After that romance poll, I did a little bit of sleuthing. Apparently, there is a huge lack of less than perfect characters, and I don't mean in the manner of personality - we've got plenty of obnoxious characters, all right - but in physical appearance. Almost all characters are attractive, there is a serious lack of unattractive characters, such as fat, greasy hair, dirty, unkempt clothes and so on. If there are any, they are just side characters or even villains that nobody likes.
It's like I'm browsing a swimsuit catalog. No ugly ones inside. By that I mean models, not swimsuits, there are plenty of abysmal swimsuits in there. But I digress. Why are there no ugly/unattractive characters for those romance options? Isn't what is inside supposed to count?
Even the cripples in Katawa Shoujo are all attractive. Even that crisp burnt girl. This is getting a bit old. Not to say that I am visually unattractive - in fact, often I get told I look much younger than I really am - however it feels like the less fortunate individuals could do with some confidence boost, else we- they will remain cocooned at the PC, playing VNs.
Some optional not-so-beautiful characters to spice the romance soup with? How about it?
jack1974Jan 02, 2013
Yes we discussed this a few months ago in some thread (I think is somewhere in Loren's forum but I am not sure anymore).
Basically I'm OK with it and I want to try, trying to introduce a few "not top models" character in each game. I understand completely your point of view and I support it, but as often happens I have to adapt to what lets me "survive" so I want to be prudent
In many of the upcoming games the art has been done/planned, but you can see some "less perfect figures" already in Roommates, and also in Loren 2, and probably in more games. Planet Stronghold 2 will introduce the very first androgynous character for example. Is a slow process but I'm trying to do my best to offer something different
KamachJan 02, 2013
Fair enough! Just stop short of furry and tentacle waters, please.
Also, what's with the sports tickets link on bottom of the page?
jack1974Jan 02, 2013
Haha some small advertising to cover the forum hosting
thesleepykittenJan 02, 2013
Some optional not-so-beautiful characters to spice the romance soup with? How about it?
I really really back this up, because I want to see more diversity in characters, especially body type.
Of course it's easier to attract players if all of the love interests are very beautiful/handsome... =(
I'm kinda, maybe, sorta, dabbing with the 'less than perfect' idea with a game I'm working on. It won't be much. ^^; But if the reception is warm and people support it, it'll be nice... (I'm worried that people won't like it, so we have to change the sprites... -_-; We'll see how it goes. The artist loved it though, and even offered her own ideas for another character.)
jack1974Jan 03, 2013
Yes I think trying introducing 1-2 not-so-beautiful characters in a game is OK. There are other indies doing VNs commercially that don't even touch gay/lesbian themes fearing to lose sales, so I think I'm pretty open under this regard. But of course I can't risk everything, so need to "proceed with caution"
FearsomeJan 03, 2013
Jack, for SH 2, when you do the extra character packs you mentioned, how about a chunky option, both male and female. Both a bit sweet and kind of plain, but really bright minds and personalities.
For that matter, I would personally really dig a *female* romance option with scars.
I have a few gnarly scars myself as a result of shenanigans in my youth- in the semi-fantasy world of SH, I know they may have magic to heal such things- but, a woman warrior who has a missing eye or visible scars (besides the light little x scars on cheeks or something), would be incredible, something no one has ever done before, that I know of.
That way, it could be a romance that buds, or a friendship that buds, over time spent together, helping each other. Maybe calling out something coming up on the blind side, being a true shield companion, <3 uh, I'll stop babbling... anyways, YES I love this idea.
jack1974Jan 03, 2013
That's an interesting suggestion indeed, will talk with Sarah about it
MarSelJan 03, 2013
What's your Project sleepykitten?
josipa24Jan 03, 2013
Jack, for SH 2, when you do the extra character packs you mentioned, how about a chunky option, both male and female. Both a bit sweet and kind of plain, but really bright minds and personalities.
For that matter, I would personally really dig a *female* romance option with scars.
I have a few gnarly scars myself as a result of shenanigans in my youth- in the semi-fantasy world of SH, I know they may have magic to heal such things- but, a woman warrior who has a missing eye or visible scars (besides the light little x scars on cheeks or something), would be incredible, something no one has ever done before, that I know of.
That way, it could be a romance that buds, or a friendship that buds, over time spent together, helping each other. Maybe calling out something coming up on the blind side, being a true shield companion, <3 uh, I'll stop babbling... anyways, YES I love this idea.
Omg Fearsome, are you me? I started playing with the idea of starting a project of my own a few months back and one of the LIs is a mature very voluptuous lady with a scar down the side of her face (and her eye is discolored because of it). Scars and curves are a major plus for me, wouldn't mind seeing more of them :D.
FearsomeJan 03, 2013
Unfffff Yes. Beautiful. <3
I have curves myself, and a perfect palm full up top, so I really wish there was a character, anywhere in the world of gaming, that had a real pear shape. A great set of hips and tail, but not so heavy up top. There are other sizes besides DD.
thesleepykittenJan 03, 2013
What's your Project sleepykitten?
Just a simple GxB/G ^^; It's still in the early stages...
jack1974Jan 03, 2013
It's a top secret project! ...so people won't start asking for release dates already
josipa24Jan 03, 2013
Fearsome - yes, more pear- shaped women would be awesome indeed . And about less endowed ladies - I think there's one coming up really soon in BH2, Tina I think is her name? So Jack is already working on bringing us awesome ladies of all shapes and sizes ), but I understand he has to be careful, like he said .
It's a top secret project! ...so people won't start asking for release dates already
Ooh, I am intrigued. So when's this game coming out ?
But seriously, Jack is at the helm, sleepykitten is writing it and I can't wait to hear more.
Also, psst Jack! Is that cloning lab offering a 2for1 special? Because I think we're gonna need it for sleepykitten, too
jack1974Jan 03, 2013
Fearsome - yes, more pear- shaped women would be awesome indeed . And about less endowed ladies - I think there's one coming up really soon in BH2, Tina I think is her name? So Jack is already working on bringing us awesome ladies of all shapes and sizes ), but I understand he has to be careful, like he said .
For Bionic Heart 2, apart Helen, the other ladies are definitely not endowed ! Even if are still pretty. Also there are other characters like Robert the policeman and Tom which aren't "model-looking", more variety for sure
MarSelJan 04, 2013
Just a simple GxB/G ^^; It's still in the early stages..
I look forward to hearing more about it
P_TigrasJan 07, 2013
Got to be careful on this one. Physically attractive characters draw a lot more eyes and spark much more interest than unattractive ones. It may not be particularly realistic, but this is a fantasy, and from a marketing standpoint it's kind of a no-brainer, the more attractive your characters are, the better your game will sell. An option to change the look of the protagonist would likely be popular among players however.
FearsomeJan 07, 2013
OH! So, have the protagonist with 2 or 3 art sets, for different body types? That... would actually be an expansion I'd pay for. <3 Not sure how well it'd sell but it'd delight me personally to no end!
biscuitJan 07, 2013
I agree with the spirit of this (more character design types, both appearance and body wise! Yes!) but disagree with some of the wording. I like 'attractive' romance partners; I find my SO very attractive! But I don't think 'attractive' necessarily means 'everyone has the same body type and perfectly symmetrical features'.
thesleepykittenJan 07, 2013
Yea, it's not the easiest topic to word (plus what some people may find attractive, others don't, etc...) - but we can all agree that we need more diversity. I'd like to see more body types at least. ^^
