what about when you eventually finish the game? will you sell the Nsfw steamy patron version as a seperate game from the SFW version? or will you combine them as the final update for all to access?
also that begs another question. upon VN completion, do you plan to open it to the public? or do what most vns have started doing and give the full game to patreons and have everyone else buy the game?
Hey so, I realize this is probably a disappointing answer but I have to be honest. I have no Idea what the plan is with the uncensored release.
as of now the sex scenes are a couple chapters off still, so it might be some time till I make my decision.
That's the short answer, but If you'd like an explanation:
I am no longer sure if I will be making the uncensored Patreon only or if I will simply be uploading it uncensored anyway. I also want to stress that there is no, and never has been a SFW version of HFTL. Nudity and skimpy outfits was always part of the deal, even when it isn't explicitly involving a sex scene. I have no plans to release a version of the comic where this is toned down, sort of as a matter of principle.
This is my dillema: Since I'm writing a Drama / Romance, and not an Erotica, the sex scenes are more about the story than they are about getting off, and because of that they carry some important plot and character development moments. I'm worried that the impact of the experience will be hindered if I don't include them because of this. On the flip side... and at the risk of sounding callous... I do need to pay rent, and paywalling the sex scenes is a way to get people to help fund my work. I feel nasty even saying that though, because I genuinely want people to have easy and free access to HFTL.
I am somewhat leaning towards simply releasing it all uncensored here and keeping it simple, but I haven't made up my mind yet.
No that makes a lot of sense actually and I see where your coming from. Take your time with your decision. Whether or not you combine it all to add to the story is entirely up to you. This is YOUR creation after all; You are the architect of this amazing world and only you can help it reach its full potential.
Plus, Im certain im not the only one to appreciate the fact that you're goal is to make someone invested in reading the story. More to it, you're dream is to have them get invested in more than just the ability to get off. Believe me, Ive seen so many visual novels of late make sex either the focus, or allow the sex to take away from the story. It gets so bad in fact, that even i have found myself simply turning on "Skip Unscene Text" in the settings just so i can skip to the naughty times.
Mind you, im not dogging on sex. That type of connection with the characters can truly increase character development and allow players to invest themselves into not just the stories but the people within them; allowing them to becomes fans, allowing them to dream of themselves going on amazing adventures with what you've created; and most importantly inspire them to even create their own works of art to share with the world.
Im an aspiring Visual Novel Artist myself even. Got my own dream in the works that i one day hope to publish when i work up enough funds to feel comfortable posting it online and sharing it. Mostly, Im great at world building and stuff, but coding? drawing? hell, even actively participating in social media and getting myself out there has terrified me and made it difficult. But i always look on Itch.io and see hundreds of other aspiring artists, some of them hidden gems even, grow and become truly amazing experiences. and it always inspires me!
so just promise us all, that whatever comes your way, bills, life, trauma... hell even just random shit that makes no sense. youll never let that sway you from doing what makes you happy! and above all, as its even become somewhat common knowledge at this point, dont do what the author of BLACKGATE Did. That story was amazing and i loved every moment, yet i fear he will never finish it, and many of us have lost interest, simply because he stopped caring about his dream.
After Note-
Also, Never feel upset about what your currenty in need of. after the craziness of 2021, and the fact they we are STILL dealing with COVID-19, many of us are struggling. especially artists.
Hell, the sole reason ive never posted my own VN is because i lact the funds to even publish it. I've got the story written (at least the prologue and the story board and plan), but have no artists, nor anyone to help with coding.
that kind of help takes money that just doesnt spawn on trees. So please, do not feel any shame in asking for help with funding. if that means putting on a paywall for us? so be it.
I really appreciate your kind words, and the story you shared with me! It is always disappointing to see projects get abondond, and with how common it is with indi visual novels, I understand that readers are concerned about the future of this project, as I am a mostly unknown artists. Rest assured not only do i have a mountain of passion for this project, I have more sturdy motivations to finish it! You might have to wait till 2023 but HFTL will be completed someday.
About your personal creative pursuits, I have nothing but encouragement to offer you! I'm on a discord server of furry visual novel fans and creators, and if you'd like, I can share a link to it. Ive seen plenty of VN writers make calls for volunteer artist or colaborators with other talents, so it could be a good launching point if you'd like to pursue making your own VN!
