Songs of Araiah [Remake]

[Fawn]

To be honest I don't really approve of making a good freeware game over again to make profit... Specially if it's going to be basically the same story without any other options. The original game itself is one of the best out of lemmasoft, it doesn't really need to be re-vamped.
I'm not really happy with how commercialized VNs have become in general- there's not much point since they're not that well known, it seems like the only ones that make profit are otome games anyhow.
If you're selling it to pay off the cost of high-res art, that's understandable. But it doesn't seem that that's the case, the original game was fine...

[Crocosquirrel]

I'd have to agree with that sentiment, Fawn. I'm not a huge fan of for-profit VNs without good cause. Paying for one's costs direct or otherwise isn't a Bad Thing, I suppose, but a remake of a game that's already out there for free comes off cheap. Why not put that same effort into a new release and sell that? To me, it makes far more sense.

[Wright1000]

But why did Team BG give him permission to sell this project?

[HikkiPanda]

Maybe because Team BG needs money? In this harsh world, no one can survive without money, not even TeamBG ... . Normally, they will receive royalty from this remake right?

And maybe they also want to see their project remaked with more budget? Kinda like a mangaka who got excited because his/her manga will receive an anime adaptation.

Personally, I support this remake, if it's successful and earn enough money, hopefully the author (TeamBG) will be motivated to create more VNs in the future

[jack_norton]

I remember I contacted the author long time ago (I think even 2 years) asking him if he was interested in working with me but in the end nothing happened, so probably he/they changed their mind. If vNovel does what they did for Flower Shop, isn't the SAME game, but an adaptation of the title, so not identic but with substantial differences. Also is on another platform (iOS). I really don't see anything wrong with it honestly.

[KimiYoriBaka]

putting aside the problems with saying that 2 hours of gameplay makes it worthy of being commercial, I'm not sure the bgs in the trailer are actually an improvement. Sure, they're more detailed and use more vibrant colors, but that doesn't quite equate to better artwork. In this case, I have to wonder how you plan to change the story, as for that kind of color to fit, the story would need to be very different. Also, have you considered the narrative effect of having the backgrounds show more of the rooms (as opposed to using a view from more inside the rooms)?

[mugenjohncel]

Disclaimer: This is just the opinion of one sick and twisted guy with a thick wallet... so it doesn't apply to the rest of the people here in Lemmasoft

Hmm... nice graphics, improvements left and right... commercial?... now before I toss my wallet...

This better have some H scene in it... the original was cut off right before they're about to do it (OK maybe not but c'mon... you got a horny guy and a hot babe with no one around in situations that are perfectly ripe for uh... doing it... that scene is literally screaming DO IT! DO IT! DOOOO IIIIIIIT!... Seriously, that kiss scene... I always feel it in my bones... that something else happened or SHOULD HAPPEN after that hot kiss)... I always felt that the original despite having one of the best reads of all OELVN's could use an H-Scene on that particular scene (the one near the end). I reading that part in the original OELVN right before it goes to the ending part and I was like holding on the edge of the table screaming inside my head

C'MON DUDE, F*CK HER ALREADY!!!

which of course didn't happen...

This is the one single disappointment I have for this otherwise fine OELVN... so I hope this is not just a graphical upgrade... oh OK fine, you can do away the H but at least expand the story a bit...

Oh and that "Red Dot Thing"... It didn't work... I WANT A REFUND!!!

"POOF" (Disappears)

[DrakeNavarone]

For me personally, the Songs of Araiah remake is really more of a tool than a product. Team BG wants to make some big, bold steps in the future, and we wanted to use this port as a guide to decide which roads we should go down. We're not as vocal as some of these other groups who have already broken into the commercial scene, so we really the feedback from this to know if there's genuine interest. But I'm not a big donation person, and feel the need to give back. And what would be better to give back than a revamping of our flagship title?

I'm really proud of this remake. As you've all already seen, the backgrounds are an enormous improvement over the original's. It truly demonstrates that feeling of living in an impossible place -- that magic truly exists. It was easily the biggest blemish on the original. My teammates and I had worked long on this project, so it's really something to see it in a truly polished and complete form. It may be some time way after the fact, but it is a great feeling to see them and be rewarding for all the effort I put in. And it's not just the backgrounds. The sprites Yvanc redid only further highlight Melissa's character to its fullest extent. There are blemishes to Araiah - I'd even say more so than my other works - but Melissa is the heroine who has been with me the most, and I swell with pride and accomplishment that I can do right by her with this definitive version.

To be honest, every reason I have for this remake is selfish. But it isn't about just money. It's about making a better version of something that took a significant chunk of my life to create. It's about me finding my current place in this community so I know where I want to go next. It's about giving Enerccio and Yvanc an Araiah with as few flaws as possible so they can feel good about being attached to this. It's about handing over to vNovel an old work of art of mine, and watching them restore it masterfully where I'm constantly surprised by the results.

And of course, it's about having a mobile version I can brag about to EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE. And I assure you I will do just that, mwuhahahahaha.

[Mink]

Well at least you admit it's selfish! 8D No no, kidding. Sort of. I commend you on being honest enough to say that.

The thing is, though, I'd be worried about falling in to that trap of wanting to remake something every 'X' amount of years.

Disclaimer: This is just the opinion of one sick and twisted guy with a thick wallet... so it doesn't apply to the rest of the people here in Lemmasoft

Hmm... nice graphics, improvements left and right... commercial?... now before I toss my wallet...

This better have some H scene in it... the original was cut off right before they're about to do it (OK maybe not but c'mon... you got a horny guy and a hot babe with no one around in situations that are perfectly ripe for uh... doing it... that scene is literally screaming DO IT! DO IT! DOOOO IIIIIIIT!... Seriously, that kiss scene... I always feel it in my bones... that something else happened or SHOULD HAPPEN after that hot kiss)... I always felt that the original despite having one of the best reads of all OELVN's could use an H-Scene on that particular scene (the one near the end). I reading that part in the original OELVN right before it goes to the ending part and I was like holding on the edge of the table screaming inside my head

C'MON DUDE, F*CK HER ALREADY!!!

which of course didn't happen...

This is the one single disappointment I have for this otherwise fine OELVN... so I hope this is not just a graphical upgrade... oh OK fine, you can do away the H but at least expand the story a bit...

Oh and that "Red Dot Thing"... It didn't work... I WANT A REFUND!!!

"POOF" (Disappears)

But really? Would that really add anything to the story and not just be pandering? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against having sex in stories, but if it adds nothing to it and it's not porn... :/

[Fawn]

@DrakeNavarone You seem to think that it was an awful game or something, which is not true at all xD You could easily port the original to the net on it's own... Instead of trying to make something over, maybe you should make something new... I've tried re-making my old ideas plenty of times, but I realized that my newer ideas are better and more worth the time and effort. I know that won't convince you, I'm just saying.

@Mink Welll... Have you played the game? It's a romance story. Haven't you wanted a good romantic couple to get it in a story on before? Sex is a part of love, and in this case it would be very meaningful. Though it doesn't have to be explicit- There's plenty of games that have sex scenes in them that aren't 18+.

[Mink]

@Mink Welll... Have you played the game? It's a romance story. Haven't you wanted a good romantic couple to get it in a story on before? Sex is a part of love, and in this case it would be very meaningful. Though it doesn't have to be explicit- There's plenty of games that have sex scenes in them that aren't 18+.

I'll admit I have yet to finish it (/fail), and I'm not saying a romance story *shouldn't* have sex, but it's just that to me that Mugen's post implied it should have a sex scene regardless of it adding to the story/making sense. Not saying that's what he meant, necessarily, but that's how it could've been read. Also, I think someone could be in love without having sex. What if a couple is asexual? I kind of am.

Or maybe I'm just embittered over stories that have sex for the sake of having sex, but isn't actually meant to be porn and is just written in an irritating/terrible way. That could always be it. (Actually, I've read something that would've been better off it was just pr0nz)

Er, on topic: Fawn is kind of right remaking the story, though. I mean, anything could always use improvement, especially if you're looking back on in from years ahead. However, it wasn't bad or anything to begin with. It's your decision, though, and I could see why you'd want to try to polish and make is a well done as possible.

Edit: I would like to add I think The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ & Amal is a good example of how to do sex. (NSFW, fyi) You know, to prove I'm really not against it as a whole.

[HikkiPanda]

I totally support your decision to go commercial ^^.

This remake's quality is also a big improvement from the original, it can also support more platform, etc.

If everyone worry that TeamBG will remake this game again and again every X year ... well, they haven't done it right? It's wrong to assume that they will go to that route just because they decide to remake one of their game ...

.. it's like saying "Puella Magi Madoka Magica should not have a second season, because it definitely won't be as good as the original and ruin show."

And in some rare case, remaking stuff again and again is not always lead to bad stuff. Take a look at Evangelion, just compare the TV series, The OVAs, the manga, and Evangelion Rebuild.

I'm new in this VNs stuff .. but in my newbie opinion, If you want VN to grow, you need people who is professional at making VN. Hobbyst just won't do, they only make VN when they have free time/on the right mood, not many good artist will want to work and stick to the end for free work. When these hobbyst grow up, have a family, etc .. they probably won't make VNs anymore. (i know there some hobbyst who is a real anomaly ... like babyfish, saint_bomber, etc, but they're rare I think)

If you want VN to grow, you should support this commercial VNs, if they don't create enough money ... . the developer probably going to quit and look for another job/or back to making VNs only in their spare time ... which is bad for VN community I think.

This logic is famous in the otaku community, "please support the developer so they can deliver more quality work!"

[jakemorrow]

I agree with HikkiPanda. Their latest post makes it pretty clear why it's commercial. As long as the original game's still around, I see no harm in remaking it to look and feel better, and using the money earned to support Team BG's next project. It makes sense, and I look forward to the next story.

[DaFool]

It's about me finding my current place in this community so I know where I want to go next.

That's exactly my feeling as well. Though I would have preferred you went with an original, new story instead of a remake (you know me as generally disliking the philosophy of remakes -- since the limited resources/circumstances of the time contribute to an original work's appeal)

[Enerccio]

It's about me finding my current place in this community so I know where I want to go next.

That's exactly my feeling as well. Though I would have preferred you went with an original, new story instead of a remake (you know me as generally disliking the philosophy of remakes -- since the limited resources/circumstances of the time contribute to an original work's appeal)

All due in time, all due in time, who knows what future will bring.