This post is part of the 2018 "If You Write It, They Will Come" AIF Writing Salon.
Games are an interactive medium. The final experience is a combination
of player choices and your writing. Unless you're experienced enough to
be able to anticipate how players will react to your game, you need to
playtest your game to find out if players are experiencing the game in
the way you intended.
For the first couple of playtests, your game will just a skeleton. It
will be playable but incomplete. You should use these playtests to find
missing parts of your game and fill them in. You should think of
alternate choices that players can make at different points in the game
and write the text for them.
For these later playtests, you should focus on refining how players
experience your game. You should play some of the other games and leave
comments about your experiences to help other authors and hopefully they
will do the same for you. When reading player feedback, you should
focus on their descriptions of how they felt while playing your game and
on any problems they encountered. You should then see if these
experiences match what you intended for your game. Keep in mind that
players are not game designers, so any suggestions they make for actual
changes to your game will often be wrong.
Just post any changes you want in the comments in the form of more transcripts or using more detailed instructions if necessary.
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Sunday, 1 April 2018
2018 Writing Salon: Playtesting 2
This post is part of the 2018 "If You Write It, They Will Come" AIF Writing Salon.
Games are an interactive medium. The final experience is a combination of player choices and your writing. Unless you're experienced enough to be able to anticipate how players will react to your game, you need to playtest your game to find out if players are experiencing the game in the way you intended.
For the first couple of playtests, your game will just a skeleton. It will be playable but incomplete. You should use these playtests to find missing parts of your game and fill them in. You should think of alternate choices that players can make at different points in the game and write the text for them.
For the later playtests, you should focus on refining how players experience your game. You should play some of the other games and leave comments about your experiences to help other authors and hopefully they will do the same for you. When reading player feedback, you should focus on their descriptions of how they felt while playing your game and on any problems they encountered. You should then see if these experiences match what you intended for your game. Keep in mind that players are not game designers, so any suggestions they make for actual changes to your game will often be wrong.
Just post any changes you want in the comments in the form of more transcripts or using more detailed instructions if necessary.
Games are an interactive medium. The final experience is a combination of player choices and your writing. Unless you're experienced enough to be able to anticipate how players will react to your game, you need to playtest your game to find out if players are experiencing the game in the way you intended.
For the first couple of playtests, your game will just a skeleton. It will be playable but incomplete. You should use these playtests to find missing parts of your game and fill them in. You should think of alternate choices that players can make at different points in the game and write the text for them.
For the later playtests, you should focus on refining how players experience your game. You should play some of the other games and leave comments about your experiences to help other authors and hopefully they will do the same for you. When reading player feedback, you should focus on their descriptions of how they felt while playing your game and on any problems they encountered. You should then see if these experiences match what you intended for your game. Keep in mind that players are not game designers, so any suggestions they make for actual changes to your game will often be wrong.
Just post any changes you want in the comments in the form of more transcripts or using more detailed instructions if necessary.
Saturday, 3 March 2018
Should We Cancel the Mini-Comp This Year?
We successfully revived the AIF Mini-Comp last year. Everyone seemed to have fun making and playing the games. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for it to continue though.
Although the AIF Mini-Comp provides a good focal point for the community to get together, it also causes a few problems. It distracts authors from their other projects. It sucks up the community's energy and efforts and concentrates them on one event, leaving authors too drained to make games during the rest of the year. As a community, it's much healthier to have authors releasing games throughout the year so that there are always games to play and talk instead of just having the community go dormant except for once during the year.
Before the Mini-Comp was revived last year, the community wasn't thriving, but there were still occasionally authors releasing games throughout the year, which kept the community going. After last year's Mini-Comp though, I don't remember any completed AIF games being released. There was a heroic effort by Letwri to run two simultaneous Live AIF games, a few projects were announced on the Reddit, and there was an outside jam that some people entered, but there weren't any completed games that people shared or talked about. I'm not sure if this lack of activity was caused specifically by the Mini-Comp, but it sure is a strange coincidence. The months before the Mini-Comp were much more alive while the months after the Mini-Comp had little activity.
Would it be healthier for the community if we let the AIF Mini-Comp drift away again? What do you think?
Although the AIF Mini-Comp provides a good focal point for the community to get together, it also causes a few problems. It distracts authors from their other projects. It sucks up the community's energy and efforts and concentrates them on one event, leaving authors too drained to make games during the rest of the year. As a community, it's much healthier to have authors releasing games throughout the year so that there are always games to play and talk instead of just having the community go dormant except for once during the year.
Before the Mini-Comp was revived last year, the community wasn't thriving, but there were still occasionally authors releasing games throughout the year, which kept the community going. After last year's Mini-Comp though, I don't remember any completed AIF games being released. There was a heroic effort by Letwri to run two simultaneous Live AIF games, a few projects were announced on the Reddit, and there was an outside jam that some people entered, but there weren't any completed games that people shared or talked about. I'm not sure if this lack of activity was caused specifically by the Mini-Comp, but it sure is a strange coincidence. The months before the Mini-Comp were much more alive while the months after the Mini-Comp had little activity.
Would it be healthier for the community if we let the AIF Mini-Comp drift away again? What do you think?
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Pervert Action: Legacy 1.4.1 public release
I’ve just
released the first new public update of PAL in months! (Plus, a new patrons-only
release too.) There are some big content expansions in this one since the last
public release.
Download
for 1.4.1 (public): https://www.patreon.com/posts/17134793
Details about the release are below.
Monday, 19 February 2018
Patreon.com/Palmer needs an additional writer!
We have grown quite a bit in the last year, and now we want to keep expanding the studio to create more games. We are now looking for an additional writer for an upcoming game.
https://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=47994&p=477819
Our current writer is Annother Wannabe, who is absolutely amazing and I'm sure most of you already know. The reason I wanted AW was his background in AIF and of course, how exceptionally good his writing is. In general, I find that AIF writers have a much better grasp of the importance of sexual tension and buildup to a sex scene. So I'm posting this here in hopes that perhaps somebody else from the community I started off in, and will always love, will be interested in doing something they are passionate about and get a fair salary for.
Note that in that post it says you need Ren’Py experience (mainly because our script language is similar to Ren’Py and hence you would have an easier time starting off).This is a big plus but not required. We have an extensive manual explaining everything you need to know in order to get started, and even the unitiated can indeed apply. The most important factor is that you are strong in emphasizing sexual tension and slow buildup in your story. Have you played our other games you probably already know what we’re looking for. If you are interested, check out the thread I linked to find out how to apply. Please include any previous work that can be relative or write some kind of short story that contains the features we are looking for, should you not have written something before.
Our current writer is Annother Wannabe, who is absolutely amazing and I'm sure most of you already know. The reason I wanted AW was his background in AIF and of course, how exceptionally good his writing is. In general, I find that AIF writers have a much better grasp of the importance of sexual tension and buildup to a sex scene. So I'm posting this here in hopes that perhaps somebody else from the community I started off in, and will always love, will be interested in doing something they are passionate about and get a fair salary for.
Note that in that post it says you need Ren’Py experience (mainly because our script language is similar to Ren’Py and hence you would have an easier time starting off).This is a big plus but not required. We have an extensive manual explaining everything you need to know in order to get started, and even the unitiated can indeed apply. The most important factor is that you are strong in emphasizing sexual tension and slow buildup in your story. Have you played our other games you probably already know what we’re looking for. If you are interested, check out the thread I linked to find out how to apply. Please include any previous work that can be relative or write some kind of short story that contains the features we are looking for, should you not have written something before.
Sunday, 21 January 2018
No Real McCoy This Week
Hey everyone,
Unfortunately I'm a bit under the weather so I don't think I'll be managing a post for Real McCoy this week; probably for the best really since we didn't have a particularly huge response in the surveys anyway, so this will give people who haven't had a chance to respond a little more time. Just reopened the survey, so have at it. See you all next week (hopefully)!
Letwri
Edit: Feeling a little better so I may take some time to draft out some basic parts of the story for this upcoming week. I'd sort of like to go a bit larger with this post (ideally double the length of the usual) to make up for missing last week but I haven't seen much response and we are in the middle of a multiple-way tie that really probably needs to be resolved. I'd really rather not do another random thing (sorry, not feeling another spin the bottle scene) so I'm playing with some fallback ideas but I'd hate to take the choice out of the reader's hands.
Anyone out there who hasn't responded yet, this may be your time to shine; pretty much anyone responding at this point would be breaking things up so there's a good chance the next person to complete the survey will decide the events of the next post ...
Unfortunately I'm a bit under the weather so I don't think I'll be managing a post for Real McCoy this week; probably for the best really since we didn't have a particularly huge response in the surveys anyway, so this will give people who haven't had a chance to respond a little more time. Just reopened the survey, so have at it. See you all next week (hopefully)!
Letwri
Edit: Feeling a little better so I may take some time to draft out some basic parts of the story for this upcoming week. I'd sort of like to go a bit larger with this post (ideally double the length of the usual) to make up for missing last week but I haven't seen much response and we are in the middle of a multiple-way tie that really probably needs to be resolved. I'd really rather not do another random thing (sorry, not feeling another spin the bottle scene) so I'm playing with some fallback ideas but I'd hate to take the choice out of the reader's hands.
Anyone out there who hasn't responded yet, this may be your time to shine; pretty much anyone responding at this point would be breaking things up so there's a good chance the next person to complete the survey will decide the events of the next post ...
Saturday, 13 January 2018
No Real McCoy or Apocalypse High This Weekend
Just a reminder, no post this week for either Real McCoy or Apocalypse High. Had some fairly minimal responses to both so no extra post this month. Oddly, for the first time ever Apocalypse High is tied with Real McCoy in survey numbers, usually it only has about 75% of the number of responses tops ... should Alice be worried?
Also, kind of curious, did you see your suggestions or comments implemented in the Real McCoy last week? As some of my past readers in particular may recall, I am fond of sneaking in little clues and tricks in my stories, which may or may not come out in a big way later in the story.
I sometimes suspect I go with a slightly too soft touch at times though ... if you've made suggestions or comments on the Blogs, mind helping me out by letting me know if you feel like you've been heard? If not, should I do some kind of 'Behind the Scenes' or spoiler type option where you get insight into some of that stuff? Let me know folks!
Letwri
Edit: Actually kind of interesting, we have a four way tie in the Real McCoy survey as of this morning. We still have until next weekend to get that sorted out, but just a heads up that things are pretty close on the 'who should Alice spend time with next' question. If you have a particular person you'd like to see her with, make sure to chime in, every vote counts!
Another Edit: In a rather impressive distribution of new votes for Real McCoy the surveys remain in a tie. It would be rather interesting were I the sort to analyze such things I suspect. As I'm using it for my writing prompt though, I'll just remind folks to keep voting and hope we reach some kind of resolution. Survey will remain open until Friday so fire away when you get the chance. No one wants another spin the bottle scene so soon after the last one, do they?
Also, kind of curious, did you see your suggestions or comments implemented in the Real McCoy last week? As some of my past readers in particular may recall, I am fond of sneaking in little clues and tricks in my stories, which may or may not come out in a big way later in the story.
I sometimes suspect I go with a slightly too soft touch at times though ... if you've made suggestions or comments on the Blogs, mind helping me out by letting me know if you feel like you've been heard? If not, should I do some kind of 'Behind the Scenes' or spoiler type option where you get insight into some of that stuff? Let me know folks!
Letwri
Edit: Actually kind of interesting, we have a four way tie in the Real McCoy survey as of this morning. We still have until next weekend to get that sorted out, but just a heads up that things are pretty close on the 'who should Alice spend time with next' question. If you have a particular person you'd like to see her with, make sure to chime in, every vote counts!
Another Edit: In a rather impressive distribution of new votes for Real McCoy the surveys remain in a tie. It would be rather interesting were I the sort to analyze such things I suspect. As I'm using it for my writing prompt though, I'll just remind folks to keep voting and hope we reach some kind of resolution. Survey will remain open until Friday so fire away when you get the chance. No one wants another spin the bottle scene so soon after the last one, do they?
Monday, 8 January 2018
Apocalypse High Part 2 is live!
... I need to start getting these posts out earlier, but hey it's technically up in time! Take a look on the Yahoo groups forum for the latest post, the PDF version to be uploaded shortly. As always, we have a survey for you here.
Also, don't forget about the Real McCoy survey, which can be found here. Next week will be an off week unless I see significant responses for one story or another, so make sure to send in your thoughts if you want to see more!
Letwri
Edit: Hey all, we're mid-way through the week so I just thought I'd do a little update. So far there haven't been too many survey results (less than five for Apocalypse High, only a handful for Real McCoy as well); still holding out for the possibility that we may see some better response over the next few days though. Keep in mind that if we see enough for one story or the other I'll be doing a bonus post this weekend; otherwise this will be an off week. Jump on in and get surveying if you want to see more!
Also, don't forget about the Real McCoy survey, which can be found here. Next week will be an off week unless I see significant responses for one story or another, so make sure to send in your thoughts if you want to see more!
Letwri
Edit: Hey all, we're mid-way through the week so I just thought I'd do a little update. So far there haven't been too many survey results (less than five for Apocalypse High, only a handful for Real McCoy as well); still holding out for the possibility that we may see some better response over the next few days though. Keep in mind that if we see enough for one story or the other I'll be doing a bonus post this weekend; otherwise this will be an off week. Jump on in and get surveying if you want to see more!
Friday, 5 January 2018
Apocalypse High Post: Coming Soon
Hey everyone,
Just a reminder that I will be closing out the Apocalypse High survey to start writing soon. If you want to help influence the story, now is the time; I'll probably be closing it off sometime within the next 6 to 12 hours or so. Some of the more supernatural elements will begin making a more obvious appearance soon, so keep an eye out!
Letwri
Just a reminder that I will be closing out the Apocalypse High survey to start writing soon. If you want to help influence the story, now is the time; I'll probably be closing it off sometime within the next 6 to 12 hours or so. Some of the more supernatural elements will begin making a more obvious appearance soon, so keep an eye out!
Letwri
Monday, 1 January 2018
Real McCoy Part Six is posted!
Happy New Year!
Sorry for the long wait folks, a lot of issues the past few weeks and some serious writer's block caused by said issues. I hope it will never happen again but .. no promises, unfortunately. For those aspiring writers out there suffering similar issues, my personal tip is to power through; you may not feel like you've written the best thing in the world (or at least, I never do) but actually getting something on paper (or screen) is better than nothing.
The survey will follow shortly, I still have to construct it. Next weekend will be Apocalypse High, so make sure those of you who haven't voted yet get around to it. Survey link for Apocalypse High can be found here: https://goo.gl/forms/4NL5hdPZ2fLXpN6w2
Letwri
Edit: The survey for the newest Real McCoy is here: https://goo.gl/forms/yJwgyJHf56pn8XFJ3
Also, for those who haven't seen it yet Bob Arctor has done some amazing additions to the fan art I previously posted. Check it out here.
Another Edit: I will be taking down the Apocalypse High survey tomorrow to begin work on the next bit of the story; anyone interested in influencing the outcome may way to get their surveys in soon!
Sorry for the long wait folks, a lot of issues the past few weeks and some serious writer's block caused by said issues. I hope it will never happen again but .. no promises, unfortunately. For those aspiring writers out there suffering similar issues, my personal tip is to power through; you may not feel like you've written the best thing in the world (or at least, I never do) but actually getting something on paper (or screen) is better than nothing.
The survey will follow shortly, I still have to construct it. Next weekend will be Apocalypse High, so make sure those of you who haven't voted yet get around to it. Survey link for Apocalypse High can be found here: https://goo.gl/forms/4NL5hdPZ2fLXpN6w2
Letwri
Edit: The survey for the newest Real McCoy is here: https://goo.gl/forms/yJwgyJHf56pn8XFJ3
Also, for those who haven't seen it yet Bob Arctor has done some amazing additions to the fan art I previously posted. Check it out here.
Another Edit: I will be taking down the Apocalypse High survey tomorrow to begin work on the next bit of the story; anyone interested in influencing the outcome may way to get their surveys in soon!
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