Coming Out On Top (BxB, Dating, Comedy) (News 11/15)

[saguaro]

Obscura, I really enjoyed this game. These are my liveplay notes, I didn't read the other comments so I may have repeated some points.

The dialogue is awesome--polished, zippy, fun. I like the range of the choice options.

Personal preference: I prefer it when sprites "dissolve" or have some type of short transform when they change (especially full body poses). It makes the transition smoother to the eye.

The racquetball scene with the back-and-forth ATL is a good example of how to break up a dialogue scene with animation instead of sprites.

I like Edwina's hair. All of the sprites work well and some of the expressions were very funny/spot-on.

Just a few writing notes:

"I think they had some sesame seeds or shit on top."
This reads weird, maybe, "I think they had sesame seeds or some shit on top."
(Or even, "something on top," since referring to food as shit is unappetizing.)

"Impressive comeback, Mark," should end with a period.
"I'm sure you're aware I love all flavor of women."
"Ok right, they're pedigreed and descend from royalty."
"Graham, I think you also put in a good word for Edwina, so she can find another job."
"Mark, letting you know you score 97/100 on your final exam."

[Obscura]

Thanks so much for playing, saguaro!!! So very pleased you enjoyed it.

Personal preference: I prefer it when sprites "dissolve" or have some type of short transform when they change (especially full body poses). It makes the transition smoother to the eye.

Oh, thanks for noticing that. I share your sentiment but I have no idea how to do that. I used Condition Switch (http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewto ... 51&t=15345) to put all my sprites together but am clueless as how to dissolve between each transition.

The racquetball scene with the back-and-forth ATL is a good example of how to break up a dialogue scene with animation instead of sprites.

Ah, thanks! I was all, "how do I animate this without uh, animating it?"

I like Edwina's hair. All of the sprites work well and some of the expressions were very funny/spot-on.

Edwina's hair was the funnest thing to draw in the whole freakin' sprite process.

Thanks for the errors. I'd like to credit you in my next version if that's okay...let me know if you want a web link on there as well. I know it seems like a tiny thing, but I'm planning to distribute the next version of my game EVERYWHERE I possibly can. I always like looking at people's links, so you never know...

And once again, thanks for your feedback. Extremely helpful. You have quite an eye for detail, saguaro.

[Obscura]

Well, for anybody still checking this thread, I'm doing lots of drawing again and working on CGs for the next version which should be out in August. I don't want to keep spamming this thread with a bunch of artwork, so I'll be putting some artwork on my blog (which I only feed occasionally to Planet EVN because I don't think everybody wants to hear about the latest sweaty dude I'm drawing.)

I've also started a tumblr which will have most of my art stuff.

http://obscurasoftgames.blogspot.com/

http://obscurasoft.tumblr.com

Once again, Version 2.0 should be out in August. Same story, just lots more polish, some new details, etc.

Coming Out On Top (the bigger version, tentatively titled "Uncut") will get started right after version 2.0. That's the one with three more relationships + Ian's path. I will probably start another WIP for that.

Thank you so much for your comments. They really make my day.

[FatUnicornGames]

Rad! I'm excited you're really getting after it! I really do want to play a full version.

I followed you're tumblr. I should start one of those for Club Shuffle. I really like the update of Alex.

[Obscura]

Rad! I'm excited you're really getting after it! I really do want to play a full version.

I followed you're tumblr. I should start one of those for Club Shuffle. I really like the update of Alex.

Sweet! I'm sure the artwork for Club Shuffle will draw a lot of fans!!!

[Veniae]

Ahahahahaha, Obscura, I'm loving your avatar and the CG it's from. So curious about how /that/ happens!

[KashyaCharsi]

I loved that Mark and Alex were also in a hearthwarming friendship until the sexual tension was escalating.

[Obscura]

@veniae *hehe* Thanks!!! The second part of the CG is up on my tumblr...the third part will remain underwraps until version 2.0

@ KashyaCharsi - thanks for stopping by with the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed their relationship and hope you enjoy the larger version of the game when it's out!!!!

[Ziassan]

After completing really all the game, I'd just have something to note for a possible improvement :
At first I acted thinking their was different paths for different characters (like Ian) but chose (or at least I thought I was choosing) Alex's one because of... because.
Being honnest with the choices (no backroll etc.) I got the 2/3 neutral ending (that's here that I commented the first time). When you play in the direction of the game, everything is really enjoyable, and never a moment bored.

After, I tried to make all the worst choices for Alex to get him dislike me, and I ended at -50/75. But I still got the 2/3 main ending with Axel thanking me etc etc. During this play, it sounded false, like while I was a complete asshole, Alex seemed still nice and attracted and things followed their course forcing Mark to pursue Axel. Also the points have finally not a lot of influence during the story itself, more at the end.
It could be good that earning point for a character mean more loosing points for another (after all, that works sometimes like that in real life too).

I'm glad you think of adding Ian path and some others things, that'll make the game less "closed" and not give this bad aftertast to the people trying to get out of the wirtten path.
Characters are diverses and well-balanced, it'd be too sad to not be able to discover them at will.

Another good point I saw thanks to the relationship board it that

the answers are sometimes not too obvious, like the one when Alex seems having hard time and Mark come in and can say either "I'm worried about you" or "Something's wrong, and I need to know what it is.", I picked the second one the first time guessing Alex would prefer that kind of direct question, something meaning Mark was not doing that only because attracted to him - the first answer bringing up the reason Alex is having problems.

Often in VN you have to show your affection, be with the character you want et care, which isn't interesting, here it's better.

Ps : oh also, I know it can sound strange to say that but... If possible do not use too much your own characters as avatar, I was sometimes feeling like instead of Mark it was you, Obscura, speaking, ahah.

[Obscura]

After completing really all the game, I'd just have something to note for a possible improvement :
At first I acted thinking their was different paths for different characters (like Ian) but chose (or at least I thought I was choosing) Alex's one because of... because.
Being honnest with the choices (no backroll etc.) I got the 2/3 neutral ending (that's here that I commented the first time). When you play in the direction of the game, everything is really enjoyable, and never a moment bored.

Sorry about that. Yeah, there was only one relationship because I was seriously not going to spend any more time on it if it received zero interest or people hated the game. The story branches should definitely be fuller.

After, I tried to make all the worst choices for Alex to get him dislike me, and I ended at -50/75. But I still got the 2/3 main ending with Axel thanking me etc etc. During this play, it sounded false, like while I was a complete asshole, Alex seemed still nice and attracted and things followed their course forcing Mark to pursue Axel. Also the points have finally not a lot of influence during the story itself, more at the end.
It could be good that earning point for a character mean more loosing points for another (after all, that works sometimes like that in real life too).

Thanks for this feedback. Yes, being mean to Alex does actually deserve a different ending. Thanks for pointing that out.

I'm glad you think of adding Ian path and some others things, that'll make the game less "closed" and not give this bad aftertast to the people trying to get out of the wirtten path.
Characters are diverses and well-balanced, it'd be too sad to not be able to discover them at will.

Yes, Ian and three more love interests. Thank you for the kind words.

Another good point I saw thanks to the relationship board it that

the answers are sometimes not too obvious, like the one when Alex seems having hard time and Mark come in and can say either "I'm worried about you" or "Something's wrong, and I need to know what it is.", I picked the second one the first time guessing Alex would prefer that kind of direct question, something meaning Mark was not doing that only because attracted to him - the first answer bringing up the reason Alex is having problems.

Often in VN you have to show your affection, be with the character you want et care, which isn't interesting, here it's better.

Thanks...I feel the game is generally easy but I like to make choices that don't seem like they have a right or wrong. Definitely incorporating more of that in the bigger verrsion.

Ps : oh also, I know it can sound strange to say that but... If possible do not use too much your own characters as avatar, I was sometimes feeling like instead of Mark it was you, Obscura, speaking, ahah.

HAHAHAHAAH---I cracked up a good five minutes at this. Thanks for the tip.

And thanks for your critical feedback. It's good to know what worked and didn't work for you. I appreciate the analysis of the choice system. Much thanks.

[KashyaCharsi]

I have written a page about this game on TvTropes if you are interested.

[Obscura]

@KashyaCharsi

This?

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/M ... ngOutOnTop

OMG...whoa.

Much love and thank you! :*

[KashyaCharsi]

But seriously. I haven't been in a gay bar before. Have they?:P

[Obscura]

I imagine there are a range of gay bars...just like hetero ones. Or is it time for....RESEARCH?!?!

[Hijiri]

I imagine there are a range of gay bars...just like hetero ones. Or is it time for....RESEARCH?!?!

They vary. Some fit the stryotypical gay bar you see on TV, others are like straight bars, and others are their own category