Why don't I just remake the game the correct way from the start?
What's bothering me in the current version is picture hunting. Namely models for my characters. Take Kaylee for example. I have to work my story around available photos of the model I chose, even if she has hundreds of photos to choose from. Also the rags system itself has limitations that I need to work around. Don't get me wrong, the rags system is amazing for it's simple way to create games, but it does have some issues that make it harder for me to do some things.
I'm thinking about starting over (while keeping the story so far) but instead of using the rags designer, create it in flash. It would be similar to Champions of Corruption. Text windows, stats, input buttons, and even a few picture frames. All runnable from your browser and it greatly opens up the possibilities of the game. There is nothing I can do in rags that I can't do in flash, but there are many things that I can do in flash that I can't do in rags.
Another change would be the models. Instead of picture hunting for my primary characters, I would commission artists to draw exactly what I need for me. That way I don't have to compromise the story and situations to fit the specific pictures I'm able to find. It would drastically free my hands to do my original plans. The only real downside to it is I know there are people out there who won't enjoy the main character to be an anime style woman instead of an actual female model.
If I reboot The Verse, I won't have to cut anything out. In fact I'll be adding more to what I originally planned as my hands will be free. Since I already have all the dialogue and story for 0.2, I think it would only take me a month or two to catch back up to where I am. I've put up a poll to see what you guys think but before anyone tells me I should make the decision myself, I will. I just like to know what you guys think.
| Continue Project | Reboot Project | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use Actual People | Commission Anime Pictures | ||||
| Use Rags System | Use Browser Friendly Flash | ||||
| Cut Some Ideas | Add Ideas | ||||
| Limited Sex Photos | More Sex Pictures | ||||
| No Reboot Development Time | Reboot Development Time | ||||
| Same Story | Same Story |
I have never liked rags much myself so a reboot in flash sounds great!
ReplyDeleteAs you said yourself, it is a pain to work as is so even if you managed to stomach completing the current project the mental fatigue is bound to be an issue.
I am sure you could get donations to help cover the picture commissions as well, don't dare promise I could help but would most certainly want to. Many artist's would of course work free/cheaper to get their art exposed as well.
I've actually been asked to open up a donation area before, I just couldn't justify it with the current version. I suppose opening up donations to help fund content/pictures would work out pretty well.
DeleteGood idea :)
CoC is a flash game that also has an android version. I would really like to see this new reboot have a similar option so I could play wherever, whenever.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I really like the idea of moving the text into a bigger window, having it be easier to read.
I would ask that the option be set to adjust the text size without having to zoom in the browser though. CoC doesn't have that feature and It would be nice if it did.
I'm all go for the reboot.
Its your story, its your game. It sounds like you think you will be able to tell it better "rebooting" and using flash, then that is what you should do. We enjoy the work you have done so far.
ReplyDeleteI just know that when you have to go back and re-do the work you did, for many people that can sap the creative joy, so don't let your reboot do that.
As Anonymous says, 'tis your game, you're the poor sucker who is going to have to code it and pull together all the resources for it, so you do it in whatever medium you feel is the best for both you and it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a need of a few images (Daz Studio created) please just ask and I'll see what I can do.
i say don't wait for the pictures, having dozens of willing picture hunters or artists would be happy to spend their time scrounging to find the perfect picture for an already written scene you can spend more time with the tricky code parts nobody else can do.
ReplyDelete*High fives Asmina and everyone else*
ReplyDeleteHow will you source artists? If you're confident that you can get pictures to your satisfaction at a pace that suits you, then go for it.
ReplyDeleteI think you should remake the game in flash. I just don't see any reason for you to continue using an engine that you have found to be a bit less than ideal for your needs.
ReplyDeleteIMHO you should remake the game in Flash, but do so without adding pictures first. Finish the game, or at least up until what you've done in RAGs while finding suitable artist or gathering donations, then add in the pictures last.
ReplyDeleteI'd say rags is too unwieldy for a project of the size and complexity you seem to want to build; go for something that will give you more satisfaction, both in the process of creating and in the final product. I'm not actually that big a fan of flash, particularly when there's no animation involved, but since nobody's created a good html5 story engine yet (afaik) I don't have any alternatives to offer.
ReplyDeleteAs anons have suggested above, you could try replicating what you have so far in flash, or at least some part of it, and see if it's really easier and more satisfactory after all. I'm pretty sure we're all happy to wait while you experiment :)
I also agree that picture hunting is a pain, and it's much more important to have a good story than a picture for every frame that is pixel-perfect. I'd rather have some blank screens and an amazing tale than the other way around. You can always use close-ups as place-holders, e.g. artful shots of enraptured expressions, anatomical parts, or flushed skin. Just in case you do decide to use custom artwork, anime is absolutely fine by me :)
I dont mind anime models as long as the quality of art is decent :) I also dont mind flash but would hate to see fewer pictures. I like RAGs style games FOR the pictures as much as the fiction. W/o that I might as well just go hit up literotica.
ReplyDeleteAs an anon said, don't wait for the pictures, the story and the game mechanics ares the important parts. You can add pictures later.
ReplyDeleteMake a demo of The Verse in flash, and then see how you feel about it, if it's better/easier than rags.
Anyways, good luck and keep your spirit up
Something to consider: You might want to try writing the game without pictures and plugging the visual content in once things have been coded. I've seen this work very well for a lot of games.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, sorry for my English, it's not my native language.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, it's your choice of course, but there are so much anime around :(
If picture hunting is so difficult, mb you can use art pictures instead of anime? Or some "poser" programs?
I really dislike the 3D Model stuff. You could always use some real pictures alongside anime at certain moments? I understand that might break the artistic feel though. But there are some real pictures easy to find that can really fit. I have too many to count. I doubt you can commission dozens of piccies after all?
ReplyDeleteI think that "better is the foe of good". I mean, you can make and release a good game. Or can try to make a better game, than after some time more better game and release none in the end.
ReplyDelete