Project W Post: June 2024
Added 2024-06-29 18:00:08 +0000 UTCWell, I hadn't realized how few days were left to make posts in June, so I'm having this go up on a Saturday. I normally don't schedule posts for my days off, but it's cool. I like talking about Project W. Also, this time I have something important to mention and didn't want to wait another month before letting players know.
So, this game will continue the tradition of no "wrong" choices and no "bad" endings that the OL series began. It's also not a horror game or twisted romance or anything like that. However, as I've been making plans for the story, it's gotten a lot harsher than the events of Our Life.
OL does have heart tugging moments, but it's a different level here. This game is going to have some depressing scenes. As much as I want the story to ultimately have people feel happy, it's gonna have to come with a content warning.
It'll be mainly about characters getting hurt in possibly triggering ways and mental health struggles that cause characters to do things that are harmful towards themselves. The game is not going to feature sexual assault or bigotry. That kind of thing isn't something to worry about for Project W.
I imagine many players will find it tame compared to other VN stories they've seen, though I still think it will end up being upsetting for some people who played OL because of the overall comforting nature of those stories.
And either way, I want to give everyone a head's up as early as possible that if you aren't comfortable with characters you care about (including your own MC) being beaten down by other characters and themselves and life in general, this project may not be something to get excited about.
To not leave things off on a serious note for an entire month, I'll add that one of the many ways I've expanded on the game's concept this year is that there are two neat magic systems. Originally, there was only a single system with different aspects to it. But I introduced another, totally different kind of magic. I came up with that on its own, thinking one day I'd use it in some future story. Instead, I found a way to make it fit in this world! There's no rule saying you're only allowed one magic system per fantasy universe, haha. It's made things much more fun.
That's the update. I'll keep doing my best at planning this new adventure.
Previous Posts----
February 2024 (Time Period, world, and MC details)
March 2024 (Story and release structures)
April 2024 (A bit of leading character details)
May 2024 (Info on the brainstorming process)
Comments
Honestly I'm really happy about this. Of course I don't like to see characters suffer but I feel like a story is more realistic if it also deal with some sadness and moments in life. OL1 is great but sometimes everything was too happy and nice it almost felt unrealistic, this game feels more realistic both in happy moments and sad moments and I really enjoy how it embraces the gloomy feelings of autumn and also the beauty and comfort of autumn. I kinda wonder if that apply to the MC too (without necessarily specifying what it is) and be able to maybe be more "nervous" when it comes to their sexuality or gender, given they aren't really in a house or environment where they see a lot of LGBTQ+ related people and even with Qiu there they doubt themself or negate that to themself but feel something is wrong and either don't know what and deny it, just deny it but have suspicions or just don't know what's wrong. I can understand it might be hard to do despite the many choices the game already have because that is going to add even more branches, choices etc. Edit: I read this again and somehow missed the first time that you mentioned that the same apply for the MC and I'm so glad because it feels more realistic, I went through my problems, serious or not people will definitely feel more comfortable show that they aren't always happy and things can't go well everytime while also getting comfort and happiness.
Cheese-And-Rice, Mooney
2024-07-08 23:22:41 +0000 UTCPersonally, thank you for this, the fact of having details that are not always completely happy helps me a little and more so knowing that after these there will be some comfort. I hope everything goes well for you from here on out!
Summer Waves
2024-07-07 16:56:32 +0000 UTCOh heck yeah, more challenging themes! I think that would be a real fun change. Our Life is nice for comfort, XOXO is fun for how awful we all are and Project W feels a nice in-between of sorts
Alyn Revilo
2024-07-04 15:40:03 +0000 UTCit's ok! i love pain and angst!
kyuuketsukiinu
2024-07-01 05:11:18 +0000 UTCYes!
GB Patch
2024-06-30 18:35:48 +0000 UTCHonestly I genuinely won’t complain about that because there’s that chance it’ll give the option to speak up and probably be kind or harsh or take a swing (kinda like how you can take a swing in Jeremey) but even without those as options it’s exciting to see something new!!!
Pandaa Marie
2024-06-30 16:39:19 +0000 UTCI’m ready to comfort my favorite people!
Amber Jordan
2024-06-30 13:25:07 +0000 UTCI don't mind a little bit of angst! I will ask, tho, you say our character will get "beaten down", will we at least have an option to "bite back", even if just verbally?
Plague Coyote
2024-06-30 04:50:05 +0000 UTCI'm honestly excited for this new game! I love how there will still be no wrong answer or bad endings. I don't have to worry about answering in a certain way to try and go on with the plot, taking away from the MC creation/personality the player decides on, and you can see so many different responses and reactions that way. Being a more darker game is also exciting. I do love the OL series, how calming and downright adorable they are. It brightens me up just playing them. However I have had thoughts on what if it was darker/harsher in a way. Like, what if the family the MC had wasn't a good family in some ways? Sadly not everyone has a kind family. Just a 'what if' kinds of thought. I do love how feel good they all are though! So hearing about a game that will have elements of angst and hurt/comfort is exciting! Tackling more harder topics is going to be fun, more so with magic in the mix lol. I know it's not going to be a OL game, that's alright, it doesn't stop me from being excited for it! You make wonderful games. I more than look forward to hearing and learning more about your Project W!
Hope
2024-06-30 01:31:46 +0000 UTCBring on the angst! We have two lovely games of fluff and bittersweet fluff, but now it's time for PAIN!
Flightwings
2024-06-30 00:18:59 +0000 UTCOoh this is exciting! While I'm a bit bummed by the "no wrong answers / no bad endings" aspect as I hoped for it, I'm still extremely glad for the possible drama and hurt to unfold, since hurt-comfort is something I adore in games. Harsh journeys leading to a happy ending are extremely satisfying. Also, fun fact - I DID play a lot of VNs where AWFUL stuff happens all around, and yet one of the VNs that left me most scarred for life is actually OL1, because I have rarely loved a character as much as I love Baxter, and his "route" really affected me on levels rarely reached by any VN character. So really, I actually doubt I'll cry as much with this project as I cried with Baxter! It was all in a good way though!
Konoi Kurozora
2024-06-29 22:49:53 +0000 UTCI find it funny how GB let us know about the darker bits so we could avoid the project if it wasn’t our thing, and we all basically reacted with “YAY ANGST!” XD I love this community.
Lily the Litten
2024-06-29 21:16:30 +0000 UTCHow exciting! The “no wrong answers / no bad endings” is one of my favorite aspects of OL, but I think a little angst and drama could go a long way to making a new story come alive. And I’m a sucker for fantasy and magic, so that’s a winning combo in my book!
Crystal
2024-06-29 21:06:45 +0000 UTCI love an angsty story. Variety is the spice of life, and I’m sure having a different type of project to brainstorm keeps writing more interesting.
Rottly
2024-06-29 20:11:54 +0000 UTCThank you for your heads up but frankly I would read anything you might write because I like everything you've done so far. Moreover, I am personally a sucker for triggering themes in VN just because I like to see the vision of the author surrounding such mild/hard topics. I like drama and angst, and I especially like deep thoughts and meanings in stories so I say go for it. I can't wait to see what you come up with. What's more, I'd like to add that the "jealousy over" and "envious of" parameters you added to the new OL2 is so much to my liking you can't imagine. It adds more depth to the characters' feelings and how to deal with such emotions. So thank you! To be honest, I can't wait for step 2 to see the mechanism at play.
Kalyx Wynthor
2024-06-29 19:00:48 +0000 UTCAll i need is a happy ending, a little angst along the way it's good! If it has a happy ending i'm happy
Anna Bia
2024-06-29 18:41:52 +0000 UTCYaaaay depression. Can't wait to see how the story goes
Specky-X3
2024-06-29 18:40:13 +0000 UTCMy only negative on OL* is that it often feels a little too wholesome, so I am quite excited for a darker turn. I am very much looking forward to seeing where you go with this. *note: I love OL
Erin Audley
2024-06-29 18:40:08 +0000 UTCAs much as I love the vibes in OL this is probably gonna be fantastic despite opposite vibes given who's writing it 😊❤️
Mouse
2024-06-29 18:35:44 +0000 UTCIm so excited!🎉
Aster
2024-06-29 18:31:06 +0000 UTCi do love the our lives vibes but i am still excited about this game:D
idis91
2024-06-29 18:30:57 +0000 UTCIt can't possibly be more depressing than the likes of Little Busters or FATE/Stay Night, so I'm sure it'll be fine.
armornick
2024-06-29 18:23:49 +0000 UTCOohhh how interesting excited to see what it will be
chloe
2024-06-29 18:23:40 +0000 UTCI LOVE ANGST. I actually can’t wait for this game, it sounds really intriguing so far and boy oh boy (gender neutral) do I LOVE WHEN MY CHARACTERS GET THE SHIT BEAT OUT OF THEM 😁😋
Eni ÔwÔ?
2024-06-29 18:21:00 +0000 UTC(Also I really want to know more about the magic systems, I am 100% playing a mage 👀)
Lily the Litten
2024-06-29 18:07:40 +0000 UTCIn all seriousness, this does sound quite interesting. Looks like we’re in for a heck of the time. I can’t wait to see what happens in this game.
Lily the Litten
2024-06-29 18:06:57 +0000 UTCAs long as the angst is angsting, I'm in for the ride 😎 Good luck !
Veroku
2024-06-29 18:06:50 +0000 UTCI am totally fine with angst filled games but thank you so much for the morning and I am still so excited for this game!!
Eden the Axolotl hydrid
2024-06-29 18:06:32 +0000 UTCI'm excited for when it'll come out!! magic system already makes me rlly interested
LostBoi
2024-06-29 18:06:12 +0000 UTCDon’t worry; I can get behind angst and drama and beloved characters suffering. I read fanfiction :D
Lily the Litten
2024-06-29 18:05:50 +0000 UTCSounds interesting
Awarepillow Gaming
2024-06-29 18:03:45 +0000 UTC
