People ignore visual novels every day of the year, now they're talking about how that one is hurting the genre or whatever. 99% of the people discussing the genre haven't even stepped foot here.
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Visual Novel Community Thread: No Auto Read Required
- Thread starter Vylash
- Start date
People ignore visual novels every day of the year, now they're talking about how that one is hurting the genre or whatever. 99% of the people discussing the genre haven't even stepped foot here.
I'm maybe too afraid to look at the thread here on it (I say that knowing I'll probably subject myself to it as soon as I hit post), but I certainly saw a lot of comments on it on Twitter. Some were maybe a bit much, but I largely agree with those critical of it. Especially when it was coming from translators or other VN devs.
There's legitimately great VNs that just get ignored - including OELVNs - but then wacky parody stuff comes out and gets attention just because of that. And the thing that always gets me is like... what are they parodying? These things always feel like they've only experienced romance VNs/dating sims third hand or something, where they're playing off of is jokes upon jokes about archetypes rather than anything that actually used them, possibly totally misunderstanding what things are actually like in the process.
That's not malicious or anything like that, mind, but it can be frustrating. And in this case there's also it's literally advertising, so I think it getting more ire directed at it is understandable.
There's legitimately great VNs that just get ignored - including OELVNs - but then wacky parody stuff comes out and gets attention just because of that. And the thing that always gets me is like... what are they parodying? These things always feel like they've only experienced romance VNs/dating sims third hand or something, where they're playing off of is jokes upon jokes about archetypes rather than anything that actually used them, possibly totally misunderstanding what things are actually like in the process.
That's not malicious or anything like that, mind, but it can be frustrating. And in this case there's also it's literally advertising, so I think it getting more ire directed at it is understandable.
I fucking wish we'd get a VN parodying the sheer amount of creepy sexualization out there
...what about a dating game with a grasshopper in a school uniform? I'd say that would be a good example :x
Definitely not for me, but I don't think those meme games are harmful to the VN genre. It's not like Big Bumpin and Pocket Bike Racer devalued the cart racing genre or Sneak King dragged down Metal Gear and Splinter Cell. Those were already widely established genres of course, but my point is that the KFC game is just another dumb example of advergaming that's not meant as a big insult to VNs. There will always be detractors that use moments like this to make fun of a genre, but those are the same people who still use "walking simulator" as an insult.
Fact is VNs are still pretty niche most places. We just have to spread the word outside insular communities and highlight the good ones that might get people to jump in. Millions of people already enjoy the best aspect of VNs when they play slightly more interactive experiences like Quantic Dreams, Telltale or Dontnod games.
I think apart from too many VNs with questionable content, reading is what puts many potential players off. Genres like mystery, detective novel, horror or romance are already well established in other media and it just takes the right game (and marketing push / critical reception / fan support) to get more people on board. Layton did it. 999, AA and Danganronpa did it on a small scale. Steins;Gate probably benefitted a lot from the well-known anime while Dream Daddy showed how interesting a dating VN can be, even without romanceable pigeons. Apart from the quality of a VN, the right presentation and additional gameplay elements seem to be key for many people.
It's probably wishful thinking, but Famicom Detective Club could be one of those. Nintendo proved that they can turn a niche genre like SRPGs into a million seller with Fire Emblem. They invested in a great localization, proper marketing and Smash must have helped tremendously. Fingers crossed they attempt something similar with FDC, even if it's on a much smaller scale.
Fact is VNs are still pretty niche most places. We just have to spread the word outside insular communities and highlight the good ones that might get people to jump in. Millions of people already enjoy the best aspect of VNs when they play slightly more interactive experiences like Quantic Dreams, Telltale or Dontnod games.
I think apart from too many VNs with questionable content, reading is what puts many potential players off. Genres like mystery, detective novel, horror or romance are already well established in other media and it just takes the right game (and marketing push / critical reception / fan support) to get more people on board. Layton did it. 999, AA and Danganronpa did it on a small scale. Steins;Gate probably benefitted a lot from the well-known anime while Dream Daddy showed how interesting a dating VN can be, even without romanceable pigeons. Apart from the quality of a VN, the right presentation and additional gameplay elements seem to be key for many people.
It's probably wishful thinking, but Famicom Detective Club could be one of those. Nintendo proved that they can turn a niche genre like SRPGs into a million seller with Fire Emblem. They invested in a great localization, proper marketing and Smash must have helped tremendously. Fingers crossed they attempt something similar with FDC, even if it's on a much smaller scale.
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I did subject myself to (some of) the thread now and posted in it, but I should add here for clarity's sake that I didn't know the thread had positioned it as being an issue of "harming the genre" when I posted.
Cause the crit I'd seen on Twitter was just about the attention it was getting and "being sincere" rather than "ironic", etc., not about whether it gave VNs a bad name or something like that. Saying it's kinda a misrepresentation of what's really there isn't really the same thing as that when it's in the context of talking about what it's trying to parody. Cause if anything is hurt by it, it's specifically romance and otome games that are being mocked...
Cause the crit I'd seen on Twitter was just about the attention it was getting and "being sincere" rather than "ironic", etc., not about whether it gave VNs a bad name or something like that. Saying it's kinda a misrepresentation of what's really there isn't really the same thing as that when it's in the context of talking about what it's trying to parody. Cause if anything is hurt by it, it's specifically romance and otome games that are being mocked...
I don't think parody game is hurting the genre as diversity is always good, but the perception on "only parody VN can make a splash and attract people attention" seems to be a thing in the western VN market. I mean, why so many classics are not translated at the first place is that they don't sell, whereas a game like Colonel Sanders can make such a great noise before it is out.
Right, I was conversing with some friends on Twitter over it.
These VNs just parody each other, and have turned into their own thing that don't have much in relation with what they're supposedly parodying.
They'll get all of the attention whilst regular VNs get overlooked. It's a shame, but it's what it is. I don't see it being remedied.
I don't blame them either. The "wacky weird Japan/genre" deal is a hook that apparently works, is easy to show off to friends, and fits the streaming/youtube environment perfectly.
I just normally try not to pay too much attention to these kinds of games. Also, Era is not the place I'd go to for an actual discussion on it.
Well, just skim the thread for a second, and that's obvious.
These VNs just parody each other, and have turned into their own thing that don't have much in relation with what they're supposedly parodying.
They'll get all of the attention whilst regular VNs get overlooked. It's a shame, but it's what it is. I don't see it being remedied.
I don't blame them either. The "wacky weird Japan/genre" deal is a hook that apparently works, is easy to show off to friends, and fits the streaming/youtube environment perfectly.
I just normally try not to pay too much attention to these kinds of games. Also, Era is not the place I'd go to for an actual discussion on it.
Well, just skim the thread for a second, and that's obvious.
Harry Potter and Fifty Shades Of Grey beg to differ (just to show how diverse the genres of the book-reading public). And a dozen other book franchises besides. It's not like verbose computer games are a new thing, some games from the '80's and '90's would give Fate games a run for its money. You have a niche of a niche, the anime effect, and a lot of "writers" scouring Akiba or Comiket for the most offensive, out-there title they can clickbait. These are the same people that used to call Final Fantasy, "Final [offensive slur]" and Final Fantasy 7 was the poster child of why all Japanese RPGs were trash, etc.
also general update:
- Hello Lady 85% Translated, 70% Edited
- Making Lovers 65% Translated, 65% Edited
- Senren Banka 45% Translated, 45% Edited For those wondering about the status of Senren Banka, we'll have some more news for you soon, so keep an eye out for that!
- Our secret projects Secret Project #1 - 100% Translated and 100% Edited, still in engine work by developer, early 2020 release Secret Project #2 - 30% Translated and 25% Edited Secret Project #3 - 10% Translated, 0% Edited
source is that tweet thread
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Mangagmer had its weekly update
TITLES TO BE RELEASED SOON
(i'm including Hashihime tweet as well, the previous announcement may be recent but the situation of MG being volatile with payment processors I'd rather post multiple release confirmations)
Basically by the time Sona-Nyl is out I'll be a grandad at this pace, also I don't see Bokuten mentioned there but I hope it'll come out at some point...eventually...maybe...
TITLES TO BE RELEASED SOON
(i'm including Hashihime tweet as well, the previous announcement may be recent but the situation of MG being volatile with payment processors I'd rather post multiple release confirmations)
- The release build for Funbag Fantasy 2 has been finalized. We've also added and integrated Steam achievements!
- Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows is 100% translated and 30% edited!
- The release build for Amatarasu Riddle Star has been finalized! Additionally, it's been approved for release on Steam!
- Moving along to secret projects: Sakuranomori Dreamers, AKA Secret Project #1, is 100% translated and edited! Image editing is progressing smoothly.
- The release build for Imouto Paradise 3, AKA Secret Project #2, is being finalized!
- WanNyan, AKA Secret Project #3, is 100% translated and 90% edited!
- Rance 01, AKA Secret Project #4, is 100% translated and 25% edited!
- Nyan Cafe, AKA Secret Project #5, is 100% translated and 100% edited! Image editing is coming along nicely~
- Eternal Torment, AKA Secret Project #6, is 100% translated and edited! Congrats, team!
- Funbag Fantasy: Sideboob Story 2, AKA Secret Project #7, is 100% translated and edited. Image editing is also completed, and will soon be heading into beta!
- Magic & Slash, AKA Secret Project #8, is 100% translated and 83.5% edited!
- Uchikano ~Living With My Girlfriend~, AKA Secret Project #9, is 100% translated and 37% edited!
- As we mentioned in our last update, the #Maggotbaits release build is finally ready! Will it be our next pre-order? Hmm... Who knows?
- Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows is 100% translated and 30% edited!
- The release build for Amatarasu Riddle Star has been finalized! Additionally, it's been approved for release on Steam!
- Moving along to secret projects: Sakuranomori Dreamers, AKA Secret Project #1, is 100% translated and edited! Image editing is progressing smoothly.
- The release build for Imouto Paradise 3, AKA Secret Project #2, is being finalized!
- WanNyan, AKA Secret Project #3, is 100% translated and 90% edited!
- Rance 01, AKA Secret Project #4, is 100% translated and 25% edited!
- Nyan Cafe, AKA Secret Project #5, is 100% translated and 100% edited! Image editing is coming along nicely~
- Eternal Torment, AKA Secret Project #6, is 100% translated and edited! Congrats, team!
- Funbag Fantasy: Sideboob Story 2, AKA Secret Project #7, is 100% translated and edited. Image editing is also completed, and will soon be heading into beta!
- Magic & Slash, AKA Secret Project #8, is 100% translated and 83.5% edited!
- Uchikano ~Living With My Girlfriend~, AKA Secret Project #9, is 100% translated and 37% edited!
- As we mentioned in our last update, the #Maggotbaits release build is finally ready! Will it be our next pre-order? Hmm... Who knows?
Basically by the time Sona-Nyl is out I'll be a grandad at this pace, also I don't see Bokuten mentioned there but I hope it'll come out at some point...eventually...maybe...
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Our OELVN is hitting Switch on Monday. Somehow managed to avoid the deluge by one day 😛 it's an otome, so probably not up everyone's alley, but as something born out of the indie community I thought it fair to share.
www.nintendo.com
Akash: Path of the Five for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site
Buy Akash: Path of the Five and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.
www.nintendo.com
Okay, I'm not really up on VNs, but isn't Sengoku Rance like, really old? Is the the first time it's been officially translated or something? Or am I just thinking of the wrong game?
It's almost 13 years old, it got a fan translation a long time ago that you may be thinking about.
Yeah, I thought so. I wasn't implying it had been translated - I just had no idea either way.
Seabed (Yuri psychological title) is getting an english switch release.
Glad to see Fruitbat Factory back in the console market.
Not having a OT for AI the Somnium Files really tells you how the VN discussion environment is on this forum. I really want to have one but I do not have the tool and skill to make a good OT.
Unfortunately yes.
It's a historically important game for the genre. There's a deep, layered sci-fi story plus a long epilogue that switches some things up, but be prepared to experience those 40-50 hours through the eyes of one the most horrible protagonist in a VN ever. Imagine playing Persona 4 through the eyes of Yosuke who took too much viagra.
edit: it's worth sticking through for the story, but if the suggestive banter in Ai bothered you then be prepared to play a game where you hate the protagonist. It's also possible that the localization tones it down a bit.
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That does sound... exhausting, but shouldn't be much of a bother for me then. Thanks.
To be clear, I was joking.
It's not out till the delayed physical release is out, clearly.
Onikiss has been rejected by Steam.
I mean... Who really thought Valve would approve a game that is about teenage sisters wanting to bang the brother with their mother literally looking like that:
I mean... Who really thought Valve would approve a game that is about teenage sisters wanting to bang the brother with their mother literally looking like that:
I just fall in love with the genre after playing 999 and VLR. What are the best VN games for the Switch?
You should try AI: The Somnium Files, from the same director behind those two games you loved.
Along with Shizuka's recommendation, there are the Ace Attorney trilogy and Steins;Gate Elite Switch versions.
If you like traditional visual novels, World End Syndrome is a really good VN for Switch, too. Then, there is Clannad - I finished today the last route and I am starting After Story, it is such a long game (I am already at 45 hours and I don't know how much After Story will take), but really fulfilling if you like that kind of story.
999 and VLR are, however, atypical VNs, since there is more gameplay, like in the Ace Attorney Trilogy. Anyway I suggest you to try some traditional VNs too when you will have time and/or you will be in the mood (ShyMel also mentioned Steins;Gate, and it is absolutely a wonderful traditional VN to try). My first VN was VLR too, but then I started to love the whole VN genre.
Thanks for the suggestions! So many games!