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This page is for discussion of the artistic side of content creation, such as writing and characterization, as well as for the posting of incomplete content for the purpose of receiving feedback from each other.

Feel free to discuss characters and stories you are working on.
The old Custom Content thread can be found here. The first archived artistic discussion thread can be found here.

Posts

Alright, I'm a terrible new person to this. I have yet to try the technical aspects of actually writing the story and it's playability but before I start anything I would like to make sure people are aware of my existance and stupid ideas.

Hi, I'm Swedish. Call me SwedenSpeedway. I love comic-books and games, western as eastern as anything in the middle.

So alright, this here is Alice. She is my character and I plan on using own art over those premade sprites or doll makers you guys got, but nothing I'll show here is final. Things will be cleaned up and set up to fit the game better. In time.

None the less, here she is:



Jikes it's big. It's also VERY rough and rushed together. I have an older reference, since this is a character I plan to use for my own original stories (Comic book actually) but it's out of date when it comes to design.

Alice here is an American tourist, duh. Dark skinned and hoddie wearing, she moves through the town next door. Walking within the station, the market and any other place in the area, as if she is looking for something.

She's friendly, at high-school proper age, and seem to be here for a reason. She laughs, chuckles and even seems a bit nerdy for your typical sporty and clever person. People might eye on her funny, an American (North American from the States, to be exact) just walking through their home. Don't be surprised if people act rude or unsure about this gal.

Now for the main story... Okay. I know I'm going to lose some of you:



She's an western styled comic book superhero. Like with powers. Called the Blue Seeker.
She run fasts and has vibrating fists of doom. Because of mind-powers.

WAITDON'TLEAVEME.

(Honestly though, I do realize some people prefer the game to have realistic down to Earth characters. I am planning an realistic and down to Earth character as well, but I'll talk about that individual LATER.)

(For now I'm just dropping this silly and experimental idea. I'll get to learning how to actually write the story in the game later, I just wanted to see what people think about this for now.)

(As stupid as it might look)


(Don'tkillme)

(More on the story later, if people are curious enough)
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
The question that primarily surfaces in my head is what is she in Japan for? You say that she's looking for something, but fail to specify beyond that. I dunno, I guess my question boils down to how obvious is it that she's looking for... whatever it is that she's looking for. I mean, <player> can be a bit oblivious at times, so maybe he wouldn't notice? Though, the particular impression I get is that it has to do with her super heroine alter ego. Could be wrong, though.

Speaking of which...

Was the information about her having a super heroine alter ego supposed to be put under a hide-tag (as this comment is)? I dunno, but, that information seems like a pretty big part of her story!

Uh, eh. Yeah I probably should have placed that information within a hide-tag but the idea escaped me, it was a late night.

I belive I also made the VERY big plotpoint of her alter-ego obvious because of the fact that I do aknowledge people prefering realistic characters. I wouldn't want to post a character that seems like an ordinary mysterious tourist only to then turn out to be a superhero mid-story, thus alienating anyone that wasn't looking for something like that.


Speaking of looking, yes what she is looking for has to do with her "part-time job" though I have yet to make up the story 100 procent in my head. None the less, I can safely say that the player character will have no choice but to say "Hey, uh I think something is going on here."

I'll probably start with writing a typical script before I get to the game's writing system but considering this is a character I've had in my head for a long time it shouldn't take long.
Phew...at this rate it may take me several more months to finish
Errr! ..Hello!

So, I'm having quite the fallout right now! I don't want to put my life story on here, but basically I have new computer and I don't have the other one since it is far, far away~! I have none of Megumis or the other characters storys, which really sucks. I have to start over on multiple things as well too. :/

I'm thinking about doing one custom character altogether, MAYBE, probably won't be Megumi or the other two. *sighs*
~
ANYWAYS... back to everyone else! ^-^

author=SwedenSpeedway
So alright, this here is Alice. She is my character and I plan on using own art over those premade sprites or doll makers you guys got, but nothing I'll show here is final. Things will be cleaned up and set up to fit the game better. In time.

She's an western styled comic book superhero. Like with powers. Called the Blue Seeker.
She run fasts and has vibrating fists of doom. Because of mind-powers.

Hmmm.. my question would be, how are Alice and the player going to relate, or even meet?

author=Kevincalanor
DarkComet's parts pack II: School's out

*Drools* *3*

On an unrelated note, how's everyone's routes? And where did Dozen go? I only looked on the past few pages and didn't seem to see anything from him.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
What about the RAR file in your locker, Render? I mean, that's better than starting from scratch, right?

As for Dozen, I'm not sure how often he visits RMN anymore. I don't think I've even noticed him on the "Who's Online" section of the Community Portal lately. He could have set it up so that he doesn't appear there (yes, that's an option), but, I don't really know-know.

*Edit: It would be good to hear from him again!
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Sometimes, I want to slate some of the older "in progress" content as "cancelled". I'm talking about characters from Nekochi and LordNight, mostly, though, there have also been considerations for TtheDragon, and, because it's me, KimotoDragoon.

Also of note, somebody on the official site wanted to take the icons and sprites and do an HD upgrade? My current stance is let flowertheif have a say in that, but, he never seems to visit either here nor there anymore. This isn't my game, but I get the odd impression that I've somehow become the "face" of it by virtue of being able to respond to questions, and generally being on RMN as often as I am.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just being silly?
author=Marrend
Sometimes, I want to slate some of the older "in progress" content as "cancelled". I'm talking about characters from Nekochi and LordNight, mostly, though, there have also been considerations for TtheDragon, and, because it's me, KimotoDragoon.

I seem to recall suggesting this at one point, but someone higher than me on the food chain nixed the idea (might have been a different project, though). Anyway, I'd be fine with saying that if the creator hasn't updated (or at least posted something about) their character in some set amount of time (a year? two years?), it should be reflected in some way. Perhaps "abandoned" might be a better term to use than "cancelled" though, since for me cancelled implies a choice by the creator.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Yeah, "abandoned" would probably be a better term for it.
Also of note, somebody on the official site wanted to take the icons and sprites and do an HD upgrade? My current stance is let flowertheif have a say in that, but, he never seems to visit either here nor there anymore. This isn't my game, but I get the odd impression that I've somehow become the "face" of it by virtue of being able to respond to questions, and generally being on RMN as often as I am.

Marrend, you presume most well~
The cause for silence you mentioned before is thanks to the great work you've done. The community, after many years past since release, now self-regulates. The Japanese ideal for a group~
As an overseer, now all needs to be done is to read every post, and marvel, how great you've replied to them. Flowerthief is gone, and Dozen has, by virtue of the duties, become an observer. You run everything, now~ Ran for quite the long while. Best of luck~<3 And, ask when you need assistance as you have before.

Forever in your service
overseer off. Bye-bye~
^ What Dozen said, basically :)

But as for the guy who "needs" to know how to change the game images, wouldn't it be nice to know what he "needs" them for?

edit: also, Marrend check your inbox at the website back end whenever
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Actually, the thought that came to my mind is, "If we don't want just anybody making custom content, then, why would we want just anybody being able to get to the game's resources?" So, I'm probably going to ask for a sample (or three) of what he/she/it/they/whatever intends before making any decisions.
author=Marrend
Also of note, somebody on the official site wanted to take the icons and sprites and do an HD upgrade?


author=flowerthief
But as for the guy who "needs" to know how to change the game images, wouldn't it be nice to know what he "needs" them for?


author=Marrend
"If we don't want just anybody making custom content, then, why would we want just anybody being able to get to the game's resources?" So, I'm probably going to ask for a sample (or three) of what he/she/it/they/whatever intends before making any decisions.


Did anybody said images? D:

Now seriously. If I got it right, this guy wants to remake the school day and gifts icons, so it's more of a patch than a custom content, requiring a main game update from Flowerthief instead of a simple add-on like the routes.

In any case, I agree about getting some samples and checking it up. ^^

Adding two cents to it, if this succeed and you guys are going to change the "core" images, would be a favorable time to remove those explicit images from the backgrounds. x3 Either using the currently available alternate or a brand new one.
They are quite bothersome in a few locations, and make the game look 18+ to some people. :x
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
He wants to edit/modify the "core" images. Which I don't think is an issue, so long as players have access to the game's resources, and the file names (and formatting) are retained. However, the method I am aware of that would allow such access to those files would also allow access to the code-base. Which, in good conscience, I cannot allow just anybody to access!

Though, wait, now that you mention it, wasn't there some modified-from-Studio-74 backgrounds that were posted? I vaguely recall seeing some, but I forget who authored them!

*Edit: I suppose I could look it up, but, this whole ordeal is rather tiring/stressful. Maybe I just need to stand down from the thing for a day or two.
author=Marrend
He wants to edit/modify the "core" images. Which I don't think is an issue, so long as players have access to the game's resources, and the file names (and formatting) are retained. However, the method I am aware of that would allow such access to those files would also allow access to the code-base. Which, in good conscience, I cannot allow just anybody to access!


Most certainly, the code-base is... Blast, the code-base. It's meant to be secret. x3

I don't know how much testing the guy known as "this guy" would need, but I think that would be better to simply give him a extracted copy of the images instead of the core access. He checks, modify and send the icons package back to the staff member who will recompile the stuff and upload the "2.6HD version" x3


author=Marrend
Though, wait, now that you mention it, wasn't there some modified-from-Studio-74 backgrounds that were posted? I vaguely recall seeing some, but I forget who authored them!


They're here on a post that completely lacks any type of presentation, -2pts to the author.
But... If you look closely, three manga covers, an Ikusa GT icon (from Burnout Paradise), and Pom is there, is that allright? :p
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=Kevincalanor
I don't know how much testing the guy known as "this guy" would need, but I think that would be better to simply give him a extracted copy of the images instead of the core access. He checks, modify and send the icons package back to the staff member who will recompile the stuff and upload the "2.6HD version" x3

I suppose I would be slightly more agreeable to that. I would still prefer some kind of commitment to the community from him even before agreeing to it, though. Or I'm just crazy.

*Edit: I've saved that post, and the other one for future reference!

*Edit2: So, I paged through the various backgrounds to see which ones were the most inappropriate. The convenience store and train were the ones I knew about. Aside from those, I'm a bit iffy about the Hawaiian restaurant.
author=Marrend
I suppose I would be slightly more agreeable to that. I would still prefer some kind of commitment to the community from him even before agreeing to it, though. Or I'm just crazy.

I have to admit that I would be safer about it if he wasn't known only as "this guy" x3

The major problem with people coming out of nowhere, is that they can disappear as fast as they came. Motivation bursts amd surges, lost track of how many of them I had/seen in mine "mad scientist" carrer. :s
Maybe he could appear here, talk up, show samples, do stuff. I dunno. Maybe I'm being a overcautious about it.
The only thing I'm sure atm, is that it's late and I should be sleeping already.

author=Marrend
So, I paged through the various backgrounds to see which ones were the most inappropriate. The convenience store and train were the ones I knew about. Aside from those, I'm a bit iffy about the Hawaiian restaurant.

I ended up leaving it behind because it wasn't explicit, but yep, it's still quite problematic.
Played around with some pictures and filters, it should do the trick. ^^



Funny enough, using RL pictures don't work well. So I used an old screenshot. It still is Oahu. :P
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=Kevincalanor
I ended up leaving it behind because it wasn't explicit, but yep, it's still quite problematic.
Played around with some pictures and filters, it should do the trick. ^^


Niiiiice! Though, the next question that comes to mind is if I'm okay with doing the replacements you're presenting, Kev. I probably should be, just to make the game friendlier in general. Yet, a part of me says not to mess with this at all!

Thoughts?
Personally, if I could modify the game I would use Kevincalanor's BG material in place of the other BG's in question. Just my thoughts.

Anyways, hello again everybody! I STILL HAVEN'T DONE ANY STORY CONTENT!!!

I have, however, created some more random tachie stuff through modification of materials, including parts from Kevincalanor's DarkComet_Model_2.psd. Mostly alternate outfits for a few characters.

Some town wear for Tsuchitsuru Airi:


Some town wear (or something like that, I guess) for Shiromiya Kagami. It features an alternate hairstyle for her:

Not entirely sure about this being anything Kagami would actually wear though, for some reason. ^.^;


Some town wear for Akimori Ritsuko:

She's still wearing all of the appropriate colors of the week.
... the scarf, though. It needs work.


Ishioka Hitomi's town wear:

The jean shorts need serious work. I just don't have the patience or expertise to make them actually look like jean shorts. There are also some very minor visual updates that have been implemented to Hitomi since I last posted an image of her.


And finally, an alternate outfit for Eienji Rie, including alternate hair:


Well, that's about all I have to report. For some reason, I have trouble actually focusing on making Heartache 101 content for more than a couple days. =.=; Oh well, absolutely everything else I am working on right now is making slow progress as well, so... Yay.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Those tachie look great to me, BD!

As for replacing the backgrounds, I'm still ambivalent about it. Maybe after the game jam is done, I will give this a bit more consideration.