Opinions about dev progression
Added 2024-03-12 10:47:04 +0000 UTCHey everyone! I had a question that maybe you lot can help me with by letting me know how you feel about it. And that is if you prefer the progress in updates to be spread out, or more concentrated on one path.
So far I've always kept the development pretty spread out to make sure that every path is more or less at the same point in the game. If, for example there are two paths (A and B) with 5 scenes, I'd have update one be A1 and B1, the next update would be A2 and B2, the third update A3 and B3 and so on.
An alternative way of doing things would be to focus more on one single path per update and provide a longer string of progress.
So update 1 might be A1 and A2, then th next update managed to get in the scenes A3, A4 and even A5 to close things out while the B scenes weren't touched at all.
The question being, which way do you prefer?
Option 1: The one that tries to keep every path roughly at the same stage, but means that any single path is usually only advanced by small chunks.
or
Option 2: Where the focus lies more on one specific path that will provide a longer string of progress for that path, while other paths might lay dormant for several updates.
edit:
This poll is purely about YOUR preference. Don't worry about what it would mean on my end. Both of these come with their own complications and advantages. That is not the issue. I'm purely interrested in preferences.
Comments
With option 2 I feel like you always have at least minimal viable product. You have bigger chance completing at least one route. In case you get really burned or something happens and you need to quickly finish the VN. On other hand, as other mentioned, it can happen that you need to rewrite more. I guess you should choose mode with which you feel you will give better experience and feel most comfortable with. In the end I think it's most important to be mindful of the widness of the story tree. Lots of branching can cause lots of headaches.
d-_-b
2024-03-15 10:21:38 +0000 UTCThank you, Azure. Appreciate your thoughts :)
Nomax
2024-03-12 20:28:07 +0000 UTCComplicated...I've seen some devs feel burnt out doing option 1 and I'd really hope you don't get to that stage, but I also acknowledge that people might not feel as interested in reading if there's a string of updates for a character they don't care for as much. Out of curiosity, I'd probably read regardless, but if I had to pick which I like more it is option 1 by the slightest amount. 2 does have the potential for rewrites that I hadn't considered until reading others' perspectives and that can be hard for everyone I imagine
Azure
2024-03-12 20:23:04 +0000 UTCYeah, that is probably the biggest danger of it. You would have to commit to something and then have to fit other things around it. And of course you can mitigate some of that with planning well, but planning something and actually putting it into writing are two very different things.
Nomax
2024-03-12 17:22:40 +0000 UTCI don't have strong opinions for option #1, but an impression of #2 is it can lead to a fair bit of route rework later.
Azhrie139
2024-03-12 17:05:48 +0000 UTCValid points yeah I do second the idea that it'd make it easier to keep characters' paths more aligned and intertwined
pictuspixels
2024-03-12 15:45:25 +0000 UTCHonestly Whichever option makes it easiest for you to get in the flow of things. If you feel a solid jam forming for one solid route then by all means pursue it, and vice versa if you work on one then have ideas on another you wanna get on sooner than later. Less structured but you can still count progress in the same kinda chunks, and may be more efficient if you really get in a swing of things for one route
pictuspixels
2024-03-12 15:44:09 +0000 UTCReally hard choice to make.... But I think the 1 option could be more pleasant progression, keep the ending more attractive and the narration more manageable. Thanks for your hard work. šš»
Matzuki
2024-03-12 15:13:31 +0000 UTCI feel like option 2 will allow you to focus on specific characters and their interactions without constantly hopping between perspectives like someone with MPD. Plus after you go to write other plot routes you can always go back and tweak or edit past ones.
Vorell
2024-03-12 12:59:59 +0000 UTCI know a lot of VN's do one route "day" or "chapter" for each character route but honestly I think however you would prefer to make Conway enjoyable to write is best for everyone.
Vigil
2024-03-12 12:26:33 +0000 UTCAlways!
Wiktor
2024-03-12 11:44:17 +0000 UTCMhm, thank you for your thoughts on it :) Appreciate you taking the time to let me know!
Nomax
2024-03-12 11:42:20 +0000 UTCI believe option 1 keeps the overall flow of the VN a lot more consistent since you get to know each and every character bit by bit Thus making the player prone to change while keeping them engaged in the story Whereas option 2 sort of forces you into a particular path which may turn out not to be of interest to them Making the player wait for an update for months at a time, which could potentially make them lose the initial hook
Wiktor
2024-03-12 11:34:19 +0000 UTCIf I was to make a VN of my own, option 2 would be my working method of choice, as jumping back and forth between different paths would be a surefire way for my scattered brain to get plot points mixed up and forget details along the way. That said, I'm not voting for either option on this poll: this choice should be exclusively up to you and your own preferences, and not us/ours. Just do the one that feels right to you and that you are more comfortable with.
Kitten 2099
2024-03-12 11:29:46 +0000 UTC:D Yeah, one of the pre-release doodles that I just kept around and i guess now use as a little developer stand-in :D It's fun to have!
Nomax
2024-03-12 11:29:14 +0000 UTCAaah yeah that makes a lot more sense! Nonetheless, I feel like with the balanced approach, as a player, I feel like I can explore freely, without feeling like Iām getting railroaded into one path or another. Oh also btw, loved the lil Nomax doodle during the timeskip a couple updates ago!
Garroh
2024-03-12 11:27:43 +0000 UTCNot really important for this poll. Like, of course I appreciate people caring for what makes the most sense for me and all that. But this isn't a binding poll by any means. Just curious what the basic preferences are.
Nomax
2024-03-12 11:08:39 +0000 UTCI think its better to write alongside, imagine it could be very tricky to write all szenes smooth together otherwise. But i never wrote a Novel, so, whatever feels better for you, to achive what you imagined the Novel should be if finished, do it. Full Support <3
Julian Becker
2024-03-12 11:04:44 +0000 UTCYeah. It wouldn't be quite that much of a focus on one path of course. But more one section. Like for example finishing one path on day2, then another, then another and then moving on to Day 12 and doing the same there.
Nomax
2024-03-12 11:03:31 +0000 UTCWhat do you feel would make it easier for you to keep having fun developing? Most VN-deaths occur because of burn out, so I'd opt for the option that keeps you the most motivated. Personally if I was writing a VN that would clearly be writing one path at a time.
Hevros
2024-03-12 10:56:01 +0000 UTCGotta be option 1 for me. I feel like with narrative driven games in early access, it can feel like I've already "finished" the game if I'm able to play through to the end, even if the game isn't done and more content gets added alongside the story.
Garroh
2024-03-12 10:54:36 +0000 UTC
