Post by CommonHouseplant in Best Friends Forever - Update #4 - (Possible Kickstarter) comments

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I haven't played the demo, but I'm willing to give it a shot and report back! I just, as a general rule, don't tend to be attracted to the kind of character arcs and stories that go hand in hand with school games.

Don't get me wrong, I used to play them (my candy love comes to mind during my high school days), but I found my patience for certain tropes and stories running shorter as I got older so I stopped touching them, even in college setting sims. Also honestly I just feel... icky, dating ( fictionally) anyone under 18/19 at this point, even if the MC is of a similar age. I know it's irrational, but I've found it's just something that I personally struggle with now that I'm heading towards my mid 20s and would never, ever, date someone even below 20 in real life.

I don't know what to say on the social media presence (I'm not a creator so not familiar with the particular challenges that would be there unfortunately), except I don't think any update is a waste of time. I love hearing what's been going on, even if it's just that a scene got written or that you have a cropped background to share or something. It keeps me excited and in the forefront of my brain.

Regardless of what you do, I will absolutely check out the demo now because I realize my blanket ban is kind of unfair, especially since I've liked your other work so much. I'll also keep an eye out for news of the KS if you do one, I'd at the very least get a game tier, whatever that would be at.

TheBetterStory6 years ago(+2)

Chiming in yet again to agree that social media presence is extremely important for any indie studio to be successful, even if it's just having a personal Tumblr or Twitter account people can follow where you also occasionally post news about the game. Aside from letting people find your work and giving fans a place they can interact with you, it makes the studio look more legit.

And you definitely don't have to update people on the game when you post! You can talk about other people's games, write about general developer stuff, drop little snippets about the characters, whatever.

CommonHouseplant6 years ago(+1)

Good point! Just little blurbs work too, or talking about other stuff, the main thing is just connecting with people. Which... I don't really know how to do, but yeah basically I agree with this person. Also tumblr is great because if you feel up for it you can have asks which is a good way to share more info about the characters and stuff and build a bond/seem responsive to the community.

And I've reached my limit for advice, I know nothing, just what I've picked up from my friend on her own journey :')

Blackcross & Taylor6 years ago (1 edit) (+1)

Well, it would certainly be useful to me to hear your opinion about the demo - clearly the presentation of the game at the moment makes people think a certain way about it, and if I can get your opinion as to whether your assumptions going in were accurate or off-base, it would give me a clear indication of whether I need to change the way I'm marketing it, or leave it as it is.

That said, I really don't want you to feel gross, so please don't force yourself - your advice and support has been more than enough.

I'm trying at the moment to draw together ideas for social media posts I can make - I have Tumblr / facebook / lemmasoft accounts already, though no twitter as yet.

Someone suggested to me privately 'character profiles' are popular, as well as the usual progress updates, and I might speak to the game artist and see if I can purchase a few more sketches from her.

Thanks again

CommonHouseplant6 years ago (1 edit)

AGH one last thing I want to clarify, because I realize now that I may have worded it badly. I don't think you're icky or writing school romance or other people enjoying it (regardless of their age), I just battle with OCD and one of my obsessions is an intense fear of accidentally taking advantage of someone or ruining their life and I find that's something that triggers it because for a little while I 'am' the character, but I'm still me? So I'm 23 but it feels like I'm preying on someone underage yeah. BUT YEAH. SORRY I didn't think of my wording as being so rude when I wrote it and that it probably needed context. Also I worry a lot with being misunderstood and tend to over explain so sorry if this was totally unneeded lol.

And yes character profiles are always popular! Help people know more what kind of characters there are and if there's one in particular that grabs their interest they may be more likely to buy the game.

For some positive news one thing I do want to mention that I LOVE that you do is those little sketches you have for updates. They're so cute!! And really, I do love your writing, I've noticed your games getting longer as time goes on and I'll admit that makes me happy because it means I get more time with your games!

Anyway, good luck! I promise I won't make you listen to anymore long winded comments until later. Have a good day and good luck!

OH SORRY ONE LAST THING. Someone else mentioned patreon, I'd totally support you there too if you went that route. Tragically I can't be a super rich donor, but I'd definitely grab a $5 or $10 tier!

Blackcross & Taylor6 years ago

Please don't worry. I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly didn't read it that way and I wasn't offended in the slightest. I do understand where you're coming from - Ken from Persona 3 gave me similar feelings.

And I'm glad you like the sketches - I think the artist, ayachin, does a lovely job of really bringing the characters to life.

Thank you for your continued support - I may consider Patreon if other courses fail, though I am not sure how it would work rewarding people when I make games (since it is such a long time between outputs) and I would not like being sponsored for 'nothing' as it were, though perhaps there is something in the way it works that I am missing - I confess it is probably the avenue I know the least about right now. ^_^

itch.io

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