computer games forum

I LOVED the failed Ramas romance option. (Even though I don't actually wish he was datable, I just love flirting with him to get that reaction...)

Aleema wrote:I also resent how this feature was conceived from hate for BxB content.

It's not hate, it's discomfort.

jack1974 wrote:Thanks for all the opinions! I don't want to censor anything (more the opposite, I'm against censorship as you can imagine ).

The censorship door is already opened and implemented in Loren. One need but consider the opening option. Quoted directly from the game intro:

"Hiding suggestive content will dress the characters in more conservative clothing and censor romance finales."

aleema wrote:It's redundant, is what I was saying. If we're going to work hard so that you can't trigger romances you don't want through dialogue, why build an option system to pick which ones you want in the game menu as well? Besides that, I remember reading a lot of comments about how players tried new sexualities in the original game that they otherwise wouldn't have. Think about what they would have missed if you gave the opportunity to erase those stories from their game from the beginning.

I also resent how this feature was conceived from hate for BxB content.

Sorry I'm being argumentative, this is the last I'll say.

My post that started the whole boy to boy romances was about personal preference. I enjoy the game romances as they make the games less linear to me. But if, for example, there are 10 romance paths and 5 of them are reserved for boy to boy romances, half of the paths won't be something that I'm interested in playing. Not hatred at all on my part anyway. Just casting my vote in suggesting that there be fewer such romances. Jack tends to be very good about listening to player suggestions so it felt worthwhile to make my suggestion. Ultimately, Jack decides how the games will be done and, if I remember correctly, he chose to maintain the level as is. It reduces the amount of content I'm interested in and thus the overall value I place on the game. So either I don't purchase future efforts or see if a sale places them at a value that makes up for the reduced content. No sense paying for a 90 minute game say if I skip or fast forward(as was suggested earlier in the thread) to play the 45 minutes that I'm interested in.

As to the romances, the option "romance" makes it fairly clear what one is getting into.

As far as working so hard to put something into the game and then not allowing it to happen, one need look at the opening option again. Why do the artwork for sexier outfits if you are going to allow the player the choice to have the characters covered up? It's all about trying to provide the players choices. There was certainly a reason behind the covered up artwork. I would guess it got the game into more markets and made various players less uncomfortable to the point of their deciding to purchase the game. Players want to be forewarned as to what sort of content they will be confronted with. Boy to boy romance happens to fall under this area. Movies also are required to give the audience a warning as to what sort of material the movie contains. They have a whole ratings board to cover this very thing. Games are also often giving a similar sort of rating to let parents know what sort of content they include. Some parents actually want to know that a game like grand theft auto includes the ability for the player to pick up prostitutes. Or other games that have more suggestive content. Only by a system of knowing before hand can people make a reasonable decision as to what sort of content they are willing to be exposed to.

What I meant is not that I'm going to censor BxB, or GxG for that matter (curiously everyone seems fine with it... ) by reducing the number of romance interest in those two "fields".
I don't think is a big problem honestly. I'm listening to what you say, but there also many people (not on these forums) that are quite happy about the gay options.

With Loren, I'm going to give equal treatment to all the "kind of love". In many other games I didn't do that, the gay options were fewer or weren't present at all (like Flower Shop series). So let me try something different

I repeat, it's a RPG, and I hope people aren't playing only for the romances (though I'm sure is a strong reason). So for you it works like that, and fair enough, but for lots of people the game is worth the money BESIDE the romances. The 240k words of Loren aren't all gay romances And beside the romance, aren't we allowed to talk with gay people? they have interesting things to say too.
Then OK, I usually don't play gay romances too and I understand if someone is not interested in that, or in GxG or anything. Personally I hate splatter and blood, yet I have to see scenes like that in many movie/series, but if the story is good, like in Walking Dead, I don't mind to see zombies and blood.

Anyway even assuming you're interested only in the romance part rather than the RPG itself, for sure you know what content you'll play in the game, I always tell months before the game release the number of romances present and all the characters. If I wasn't telling anything , or giving false info (150 females to romance!) then you could be angry and disappointed, but as long as I clearly say beforehand what there is in the game I think should be OK.

And if when is out, you don't think Loren2 will be worth the full price, is enough to wait a few months for a sale And don't worry I plan to make more dating sims with straight content only (as well with gay/lesbian content only) in future. I'm trying to make everyone happy, and is not easy believe me

Yes, I play the RPGs for the gameplay and the plot. Loren delivered those, if Loren 2 will do the same, you're making me happy at least. Romances are just a bonus (a nice one, to be sure).

Just chiming in with a positive opinion.

Loren WILL be present (albeit not for long... mouhaha) but you can't romance her. Same for Mesphit and all the other characters. They will make an appearance and maybe even fight for you, but they won't be in the active party.

In your first post you mentioned the characters in Loren 1 will make a cameo appearance in the squeal, even the main characters such as Loren herself. If so how can this be titled Loren 2? Loren herself is no longer the main character. And if these characters do not stay in the squeal for long then what is the pull factor to romance any of the original cast? Loren the squeal without Loren

Loren will be present but not romanceable in the first part. The plan is to split the game in two parts. Well they could be considered even two games, we'll see. Everything is still much in planning stage. But two things are sure:
1) you can romance Loren (the romance scenes are already done!)
2) you can use her, though not in the first part of the game for plot reasons
the game indeed won't be called Loren 2. Will have another name that I can't say since is a big spoiler itself

Well pardon me Jack ... you are taking a bit of a chance here not giving your followers Loren lol. For me I like Loren and Elenor. They are like the mainstay of Loren 1. Sounds like you got me hooked to see what you got cooking for the squeal If we can keep all the original cast such as Loren, Elenor, Trouble, Draco (love to have him in my party), I would gladly pay to have the story extended. It can be said you are successful with Loren 1 if a player is asking to continue with them in a squeal.

Loren will be in the story, as I said. But just won't be anymore the main character overshadowing Elenor/Saren, who in this game will be the true "main character". I think would be bad if after all their efforts in the first title they would still relegated to be henchmen of Loren. Then in the second part she'll be back and quite angry too, but that's another story.
Just wait and see, I don't think the fan will be disappointed! I'm trying something new, since one of the complaint of the first title was that the story was too much "clichè".

If you mean only for the romance aspect, well yes there won't be a romance scene with Loren in the first part, but you still have Myrth, Chambara, Selith and Jul. Personally I think Jul is a good "exchange" for Loren and then in the second part Loren will be there, together with Lydia which is quite sexy (despite the poor portrait and the weird coloring, will be fixed in the final game).

Hmm true enough. They were slaves and yet were trained and educated. And the story being cliche, I did not feel that. I was more focused on the interactions between the characters, excellent writing there. And well I defeated Jul .... hard fight it was too. To see her redeeming herself, that will be the day when pigs fly lol. Well I am getting into the spirit of having more of the same! Thanks for Loren.