Monthly update #13
Added 2022-02-18 21:22:03 +0000 UTC
Back in the swing of things, and I'm working on writing Aiden's route, directing the new writer to finish Gray's route, and drawing all the necessary art.
I want to address everyone's criticism of Gray's route.
I hear your feedback about the MC. A player's enjoyment of the route is directly tied to how much they like or tolerate the MC, and sadly, there's a whole lot of criticism about this MC.
Firstly it was that she was too standoffish and hostile towards Gray. I got someone to go back in the earlier chapters to edit them so that the MC appears nicer.
But now the comments are about not agreeing with her decision, and it's affecting their enjoyment of the route because the MC annoys them.
Since halfway through Dimitri's route, I have gotten direct feedback from Patreons and beta testers about the way a certain route went. Stories were changed and even characters got bigger roles depending on the feedback and reception it got. I was always able to somehow direct the story to that players wanted, as I was still developing it.
With Gray's route, that's different. Over a year ago I hired someone to write Gray's route for me, so I could focus on Aiden's route. By the time Gray's first chapter was available to play for players, chapters 1 through 16 were already written, and his story was completely outlined. A big part of his story was MC hiding her identity from him. By the time the first complaints came forward, the story was even further along, until the writer eventually left the project.
Had I known the reception the MC in Gray's route would have gotten, I'd have handled it earlier on and changed the direction of the story. However, since the main writer wasn't me, and it was written well in advance, there isn't really room to edit the story and make it more palpable for the players (not if I want to go in there and rewrite everything myself, which defeats the point of bringing on another writer). MC hiding her identity is a big part of the story, which is not something I can change at this point.
This experience has taught me that I should probably focus on writing the routes myself, and not hire another writer to help me out. And to only write characters I would enjoy writing (the reason Gray has a different writer is because I cannot write a dynamic like Gray and the MC).
At this point, I'm just happy I found a replacement writer to help finish Gray's story. I wouldn't want to reboot Gray's route either, since a lot of Patreon money was spent on the story in the first place.
So I just want to say I apologize for Gray's route. Right now, I'm focused on actually getting it finished. I may continue to hire the writer that's currently writing Gray's route to go back over some previous chapters and make MC's reasoning for hiding her identity from Gray stronger and more relatable. Of course, this doesn't matter much to the current players who already are upset about the MC. Or maybe just restart the route entirely, adding on another year of development.
From here on out, all stories will be developed and written by me, and I will only work on one route at a time.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments and this survey: https://forms.gle/Yvd2e2qJquFZUJgB7
Comments
"From here on out, all stories will be developed and written by me, and I will only work on one route at a time." Please do so and focus on doing the writing yourself. It's really good to know why Grays route felt so diffrent from the others before and especially when you say "I cannot write a dynamic like Gray and the MC" why would you add such a couple to your own game? Please stop trying to please everyone and think about what you would like to read/write/see in a game yourself. You do a great job already. There is just no way to appeal to everyone out there. I really just want to read your stories and your characters... ^^ because they're really cool.
Angelina H.
2023-05-03 21:05:28 +0000 UTCI can admit to being frustrated with MC, but not to the point that it makes the story unlikable. Actually, it's all very believable and I'm really, really enjoying it. I also really like Gray's character, and I can't wait to read the next chapters!
2022-03-15 20:29:15 +0000 UTCI finished yesterday the 15th chapter of the Gray Route and I totally loved it. Can´t wait for the story to continue.
2022-03-01 16:11:11 +0000 UTCI wanted to read the story up to the finished point before making a comment just because I had read all the comments and now that I have, I love grays route and I can understand why mc would do and say what she does. I love that Aiden and Grays route add a variety to the stories already written, personally I have no issue with any of it and I'm just eager to see what else you have in store.
2022-02-27 13:13:22 +0000 UTCMe belongs to the people which are not so happy with hiding MC identity.. at last when the Hammer blackmailed MC I would tell in advance.....
2022-02-26 02:15:01 +0000 UTCI wasn't a huge fan of the MC but I'm really happy that you took others' opinions and edited the story, and I don't mind hiding the MC's identity since it is a huge part of the story. I can't wait to see how things go for Grey's route as it continues!
Devil
2022-02-26 00:15:54 +0000 UTCI don't mind the MC in Grey's route even though I don't relate to her at all, just like I can't relate to the MC in any of the stories tbh. I couldn't run my own boutique; I'm disabled. I don't have superpowers (James' route). I could never sext someone without explicit boundaries first (Aiden). I could never let a near stranger live in my spare room (Dimitri). Heck, I have multiple medical conditions that mean I basically can't engage in sexual activity (which is why I read this instead). I understand her motivation for lying, but I'm also honest to probably a fault and even telling the littlest white lie riddles me with guilt. I've never been one to self-insert into stories, have never even thought about the possibility that other people do tbh The only concern I really have with Grey's route is, BDSM is based on trust, and Grey reflects that. I have a suspicion that Grey already knows the MC is the guilty party and is just waiting for her to admit it, but based on the story so far, I do find it a little hard to believe that the two will be able to clear the air and be fully forgiven and trusting of each other AND reasonably Get It On within the scope of the story length. Like, I guess the conflict feels bigger AND sooner in the story than with any other route, so I'm curious how it will resolve without feeling rushed. But I definitely finished the existing chapters with eager anticipation towards the rest of the story!
2022-02-22 20:35:55 +0000 UTCI know a lot of people have already said their piece and I agree with most of them so I'll just say I absolutely love this game and Grey's route. I think you're incredibly talented and I look forward to the rest of the game! <3
2022-02-22 03:27:48 +0000 UTCI'm enjoying the route, I'm curious to see how the obvious physical attraction between them develops into more of an emotional connection and how they manage to let their guard down around each other. I really didn't dwell on MC's motivations at all, I just accepted it and moved on to see how she gets herself out of it. Not everyone is going to happy with all the routes, but with so many to choose from there's definitely something for everyone to like. I'm loving the game and looking forward to the rest of it.
Kelli Creamer
2022-02-20 06:06:19 +0000 UTC
