InvertMouse

One time when I was little, my grandpa took me out and bought me a game for the Gameboy. It was some platformer where you controlled a little car. My grandpa was a security guard in a factory near my place. With only modest pay, he really did spend it all to make us kids happy. Unfortunately, the game was unforgiving with one hit deaths. I lost patience after only a short time and put the game aside. When we moved houses, I lost the cartridge.   My grandpa past away over a decade ago. Since then, I have been looking for this game that he had bought me. The game's title was in Japanese, which I was unable to read at the time. I asked on several forums but my description ran a bell for nobody. Many years later, I had more or less given up.   Then, several months ago, when I was searching for something completely unrelated on Google Images, I stumbled upon a screenshot of the game. As it had been so long, I was unsure if this really was the same game I had played as a kid. I investigated, and as I launched the game and that level one music played, I almost teared up.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kGXGeP3NA   It pleased me so much to finally have a second chance to play this game. Though an obscure title, it is important to me because of the backstory involved. I am now looking for a copy of the game, but it is difficult, being such an underground game, so to speak.   Every game can be judged based on its mechanics. However, there is also a different story for each person behind every purchase. I think those can be really awesome to read about sometimes.   Thank you! If anyone has similar stories, feel free to share it ~

One time when I was little, my grandpa took me out and bought me a game for the Gameboy. It was some platformer where you controlled a little car. My grandpa was a security guard in a factory near my place. With only modest pay, he really did spend it all to make us kids happy. Unfortunately, the game was unforgiving with one hit deaths. I lost patience after only a short time and put the game aside. When we moved houses, I lost the cartridge.   My grandpa past away over a decade ago. Since then, I have been looking for this game that he had bought me. The game's title was in Japanese, which I was unable to read at the time. I asked on several forums but my description ran a bell for nobody. Many years later, I had more or less given up.   Then, several months ago, when I was searching for something completely unrelated on Google Images, I stumbled upon a screenshot of the game. As it had been so long, I was unsure if this really was the same game I had played as a kid. I investigated, and as I launched the game and that level one music played, I almost teared up.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kGXGeP3NA   It pleased me so much to finally have a second chance to play this game. Though an obscure title, it is important to me because of the backstory involved. I am now looking for a copy of the game, but it is difficult, being such an underground game, so to speak.   Every game can be judged based on its mechanics. However, there is also a different story for each person behind every purchase. I think those can be really awesome to read about sometimes.   Thank you! If anyone has similar stories, feel free to share it ~

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, I think small communities tend to be friendly, perhaps because we appreciate one another more. Though we always want the things we love to grow, in truth, there is a worry within us that jerks might come in and ruin things for everyone.
 
Heizei_koukousei, it is so awesome how you have a real life VN friend who happens to be on these forums as well!
 
Sure, Tenkuru, let me share another one, then . I grew up playing the Sakura Taisen series. They could very much count as VNs, I suppose. Eventually, the Sakura Taisen craze settled, and my little mind became occupied by new games.
 
Many years later, in 2011, I got lost during my trip in Hong Kong. I walked around a shopping mall and stumbled upon a tiny anime shop. All the other stores sold food and clothes, so it was a truly random find. What got my attention was that the front glass showed many copies of the games from the Sakura Taisen series. The memories came flooding back. I wanted to check out the store, but it was closed, so I told myself to come by again later.
 
The following day, I checked out the opened store. The owner was friendly and kept asking if I needed any help. At first, I shyly said, "It's okay. I'm just looking ." My Cantonese was average so I acted a bit timid there, heheh . Anyway, he persisted, and soon I opened up as well. Turned out he grew up loving anything anime, including Sakura Taisen. It was a tiny store with no room to stand, yet we stood for hours and hours chatting about those good old days.
 
Unfortunately, he spoke little to no English, and my Chinese writing skills is poor. That meant there was no way for us to really stay in touch online. He was also an old school kind of guy and used no social media of any sort. Nonetheless, I think sometimes, it is not about spending time with someone day in and day out. Though it might have been a short meeting, if we connect and had a great time talking, then I think we can continue to be pals even though I am now back here in Australia .
 
I ended up buying all the Sakura Taisen games he had on sale. Now, when I look at them on my shelf, not only do I own those games, I also remember the aforementioned memories. He also showed me a few other games he had on sale. During the process, he was very honest, telling me which games he thought actually kind of sucked. Just a really likable person.
 
Surrounded by non related stores, the store owner admitted business was a struggle. There is a high chance that the next time I visit, the store will no longer be there. In that case, that would have been our only meeting. Sadly, that is just the way things are planned out for us sometimes.
 
This store was actually only a few minutes' walk from my hotel. Yet, if I had not gotten lost on that day, I never would have found it. Life has pretty cool plans for us and we think about it that way, I think .
 
Hope you enjoyed that one !

Which one is better is up to the individual . I prefer 999, personally, but I really enjoyed VLR as well. Very much hoping there will be that third title!

If you drop me a word on Twitter I'll be happy to RT for what that's worth ~

Doesn't look exactly like all ages XD! Best of luck with these folks, though .

All great suggestions . It might also be cool to give them something that ends in a couple of volumes. Finishing a manga does give a bit of a kick . It's been years since I last followed a series, though, so no specific examples from me (>-<)~

Current situation with Kancolle, to put it bluntly, is really complicated. Kadokawa never thought that game might bring such an interest; they weren't prepared for that, both technically and financially. The reason why they ban the oversea IP's is because the game is japanese and for japanese market only and it's servers are overloaded. I doubt this will change, as Kadokawa does not associate any bigger plans with Kancolle. The sole fact the game's legal situation is complicated as well, does not make it any better.
Kancolle is a perfect example of wasted potential. It's a fun little browser game, but with better management it could definately become a lot more than that.

I've been enjoying Hitsugi no Chaika quite a bit . To be honest, shows based off light novels are usually quite meh so this was a pleasant surprise. A lot of the light novels' covers and illustrations were lewd but the show was surprisingly classy. Relatively so, at least.
 
I really like Akari because she's a strong girl with no stereotypical big boobs or moeblob personality. It's so unfortunate that she still has the brother complex thing going on. Otherwise, it would've be a great step in an interesting direction .
 
Oh and white Chaika for life B).

I've been playing Dark Souls and came across this video:
 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y-YvxPvqOmE
 
Titled "Is Dark Souls the Future of Videogame Storytelling?" In Dark Souls, the bosses etc have no clear backstory. However, small hints are dropped, and fans stretch them into full blown lores. The advantage is you spend most of your time actually playing the game rather than listening to babble. Some would argue that's how video games should be.
 
Of course, that's quite the opposite as VNs, which are all about pages upon pages of words. I grew up wanting to write novels. Now I build games, but I want to carry the writing craft across to my new endeavor. Videos like the above make a great point and so it makes me (over)think these things. Perhaps even concerned if I feel paranoid. Recently, Narcissu came out on Steam, and I hear folks saying it's boring because it has no gameplay. Everyone's different, but you get the idea.
 
I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this topic as it's great research material for me. No doubt, it probably comes down to personal taste, which is cool, too.
 
Thanks .

Thank you everyone who took interest in the discussion ! It's great to hear what everyone's thoughts are. Helps out a lot. Thanks. Hope to read more if folks have anything to add.

Hello everyone! Unhack has at last been released! Thank you so much for everyone's continuing support m(_ _)m.
 

 
The game is available for purchase from the website (under Play):
 
http://unhack.invertmouse.com
 
If you enjoyed the game, please consider dropping a like on my Facebook page to receive the latest updates:
 
http://facebook.com/invertmouse
 
Unhack's Greenlight page is on my signature. Please consider dropping a Yes there, too!
 
Thank you so much folks. I really appreciate it m(_ _)m.

It makes me happy inside too Nosebleed =3~
 
I prefer when translations keep all the honorifics. Sometimes, it shows character development. Character A might call B by her last name, then they grow close and he calls her by her first name. If the sub always uses the first name, that growth is lost. Same thing for san, etc.

The folks here have been kind enough to give me permission to share my game on this forum, so here it is:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yav8HXPlR8g

http://unhack.invertmouse.com/game/

If anyone bumps into any problems while running the game, please let me know and I'll do my best to help. Feedback will be appreciated. Questions are very welcome.

A new episode of Unhack will be released about once a month. At the moment, the story is planned to stretch on for around ten episodes.

Here is the episode status:

Episode 1: Released
Episode 2: Released
Episode 3: Released
Episode 4: Released
Episode 5: Released
Episode 6: Released
Episode 7: Released
Episode 8: Released
Episode 9: Released
Episode 10: Released

Thank you everyone m(_ _)m.

The truth has been spoken .
 
I would suspect that VNs have a similar problem to games. They need to justify charging 50 bucks (or whatever it is) for the game, so they must ensure the game is of a length. For 50 bucks, people might want, say, 30 hours of reading. Can we truly get 30 hours of narrative that is to the point with meaningful characterization? Not that easy, certainly. That number must still be met, though, and so padding happens.

I think the last two photos are the most manly but hey to each his own .

Hello everyone . Those who have been around here for a while might know I've spent most of this year working on a game named Unhack. You can see it on my banner below. Unhack is still in the works, going through the final stages of testing and management.
 
Anyway, throughout the coming period I'm hoping to develop a series of short titles. Yesterday, I've completed a project named Dying Words:
 
http://dyingwords.invertmouse.com/
 
It's only about 20 minutes long. I wanted to share it here and see if you could check it out .
 
Thank you! Really appreciate all the support here for Unhack throughout the year m(_ _)m.
 

I actually have a deep reason behind why I refer to visual novels as VNs; because it's faster to type B). #okay

Hello everyone! The EB Expo is over and I've shown Unhack (as well as Bermuda, my new project) to plenty of people. Made a lot of friends and got some nice contacts, too. Thank you everyone here for your support as well .
 
Episode one of Unhack's new version is now up! Please visit the Play section of the site to download it: http://unhack.invertmouse.com It's available on PC and Mac so far. This new version has updated illustrations as well as a revised interface. Weedy is now voiced by Xanthe Huynh, so please be sure to check out her wonderful performance.
 

Yeah, that's how it is on the internet~ Most people never bother to comment after absorbing material. For instance, I'd check out tons of iPhone apps, but I never bother to left a review for any of them. It must be particularly hard for writing. Most people these days want more sensations, as in visual and audio, etc. I'm struggling to raise interest for my game projects as well so I know it's very difficult. Good luck !

Hello~ Everyone, please still be my friend after I bring up this topic (>-<)! I'm just more curious (Chitanda style) than anything else, so here the backstory:

The other day, I received some feedback for my game, Unhack. The person was friendly so all good. Anyway, he mentioned my writing was trivial and that there were a lot of lines that contributed to no characterization or purpose. I must admit this made me go awww because succinct storytelling is something I've studied and strived to do for over a decade now (wanted to become a novelist before this).

We then discussed about whether commercial visual novels have unneeded scenes. I love older (not Key but oh well) works like ONE. Kanon was pretty all right, too. Recently, I tried to play Little Busters and Rewrite. I'll just focus on LB. This impatient old man here stopped playing because of these things:





Next, I watched the anime in its entirely. Now, many say the VN is far better, and that's cool because this is usually the case. I must wonder, though, just how much better could it possibly be? The anime had entire episodes dedicated to:





Last, the anime featured a few routes, including Komari and Kud's routes. I have no doubt the VN's versions could be far better. But to be truthful, when those two routes ended in the anime, I thought, "I'm glad I didn't read the VN for 20+ hours for this kind of path". Haruka's one was pretty cool, though, so it's probably just a matter of some routes being better than others.

I'm particularly curious (and admittedly hurt) because people might say "look at how Key does it their writing is masterful" and I see the above things. If folks said, "look at Narcissu", then I'd go yeah now that's a masterpiece. Of course, it's all subjective. There's something I must go ahead and bring up, though. Let's take Clannad for example. Take out all of those amazing artworks in the game and replace them with subpar ones (like mine XD). Let's swap out those amazing soundtracks for some low budget piano ones, too. Would the writing suddenly seem far less flawed? I'd suspect that it would for many.

I'm going to sign off by contradicting myself. Madoka is a show that I feel is straight to be point and every scene has a purpose. Yet, for this very reason, I feel like I failed to like the characters as much as I could have. There were no scenes where the girls were just aimlessly fooling around. Those scenes are often the ones that help you grow attached to a cast. A bit like K-On. I have no answers. Just curious for some thoughts and the potential to get better.

Thank you heaps m(_ _)m!

Hello~ Everyone, please still be my friend after I bring up this topic (>-<)! I'm just more curious (Chitanda style) than anything else, so here the backstory:

The other day, I received some feedback for my game, Unhack. The person was friendly so all good. Anyway, he mentioned my writing was trivial and that there were a lot of lines that contributed to no characterization or purpose. I must admit this made me go awww because succinct storytelling is something I've studied and strived to do for over a decade now (wanted to become a novelist before this).

We then discussed about whether commercial visual novels have unneeded scenes. I love older (not Key but oh well) works like ONE. Kanon was pretty all right, too. Recently, I tried to play Little Busters and Rewrite. I'll just focus on LB. This impatient old man here stopped playing because of these things:





Next, I watched the anime in its entirely. Now, many say the VN is far better, and that's cool because this is usually the case. I must wonder, though, just how much better could it possibly be? The anime had entire episodes dedicated to:





Last, the anime featured a few routes, including Komari and Kud's routes. I have no doubt the VN's versions could be far better. But to be truthful, when those two routes ended in the anime, I thought, "I'm glad I didn't read the VN for 20+ hours for this kind of path". Haruka's one was pretty cool, though, so it's probably just a matter of some routes being better than others.

I'm particularly curious (and admittedly hurt) because people might say "look at how Key does it their writing is masterful" and I see the above things. If folks said, "look at Narcissu", then I'd go yeah now that's a masterpiece. Of course, it's all subjective. There's something I must go ahead and bring up, though. Let's take Clannad for example. Take out all of those amazing artworks in the game and replace them with subpar ones (like mine XD). Let's swap out those amazing soundtracks for some low budget piano ones, too. Would the writing suddenly seem far less flawed? I'd suspect that it would for many.

I'm going to sign off by contradicting myself. Madoka is a show that I feel is straight to be point and every scene has a purpose. Yet, for this very reason, I feel like I failed to like the characters as much as I could have. There were no scenes where the girls were just aimlessly fooling around. Those scenes are often the ones that help you grow attached to a cast. A bit like K-On. I have no answers. Just curious for some thoughts and the potential to get better.

Thank you heaps m(_ _)m!

The folks here have been kind enough to give me permission to share my game on this forum, so here it is:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yav8HXPlR8g

http://unhack.invertmouse.com/game/

If anyone bumps into any problems while running the game, please let me know and I'll do my best to help. Feedback will be appreciated. Questions are very welcome.

A new episode of Unhack will be released about once a month. At the moment, the story is planned to stretch on for around ten episodes.

Here is the episode status:

Episode 1: Released
Episode 2: Released
Episode 3: Released
Episode 4: Released
Episode 5: Released
Episode 6: Released
Episode 7: Released
Episode 8: Released
Episode 9: Released
Episode 10: Released

Thank you everyone m(_ _)m.

Oh my (/u\)~

I wanted to experiment with putting 2D art over a real life photo this time (may come to use in a future project). Here's Kurumi waiting in Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong B)/>:

Thank you shcboomer!

My next game project is progressing along. I just did another drawing, which I'll most likely use for the menu screen:



Thank you B)!