Any specific examples?
Definitely, very promising and I really like the premise.
4 Likes
So, a progress update.
I’ve decided not to split Chapter 4. In my next update the MC will be appointed to the Royal Knights regardless of their achievements. The key distinction will be whether this is framed as something the MC actually earned, or if it’s the equivalent of a nepo-hire.
There are a few reasons for this. Chiefly amongst them is that a plotline I originally intended to be exclusive to the hedgeknight route is actually too important to the overall story to simply not let all players be a part of it.
Secondarily, dividing the paths like this limits the player’s exposure to certain characters, and I don’t think it does so in a way that enhances the story. For example you’re going to have next to no interaction with the prince, princess, or queen if you aren’t a Royal Knight, which will make it odd when later events in the story kind of require you to care about what happens to them. Similarly, my original plan to tie Fabius and Ludov to the hedgeknight plot will probably result in the majority of players simply not taking much interest in these two.
The result of this is that while there will be fewer branching paths, there will ultimately be more content in a single playthrough. I don’t consider this to be a net negative, but I understand if some people feel differently.
On another note, I have been thinking about launching a Patreon. Without going into too much detail, the gist of it is that due to various IRL factors I find myself in need of a secondary source of income. Let me be clear: for as long as this WIP remains a WIP, I will never lock it behind a paywall; not even temporarily. I plan for this WIP to remain free and open to everyone until it is finished and - hopefully - published. Until that day comes, I want it to be open to as many people as possible (and I hope those people will offer constructive feedback.)
The content I provide via this hypothetical patreon account will be short stories and worldbuilding; things that expand on the setting or provide some light reading material but aren’t essential to enjoy the core story told via my WIP.
All that said, I’m going to post this poll as an interest check, just to try to gauge interest. If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to ask. I must stress again: my decision to make a patreon will not interfere with development of the game, nor will a patreon subscription be required to access the game. This is entirely for people who want to support me and receive a bit more of my writing in return.
If I set up a Patreon, would you support it?
- Yes
- No
0
voters
17 Likes
Aw, darn. There go my MC’s dreams of shirking, and ignoring his responsibilities as an appointed knight. Can’t believe his stingy, and equally ‘responsibility shirking’ uncle gets to win this one. 
Yes, the lack of choice for what he could make of his own life is his whole motivation to be evasive about the “expectations” a knight should fulfill.
Though to be fair, regardless of “merits” it did seem a little strange you could save the Prince from that assassin, and all you get is pocket change for it. In many ways, the action of saving the prince made the MC better than the royal guard in that moment. Just what were those lazy bums doing?
3 Likes