# Rust Belt Lullabies (WIP) (CHAPTER ONE +60k words, Sept 11th, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** Works In Progress\ **Tags:** nonbinary-inclusive, gender-choice, romance, young-adult-fiction\ **Created:** [December 2, 2025, 5:22am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837 "2025-12-02T05:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 5:22am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/1 "2025-12-02T05:22:18Z")
It’s the spring of your senior year. The weather may not reflect it but that’s typical Erie, Pennsylvania for you. It’s 2006 and people can’t stop referencing the good old days back when industry was booming. You’re Brenner, a peripheral character in the majority of your classmates’ stories but you know you’ll make it out of this shitty town. You and your band are too damn big for this city and you can feel it in your bones. Despite the family fights, the addictions, the shaky band dynamics and so much more. Right now however you’re just Brenner stumbling through each day while they blur together like cigarette smoke. This is a story about growing up in a dire circumstances while being surrounded by the worst type of vices and of course, most important of all becoming fucking famous. \_\_\_\_\_\_ Brenner (you choose the first name, but the cast will normally call you Bren/Brenner/Brenny). A social outcast, lead singer and guitarist of a shitty rock band. You drink, you smoke, you do drugs, you write songs, and occasionally are musically brilliant. Throughout your entire life you’ve always felt invisible. Then one day you get your cousins beat up guitar and music gave you a voice. Demo: [CoGDemos](https://cogdemos.ink/go/6197) ~ 60k words Tumblr: [@meept0pia on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/meept0pia?source=share) [Bug Reporting Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAooS1HXoxtf_lDNu6ifu1W8DCeuXgM8NOlhX59DcklsAKvA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104637609998504240370) AI Disclosure: No — This project does not contain the output of Generative AI Yes — This project contains the output of Generative AI ---
**Author:** ![Yukiyaorz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/41988e/32.png) [@Yukiyaorz](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Yukiyaorz)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 7:10am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/2 "2025-12-02T07:10:05Z")
Absolutely brilliant wip!\<3 ---
**Author:** ![chasingskies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/chasingskies/32/260795_2.png) [@chasingskies](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/chasingskies)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 7:25am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/3 "2025-12-02T07:25:24Z")
Love it! Played as a trans MC and really appreciated the additional text/convo’s surrounding it, look forward to learning more about the MC, town, and band relationship! ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Redmond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/scott_redmond/32/160384_2.png) [@Scott\_Redmond](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Scott_Redmond)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/4 "2025-12-02T14:19:52Z")
Great start! Im intrigued and that’s what matters most for a new wip. All the characters seem interesting, the setting is both familiar and fresh and the plot in general has caught my eye. Keep up the good work, I’ll be keeping an eye on its future progress. ---
**Author:** ![hustlertwo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/hustlertwo/32/34230_2.png) [@hustlertwo](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/hustlertwo)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/5 "2025-12-02T17:54:37Z")
I love this title by the way. Very evocative. ---
**Author:** ![chrisbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrisbat](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/chrisbat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 6:44am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/6 "2025-12-03T06:44:50Z")
A bit dark but it’s interesting. I look forward to reading more. ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/7 "2026-01-27T15:29:21Z")
hi [@moderators](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/groups/moderators) it’s me again should i remake this post now that my if has been updated or should i ask you guys to reopen this post? idk thank u \<3 ---
**Author:** ![HarrisPS](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/harrisps/32/240120_2.png) [@HarrisPS](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/HarrisPS)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/8 "2026-01-27T17:14:17Z")
Hello, you should be able to edit now. ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/9 "2026-01-27T19:00:18Z")
thank u sm!!! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/original/3X/e/f/efe1497a762edecdb6d569a1c4abee87508bf002.png) [@system](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/10 "2026-03-28T19:01:02Z")
Closed on March 28, 2026, 7:01pm UTC This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. If you want to reopen your WiP, contact the moderators. ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/11 "2026-09-13T02:15:08Z")
It’s the spring of your senior year. The weather may not reflect it but that’s typical Erie, Pennsylvania for you. It’s 2006 and people can’t stop referencing the good old days back when industry was booming. You’re Brenner, a peripheral character in the majority of your classmates’ stories but you know you’ll make it out of this shitty town. You and your band are too damn big for this city and you can feel it in your bones. Despite the family fights, the addictions, the shaky band dynamics and so much more. Right now however you’re just Brenner stumbling through each day while they blur together like cigarette smoke. This is a story about growing up in a dire circumstances while being surrounded by the worst type of vices and of course, most important of all becoming fucking famous. \_\_\_\_\_\_ Brenner (you choose the first name, but the cast will normally call you Bren/Brenner/Brenny). A social outcast, lead singer and guitarist of a shitty rock band. You drink, you smoke, you do drugs, you write songs, and occasionally are musically brilliant. Throughout your entire life you’ve always felt invisible. Then one day you get your cousins beat up guitar and music gave you a voice. Demo: [CoGDemos](https://cogdemos.ink/go/6197) ~ 60k words Tumblr: [@meept0pia on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/meept0pia?source=share) [Bug Reporting Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAooS1HXoxtf_lDNu6ifu1W8DCeuXgM8NOlhX59DcklsAKvA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104637609998504240370) * * * It’s currently around 60k words and I try to update as fast as I can but I’m in grad school so I honestly only write when I can. I think in the next update (or the one after) I am going to look for beta testers since I can feel my STEM degree really weighing me down on the grammar and flow side of things. I wasn’t sure if I should make this post again since my old one closed (my updates were too slow _sob)_ so I decided to do this instead. Mods if I did something wrong I’m sorry! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy. This update has been a long time in the making. AI Disclosure: No — This project does not contain the output of Generative AI Yes — This project contains the output of Generative AI ---
**Author:** ![Valixon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/valixon/32/129135_2.png) [@Valixon](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Valixon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/12 "2026-09-13T02:34:19Z")
Haven’t had chance to fully play update yet but ive enjoyed your work do far so congrats. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![chrisbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrisbat](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/chrisbat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/13 "2026-09-13T04:22:58Z")
This is a pretty great update. I recall wondering what happened to this game so I’m glad you’ve been working on it. I fo like the arch thar the Mc is trying to make something out of the wreckage of his life. ---
**Author:** ![HarrisPS](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/harrisps/32/240120_2.png) [@HarrisPS](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/HarrisPS)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 8:38am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/14 "2026-09-13T08:38:34Z")
Opened on September 13, 2026, 8:38am UTC ---
**Author:** ![HarrisPS](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/harrisps/32/240120_2.png) [@HarrisPS](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/HarrisPS)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/15 "2026-09-13T08:40:28Z")
Hello, to keep things tidy it’s just one thread per WIP so I’ve merged the two threads and reopened the original one. Congrats on the update! ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/16 "2026-09-13T14:20:16Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/17 "2026-09-13T15:00:57Z")
Thank you I am definitely more active on Tumblr then here if you are curious about my progress. ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_Lindsey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/carson_lindsey/32/102655_2.png) [@Carson\_Lindsey](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Carson_Lindsey)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/18 "2026-09-13T19:06:28Z")
Sorry but when I read the Sonic bit, and it mentioned collecting coins, I had a stroke, HE COLLECTS RINGS. Also I don’t think there was a phone port of a Sonic game that wasn’t total ass in 2006. (And not just because it was the year of 06 and the awful gba port of the original game) ---
**Author:** ![meeptopia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meeptopia/32/254339_2.png) [@meeptopia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/meeptopia)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/19 "2026-09-13T23:37:00Z")
Thank you this is really helpful. When I was researching I stumbled upon _Sonic N_ but I couldn’t find any gameplay that wasn’t on the Nokia N-Gage and I’m now discovering there’s a reason for that (it was an exclusive concept to merge a phone and a gaming device) and much better mobile games wouldn’t come out until the early 2010s ahhh. I sometimes struggle to isolate my memories of the past of being a kid in the late 00s early 10s with the right years. I remember playing games on my Dad’s Blackberry but it must have been when I was older than thought so thank you! I will add it to my list of things to revise in the next update \<3 ---
**Author:** ![chrisbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrisbat](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/chrisbat)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837/20 "2026-09-14T04:18:41Z")
I do not go there it is a silly place. [Next page](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/rust-belt-lullabies-wip-chapter-one-60k-words-sept-11th-2026/174837.md?page=2)