Summary:
The story follows three childhood friends that take the biggest step of their adolescent lives - graduating from Junior High to Senior, all while being enveloped by the inevitable tide of change. They find themselves and each other blossoming into seemingly new people - maturity, coming of age, personal lives, and all whilst puberty retains a tight grip. Once the seemingly endless summer break comes to end, however, they come face to face with the aftermath - their personalities, appearance, and even emotions, all forever altered. With so much ahead of them, let alone behind them, they are brought to a crippling precipice.
Why am I so confused,
And who have I become?
The Game and Myself:
This game is a kinetic VN in the vein of SoL, romance and psychological, with prominent use of perspective switching (3 MCs), portrays three extraordinary characters in their journey through adolescence and into adulthood, as they realise themselves; withering and growing all the while. The setting is within an ambiguous, urban Japanese city (similar to cities such as Oomiya, Tokyo, etc), and portrays the full brunt of post-modernistic maturity, 'coming of age', coupled with some NFSW themes of which, while light, aren't to be overlooked.
While the visual style is inevitably be melded and formed by the potential artists who will join me, the writing style is proficiently tailored. This is attributed to my existing writing experience, in both a WIP novella quadrilogy, work in successful online games, and previous collaborations for a few Lemmasoft-born VNs (with credits for oddicious games such as Farmers Dreams, etc.) The soundtrack, also produced by myself, will be predominantly Lo-Fi, inspired by the likes of Nujabes, Shlohmo, and other artists of a similar vein. My experience consists of being a third-year undergraduate in music production, as well as experience via the independent release of an EP, with collaborations with both local-known bands and other artists/producers. Acting as foundation to the above, I also have the necessary coding knowledge (Python for 2 years, Javascript for 3) to realise the game in form.
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Characters:
Junior High
Etsuko
HarukoEtsuko begins as a timid and shy soul, often easily shocked and startled, and constantly unnerved. They reside in their friends for comfort and stability, however, and are emotionally attached to them (arguably too much so.) While feeling comfortable in the presence of their friends, they take a while to warm up to others, and can be prone to nerves and anxiety all the while. Etsuko is content amidst their two close friends, but a looming threat begins to turn its ugly head, just as summer vacation looms;
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome; a large term, with larger connotations. Etsuko's body remains unable to generate sufficient testosterone to develop as a male, and instead produces far more oestrogen. This, coupled with the fact that their gender was never properly identified, and that Etsuko was ‘presumed’ a boy (despite ambiguous 'body parts') by the doctors and midwife meant that, from then onwards, Etsuko could never be sure. While Etsuko always remained a boy, due to simply finding comfort and validity in such an identity, maturity threatens to pull it all down.
Amidst all the characters, Etsuko goes through the biggest of changes, and is tested harshly by life and the weight it bears on Etsuko.
HimariOften tired and seemingly ‘lazy’ on first impression, but in contrast; a strong and calculated thinker lies behind those bagged eyes - a shame that he only applies himself to vigorous nightly online game sessions. Haruko can be considered the most responsible of the three, but often lets himself grow exceedingly concerned over the other two. While pressure often mounts from family and school due to high expectations, he typically bests these with minimal effort. Hanako is typically the one to stand firm amidst the group, despite his casual and joker-esque attitude.
However, the brutality of the expectations laid before him slowly tests him - to crush his resolve. He finds he may have to abandon what makes him happy... and perhaps what makes him 'himself'... one day soon.
Senior HighA bubbly, energetic spirit who tries her best in any given situation or practise, be it academic or otherwise, even if she isn't deemed particularly competent overall, despite attempts. She looks up to her peers, in order to escape the pressure of being considered 'lazy' and 'burdensome'. She suffers from a severe lack of ego and confidence, and wishes she could change herself, but can only hide her weakness in light. One thing you cannot dispute about Himari, however, is that her resolve and signature smile is never broken, no matter how many times she tumbles down. Through it all, however, she always remains to try her best for her friends, but remains frustrated at what she herself cannot fix.
Only when her fear of change and the tide of maturity changes her and distorts her way of thinking does she return... her selflessness and energy remaining, but no longer does she pretend for others. Himari likely undergoes the most positive of overall changes.
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Openings:
Sprite Artist
I'm looking for a single sprite artist to complete the sprites for the main characters (with the potential of more characters), first of all. This will likely require a plethora of things; first, the Junior High sprites (look at the Junior High MC concept art for reference), of which will include:
- 3 Poses (2 of which will be variations of one another)
- 8 Facial Expressions (for the first 2 poses) and 5 (for the 3rd)
- 1 set of attire (Junior High uniform, default)
- 3 Poses (2 of which will be variations of one another)
- 9 Facial Expressions (again, for the first 2) and 6 (for the 3rd)
- 3 sets of attire for each (Senior High Uniform, Everyday, Event)
As per my usual practise, I will be supplying extensive concept art, thus taking away the labour of taking on any excess design or specifics work. I will also be creating character sheets to act as guidance for the creation of poses, facial expressions, etc, if needed.
I am open to negotiation for prices, and due to such, will not be stating my own estimate of the price. Please offer what you deem appropriate for the workload - either per sprite, or per entire job, while bearing in mind this is going to be a free game (with likelihood for future fundraising via kickstarter.) While I use the term 'free game', I am prepared to accept a reasonable request of price of which best represents the task(s), and allows for cooperation to facilitate.
CG Artist
I'm looking for a single CG artist to complete 13 pieces of CG art for the game. This will be relatively straightforward, whilst there will be minor scene variations for some, such as facial expressions, basic simulated movement, etc. These will vary in complexity, from a sole character walking amidst cherry blossoms, romance scenes, to scenes where multiple characters will be portrayed.
Ideally, I'd like these to be payed for piece by piece, and again, negotiated with the artist pitching the first price in a reasonable manner, bearing in mind what specifics are in place for said CG, etc.
As per my usual practise, I will be supplying extensive concept art, thus taking away the labour of taking on any excess design or specifics work. I will also be creating character sheets to act as guidance for the creation of the scene, background, etc, if needed.
It would be preferable if said CG artist had experience with NSFW content. While this game does not contain an abundance of such, there are scenes which will likely result as NSFW. While direct and explicit representation of 'sex' is not shown, this game does, however, contain sexual themes and other 18/16+ content.
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Future Plans:
This game will be following a set out PR plan, supplemented by a Patreon (ran by myself, who has existing experience with Patreon (credits for SCP: SL alongside Hubert Moszka)), in hopes to raise money for future projects and garner attention for the game. My single-most idealised result from running against a PR plan is to ensure as many people can enjoy this game as possible, and can say that they were moved and/or emotionally touched by this game, like many other VNs before this one.
I hope that, with support from this wonderful community, that I can get this game off the ground and create a visual novel that can be deemed one of the greats that have emerged from this site. Idealistic? Yes. Possible? Yes.
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Thanks for reading, and I hope I garnered your interest, whether for work in either openings, or to follow the game in future. I appreciate it greatly.
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