Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][COMPLETE][FREE]

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takanohiro
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Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][COMPLETE][FREE]

#1 Post by takanohiro »

Image

[Genres]: Fantasy, Romance
[Themes]: LGBT+, magic, secret organizations

[Synopsis]:
Quentin “Q” Hawthorne is a coffee-loving IT specialist living a quiet life in the small town of Millbrook. But he’s about to learn that this charming place holds a secret – it is home to a 200-years old mage association known as the Snake and Saber Society. Invited to join their ranks, he’ll now have to redefine his understanding of the world. But each step he takes on this new promising path will also bring him closer to his troubled past. Will he be able to confront it? Or will the shackles of guilt stop him from ever moving on?

[Content warnings]:
Strong language, mature themes, blood, murder, suicide, mentions of homophobia and transphobia, mentions of violence and abuse

[Features]:
• 140k+ word count
• 60+ original artworks
• original music
• 5+ endings
• a variety of minigames
• free to play

[Main characters]:
ImageImage
ImageImage

[Screenshots]:
ImageImageImageImageImageImage
ImageImageImageImage

Sample minigames (read more over on itch):
Image Image

[Stage of completion]: COMPLETE

[Get it here]: https://takanohiro.itch.io/quaint

[Questions]:
1. Is the synopsis in its current shape interesting enough to check out the game or does it seem too generic? I wanted to avoid going into too much detail, but I’m not sure if what I’ve included has good selling points.
2. How do you feel about characters’ internal monologues? Do you enjoy the additional input (esp. when it’s different from what they actually say) or do you find it annoying?
3. How much interactivity do you expect from a visual novel, especially a longer, story-heavy one? Is it enough if there are a lot of dialogue/action choices (some more plot-altering, some less) and minigames? Would a point-based relationship and/or magic system you’d have to manage on top of that be added value or would it be too much?
Last edited by takanohiro on Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:58 pm, edited 18 times in total.

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takanohiro
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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance]

#2 Post by takanohiro »

April update:
1. I made and posted character profiles of my main cast (what do you think?)
2. I cleaned and updated the cover image
3. I'm planning to release a little demo sometime next month to give you a taste of the general style and story ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations]

#3 Post by Zelan »

1. Is the synopsis in its current shape interesting enough to check out the game or does it seem too generic? I wanted to avoid going into too much detail, but I’m not sure if what I’ve included has good selling points.: I feel like the synopsis could be lacking a little, but I'm also still interested in playing it lmao so I couldn't tell you what you might need to add.

2. How do you feel about characters’ internal monologues? Do you enjoy the additional input (esp. when it’s different from what they actually say) or do you find it annoying?: I don't mind it! Like you said, especially when what they think is different than what they say, it gives us a good window into a character. However, it can get weird and confusing if characters other than the protagonist have their internal thoughts shown as well (not sure if this is what you were asking/planning).

3. How much interactivity do you expect from a visual novel, especially a longer, story-heavy one? Is it enough if there are a lot of dialogue/action choices (some more plot-altering, some less) and minigames? Would a point-based relationship and/or magic system you’d have to manage on top of that be added value or would it be too much?: I personally am a big reader so I don't mind long VNs with few choices. It depends on what you think will fit - if you think a point-based relationship system will work well with your game, go for it, but if you're thinking of adding it just for the sake of having the feature, I would avoid it. I like minigames as long as they aren't overly difficult (some people don't, and like the option of having them be skippable - it's definitely up to personal preference). I'm interested in what you mean by "magic system," could you elaborate on that?

I really like the character profiles btw!! Wren's lil snake is sooooo cute. Definitely looking forward to seeing updates! (:

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations]

#4 Post by takanohiro »

Thank you so much for the reply! ^^
Zelan wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:59 pm I feel like the synopsis could be lacking a little, but I'm also still interested in playing it lmao so I couldn't tell you what you might need to add.
I guess it's not too bad, then. :) I'll still try to think of something to add, though.
Zelan wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:59 pm However, it can get weird and confusing if characters other than the protagonist have their internal thoughts shown as well (not sure if this is what you were asking/planning).
I'm definitely only doing the monologue thing for the protagonist, so no worries. ^^
Zelan wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:59 pm It depends on what you think will fit - if you think a point-based relationship system will work well with your game, go for it, but if you're thinking of adding it just for the sake of having the feature, I would avoid it.
That's a good point. I've actually come up with something more fitting since I posted this so I'll be going with that instead. It's kind of like the hangout system in Persona 5 but simplified.
Zelan wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:59 pm I'm interested in what you mean by "magic system," could you elaborate on that?
Basically a stat-building system with different unlockables and additional choices. But it would probably be just for the sake of having something extra, so I might scrap it altogether. I feel that locking up choices in a longer game may be discouraging to the player.

Again, thanks a lot for writing it out. I appreciate the kind words. ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations]

#5 Post by Zelan »

takanohiro wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:45 am Again, thanks a lot for writing it out. I appreciate the kind words. ^^
Sure thing! Looks like you've got a good grasp on what you want to do with your game, I'll definitely look forward to your updates. :D

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations]

#6 Post by takanohiro »

May update:

The demo is out now! Please check it out and let me know what you think. ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][DEMO OUT NOW]

#7 Post by takanohiro »

June update:
  • An extended demo with two-three new chapters is already in the works and scheduled to release in late August ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][DEMO OUT NOW]

#8 Post by takanohiro »

July update:
  • added a content warning section
  • updated the word count as I've recently hit 130k words in the script ;A;
  • posted another devlog about the upcoming GUI update
  • set the launch date for the extended demo to August 2nd

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][DEMO OUT NOW]

#9 Post by takanohiro »

August update:

The extended demo is out now on itch. Check the devlog to see what's new. ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][EXTENDED DEMO RELEASED]

#10 Post by takanohiro »

September update:
  • posted a new devlog over on itch outlining recent progress
  • updated some details in the main post

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][EXTENDED DEMO RELEASED]

#11 Post by takanohiro »

November update:
  • Updated the word count and the number of endings

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][EXTENDED DEMO RELEASED]

#12 Post by takanohiro »

January update:
  • updated completion status in the main post: the game is about 95% done at this point ^^
  • Part One will launch in mid-February - more info soon ^^

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][EXTENDED DEMO RELEASED]

#13 Post by takanohiro »

Part One is almost here! Join the Society on February 16th!
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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][PART ONE OUT NOW][FREE]]

#14 Post by takanohiro »

Part One is now out and it's free to play!
Get it on itch here: https://takanohiro.itch.io/quaint

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Re: Quaint [MxM][MxNB][Fantasy][Romance][Secret organizations][PART ONE OUT NOW][FREE]]

#15 Post by takanohiro »

May update:

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