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I guess I didn't word it correctly, while It is essentially a text box the best way to make a full screen text box is to...have it not seem like a text box, if that makes any sense. It just doesn't feel right to me, reading it the way NVL mode puts it on the scene. I dunno, maybe I'll play with it when the time comes.



I guess so, usually I don't quote at all due to laziness but this project is something special for me, so even in replies I want to be just perfect o.o weird I am.



I figured that out fast, and have been trying to be active in many other areas of the forums because I really love this place I didn't mean in terms of overall welcomeness, just the idea that the better your known, the more likely you are to be seen when doing actual work. Or something.

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Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

The part you should know

Well it's been two weeks so time for an update! I was going to go with a cruel joke and start with the phrase “I regret to inform you this project will unfortunately be...”, but decided against it. Anyway I've gotten another 20k words done, which mean Kisa is almost done. Her route is taking a bit more to flush out than originally expected...but it will be finished off in a few days at least. Another thing, I'll make *another* call for staff for anyone who may be holding out thinking this project isn't going to make it. I'm in critical need of a composer, and a CG character artist. You won't have to do the sketches or line art, just work with candydive's.

On another note if anyone knows good resources for filtered photo's I'd be appreciative, I've decided to at least pursue that direction until another option presents itself.

What you can skip, if you'd like

It seems I am fond of breaking the rules of game making XD, having already crushed the very first rule “don't take on a huge project for your first one”. Except, I know what I'm capable of and I am capable of this. Considering the fact the script is over 80% completed, and fun as hell to write. I'm a bit concerned with my switches between past and present, using a bit more style from a classic novel than one might expect. Anyway it's worked out rather well till now, so I don't see a problem. I'm hoping by finding background photo's I will be able to produce a demo with *some* sort of visual, and not just text.

I've been considering every aspect of what makes a good game, taking questions and suggestions from friends, and rolling over the possibilities until I finally decided to clarify my points on everything. If you want to know everything I've at least considered for this...then feel free to keep reading this blog-ish post.

Commercialization- This is indeed a large project to a degree, but I'm not sure if it's enough to warrant people paying for it. No one really knows me...so either I'd have to make it rather cheap or provide an in depth demo to showcase it. In conclusion I've decided it's premature to discuss any sort of money being made off this, and chances are this will remain free baring some miracle of genius making a game that will go down in the ages.

Voice acting- While voices may appeal to lots of people, it would be rather difficult considering the length of the script. I rely heavily on narration, but at the same time I don't know how well adding voices would impact the game. I won't rule it out, but it would be farther down the road.

Custom UI- Yeah...no, not a chance. I don't have the skills to design one...nor make Ren'Py use it. Unless someone is offering to help me do it, I can't ;_;

Replay ability- Let's face it...making a VN have replay ability is difficult. It's text, at some point it has to end unless you supplement it with some sort of game. The only way to increase someones desire to come back, is to add more text. I do have a unique idea, but it's too early to talk about that. I don't even know if it will make in to RD since it was originally meant for Jamais Vu.

Eroge- The main questions all my friends have asked me >.< “is it going to be one of those Japanese hentai games?”. Most likely not, while the game does contain romance it is built upon with subtle parts, and is downplayed a bit. The main focus of my writing is a good story. If I did make eroge scenes they would be A.) Optional and B.) Dependent on any CG event artist I may or may not find in time.

I think that's all that's on my mind right now, thank you anyone who took the time to read all that! ^_^ Show your support, criticism, and suggestions with a reply!

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Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

*drops a Support package*

So, were these friends interested by the Eroge aspect or repelled by it? It was not clear

Both of them were hoping for eroge actually, one of them is a VN enthusiast like me...so he's used to it with things like Tsukihime. The other just loves hentai (not that I don't XD). There's actually a sub section of the english fandom who still think like those turned off by it, the idea that a VN can't be one without it.

_________________
Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

Woaahh... That's a crazy length for a VN. XD Make sure you're prepared for the amount of backgrounds, sprites, and music that'll need to be present in a 150 000 word length game.

I wouldn't really make the game commercial either, unless you know for certain you can deliever commercial quality graphics. I'm thinking that'll be very difficult, considering the length of the game.

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I don't know if I'd say I'm prepared, but I am committed to doing it. I think it really counts on if I can manage to gain some more dedicated members to help out. Still I'm prepared to explore every option avaliable to me in order to get this done properly ^_^. The only thing I won't bend on is having it completely original.

And thank you I'll take "crazy length" as a compliment. Personally I try not to think about it in terms of length, only because it makes it sound like I'm shooting for enormous word counts over actual story. I could have easily expanded it well beyond that but...it would have been pointlessly inflated for the story. Some would say 5 days within a story is small, I consider it perfect to keep a story going. The longer I stretch out the events, the more filler I need to connecting them. No story can be "filler-less", however cutting down on it is top priority.



If I continue finding members with the talent of candydive and threevenge, then I can guarantee you excellent quality. My only concern is making sure everyone isn't over loaded with work...so that's why I don't give any ETA's, that way no one has a time constraint.

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Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

HI i'm willing to help out if you still need help although i am new to renpy i could you the practise

let me know thanks

Hey, your project sounds a like as min- oh wait, that's still secret (not that anybody will care anyway xD). But yeah, you brought some questions and took the same decision in them as I did. Which are:

if firstTimeMakingEroge :
jump seriousTrouble

The work I'm involved will also be lenghtly to the point I'm actually worried people won't read through it. But since it's early in the beginning, maybe it won't turn out that way.

No commercialization - This wasn't my first opinion when the idea of making a visual novel skipped through my mind. I thought maybe I'd try and sell it. Thing is, it's the first project, and as dedication as it may have, I don't feel I have the right to charge for it (a site with a donation link may be nice, though xD). Maybe it's also the last, and maybe it won't even be, but hey, details.

No voice acting - Pretty much impossible, and it isn't such a big requirement in visual novels, as far as my opinion is concerned. From the very beggining I knew the answer to this one.

All ages visual novel - Yeah, no ero. After me and my friend talking a bit about it, we decided to drop this. And also I'm the "artist" of the project, so it would be a bit awkward. And also another thing to perfect my drawing at. I already have enough as it is.

UI - In this field, I'm thinking about only using the cg gallery with automathic unlock. Probably I won't try (and I can't anyway) to go out of my way to make a custom menu and all of that. I already know how to change some stuff, so there's at least a bit of customization.

So rejoice, you're not alone!

Pffft mine will be better... Just kidding, you made me curious as to what exactly yours will be about thought. If your going to keep secrets don't drop subtle hints



If it's good enough people will read it. I believe FSN was over a million words, so you just have to make sure it's interesting enough. Though again you have my curiosity, what's "lengthy" to you.



Donations are a great way to do it, only because if you CAN get a quality game out then people will more desire to see another one. Then the people who WOULD have bought it, or would have after they played it...can decide if by donating they want to basically Pre-Pay for next one lol.



Well it might not be a requirement, but a lot of people like it



Unless a game is shooting for ero to supplement a lack of plot, there isn't that much need. It does however seem plausible in games that shoot for length (not in terms of words, but in game time). As in when your game spans several weeks/months then ero more accurately translates to the building of a relationship.



Well that's not really what I meant, a CG gallery is more of an extra...not a part of the UI. I'd probably consider something similar myself. I mean a full custom UI, as in overhauling the entire look of it. No normal text box or buttons, etc.



Except you have the staff members you need XD

_________________
Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

Oh, no need to be curious. If I'm not mistaken, the project I'm involved is "slice-of-life" like. Hence, my preocupation. No sci-fi sutff or the main character getting killed every two out of three choices.



Again, the element action. I think that it's much harder keeping interest in a romance than in action. I dunno how this will go. The writting up till now is appealing to me, but maybe i'm one in a million, lol.
And yeah, FSN was lenghtly as heck, it took me 24 hours to finish saber's route. xD
I'm a slow reader, I guess.



... xD. That's a pretty good way of putting it.



Yeah, I know. It would be great to have an imagemap in the main menu with cute photoshoped buttons, but that's over my knownledge as well. There's a chance that I could learn how to do that, but I have to define priorities and this is anyway my first game. And I wouldn't want it to be a Duke Nukem Forever. xD



No no, my team includes me and a story writter. xD Even if I can program and draw/color to some extent, backgrouds and music still need to be taken care off. Although in backgrounds, you can always go with filtered photos. But since the characters have Japanese names, it wouldn't feel right to take photos of the place here, far different from Japan. It's good as a last resource. I'll start recruiting when I have something I can show as a proof of our work.

Well I got a bit of a surprise from my editor today, after I took the entire day to slack off and play through the translated UBW (IT'S EPIC!) I find out he has successfully edited through the first day of events! That brings us one step closer to a demo version. Unfortunately I have been unable to find the proper photos as a stand in's for backgrounds, nor a BG artist...so I'm not quite sure how this will work out. I mean I could throw together a visual-less demo...but, would anyone actually want to see that? o.o If you do I'll make it, it's only about 8% of the overall script but...if it will interest you I'll do it. Please give me your opinions ^_^

_________________
Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

Ok, I managed to stop playing UBW and figured I'd drop by. So, about making a demo with no visuals. I've read a bit from your first post (and I can say the type interests me, I'll keep this one under watch), but I know that in a demo of this game I'd want the opening act with music. And with some photoshop blood brushes and black background, you can do something like Fate/Stay Night or Tsukihime. But I really love the fulcral part music plays in these games. So yeah, for me, demo of opening act with proper music would make my day. Further than that, well, without graphics you loose the person's attention faster, so that depends on the script.

Conclusion: Make a demo out of the opening! xD

Edit: <3 your ava.

I'm surprised you found the willpower to actually STOP UBW! I couldn't do it, I stayed up all night 10 hours over when I originally planned to go to bed. I was tired, said "I'll play for an hour, start again tomorrow". Next thing ya know I'm done.

Hmm your probably right on that, but I still need to find a composer with some free time >.> know any? xD yes music plays a very pivotal role in any VN because it sets an atmosphere to absorb you in. I mean, I could play a VN without it...but not for too long at a time. Or at least I'd have to put some music on. Probably the Tsukihime soundtrack, just because I love the remixed version XD which I was thankful to get and load in to the actual game...sooo doubled my love.

So by opening act you mean...just the actual opening scene correct? That's a bit short but hm, I'd still need the required staff to produce something like that. And yeah I could probably manage the blood splatters with some photoshop brushing, but I wish I could manage the insanity that is FSN's use of visuals to produce sword effects. Pheeeew those impress me. Though the zooming sometimes makes me dizzy.

*snuggles his Rin avy* Hehe yeah ^_^ anywaaay. I thank you for the input, and hope to be able to reach the required stage to produce that demo for you!

_________________
Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1

I see you're looking for a composer...

Since my own project doesn't seem to be going far, I thought I should volunteer.
Well, I created something on the spot inspired by the "Opening", just to let you see, or rather hear, a sample of my work.

I used FL Studio 7 (demo).

* snip *

Hope you like it! ^^

Phew although I'm a bit behind in terms of my writing goals of the month, it's because Kisa's route turned out to be so much longer then I actually expected. But finally, as if 2:46 A.M. my time her unedited script has been finished off! That brings only one more to finish up before I start on either Second Dream or Jamais Vu (I'm not sure which to do :/). It will require some brain storming, I need to rethink some things on Shiori right now. However this means the script is at about 90% finished, with the word count around 135,000.

On another note storm-and-fire has offered to act as composer, which is a huge boost to my morale. Slowly but surely we are getting the required parts to move forward. So if there are any bench sitters with time that have yet to volunteer please do so! Ahem, anyway...

I've decided not to use photos for backgrounds, because while I am good at finding resources...those don't seem to be easy to find. The requirements are too steep to resort to that. The sooner we find things like BG artist, CG artist for coloring, the sooner I get to give you all a demo (\^_^/). I can do it with just a BG artist if need be as well, so that's on my critical list right now >.>

Anyway, thanks for tuning in.

_________________
Project - R.E.M: Reality's Dream - Team head/Lead Writer
Other projects - Jamais Vu (script 10k), Chronicles of Etemis
Scripts in planning- 1