Deeplake - Demo v 1.3 Released! 22/09/07

[Septimus]

Here's another progress report. I've been adding extra parts to Ruri's route, merging it with another character's. So far, I'm almost halfway through chapter 2. This is actually working out quite well for the story, I'm hoping that it will make the experience better overall, as well as cutting down on production time. My target for the next update is to have chapter 2 completely finished for both of the routes.

[monele]

*raises arms...... breathes in.......*
"Whoo! "

Now, where are all the people who were here a few posts ago? ... Has anyone tried the original demo? Moo~... *feels lonely*

[Septimus]

Progress is continuing, steadily but surely. My plan for combining routes actually isn't making much difference for this one. It branches so many times that they're almost like seperate routes anyway. They're still fundamentally linked though, so it hasn't been a waste. This way there'll be two routes out at once instead of just one.

I'm also developing the world that this story takes place in. With any luck, once Deeplake is finally completed, I'll be able to begin a new project set in the same universe but in a different part of the world. If I do then it certainly won't be as ambitious as Deeplake; I've learnt from that mistake.

Please continue to keep an eye on this space!

[monele]

Deeplake *is* ambitious, but you've still made more with it than most people with such huge projects ^^. The demo is pretty much a game of its own when it comes to content.

[Septimus]

Thanks monele... At least I can always rely on you for support ...

[monele]

Eh, you're welcome ^^;... You know, I really want to find other players to share my love of the game with, too. Actually, the last outburst of interest came from the drawing post. And it was the same at the beginning : posting of backgrounds and CG events. Now that I know the game, I don't need these anymore, but I'm usually also very keen on visuals, so I see why it'd bring people.
But there's also a demo... yet it doesn't seem like anyone tried it (or, god forbid, they didn't like it enough to comment ._.). I know a lot of people here are scared of demos. The "unfinished" aspect usually means "incomplete experience". As I just said, I think the demo is big enough to make it fulfilling on its own, but people who, for example, can't stand watching TV series seasons because things are left unresolved... won't be liking such a demo either I suppose :/. The problem is that you can't be expected to wait until you've written all the paths to receive comments ^^;...
Maybe things will move once you release the new full path? I hope at least for that ô_o...

[Vatina]

I'm one of the people scared of demos. Some time ago I decided to download it though, and see if I couldn't squeeze some time in to play it, and give the feedback you hope for. Uh.... unfortunately that hasn't happened yet :S

Here is a bit of what I thought for the short bit I played through:
I really like the use of motion and pictures so far. I mean such as the knocking on the door, the thought bubbles and the sweatdrops. Especially the "profit" bubble made me smile every time it came up, accompanied by his thoughts That the characters move forward when speaking is also a neat idea.
The characters also seems interesting from the very little I have seen so far. The Nun suprised me - I like her a lot more than I thought I would.

So yeah. That's it so far ^^; I'll try and make time to properly play through the rest of the demo soon. I can't comment much on the story itself yet.

[Septimus]

Thanks for the comments Vatina, at this point I'm happy for any feedback from a new face. It's a little something to give me confidence that I'm not writing this multi-route monster script just for nobody to read it in the end. If there's anybody else who's tried the demo, even if you haven't yet completed it, I'd welcome your comments.

[monele]

The Nun suprised me - I like her a lot more than I thought I would.

I think it's the strength of this work. This happened to me for *all* the characters (at least the "gettable" ones ).

[bloodywyvern]

*walks in looking for cookies* Hm, where the hell did I- Oh look a demo game. When did this get here? I must have spaced out for awhile there...

Ahem, while I have not gotten through it all (er, actually probably not even 25%) I'll give my first impressions.

Story- From what I've seen so far it's pretty good though honestly I haven't seen enough of it to really get involved or even have a firm opinion on the matter. It's written well is about the only thing I can say.

Music- Eh, really this is the part I have the east appreciation for. I don't really find the music all the appealing...I kinda just turned it off and played my own after awhile. It wasn't exactly bad, just not catchy.

Art- I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I don't really like the style itself. I'm not talking the artists work or anything, just the -type- of art that it is. However it has a bit of a unique side to it that really makes me love it at times and forgot my whole bias in terms of techniques xD. The backgrounds impress me the most and really stand out.

Effects- My favorite part There really is a lot of activity that goes on that keeps your eyes moving and looking to see, it's a very nice and welcome choice.

Again, I haven't played much since I tend to shy away from playing any sort of games lately for long periods of time. Unless you count emulating old SNES games >.> addictive buggers.

Right, well that's off topic. The only thing other than the above that I have to say is...while I do love the ambition you have to write this gigantic multi-route, multi-choice, pretty much multi-multi script...and I'm sure you can do it...I don't know if it quite needs it. It's only a personal look on it, but a length of the size you seem to be shooting for seems a bit pointless. However, I look forward to seeing the finished product nonetheless.

Great job~ Keep your spirits up!

[Sapphire Dragon]

Would the redone picture on the previous page sway your opinion of the style at all or is that just a more cleaned version of the style you dont like?

[tyrantus]

but a length of the size you seem to be shooting for seems a bit pointless

Not that i normally like to be pick, but i gotta ask how?
how can aiming for a long story assuming you can come up with an good enough plot be pointless? as far as i know all the longer stories assuming they can keep people goin are remebered as being some of the best.

in my eyes assuming you can keep it interesting it doesnt matter how long it is and to say going for a lengthy story is pointless is sounds stupid. because after all, theres never anything wrong with someone trying to be ambisious

[bloodywyvern]

Would the redone picture on the previous page sway your opinion of the style at all or is that just a more cleaned version of the style you dont like?

Hm basically it's a cleaner version of the style I don't like. Mostly it's the coloring style I have a problem with. BUT, as I said, the way it's done and put together makes me love it even if temporary. That's saying something.

but a length of the size you seem to be shooting for seems a bit pointless

Not that i normally like to be pick, but i gotta ask how?
how can aiming for a long story assuming you can come up with an good enough plot be pointless? as far as i know all the longer stories assuming they can keep people goin are remebered as being some of the best.

in my eyes assuming you can keep it interesting it doesnt matter how long it is and to say going for a lengthy story is pointless is sounds stupid. because after all, theres never anything wrong with someone trying to be ambisious

Of course not. Ambition is a necessity for game makers Hm, it's not that I don't think a long story can be one of the best...it's just the plot behind this story strikes me as something I'd prefer to be shorter. I don't know what about it exactly, but I can't see my enjoyment increasing because of the length. Mostly it's personal preference, as normally this type of story is not my cup of tea. I enjoyed what I've gone through so far, just...I doubt the idea I'd want it to be super long.

I'm happy they are going so far with the story, the fan community needs bigger games. It was just a personal opinion on the matter that I don't expect anyone to take all that seriously

On another note, another reason for mentioning it is because of the amount of time being put in to the project. There shouldn't be any conceivable reason for a game to take this long to be put together in to something at least resembling a completed game. No offense really, I can tell TONS of work has gone in to it...but...when your ambitious it's also key to realize that ambition. That means reaching an END. Most of the reason people don't seem to be paying too much attention to the game, other than a few key people, seems to be because of the time. All of their enthusiasm built up and than drained away. Basically they are most likely just waiting around till it's done.

[Septimus]

Hehe... 'This type of story' is it? Perhaps it won't turn out to be the kind of story you're expecting...

[bloodywyvern]

Hehe... 'This type of story' is it? Perhaps it won't turn out to be the kind of story you're expecting...

Ah, well you never do know with WIP. But, how could I know without something to change it xD