Questions for Self-Made Otome

[mikaburnerrr]

Hello! I've thought about it for a while, and lately the desire has been getting stronger haha.. It's abit (very) ambitious, but I want to hopefully develop my own otome visual novel game(s) during my free time Of course, it's hard to say if I can do it well or anything, since I'm figuring everything out from scratch. Anyway!! I'm hoping to ask around to get a rough gauge on things, so I have a few questions for those who don't mind answering..! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و (you don't have to answer all, just the ones that you feel like..!!)

1) What is your favourite character trope?
2) Any tropes that you feel are criminally underrated?
3) Visually (CGIs, sprites, backgrounds), is there a specific style you find yourself more attracted to?
4) In otomes, do you prefer strictly story or do you enjoy additional gameplay elements (combat, gacha, etc.)

and any other input you have! thank you :]

 

[Lukeo]

My interests are more diverse. I would like to play your game once finished.

 

[YummyYum]

1) My favourite trope is the himbo LI. I love stupid hunks. It's then followed by the big brother type. Also insane LIs are awesome too, but I want them to truly fall in love with the MC even if it's in a messed up way.
2) I don't really have an answer for this, sorry!
3) I highly prefer anime-style art for everything. I don't mind if the art is sub-par (I used to play lots of indie otomes before commercial ones were localized, so I'm not picky!) as long as it's anime-style. I don't really like western-style. I'm just usually not attracted to the LIs in that style, which makes me much less likely to play. Also, 3D is usually bad for me, too. There was a game called Destiny Fails Us which used 3D models, but remained in the more anime-style format, and I didn't mind that, but please don't use Daz3D or something because it's honestly uncanny to me. Lastly, I refuse to play games made with AI art.
4) I don't mind additional gameplay mechanics as long as there is a fair amount of story. I don't care for those games, normally stat raisers, where more of the game is about those mechanics than there is story. Think of it more like, I enjoy stories with some gameplay elements, rather than gameplay with some story elements, if that makes sense!

 

[801_9ma]

1. I love gap moe. Yankee who looks scary but loves small animals? Kind big brother type character who's terrifying and unhinged when pissed off? Intimidating stone-faced gruff man who's all sweet and soft once he gets to warm up to you? I don't care if it's already been done, I love it! Bring it to me!

2. I kind of live under a rock when it comes to that, so I'm not really sure about those, sorry!

3. Definitely anime-style for me. Realistic art looks way too uncanny for me. I'm more partial towards 2D, but can take 3D if it's anime-style. Realistic 3D models are a no-no for me, I just find them incredibly boring. AI-generated assets are also a huge no-no for me.

4. I'm open to gameplay elements beyond the story parts, but I'm seriously tired of gacha games. So, anything but gacha, I'd say! Though I prefer playing story-oriented games over gameplay-oriented ones.

In regards to general game dev itself, I think something important is to have a clear scope of your project before you start working on it when it comes to features, and it's easier to do that if you have your story written out in my opinion. If along the way you come across something and you think "ohhh that'd be cool", keep it for a future project instead of your current project so you don't end up accidentally putting yourself in some development hell cycle you can't get out of.

Good luck on your game dev journey!

 

[Arielle]

1)I like older, protective types. I like yanderes who are obsessive but would never hurt the heroine.
2)On the other hand, I'd like to see more genuinely pure-hearted characters who aren't secretly manipulative. I really love warm "light-aligned" older-brother types.(I feel like I don't come across them very often.)
3)If the story and characters are good, I don't think I'm too picky about the art style.
4)I generally prefer story-focused otomes.
But I also enjoy ones with RPG elements where you can endlessly level up your favorite character.

It's amazing that you're making it yourself. Good luck with it!

 

[LapisWhale]

1) I like younger, cute LIs. I would love to see them calling the MC sis, following the MC around like a lost pup, and looking up to the MC =)) I enjoy the struggle they face to prove themselves, and the gap moe when they in other moods. Also the tsundere LIs are cute too, I would like to see them trying to be nice to the MC but ending up doing something hilarious due to their tsundere personas.

2) Pure hearted LIs, not in a manipulative way. Crossdressing LIs who still look like a men, not a girl-love bait. Younger LIs who look up to MC.

3) I prefer anime style art for literally everything.

4) I like some gameplay to cure the boredom of reading for a long time. If it's skippable, that would be great. Not really need to be something complicated, just something like making chocolate or decorating a gift is more than enough.

Also, I would like an inhuman, monster MC with a human LI =)) Or the LIs are the ones who need to provide therapy to the MC. An insane MC or a yandere MC would be awesome too.

 

[mikaburnerrr]

My interests are more diverse. I would like to play your game once finished.

wahh, thank you for your support i'll do my best..!

 

[mikaburnerrr]

1) My favourite trope is the himbo LI. I love stupid hunks. It's then followed by the big brother type. Also insane LIs are awesome too, but I want them to truly fall in love with the MC even if it's in a messed up way.
2) I don't really have an answer for this, sorry!
3) I highly prefer anime-style art for everything. I don't mind if the art is sub-par (I used to play lots of indie otomes before commercial ones were localized, so I'm not picky!) as long as it's anime-style. I don't really like western-style. I'm just usually not attracted to the LIs in that style, which makes me much less likely to play. Also, 3D is usually bad for me, too. There was a game called Destiny Fails Us which used 3D models, but remained in the more anime-style format, and I didn't mind that, but please don't use Daz3D or something because it's honestly uncanny to me. Lastly, I refuse to play games made with AI art.
4) I don't mind additional gameplay mechanics as long as there is a fair amount of story. I don't care for those games, normally stat raisers, where more of the game is about those mechanics than there is story. Think of it more like, I enjoy stories with some gameplay elements, rather than gameplay with some story elements, if that makes sense!

i totally get it, himbos are so endearing Big brother types and insane LIs are suuuuper high on my list too I'm a person who personally does 2d anime-style illustrations (though I am learning 3d modelling/rigging as well..), so it's likely I'll end up leaning more towards 2d anime-style too haha (totally biased lol) i'm working hard to improve my art too so I can have something presentable~ AI is a total no-go for me, so don't worry about that! I really hate any use of AI in creative fields, especially art >:[ I get what you mean when you say "stories with some gameplay mechanics" and not the other way around! At the end of the day, I think the story and relationship-building are central focuses for me, so if I add gameplay mechanics I'd try my best to make sure they don't overshadow the story >_<

 

[mikaburnerrr]

1. I love gap moe. Yankee who looks scary but loves small animals? Kind big brother type character who's terrifying and unhinged when pissed off? Intimidating stone-faced gruff man who's all sweet and soft once he gets to warm up to you? I don't care if it's already been done, I love it! Bring it to me!

2. I kind of live under a rock when it comes to that, so I'm not really sure about those, sorry!

3. Definitely anime-style for me. Realistic art looks way too uncanny for me. I'm more partial towards 2D, but can take 3D if it's anime-style. Realistic 3D models are a no-no for me, I just find them incredibly boring. AI-generated assets are also a huge no-no for me.

4. I'm open to gameplay elements beyond the story parts, but I'm seriously tired of gacha games. So, anything but gacha, I'd say! Though I prefer playing story-oriented games over gameplay-oriented ones.

In regards to general game dev itself, I think something important is to have a clear scope of your project before you start working on it when it comes to features, and it's easier to do that if you have your story written out in my opinion. If along the way you come across something and you think "ohhh that'd be cool", keep it for a future project instead of your current project so you don't end up accidentally putting yourself in some development hell cycle you can't get out of.

Good luck on your game dev journey!

Gap moe..! I really love it too I'd definitely want to introduce a gap moe character~ When it comes to art, I like to think I'm an illustrator who leans more toward the anime style, so it's likely I'll be doing that Anything to do with AI in creative fields is a no-go for me!! >:[ Even if there were assets I didn't know how to draw, I'd try to learn.. at least, even if it looks kinda ugly, it's authentic, right? Thank you for your thoughts regarding gameplay mechanics, I'll keep it in mind. At the end of the day, I think I'd like the story and relationship-building to be the central focus, so if I add other gameplay I'll try to make sure it doesn't overshadow the story. Thank you very much for your insight on game dev in general too..!

 

[mikaburnerrr]

1)I like older, protective types. I like yanderes who are obsessive but would never hurt the heroine.
2)On the other hand, I'd like to see more genuinely pure-hearted characters who aren't secretly manipulative. I really love warm "light-aligned" older-brother types.(I feel like I don't come across them very often.)
3)If the story and characters are good, I don't think I'm too picky about the art style.
4)I generally prefer story-focused otomes.
But I also enjoy ones with RPG elements where you can endlessly level up your favorite character.

It's amazing that you're making it yourself. Good luck with it!

it sounds like we have pretty similar taste, huh genuinely pure-hearted characters, I find that I don't come across them that often either.. though I really enjoy that archetype Thank you for your feedback on artstyles and game focus, too, I'll keep them in mind..! RPG elements are interesting, I might want to explore with those abit~

Thank you for your well wishes it'll be a long and tough journey, but I'll do my best..!

 

[mikaburnerrr]

1) I like younger, cute LIs. I would love to see them calling the MC sis, following the MC around like a lost pup, and looking up to the MC =)) I enjoy the struggle they face to prove themselves, and the gap moe when they in other moods. Also the tsundere LIs are cute too, I would like to see them trying to be nice to the MC but ending up doing something hilarious due to their tsundere personas.

2) Pure hearted LIs, not in a manipulative way. Crossdressing LIs who still look like a men, not a girl-love bait. Younger LIs who look up to MC.

3) I prefer anime style art for literally everything.

4) I like some gameplay to cure the boredom of reading for a long time. If it's skippable, that would be great. Not really need to be something complicated, just something like making chocolate or decorating a gift is more than enough.

Also, I would like an inhuman, monster MC with a human LI =)) Or the LIs are the ones who need to provide therapy to the MC. An insane MC or a yandere MC would be awesome too.

(wahh, i was halfway through writing a reply when i accidentally closed the tab, so i'm rewriting it now TvT)
Younger LIs and tsunderes, I really love them (especially tsuns♡) they're so cute, but I find that they're hard to come across.. same with genuinely pure-hearted characters and crossdressers that still retain masculine features..! I'll definitely explore working with these archetypes I think my illustrations tend to lean towards the anime style, so I'll likely do that (maybe with some Live2D..?) gonna work hard to improve my skills so it'll be presentable.. I really like the example gameplay mechanics you stated! Those activities are really cute, and are relevant to strengthening bonds with the LIs ♡ I agree with your other thoughts too, hehe, the concepts of monster LIs and a yanMC are nice, huh..! I'll definitely try to play around with those thank you for taking your time to give me such valuable insight!

 

[nekoky]

1) I usually go for older guys, but I wouldn't mind a younger guy who has that mature, older vibe.
2) Eccentric, spacey characters—the ones that are a bit hard to read—definitely have potential.
3) I like visuals with higher saturation; it looks better and really brings out the mood and atmosphere.
4) First and foremost, the story is the most important thing. I don't have many thoughts on the game system itself, since it's an otome game after all.

Looking forward to the game you're making.

 

[LapisWhale]

(wahh, i was halfway through writing a reply when i accidentally closed the tab, so i'm rewriting it now TvT)
Younger LIs and tsunderes, I really love them (especially tsuns♡) they're so cute, but I find that they're hard to come across.. same with genuinely pure-hearted characters and crossdressers that still retain masculine features..! I'll definitely explore working with these archetypes I think my illustrations tend to lean towards the anime style, so I'll likely do that (maybe with some Live2D..?) gonna work hard to improve my skills so it'll be presentable.. I really like the example gameplay mechanics you stated! Those activities are really cute, and are relevant to strengthening bonds with the LIs ♡ I agree with your other thoughts too, hehe, the concepts of monster LIs and a yanMC are nice, huh..! I'll definitely try to play around with those thank you for taking your time to give me such valuable insight!

Good luck on your dev journey! :Dd

 

[ryuntsai]

Hello! I've thought about it for a while, and lately the desire has been getting stronger haha.. It's abit (very) ambitious, but I want to hopefully develop my own otome visual novel game(s) during my free time Of course, it's hard to say if I can do it well or anything, since I'm figuring everything out from scratch. Anyway!! I'm hoping to ask around to get a rough gauge on things, so I have a few questions for those who don't mind answering..! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و (you don't have to answer all, just the ones that you feel like..!!)

1) What is your favourite character trope?
2) Any tropes that you feel are criminally underrated?
3) Visually (CGIs, sprites, backgrounds), is there a specific style you find yourself more attracted to?
4) In otomes, do you prefer strictly story or do you enjoy additional gameplay elements (combat, gacha, etc.)

and any other input you have! thank you :]

Ikrr!!! When i was still in high school during computer class, the teacher told us that our final exam will be a game project, and i decided to make a visual novel with unity (but well, i never finished it HAHAHA)

1. I like a very reliable and comforting male lead!!!! like Hijikata-san from Hakuoki
2. Idk...
3. The visual part really depends on the artist skills... so i dont think this would be a good reference for you, but people that play otome games are more used to Japanese artstyle (anime); maybe you can use as reference VARIABLE BARRICADE artstyle, is very elegant and beautiful. And most of the CGs in visual novels use linearts, and no semi-realistic painting style.
4. I just prefer strictly story.

As recs, to start a visual novel, its better to have at least a draft of the world setting, the LIs amount and their own story draft and then make a mental map or something similar to know how will be the routes progress, how many endings you are going to make and well, at the end start the detailed story writing.