[GxB] Project: Reticent

[Asaena]

Mystery | Otome | Futuristic | Sci-Fi | Humour

Hello there, like everyone else, this my project. I've had this idea in my mind since sometime last year and I figured I'd start working on it more. This isn't my first renpy project -- but probably the first one I'm putting up.

It's based off a universe I've made and used prior for a role-play of mine ages ago. Yes, I know it's not particularly light-hearted... premise wise. I assure you I have a habit to de-darken such plots. Hopefully, it'll pique your interest~ (And hopefully I'll work on it at a faster pace than I expect it to.)

It wasn't at it's planning stages a few days ago but I think I'll be working back from scratch with it so I can develop my characters deeper than they were initially. (Yay for the mystery genre!...?) So yes, that's where I am at the moment. I'll be sure to update this thread when the status changes.

So far, I think it won't have any CGs. I'm working on character designs for them right now so there will be sprites at least. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so unless I find myself with an artist who can do CGs (or improve my own art in time), there won't be CGs. D: I'm a bit too out of practise in the drawing field since I started writing. Especially coupled with being more comfortable with monochrome, traditional, on-paper doodling, my tablet and I aren't the best of friends. XD

Btw, I don't mind getting help. XD I'm self-taught in all fields of writing, programming, drawing so those with more experience would be most appreciated. That and I've got a lot IRL to put on a higher priority so having some would hmm... speed up the process? :3 (Btw, I won't be commissioning anyone. If you're looking to get paid. DX)

If anyone's curious about my art then:
http://asaena.deviantart.com (new)
http://angelic-innocence.deviantart.com (old)
It's nothing amazing. XD

Nonetheless (or tldr :'D), here's what I've got to show with regard to the concept in mind. Feel free to ask me anything I haven't yet mentioned.

Please do tell how you feel about it. :3

P R E M I S E

"The year 2055; a future you didn't entirely envision. With culture, politics and ideals continuing to change shape, we could expect no less after all. Science especially has made quite the number of achievements over the last few decades.

I’d like to inform you of one of the most recent biological discoveries we have made. As you know, the world has successfully began studies on cloning in your time; and since then we’ve unlocked the mysteries behind our own minds. Personalities, signals to every receptor of your body; we know how all of it works.

Of course however, ethically things are still the same to an extent. A company called Falsity, is only allowed to produce a certain number of what we call, Holloids, which then produce to a few providers. 8 types per provider is their policy. Of course the type is referring to the general figure of each Holloids we have. It'd be too long to individually produce different types. Personalities are customisable as we take them under 5 weeks of development before distribution. Eye and hair colour are also too. But, even I could shave my head bald and wear a blonde toupee. Nevertheless, because of these things, orders are made early.

Let me tell you of one of the first few providers. Svelte Host Club. Unusual you might say; however, the business flourishes with the Holloids (and humans) they have. As long as they profit, Falsity profits.

Falsity does a little underground trade, selling some of the Holloids; so I’ve heard. Of course at an unimaginable price I presume. Enough of my jabbering, why don’t you find out what really goes behind the scenes of that noise polluted place which eases the loneliness of many?"

You will play as a heroine named Van (tentative) who heads to Svelte Host Club, located in the dangerous parts of Elbrun City. A host club by name, the place works more like a social point for anyone to come and go. Not that there aren't any hosts. There, she'll meet a variety of characters as she wanders around the place -- some who will question her background just as she will do to them. Will she make new friends? A romantic interest? Or unveil secrets of interest to her?

C H A R A C T E R S
list subject to change

Van

(original concept)
Your eccentric heroine. She makes trendsetting quite the big deal, and laws don't seem to phase her (or possibly it's just because she's in such a law-devoid area, she could really care less). She claims to be going to the club to meet some friends and socialise; however, the club owner surely cannot be one of them...

Regent (Romance Pursuable)

Having to clean up after everyone's mess, night after night, there's no surprise that the Club's janitor isn't all smiles (although he does it quite well). He claims to be very unappreciated amongst the staff. People of Svelte, give the man some slack. What would you do without him?

Elidoro (Romance Pursuable)
Did he just jump across the tables? That cute parkouring host sure has a interesting way to get the women on his heel. He seems to be more than what meets the eye -- or at least within a one metre radius.

Helen
The barmaid seems to be a nice woman. Although, I think I'd keep my eye on her. That mixology degree of hers might not be true. At least saying that you'd only spike a certain someone's drink wouldn't set my mind at ease.

??? (Romance Pursuable)
(Oh look! A secret character! >:3)

U P D A T E S

Aug 1 - Additional character info.
Aug 2 - Regent's image update & added a more appealing place-holder image for Van.
Aug 6 - CGs? Yes. YES!
Oct 9 - Character changes

[Veniae]

Hey, that sounds cool~ I'm not into sci-fi in particular, but still, you've captured my interest.

Oh, and the logo is awesome, how did you make it? *needs to make one for her own project* And the sprites seem nice, I don't know why you think you can't draw. e.e

So yeah, good luck! I'll be keeping an eye on this one.

[Asaena]

*O*

I thought it'd be too weird for the otome gaming population or something. Especially since I've just seen a large number of games being very slice of life and not well ... messy? dark? dark-humoured? Oh, I'm not too sure how to feel about it. I have too many things running through my mind about it. XD

As for the logo? I used photoshop~ :3 I got the fonts online and added a gradient and a stroke effect. :3 Hopefully that makes sense.

Ahaha. I don't think my art is horrid or anything. Just in general it takes me longer than I should to finish it -- at least on the PC. @__@ They always end up looking far from what I initially have on paper. I'm still working on Regent's sprite, and lol it's been my second try? I'd rather spare the players without any strange CGs because I'm only fine with portrait drawing too. >A< I'll see about if I'll have CGs. XD

Thanks again anyway. *O*

[Tag-]

I actually prefer games (especially otome) that have a darker premise rather than slice-of-life, so this seems very interesting

And about the CGs, I think it'd be great if you could include them, because personally, I prefer to have CGs, even if they are few in number and 'strange' as you put it xD''
This is just me personally though, in the end, you should go with what feels best for you.


Wishing you luck on your project

[Snow Blossom]

It's nothing amazing. XD

LIES. I think I might have to throttle you out of jealousy for humbling yourself like that. D:<

Angry outbursts aside, I'm looking forward to the development of this project, as mystery, otome, and humour are attributes I favor in any game. Though I don't quite understand what you mean by "bounced off a pillar." XD

[Veniae]

*O*

I thought it'd be too weird for the otome gaming population or something. Especially since I've just seen a large number of games being very slice of life and not well ... messy? dark? dark-humoured? Oh, I'm not too sure how to feel about it. I have too many things running through my mind about it. XD

As for the logo? I used photoshop~ :3 I got the fonts online and added a gradient and a stroke effect. :3 Hopefully that makes sense.

Ahaha. I don't think my art is horrid or anything. Just in general it takes me longer than I should to finish it -- at least on the PC. @__@ They always end up looking far from what I initially have on paper. I'm still working on Regent's sprite, and lol it's been my second try? I'd rather spare the players without any strange CGs because I'm only fine with portrait drawing too. >A< I'll see about if I'll have CGs. XD

Thanks again anyway. *O*

You're welcome~

And in my opinion, weird=good. Or at least interesting. xD And mystery is niiiice~ (Although I'm currently making a slice-of-life otome, I'm still aiming for something less... conventional. But anyway.)

I so know what you mean about drawing. But well, the sprites are lookin' good, and that's what's important, right-o? *o*

[Asaena]

tag- Thanks! I love both genres but it's a matter of how it's executed.
Like I said earlier, I'll put CGs into consideration. xD

blossom- Eep- owo; My apologies? But anyway, I figured I'd changw that statement. lololol. But it was in reference to the boy's parkouring habits. ;9

ven- I can call you that, right? :3 I understand what you mean by less conventional; having something standard in a game is nice but changing up things so that characters and plot become memorable to a player is more appealing. xD Although I think in my case I need to restrain myself. When I thought about the plot/idea, my mind was going, "I should make full use of the futuristic setting, have a main character who is semi-relatable but makes the player question her thought process (same for the other characters)." But at the same time I'm concerned that I might make it too incomprehensible. Then again that's where I should go ask for help.

[Veniae]

ven- I can call you that, right? :3 I understand what you mean by less conventional; having something standard in a game is nice but changing up things so that characters and plot become memorable to a pllayer is so much more appealing. xD Although I think in my case I need to restrain myself. When I though about the plot, my mind was going, "I should make full use of the futuristic setting, uave a main character who is semi-relatable but makes the player quwstion her thought process (same for the other characters)." But at the same time I'm concerned that I might make it too incomprehensible. Then again thats where I should go ask for help.

Of course you can, Asa (: Or if you prefer, you can call me by my real name - Ana. Whatever works for you xD

Well, yeah, some things have become cliches, because they were popular and successful, but still, being different is indeed far better.

Oh, and I don't know if that's much encouragement, but I prefer complex, even a bit "incomprehensible" games to simple plot-less ones. xD

Help?

[Asaena]

/staring at her grammar!fail post.

I shouldn't have used my iPod. LOL.

LOL. I just hope it doesn't get too incomprehensible that people don't know what's going on at all. XDD

Mmm... Like have someone look over my script I suppose to see if there's something better off clarifying/removed? XD

[Veniae]

... *raises hand*

You can always ask me...

[Asaena]

If you don't mind any spoilers then okay~ I'll be sure to ask you! *O*

*O* A free morning and I've... almost completed Regent's sprite. Just probably a few touch-ups and expressions to do~ 8D
All morning... on just this... OTL
Oh well, achievement met. :3

[Asaena]

Update!

ONE. I think I might actually get some CGs. I asked a friend of mine (Coffeebun @ DA) to help me with the drawings and she's willing to do any non-bishie scenes. XD That means, I'll get a design for Helen (who actually belongs to her) and a few humorous CGs. 8D (LOL. I will be doing the rest.) And I've been talking with another friend (who has ownership of the secret character) about the plot & the secret character's route who I'm so pumped up for. XD

TWO. Another two/three characters possibly pending. The secret character may or may not become secret. I'm currently flowcharting the entire game plot... which comes to a question or two...

THREE. In my mind, right now, the mystery is more about the characters. The heroine and the people she meets and a few (so far small) things surrounding the host club. What I want to do is think of an overarching mystery extending on the place itself. BUT, I'm wondering whether people would like it or not. And if you'd like small bits of info for yourself to piece together upon playing each route, a large 'true ending' or a mix? Just note that it's really one whole night in the game. :3 Oh, and sort of offtopic, I might make prologue stories or something for said romancable endings. That'll be something wayyy later.

FOUR. Sketched designs for Jay & the secret character but got to get working on his sprite after the heroine's herself. :3 Will try and get them babies up by next week.

[Snow Blossom]

What I want to do is think of an overarching mystery extending on the place itself. BUT, I'm wondering whether people would like it or not. And if you'd like small bits of info for yourself to piece together upon playing each route, a large 'true ending' or a mix?

I vote for being able to discover little shreds of information through each route and finally piecing it together yourself - basically, no true path. I like the truth to remain enigmatic. :3

[TakeOverWorld]

What I want to do is think of an overarching mystery extending on the place itself. BUT, I'm wondering whether people would like it or not. And if you'd like small bits of info for yourself to piece together upon playing each route, a large 'true ending' or a mix?

I think, basically what Snow Blossom said.
This sounds like it'll be a great game eitherway

[Asaena]

Awesome~ *O* Thanks so much! That's one less route for me to write and I think it'd be more fun that way myself too. :3 I love games like that as well.

Hopefully I'll find some time to work more on the demo and show it to you all. :3