PRESS PLAY (music WIP, prologue, chapter 1 + chapter 2, 118k words; UPDATED September 30th)

I’ve begun work on my new game Press Play. You play as the most mysterious character of 21st century pop-rock.

You discovered your love for singing during your stay at a psychiatric hospital as a teen. Later, you and your college friends formed a band, and your journey to the top begins abruptly when you team up with a skilled manager.

It’s a meteoric rise— until it isn’t. Now, a decade after your band has disappeared from the public eye, you’ve accepted an interview with Groove Magazine. You are going to give them the truth; as ugly as that might be.

Currently it’s about 10% (2 Chapter, 118k Words) done. I plan to update every two months.

Play the demo here. Mind the content warnings!
Inspiration: Daisy Jones and The Six, Fleetwood Mac… and all sorts of music-related drama.
TW: themes of mental illness, unhealthy relationships, substance abuse, death, mentions of suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, SA-related trauma, implied parental abuse, underage drinking and smoking

  • Follow the story of your band’s rise to fame (and eventual fall from grace)
  • Play as a pop-rock vocalist
  • Name your band and customize your music, lyrics and image
  • Handle the media, interactions with pushy fans and your own repressed thoughts and fears
  • Romance your coolgirl-bassist, the childhood friend you cut out of your life, your absolutely insane guitarist, your biggest fan/possibly stalker or all of them
  • Give one hell of an interview

ROs:
Stevie McLaughlin, bassist (f) — “I suppose I was the sanest one in that bunch.”
She’s one of your oldest friends, level-headed, composed, and always there to talk you down when you need her. Sometimes, she acts more as your retainer than anything else…
Stevie is tall and skinny with light brown skin and extremely long, curly black hair which she always wears in a wet look. She has big, dark brown eyes and a soft face.

Paul/Paulette Zima, lead singer & saxophonist (f/m selectable, trans) — “Trying to figure out where you know me from?”
Your band’s brand-new, second lead singer. They’re part of a past you would much rather forget.
Paul is very tall, broad-backed and thickly muscled with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair and bottle green eyes.
Paulette is of average height with an hourglass/slim thick figure. She has dark brown hair with parted bangs and light blonde strands dyed into it. Her eyes are bottle green.

Angel Monsanto, guitarist (m) — “I was always going to make it big, with or without those guys. Only, I… I really wanted it to be with them.”
Your crazy but good-hearted guitarist. His passion for music borders on obsession, and he will stop at nothing to make a name for your band.
Angel is of average height and build with a warm beige complexion and long black hair. He has a square jaw with an occasional five o’clock shadow and brown eyes.

Lincoln Saunders, groupie?? (f/m selectable) — “What can I say, I loved them.”
Calling Lincoln a fan would be an understatement. Fanatic is more like it. You remember seeing them at your very first show, and you’ve continued to spot them at every venue you’ve played at since.
Lincoln (m) is short and lean, with an angular face and wavy blond hair. His eyes are cobalt blue.
Lincoln (f) is petite and tan, with a youthful, round face and chin-length blond beach waves. Her eyes are cobalt blue.

464 Likes

I like it so far, gonna bookmark it and wait, good luck with your wip

12 Likes

I’m absolutely in love with the concept here and the way you’re using the interview format as a framing device.

23 Likes

All I can say is I’m intrigued. We still haven’t really seen how attributes will matter or how “style” elements affect each other if at all. Basically, everything pertaining to “system” is a big question mark. The writing is good enough, and I suspect you have a good plan for the structure of the interview placements and overall pacing, which is a fantastic sign.

Best of luck, feel free to hit me up if you need someone to bounce system ideas off of.

6 Likes

I love it, particularly the premise. And nothing else mattress.

14 Likes

Immensely entertaining, a great start. I am in love with the interview format. Huge fan of your other WIP too (Flomancer here) but I have to say it feels like you are really tightening up your writing, it just gets more engaging the more you write. It took me a minute to get hooked on campers (I definitely got there :laughing:) but this one hooked me instantly and never let go. Can’t wait for more of both WIPS.

14 Likes

great WIP I can’t wait for more.

3 Likes

It was soooo good, I love the way we do the chapters through interviews and memory lanes. I love the characters, the backgrounds and the whole premise :heart_eyes: :two_hearts:

10 Likes

Oh now this is fun.

And the ability to have Stevie having a crush??? Lmao if I wasnt already sold…

Love the premise, like the interview and customisation. Sort of gravitated toward a more anxious and humble MC then did a 180 and went in with super confidence.

I am intrigued!

20 Likes

Another great story, can’t wait for the next update!

3 Likes

Very fun format! Loved it and look forward to more of the story!

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Happy to hear it! Thanks for dropping in :grin:

3 Likes

Thank you so much, the interview format is sth I put a lot of thought into so I’m really happy you like it <3 It’s delightful to write

9 Likes

Really love seeing the MC from another’s perspective!

Also already head over heels for the casts, though not gonna lie why is MC so hot? Especially the intense, down to earth MC with boy next door style but a dead face (as said by Angel).

Looking at the crowd like a hawk – I’m melting :sob:
Would be a fan of the band if they exist in real life.

This IF is making me feel things. Good things. Though there is a bit of worry for the eventual event of the band’s downfall.

I’m really hyped. You gave us SHC and now this!?!?
Words can’t describe how much we love you :sparkling_heart:

13 Likes

I’ve been waiting for a wip like this!! efbkhw I love this already<3

4 Likes

@girlfromthecrypt ive enjoyed what you have shown us thus far very much looking forward to seeing even more. :smiley:

5 Likes

It certainly caught my attention like wow. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fantastic game/book.

5 Likes

I absolutely love it, this hole concept is amazing, I can’t wait to play more

2 Likes

This was so good! I love the retrospective way you are approaching it. I am super excited to see more and get into the story more.

3 Likes

I love love the choice to play as a charming, confident, down to earth character with a frozen face that accidentally spooks people and gives a cooler vibe. My favorite musician archetype for sure :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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