- Thread starter Arisushi
- Start date
- Jun 28, 2023
- 183
- 327
Whoa, there has been a lot of activity (and negativity) on this game lately. We have to do better, F95.
I'm sad to see that, because from what I can tell Arisushi (together with Sarnko) is passionate about her product and all the negative energy is harming far more than it is doing good. Arisushi, I commented on ONS a few months ago and I wanted to wait to give this game a proper try. Seeing your messages last week, I thought now would be a good time as any.
I'm going to offer three things - some heartfelt words for Arisushi, my 'review' for Ziv 0.5 and a small list of ideas that could potentially help improve the product. For the developer, feel free to toss any of these three aside as my only goal with writing this is supporting your cause. Forget anything that doesn't support it.
TL;DR: Go play this game, it's a delicate and sometimes silly but fun story.
To Arisushi personally
We can only admire the time, love and energy you put into responding here on F95. It takes away from development time and seems to also cause stress for you, so again I am thankful you are taking time out to address all these things personally while we don’t make you any money that you can reinvest into the game.
In all honesty this thread read like a splinter in my toe because you need to defend choices or explaining yourself most of the time. I hate that F95 berates you for choices your clearly made and stand on, while they could have easily just accepted it and move away from the product. It would have saved time and energy. Now I should probably believe these people are to the best of their ability trying to tell you how your product could cater to their demographic. But that doesn’t mean it needs to cater to it. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to do it for you. I just wanted to put that energy out there.
Now on the other hand, (monetary) support probably comes from people who like what they see or support an idea which your product stands for. Although I don’t agree on the way it was said, a previous user did remark on how the game was branded. I personally think Zia could be branded stronger so that the audience better knows what to expect. It might also mean you’re leaving out a large group of people, as it seems Zia thrives on a more delicate, sensitive energy and this particular forum seems to be anything but that. You would cater to a niche, but be super upfront in the kind of story you are telling.
From what I could gather in responses I have seen and you have given to me about ONS, you are extremely passionate about your work and you want this to work for a bigger audience. I sincerely hope it does, but more importantly I hope you can still find joy in developing a story you felt needed to come to life. As hard as it is, please don’t let all the petty squabbles of tags, framing and unrealistic expectations get in the way of your joy for game development. F95 pays you nothing, you owe us nothing. I don’t care how many people try to say otherwise - filter out the information that will actually help you create a better product and leave the rest to the side.
Good luck on expanding your game.
I'm sad to see that, because from what I can tell Arisushi (together with Sarnko) is passionate about her product and all the negative energy is harming far more than it is doing good. Arisushi, I commented on ONS a few months ago and I wanted to wait to give this game a proper try. Seeing your messages last week, I thought now would be a good time as any.
I'm going to offer three things - some heartfelt words for Arisushi, my 'review' for Ziv 0.5 and a small list of ideas that could potentially help improve the product. For the developer, feel free to toss any of these three aside as my only goal with writing this is supporting your cause. Forget anything that doesn't support it.
TL;DR: Go play this game, it's a delicate and sometimes silly but fun story.
To Arisushi personally
We can only admire the time, love and energy you put into responding here on F95. It takes away from development time and seems to also cause stress for you, so again I am thankful you are taking time out to address all these things personally while we don’t make you any money that you can reinvest into the game.
In all honesty this thread read like a splinter in my toe because you need to defend choices or explaining yourself most of the time. I hate that F95 berates you for choices your clearly made and stand on, while they could have easily just accepted it and move away from the product. It would have saved time and energy. Now I should probably believe these people are to the best of their ability trying to tell you how your product could cater to their demographic. But that doesn’t mean it needs to cater to it. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to do it for you. I just wanted to put that energy out there.
Now on the other hand, (monetary) support probably comes from people who like what they see or support an idea which your product stands for. Although I don’t agree on the way it was said, a previous user did remark on how the game was branded. I personally think Zia could be branded stronger so that the audience better knows what to expect. It might also mean you’re leaving out a large group of people, as it seems Zia thrives on a more delicate, sensitive energy and this particular forum seems to be anything but that. You would cater to a niche, but be super upfront in the kind of story you are telling.
From what I could gather in responses I have seen and you have given to me about ONS, you are extremely passionate about your work and you want this to work for a bigger audience. I sincerely hope it does, but more importantly I hope you can still find joy in developing a story you felt needed to come to life. As hard as it is, please don’t let all the petty squabbles of tags, framing and unrealistic expectations get in the way of your joy for game development. F95 pays you nothing, you owe us nothing. I don’t care how many people try to say otherwise - filter out the information that will actually help you create a better product and leave the rest to the side.
Good luck on expanding your game.
- Jun 28, 2023
- 183
- 327
Zia 0.5 Review
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Last edited:
- Feb 6, 2021
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Do you have a list of them all? Maybe with some info on how to get them.
- Jul 9, 2020
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Thank you very much for the kind words of support, the review, and taking the time to share your thoughts on the game in such detail. (It really means a lot to me.)
I'll do my best to improve the experience wherever I can, while also staying true to the story.
---
Regarding some of your concerns,
So, when all is said and done, I hope most of the stuff in the game will genuinely feel important and worthwhile.
(And everyone, who stays with Zia till the very end, gets the satisfaction of having played a solid visual novel made with a lot of passion and effort.)
---
Once again, thank you very much for the feedback
I'll do my best to improve the experience wherever I can, while also staying true to the story.
---
Regarding some of your concerns,
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Log in or register now.
So, when all is said and done, I hope most of the stuff in the game will genuinely feel important and worthwhile.
(And everyone, who stays with Zia till the very end, gets the satisfaction of having played a solid visual novel made with a lot of passion and effort.)
---
Once again, thank you very much for the feedback
- Jul 9, 2020
- 452
- 1,727
The finer details are spread throughout almost all the choices.
(For example, if you choose to "realign wuth the outer realm" in chapter 1, you'll learn a little about the various realms of magic.)
But if you're just looking for the major romance routes --
To get on Nina's route:
- Choose "Are you really that scared of sex?" In chapter 2.
To get on Conner's route:
- Choose "Did anyone catch your eye?" in chapter 2.
- Choose "I snapped" and "Wanna make out?" in chapter 5.
To get on Gloria's route:
- Choose "Did anyone catch your eye?" in chapter 2.
- Choose "I liked how she got jealous" in chapter 5.
To be on the no relationship route:
- Choose "Did anyone catch your eye?" in chapter 2.
- Choose "I snapped" and "That's sweet" in chapter 5.
- Feb 6, 2021
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- 874
How many are you planning on in total? Your post above mentions adding more in the next update.
- Jun 28, 2023
- 183
- 327
Thank you very much for the kind words of support, the review, and taking the time to share your thoughts on the game in such detail. (It really means a lot to me.)
I'll do my best to improve the experience wherever I can, while also staying true to the story.
---
Regarding some of your concerns,
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
So, when all is said and done, I hope most of the stuff in the game will genuinely feel important and worthwhile.
(And everyone, who stays with Zia till the very end, gets the satisfaction of having played a solid visual novel made with a lot of passion and effort.)
---
Once again, thank you very much for the feedback
Thank you for your response. It helps to know you planned the entire ride out, as I suspected while writing my review. You write your dialog far too well to not have a good grasp on who Zia is, so my main question was really why it wasn't communicated. If you have a storybound reason for slowly unraveling what is going on, I'm totally with it. I'm guessing there are a few people out there who are happy to know what you're creating is deliberate to that degree. I just have to be patient and play the experience when the first season is complete. Take as long as you need, you'll see me when the time is right.
I look forward to playing your full season and updating the review. Good luck!
- Jul 9, 2020
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Thank you. I'll do my best to deliver the best VN experience I can.
- Jul 9, 2020
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There is one more "proper romance" route starting in 0.6.
While the no partner route will have an optional erotic scene with a new character in 0.6.
(I haven't made up my mind on this one yet, but) I might add one last story branch close to 0.8 or 0.9. That depends entirely on whether the game picks up any new patrons or not.
- Nov 2, 2017
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I fully agree with that.
I had a problem with the amount of content we got after a seemingly long wait and the choices seemed to have little to no effect.
Not the story itself.
I would, but I hate that place with a passion. And I'm not alone in that sentiment.
If you'd make an account on subscribestar on the other hand ...
- Jul 9, 2020
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Thank you for offering to support. It means a lot.
(Since I'm not the one in charge of the patreon and stuff) I'll be sure to pass on your message about subscribestar to my partner.
And if he chooses to open one, I'll be sure to immediately update the info here.
- Nov 20, 2017
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- 12,780
I would try to have as many different way for earning money as possible. Doesn't mean that its benefit outways the invest, but it does mean if you e.g. have Steam, GOG, Itch, Patreon and Subscribestar and perhaps others as well, if Patreon decided to close your account - or any other for that matter - you still have the others and not all your (possible) income depend on one company.
- Jul 9, 2020
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Thank you for the suggestion.
I don't know what my partner's regional policies are with regards to steam and itch, and whether he can make it happen. (Because I certainly can't at the moment.)
But I'll be sure to share the idea with him. And hopefully, we're able to explore at least some of these options.
I don't know what my partner's regional policies are with regards to steam and itch, and whether he can make it happen. (Because I certainly can't at the moment.)
But I'll be sure to share the idea with him. And hopefully, we're able to explore at least some of these options.
- Jul 9, 2020
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- 1,727
Thank you very much.
We'll do our best to make the Nina-Zia relationship even more refined and (hopefully) heartwarming. So, please look forward to the future updates
- Mar 22, 2020
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- Jul 9, 2020
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Thank you very much. (It feels really nice to hear appreciation for the Nina Route).
