Behind the scenes: the mistake of sequels or episodic games (Patreon)

First of all: the Heileen series didn't do too bad overall. But a thing I noticed is that especially the first two episodes started selling more once I finished the 3rd and last one. Which was also the most successful by a big margin.

At the end of the game, I put the following texts:

Heileen was the first visual novel I made. I was scared since it was my first attempt in doing something completely different.

And it was thanks to people like you that supported me if I decided to do more story-based games in the future.

It was 2008 when Heileen was released. Now, several years later, I finally conclude the saga with this last third chapter.

It's a bit sad to end Heileen's story forever, but I feel that it was the right decision. I just want to thank everyone who supported me during those years. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible!

A mistake instead was when I did Vera Blanc series. It was a new thing, with comic art style, etc. The first episode didn't do very well but, to save time and produce them regularly, I had already done all the art and some writing of the next one... :P

So then naturally I had to finish it (I don't want to leave things unfinished) but I couldn't justify doing a 3rd and final game for that series.

In general I think the mistake is when you do a game and plan already a sequel, without knowing how the first did. But probably, with a few exception, doing sequels or episodic games is not a smart idea. When people see "Planet Stronghold 2" they rightfully ask themselves if they need to have played the first. And maybe they do, and they're discouraged because they don't like it (and between the first and the second game there's an abyss on every single aspect, story, art, gameplay, etc).

I think that if I just called it as I originally had in mind years ago "Planet Stronghold: Warzone" or similar (without a 2 in the title) the game would have done better. Of course we'll never know for sure :)

Anyways, that's also why there will never be a "Loren 2". I learn from my mistakes! Also because the next game will be Tales of Aravorn: An Elven Marriage and will have Saren/Elenor but no sign of Loren. So it would also be a bit misleading to keep calling it Loren if she isn't even present in the game.

Because yes, doing a series of games in same universe, like I'm doing with Aravorn games, is instead a very good idea and results are always encouraging. People feel like exploring the world, but they're not "forced" to play "the previous game" since each game is a single story. There can be cameo/references, but doesn't require people to play the others. It encourages them! That's the main difference.

In summary: expect more games in same universe (as I'm doing with Love Sucks for example), but don't expect me to do sequels to any game ever again!