That is exciting to hear, congrats on reaching this milestone!
Basing this solely on what’s currently in the demo: no ideas currently about different branches/routes, but I also would enjoy some more details about Whiskey, between their early childhood and the few references to missions with AIU. On Uly as well, since for now (intentionally or not) players have very little insight on what motivates them. I enjoyed the slow trickle of info about them and Whiskey’s past, so I’m not saying there should be flashback upon flashback, but maybe something to show who Uly was before could be nice? I feel like that would help players in knowing a bit more how to feel by the time Uly shows up and we need to choose how to act about it (punch/shoot/kiss them).
And the decision about Castle and Driver seems reasonable, that’s the main reason I was more interested in Uly’s romance sideplot rather than theirs in the demo… I’ll be curious to see what ends up different after the editing!
@Van1llaPudd1ng There’s some great POVs in this story, from romance/flings options but also side characters and others you only meet in passing. They’re some of my favorite parts in the narration tbh!
Oh yeah I guess a minor thing. I was kinda surprised how my Whiskey came forward with that, when the way I played them I think they would be more embarrassed or reserved to say anything.
Castle and Driver are interesting as friends only to me. Im way more interested in Uly’s relationship. It got even more interesting as we got to know them more.
Congratulations ! It sounds very exciting for readers ah, ah.
The only thing I would love to see in the end is one happy/love end with Uly. 'Cause it would be so easy for them to go berserk and destroy everything or one of them dying or even choosing totally something else. Come on they can decide to explode the entire planet just as they could decide oh no let’s make it our happy planet (yes it sounds weird even to me). So if we cool just have a good ending with them, not an open one, just one good happy/love romantic whatever you got the idea ah, ah, ah, ah. And yes obvioulsy I’ll try all the others too.
Sorry for Driver and Castle but it’s truly more easier to see them as friends or flings. Even if too many flings being on the run for 5 days is a little ambitious and looks like a bad ration for survival. But I’m curious to read them !
Seeing people commenting on Uly and the other ROs make me think that what make Uly more interesting to readers is the fact that Whiskey already have a past with them, which makes the romance seem more believable. Whiskey just met Driver and Castle and their time together don’t leave much space to romance beside a few glances, while Uly is always on the back of whiskey’s mind even if they don’t want them anymore, their POVs also helped me connect with them so that’s why I feel like Uly romance is more complete and compelling. The decision to make the others flings is very wise tbh.
I actually really like Driver, and I was initially going to romance him first. But given the scope of the game, Uly is the only RO the MC can develop real feelings for. And they don’t show up till later on.
That’s really my only criticism of the game so far. The plot is interesting, and the world is cool, but nothing is done with the characters or the relationships. This wouldn’t be a problem if it was the start of a series. But as a standalone, it does feel like a waste.
oh really? did that change through the development, because it says in the RO description “Castle and Driver; The relationship will likely lead with intimacy and develop into a more serious commitment.”
So is this incorrect now? I played long ago only the early demo & decided not to spoil the story until its released, but now I see a lot about there nor being really any romance…
According to a recent update from the author, Driver and Castle were originally meant to be full on ROs. But the game only takes place over a few days, one of which we’re separated from them, so that can’t really happen. The author decided to start calling them flings instead of ROs
Thanks again for all the support and congratulations!
I have continued to make steady progress. I’m debating implementing a personality system, even though I said I didn’t want to at first. Maybe just professionalism vs snark? Food for thought, I guess lol.
You will!
I’ve done that, actually. I expanded the hotel scene with Castle and actually added an opportunity to sleep with her, giving straight men and lesbians some actual scenes to balance out Shonin and Driver.
No, not yet. I want to try adding more branches that are story-tweaking, rather than more flavor. It’s not off the table, though.
I have tried to make the level of chaos escalate throughout the story. There’s a reason that not a single shot is fired until a full third into the book; I want to make sure the violence is weighty and impactful.
That scene was such a blast to write.
Yes. There are four possible epilogues with Uly.
I’ve been thinking this would be a good idea, too! My only issue–and the reason I was originally against flashbacks–is pacing. I’ve deliberately spaced out Uly’s POVs so that they carry more impact rather than being front-loaded. To add flashbacks, I might have to move more POVs around so that they fit better. It’s not impossible, though.
I’ll have to be careful where I place them, so I don’t overload the reader with stuff that isn’t MC’s POV, in the present. A lot of this book is already other people’s POVs lol.
There are four Ulysses-specific epilogues, with varying levels of happiness. There is one, however, that’s probably the happiest epilogue out of all of them.
Making an RO an ex is essentially narrative cheating. It’s super efficent for me–it’s dramatic, impactful, and it lets me play with emotions that would be otherwise out of place. One of the things that’s really nailed home in the epilogues is that Castle and Driver are both… adults? They both have their own lives, their own careers, and they’re both 35-40 years old. They’re not going to throw everything away for a whirlwind romance with Whiskey, especially when the world is at stake.
They show up early, but your first interaction isn’t until a ways in, yeah. It’s… unconventional in IF, but I think it really works. The reaction to the reunion scene and protentional kiss was pretty awesome to witness lol.
Could you explain this a little more? The romance is definitely on the lower end for presence, but is there something outside of romance you believe is lacking?
As of now, there are three (maybe four, I’m thinking about it) possible flings. There is also your vengeful, possessive ex-lover on the hunt for you, whom you can rekindle a romance with.
Well, the love interest is actively trying to hunt you for 75% of the novel…
I’d say leave out the personality system, I don’t know how it would fit with how the stat screen is set up, the whole dossier thing, when you do go around to aesthetic changes, I’d say leaning more into weapon choice/fighting style would be something better to try variations with
? I’m guessing not many for sure 
