Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Legend of Queen Opala: Origin - Kythie

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Since episode II of LoQO: Origin has been out for a while now, I don't think it's no longer a huge spoiler to post this character here...although to be perfectly on the safe side, I won't go into the character details in case you reading this is one of the few ones who haven't reached that far into the game yet. ;)

So, during this week I've pretty much exclusively tinkered with the storymode content and worked towards unlocking the eastern region for exploration where all the new locations are added.
Yet, as always, I end up making more cutscenes than I originally intend as I don't want anything to feel rushed, and even have gone back and extented some past cutscenes that I felt didn't brought up everything they should or skipped information because it wasn't available the first time I made the cutscene, for example, Beatrix mentioning Elin when you first talk to her back in Colussia.
That one has been extended, along with the cutscene taking place in Castle Resteed between finishing the temple at Kahr and before going to the Iron Spire, and flesh out some side-stories.

However, I do have something pretty important to ask all of you, this week!

I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks now, and would like to consider hiring some help for once to work on my game, more specifically, a writer to handle the CG Scenes for the game.
How important is it to you guys that I personally write these scenes? Or would it be enough if I directed the scenes how I want them, but had someone else write the actual descriptions?
I'm not sure if it would make game production any faster, but it would take a big load off my face!

Think about it, let me know, and I'll see you again next Tuesday!

47 comments:

  1. This is kind of a tough question. I think it would be okay for you to hire a writer so long as you direct it and check over it. Honestly, I see your best writing in the normal dialogue, your humor and style is evident there so having someone take that over would be noticeable. When it's time for scenes however, what you do is great but I could see it being done by someone else. So I guess I'm okay with you getting a writer for the scenes. But I'd like to hear everyone else's opinion.

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    1. Yeah, I would absolutely still do all conversations/dialogues myself since those are directly tied to the story, more or less. x3

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    3. Gabe is it possible to interact with kythie in LOQO origin episode 2 the current one?

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  2. I think you should hire an additional writer only in case if it speeds up the game production. But if it relieves you of the burden, then it it actually does make the game creation process faster, doesn't it?

    Otherwise, you'd better think about something more efficient. Something that would definitely and highly accelerate the process of game development. For example, what about hiring an additional programmer or a map designer?

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    1. Hiring an additional programmer or map designer would actually slow down the development, if anything, since I'd have to personally go over and check everything they do in detail to make sure there aren't any issues.

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    2. I agree that you'd need to check them but it'd anyway need much less time than if you do everything alone. Of course there may be some issues at the beginning but the more they work for you, the less problems there will be in the future.

      The division of labor is one of the most efficient way to increase an amount of end-product. That's why in particular we have all these game companies, right? Working alone, you can never make as much as ten specialists can for the same amount of time if they work together.

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    3. Well those are companies trying to make huge 3D Triple A titles. Gabe is making a much smaller game on RPG Maker. If she were trying to make a bigger game with all sorts of different mechanics and graphics then hiring help would be best. But with smaller projects like this hiring a bunch of help would probably slow down the whole thing. Imagine a group of painters painting a mural on the side of a building to a group of painters trying to paint a portrait on a normal canvas. The burden may be easier physically but it would take longer and bring other kinds of burdens.

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    4. Well, someone has to personally go over an check everything anyways during basic play or bug testing, so I think it's worth considering skipping the step of you (Gabe) doing the mapmaking personally.

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    5. I don't consider LoQO:O such a small game that its development should be left in only one person's hands - after all, Gabe spends years to complete a game. She doesn't need a company of hundreds of people to finish the series, but a few more assistants can greatly speed up the game production.

      It's not necessary for two programmers to work on completely different mechanics. They can simply develop two different parts of code at the same time, or - if we're talking about map designers - two separate locations to visit.

      I believe, it's all about proper planning and management. If you and your assistants know exactly what to do, what certain tasks you need to accomplish within a week or, for example, a month, then the process will go smoothly, no matter how big the project is.

      Look at DarkCookie. After he hired 5 or so people and concentrated on creating images for his game, he produces much more art than before.

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    6. And I can't say that DarkCookie's game is any way bigger than LoQO:O.

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  3. Meh, the CG cutscenes are so far and few between that I don't really care either way.

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    1. I thought you didn't play the game?

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    2. I've never gotten very far in LOQO 1 or 2, but I've played to the end of the current content of Origins.

      I like Origins battle system and I enjoy collecting stuff/completing lists, but I think the porn is the weakest part of the game (actual scenes are few and far between, and the collectible stuff is a mixed bag at best).

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    3. Huh, I actually view the scenes as very abundant compared to the previous titles. Oh well. I asked cause everytime I see you comment it's usually along the lines of "I probably won't play this game, but good luck" so hearing what you said was confusing. I have the strongest memory about the weirdest things.

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    4. I'm mostly comparing it to other H games I've played (mostly from DLsite), where even if they have a slow build up, they generally have more scenes than this game (or at the very least a lot more repeatable stuff between new unique scenes).

      Yeah, I made a big post of the problems I had with the series a bit back, but I played through Origins after Episode 2 came out and I enjoyed it. It's been so long since I played LOQO2 (which I think I only tried once?), that I'm not sure how much my criticisms apply to it instead of just LOQO1. Like, I don't know if this is a problem in LOQO2, but one of the most frustrating thing in LOQO1 was not being able to dash. I felt like I was moving at a snails pace and it was pretty frustrating with the length of the maps. I probably would have stopped playing Origins if I hadn't found the quiz guy and gotten the dash item (it's still sort of annoying that you can't dash inside buildings, though :P).

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  5. Having writer(s) to help get new ideas and/or improve (bounce around) the ideas you already have for the game would likely improve the over all player experience..

    but I'm not sure it would speed up the process of implementing things (would likely have the opposite effect tbh).

    However, if you're looking for someone to work with the engine itself (to do the work end, rather than just help on the creation front) that might be a different story (you'd still have to work with them, would would still take time).

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  6. Not gonna lie i liked the fact that the game was made by you from top to bottom, but that's completely and utterly irrelevant to the rest of the world, fact of the matter is if you find someone that's got the chops in your eyes then go for it, in the end its your work and you know whats best for you and your work schedule and how to spread it.
    And hey if the writer is any good the transition should be seamless and barely noticeable without prior knowledge.
    So ya if the writer's any good i can see how this would be a bad thing and potentially a good thing for you in the end you know the fine details of thee and make a decision accordingly.
    Anyway make this games party one to make even the god go "oh damn why wasn't i invited"!

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  7. When do you expect to release a beta this month?

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  8. I think that an additional writer wouldn't hurt. Sure it might take a bit longer but that way you would have time to focus on other aspects of the game and having and you could also use him/her as a proofreader. Having known to have dabbled in writing myself I know that there are always some typos that I won't catch myself so having an extra pair of eyes is always helpful.

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  9. Could we perhaps have a couple more references like with the other girls in the HF contest? Or are there still no many pics of her?

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  10. The thing about hiring another person is you have to find someone you trust to get the job done. You have an excellent work ethic, but the same may not be true with the person you hire. Also you have to find you get along with or else things will slow down instead of speed up. If you have the money I suggest hiring a professional writer who will not interfere in the creative process and will get the work done.

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  11. To be honest, i don't like that idea.
    These Games have a special flair because you made the game alone. Hard to explain, but it wouldnt be the same.

    For me its simple.if you need more time, take it. I don't think people would be upset or angry because of it.

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    1. Yeah I agree with you, I like Gabes work because it's Gabes ideas.

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    2. Deffinitely. Gabe I think you have done AWESOME with this series and nothing needs any real improvement.

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  12. This depends a lot on how you feel about these scenes yourself, I think. If you're either not that convinced you're good at writing erotic scenes or lost the enthusiasm for 'em, by all means get a writer.

    But such a writer has to be somewhat familiar with the characters and their quirks as well, plus you still need to provide the setting and fetishes featured, right?

    Versing somebody into these could take some time, plus you'd still have to proof read those too, I reckon?

    So the real time saved depends on a lot of other factors too, unless you already have you eyes on somebody you know that's familiar with all that.

    But bottom line: I don't think you should force yourself to write these scenes for whatever reason.

    One big question though:
    That... That's not Kythie's standard outfit for the rest of the game, is it?
    *drools*

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  13. I have written several hundred stories, all just as sexual and pervy as your game. I'm also a huge fan that has followed your games since the very first. If you'd like to talk more let me know. It'd be a dream come true to work with you on your awesome projects.

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  14. I should also mention i have a few years experience with rpg maker xp, and that you're the one who inspired me to use it ^.^

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  15. If you're not confident enough in someone else writing the lewd words for you, why not hire someone (or take volunteers) to do some more menial and tedious tasks, like mapping out areas in RPGMaker?
    I know from experience that it could take hours and it does actually take some effort to craft the areas to look relatively pretty, even without using parallax mapping or other tools.
    That is unless you actually find it personally fun to do, despite doing it for years in the same engine in three different games.

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  16. If you hire someone good that is on time with the work i don't see a problem.

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  17. For the hire issue, I say you do the scene and direct it yourself but maybe hire someone to maybe restructure it and make it flow better. I know English isn't your 1st language so maybe a hired English writer can bring better descriptions.

    But the big issue is that I'd prefer reading Gabe-made work rather than Gabe-approved other guy work.

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  18. As long as you're doing QC I don't see there being a problem. HF has some great writers who as far as I know take commissions, so I don't imagine writing scenes for the game would be too big of an issue.

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  19. This is a tough one. As already mentioned, there is a certain flavor to the writing that comes from you. I'd be disappointed to lose that as it is a big part of your games' appeal. Someone else duplicating that is going to be tough, though not impossible. Whoever wrote for you would have to be very familiar with your material. By now, you probably know the characters as well, if not better, than you know your family and best friends. As a fan, my biggest worry with the idea is that whoever you hire either isn't a good enough match to your "flavor" or isn't as passionate about the characters and world as you are.

    The fact that you brought this up makes me think you already have a potential candidate in mind. If you haven't then,I do think that a fan with good skills would be the idea candidate. If you are looking, them maybe a fanfic contest would be a good method to audition. Create a scenario and give the direction that you would if you were to hand it off to your writer and let it run. Your fans could help you weed out the top entries even.

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  20. For me it's ok as long as the writer has the same maxed Lv. of dirty pervertness as you Gabe, I mean, reading trough those old "slutty queen of egypt" story's kinda shows how it's done, and loved by fans of the games. So for me it must be as vulgar as good old Gabe ;)

    p.s. Damn those story's are from when?(still on PC)...I'm getting old (-.-")

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  21. If you do hire a writer, how will you go about accepting applicants? I have experience writing for h-games and am interested in applying to write for yours. I also adore your characters, so getting to write anything for your games would be amazing.

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  22. Whatever makes you happy I'm good with, because the happy you are the more likely you are to make another. X3

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  23. I think hiring a writer could be helpful in the long run. No offense, but you tend to make quite a few grammatical errors throughout the games, and it can be a little jarring and immersion breaking at times. Having a second pair of eyes going over your scripts and assisting you in writing them could be really beneficial.

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  24. I think itd be fine if you had someone else do a bit of writing maybe just read the first couple of scenes to see if you really like what they do if you do then thats great. I just really like your writing style so as long as it's not super jarring I think its fine

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  26. i cant wait to see how this story is going to end!

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  27. Hey Gabe, i would like to ask how are you going to combine all the stories into one ?
    i mean you have made 3 main characters, so in the end who is going to be the main hero of LOQO?

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  28. Btw i cant believe i only got to know this game this year!

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  29. need help guys i try loading, episode 2 but apparently im missing 'Graphics/windowskins/004-Custom01' anyone know how to sort this out or how to obtain it as i can't play the game :(

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  30. Hmmm, that's a bit of a coin toss. It would certainly be easier for you to proofread rather than write from scratch, but if something needed to go back for several re-writes or edits, it might be quicker in the long run for you to have done it yourself.

    I'm afraid that's a call only you can make Gabe. If you think it'd be quicker and easier for you, I say go for it. For what it's worth, you've got my support either way.

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  31. Bigger games are frequently better, and big games are made by multiple people. An assistant for writing, so long as you think they are good, is hardly a bad thing. Go ahead for me!

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