Title: OTChi Kocchi.
Theme: Dithering kills; figuratively and literally.
Style: First person protagonist; male.
Plot: At the end of his second year in college, Shirou Atazuki's life is at a dead end. Never having made a tough decision, he's just been skating by in life. Now, with his grades foundering and his girlfriend gone, due to his indecisiveness, he meekly follows a counselor's suggestion to take a part-time job in the Pharmacy Department at the attached Teaching Hospital. There, he meets his new colleagues and has a chance to change his world beyond anything he could imagine... the choice is his.
Splash Screen
Rimu. Oldest and Best Friend. Wanna-be mangaka.
Atti. Single mom. Relentless, but troubled.
Aoi. Everyone's genki-girl... and maybe more.
Aris. Tall. Mysterious. Stop reading my mind!
An example of our internal text-with-direction would be this excerpt from Scene 7:
Production Notes:Rimu: "Ummm, sorry, Shirou... but I knew you'd be starting today, and we'd not see each other for a while and Iwasjustreallyhappy...." Her voice trails off as Aris says...
Aris: "That's right. Rimu had told us some days ago that you two have know each other for years." She looks at Rimu. "Your feelings are obvious. [Rimu's face goes scarlet].[Aris turns to Shirou] "What are your feelings?"
Shirou: "Wha...? Me? Well...
1. "...I've missed you, Rimu." +1;
2. "...it's OK to see you again, I guess." Rimu -1
Aris: "I see."
Shirou: She does?
Aris: "We did come out here for a short break, Shirou. Shall Rimu join us as we get something to drink?"
Shirou: "That'd be great. Rimu?"
Rimu: "I'd love to! There's a drink machine right over there. Oh! Let me go get my sketchbook first!" She moves back to the fountain then rejoins us.
Shirou: Her sketchbook? "Are you still trying to become a professional mangaka, Rimu? I thought your family made you give that idea up?" I know that here father was mad as hell about the whole idea.
Rimu [pissed look]: "Humph! That old man doesn’t know what he's talking about. OK, I came to the dang college because it was close to home, but that's just so I’ve a free place to stay. My money from this job and all my time is drawing and writing! [proud/smug look] You know, I'm in two circles now? I might even make it to Comiket next year!"
Shirou: "Really? That's great then." And for more than one reason. Three years of listening to her in high school about 'going to Comiket....' Maybe now she'll shut up about it.
Aris: "Doubtful."
Shirou: Huh? What?
[pan 90deg left; drink machine scene]
Aris: "The selection today looks a bit doubtful. I wonder when this is serviced. They should take care of their machines." Even so, she feeds in some coins and retrieves a can of something.
Rimu: "What did you get today, Aris?"
Aris [dour]: "It's blue."
Rimu: "...oh. I'll get a black tea then. What would you like, Shirou?"
Shirou: "I guess an iced coffee, thanks." I start to pull come coins out of my pocket, but Rimu suddenly hands me a can.
Rimu [full cute]: "My treat. It's nice to see you again! And to be working with you!"
Act I consists of thirty scenes. There are several decision points and multiple plot paths.
Act I is scheduled for release on January 4, 2013.
Act I is free; no charge to the user.
The complete game will have between 12 and 20 more Acts; 3-5 Acts once a particular girl is selected as your focus.
The complete game will be finished in late 2013 (fingers crossed!)
The complete game is a commercial venture and will be sold.
We are also planning a host of product tie-ins. There are four "Prequel" mangas that are already written with the artwork 40% complete, we have several other merchandizing ideas, as well.
We are currently working with the RenPy engine.
Questions:
We seem to have a basic hold on things like story and art. Learning to code is a bother, but we're slogging away at it. Are there any tricks to be learned there?
At what point should playtesters be brought into the fold?
According to my artist, at over 24,000 words for just Act I, I need to learn to shut the hell up. Hey, 24k was after editing! But he may have a point. What's the threshold for "too talky?"
We look forward to hearing from you and posting more!
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