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Behind the scenes: Writing routes & general game
🕑 Added 2020-07-08 04:29:11 +0000 UTCThe wait for our first behind the scenes for writing is over! ^^
Let's jump into this and try wasting no time.
There's been a lot of work going into figuring out the routes and how the game will proceed in it's 2nd half I'll call it. If you wish to look at the game from days 1-19 as one half of the game, the routes introduced and what to come is the second half.
First before I even touch anything about routes, I'd like to explain a bit for how the rest of the game plays out for everyone, as it does some different things that is a little different compared to days 1-19.
Okay so I lied, we're talking about routes first. :P In a sense. Now this is taking Nova as our example girlfriend, but this will play out similar for the other girls as well, so just replace "Nova" with your choice of who you prefer. ^^
Nova has 6 route parts, these route parts take place during the weekends in the game. They're the main bread and butter in terms of big story stuff going on, each character will have their own personal story. I've had some mentions from people wondering about these and to explain it simply, because some are mainly focused on the erotic/sexual theme and thinking that's all there is for these personal stories.
While that isn't false, there will be deeper relationship seen and that does include their secret fetish/kink and more extreme sex acts to be seen. But think of these personal stories a bit more broader than that. I can't out right say anything yet as I don't wish to ruin it, but when you look at other visual novel games and what sort of things pop up for a character's route for their story. Compare that to MA in this regard, as we have a range of personal story to be told for each character.
Anyways moving back on topic with the route stuff and the 6 parts. Below is how the game will more or less play out.
Pre-route day 19 choice > Nova's route part 1 > weekdays > Nova's route part 2 > weekdays > repeat until the end.
That explains the flow, but below is an example for what the weekdays look like compared to days 1-19.
Monday ~ Nova day
Tuesday ~ Open map day
Wednesday ~ Classroom day
Thursday ~ Nova day
Friday ~ Open map day
Notice how I said "day" and not sections? That's because with how the rest of the game plays out, there isn't a need for a bunch of sections. Let's dig deeper into each of the above mentions...
"Nova day" = insert your girlfriend here. These days are to be seen most similar to how days 1-19 act like. It'll focus on your girlfriend and even have events seen be based around what's going on her in route, as expanded story telling. Other characters can still pop up at times in these if it's related to whatever is to be seen here. These can range from normal slice of life, drama, comedy, general school life, etc. Just like days 1-19.
"Classroom day" = These are expected as classes are still expected to be taking place at times. These will vary with what events are seen, but the idea is to allow for more interaction during these for the player and give a natural break from your girlfriend focus or what not.
"Open map day" = These are what they sound like, open map days. Some might remember the term used "free days" before the reboot process last year? These are like it's little cousin in terms, imagine a day where you can choose 1 of 9 girls to hang out with. If you choose to hang out with Miki on one of these open map days, one day she might be at the swimming area and have you join her. The other open map day might have Miki busy playing board games and wants you to play with her, etc. Players will gain affection from this and speaking of affection for other girls aside from your route girlfriend...
These open map days will have unlocked moments based on your affection with them, so while you're dating Nova. You can cheat on her with Miki or shoot for harem goals, etc. I know some won't care about this and that begs the question. "Well what do I get out of these days if I wish to stay pure to my girlfriend?" You will be able to hang out with your girlfriend during these and unlock extra moments from doing this, along with affecting the endings of course.
(these open map days will include seeing Joey, Nathan, John and the nurse roaming around. For example, if you go hang out with Bridget while she's playing video games. Joey might be there hanging out with her also. If you choose to go swim with Nova, she might've invited Nathan along with, etc. )
Why do this instead of just doing Day X with 3 sections, next day 3 sections, etc? Well it was a hard choice as my original plan was to do just that actually. But there's also some issues with that, aka "I dislike Miki sections! I just want to be able to focus on who I like, if I want Miki stuff. I'll focus on her, etc."
I know everyone is different and this is all still a bit blurry in it's rough stages as we get this all laid out completely. But the main concern with continuing the game like how days 1-19 are with 3 sections per day, with varying events based around other girls and what not, etc. It makes it hard to balance that along with how the routes play out too, as I don't wish to go into deep detail. But there's some emotional things to be seen in some routes and with that, I'm sure many who have just finished X route part 4 after a emotional wrecking moment won't want to jump into Monday section 1: "Miki's fun time learning how to cheerlead!" It might kind of ruin the mood and understanding how it could be 3-5 sections before one pops up with X girlfriend to check in and see how they're doing, etc. It might seem really odd to many.
With this said, there is a possible chance that some of this could chance just a little. For example, if things play out right. It's possible to maybe see the same days 1-19 setup for weekdays, but it'll depend on a few things. I still feel like the mentioned plan with open map days and classroom days, etc. Will still fulfill wishes for everyone while staying fitting for how routes are handled, etc.
So with all of this out of the way and I hope I've made it clear as best as I can in text. We're looking at each character's route having 6 route parts, about 10-15 days that are focused on them (includes other characters seen pop in, etc.) Each route will have it's unique feeling path for how events in the game play out, so it's very exciting times right now.
I've been spending a lot of time and even still currently planning out the layout for what roughly is happening for each character's full route. Much of this was already planned from the start, but this is simply laying it all out and seeing exactly how things are going to play out for each route part. Some of these things to be seen in character routes have been hinted during days 1-19, while some aspects haven't and it'll be interesting to see how everyone enjoys these.
With that said, I wish I had a behind the scenes for one of the character's route part 1 ready. But we're doing a lot of planning to make sure there isn't anything that causes issues later on.
