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ChelseaGaming

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A member registered Jul 27, 2018

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Since pretty much everyone that commented so far seems to like the per route releases better, I felt that I had to come out of the shadows where I usually lurk to share a differing opinion. I actually quite dislike the release of games by route (Mystic Destinies, Tailor Tales, most mobile otomes) or chapter (When The Night Comes, Errant Kingdom, Andromeda Six, Our Life: Beginnings and Always).

That doesn't mean that I don't love those games, in fact I've played and loved all those games that I just listed (including quite a lot of mobile otomes back in the day), it's just that I much prefer to wait until the whole game is done so I can binge-play it all once rather than get a little at a time and then suffer waiting for the next bit. I'm quite impatient in that once I start something, I just want to finish it right away. I'd much rather be patient and wait for the finished product before starting it.

It's also hard to remember the story when it's released in parts, usually months later, and makes me usually have to replay everything I'd already done when the next part comes out, which I could avoid having to do if it just came out all at once. In fact, I sometimes just decide to wait until the whole game is done to play anyway, even if I could have started reading parts of it early, which bums me out even more because then I know that it's self-imposed waiting rather than waiting that's out of my control. 

Another point against the per route release method is something you brought up, in that once they release a part, they can't go back to change anything or improve or polish anything, since it's already released. As someone who does some writing of my own, I literally don't understand how someone can release part of an unfinished story knowing that they can't go back and change or improve anything, depending on how the story's going, either plot-wise or quality-of-writing-wise.

And another thing tangentially related to my last point, I think it might actually take longer to release a game this way. Like, I gotta wait even longer because they're releasing it in parts, meaning each release has to be up to standard. They gotta go through the "is this ready for release" testing phase (proofreading, bug testing, quality check, etc) every time they release a new part, instead of just focusing on writing/programming and finishing up the game before going through the "is this ready for release" testing phase once at the end. And if the quality of the writing/game increased toward the later parts or you kinda want to change some parts of the story later, oh well, you can't, since those parts of the game have already been released. I feel like it kinda almost limits what you can do with it.

Ok, I guess I can leave it there. Seems that I'm incapable of typing anything other than a hella long message, sorry. >.<  I guess that I've just been noticing that this is more of a trend now with this genre of games, and I've just had a lot of iffy feelings about it. Despite all that, I want you to know that even if you decide to start releasing games in parts like everyone else seems to be starting to do, I will still love your games and play them anyway (just like I've loved and played those games I listed earlier even though they all released in parts). My dislike of that method of release won't be enough to keep me away, don't worry. :)  <3

Beware incoming wall of text. I had a lot of feelings about this.

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear this. I'm sorry I haven't left a comment before, but I tend to be a lurker more than a participator in discussions, but I felt like I needed to comment on this. I just want to say that I love your work. I've bought and played all of your games, both free and commercial. And I've loved all of them. I first found your games when I was scrolling through the romance tag on itch.io because I'm desperate for some otomes, I think I've already read all the good ones and came across The Rose of Segunda. I absolutely loved it. The art is beautiful (as it is for all your games) and the story and writing are great. Loved the setting regency era is always good and the romances were well put together Leopold is bae, he's so badass and hot, and gotta love a tragic backstory, despite the general shortness of the game and the somewhat choppiness of the events; I think it worked for that setting, and it didn't detract from the goodness of the game for me, especially when it was free. I was actually shocked to see a game of TROS's quality be free; I know I've definitely paid for games of lower quality. I was definitely excited for the sequel and I'm gonna be sad if you're unable to complete it. :(  I need more Leopold in my life

After I read TROS, I made sure to look up other games that you made, since I liked your writing, and I saw that you had only the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea released at that time. I saw that it was commercial, but that didn't stop me; I had faith in your writing at this point. So I bought it, and oh boy, it's seriously one of my favorite games. There's just something about it. I know it's kinda short, but the way it was written really flows and it feels less choppy than TROS, which works for this setting. Speaking of the setting aliens? let's go with aliens, I think that might be one of the reasons I love it so much. It's just so interesting, and I believe that this otome is the only one with a setting like this one (at least that I've heard of, and I've played a lot I have no life). I also really like the characters, and their romances. There may not have been a lot of characters, but I feel like that just made them all the more fleshed out Karl is bae, I love jerks with a heart of gold. I seriously love this game and come back to replay it at least every few months. 

After that game, I made sure to make your itch.io page one of the ones that I frequently come back to keep rechecking a few times a month. I saw your works-in-progress Heaven's Grave and Best Friends Forever, and I was seriously super excited. Quality, affordable otomes that actually get completed and released on a timely bases are kinda hard to come by these days, at least it feels like that to me, so I've been waiting on those games with bated breath. As soon as HG came out, I made sure to buy it and play it. And oh boy, I think you broke me with that game. Holy crap, what a game. It's seriously your best piece of work yet, no joke. The writing and story is amazing, and the setting is really interesting (I love Japanese-inspired stories totally not a weeaboo).  I'm seriously appalled that this game hasn't done better, it's a travesty. Everyone should play this game. It made me have so many feelings. I was immediately invested in the story, and man, I totally cried multiple times, this game seriously made me so emotional. It's so deep and meaningful, but also so heavy and depressing, not that that's a bad thing. However, if I had to speculate on why this one might not be selling as well (besides your lack of social media presence), I wonder if the very heavy and sometimes downright depressing setting might be a reason? I hope that's not it, because I feel like it's really a deep and meaningful story (I feel kinda repetitive, synonyms are hard) that's definitely worth reading. And the characters! Oh man, you know it's good when I can't pick which is my favorite. I like them all for different reasons. They each have good and bad qualities, and each have good character development throughout the story. There were things about each of them that really made me like them and made them feel really fleshed out and real. And the events of the story itself, wow. I kinda feel like it's one of those stories that I won't be able to replay as often as the other games due to just how heavy the plot is, but it's totally worth it to play through all the routes at least once. 

As for BFF, I've honestly been looking forward to this game even more than HG. I'm honestly shocked that more people don't seem interested in the setting. I'm definitely too old to still be school age, but that doesn't turn me off the game at all. I actually don't mind games with a school setting, as that's usually only a part of the setting anyway. Like for BFF, it may be set in a school, but what I really find interesting about the setting and plot is the fact that the MC just straight up dies in the beginning, and you play the game as a ghost with other ghost companions (Switch seems like he might be my favorite, but I also like Lance too). But then it doesn't even stop there, because you can plan out the life of your ghost MC's still-living BFF. So while the fact that they happen to be in a school may have been done before, I feel like the rest of the plot hasn't really been done in most other otomes I can think of. I'm sad that it looks like people aren't looking past the school setting to see what potential this game really has. I'll be really super sad if you're unable to finish it. Like, really sad. :(

As for the kickstarter, I've never really done that before, as it's typically been my policy to never put any money into a game that isn't already finished, since it's so hard to tell if the game will actually get completed when it comes to indie devs. But recently, I actually pre-ordered an otome from a dev that I'm really looking forward to and trust, and I feel like I can trust you too. And believe me, I'm definitely looking forward to BFF. So I definitely wouldn't mind supporting your kickstarter. I don't know that I can afford to offer much money right now, probably no more than $25, as that looks like that equates to about £20. And honestly, I don't really care much about the rewards that would get me, as I'm only really doing it to support you so that you'll be able to finish the game.

As for getting better sales, I've already mentioned earlier (as have almost everyone else it seems) that you should try to have more of a presence on social media. Like maybe a tumblr devlog, or a discord channel for your games. It doesn't always have to be an major update about specific progress in the game; sometimes occasional little things about the game/characters/plot could keep the game relevant and draw more people in, especially if they feel like they were there with you in the writing process and watched it grow from the ground up. Even just posting about your life, or about your thoughts that day, or how you were feeling as you were writing. Things like that could get people more interested in not just your game, but in you as a developer. It could endear you more to the readers and make them more invested in you and your projects.

Anyways, sorry for the book I just wrote. I hope that I've helped you in some way, but at the very least I hope you know how much I've loved your games and how much I've been looking forward to more from you. And how sad I'll be if you're unable to finish them. Sending you my love~! <3

Yep, that's me! And your welcome! I'm so excited, I'll definitely be back to share my thoughts after it's out. Thanks for all your hard work! <3 

Thanks so much for replying! I have now purchased through PayPal the pledge that gets me the walkthrough, so I am one happy girl! :D I can't wait for the game to be released now, thank you! However, don't feel like you have to rush, I'll wait patiently! ^.^ 

It might be fun to make some predictions about who's going to end up being my favorite in Bermuda, based on the demo,  so... here I go! I might totally have a thing for the "jerk with a hidden heart of gold" type that ends up slowly liking and caring about the MC *cough Reksa *cough* so with that in mind, I think I might end up liking Arya the most. So far he's been a jerk and is so moody, I love it and can't wait to see how that plays out. >///< That being said, there was something about Guntur that had me intrigued, and I found myself going for him first in the demo, so I can't wait to see what happens there. He might end up being my second favorite, depending on what happens; we'll see. ;) But I'm also excited to see what's going on with Kah'lil. He's so cute, happy, and different, though you can tell it seems that he's hiding something darker beneath the surface, so that's bound to be interesting. He'll still probably be below Arya and Guntur on my list, but that doesn't mean I won't like him! And who knows, I might get surprised and my list might be different than I think (kinda like Rama, liking him so much that he almost displaced Reksa as my favorite came as a surprise). But the antagonist route... that one is a mystery to me. Depending on how much of an evil jerkface he is in the other routes, I might think I don't like him and find it hard to start his route at first. But I must play all the routes, so I know I'll have to do his route eventually. However, as I might have already mentioned, I do have a thing for jerks with a heart of gold, and he's probably definitely a jerk. I'm just not so sure about the heart of gold part. >.< He's probably the misunderstood jerk that had some trauma and is now taking things to far, and it's up to the MC to make him see the error of his ways, which also sounds like it could be a fun route. haha (I should also mention that I really like the personalities of both the MCs Tamara and Maya. They're so spunky and fun, yet determined to do what's right. I love them. <3)

So as for my list, hmm.... I know that the order I'm going to be playing them in is Guntur, Kah'lil,  then Arya, and then obviously the antagonist last. There's just something about Guntur that makes me want to play him first, and since I think Arya will probably be my favorite, I want to play him last (not counting the antagonist, of course). But as for which I think will be my favorites, in order, I think it will probably be Arya, Guntur, then Kah'lil. And then the antagonist last maybe, depending on how much I like his personality, I'm not really sure about where he'll be. So yeah, that's my predictions. You know now I'm going to have to come back after the game is released after I get a chance to play all the routes to tell you my actual list of favorites and if it was close to my predictions, as well as my thoughts on the story and how much I liked it. So expect my future comment! :D 

Hello! So before I ask my question I just want to tell you how much I loved your first game Winged Ones and how much I am excited for Bermuda! :D In Winged Ones, I like how deep and meaningful the routes got, yet still somehow were also lighthearted and funny (Reksa and Rama are still kinda tied for which is my favorite, but I think Reksa might be winning by a little bit :p  But don't worry I also liked Mitra too). And in Bermuda's demo, I liked how the story already seems deeper and more intense, but still has your humor to make us laugh. :) And the art is really good too! I also really appreciate your weekly updates, it's so nice to know what's going on, and how you're progressing. So many other developers don't update frequently or at all and leave us in the dark, so it's nice to actually know what's going on (also, I like reading the little updates about your life ^.^). 

So onto my question. I always tend to play games with a walkthrough. I do like the branching paths and multiple options, I just also like knowing which options lead to which endings. My poor little heart can't take bad endings :( And getting anything other than the best ending leaves me feeling unsatisfied like I could do better, so then I spend way too long and get stressed trying to figure it out myself. Maybe that makes me sound lazy? I don't mean to sound lazy or entitled, it's just having a walkthrough makes me have a much less stressful and anxious time trying to choose the right answers for a certain route, especially if the answers aren't that straightforward, so I can enjoy the experience more. So now my question is, I noticed that you said you'd only give a walkthrough for those that paid the pledge on the indiegogo page, so I was all set to pay it so I could get the walkthrough, but then I noticed that it was closed. D: Is there any other way to pay to get the walkthrough or am I too late? 

But don't worry, even if I am too late and will be sad I can't get the walkthrough, I will definitely still buy and play Bermuda, I'm so excited for it. I guess if I'm too late to get the walkthrough, I'll just have to spend the time figuring it out myself and hope the right choices for the best endings will be obvious. Sorry for the  wall of words... >.< Much love (and anticipation) from the US! <3