Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

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Jintoki
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Completed: Thanatos Contract: Episode I-III, XenoComi 1-4, KOS-MOS: Project Love
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Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

#1 Post by Jintoki » Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:29 pm

Hello.

For well over a year, I've been working on Ren'Py while using the Lemma Forum as a place to go to for help. I was able to finish my first game, a semi-dating sim based on the game Xenosaga, with all of your help. For that, I thank all of you, even though this is the first time I've directly commented on the board.

Anyway...I'm currently working on a current project with a friend of mine. The title of the game is Thanatos Contract, a planned episodic series.

Image

The story revolves around Virgil, a teenager who survived a tragic car crash that claimed his father's life and put his twin brother in a coma. To cope with this and his mother's increased drinking habits, Virgil logs on to a message board called Shiniablo, a place for destitute individuals. This is where he talks with his only friends, Mistress Eternity and AnimeFan21. Eight months after the accident, Mistress Eternity asks for the three to meet up in the real world. What does she have planned? Will they all still be able to maintain their friendship in the real world? The story becomes much darker than the three originally thought...

Image

The game features a world map of Virgil's hometown to explore along with an email system. The email system has a sort of side quest with it, which, if you find all of the emails scattered throughout the world map throughout the game, you can unlock an extra mode...Also, there is planned to be an art gallery (which I haven't fully programmed yet).

The script for episode I is 98% finished (the ending keeps bugging me, so I keep changing it >_>). I'm currently tracking down music to use (I've been using the Newgrounds Audio Portal...heh) and changing some of the interfaces (I'm still not the greatest at coding, but I'm trying). The artwork isn't 100% completed, but I'm waiting on the artist to get done with the other characters.

For more details, you can go to the website here: http://thanatoscontract.godsibb.net/

Any criticism would be greatly appreciated. I apologize if that was way too much to read.

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Re: Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

#2 Post by Jonarific » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:11 am

It looked like a normal visual novel game until I went to the website and saw the map. I'm guessing it''ll have elements of a flash-rpg later on?
he story sounds fascinating, I really, really, really want to know what the "dark twist is" or even what happens at all when they try to meet up, why they meet up, etc etc. The whole idea seems interesting too and not a generic dating-sim type thing. I'm not putting down dating sims, but I prefer a deeper plot, and I think Thanatos Contract is going for something deeper than a dating sim.

I've really been hooked... I want to know, is there something supernatural that's about to happen? Is there some awful reason dominique wants to leave where she is? or is it just a simple story about two friends from the internet meeting up and trying to get along?

The preview video you made is awesome, I really, really want to see more of this project. Also, the Konami code thing gave me good laugh.

As for criticism... I'm not sure what to say, your story sounds good? There isn't much to criticize from the forum post / website alone. The art from the youtube video seems to fit the overall theme of "dark/depressing." As well, if your artist plans on using the same style from the picture you posted, the background editing you do really compliments your artist.

I would [absolutely] love to read a bit [or all of] of your script and give further critique on the writing if you like. I'm a writer myself, so I think I could offer better critique in that area.

Look forward to seeing this complete, hopefully others will feel the same.

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Jintoki
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Completed: Thanatos Contract: Episode I-III, XenoComi 1-4, KOS-MOS: Project Love
Projects: XenoComi (English)
Organization: Endless Finale Productions
Location: ???
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Re: Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

#3 Post by Jintoki » Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:16 pm

Thank you very much for the response!

Well, as far as interactivity goes, the map and email system might be as far as I go, though that could change. However, that map is ugly as heck because I drew it myself. XD I have to improve the buttons too, because they also look ugly...

And I would love to have someone look over my script! I always feel like I'm burdening my artist too much, so I could always need another set of eyes to look over the script. In what fashion would you like me to send you the script (Word Document, the actual code file, etc.)? Thanks for offering your assistance!

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Jintoki
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Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:19 pm
Completed: Thanatos Contract: Episode I-III, XenoComi 1-4, KOS-MOS: Project Love
Projects: XenoComi (English)
Organization: Endless Finale Productions
Location: ???
Contact:

Re: Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

#4 Post by Jintoki » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:31 pm

I created a trailer for the one year anniversary that we started the project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUEMsE8VfnU

We're trying to aim for a June release of episode I, if possible. If there's anything anyone would like to point out (like how fugly the extras screen is), please do.

Also, question. For the extras menu, when I click on the return button, instead of the main menu it goes directly to the beginning of the visual novel. In the code I have "return" written in, so I don't know why it's not going back to the main menu. Could someone please tell me what stupid mistake I'm making? If I'm not mistaken, this is the code, sans the indents:
label extras_return:
$ show_button_game_menu = True
return

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Jintoki
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Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:19 pm
Completed: Thanatos Contract: Episode I-III, XenoComi 1-4, KOS-MOS: Project Love
Projects: XenoComi (English)
Organization: Endless Finale Productions
Location: ???
Contact:

Re: Thanatos Contract - An Episodic Visual Novel

#5 Post by Jintoki » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:46 pm

Trailer for Episode II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mqu6wRHT0I

I had originally intended the second episode to be out by August, but it's obviously September now. I worked with three editors this time, so I'm trying to make the second episode be much better written. The script is done, but I have to go through one last editor's critique and I'll be truly done with it. After that, though, I have to wait for the artist to get done, but she can quite busy with her job and what not.

I can't guarantee when it'll be done, but you can keep up-to-date with the latest news here: http://www.thanatoscontract.godsibb.net/

You can also give the first episode a try there, if you haven't already. I'd love to hear some feedback! :)

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