thesolarionproject
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To Harem, or not to Harem?
🕑 Added 2020-05-26 17:42:47 +0000 UTCHey guys,
So I wanted to address something in its own dedicated post since it requires a bit of discussion. Lately hearing some people's arguments about harems, I can understand the argument for wanting it in the game. Not rewanting to play through the entire game again (that's fair) and one that also caught my attention was not wanting to feel like a bad guy because you have to break it off with another woman to pursue another.
Though I can sympathise with these points of views (and actually agree with for the most part) at the same time I have my own hang up on the harem setting. As far as I can see there's not many options to explain a harem that feel satisfying from a story perspective.
Just to clarify what I mean when referring to a harem setting:
This involves being able to romance every crew member in a single playthrough. This was not planned to be possible. What was planned instead were certain pairings/ groupings of characters that made sense based on their actual character. Some of the characters already don't care if you start screwing other crew members (Kittenna / Lillith). So there are planned threesomes / foursomes etc with certain crew members.
But for this to work, it would have to mean that every character is ok with you being with every other character. Normally this would be demonstrated by "his cock is so good, I don't care who else he fucks as long as he fucks me." But this isn't that sort of game. The point of this game is to build strong attachments to characters and develop relationships with them through good story telling and dialogue and character development. And in a place where it's a sexual harem, each character has to be willing to have sex with each other character (or at least participate).
That really cheapens the romantic relationships (thinking specifically Malaena and Catherine) that get developed. So how do we resolve this?
Well as far as I can tell there are only a few options.
Option 1 - Ignore the bad story telling side of a harem and do it anyway. This will basically amount to Catherine and Malaena saying "it's cool" to you boning other girls, with no specific reason given (because there wouldn't be one normally.) Possible orgy at the end (again ignoring character personalities to make this happen) and no lock on romancing all the characters.
Option 2 - All relationships are kept "hidden" from each of the crew members. Basically it means they don't talk to each other about their personal relationships, which again doesn't really fit with the way the crew interact with each other (I imagined Catherine being all bouncy and enthusiastic about having a boyfriend that she wouldn't shut up about it). This means there won't be a big orgy at the end, but there will be no lock on romancing all the characters.
Option 3 - An ingame personality modifier event - This event can be optionally triggered and basically it means the MC modifies the personality of the crew to be ok with polygamous relationships (maybe even making them attracted to each other). Once this event is unlocked, there will be no lock on romancing all the characters and the game will end in possibly a big orgy. Though this might seem like the best option, keep in mind it's also the most work. And probably won't be implemented for a long while. This means for a while at least you'll still have to pick / play multiple saves.
Option 4 - Leave it how it is. None of the plans change. Certain characters lock you from pursuing other characters, it requires multiple playthroughs or picking favourites, but the characters stay true to their originally planned personalities / preferences. There are some planned threesome / group events but those are based specifically on the personality of the characters involved.
With that in mind, I've decided to set up 2 polls. One for patrons and one for non-patrons. I want to state right here, right now, that THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE HIGHEST RESULT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. I'm doing this to see some numbers and gauge what people think. I'd be more swayed by the patron poll results because these are the people who are supporting and helping the project, but still interested to see what the general audience at large thinks.
Oh, and once more for arguments sake; THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE HIGHEST RESULT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
Looking forward to updating you again soon!
- Nergal
Comments
BigRedBeast
I'm leaning more towards option 3, I'm also a very patient person this option is worth the wait. Of course, I'm also fine with option 4. In the end it's Negals final decision. I think maybe option 3 could be unlocked later in the game after you get to know all of the crew and characters. To me, in this kind of situation when there's so many options it's hard for me to really favor one girl over the other, because they each are so unique and special. I end of loving them all and want to be with them all, so I'm a bit greedy and sharing of love :P
WarLord Vs ManTop
I think option 4 is the best, please make more save
I think option 4 is the best, other options can ruin the project itself...If a game is planned in a way, why change it's course to become something else? This is my point of view, you can choose whatever character you want to develop, and feel that they react with their own personality...
Joe Mon
I think its best to stick with the original vision. While yes, it does kinda suck to have to play multiple times over and over again, the original point you made in regards to harems (aka, weakening the character's personalities) is very too. Too many adult games have characters who are strong willed, but the moment it comes to sharing their man/woman they're like "that's cool, no problem". While some characters that makes sense, for others it just seems really out of character. Besides, who doesn't like a good cat-fight between romantic interests?
Quinfax
I'm a ,leave it up to the authors original intention kind of person.
MB
It's tough with a WIP game since every new release patrons will want to check all new content (And there will be times when multiple characters' routes are expanded) thus during WIP maybe do not have a lock but after the game furthers along allow realistic route locking and etc.
Alexincity
3 All the way, the more, the better.
Snorlax Shaped Cloud
I chose option 4 simply because I do like the idea that you originally chose for this game. That being said I also am a big fan of harems but it's not like harems have to be in every game that has sex in it. I'll be happy with whichever choice does get made cuz at the end of the day this is something I find very fun.
Billhyahoo
The game was designed to have a more realistic feeling regarding this, and I kind of remember there was talk about the MC having to stealth his way around the ship if he wanted to see more than 1 female member of the crew. I believe that if that is the original design of the game it should remain so. Option 4 all the way!
Sweetmellow
Im honestly stuck between 3 and 4
NBaron
3
damn with this aspects i have to choose wisely
