MessyAcademy
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Throwback Thursday: Zoey Henrichs
🕑 Added 2021-12-11 10:50:10 +0000 UTCOur 7th week of Throwback Thursday! In case you missed one of the previous ones, you can always take a look at them with the links below! Have a look and enjoy learning a little extra about your favorite character's growth during development! ^^
~A bit later than Thrusday... ^^" I know! Very busy times!~
[Miki]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-miki-57980399
[Nova]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-nova-58304733
[Rachel]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-rachel-58563348
[Juliet]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-juliet-58841266
[Heather]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-59122755
[Erika]
https://www.patreon.com/posts/throwback-erika-59417182
When the project first started, it began with placeholder 3d assets. Something that we of course see in the image above and it goes without saying there's a bit of difference between the first time Zoey was seen vs the current. :P
Fun fact #1: Did you know? Originally Zoey's concept was completely different? The original personality and idea for the character was that she'd still be Nathan's cousin. The big factor with her character was that she suffered from being in a coma for much of her teen life and only recently woke up. So the idea was that she'd act very much like a kid still mentally, but physically she's an adult. Of course this felt too much of a grey zone for how MA would later proceed with adult content and so we pulled back on this concept.
Taking a look at the 2nd image, we can see just how much Zoey has changed since the early stages of 2d to current. From left to right: The first early sketch preview, followed by the final sketch design of Zoey, next being polished final design and then colored, followed by the final fully finished version.
Fun fact #2: Did you know? Zoey was a new character to MA? Back before the game dev process, going from the comic. Much like Nova was a new character that wasn't featured in the comic, Zoey too was a brand new character for the game as a side character route and to help build Nathan a bit more and vice versa.
[Design concept]
The concept for Zoey, first begins with some mentions above about her. Originally the concept idea was that she was Nathan's little cousin and we'd learn early on with the rooftop scene from Nathan, himself that when she was around the age of 10, she fell into a coma from a swimming accident when they were kids. It would only be very recently when she's awakened and clearly her mental state would make her think she's still mentally 10 years old, but physically she would've been 18.
Clearly that explains the whole "grey zone" feeling if we were to have her involved with adult content, because while she's be physically, visually within the okay zone for adult acts. It would still feel very, very off-putting to see how she's still acting like a younger kid.
Of course her concept evolved beyond that idea, as there's no coma aspect. She very much acts pretty childish though, in some fashion and at times matching Miki. But in her own way and seems to be a more focus ingrained into her personality.
Now after knowing that the coma aspect wouldn't work for her, I instead decided that having her be the airhead styled character would be pretty fitting. The one aspect linked to that, which would be a good part of her character and some story moments is also getting the hint from other students and Nathan, that she sadly isn't too bright in often times and so she gets picked on for that a bit. (We'll have to see how things unfold from there though for her.)
That would also play into the concept that she oddly still enjoys wearing childish underwear, even over her diapers while at the academy. Just extra little touches to help display and help build her as this more childish, airhead style character.
I still had to take a look at how to build her up from events in the past that wouldn't be seen in the game. Trying to imagine how Nathan and Zoey's interactions should feel like and give the impression of how the two would put up with each other while growing up, etc. I think so far even with what we've seen so far in-game for Zoey, thanks to the rooftop scene in episode 4. It really helps give some more insight to who she is from Nathan's perspective and interaction, so hopefully with future scenes in her route, it'll help make more of a difference between her and Miki. (As I've had some mentions in the past with how similar the two act. ^^")
One thing that popped up very early on that wasn't planned originally was her cow onesie outfit. It was just a funny little outfit that I thought would play into how childish at heart she is, but after using said outfit for a scene. I really thought that it'd play into some of her past and love for childish things that clearly don't match for a 18 year old by normal standards. :P
A girl her age still watching tv shows that are meant for very little kids, her fond glow about said shows and other activities, like coloring or generally playing hide and seek with Miki a bit, etc.
Another concept bit about Zoey that I wanted players to feel as her route will unfold, without spoilers. You'd get to sort of feel like your building your trust with her to help Nathan babysit her more and more along the way, which in turn would lead to a greater feeling of caregiver and from there form a stronger bond. It'll be a bit different than other routes, but I have high hopes that it'll feel fun and well done in this aspect.
One random example of this would be having to stop by her dorm room in the mornings to make sure she gets ready for class, possibly even helping dress her to speed up the process and drag her along to keep her from getting in trouble with the academy. Generally watching over her as a friend and little by little finding your heart beating a little faster around her, surrounded with feelings in time. :P
I think that about wraps up this throwback! I hope Zoey's route story will deliver in many ways that feels very fitting for her! I personally can't wait for more silly interactions between Nathan and her at times.
