I've been working on a brothel management game called Yoshiwara, Red Light District set in the pleasure district of Yoshiwara during the Edo period. The game takes inspiration from goldo's Brothel King. Though I wouldn't classify my game as an h-game, it does tackle many adult themes. One of which is your courtesans may get an STD and die lmao. The game tries to depict the real-life struggles of the working girls during those times and, you, as the manager make difficult moral and financial decisions about managing your brothel. Here is a mockup of the game.
Some of the game's mechanics:
- Entourage system. Instead of working individually, your girls will work in groups. The courtesan is the lead of the group, she is the one sleeping with patrons. But she can have assistants and apprentices to aid in her work. These assistants can be a musician, artist, actress, manager, and tutor. - Classy brothels at the time weren't just a sleep in and go type of deal. For high class customers, usually they would spend the whole night partying with the courtesan accompanied by musical and theatrical performances.
- Training system for girls to get skills. Training will cost money as you need an instructor to teach them lessons. Some skills include various musical instruments, art and poetry which increase stats. There are 6 stats; Beauty, Charm, Wit, Refinement, Learning, and Stewardship - Historically, courtesans are highly skilled in the arts, which I try to portray in this game.
- Health system, your girls can catch venereal diseases. - Most girls working in Yoshiwara had very short lifespans sadly.
- Debt system. Girls *sold* into Yoshiwara are usually the daughters of families that are in heavy debt. Once they are free from debt, they gain their freedom. It's your job as the manager to decide whether to keep her in debt by various means or let her go when the time comes. Girls gain debt from their upkeep and lose debt by getting allowances based on how much money they made.
- Building upgrades, items, recruitment/scouting, stress, fear, retirement, apprenticeship and more...