The Possibility of Self-Inserting: Let's Talk About It!

Hey everyone. Today, I wanted to speak on self-inserting in A Little Inconvenience. I've received a few comments regarding the idea of a custom character or toggling Sabrina on/off so players can self-insert. In the VN space, especially when it comes to the yandere sub-genre, I know many players like to self-insert. Hell, I like to as well so I understand the need. So that's why I wanted to take the time today to discuss the idea.

Why Did You Go with a Set Protagonist in the First Place?

Two reasons!

1) When I was originally envisioning this game, I wanted to create a set protagonist to fill a void in the yandere space that I've noticed: BIPOC, chubby leads.

2) More freedom when it comes to making art, and thus, more CGs for y'all! Let me explain...

For example, in the opening scene when you're playing as Darius, you see Sabrina from his perspective. When talking to the CG artist, I told her I wanted the CG to focus on Sabrina and have a glow behind her, like a romance illustration from an otome game. Additionally, the glow does give her this ethereal-like presence that Darius sees her as.

This is something I can't recreate with a self-insert character because they're invisible! So the intro scene would literally be Darius talking to Sabrina with the convenience store BG being the only thing you see (and maybe an obscured Darius side sprite, when gets implemented!) That's not as satisfying in my opinion. Right now, I do have an alternative CG in mind in place of this that I think can work if I do implement a self-insert option but I need to think it over more to make sure it'll work and get the same message across.

What would a self-insert option look like for this game?

Toggling Sabrina off, selecting your pronouns, and having unique CGs from a first person perspective (if they already weren't)!

What's giving you pause ?

Money primarily. I self-fund all my projects on top of supporting myself as an individual which is very challenging right now.

And again, if I give you all the option to self-insert, I want to make sure your experience is just as fulfilling as it would be if you were to play as Sabrina herself which means creating alternative CGs in place of ones that feature Sabrina and that costs money. Money in which I do not have.

I have avenues to support my endeavors, such as Ko-Fi and Patreon if you would like to help.

How about a fully custom MC? Such as changing the appearance.

No. I'm a broke lil indie dev who self-funds all her games. This is IMPOSSIBLE.

So will you allow for self-insert?

There's a chance I will. I would like y'all's thoughts on the matter before coming to a final decision. So please, comment and let me know!