Matsumori Days

As developer, I should be able to answer any given plot-related query that could be fielded at any given point in the game's plot. This is "developer knowledge". However, I must be aware of what the players are supposed to know, or at least cause them to suspect what could be going on. This is "player knowledge". At the same time, I must be aware of what the game's characters know, or suspect. This is "character knowledge."

Perhaps it's just me, but I'm getting the feeling that within the current context of the game, there is no balance between player knowledge, character knowledge, and developer knowledge. For example, by the end of Chapter 1, the characters believe that the dream world is just that. A place that exists within their dreams. It was my intention to cause players to at suspect that the dream world is more than just that. From the feedback that I've received, there are none that suggests to me that there is suspicion on the player's end about the true nature of the other Matsumori High.

As for the characters, they don't voice any suspicions until Chapter 2 which, at this ranting, is not within the scope of the demo. If Chapter 2 was within the scope, then perhaps the players may re-think their position on the nature of the other Matsumori High. At this moment, I'm not certain if there is going to be a demo that will have Chapter 2 content within it's scope.

What I need to do for the next update is give some kind of in-game hint to players that things are not quite what they seem to be. Characters won't recognize, or even acknowledge these hints, but players should be able to recognize them, and maybe cause them to start thinking "Wait just a minute!". But what can I do that's anything like that? My mind is a complete blank. Then again, that could just be me getting tired.

Slightly off topic, but as I posted the mock interview with Masako, I'm slowly beginning to realize that I haven't really developed the other cast members very much outside of the base trope that they represent. That I'm just noticing this now after this long in development is pretty sad. Way to fail on my part! Anyway, it is my hope that going through the mock interviews as an exercise in characterizations will help me flesh out the characters more. I doubt I would post any stream-of-consciousness that I may have during the process, but who really knows?