Flat, I like to make characters with mastery over several stats (Most of the time I take hybrid warrior-mage class, I want a friggin’ paladin.), and it’s easier to achieve in a flat stat system.
@Sneaks stated it pretty well in regards to my preference. However, when it comes to the relationships to other characters, I’ve been a fan of hidden variables like Mecha Ace; how you character acted in certain events and what you did during the interludes. While you could easily find these events that determined the relationship value, I found it preferable.
1 Like
To me it would depend a lot on how the level of skills affects the results in your game and how often we get the option to raise them.
- If it’s "you need X amount in this skill or you outright fail.
%-increase will force you to only pick a select few skills and depending on how often we get to raise stats you can end up with a MC who can only do 1 or 2 things extremely well. Which to me is a pretty static characters and kind of boring.
A flat increase would still end up with a MC who’s only mastered few skills, but it’s more than the above option, so a less static character imo.
- If it’s “you get better/worse results with higher/lower level of skill, but don’t necessarily fail”.
With %-increase you’ll still get the option of hyper-specializing (as above), but you aren’t forced to do it. And I think you would be able to create a lot more dynamic character (maybe you choose to master one specific skill, maybe you are a Jack-of-all-trades, maybe something in-between).
A flat increase would also give you the option of creating a more dynamic character, but I would personally feel more challenged by choosing to max out a skill if it was %-increase.
TL;DR
I would pick
If it’s “high/max skill or fail” –> Flat increase.
If it’s “worse/better results for lower/higher stats but don’t necessarily fail” –> %-increase.
2 Likes
Rule of thumb for fairmath: Double the addition you would be inclined to give under a flat system. If you want the average character to pick up an increase of +10, add 20% instead, as adding 20% to a character with a score of 50 will add 10.
2 Likes
This is a fair point but no matter what methodology chosen there is a real danger of statistical inflation over time. This danger is one reason I’m so undecided on my own stats in my WiP.
1 Like
Statistical inflation? The gains decrease as you approach 99. Adding 20% to 70 gets you +6, to 80 gets you +4, to 90 gets you +2, to 95 gets you +1 and to 96 gets you +0. You’d need a bigger increase to move the stat over 96.
This is a really interesting plot. I really like it so far and I can’t wait until the next update 
WELL!!!
I need to shoot myself with a triple barreled sawed off shotgun for not noticing this earlier XD
I’m really glad to see a game like this, and mature content? … It brings tears to my eyes sob
I’m really sad about Lucifer not being a romance option, his first interaction was so adorable squeals I just hope he will treat Gabriel the same way later on
I guess I will have to chase Daniel then( if I’m able to XD )
Oh … Wait … Is that even going to be a thing? XD
The story is something I wanted to see for a long time, and I’m glad that it’s this good, good luck with this! Can’t wait for more :3
1 Like
Yes, the inflation occurs when the developer/writer feels a need to award more and more (or alternatively larger and larger) rewards of stats to give more benies to the gamer/reader.
I completely understand your math perspective but I’m not sure developers understand the psychology of rewards/awards when designing stat structures.
Now that I’m done semi fangirling , I have a few questions
-
What is your apocalypse exactly? You said it’s the end of humans but, what is going to kill them?
-
Does it involve the 4 horsemen?
-
Are we going to fight other gods for becoming our own god rather than serve one?
-
Why the hell do I like Lucifer so much?! XD
also heard of some interpretations of Gabriel that they are basically, capable of destroying earth with their pinky, had 36 wings that are bigger than earth itself, unnaturally beautiful, and is the messenger of god
Well, I go away for the start of spring break and there’s quite a conversation going on when I check in!
Seriously, thank you all for the replies and discussion about stats, and in general for all of your interest in this game. Here’s to hoping I don’t disappoint!
Flat stat raising does seem to be the more popular choice, but I am partial to decreasing returns…
Here’s what I currently plan on doing. I am going to create an initial question that will ask the player if they would prefer to use flat stats or not. Flat stats will essentially be the ‘easy’ version of the game, with it much easier to max out stats.
Why play the harder fair math version then?
Achievements. There will be some achievements only achievable with fairmath.
I think this will, hopefully, reflect a little more of a dynamic/persevering character. With my current plan, I feel that playing the flat stats will result in most checks being passed easily while the fairmath version will require you to try and pick more than one or two stats to try and pay attention to. As I attempt to explain below, this would probably mean less stat checks passed with “excellent” and more trying of combinations which in turn adds a little more depth to your choices, but… we will see as the game goes I suppose if this works quite like I have envisioned. ((It may go down like the Hidenburg)).
@P_Tigras @Zolataya
To make my life simpler for the fairmath route I am assuming most people will play a consistent character (for example, choosing emotional over stoic versus bouncing back and forth) so as the game progresses so the increase will be smaller even with the same percentage. Trial and error and feedback will let me know if the way I implement this works though ((Yes, I am using all you brilliant people who play the demo as guinea pigs)).
Stat checks: These are not pure pass/fail stat checks. While I find these perfectly acceptable, I plan on the checks going more like this:
You have the requirement–Life is good!
You are a little low–check another stat and see if it will add. ((For example, you try to persuade a character that they have to attack someone. Your persuasion is not high enough. You are then given a subset of choices to bolster your check total–you could try to decieve them into believing that they are in greater danger than they think, or perhaps you play on their emotions)).
You have some of this stat but not close enough. Try another approach ((In the persuasion example, rather than trying to bolster the persuasion attempt you would be able to try another approach–almost like a redo, however, you will only get 1 redo and a another check of this rank or below will result in a ‘fail’)).
You are far too low/do not have of this stat. This would be considered the fail situation. In most places this will negatively affect your playthough ((a ding in stats, relationships, health, etc.)) but depending on the situation will not be a game over ((if you are not alone and you have a character with a high enough relationship they may be able to pull your feathers from the fire)).
I hope that makes some sense/I explained it well enough while being vague because I’m trying not to use specific examples.
@Lithophene
Now I kind of want to draw that… with a femGabriel holding the punching bag and mGabriel punching… Maybe at some point…
((Or if some lovely talented person on here wanted to draw that I would defintely be all over that like white on rice))
@Karnacjr
There are several hidden variables and stats related to your character. I’ve mentioned a couple of hidden stats previously, and there are hidden variables as well. In other words, characters will remember what you did at certain points and they will react to it ((and they will react differently depending on their relationship with your Gabriel and if that action seems out of character or not)).
@WhiteLynx
About Daniel… I am not saying anything either way. 
1/2. There are several types of apocalypses that exist in this world, and Gabriel/other characters will make note of this. This particular apocalypse is loosely based on The Book of Revelation. Specifically, there are seven seals, and the first four unleash the four horsemen. The horsemen are capable of causing great destruction on their own, but with the breaking of the seals, more gates between Hell and other dimensions are opened ((essentially the plane Earth occupies becomes unstable, forming more intersections with other planes)). Humans will be killing humans, humans will be collateral damage as angels fight against creatures of Hell, other planar monsters will be showing up, demons will be preying on everything… it will/could descend into total chaos. So, yes, it will involve the four horsemen. And in my world they are War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death.
3. I currently do not have a route for becoming your own god exactly. You can become the primary leader of Heaven, essentially acting as your God, or even work with a pre-existing pantheon for your own power but… its not exactly becoming a god. There’s no creating a “religion for following Gabriel” though you may have humans who worship you… but this may change depending on feedback. You can fight other gods: some in flashbacks, others in the current day. Gods won’t be the primary antagonists however.
4. I don’t know, but I’m glad you do! ((I’ve been very pleased at people’s reactions to him, but it makes me cackle a little maniacally when people want to romance him and they cannot… because I know something that no one else does–though I’ve dropped hints~)) I wanted Lucifer to be a character people responded to in a positive way initially.
I am still aiming to update tomorrow night, but it may be Monday before I can update. It’s already Sunday… 
I lost a day somewhere… maybe I’ll get the update later tonight/early tomorrow? ((I am currently reliant on hotel wifi access)) and I am also incorporating the aforementioned stat raising change so it is taking a little longer to get the next update finished.
16 Likes
Not gonna lie, you mentioned that and I kinda ended up imagining Iain in fem!Gabriel’s place. But that’s just me 'cause you already know that both me and my Gabriel have our eyes set on him. Though, I’m not entirely sure what body type Iain’d have. I figure if he’s on the force, he’s hopefully fit enough for duty. Maybe a bit of a beer gut if he drinks as much I think he does, but he’s probably got some sturdy arms/shoulders. Am I close to the mark? I may scribble this at one point, hm…
@Lithophene
Iain’s a bit of a lucky bast–I mean, fortunate person who has an almost insanely high metabolism. He has a bit of extra weight around his hips, but not really a beer gut (which drives most of his friends up the wall, since he can drink and eat whatever with minimal consequences). He does work out however, focusing on a balance of strength and flexibility (so, medium build? More muscle mass than a runner, less than a body builder. Not a great runner but well toned, focuses a lot on core. He and Alice often spar, but Alice is more of a runner than him. Part of the reason he’s in such good shape is that his girlfriend at the beginning of the story is a complete health nut and he also used to compete in martial arts when he was younger.
And… I’m not going to post tonight. It’s late, and I want to do at least one more review of what I wrote before I subject you all to it. But I promise, it will be up tomorrow night/early the next morning depending on where you are. ((And I make no promises about the stat balance–that testing will take a little more time/tweaking but I will at least have the flat vs fairmath choice done))
3 Likes
Alright, alright, I’m starting to get a clearer image of him in my head. Now the real question is… /dims lighting and turns on spotlight/ Does he have a beard?
This is important information to know. /coughs subtly/ 
Steeples fingers. Hmm, to tell, or not to tell…
Post dramatic pause
It depends on how much he had to drink the night before. Usually he at least has some red fuzz going on, but usually not a full beard. After a couple days off he has a bit more scruff though, as he usually shaves just for work.
1 Like
The book of revelations huh?
Are we going to meet the beast of revelation?
Does it have “s” in it? XD
I wanna kick it’s butt to wherever it came from please :3
The apocalypse reminds me of the one from that third devilman ova
Which had everything you mentioned except for the horsemen
I’m guessing Lucifer is me dad, but that’s stupid XD
Btw … The Angels are naked, right?
1 Like
Oh! Oh!
Is Lucifer going to visit Danny?
Like, suddenly appears at our house and we invite him for dinner and have a conversation with him and he will ask us about how Danny’s doing
That would be too cute in a world like this :3
@WhiteLynx
It has a ‘s’ in it when I try to type it during the witching hours 
Not so much during proper daylight.
And potential major spoiler (maybe)…
And based on things I’ve said previously, is it silly to say Lucifer’s your dad?.. Hmm, I wonder… and if this were the case, would that effect the chances of him, say, showing up and making pizza in an apron?
And, no, the angels typically wander around in robes of some sort when not fighting and armor of some sort when fighting. As humans progress through different civilizations, many adapt their own sense of style. Lucifer in particular adapts more of an Egyptian look for battle garb after falling.
3 Likes
You’re not the only one guessing that 
Oh please, don’t play with my feelings like that. It’s too much cuteness for me to handle 
Also, the spoiler thing in your post is not working
1 Like
@Lyanna
Haha… whoops, fixed that. This is what happens when I try to reply from my phone >.> So… potentially spoiled for some folks anyways if you believe that what I said is the case…
And I promise that there will be the opportunity for more cuteness with Lucifer… especially some unsure/awkward Lucifer.
6 Likes