

Well, in the end we can just wait and see how BD does it, he knows better than us how he wants it

 

[moskyx]

I know games are important, and thats why i think you as person playing the VN should have ZERO weight on wether the game is won or lost.

It automatically adds a lot of workload to the Dev for the added complexity because, as you said, he knows have to create two branches of the story, one where your team is winning and one where your team is not.

The game is working in part because its linear and streamlined, and because 100% of the Devs workload is appreciated. As soon as his time is split in branches that half the people wont see, then it creates new problems.

I think the Dev should decide if you are a winner or not, and how the story unfolds, and keep the game without alternate branches that add unnecesary workload.

You make some valid points. Having 2 paths (winner vs loser) with different outcomes regarding girls seem a bad choice (double the work, half the fun). That's why I think MC won't have a crucial impact on whether WVM wins or not, just in the way the games are played. Will he go for 50+ points per game or try to get 5 players of his team with 10+ppg? Like we saw in those few practices, he can score himself or pass the ball, and in that case the others will step up. There won't be wrong choices, girls will love you either way, maybe some teammates will be more or less friendly depending on your style but nothing major, I guess.