I love it I love it I love it, but if you remember my Nick you already know, but I could not not write it here. I think this is the real Visual Novel... A magnificent writing, a beautiful plot and a development done really well with a perfect rhythm, many are lost in writing or timing or in characters that then change and instead not here everything is practically perfect and even if to some it may seem a bit surreal for the world today, There are still people who get excited and have deep feelings and live this way. I keep telling you I love you, your heart, Zack and Brayden. I’ve been waiting for 3-4 months for a new update... but it’s okay I already know that it will be worth it
Prior to downloading this game I was not a fan of 3D rendered visuals novels. Straight?! has absolutely changed my perspective. Aaryn (and Blayke shoutout to co-writers), your art and skill as storytellers have left me absolutely enchanted. I am so appreciative of the complex relationships and characters you have created. I downloaded this visual novel as a quick distraction during finals week and found myself quickly immersed in Zack's story. I am a Master's student studying Sexuality and you've managed to capture the dynamics and the struggles of establishing one's own sexual identity in such a relatable way. I could write an entire article analyzing your work, but I'll wait until it's finished :) It's truly beautiful and I can't wait to see where your story takes us next! Thank you!
Pervy Sidenote: If Zack is naturally such a great kisser, I can't wait to see what else that mouth do.. haha <3
I swore I responded to this comment and idk why but it never posted I guess. I'm behind on replies so I apologize for taking forever. So i really appreciate the educational aspect from a master's level student; especially one specifically studying sexuality. I think the dynamics hold up. They won't describe everyone's experience but they describe things that have been true to me and things that I struggled with. I wanted to share that but also show a way out of it in the hopes that it would validate others. Don't analyze me too closely though, this is my first time :p
i will likely try and put out an android port after the next update. Right now, the current code has a significant number of writing completed for the current update that's still being written so it's in transition. i can't export it until i get to a new stopping point
I was surprised how mature, beautifully written this game is and how you balanced nudity with the story. It's great that you kept it subtle and more realistic so it didn't became another annoying porn game :) It must have taken a lot of work, I hope you don't stop soon: D
Only a few things seemed little weird to me, but I'm not going to write it here to spoil it.
And I can't hear any sound/music even with slider on max in game settings. Not sure if it's just a my problem or there is just slider without purpose.
hey thanks. I'm glad you appreciated the story-focused approach rather than just blatant adult content with no purpose. Right now there is no sound so everything on your end is working fine. Just haven't gotten that far yet. It's still in production.
heya. thanks a lot and I appreciate the thoughts. So from a technical writing point, I think you're right: a lot of the conflict in this isn't long-term and structurally, it could have been planned better from a narrative point of view--that is, if i knew how to write at the time, lol. I've never planned anything like this before so if you want an idea of how it is to actually have a conversation with me about planning and outlining, I'll just reference Ash in Chapter 9 and that should give you an adequate comparison :P
That being said, I will admit that many of the conflicts in this game are purposely resolved quickly because i really wanted to write it as a template for people who have struggled with these issues to get some type of idea for how to resolve them. Zack's character has a lot of anxiety and a lot of inhibition about things (and to be honest, I did, too). So you see him actually resolve these conflicts in the game as I began to slowly resolve them and work them out through the characters. I started writing this for me. But the conflicts in this really serve as a potential way for people to use that example and try to resolve their own conflicts if they've suffered similarly. I'm just showing people how it worked out in my head and what lessons resonated with me. So basically, if i strung that idea out over the course of the narrative, storybook wise it would have worked but the real reason i'm writing this is to work through my own shit and maybe help other people in the process so i didn't want the resolution to be too far from the problem so people could still make the connections.
not sure if that justifies it or not but a lot of that was on purpose just because of the nature and reasoning behind the project
I'm not opposed to putting it on other platforms or anything and I'm also ok with people freely sharing the game once it's public. I just discourage people doing it before I release it because it costs me thousands to make and I'd like to try and continue to bolster that and see if I can actually support myself with this gig. However, I'm very adamant that the game will remain free so I'm not sure how that works with some platforms like Steam. If they force me to charge for the game, then it wont be on that platform
I just reached the current end point of the story and I feel like I had to comment on here as I have so many things I want to say. No spoilers here but first and foremost, this wasn't what I was expecting, like at all!
I don't even know where to start with the praise I have for this. I have spent the past few evenings playing through the story and have experienced so many different emotions. The character development is so excellent and the writing so in-depth that it really does make you care about and root for the boys. Never did I think for a moment that a visual novel like this would pull me in so hard. I have literally found myself laughing out loud, feeling rather horny and most surprisingly of all, and I'm not ashamed to say it, welling up with emotion more than a couple of times. This story really got to me, in a good way. There are some truly beautiful moments in this story, and that goes for both the images and the writing. All just so.... unexpected, but very welcome. I'm so glad I decided to give this a try. And to think that it's all still a work in progress as well!
I feel like I still have so much more I want to say about this brilliant story. I have already become a patron and look forward to chatting to others about it on Discord.
yo, thanks for the note. I like surprising people with this and people checking in as they try and process their reactions to it never gets old. so thanks for that. I've been really busy with work lately so I've been a little slower on the discord but say hey for sure :)
My surprise is genuine, I just would have never expected to fall so much in love with the characters you have created, the way they have been written and the writing in general is so true to life and has brought up so many feelings and memories for me. Obviously much praise needs to be given for the images you have clearly painstakingly created, but for me, it's the writing and story development here that makes this stand out!
You nailed my thoughts to a T with this comment. I'm currently after the part where Braden picks out clothes and a hair cut for Zack, and I am so head over heels in love with this couple, and I really hope it ends with a happy ending once said and done. Over the years, seeing too many gay couple movies fall apart by the end, it's really become depressing. We need a happy forever and ever story for once. I just had to reply to this comment because you 1000% described my feelings about it. Thank you kindly ❣️
[Warning! minor spoilers ahead, proceed cautiously.]
Almost died as they went a-hole at chap9 even fucked me up more as they'll about to get separated and i dont give a shit if its just a 20mins walk, i fucking love both of them together, and then outta nowhere here comes ash, their "spirit animal" saved both of their ass from near relationship death. Well done to the story btw, im looking forward to your future works. Keep it up mah man!
I came into this novel when chapter 9 was being worked on.
I will gladly admit that when I came across this novel, I was looking for something raunchy.
I even skipped through so much dialogue thinking that there would be sex scenes involved eventually. However, after chapter 9 came out, the ending for Chapter 9's (pervy) really surprised me. It made something click that this was actually a serious and GOOD novel.
So I went back and went with the (Respect) route, boy am I glad.
Once the prologue was done, the story really started to hit me.
This story has me so hooked I keep wanting more.
I am checking everyday for updates on how the chapter(s) are going.
It is a book I want to keep turning the pages of, that never ends.
I want to follow these two until their entire lives are at an end of old age. To see their character development.
With that said, creativity takes time. (but not too much time! lol)
Novels like these that explore the depths of sexuality and character development are what I thrive on.
There is so much to learn and explain through experiences.
I know this novel must end at some point, but writing like this, with such character growth, is an art to be encouraged.
If this is a career you wish to endeavor, I say keep encouraging yourself to explore it.
This novel alone, shows the ability to express emotion, experiences, and individuality.
-My take away from the story-
The fact that these two became comfortable with each other's sexuality really spoke to me.
I'm a gay man most people think is straight, have sexual anxiety, and I'm also a very openly sexual person; I mean in the way that I am very comfortable with conversations about sex .
Not many people are, and the growth between these two really showed that it is okay to talk about your feelings regarding sexuality and relationships.
Braden in particular, I think, is a wonderful character development.
It really shows how much sexuality is not black and white.
You do not need to be gay in order to love someone of the same sex, even if it is one or two person(s).
It is the same for a vice versa situation. e.g. woman loving a man while typically loving women.
The labels of sexuality are too much confined into a box, labeled as such, and too many people are discouraged from exploring their love and desires because they have been taught there are only a few ways your sexuality can go.
If you love one thing, one or several times, it does not define you indefinitely.
It also discourages people talking about such things and then eventually have that eat away at them.
It may sound hippie, but you literally can love ANYONE.
Even discussing same sex with a person who typically loves the opposite sex is okay, but too often those person(s) feel out of place because they feel if they go down that route it will define them and immediately put a generic label on them.
Relationships are not only about wanting sex, it is about choosing a life partner. Even if you love a man or a woman, that does not mean you can only love "that side".
-What I personally wish for the two characters (though clearly the author is doing a good job as it is)-
I think there should be a scene(s) showing that Braden DOES indeed like women still. I don't wish for "cheating", but even a comment or glance at a beautiful woman would solidify the fact that he is not "turning gay"
I also hope these two do not end this relationship forever.
There is too much invested between the two of them to simply throw away and claim it as a "friendship"
Though i believe friends of any gender can be close as these two have expressed outside of the "sex" scenes.
I believe it would be sad for these two to grow so entwined together that they do not commit to each other as life partners.
Though this is not intended as a "porn" novel it would be fantastic to see a few sex scenes between these two, only to show how much they love and care about having the other "feel good".
I say a few only in the fact to show it is not a "one time thing" and that they are actually expressing their love to each other this way.
Either way, keep up the fantastic job, keep growing this art; if you wish.
wow, sooo much going on here. I can tell the story impacted you and I take it as a compliment that the ending of chapter 9 made you go back and actually read through everything.
I'm glad you're open to the lot of what the story is suggesting; and while the themes in the game aren't meant to be preachy, I hope they lay a foundation for others to start from if they've faced their own struggles; a blueprint if you will. While it's adult oriented, there really is an intention to break new ground with this game and do something special so thanks for giving it a second shot ( i know the beginning is weak). I appreciate the support and I really appreciated the lengthy input and reaction to this project so thank you sincerely.
this game resonated with me enough that i created an account to leave a comment/review, which is saying something because i'm really socially awkward. i really related to zack because his emotional experience with braden reminded me so much of something i've been through, and it made me cry, and it's kind of painful and i just love this so much. when i first started to play, the writing immediately captured me because it was funny and clever, and it's only gotten better as i've played. i downloaded the game for something quick and sexy, but this is so much more, and it's really a beautiful story. i haven't reached chapter nine yet, but i already can't wait for you to continue.
I always love these messages where people signed up just to comment. that means a lot. Sorry about the crying but i'm glad it hit you on that level. It's been kinda fun turning the genre upside down. I hope you enjoy chapter 9, too. I think it turned out alright :)
i did get through chapter one and ash is the most absolutely adorable character ever. i love him with all my heart, and i love the game even more if possible.
This game was the first game I've ever played in my life that compelled me to write an actually review, even tho my review was pretty short. I downloaded this at first expecting a quick and hot short story but I was blown away at how complex it was and how it made me feel. I honestly thing I've even learned some things about myself from Zack's story and I can't wait to play more!
I really appreciate this. This is def one of the things that I was after. I wanted to make people think and I wanted to show the progression of someone accepting themselves rather than just relying on lame concepts like having "pride," "acceptance," or even "love" for yourself. While those are solid goals, sometimes people have a really hard time understanding how to get from where they are to that point and we really don't see good ways to do that. I really wanted to show a realistic progression. Now whether that applies to everyone or not, who knows...but maybe if it gives people a template, it can help them find their own way :)
This visual novel is awesome. I am not a native english speaker, so apologies for my wording... ;) I played the game so far and it is just GREAT storytelling. I have no problems with the missing sound. In fact... I think I don't even miss it. The characters and the story have their own voices in my head already. It is like reading a book...with some pictures in it. So, if you're planning to add sound... well, okay... but I won't use ist ^^
Just one little thing... the game is *huge* in terms of gigabytes... is there any possibility to shrink it, without loosing picturequality?
It seems to me, that the given choices in the game aren't actually choices. Looks more like a oneway story to me, is that right? Or is there a real chance to alter something drastically by choosing different options?
Anyways: I really love this novel and I am desperatly looking forward to more of it! Keep up the great work!
heya, thanks for checking in. There's choices in the game but they don't alter things drastically. It's more linear, like you said. That's mostly because i haven't done this before and I'd rather keep it linear and do it right than split it into multiple routes and just make a mess of things. There's one major story here with two different perspectives (routes) in it. It's pretty obvious when you get to choose those routes so everything is sorta based on that choice. Other things are more subtle and just give more background on certain things.
And thanks for the best wishes. I'm in the US so imma send you some luv back :)
Ha... intercultural (or intercontinental?) difference here. Beeing a german, I struggle with the term "send some luv" ... but I got the message though ;) In fact, I googled a personal phrase to give my comment a proper end. So... is "best wishes" too formal?
And also, beeing a german, I am touched by your choice on Bradens car. Yeah, the badge looks unfamiliar, but I know that car series from it's very beginning on the drawing board ;)
I absolutely love this game. I also don't ever comment.... yeah, I am that guy. Not for this game though. The main characters are amazing, I love them all. The way you can choose (I have only found two) different choices and get a little tweak on what happens in the story. Without changing the outcome is nice. I like games that have different boyfriend choices but I am very happy with the face that, at least right now, there is only one and you can have different dialog. I have not tried to ruin the relationship yet, I like happy endings. I love the artwork for the game. If it is you doing the work, it is amazing. The only thing I can say about that is I wish we could close the text window so we can see the whole piece. wink wink. Too bad to draw all that in and not be able to see it. Anyway, is there a place we can donate to the development of the game further? I would love to contribute more. Not a lot, but more.
Hey. thanks for the kind words here and I appreciate you commenting. Couple quick notes, If you hit the H key, it'll hide the text box. We'll likely look at some modifications to the text in the final release. This is still very early alpha so it's really rough right now. And if you'd like to donate, you can do so through here when you download a copy or you can go directly to the patreon site at www.patreon.com/aaryn. Honestly, the patreon site is your best bet because it gives you access to more stuff there. There's an autobill function to that but you can subscribe and then just shut it off immediately after. If it gets messed up though, lemme know. I have no problem refunding because I want things to be fair. Also, the world is crazy and unpredictable right now so don't short yourself donating, the game will always be free regardless
Thanks so much for getting back to me. I look forward to whats to come. I am going to start it again today and see if there is a "bad" route or "friend" route. If there is I will definitely have to turn around and do a happy route right after. Anywho, I have taken up too much of your time. Thank you for the game!
This VN has the potential to become something extraordinary. The effort and care put into this work is plain to see!
Aaryn, you mentioned in some of the comments below that you still consider yourself amateur. If that is the case, then this story is evidence of your rapid evolution as an author. It's getting better and better.
I hope once you reach the end, you will take the time to go back and polish the story - it deserves the TLC.
Here's some observations I had while enjoying the story. I think they are areas which can be improved in order to bring this story to the next level.
- The "voices" of Zack, Braden and Mikhail often blur together, especially during longer expositions. In contrast, Max's voice is very unique, likely because of his personality, but his talking style jumps off the page. You could remove his name from the dialogue, and you would know it was him. It may be worthwhile to add certain quirks and distinguishing styles to the speech patterns of the main characters.
- During exposition of certain more complex thoughts and ideas, the dialogue no longer reads like something a real person would say. It's fine for internal thoughts, but it's weird during conversation. This leads to an awkward contrast between casual social interactions and discussion of serious topics, where the characters, especially Zack and Mikhail, suddenly start sounding like professors giving a speech.
- Perhaps you are "too kind" to your readers. I love that you described this story as a "slow burn". It is perfect for the type of story you are trying to tell. However, conflict in the storyline is too neatly resolved for a true "slow burn". Almost as if you are trying to make each episode's conflicts self-contained.
Be more cruel to your audience. Drag out conflicts, make them far messier as plotlines merge and intermingle. A good example would be the incident involving Zack, Braden and Cody. There was so much opportunity in that situation to explore the different angles of that misunderstanding, especially if it had been allowed to fester. Every author loves their characters, but excellent fiction happens when you don't shelter them under a protective umbrella. Let them get hurt and suffer from the mistakes they make. Your readers will hurt and suffer along with them, but that will make the resolution all the more memorable.
- The timeline for forming of deep soulmate level relationships is accelerated to the point of being unrealistic (as a reader, I can suspend disbelief, but it's better not to rely on this too frequently). Time has to be allowed to pass for this to feel authentic. The good thing about the format of a VN is that it's rather easy to impart the feeling of passing of time.
I think this story shows that you have a spark of something special. I sincerely hope you will find some value in my observations. It is meant as feedback and not criticism - the story is very good, and on the cusp of being great.
Heya, I appreciate the well-crafted feedback here and thanks for the support. I'm definitely amateur and sorta just figure this out as I go. When you spend a lot of time googling "how the hell do I do...[whatever]" you're definitely not pro :p
But I do appreciate the pointers here. The "voices" you reference is something that was suggested early on my Blayke, my co-pilot on this. There's two kinda reasons that never really got flushed out much. The first one is I guess I didn't really know how to do it so I had to just stumble across it. It's also something I hear about but never really notice too much in other works as much as people kinda think they use it so I guess I sorta swept it under the rug. In all honesty, the real reason I didn't put much effort into the "voices" is because of the reason I'm writing the story. The characters are sorta different facets of my own acceptance and stuff so essentially it's more psychotically arguing with myself in a fictional world. So it comes across being the same voice because it really is the same voice for the purposes that I'm writing the story. That's also the reason the monologues and dialogue are the way they are. I never really meant to share this thing in the first place, I was writing it just for me but some people on a forum told me to post it so I did.
In terms of the episodic conflict resolution, I agree with you. I'd like to make some things run longer but releasing it the way that I do, turned it into episodes and I kinda like that format. I was also worried about having too many conflicts in a story like this. The public was already very skeptical when I released it and I still get one or two people a year complain there's not enough sex. People have a concept for the "adult" genre and I was worried about going too deep with plots and stuff. I'll also publicly admit that my concentration really sucks (Blayke can back this up). I'm a disaster to keep on topic so writing and organizing the plots in my head is just really freaking hard for me. So rather than bite off way more than I could chew, I elected to try and resolve things somewhat sooner so I wasn't trying to juggle too much. It's easier to juggle that if you're just doing one linear book or story but trying to code multiple paths into that just gets really complex for me when I have no previous writing or coding experience.
Not sure if any of that makes sense or even really justifies my position. Just thought I'd share my logic. I'm still definitely learning and I do appreciate the pointers, some of these may be implemented during the polishing (there's definitely going to be polishing. The beginning of the game sucks).
I think anyone who writes fiction bases characters on parts of themselves. At least at first. Eventually, the more you get to "know" your characters, the less they are a part of you, and the more it seems as if they're a really close friend that you know. A handy thought-experiment is to consider the character's background and past experiences and how those shape the way they think. For instance, Braden is clearly from a well-to-do family but doesn't want friends who befriend him for his money. This simple attribute opens up many questions which can help define Braden's individuality in addition to serving as plot hooks later on. For example:
What happened in Braden's childhood to cause him to think this way? Is he still affected by it?
Why is he open with Zack about this? Does part of him still wonder if Zack cares about his wealth, especially once he finds out Zack's economic circumstances?
Is this an insecurity? If so, how is he coping with it, or how did he move past it?
How severely does this impact Braden's decision-making? His willingness to trust others? His social mindset?
You did an excellent job with Max, by the way. His character feels the most authentic, because the way he behaves is fully explained by his backstory. There is a harmony between his personality, his motivations and his psyche. Despite being a secondary character, I think many people would agree that after the chapter "Ash", he feels the most life-like of all your characters so far. (This is not a negative thing, since it just means that the other guys haven't had their backgrounds and personalities explored fully yet. Lots of potential here.)
Regarding conflict, I don't think there will ever be a "right answer". As an artist, you must have the conviction to follow your instincts and your vision for what you want out of the final product. Taking community feedback is good, because there are always facets of every work that can objectively be better, but with all creative works, it will be impossible to try to please everybody. In fact, trying to do so is one surefire way to guarantee the final product will be average with no vision.
(If you've ever wondered why so many AAA games feel soulless, it's because they've lost sight of this basic principle. The great games of the past did not need a focus group to tell them which audiences to please or which hot-topic themes to cover. The creators simply made what was best for their vision of the game.)
I hinted at it in my first comment, but I truly think you will have to make a decision at some point how committed you are to the slow-burn nature of your story. If you do commit, you will likely turn away a certain type of audience, but potentially attract a different one. As with all creative projects, it's truly very difficult to gauge audience reception, but if the success of "Our Life: Beginnings & Always" is any indication, there seems to be a certain demand for slow-burn, well-crafted character stories.
Conversely, if you're going after the faster pace nature of most Adult VNs, there's certainly an audience for that as well. I'm sure you've seen the many examples of well-executed ones in this genre.
My opinion is one of many, but I sincerely hope you will carry this project where your vision leads you. Even with the (little) experience you have, you're already creating something that stands out. So it makes sense to trust your instincts as an artist.
Sure, i dont mind. I really tried hard to make the story matter here and it's something that's helped a lot of people out so I'm down with it reaching other mediums that I'm not able to. However, watch out, YouTube like to ban people that have covered this in the past so beware. If you do something, hit me up on my twitter or on the discord and I may be able to retweet it
Aaryn, you are very good at telling stories. You really makes us get involved with the characters. But that last chapter really got me. As I have nobody to talk about this, I´ll just write it here.
-- SPOILERS --
I felt so betrayed by Bredan that I was already hoping for Zack to get another roommate. I realized how I also didn't pay attention to the tips given during the story and notice how Bredan was playing him. He seems to me just a spoiled rich brat playing with his gay roommate.
Nobody kneels to pick up a towel that they reach with their hand. Cody also wouldn't have the reaction he had as Zack entered the room and wouldn´t apologize for being naked considering he saw Zack with 3 other naked boys the day before. He could see Zack didn´t left the room for being shy, but for being desolated. And what can't Zack do that Cody can do so well? Just don´t know what to expect.
But when I went to test the "pervy" line and Ash opened his eyes, then I got really upset with Bredan. And to think that Zack probably won't know any of that just because he was respectful.
Anyway, waiting for the next chapter to see if I recover emotionally.
Obs: They talk about when Zack said he was gay even if he doesn´t go to the restaurant in the first chapter.
I can see kinda see why you had the strong reactions that you stated but I guess I'll throw out that not really any of those reactions were intended from this particular chapter. It's kinda hard for me to quickly summarize a response here because you interpreted things in a completely different direction that I felt that I intended to write them. In the case of Cody "kneeling," that part seems legit to me, I picture myself sliding down towards the floor onto my knees in a crouch to pick up the towel before standing back up. That just seems like a natural flow of motion to me. In the respect route, Braden specifically states why Cody was apologizing for his reaction. Cody, who noticeable gets pretty nervous around stuff (as we saw in the coffee shop) knew that Braden had mixed feelings about telling him stuff against Zack's perceived wishes so it was more a surprise when Zack walked in. Zack's staring probably just caught Cody off guard even though Zack was spacing out. Braden talks about this at the pond and sorta fills in the blanks.
The pervy line was very different, Zack's argument and blow up at Braden sounds very similar to where you are and you sound like you didn't really buy into anything that Braden said during the gym talk. I guess I did. I know people sometimes step out of line or become passive in relationships and hope that things will smooth themselves over when they don't. We're talking about two guys here who really have no experience in relationships and neither of them are used to dating another guy. They even talk about how they felt that the perception should be easier for two guys than it would be for opposite sexes to be in a relationship. There's a lot of mistakes that are made here from them and I think that's the beauty of it. To me, the design here is to illustrate two people who, regardless of their choices, are both sorry about what's happened between them and still care deeply for each other. Things just got out of hand and each of them sorta was hoping the other one would pull things back into alignment. I wanted to illustrate the importance of honesty and communication in relationships that are meaningful but to illustrate how difficult that is, i wanted a really uncomfortable subject to show how hard it was for each of them to talk about it. In the end, they found common ground and I like that. I dont really see either of them as the villain in this story.
You can also check out our discord if you want and jump in there to help process feelings. Lot of people do that after the updates. it's an easier way to unpack stuff. I certainly didn't see either ending as tragic as you did tho
Damn you, Aaryn. I am in tears. The last update was working all my emotions and the last frame made me lose it. Great writing always is not expected in most visual novels but this one, Oh My! Please keep up the great work and l will try not to sob like a love struck teenager anymore. But no promises.
That was one of the SWEETEST chapters I've ever read. I hate to say that I blew straight through it, but, omg, did that really yank on my heartstrings. Aaryn, I don't know how you keep outdoing yourself. Props and then some.
Thank you. i really appreciate that. I really tried to do something sweet with the genre here and move the bar in a unique direction. Chapter 9 really did surprise me though and i'm pretty happy with it.
I must say i'm absolutely in love with your visual novel here. No joke, I played a lot of gay visual novels lately, and yours is so special. The story is amazing, the characters are fantastics and every one of them is so different from the others. And the feelings I have while playing this ... Some moments almost made me cry ( Of joy or sadness, depends on the moment ), others made me feel as insecure as the character, which means that you managed to do something absolutely beautiful with it. Cant wait for the next updates, i'm already on the edge just wanting to know what is gonna happen next. Keep up the great work, this game is absolutely incredible and thank you for creating that !
heh, i never expected it to be "incredible" but thank you. It's come a long ways and I do think it's something unique here. I really hope it motivated others to follow suit because i really do like the adult genre and think that it could be capable of so much more. I think you can do a ton with VNs and the way that indie developers are popping up out there, it's just nice to do your own thing and not have to sell a big name company on your vision--you just get to do it yourself and that's liberating.
you just redownload the game. Delete your old game and select new game. When the new game starts, just follow the red "update" and answer a couple questions and it drops you right at the end of the last episode. If you get lost, there's a big warning screen when you boot the game up that gives you the directions
Mediafire is fast for the US. I post the other links on the Patreon site because they work better for outside the US. Check the Patreon site for the other downloads. the format on this site just has limitations. If you really get stuck, hit me up on Twitter and we'll figure it out
brooo, i hate u so much , the way this chapter ended i just cant wait for the rest. So yeah loved it , it was kind of a roller coaster but still great, biting my nails to see what u gonna do with the rest of the story, now that most problems have been fixed.
Ok so let me start off by saying i literally just made an account to share my thoughts with you about your story. Absolutely love it! I just finished reading the update. I definitely can't wait for more. But definitely take your time and enjoy the break. I agree with the previous comment. Ash is the man!
*SPOILERS*
So seriously i was very nervous to read this update since i saw people mention twists and surprises and everything. But everything seemed to work out great. Im very glad you didn't end before confirming the new living arrangements. Lol You almost gave me an anxiety attack with the Cody Braden thing even though i figured something like that was gonna happen. Glad it was just a misunderstanding. That woulda been so shitty of Braden. Would be kool to see more of Jordyn. He seems pretty kool. Looking forward to Zack and Braden taking advantage of the extra privacy.
Again absolutely love your story. I read it 3 times while waiting for the update. Since I first found it back in late November of 2020. It definitely puts you through all the emotions and shit. I could go on forever and I know I forgot a million things I wanted to say. But I'll end my rambling there.
haha, awww. you're ok. no worries about rambling. i appreciate it. So yeah, a lot of the purpose in those conflict scenes is that most relationships go through some hard shit. I wanted these guys to go through joint conflict again, something they each were responsible for but actually show how people who care about each other can talk things out and resolve them. I think a lot of people just freak out in relationships and cut shit off quickly. I wanted to show how something that was potentially relationship-ending could be resolved in a realistic way.
But thanks for making an account and chiming in. This update was really hard for me to write and I'm glad it paid off with soooo many people
The new update is amazing! Max is the real MVP! Cannot wait for more, but I hope you are enjoying your (well earned) break as well! Do you have any plans on when you will return to work on the next part?
Newest update is v19 and is up on the patreon site now at https://www.patreon.com/aaryn for those who donate $5 or more. Free release will be posted on the Patreon for everyone on 1/29. I'll post a link over here probably same day or shortly after.
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Nice work, mainly the graphics, the hardest part for me.
Thank you for your work.
thanks a lot <3
;-)
Would you ever make this available for android?
Use Joi play app it works perfectly 😉
what do you use to make the 3D models? I love the writing of the game btw
Use Daz3D for the models and thanks, I feel like I'm getting better
I love it I love it I love it, but if you remember my Nick you already know, but I could not not write it here. I think this is the real Visual Novel... A magnificent writing, a beautiful plot and a development done really well with a perfect rhythm, many are lost in writing or timing or in characters that then change and instead not here everything is practically perfect and even if to some it may seem a bit surreal for the world today, There are still people who get excited and have deep feelings and live this way. I keep telling you I love you, your heart, Zack and Brayden. I’ve been waiting for 3-4 months for a new update... but it’s okay I already know that it will be worth it
heh. thanks a lot. i appreciate the love and enthusiasm.
Android 😢 Huhuhu 😢
i know. i just haven't gotten around to it yet. dont hate me
Prior to downloading this game I was not a fan of 3D rendered visuals novels. Straight?! has absolutely changed my perspective. Aaryn (and Blayke shoutout to co-writers), your art and skill as storytellers have left me absolutely enchanted. I am so appreciative of the complex relationships and characters you have created. I downloaded this visual novel as a quick distraction during finals week and found myself quickly immersed in Zack's story. I am a Master's student studying Sexuality and you've managed to capture the dynamics and the struggles of establishing one's own sexual identity in such a relatable way. I could write an entire article analyzing your work, but I'll wait until it's finished :) It's truly beautiful and I can't wait to see where your story takes us next! Thank you!
Pervy Sidenote: If Zack is naturally such a great kisser, I can't wait to see what else that mouth do.. haha <3
I swore I responded to this comment and idk why but it never posted I guess. I'm behind on replies so I apologize for taking forever. So i really appreciate the educational aspect from a master's level student; especially one specifically studying sexuality. I think the dynamics hold up. They won't describe everyone's experience but they describe things that have been true to me and things that I struggled with. I wanted to share that but also show a way out of it in the hopes that it would validate others. Don't analyze me too closely though, this is my first time :p
Discord dont work
Not sure why it's not working. Try this one
https://discord.com/invite/qAG3qek
vai ter um personagem mais velho no jogo?
Not at this time. I'm focusing on just one route and trying to make that the best I can
Hello! When will it be available on android? I really really want to play this game. 😢
i will likely try and put out an android port after the next update. Right now, the current code has a significant number of writing completed for the current update that's still being written so it's in transition. i can't export it until i get to a new stopping point
Thanks for noticing 😁 Hope to play it 😆
I was surprised how mature, beautifully written this game is and how you balanced nudity with the story. It's great that you kept it subtle and more realistic so it didn't became another annoying porn game :) It must have taken a lot of work, I hope you don't stop soon: D
Only a few things seemed little weird to me, but I'm not going to write it here to spoil it.
And I can't hear any sound/music even with slider on max in game settings. Not sure if it's just a my problem or there is just slider without purpose.
hey thanks. I'm glad you appreciated the story-focused approach rather than just blatant adult content with no purpose. Right now there is no sound so everything on your end is working fine. Just haven't gotten that far yet. It's still in production.
heya. thanks a lot and I appreciate the thoughts. So from a technical writing point, I think you're right: a lot of the conflict in this isn't long-term and structurally, it could have been planned better from a narrative point of view--that is, if i knew how to write at the time, lol. I've never planned anything like this before so if you want an idea of how it is to actually have a conversation with me about planning and outlining, I'll just reference Ash in Chapter 9 and that should give you an adequate comparison :P
That being said, I will admit that many of the conflicts in this game are purposely resolved quickly because i really wanted to write it as a template for people who have struggled with these issues to get some type of idea for how to resolve them. Zack's character has a lot of anxiety and a lot of inhibition about things (and to be honest, I did, too). So you see him actually resolve these conflicts in the game as I began to slowly resolve them and work them out through the characters. I started writing this for me. But the conflicts in this really serve as a potential way for people to use that example and try to resolve their own conflicts if they've suffered similarly. I'm just showing people how it worked out in my head and what lessons resonated with me. So basically, if i strung that idea out over the course of the narrative, storybook wise it would have worked but the real reason i'm writing this is to work through my own shit and maybe help other people in the process so i didn't want the resolution to be too far from the problem so people could still make the connections.
not sure if that justifies it or not but a lot of that was on purpose just because of the nature and reasoning behind the project
I'm not opposed to putting it on other platforms or anything and I'm also ok with people freely sharing the game once it's public. I just discourage people doing it before I release it because it costs me thousands to make and I'd like to try and continue to bolster that and see if I can actually support myself with this gig. However, I'm very adamant that the game will remain free so I'm not sure how that works with some platforms like Steam. If they force me to charge for the game, then it wont be on that platform
please make an android port
I'm looking into it
I just reached the current end point of the story and I feel like I had to comment on here as I have so many things I want to say. No spoilers here but first and foremost, this wasn't what I was expecting, like at all!
I don't even know where to start with the praise I have for this. I have spent the past few evenings playing through the story and have experienced so many different emotions. The character development is so excellent and the writing so in-depth that it really does make you care about and root for the boys. Never did I think for a moment that a visual novel like this would pull me in so hard. I have literally found myself laughing out loud, feeling rather horny and most surprisingly of all, and I'm not ashamed to say it, welling up with emotion more than a couple of times. This story really got to me, in a good way. There are some truly beautiful moments in this story, and that goes for both the images and the writing. All just so.... unexpected, but very welcome. I'm so glad I decided to give this a try. And to think that it's all still a work in progress as well!
I feel like I still have so much more I want to say about this brilliant story. I have already become a patron and look forward to chatting to others about it on Discord.
Thank you 😊
yo, thanks for the note. I like surprising people with this and people checking in as they try and process their reactions to it never gets old. so thanks for that. I've been really busy with work lately so I've been a little slower on the discord but say hey for sure :)
My surprise is genuine, I just would have never expected to fall so much in love with the characters you have created, the way they have been written and the writing in general is so true to life and has brought up so many feelings and memories for me. Obviously much praise needs to be given for the images you have clearly painstakingly created, but for me, it's the writing and story development here that makes this stand out!
thank you. hopefully it continues to get better. I'm still really new at this
You nailed my thoughts to a T with this comment. I'm currently after the part where Braden picks out clothes and a hair cut for Zack, and I am so head over heels in love with this couple, and I really hope it ends with a happy ending once said and done. Over the years, seeing too many gay couple movies fall apart by the end, it's really become depressing. We need a happy forever and ever story for once. I just had to reply to this comment because you 1000% described my feelings about it. Thank you kindly ❣️
Ah thanks haha. Glad I'm not the only one who has been left feeling this way by it. Yes they are clearly made for each other. Rooting for them! Haha 😊
Dang man, your story really got into me.
[Warning! minor spoilers ahead, proceed cautiously.]
Almost died as they went a-hole at chap9 even fucked me up more as they'll about to get separated and i dont give a shit if its just a 20mins walk, i fucking love both of them together, and then outta nowhere here comes ash, their "spirit animal" saved both of their ass from near relationship death. Well done to the story btw, im looking forward to your future works. Keep it up mah man!
heh, thanks for the love. i'm glad you enjoyed it. You may wanna put a note on your post about spoilers though so you dont ruin somebody's day
Please android version, this game is awesome.
it's on the list. few people have requested this. i'm gonna push it up a bit and see what we can do
I came into this novel when chapter 9 was being worked on.
I will gladly admit that when I came across this novel, I was looking for something raunchy.
I even skipped through so much dialogue thinking that there would be sex scenes involved eventually. However, after chapter 9 came out, the ending for Chapter 9's (pervy) really surprised me. It made something click that this was actually a serious and GOOD novel.
So I went back and went with the (Respect) route, boy am I glad.
Once the prologue was done, the story really started to hit me.
This story has me so hooked I keep wanting more.
I am checking everyday for updates on how the chapter(s) are going.
It is a book I want to keep turning the pages of, that never ends.
I want to follow these two until their entire lives are at an end of old age. To see their character development.
With that said, creativity takes time. (but not too much time! lol)
Novels like these that explore the depths of sexuality and character development are what I thrive on.
There is so much to learn and explain through experiences.
I know this novel must end at some point, but writing like this, with such character growth, is an art to be encouraged.
If this is a career you wish to endeavor, I say keep encouraging yourself to explore it.
This novel alone, shows the ability to express emotion, experiences, and individuality.
-My take away from the story-
The fact that these two became comfortable with each other's sexuality really spoke to me.
I'm a gay man most people think is straight, have sexual anxiety, and I'm also a very openly sexual person; I mean in the way that I am very comfortable with conversations about sex .
Not many people are, and the growth between these two really showed that it is okay to talk about your feelings regarding sexuality and relationships.
Braden in particular, I think, is a wonderful character development.
It really shows how much sexuality is not black and white.
You do not need to be gay in order to love someone of the same sex, even if it is one or two person(s).
It is the same for a vice versa situation. e.g. woman loving a man while typically loving women.
The labels of sexuality are too much confined into a box, labeled as such, and too many people are discouraged from exploring their love and desires because they have been taught there are only a few ways your sexuality can go.
If you love one thing, one or several times, it does not define you indefinitely.
It also discourages people talking about such things and then eventually have that eat away at them.
It may sound hippie, but you literally can love ANYONE.
Even discussing same sex with a person who typically loves the opposite sex is okay, but too often those person(s) feel out of place because they feel if they go down that route it will define them and immediately put a generic label on them.
Relationships are not only about wanting sex, it is about choosing a life partner. Even if you love a man or a woman, that does not mean you can only love "that side".
-What I personally wish for the two characters (though clearly the author is doing a good job as it is)-
I think there should be a scene(s) showing that Braden DOES indeed like women still. I don't wish for "cheating", but even a comment or glance at a beautiful woman would solidify the fact that he is not "turning gay"
I also hope these two do not end this relationship forever.
There is too much invested between the two of them to simply throw away and claim it as a "friendship"
Though i believe friends of any gender can be close as these two have expressed outside of the "sex" scenes.
I believe it would be sad for these two to grow so entwined together that they do not commit to each other as life partners.
Though this is not intended as a "porn" novel it would be fantastic to see a few sex scenes between these two, only to show how much they love and care about having the other "feel good".
I say a few only in the fact to show it is not a "one time thing" and that they are actually expressing their love to each other this way.
Either way, keep up the fantastic job, keep growing this art; if you wish.
You've got one of several fans in your court!
wow, sooo much going on here. I can tell the story impacted you and I take it as a compliment that the ending of chapter 9 made you go back and actually read through everything.
I'm glad you're open to the lot of what the story is suggesting; and while the themes in the game aren't meant to be preachy, I hope they lay a foundation for others to start from if they've faced their own struggles; a blueprint if you will. While it's adult oriented, there really is an intention to break new ground with this game and do something special so thanks for giving it a second shot ( i know the beginning is weak). I appreciate the support and I really appreciated the lengthy input and reaction to this project so thank you sincerely.
this game resonated with me enough that i created an account to leave a comment/review, which is saying something because i'm really socially awkward.
i really related to zack because his emotional experience with braden reminded me so much of something i've been through, and it made me cry, and it's kind of painful and i just love this so much. when i first started to play, the writing immediately captured me because it was funny and clever, and it's only gotten better as i've played. i downloaded the game for something quick and sexy, but this is so much more, and it's really a beautiful story. i haven't reached chapter nine yet, but i already can't wait for you to continue.
I always love these messages where people signed up just to comment. that means a lot. Sorry about the crying but i'm glad it hit you on that level. It's been kinda fun turning the genre upside down. I hope you enjoy chapter 9, too. I think it turned out alright :)
i did get through chapter one and ash is the most absolutely adorable character ever. i love him with all my heart, and i love the game even more if possible.
heh, he's a trip :p
Ok and now that I'm all caught up to chapter nine the story is even better wow
heh, chapter 9 ended up being one of my favs
This game was the first game I've ever played in my life that compelled me to write an actually review, even tho my review was pretty short. I downloaded this at first expecting a quick and hot short story but I was blown away at how complex it was and how it made me feel. I honestly thing I've even learned some things about myself from Zack's story and I can't wait to play more!
I really appreciate this. This is def one of the things that I was after. I wanted to make people think and I wanted to show the progression of someone accepting themselves rather than just relying on lame concepts like having "pride," "acceptance," or even "love" for yourself. While those are solid goals, sometimes people have a really hard time understanding how to get from where they are to that point and we really don't see good ways to do that. I really wanted to show a realistic progression. Now whether that applies to everyone or not, who knows...but maybe if it gives people a template, it can help them find their own way :)
AARYN YOU ARE A BEAST. I LOVE ASH AND THE NINTH CHAPTER SO MUCH. keep up the good work mate :)
haha. glad you liked it. His arc is a lot of fun. Thanks for the luv
When will the next update be out ?
Working on it. I dont do ETA's, it throws me off too much and it's caused me to have to cut stuff from the story in the past
Any chance of an android version? Looks like an amazing visual novel.
I haven't got to it yet but I'd like to do it
This visual novel is awesome. I am not a native english speaker, so apologies for my wording... ;)
I played the game so far and it is just GREAT storytelling. I have no problems with the missing sound. In fact... I think I don't even miss it. The characters and the story have their own voices in my head already. It is like reading a book...with some pictures in it.
So, if you're planning to add sound... well, okay... but I won't use ist ^^
Just one little thing... the game is *huge* in terms of gigabytes... is there any possibility to shrink it, without loosing picturequality?
It seems to me, that the given choices in the game aren't actually choices. Looks more like a oneway story to me, is that right? Or is there a real chance to alter something drastically by choosing different options?
Anyways: I really love this novel and I am desperatly looking forward to more of it! Keep up the great work!
best wishes from germany,
CliveFC
heya, thanks for checking in. There's choices in the game but they don't alter things drastically. It's more linear, like you said. That's mostly because i haven't done this before and I'd rather keep it linear and do it right than split it into multiple routes and just make a mess of things. There's one major story here with two different perspectives (routes) in it. It's pretty obvious when you get to choose those routes so everything is sorta based on that choice. Other things are more subtle and just give more background on certain things.
And thanks for the best wishes. I'm in the US so imma send you some luv back :)
Ha... intercultural (or intercontinental?) difference here. Beeing a german, I struggle with the term "send some luv" ... but I got the message though ;) In fact, I googled a personal phrase to give my comment a proper end. So... is "best wishes" too formal?
And also, beeing a german, I am touched by your choice on Bradens car. Yeah, the badge looks unfamiliar, but I know that car series from it's very beginning on the drawing board ;)
Keep up your great work and thanks so much!!
Will there be an Android version
Haven't gotten to it yet but I wouldn't mind it
I absolutely love this game. I also don't ever comment.... yeah, I am that guy. Not for this game though. The main characters are amazing, I love them all. The way you can choose (I have only found two) different choices and get a little tweak on what happens in the story. Without changing the outcome is nice. I like games that have different boyfriend choices but I am very happy with the face that, at least right now, there is only one and you can have different dialog. I have not tried to ruin the relationship yet, I like happy endings. I love the artwork for the game. If it is you doing the work, it is amazing. The only thing I can say about that is I wish we could close the text window so we can see the whole piece. wink wink. Too bad to draw all that in and not be able to see it. Anyway, is there a place we can donate to the development of the game further? I would love to contribute more. Not a lot, but more.
Thanks for the game!
Hey. thanks for the kind words here and I appreciate you commenting. Couple quick notes, If you hit the H key, it'll hide the text box. We'll likely look at some modifications to the text in the final release. This is still very early alpha so it's really rough right now. And if you'd like to donate, you can do so through here when you download a copy or you can go directly to the patreon site at www.patreon.com/aaryn. Honestly, the patreon site is your best bet because it gives you access to more stuff there. There's an autobill function to that but you can subscribe and then just shut it off immediately after. If it gets messed up though, lemme know. I have no problem refunding because I want things to be fair. Also, the world is crazy and unpredictable right now so don't short yourself donating, the game will always be free regardless
Thanks so much for getting back to me. I look forward to whats to come. I am going to start it again today and see if there is a "bad" route or "friend" route. If there is I will definitely have to turn around and do a happy route right after. Anywho, I have taken up too much of your time. Thank you for the game!
Greatest Story ever
I can`t stop playing it over and over again
Thanks really kind of you to say. Thank you :)
This VN has the potential to become something extraordinary. The effort and care put into this work is plain to see!
Aaryn, you mentioned in some of the comments below that you still consider yourself amateur. If that is the case, then this story is evidence of your rapid evolution as an author. It's getting better and better.
I hope once you reach the end, you will take the time to go back and polish the story - it deserves the TLC.
Here's some observations I had while enjoying the story. I think they are areas which can be improved in order to bring this story to the next level.
- The "voices" of Zack, Braden and Mikhail often blur together, especially during longer expositions. In contrast, Max's voice is very unique, likely because of his personality, but his talking style jumps off the page. You could remove his name from the dialogue, and you would know it was him. It may be worthwhile to add certain quirks and distinguishing styles to the speech patterns of the main characters.
- During exposition of certain more complex thoughts and ideas, the dialogue no longer reads like something a real person would say. It's fine for internal thoughts, but it's weird during conversation. This leads to an awkward contrast between casual social interactions and discussion of serious topics, where the characters, especially Zack and Mikhail, suddenly start sounding like professors giving a speech.
- Perhaps you are "too kind" to your readers. I love that you described this story as a "slow burn". It is perfect for the type of story you are trying to tell. However, conflict in the storyline is too neatly resolved for a true "slow burn". Almost as if you are trying to make each episode's conflicts self-contained.
Be more cruel to your audience. Drag out conflicts, make them far messier as plotlines merge and intermingle. A good example would be the incident involving Zack, Braden and Cody. There was so much opportunity in that situation to explore the different angles of that misunderstanding, especially if it had been allowed to fester. Every author loves their characters, but excellent fiction happens when you don't shelter them under a protective umbrella. Let them get hurt and suffer from the mistakes they make. Your readers will hurt and suffer along with them, but that will make the resolution all the more memorable.
- The timeline for forming of deep soulmate level relationships is accelerated to the point of being unrealistic (as a reader, I can suspend disbelief, but it's better not to rely on this too frequently). Time has to be allowed to pass for this to feel authentic. The good thing about the format of a VN is that it's rather easy to impart the feeling of passing of time.
I think this story shows that you have a spark of something special. I sincerely hope you will find some value in my observations. It is meant as feedback and not criticism - the story is very good, and on the cusp of being great.
Heya, I appreciate the well-crafted feedback here and thanks for the support. I'm definitely amateur and sorta just figure this out as I go. When you spend a lot of time googling "how the hell do I do...[whatever]" you're definitely not pro :p
But I do appreciate the pointers here. The "voices" you reference is something that was suggested early on my Blayke, my co-pilot on this. There's two kinda reasons that never really got flushed out much. The first one is I guess I didn't really know how to do it so I had to just stumble across it. It's also something I hear about but never really notice too much in other works as much as people kinda think they use it so I guess I sorta swept it under the rug. In all honesty, the real reason I didn't put much effort into the "voices" is because of the reason I'm writing the story. The characters are sorta different facets of my own acceptance and stuff so essentially it's more psychotically arguing with myself in a fictional world. So it comes across being the same voice because it really is the same voice for the purposes that I'm writing the story. That's also the reason the monologues and dialogue are the way they are. I never really meant to share this thing in the first place, I was writing it just for me but some people on a forum told me to post it so I did.
In terms of the episodic conflict resolution, I agree with you. I'd like to make some things run longer but releasing it the way that I do, turned it into episodes and I kinda like that format. I was also worried about having too many conflicts in a story like this. The public was already very skeptical when I released it and I still get one or two people a year complain there's not enough sex. People have a concept for the "adult" genre and I was worried about going too deep with plots and stuff. I'll also publicly admit that my concentration really sucks (Blayke can back this up). I'm a disaster to keep on topic so writing and organizing the plots in my head is just really freaking hard for me. So rather than bite off way more than I could chew, I elected to try and resolve things somewhat sooner so I wasn't trying to juggle too much. It's easier to juggle that if you're just doing one linear book or story but trying to code multiple paths into that just gets really complex for me when I have no previous writing or coding experience.
Not sure if any of that makes sense or even really justifies my position. Just thought I'd share my logic. I'm still definitely learning and I do appreciate the pointers, some of these may be implemented during the polishing (there's definitely going to be polishing. The beginning of the game sucks).
I think anyone who writes fiction bases characters on parts of themselves. At least at first. Eventually, the more you get to "know" your characters, the less they are a part of you, and the more it seems as if they're a really close friend that you know. A handy thought-experiment is to consider the character's background and past experiences and how those shape the way they think. For instance, Braden is clearly from a well-to-do family but doesn't want friends who befriend him for his money. This simple attribute opens up many questions which can help define Braden's individuality in addition to serving as plot hooks later on. For example:
You did an excellent job with Max, by the way. His character feels the most authentic, because the way he behaves is fully explained by his backstory. There is a harmony between his personality, his motivations and his psyche. Despite being a secondary character, I think many people would agree that after the chapter "Ash", he feels the most life-like of all your characters so far. (This is not a negative thing, since it just means that the other guys haven't had their backgrounds and personalities explored fully yet. Lots of potential here.)
Regarding conflict, I don't think there will ever be a "right answer". As an artist, you must have the conviction to follow your instincts and your vision for what you want out of the final product. Taking community feedback is good, because there are always facets of every work that can objectively be better, but with all creative works, it will be impossible to try to please everybody. In fact, trying to do so is one surefire way to guarantee the final product will be average with no vision.
(If you've ever wondered why so many AAA games feel soulless, it's because they've lost sight of this basic principle. The great games of the past did not need a focus group to tell them which audiences to please or which hot-topic themes to cover. The creators simply made what was best for their vision of the game.)
I hinted at it in my first comment, but I truly think you will have to make a decision at some point how committed you are to the slow-burn nature of your story. If you do commit, you will likely turn away a certain type of audience, but potentially attract a different one. As with all creative projects, it's truly very difficult to gauge audience reception, but if the success of "Our Life: Beginnings & Always" is any indication, there seems to be a certain demand for slow-burn, well-crafted character stories.
Conversely, if you're going after the faster pace nature of most Adult VNs, there's certainly an audience for that as well. I'm sure you've seen the many examples of well-executed ones in this genre.
My opinion is one of many, but I sincerely hope you will carry this project where your vision leads you. Even with the (little) experience you have, you're already creating something that stands out. So it makes sense to trust your instincts as an artist.
Keep up the good work!
is there no sound in game
no sound. it's still being developed and sound will be one of the last things added (if it's added)
Are we allowed to post videos of the gameplay with commentary?
Sure, i dont mind. I really tried hard to make the story matter here and it's something that's helped a lot of people out so I'm down with it reaching other mediums that I'm not able to. However, watch out, YouTube like to ban people that have covered this in the past so beware. If you do something, hit me up on my twitter or on the discord and I may be able to retweet it
Aaryn, you are very good at telling stories. You really makes us get involved with the characters. But that last chapter really got me. As I have nobody to talk about this, I´ll just write it here.
-- SPOILERS --
I felt so betrayed by Bredan that I was already hoping for Zack to get another roommate. I realized how I also didn't pay attention to the tips given during the story and notice how Bredan was playing him. He seems to me just a spoiled rich brat playing with his gay roommate.
Nobody kneels to pick up a towel that they reach with their hand. Cody also wouldn't have the reaction he had as Zack entered the room and wouldn´t apologize for being naked considering he saw Zack with 3 other naked boys the day before. He could see Zack didn´t left the room for being shy, but for being desolated. And what can't Zack do that Cody can do so well? Just don´t know what to expect.
But when I went to test the "pervy" line and Ash opened his eyes, then I got really upset with Bredan. And to think that Zack probably won't know any of that just because he was respectful.
Anyway, waiting for the next chapter to see if I recover emotionally.
Obs: They talk about when Zack said he was gay even if he doesn´t go to the restaurant in the first chapter.
Good job
heya :)
[Spoilers]
I can see kinda see why you had the strong reactions that you stated but I guess I'll throw out that not really any of those reactions were intended from this particular chapter. It's kinda hard for me to quickly summarize a response here because you interpreted things in a completely different direction that I felt that I intended to write them. In the case of Cody "kneeling," that part seems legit to me, I picture myself sliding down towards the floor onto my knees in a crouch to pick up the towel before standing back up. That just seems like a natural flow of motion to me. In the respect route, Braden specifically states why Cody was apologizing for his reaction. Cody, who noticeable gets pretty nervous around stuff (as we saw in the coffee shop) knew that Braden had mixed feelings about telling him stuff against Zack's perceived wishes so it was more a surprise when Zack walked in. Zack's staring probably just caught Cody off guard even though Zack was spacing out. Braden talks about this at the pond and sorta fills in the blanks.
The pervy line was very different, Zack's argument and blow up at Braden sounds very similar to where you are and you sound like you didn't really buy into anything that Braden said during the gym talk. I guess I did. I know people sometimes step out of line or become passive in relationships and hope that things will smooth themselves over when they don't. We're talking about two guys here who really have no experience in relationships and neither of them are used to dating another guy. They even talk about how they felt that the perception should be easier for two guys than it would be for opposite sexes to be in a relationship. There's a lot of mistakes that are made here from them and I think that's the beauty of it. To me, the design here is to illustrate two people who, regardless of their choices, are both sorry about what's happened between them and still care deeply for each other. Things just got out of hand and each of them sorta was hoping the other one would pull things back into alignment. I wanted to illustrate the importance of honesty and communication in relationships that are meaningful but to illustrate how difficult that is, i wanted a really uncomfortable subject to show how hard it was for each of them to talk about it. In the end, they found common ground and I like that. I dont really see either of them as the villain in this story.
You can also check out our discord if you want and jump in there to help process feelings. Lot of people do that after the updates. it's an easier way to unpack stuff. I certainly didn't see either ending as tragic as you did tho
Damn you, Aaryn. I am in tears. The last update was working all my emotions and the last frame made me lose it. Great writing always is not expected in most visual novels but this one, Oh My! Please keep up the great work and l will try not to sob like a love struck teenager anymore. But no promises.
haha. i appreciate your tears but sorry for the rollercoaster :p
That was one of the SWEETEST chapters I've ever read. I hate to say that I blew straight through it, but, omg, did that really yank on my heartstrings. Aaryn, I don't know how you keep outdoing yourself. Props and then some.
Thank you. i really appreciate that. I really tried to do something sweet with the genre here and move the bar in a unique direction. Chapter 9 really did surprise me though and i'm pretty happy with it.
All good work deserves to be both acknowledged and appreciated. Keep doing what you love.
I must say i'm absolutely in love with your visual novel here. No joke, I played a lot of gay visual novels lately, and yours is so special. The story is amazing, the characters are fantastics and every one of them is so different from the others. And the feelings I have while playing this ... Some moments almost made me cry ( Of joy or sadness, depends on the moment ), others made me feel as insecure as the character, which means that you managed to do something absolutely beautiful with it. Cant wait for the next updates, i'm already on the edge just wanting to know what is gonna happen next. Keep up the great work, this game is absolutely incredible and thank you for creating that !
heh, i never expected it to be "incredible" but thank you. It's come a long ways and I do think it's something unique here. I really hope it motivated others to follow suit because i really do like the adult genre and think that it could be capable of so much more. I think you can do a ton with VNs and the way that indie developers are popping up out there, it's just nice to do your own thing and not have to sell a big name company on your vision--you just get to do it yourself and that's liberating.
The update package name says version 0.19.5 but the game says 0.18.1
Not sure where you're looking at
On the right bottom corner..
On the right bottom corner..
On the right bottom corner..
What's new in the update?
about 2 hours more content or so depending on how fast you read
lol can someone tell me how I update the windows version without loosing my progress
you just redownload the game. Delete your old game and select new game. When the new game starts, just follow the red "update" and answer a couple questions and it drops you right at the end of the last episode. If you get lost, there's a big warning screen when you boot the game up that gives you the directions
i hope so
Sorry to bother you, but can you upload the game at Mega or something. The mediafire is way too slow and I can't download the game :(
There's a Mega download here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/46806608
thanks!
Lol mediafire isn't slow. Perhaps ur internet is trash.
nah, I can download from other websites easily, only mediafire is slow lol
idk but for me and chip is mediafire and Google drive one fo the fastest
I see. Probably because I'm not from the US then
Mediafire is fast for the US. I post the other links on the Patreon site because they work better for outside the US. Check the Patreon site for the other downloads. the format on this site just has limitations. If you really get stuck, hit me up on Twitter and we'll figure it out
brooo, i hate u so much , the way this chapter ended i just cant wait for the rest. So yeah loved it , it was kind of a roller coaster but still great, biting my nails to see what u gonna do with the rest of the story, now that most problems have been fixed.
heh, sorry about the rollercoaster but hope it was worth it
Ok so let me start off by saying i literally just made an account to share my thoughts with you about your story. Absolutely love it! I just finished reading the update. I definitely can't wait for more. But definitely take your time and enjoy the break. I agree with the previous comment. Ash is the man!
*SPOILERS*
So seriously i was very nervous to read this update since i saw people mention twists and surprises and everything. But everything seemed to work out great. Im very glad you didn't end before confirming the new living arrangements. Lol You almost gave me an anxiety attack with the Cody Braden thing even though i figured something like that was gonna happen. Glad it was just a misunderstanding. That woulda been so shitty of Braden. Would be kool to see more of Jordyn. He seems pretty kool. Looking forward to Zack and Braden taking advantage of the extra privacy.
Again absolutely love your story. I read it 3 times while waiting for the update. Since I first found it back in late November of 2020. It definitely puts you through all the emotions and shit. I could go on forever and I know I forgot a million things I wanted to say. But I'll end my rambling there.
haha, awww. you're ok. no worries about rambling. i appreciate it. So yeah, a lot of the purpose in those conflict scenes is that most relationships go through some hard shit. I wanted these guys to go through joint conflict again, something they each were responsible for but actually show how people who care about each other can talk things out and resolve them. I think a lot of people just freak out in relationships and cut shit off quickly. I wanted to show how something that was potentially relationship-ending could be resolved in a realistic way.
But thanks for making an account and chiming in. This update was really hard for me to write and I'm glad it paid off with soooo many people
The new update is amazing! Max is the real MVP!
Cannot wait for more, but I hope you are enjoying your (well earned) break as well!
Do you have any plans on when you will return to work on the next part?
heh, thanks a lot. Probably gonna start outlining this weekend if I get a chance
When will the next update be?, I was left on edge at the end and I need to know what happens next
Newest update is v19 and is up on the patreon site now at https://www.patreon.com/aaryn for those who donate $5 or more. Free release will be posted on the Patreon for everyone on 1/29. I'll post a link over here probably same day or shortly after.