The demo for Bright Oak got released today.
I loved it! The story is very intriguing, and the characters are well-written. It’s just the demo, but I’m in love with Sparrow already.
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(thank you so, so much for boosting Bright Oak, Renata! I’m so grateful for your kind words, and for posting the link here! I know about this forum now because there have been so many people who came as result of your post. 
And yes, Sparrow is a sweetheart; I hope you enjoy the full game once it’s released!)
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First, welcome!! 
I didn’t know that the owner of a game on Itch can keep track of where the players come from. This is really cool, but since this thread is closed for non-registered users, that must be a little confusing.
I liked your work a lot, so I feel very happy that your demo is reaching more people. I follow your Tumblr but never interact with anyone there, I just use it to keep track of interesting future VNs and IFs. So I was excited to try the demo and didn’t disappoint me. I love how fleshed-out and flawed your characters are. Really, is awesome to play a game where you can from disliking one character (Marybeth, in my case :P) to talking with them, and understanding the reasons they are that way. Except for Jasper, the jury’s still out on that one (but I want to romance him, asshole or not). 
If I can point out ONE complaint that I have about Bright Oak is that we don’t have enough time to interact more with John in the demo. I hope we can talk more with him on the next update, I am looking forward to get to know more about the sheriff.
But Sparrow is the love of my life and flustered Sparrow is what I live for. I don’t care if we are in the middle of a government conspiracy: I am VERY HAPPY in this town as long I can see this adorable face every day. Thank you.
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Thank you! 
And yep, Itch gives a general overview of how many visits originate from links on different sites (not all sites, I don’t think, but many of them!). So when Choice of Games popped up, it pinged my curiosity and I jumped down the rabbit hole. 
I’m… not that great at promoting, so it was a truly lovely surprise and a big big help to discover a whole other vibrant community through your post!
I am absolutely delighted you enjoy the little band of disasters populating Bright Oak! It’s my dear, dear hope that they’re each loveable in their own way, in spite / because of their flaws (and they are all flawed-- even you, Patti, stop looking at me like that). And flustered!Sparrow is a delight to write, so I’m very happy he’s also fun to read, as well.
As far as John goes: much as Marybeth spends time with the MC/Kit if you stay with Sparrow, choosing to stay with Patti instead will lead to an extended scene with John! So, if you’d like to spend more time with the sheriff early, you’ll have to forsake Sparrow’s (very messy) nest for a run. I’ve been debating posting that on the Tumblr page, too, just because I know it isn’t obvious, so I’m glad you mentioned it. 
Thank you again!
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Thanks for that one, so rare to see good looking VN games with cute male protags and male love interests…speaking of that I like all four of them so far! 
Oh, good to know, I will make another playthrough to spend some time with the Sheriff.
Ah, talking about the Sheriff, I have to say a very important thing: I can totally see the dynamic between John and Jasper when (if) they are on better terms being like this
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You guys should check it out Otome Games Jam 2023 on itch io, there are some newest cool otome games worth to play
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Yes I’m so excited to play the Otome Jam entries. Best month of the year!!
Uh. So, Trouble Comes Twice was released today, but just on Itch. They postponed the Steam launch until July 14, not because of any technical issues, but because Steam started a new sale today and they said on Twitter that the game wouldn’t have the same visibility launching during a sale.
This is… their choice of business management, I guess, but not gonna lie, I think this is unfair, especially because Itch ALSO started a sale today. I was excited to buy this game on the first day, but after this I think they will go to my “wait to see the reviews and buy on sale” list.
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Wouldn’t more people buy game during sale…
Do you not get a Steam key with it? Usually, if you buy the itch version of a game, you get the Steam key, too.
Yeah but I think they don’t think like this. Must be because there are a lot of otome visual novels on sale right now.
The problem isn’t the Steam key… Is that on Itch io I have to use my credit card internationally, with prices converted directly from dollar and the LOT of taxes that this entail. I know that the devs get a bigger cut from Itch and I would support them there if I could, but I buy on Steam or don’t have the money to buy the game at all. 
Hey @EvilChani , knowing your tastes in fictional men I think you totally should have a look at this entry of Otome Jam. This game is hot af. Well, I’m not 100% certain that you will like it because the RO is a liiiittle too much of an asshole, but I loved it!!
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Are you not in the US?
And I saw that Burning Red game! It’s on my list of demos to try (which is so freaking long now…).
I like asshole ROs as long as they don’t emotional abuse my MC or call my MC a slam pig in public. 
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No, I’m from Brazil
Ah, no, he’s more grumpy and closed off (and there is a good reason for that)
I was browsing through the Otome tag on Steam to decide my purchases for this sale and remembered my favorite Steam review ever:
the game
the review
Seriously, I imagine Trump or Bolsonaro playing this visual novel and saying “that’s some deep shit bro”
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Foreign exchange rates were not good as well… Wish I could support the devs directly but I need to budget as well. Going to wait for it to be available on Steam too.
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A lot boils down to visibility. During the Steam sales, the store page is covered in “Now on Sale” and sometimes it can be a hassle to find a prompt for New Games/etc.
As a result, many smaller studios will wait until after the sale. I know sometimes a Valve rep told them it might be better to wait (I know two devs who said this, though I can’t personally confirm it)
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That’s why I almost never buy on Itch, unfortunately. There was a game I wanted that was on sale on Itch, but not on Steam and it was cheaper for me to pay the full price on Steam than the reduced price on Itch 
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I don’t doubt this, it’s just that… I don’t know, for me doesn’t make much sense to launch the game on one platform and purposely delay it on the other.
This is me every time I see the number Otome Jam entries going up
Yesterday I played this gem of a game about a human girl who was raised among the Fae. It’s so good. I think it’s incredible how an author can put a full game of a considerable length like this one, in such a short amount of time.
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For you yandere fans out there, I found this demo:
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I’m feasting on otome jam entries, I played this yandere game and
I just finished this game. It’s short but has amazing voice acting and beautiful art, I hope the author continues this story someday.
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So I played Burning Red and freaking love it. I love Alvarez and all his assholishness. So that was a good guess on your part. He’s the perfect amount of asshole. 
And I feel you on the reaction to Heart Cage. Which one did you go for? I was tempted by the psycho who ran away and wanted to kill my MC, but went for Luke. I want to try the cafe owner at some point…
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