I've mentioned this in the past, but now I'm seriously thinking to go ahead. An art restyle for PSCD (CGs excluded since I think those are OK).



I KNOW that simply an art change can't do miracles. However, just observing Steam stats (I suppose something similar happens on my site but I don't have such advanced tools) makes it quite clear that the first impact of people with art causes less people to just click/visit the game page.



This doesn't mean that more people visiting will translate to more sales I know it well. But for sure wouldn't hurt. It's also something I'm thinking to do for my own ego haha. I hate to have a game that whenever is mentioned, they say "good gameplay/writing/music but the art... UGH, CREEEPY!"



Anyway, about the stats, I compared PSCD with Roommates (a good title) and Spirited Heart (a very old game!). One year stats. Here are the results:

Roommates = 3,74%

Spirited Heart (6 years old game) = 1,87% clickthrough

PSCD = 0,58% clickthrough!!!



Tag page:

Roommates = 4,24%

Spirited Heart = 2,84%

PSCD = 1,99%



Recommendations Main (more like this, etc):

Roommates = 6,34%

Spirited Heart = 7,51%

PSCD = 2,4%



Note this is just clickthrough, which means: players see the game banner, and with the new Steam system also the game screenshots. Then they click based on what they see. They clearly don't like what they see

When a SIX YEARS OLD game like Spirited Heart gets higher clickthrough... and I just compared those 3. I just quickly looked at Heileen (another game not exactly new): 2,84%. Even Bionic Heart 2 which probably has the less well done art is at 2,13% !!

Heirs & Graces, my other "painted style" game: 3,1%!!



I could go on, but you get it



Of course this is just the long tail and I don't expect miracles, but my idea is that if the game stays the same, if I can get 2-3% more click to the game page (so more potential buyers) over the course of the next 2-3 years... might be worth it.



I haven't made my mind yet, but now that I have 1 year of data, I think it's not a crazy idea as I initially thought!

Well, just don't expect people to go back and change their reviews, that ship has already sailed.



But I'd love to see more love given to PSCD of course!

No of course (besides, the reviews were just 5! ).

The bigger issue is all the CGs...I said I wouldn't redo them, but I am not sure if having manga characters and then the realistic style on the CG is a good idea. Damn I forgot how insanely big that game was

I think if you do this it would be better to make it a new release instead of replacing an old one, call it PSCD Remaster or something, this way you can in a way reset peoples opinions. I would also recommend if you are doing this to give people exactly what they want, like Deji style, since it takes more for people to change a negative opinion to positive then to get positive from a start.



True it would be nice of you if you ware to give a nice discount to people that both the original .

If I do it will change the name, and people who already bought it will get it for free of course

As for artist, I think something on level of Queen Of Thieves art or a new artist I'm working with (you can see some images of her here:http://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3946 first image) would be enough (Deji is busy for the next 2-3 years!).



The other popular sci-fi VN games on Steam like Sunrider have an even more stylized manga art, so something like the two examples above should be already quite good I think

and people who already bought it will get it for free of course

Wow , I didn't expect that since you said after PSCD DLC that you won't be giving free stuff any more.

As for artist, I think something on level of Queen Of Thieves art or a new artist I'm working with (you can see some images of her here:http://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3946 first image) would be enough (Deji is busy for the next 2-3 years!).



The other popular sci-fi VN games on Steam like Sunrider have an even more stylized manga art, so something like the two examples above should be already quite good I think

Yes, that is a very good art.

Well wouldn't be fair if people bought the old version, to charge them only because I changed art (even if it's going to be quite expensive). I know some people here that bought it "despite the art" just to support me, so...

Anyways, of course finishing Amber and the other games will have the priority.

I haven't made my mind yet, but now that I have 1 year of data, I think it's not a crazy idea as I initially thought!

You would have a day one sale with me! XD

Thanks, I suspect also a few more other people just in this forums

Me as well, you know you've got my support!. i still find time to read up on thing here, even if I'm often too busy to post much anymore. ♥

Thank you! Yes you two are among my best fans, I know it well even when you don't post often! <3 <3

I think that the market rules where the games will go. If a different art style will support the sale, than the decision is a no-brainer in my opinion.



I also support the Idea of a "Art Remastered" Version - especially to not reduce the effort the old artist did. He/She might need the game for her reference list and you might need her work in future games. Therefore, two versions or a modus to switch art styles in game will be best in my opinion.



I would consider a small fee, but not buy the whole game because of new art, because I think the old art was already decent

I think I'll update the old game (offering the two options) and maybe if someone wants can donate (through patreon or something else). I'll see, I suspect that redoing the art will take a new artist a few months at least (that game was huge!).

Are you redoing all the art or just the characters? I personally thought all the cards were fine, just the characters (and some of the CGs) were odd.

No of course not the cards! it would be crazy, and honestly people don't care about the cards art (which was fine as you said) but about the characters to romance. So just the characters, and possibly the CGs (I have to think about this though).

So this is how Alex looks in manga-form:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1T-I18WQAATnnj.jpg" style="max-width:100%">



It's fun to see it transformed into a manga character. I was wondering though, what people think of him? he's sexy enough? Even in the original version, Diana was much better, so...

I'd say he looks acceptable. I think he looks so different though that you would have to redo the CGs for sure. Although I was looking at the CGs the other day and think they could use a redo as well anyway.

Thanks for the feedback. Well the original CGs had different quality, some were better than others, but overall I think was acceptable. Anyways first I'll get characters redone and as last the CGs if I'll redo them

Well, I wanted to suggest that the player could choose what kind of art style was going to be used in the game, so those that actually like it as it is(like me XD)could keep it and those who rather have a anime style could also choose the one they want.

Yes that's how it will work. I'm not going to thrown away all the art already done (also considering some people like it). I'm just going to switch to manga by default, like in main menu and on the Steam banners.