Whizumi
patreon
[Main Story Poll] Chapter 3 Pt. 1 Jealousy
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 15:00:15 +0000 UTC
Hello! As promised, I would like to discuss the jealousy moments in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 [in the scenes with K, Morgan, T, and I].
Though this post is lengthy, I'd appreciate it if you could read it to the end and help me decide.
What's wrong with the jealousy moments?
At the moment, there are only two ways to trigger jealousy moments in the scenes:
Option 1. Select the option "Copy all the data".
Option 2. Select the option "Refuse to copy the data" + have Paul(a) at "fwb" status.
Initially, in my drafts, I didn't provide a choice to copy the data or not [the MC copied it regardless, and there was only a choice to decide how to feel about it], and the jealousy scenes depended solely on the relationship with Paul(a).
However, when I started coding this moment, I realized it felt forced, so I added more choices.
Unfortunately, this resulted in players having to select options that may not align with their MC's personality just to access more content with the mentioned ROs.
That's not how I want to create my IF: I want to offer equally good choices that don't force players into a specific personality type. [For now, the MCs refused to copy the data and haven't met Paul(a) have less content, and that really upsets me.]
I've thought long and hard about how to fix this and have found a few solutions to improve it:
Implement an alternative path with a new character instead of Paul(a)'s [The subject for the current poll].
Rework existing content, specifically:
Make Paul(a) appear at "flirt" status with the MC.
Rework scenes' variations without jealousy. [Currently, K's and Morgan's scenes without jealousy feel lacking and forced].
[Rework subjects will be covered in the upcoming ‘Progress Update' post].
The subject for the poll.
The main solution I've come up with is to introduce a new character [an alternative to Paul(a)'s plot] for players who choose the "interview the janitor with R" branch.
You may have already encountered this character in Chapter 2, right here:
This character will have a different storyline from Paul(a) and will appear for the MC who refused to copy the data in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 [but only if their interest in the MC is established by the player's choice].
Plus, they will help cover the plot regarding the camera footage. Still, their role will be the same as Paul(a)'s: to make the ROs jealous [and be the pain in the ass].
This decision will require me to rework R's scene in Chapter 2 and add content to Chapter 3 Pt. 1.
And while it will add to my workload, this addition will ensure that jealousy is based on the relationships the player has established with these secondary characters by choice, not on the MC's personality [and maybe even add a moment in R's scene, but I need to write this character first to understand if that'll work well].
Since this is just my perspective, I've created a poll to see what you think about it (please feel free to share your opinions in the comments as well).
What do you think about adding an alternative character for players who didn't choose to copy the data and haven't met Paul(a)?
Would this make you feel less pressured to choose a specific path?
![[Main Story Poll] Chapter 3 Pt. 1 Jealousy](https://img10.runfaps.com/storage/6/me/cg/e9630c-019e83d4-aa55-7846-9800-14de34de46b1.png)
Comments
Jenna
I know you're right about what you said regarding IF, but I'd like to create a story where all choices feel equal and don't force the player to play a certain personality type, which is why I'm so upset that content can be skipped just because the player "doesn't play the way the author intended". Regarding Paul(a)'s appearance in the "interview the janitor with R" branch, it wouldn't make sense because Paul(a) works at the morgue, and the plot tie-in for their appearance is that the MC needs data from the morgue. As you mentioned, I also think not everyone is comfortable choosing an FWB status with them. An alternative character would provide a new perspective on the investigation and offer a less bold experience than Paul(a) (though they'd still be a pain in the ass 😅). Anyway, thank you for your support and for sharing your opinion! I'll work hard to improve the content I create. P.S. Wishing you a nice day too! ♥
Jenna
Thank you for sharing your opinion! I just really care about ensuring that the players feel the story is tailored to them, rather than to a specific MC's personality. When I mentioned "forced", I was referring to how Paul(a)'s presence in Morgan's scene (for example) adds tension and reduces the time Morgan and the MC could have spent talking. Because of Paul(a), it creates the impression that things just don't work between them even more, which heightens the tension. When Paul(a) isn't present, the characters simply don't have time to build tension between them as they would with Paul(a) until the new investigation starts. The same issue occurs in the scene with K. I will do my best to rewrite this part to enhance the tension regardless of the outcome of the vote, but I'm happy to know you like the story the way it is now ♥
Alice-Han
Hiii, I hope you have a nice day. I hadn't realized what you might miss depending on the path you take, although I think it's normal to miss certain scenes because that's the idea of an IF, the decision making leads you down different paths. But since you mention the jealousy issue, it is true that you miss something important that is supposed to be mechanics of the story. I thought Paul(a) met MC at the office in chapter 3 regardless of whether you met him at the morgue, since he is a possible fwb. Maybe instead of adding more characters and more work to your schedule, Paul(a) would also show up in the interrogation room looking for MC, since it is very obvious how interested they are, they're super insistent and I think they're will go to MC wherever MC is, but I don't quite know how this would be better or worse for your work and the story. Now, a second option of a character with whom we don't necessarily have to be fwb also sounds good, they doesn't have to be so insistent, they can be more subtle and nice. Haha showing a more innocent interest, so to speak. Likewise, I appreciate your time and work invested, get plenty of rest and we'll see what you decide in the end, I'm sure it will turn out well. ✨
Lihoviny
Personally, I don’t think the changes are necessary but would be nice for more options for other MCs!! I understand that it may feel forced or lacks in content for others but this is just the first scene of jealousy and a bit early in the plot too considering we’re only in chapter 3. There’s still much to work with in future chapters, I think. The “forced” feel of it make sense considering not a lot of improvements have been made between the relationships of the characters and MC so I don’t mind the current way things are overall, with or without Paul(a) in the morning scene. That’s just my two cents haha. Please feel free to work with whatever you’re comfortable with!! Thank you again for your hard work <3
