Chatroom-style games

[Pizizi]

I've noticed quite a few chatroom-style games—both ones I'm currently playing and ones I've played in the past—and I started wondering: could this theme become oversaturated in the future?

I really enjoy the style. (˶>⩊<˶) It's "simple" and works really well: you're in a chatroom, chatting with characters, entering the route of your favorite LIs, talking to other game participants, and even making calls. (˶˃𐃷˂˶)

Do you think fans might start badmouthing this format down the line, and that devs will have to deal with comments like, "Another chatroom-style visual novel? Ugh"?
I suppose that kind of commentary happens with all sorts of things—yandere games, sims, and even the visual novel genre itself—but what do y'all think? Do y'all like this style of game? (ᵕ—ᴗ—)?

 

[SmallEagle]

I understand why it became popular, it is a format in which you don't need many resources to replicate, so many indie devs can emulate it.

I've seen so many chatroom games, but I think a game dev can avoid fatigue by having a good and unique UI.
Instead, I think this style risks aging poorly due to the way they manage slang. I'm sure that in some years many of the words that are common in text today will be seen as unfunny and old.
You can kinda already see that with mystic messenger.

All in all, I do enjoy them, but I do cringe sometimes with some dialogues.

 

[Pizizi]

I understand why it became popular, it is a format in which you don't need many resources to replicate, so many indie devs can emulate it.

I've seen so many chatroom games, but I think a game dev can avoid fatigue by having a good and unique UI.
Instead, I think this style risks aging poorly due to the way they manage slang. I'm sure that in some years many of the words that are common in text today will be seen as unfunny and old.
You can kinda already see that with mystic messenger.

All in all, I do enjoy them, but I do cringe sometimes with some dialogues.

Oh, I hadn't thought about the slang aspect—it really might age poorly, and I agree that some of the dialogue is pretty cringey, but it's funny. ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)

A lot of devs make the chatroom so creative and fun; it's one of the best parts.

 

[SmallEagle]

Oh, I hadn't thought about the slang aspect—it really might age poorly, and I agree that some of the dialogue is pretty cringey, but it's funny. ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)

A lot of devs make the chatroom so creative and fun; it's one of the best parts.

Yes! Which is why I soldier through those moments, it also affects that english is not my first language, so I suppose that some dialogue will not hit the same. But in general I do find them pretty enjoyable and funny, it also helps to get to know the LIs in a more deeper level.
I think that we can still very good iterations with the format.

 

[zerone01]

I was super into Mystic Messenger years ago. I'd wake up mid-sleep to check every chat so I wouldn't miss out. But I had a total reality check when I realized they were just living their own lives, while I was ruining my sleep to join every single chat—so I ended up just uninstalling it

 

[Pizizi]

I was super into Mystic Messenger years ago. I'd wake up mid-sleep to check every chat so I wouldn't miss out. But I had a total reality check when I realized they were just living their own lives, while I was ruining my sleep to join every single chat—so I ended up just uninstalling it

Oh, I never actually played that game because it's gender-locked, but it's one of the pillars of the chatroom style, right? I'm eagerly awaiting the mobile release of Infinite Blue that has this feature! (˵• ̀⩊•́˵)

 

[Pizizi]

Yes! Which is why I soldier through those moments, it also affects that english is not my first language, so I suppose that some dialogue will not hit the same. But in general I do find them pretty enjoyable and funny, it also helps to get to know the LIs in a more deeper level.
I think that we can still very good iterations with the format.

English isn't my first language either, and sometimes certain jokes or memes really confuse me, haha. I think it's really fun and easy to connect with the LIs, though, because it feels like we're actually talking in a normal chat. (˶>⩊<˶)