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Under investigation

  • Marrend
  • 09/06/2015 02:23 PM
  • 2809 views
First off, I apologize for being such a terrible procrastinator in regards to this game, if not being an outright stubborn perfectionist in various facets. Rather than try to start from scratch for the umpteenth time, I'd rather take what I have, and build it to some (hopefully) satisfying conclusion. Case Notes and side-quests are probably going to be axed, but, on the other hand, I think some kind of scenes (gameplay?) involving research and/or legwork is necessary for the characters (and players) to understand what's going on. I have no idea how it's going to be handled yet, but, I figure that's a thing that needs to happen.

At any rate, Chapter 2 probably needs to be re-written. Like, Shizu may eventually goes to Shima Place to talk to Rasuna, but, first, she does research. I'm not sure what she would research, though, given what she saw. Perhaps, cases of spontaneous human combustion? It might be time to break out the Kolchak, the Night Stalker episodes again.

Posts

Pages: 1
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
So, something of a status report.

Originally, not only did our title-protagonist know about the Arbiters (and what-not), she went to Matsumori High, was recruited by Mina (that's not exactly the right term, but, let's roll with it), and had her then-lover die in front of her eyes. Suffice it to say, with a lack of knowledge, the aim is for her to figure things out at the same time as players (more or less). This also leads into the legwork/research angle I was talking about. I still have no clue how that's all going to work, but, I'm nonetheless liking the changes I've been making to this so far.

I suppose the question that may come to mind is when a new playtest-build might be ready. I'll probably be aiming for it to conclude approximately in the same place as the current test-build, but, cannot currently predict how much content there's going to be between finding Rasuna on Togo Road and investigating Shima Place.

I suppose I'm asking for a bit of patience on this. Though, I dunno, it just doesn't seem right for me to ask for such, given how long this game has been under a development/hiatus cycle. Darigaaz, has it really been almost three years now? I sometimes have to wonder if the wait is going to be "worth it". Or, I can ignore such worries, and just make the best possible game I can.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
There's been a few thoughts on having a level-cap of 20, as characters stop getting skills at level 15. That's a decision that can be staved off for later, though. The more immediate concern is what activities Shizu does for her investigations, and how they can translate into gameplay.

The picklocking mini-game kinda comes to mind in reference to getting into places she's not supposed to be. This obviously includes doors and what-not, but, maybe, I can also include hacking into a computer system as part of the deal? I dunno. Might be a bit of a stretch.

Other than getting into places that she shouldn't be, what about some way to get someone to say more than they should? Bribery could come into play here, and sometimes can't be avoided, but, I figure there should be some kind of system involved. Like, it would be some weird balance between how frustrated Shizu is (before she starts forking over cash), how likely the person is to talk (given various factors, such as the situation, the person's personality, or how Shizu is trying to get him/her to talk), maybe some other factor(s?) that I'm unsure of.

*Edit: I suppose the main thing is how this system comes together. Is it some kind of conversation loop? I dunno. A loop kinda suggests that players would choose the same option over and over until the person they are talking to relents, and that doesn't seem like The Thing I Want To Do TM, Patent Pending, etc for this.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
Speech challenges come to mind. A reporter needs to be persuasive when trying to get info from someone. You could tie it in to one of her stats and use it to pass a speech challenge.

If not, then what about pulling a Phoenix Wright and collecting evidence to show to people to make them crack under pressure? You could obtain evidence by having Shizu hack computers and/or picking locks to get to places she wouldn't be able to get to otherwise.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Hrm. A speech challenge based on stats could be an INT versus WILL contest. It probably would be expressed as a percentage, like how the game expresses the option for an automatic pick-lock.

Perhaps this contest even affects how much the bribe is, depending on how far of the roll was from being a success?

*Edit: I'm kinda liking these ideas. Thanks, Red!

*Edit2: I'm not 100% sure how, exactly I want to relay that a bribe was reduced, but...
def reduce_bribe(num)
  case(num)
  when 41 .. 50
    return 45
  when 31 .. 40
    return 40
  when 21 .. 30
    return 35
  when 11 .. 20
    return 30
  when 1 .. 10
    # Close, but no cigar!
    return 25
  else
    # Way to FAIL, Sataro! You just made me 50 Geld-Pasil richer!
    return 50
  end
end

...yeah I'm a terrible person.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
There may still be stuff to look into, but, the aim is to have a test-build up in a couple of days, if not the end of the week.

Anyway, the timing (and place) might be a tad off, but, I want to give a shout-out to Dozen for her exceptional behind-the-scenes support. I kinda suspect that this game would have ended on a sour note were it not for her intervention. I certainly wouldn't have been able to push myself as far as I have if it weren't for her!
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
Good luck! :D
You can call me 'her', Marrend, I do not hide my gender here anymore<3
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=Dozen
You can call me 'her', Marrend, I do not hide my gender here anymore<3

Sorry about that! The post should be corrected momentarily!

*Edit: Done!
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
I'm fairly happy with the flow of the story for this test-build! Though, if I must be honest, I kinda think there's too much EXP given out, and not enough money. Also, I'm somewhat concerned that the skills available (until level 10) aren't particularly useful.

I dunno, maybe I can address some these concerns later on today, or tomorrow. For now, I just want to rest!
Pages: 1