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An option to view details about the LIs (or characters) (Patreon)

Published:
2023-06-23 12:48:23
Imported:
2026-06

Poll

An option to view details about the LIs (or characters)

  • Add the feature 95
  • Don't add the feature 0
  • Don't care 6
  • 2023-06-23
  • multiple choice
  • 101 votes
{'title': 'An option to view details about the LIs (or characters)', 'choices': [{'text': 'Add the feature', 'votes': 95}, {'text': "Don't add the feature", 'votes': 0}, {'text': "Don't care", 'votes': 6}], 'closes_at': None, 'created_at': datetime.datetime(2023, 6, 23, 12, 42, 52, tzinfo=datetime.timezone.utc), 'description': None, 'allow_multiple': True, 'total_votes': 101}

Content

Hi everyone.

Because I like to give even side characters some screen time, it might get confusing for some people to keep track of all of them. I was considering a button maybe on the top right corner of the screen or just in the menu that shows you a list of relevant characters you've met. For example, you click on the button and you see a list of characters with their faces. You then click on Talitha for example and you see a brief description about her and your choice based interactions with her. 

What do you guys think?

Comments

JD2.0

I think the quick reference is good overall for all characters, but not sure about logging all the specific interactions with a character. Have only seen that work solid if the game was broken down into chapters. Maybe an overall theme with a character would help, unless all the individual choices are already coded with an identifier, that could be converted into this hint guide thing. :)

CaramelCowboy
>>111363250

Thanks for the input! I was thinking maybe just a general description of the character and only key choices like if you're pursuing them or not. Nothing too much or it'll get way too complex. To anyone reading this, feel free to leave your suggestions too if you have any.

Dacer

If it's not too much work for you alongside all the other work you're doing on The Swordbearer, I'd say add it. Most visual novels release episodically over time, like yours, simply because of the amount of work and time VNs require to create. So, yeah, if the story has a lot of named characters, and readers haven't seen someone for two or three chapters, it helps to be able to remind oneself who they are. Plus, it might save you from having to write "remember who this is?" scenes and dialogue every time a non-main character reappears. The main characters will obviously remember who the person is, and readers who've forgotten can remind themselves with the press of a button. So, yeah, if it's not a difficult feature to implement, in terms of time or effort, I'd say go for it. But do what's best for you, Be well!

CaramelCowboy
>>111373826

In theory it shouldn't be hard to implement because I already have a general idea of the code required. And since I'll be on my laptop for some time, I might as well try and upgrade the UI since renders will be paused. Thanks for always being so active in the posts!

Dacer
>>111363250

Indeed, if you get too in-depth with the detail-tracking it will steal a lot of time away from working on the game as a whole, I suspect. As for tracking key choices in the "lorebook", I dunno. Part of me thinks a player will retain a basic idea of who they're pursuing as they play. If they don't know, then they're probably playing the game so casually that they don't really care all that much either way. Tracking major character plot points in the lorebook could work, but it could also give away which plot points are significant, and which aren't, in ways you don't intend. For example. If I get a a lorebook entry that says "You showed Samira your elf sword. She thought it was just the right size." and I can get that same update with other characters, then it doesn't give anything away. But if I suddenly get a lorebook entry which says "You failed to give Samira the garlic-flavored holy lipstick before she left for a dance contest in Vamptown", all of a sudden I strongly suspect that this act was plot-significant, even though I haven't seen the consequences play out in the story yet. So, I dunno. A minimal sort of lorebook, to keep track of faces and names over time, seems good. But I worry about you losing development time to a deeper lorebook style, when you'd rather be creating more of the game itself. Apologies for the length here! Be well!

Dacer
>>111373826

I enjoy the story you're telling, so it's no bother to give opinions and feedback when you ask. Thanks for such an entertaining VN!

CaramelCowboy
>>111363250

That's amazing insight. Completely agree with your points. I'll keep it short and sweet just so players can keep track of faces and names like you guys suggested!

CaramelCowboy

Update on the feature : Since there's already 50 votes for 'add the feature', I decided to start putting together some code to at least get it functional. I tested it with some filler images and it's working fine so far and should be good to go for the next episode. Thanks for voting, everyone!

JD2.0
>>111363250

Great points you nailed what I was thinking. :) The only other comment I'd have is about players being "too casual" if they don't remember everything. Well, I don't normally replay the entire game when a new release comes out, so a generic reminder would be good as you mention, and I would shy away from the super detailed one, which as I mentioned originally it might be too time-consuming, and agree with you it might also give a FOMO moment for players to stress over instead of just enjoying the game.

TheOwl

That'll be cool. I always like character cards in games...this'll be the same kind of thing.

abzahs

Sounds good, but it'd be nice to keep it lore friendly, like make it a little diary he keeps. Always nice when these features blend into the narrative.