LOVE! Cast [B/GxG][Romance][Slight Comedy]

[frybrows]

Please consider answering some of the questions I have listed at the bottom of this post!!

*placeholder logo

Introduction

LOVE! Cast is a simple, light-hearted dating sim! The game features a nameable protagonist, with the selection of three gender pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them). There are four possible love interests, all of which are female, with several endings each. Go about your day and raise your skills and love points with the girls!

Synopsis

Many years in the future, humans begin to evolve. All over the world, children are being born with the ability to alter their surroundings unlike anything seen before. Humans have finally developed the ability to use magic, as they always told of in fairy tales! Children born with these abilities are known by many names throughout society- magicians, mages, the "gifted"- but the most popular term, even for males, is "witches". Witches have become increasingly common, resulting in entire schools dedicated to their training and education.

Amongst witches, there are many different types of magic- some witches have very strong aptitudes for very specific kinds, granting them stronger abilities than most (though they usually fail in other areas), and some witches have what they call a "general" sense of magic. General witches have no one particular magical strength, but can instead become a sort of jack-of-all-trades.

The protagonist is a general witch, and what they call a late bloomer- a young person whose magical abilities were not discovered until later in their life. At the age of 17, the protagonist is shipped of to an esteemed boarding school for young witches just like them. The school was founded around the time of the first witches, and is known as the Lakeside Academy for Gifted Youth. It is here that they will begin to learn about just what they can do, and possibly find love in the process...

Love Interests

Gameplay Overview

Gameplay in LOVE! Cast will feature a day-to-day routine that the player runs through. The day begins at 7:00 am, and will run to approximately 6:00 pm. The player will have this time each day to explore the school, take classes, and interact with other characters. Each action will take half an hour (unless scripted to be a special event), leaving room for 22 actions in each day.

Taking classes allows the player to raise their skill level in several different aptitudes. These skills, while not necessarily mandatory, will be crucial in being able to trigger certain events with the girls. These events are great opportunities to develop a connection and learn more about the girls, so building skills is important to get the best experience possible out of the game!

Interacting with the characters is what builds your romantic bond with them. You can start simple conversation with the girls, perform tricks for them, or even ask them questions about themselves! Once you become close enough to the girls, ask them to be your girlfriend and take them out on special dates!

22 actions may seem like a lot, but between romancing the girl of your choice and raising your skill levels, it may take a little longer than expected to raise their love points to the highest level for the best ending. Can you balance your time right?

Progress

Story: 60%
Introduction/basic storylines all plotted out. Specific character events to be planned.
Script: 10%
Introduction is almost done! Conversations and events with specific characters to be written.
Sprites:
"11+" means there might be more added in future.

• -Estelle: 11/11+
  -Rosary: 7/7+
  -Aria: 1/?
  -Luna: 1/?

BGs: 4/?
CGs: .5/12+
BGMs: ?/?
Music is always something I'm on the lookout for. I've found some really good music in the creative commons, but I am always looking for more!

Screenshot Previews:

Questions

One of the most important parts of building a visual novel is feedback! I want to make this game the best it can be for my first release, so I'd really appreciate having your feedback!

• 1. How do you feel about the concepts so far? Is there anything that needs more detail?
  
  2. Which of the girls is your favourite? Why (personality, appearance)?
  
  3. What skills should the protagonist be able to develop, and what do you think the protagonist should be able to study? Consider basic skills (logic, creativity) and magical skills (levitation, healing, connections with animals, etc).
  
  4. Any comments/critiques on the art posted so far?
  
  5. Anything else you'd like to bring up? (optional)

-updated June 30th, 2015 (added questions and gameplay overview)

[Michalina]

Magical schoolgirls? Woah, this really looks good! <3
I adore the story and the characters-especially Estelle (love her hair), but all of them look interesting and unique.
The art is also really cute plus bonus points for original backgrounds.
I'll be definetly keeping my eye on this. Good luck!

[frybrows]

Magical schoolgirls? Woah, this really looks good! <3
I adore the story and the characters-especially Estelle (love her hair), but all of them look interesting and unique.
The art is also really cute plus bonus points for original backgrounds.
I'll be definetly keeping my eye on this. Good luck!

Ahh, thank you so much! I'm glad that the art looks appealing, I was incredibly worried that nobody would really care for it (I have a very warped perception of my own art sometimes, so I'm never sure if something is as good as I think it is). I'm trying to keep as many things original as possible! Thank you for your comments <3

[Smudgeed]

This game looks very neat! The art and design of it is very cute. I have to say I like how Estelle looks in the game, her blue works really well with the pink and I get this cotton candy vibe and it makes me very happy. I think you've got a good concept here and I'll be looking forward to more updates from you.

I'm a bit curious as to how stat-raising works in this game. Will it be a simple pick what class to go to kind of thing? Like attend art class, raise your art skill? And I'm also curious as to what effect raising stats has on this game. Will it effect how much the characters like you?

Good luck on this project! Also, fellow Canadian hey

[frybrows]

This game looks very neat! The art and design of it is very cute. I have to say I like how Estelle looks in the game, her blue works really well with the pink and I get this cotton candy vibe and it makes me very happy. I think you've got a good concept here and I'll be looking forward to more updates from you.

I'm a bit curious as to how stat-raising works in this game. Will it be a simple pick what class to go to kind of thing? Like attend art class, raise your art skill? And I'm also curious as to what effect raising stats has on this game. Will it effect how much the characters like you?

Good luck on this project! Also, fellow Canadian hey

Thank you so much!! I lurked around these forums quite a bit before posting, and I actually remember seeing you around, so I'm super flattered that you like the concept of my game. Everyone I know picks Estelle as their favourite, so I think I already know who's going to be the most popular upon released (not that I'm any better, she's my favourite too. welp).

The stats outside of love points and the particular classes aren't quite decided yet, but I have a specific way I want the system to work. The stats will mostly evolve around kinds of magic (seeing as the player character doesn't have a specific skill), much like the specific kinds of magic each of the girls has. One will be able to become better at, say, healing or shape-shifting or illusion, and these skills will influence the events that you are capable of triggering in game (ie you may have enough love points with Rosary to trigger a special event with her, but you haven't reached the required skill level in, say, animal studies, so the event won't trigger yet). Increasing the same magic skills as one of the girls will also add some love points (though not a lot). I want it to work this way so it's a little trickier to balance your time so a player can't just spam the girl they want and finish with the best ending easily!

and yeaaaah Canadian buddy ;3

[Googaboga]

Seems very cute. I like witches. Though I'm especially happy you plan on making it a stat raiser. That's pretty uncommon actually, at least when it comes to English made games.

Also, people seem to have an easier time giving feedback if you give them a little more direction in the type of feedback you're looking for. Like adding questions somewhere in the thread that people can answer if they want (which girl is your favorite, do you like the premise, any other questions/comment, etc).

Good luck :].

[frybrows]

I had hoped to get a lot of work done today, but unfortunately I got called into work last minute, so I won't be able to get as much done as I had planned. I did get some more expressions done for Rosary's sprites last night, though, and have began to work on the first CG of Estelle. I hope to be able to update the thread with some new art later tonight or some time tomorrow!

Seems very cute. I like witches. Though I'm especially happy you plan on making it a stat raiser. That's pretty uncommon actually, at least when it comes to English made games.

Also, people seem to have an easier time giving feedback if you give them a little more direction in the type of feedback you're looking for. Like adding questions somewhere in the thread that people can answer if they want (which girl is your favorite, do you like the premise, any other questions/comment, etc).

Good luck :].

Thank you very much! I'm glad that the stat raising will be an enticing feature! I was afraid that it would scare people off because the game won't be as easy as spamming the girl of choice with affection.

As far as questions go, that's a very good idea! I'd seen a lot of threads with questions to answer listed, but those were mostly threads that had released some form of a demo. I'll be certain to put a few simple questions up asap! Thank you for your input, it's much appreciated!

[Smudgeed]

Thank you so much!! I lurked around these forums quite a bit before posting, and I actually remember seeing you around, so I'm super flattered that you like the concept of my game. Everyone I know picks Estelle as their favourite, so I think I already know who's going to be the most popular upon released (not that I'm any better, she's my favourite too. welp).

The stats outside of love points and the particular classes aren't quite decided yet, but I have a specific way I want the system to work. The stats will mostly evolve around kinds of magic (seeing as the player character doesn't have a specific skill), much like the specific kinds of magic each of the girls has. One will be able to become better at, say, healing or shape-shifting or illusion, and these skills will influence the events that you are capable of triggering in game (ie you may have enough love points with Rosary to trigger a special event with her, but you haven't reached the required skill level in, say, animal studies, so the event won't trigger yet). Increasing the same magic skills as one of the girls will also add some love points (though not a lot). I want it to work this way so it's a little trickier to balance your time so a player can't just spam the girl they want and finish with the best ending easily!

and yeaaaah Canadian buddy ;3

Oh, I'm flattered you remembered seeing me around! haha, Estelle is pretty great so I can see why.

Oooh, that's a very interesting way of doing it, I think it will work well! Have you considered putting in some events/days in the game that can be failed? Like if there were a school shape-shifting race and my shape-shifting skills are too low so I finish last, or likewise, my shape-shifting ability is very high so I win the race. And then having something like that effect love points or get different scenes? I don't know if you've thought of that or not but I think it might be interesting to see something like that in your game too. Again to make sure people balance their time.

And you've added questions! Let me answer them :3

1. How do you feel about the concepts so far? Is there anything that needs more detail?
I like the concepts, I like the premise of the game so far. Once you plan more of the game, I'd like to see that too! Right now it's hard to say what needs more detail because it's all still in progress.

2. Which of the girls is your favourite? Why (personality, appearance)?
I like all the personalities you have up though my favourite, personality-wise, would have to be Aria. I always really like seeing characters warm up to each other. I like Estelle a lot appearance-wise, I talked about this before too. I like Estelle's personality too. AAHHH don't make me pick. It's too hard to pick. Everyone is too cute.

3. What skills should the protagonist be able to develop, and what do you think the protagonist should be able to study? Consider basic skills (logic, creativity) and magical skills (levitation, healing, connections with animals, etc).
I think this depends on how you plan this out, I want everything to work and to have a purpose in the game. I don't want there to be a skill that I build up for no reason, I mean. So If I build up my creativity skill, I'd like that to have an effect in game that I can see. Again this depends on how you're planning this game, I was thinking it might be nice to be evil and have some evil skills but I don't know how that'll work in your game. I just really like the idea that you can be evil in a game haha :') What you have listed as examples sounds really nice! I'll just throw out humour, charisma as some basic skills and elemental magic, hexes (curses and what not, maybe something like divination?) as magical skills.


4. Any comments/critiques on the art posted so far?
Your art is very cute and it works very well in the screenshots you've posted! And as far as critiques go... Well, I'm not much of an artist myself, and your art style is very different from what I do, but I'd say watch your necks and shoulders, I don't think they don't fit well with how small the frame of your character's are. Oh, and I really like the way you've coloured the hair! Looks very neat

5. Anything else you'd like to bring up? (optional)
I just noticed that heart meter at the side of your screenshots, is that how you gauge how much the girl likes you

[frybrows]

Oh, I'm flattered you remembered seeing me around! haha, Estelle is pretty great so I can see why.

Oooh, that's a very interesting way of doing it, I think it will work well! Have you considered putting in some events/days in the game that can be failed? Like if there were a school shape-shifting race and my shape-shifting skills are too low so I finish last, or likewise, my shape-shifting ability is very high so I win the race. And then having something like that effect love points or get different scenes? I don't know if you've thought of that or not but I think it might be interesting to see something like that in your game too. Again to make sure people balance their time.

And you've added questions! Let me answer them :3

1. How do you feel about the concepts so far? Is there anything that needs more detail?
I like the concepts, I like the premise of the game so far. Once you plan more of the game, I'd like to see that too! Right now it's hard to say what needs more detail because it's all still in progress.

2. Which of the girls is your favourite? Why (personality, appearance)?
I like all the personalities you have up though my favourite, personality-wise, would have to be Aria. I always really like seeing characters warm up to each other. I like Estelle a lot appearance-wise, I talked about this before too. I like Estelle's personality too. AAHHH don't make me pick. It's too hard to pick. Everyone is too cute.

3. What skills should the protagonist be able to develop, and what do you think the protagonist should be able to study? Consider basic skills (logic, creativity) and magical skills (levitation, healing, connections with animals, etc).
I think this depends on how you plan this out, I want everything to work and to have a purpose in the game. I don't want there to be a skill that I build up for no reason, I mean. So If I build up my creativity skill, I'd like that to have an effect in game that I can see. Again this depends on how you're planning this game, I was thinking it might be nice to be evil and have some evil skills but I don't know how that'll work in your game. I just really like the idea that you can be evil in a game haha :') What you have listed as examples sounds really nice! I'll just throw out humour, charisma as some basic skills and elemental magic, hexes (curses and what not, maybe something like divination?) as magical skills.


4. Any comments/critiques on the art posted so far?
Your art is very cute and it works very well in the screenshots you've posted! And as far as critiques go... Well, I'm not much of an artist myself, and your art style is very different from what I do, but I'd say watch your necks and shoulders, I don't think they don't fit well with how small the frame of your character's are. Oh, and I really like the way you've coloured the hair! Looks very neat

5. Anything else you'd like to bring up? (optional)
I just noticed that heart meter at the side of your screenshots, is that how you gauge how much the girl likes you

Thank you so much for answering the questions, it's very helpful!!

Those skills are really good! I hadn't even considered humour or hexes! For elemental magic, I kind of have something going for that. "Fire" is the manipulation of heat, so it technically doubles as ice, too, "water" would be the control of the shape and state of matter of liquids, and "earth" would probably be just... altering the elements found in the ground and shifting them around?? I want it to be a bit more specific and not have so much of a last-airbender-y feel to it, if that makes sense.

Thanks for the advice on the art!! I've had a life long history of wonky shoulders and mile long necks. I always mess up the sizing of heads, so sometimes the "shoulders are as broad as three heads" thing doesn't work out so well. I'll probably edit (or even redo) some (or all) of the sprites eventually, it depends on how satisfied I can stay with them (usually not very). I've changed my hair methods a lot over time, I'm really glad that this style seems to be working well!

And yes, those are the love point gauges! You get to see it go up little by little~

[Smudgeed]

Thank you so much for answering the questions, it's very helpful!!

Those skills are really good! I hadn't even considered humour or hexes! For elemental magic, I kind of have something going for that. "Fire" is the manipulation of heat, so it technically doubles as ice, too, "water" would be the control of the shape and state of matter of liquids, and "earth" would probably be just... altering the elements found in the ground and shifting them around?? I want it to be a bit more specific and not have so much of a last-airbender-y feel to it, if that makes sense.

Thanks for the advice on the art!! I've had a life long history of wonky shoulders and mile long necks. I always mess up the sizing of heads, so sometimes the "shoulders are as broad as three heads" thing doesn't work out so well. I'll probably edit (or even redo) some (or all) of the sprites eventually, it depends on how satisfied I can stay with them (usually not very). I've changed my hair methods a lot over time, I'm really glad that this style seems to be working well!

And yes, those are the love point gauges! You get to see it go up little by little~

I'm glad it's helpful!

Love Cast: The Last Airbender. Can you master all three elements AND win over the girl AND pass your exams? *cue music*

In seriousness, I think those descriptions work for the elements. They are very broad, and are much better than the fire-controls-fire, water-controls-water system that almost everything else uses. I don't think they sound last-airbender-y at all! Mostly because in the show it was that system where fire as an element meant you controlled fire. What you have (the fire meaning you control "heat") is something I haven't seen before. I know this is your general idea of it, but already I think it sounds nice!

Ah, I do that with my art too. But some advice I can give on this is that it might be better to make all the sprites first and then edit them as you see fit! You can always release a sort of art-update for the game once it's out so you're not spending years redoing the art over and over and never finishing the writing. Or at least that's what I plan on doing for my game haha, whatever works for you is good! I just don't want you to worry too much! With what you have, I know that the game will still be very enjoyable.

Oh and I noticed you commented on my game hey and Happy Canada day! Well, it's not Canada Day yet but in a few hours anyway

[frybrows]

I'm glad it's helpful!

Love Cast: The Last Airbender. Can you master all three elements AND win over the girl AND pass your exams? *cue music*

In seriousness, I think those descriptions work for the elements. They are very broad, and are much better than the fire-controls-fire, water-controls-water system that almost everything else uses. I don't think they sound last-airbender-y at all! Mostly because in the show it was that system where fire as an element meant you controlled fire. What you have (the fire meaning you control "heat") is something I haven't seen before. I know this is your general idea of it, but already I think it sounds nice!

Ah, I do that with my art too. But some advice I can give on this is that it might be better to make all the sprites first and then edit them as you see fit! You can always release a sort of art-update for the game once it's out so you're not spending years redoing the art over and over and never finishing the writing. Or at least that's what I plan on doing for my game haha, whatever works for you is good! I just don't want you to worry too much! With what you have, I know that the game will still be very enjoyable.

Oh and I noticed you commented on my game hey and Happy Canada day! Well, it's not Canada Day yet but in a few hours anyway

Sorry for the late reply! I ended up going out with a couple people for Canada day (so happy late celebrations to you, too!!).

The airbender joke is A+. Maybe that could be the spinoff. ;p But in all seriousness, I'm glad that the elements system I have thought up doesn't sound stupid.

And yeah, I've already edited some of them a little! I'll probably redo all of Luna's, as it will be easier than trying to edit the whole thing.

I always like to return the favour and give a little feedback when possible!

[frybrows]

Update!!

First CG is finished, and ready to be shared with the world. :) Behold... The player's first encounter with Estelle!


I really want some feedback on how you think this looks, so ALL critique is welcome!

(Bonus, first draft I started at 2 am on Monday... Laughably bad)

[MimirollCookie]

Seems like a cute game!
I'll be rooting for you!!

[frybrows]

Sorry for the inactivity guys! I've had a lot going on with my social life and work. I've also been avoiding my laptop like the plague, as it's in a pretty sorry state. Hopefully production will resume soon and I can have some sort of beta out for you guys!

Seems like a cute game!
I'll be rooting for you!!

Thank you <3

[neuropsy]

1. How do you feel about the concepts so far? Is there anything that needs more detail?
Although the premise itself could be viewed as overdone (though I love these sort of premises, personally), it's execution that matters the most--and, at least for me, I get the feeling that you'll do a fine job in crafting a fun, memorable story. There's a lot to be explored with the concept of a school for magic, and I'm eager to see what you'll do with it!

2. Which of the girls is your favourite? Why (personality, appearance)?
Estelle. She seems like a sweetheart, and her design is so cute. She looks just so precious in that first CG! I'm also someone who tends to be withdrawn, and then I'll pretty much spill my life story once I'm comfortable.

3. What skills should the protagonist be able to develop, and what do you think the protagonist should be able to study? Consider basic skills (logic, creativity) and magical skills (levitation, healing, connections with animals, etc).
I'm actually not too much of a fan of stat-raisers, but this game looks so adorable that I think I'll make an exception. I wouldn't be of much help with this question, sorry. ;w;

4. Any comments/critiques on the art posted so far?
It's so bright and cute! The art style definitely played a role in my interest.

5. Anything else you'd like to bring up? (optional)
I'm rooting for you! I look forward to the release and a possible demo. I probably would need a walkthrough or something though since I'm pretty bad at stat-raising. xD