We’re halfway through 2022 so time for a general update about stuff in progress and what might happen in the next 6 months.
ToA: An Elven Marriage
The demo’s response was good, I had a lot of useful/interesting feedback.
Beside fixing some minor bugs people spotted, I might do an addition: for those who want to remain loyal to their only love from Loren’s game, I might add an option to pick that name. For this game and for the other games too. Of course, there won’t be any romance scenes (especially when the character is not even present in the story!) but this way it will let people roleplay better.
Right now in some scenes if you don’t continue a previous romance with Myrth/Rei, Elenor/Saren will start as single. Now instead I could write generic replies to imply tha they aren’t single, but still not interested in romance, that won’t require too much time to add.
For example Nathir might ask if we have someone. If single (as it is now) will answer no. If continuing a previous romance NOT present in the story (so not Rei or Myrth), the answer could be that “we have a special someone waiting for us back home”.
Just generic sentences like that should work and not require too much effort, so I think it can be implemented easily enough in this story and next ones. Also, in some stories the love interests will be present as NPC but not in the party, like the second game. There will be both Karen and Loren but they won’t actively join the party. But this way I’ll just have a few scenes with them for those who still want to roleplay.
I hope I managed to explain myself, it’s a bit confusing I know! I still haven’t decided if I’ll do this or not yet, but at least as idea doesn’t seem too difficult.
Tales From The Under-Realm: After Midnight
I’m making very good progress on this game, about half of the story is done and I’m scripting it. Still waiting for some more art, and the theme song is also ready (I posted it on the Kickstarter update).
Curiously I got way more withslists for this game than An Elven Marriage during the Steam Fest event, so it seems that at least the beginning of the story captured the interest of many people.
I’m making sure to have a good story with many branching points and having several dark/sad ending, alongside some bittersweet and happy endings: yes because as happened in Hazel (the first title of this series) despite the dark setting I like to provide at least one happy ending for each romance couple.
Since the game should be out in the next 3-4 months I’ve already set up a page on itchio with a pre-order option, for those who missed the Kickstarter or simply prefer to buy the game regularly. The game is not ready of course (you’ll get a simple wallpaper if you try to download it now), but you can already download the wallpapers and OST and listen to it if you want.
Other projects in the work
As usual I’m working on many other projects at the same time, since to meet my goal of at least 2 games out every year you need to plan in advance. I have posted several previews in my Patreon in the past months as usual. I have a project in particular that could be announced in the next months, perhaps even this Fall. Stay tuned!
Oooh, I like the idea of being able to say “I have someone waiting for me.” It’s a nice bit of role-playing, and your games have such good stories and world building, it actually works really well to not always have a romance.
Yes will check what I already wrote to see if there are any possible issues but otherwise I think I’ll implement it 🙂
In that regard, i would like to ask, if you also get back games you had on google again or new game (both)? Or if you dont want to go back that way, after what they did i would get why you stopped and dont go back.
After what happened I wouldn’t want to do it, but even if I wanted, they blocked me permanently, so I can’t release more games on google play no matter what.
Hello, i really like your games. Having the option to say “I have someone waiting for me.” is great, but can a player pick that and still go through with the new romantic option? It’s cool either way i was just curious. Have great day/night and good luck with your future projects!
No, I did that for Planet Stronghold 2 but was really complex, and in the end not really seen by many players. So for this game I’m just going with either:
– start single/no romance => romance NEW love interests only
– start / continue previous romance. If romance present, full story, otherwise just a few reference lines
I am like – Stupid Late to good news on Loren spinoff games, but – Wow, am I happy to see it!!! thankyouthankyouthankyou Last I read (it’s been a While): There was going to be no continuation at ALL from sheer (understandable) burnout — so this is Amazing, Amazing news!! I’m all about story and romance, so if this route gives us more of what – and who – we love: sign me up!
I’m unable to find demo (is it still up?), which made me sad, but elated first game will now include Bi options — (yay~) — and that you’re also considering option where MC stays committed to LI in all the games! I am Loren/Elenor STAN, so it really makes me appreciate my baby elf can be like: ‘No no – I’m with her. Flattered tho~ <3' Just little lines like you mentioned that show in the world, regardless of LI presence in game, would really mean so much. NPC romanced character lines would likely be too much (though I would CRY) – but even just Elenor or Saren having a thought on some event like: 'That reminds me of [insert LI here]' *Smitten*.
Also: Can I just say — well, first: *slaps* for making me wait 3 GAMES until getting more Loren, Karen and all around Amazon GOODNESS. Rude. Second – Am I the only one crazy excited for political intrigue vibes Game C has? I am Obsessed with human nature and social experiment bubbles – and just plain people playing off each other. As much as I love RPG fight aspect, I would not be against Kingdom building mechanics for this story – 'How will you bribe/convince this person?' 'Will you lean toward Diplomacy or Ruling with an Iron Fist?' So much potential!
Thanks for the enthusiastic words 😛
Unfortunately the demo is not online anymore, however the game should definitely be out next year. The current draft (unedited) is already about 120k words and I think I’ll reach 150k max.
As for political intrigue there’ll be a lot in this first game as well, since Lydia is really a cunning person.
Loren and Karen will be both present in the second game, even if as “secondary” characters, but still with some “screen time” 🙂