[BETA] Free customizable ren'ai simulation (BxG)
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:15 pm
I'm looking for helpful people to test and give feedback on a major project that I've kept under wraps for too long. It's a freeware datesim that allows for a high degree of user customization. I've done as much testing as I can stand so it's time to release the beta!
About the game:
Assuming the role of a male 2nd year high school student in Japan, the player will meet, interact with, and date a number of female characters with the goal of winding up with one of them at the end of a 101-day calendar. The gameplay system is a complex blend of conversational decision-making, board game-like mechanics, stat management, financial management, and other things. I'm not really sure where to begin describing it, so have a gander at the screenshot below. Yes, this was made with RPG Maker.
But what exactly do I mean by "a number of female characters"? In fact, the number is completely open-ended!
The unique feature of this game--as far as I know this is the first dating sim to ever attempt it--is that users may customize the pursuable heroines in the game. You can create your own characters, share them with others, and add new characters others have made into your game. Theoretically, the replay value is endless.
You can use either a template to create the images for custom characters, or use images you've created yourself or images from any source, really. (only "standing" images can be imported; there is no event CG in the game) A simple scripting language is provided for writing story events for custom characters. You can also customize some of the music.
The screenshots demonstrate some of the possiblities.
Hey, a new Negima game is out! Well, no, actually.
So I'm gonna need good testing and feedback all the more since the concept is experimental. But just as the thread says, this project is in beta-testing. There's an essentially complete game here that should occupy a player for hours even before exploring the customization features.
(The title of the game will probably be Heartache 101. You'll notice that one thing the game is yet lacking is a title screen. This is because I'm not sure I'm satisfied with the title and may possibly change it if a better one occurs to me)
What I could use feedback on:
1. Gameplay
I think this is the most important thing, because if the core gameplay ain't fun who will care that it characters can be customized? Testers, please play the game and tell me honestly what you think. What aspects are fun and what aspects could be more fun? How is the difficulty? What things would you do to improve it? Obviously, please report any bugs you encounter.
2. Customization
Please mess around with the customization features; there's bound to be plenty of bugs and issues I haven't considered. You don't need to create content you would ever share with others. Just play around and see if you can do the things you're supposed to be able to do. I've left Story Test unlocked in the beta and you can use that to test story events you write. (normally, Story Test is unlocked after completing the game) Try creating a character or two and writing a little bit of story for her. Again, what you write doesn't have to be anything serious, but see if things really work.
3. Story & writing
Although it may not be critical that my own story & writing be good if the customization features are successful, still, I do want it to be as good as I can make it. So please give me feedback on the writing and on the built-in characters. Are the built-in characters likable? (I'm slightly worried that the female lead--Miki-might not be as likable as she should be) If there are bits that you think should be rewritten for any reason, don't hesitate to tell me. Of course report any bad spelling or typos or anything else that's off.
4. Documentation
Is the help file which explains how to do all the customization stuff easy to understand? Please tell me if any parts aren't clear. I want the customization process to be easy and fun as much as possible.
5. Any other suggestions you have for me!
If you're interested in helping out, please contact me and I'll send you a link to the download.
Thanks for reading!
edit: removed spoiler tags that didn't work the way I thought they would
About the game:
Assuming the role of a male 2nd year high school student in Japan, the player will meet, interact with, and date a number of female characters with the goal of winding up with one of them at the end of a 101-day calendar. The gameplay system is a complex blend of conversational decision-making, board game-like mechanics, stat management, financial management, and other things. I'm not really sure where to begin describing it, so have a gander at the screenshot below. Yes, this was made with RPG Maker.
But what exactly do I mean by "a number of female characters"? In fact, the number is completely open-ended!
The unique feature of this game--as far as I know this is the first dating sim to ever attempt it--is that users may customize the pursuable heroines in the game. You can create your own characters, share them with others, and add new characters others have made into your game. Theoretically, the replay value is endless.
You can use either a template to create the images for custom characters, or use images you've created yourself or images from any source, really. (only "standing" images can be imported; there is no event CG in the game) A simple scripting language is provided for writing story events for custom characters. You can also customize some of the music.
The screenshots demonstrate some of the possiblities.
Hey, a new Negima game is out! Well, no, actually.
So I'm gonna need good testing and feedback all the more since the concept is experimental. But just as the thread says, this project is in beta-testing. There's an essentially complete game here that should occupy a player for hours even before exploring the customization features.
(The title of the game will probably be Heartache 101. You'll notice that one thing the game is yet lacking is a title screen. This is because I'm not sure I'm satisfied with the title and may possibly change it if a better one occurs to me)
What I could use feedback on:
1. Gameplay
I think this is the most important thing, because if the core gameplay ain't fun who will care that it characters can be customized? Testers, please play the game and tell me honestly what you think. What aspects are fun and what aspects could be more fun? How is the difficulty? What things would you do to improve it? Obviously, please report any bugs you encounter.
2. Customization
Please mess around with the customization features; there's bound to be plenty of bugs and issues I haven't considered. You don't need to create content you would ever share with others. Just play around and see if you can do the things you're supposed to be able to do. I've left Story Test unlocked in the beta and you can use that to test story events you write. (normally, Story Test is unlocked after completing the game) Try creating a character or two and writing a little bit of story for her. Again, what you write doesn't have to be anything serious, but see if things really work.
3. Story & writing
Although it may not be critical that my own story & writing be good if the customization features are successful, still, I do want it to be as good as I can make it. So please give me feedback on the writing and on the built-in characters. Are the built-in characters likable? (I'm slightly worried that the female lead--Miki-might not be as likable as she should be) If there are bits that you think should be rewritten for any reason, don't hesitate to tell me. Of course report any bad spelling or typos or anything else that's off.
4. Documentation
Is the help file which explains how to do all the customization stuff easy to understand? Please tell me if any parts aren't clear. I want the customization process to be easy and fun as much as possible.
5. Any other suggestions you have for me!
If you're interested in helping out, please contact me and I'll send you a link to the download.
Thanks for reading!
edit: removed spoiler tags that didn't work the way I thought they would
