discussion What's the deal with games sharing locations/models? Does it bother you?

[User_126081]

I know it's obviously to save time but how does it work? Do the developers sell these assets to each other or what?

Usually it doesn't bother me as long as they're well made/designed but it can take me out of the story a bit or even completely if I've seen it way too many times

 

[LewdSardin]

I have definitely been reminded of another game a few times, but not so often or so blatant that it ruins the current game.

 

[Zilcho]

If you're making a game and can't do minor visual edits to a model or a picture, or can't be bothered to do so, that's an issue for me. You ought to know that any asset you can download can also be downloaded by anyone else. It will likely and may already have appeared elsewhere. I have no issue with it in the testing/development phase as a placeholder, but the completed product shouldn't have literally the same thing.

 

[Ant28jsp]

I find it like an unfinished product, something easy and if basically the game is about drawing, then integrating real images distorts everything

 

[therpfan]

Most people making games use daz3d, which you can see the store on

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Think of it like legos but for 3d art. Instead of having to model things from scratch, you can buy them and mix and match them. That's why you'll see many of the same environments. People going above and beyond can 'kitbash' and build up their own scenes and stuff from mixes of different products which can create a unique feel, but that is more time consuming than double clicking a room and having a suitable place.

Like if I go, gee I need some bedrooms and living rooms, look here we go:

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Same thing with characters/models.

 

[AlBetGam]

I know it's obviously to save time but how does it work? Do the developers sell these assets to each other or what?

Basically yes. There's a lot of pre-made renders available and many devs take advantage of them. In Daz3d as therpfan mentioned but also in other programs such as Koikatsu.

Personally it doesn't bother me too much if it's for stuff like backgrounds. I'm always impressed when a dev goes the extra mile to design his own background locations but I also realize that's a metric crapload of work for something most players will barely look at anyway. So I'm not too terribly bothered by the fact that every single VN character peeks on his sister in the exact same dressing room of the exact same clothing store after attending the exact same high school.

I do get annoyed though when the character models are clearly the exact same as the ones I've seen in a dozen other games. That's the major selling point of your VN and you can't even be bothered to get original there? Not a good first impression.

 

[barnabaaa]

Also its worth mentioning, that many dev's does it as side gig/hobby, and making backgrounds and all other details from scratch would put tremendous delay on any progress. Specially if the graphic design isnt the main goal of theyr work.
Like it has been mention, most ppl will not even notice or will not care for similar backgrounds.
About characters its a bit different tho i hardly recall many cases where characters were the same between dev's, sure similar/same hairstyles etc happends and will happend but i guess its just specifics of this games

 

[fernandotorres]

Probably the creators are passing the baton to each other. They send information and modeling to each other and exchange ideas. Things like that are happening.

 

[Lonniel]

Not much. I like wen they diversify editing those tenders

 

[User_84337]

I view as i do with movies. I dont wanna watch movies with the same cast EVERY time - but i also dont mind seeing the same models across games - especially if they are good looking. Its all about the writing for me. You can watch a movie with a actor and another one with the same one - and u can be just as immersed - and wont see the previous character in the current one because of the acting. With good writing it shouldnt matter is what im saying. Atleast not to me.

 

[Loliholic]

It annoys me if multiple games use the same backgrounds. Okay, maybe all schools look the same and all games play in the same town, but why dows my room always look the same?
Its even worse for people. The same protagonist is more or less okay, but identical girls with different personality confuse my poor brain too much.

 

[LewdSardin]

It annoys me if multiple games use the same backgrounds.

Yeah, backgrounds get used way more often. Every other game has me going "ah, that apartment/coffee shop/clothing store/... again". Luckily backgrounds are just that, background, so far easy to ignore (but getting harder with each repeat).
But backgrounds are the last thing I'll be dissing a game for, let them be reused! I'm here for the rest! And games with unique backgrounds jump out more.

 

[User_111574]

No, I don't care about that. After all, are we watching movies with the same actors? I feel about the same way about models from VN or games.
Much more serious is the problem with endless plot clichés that essentially ruin the story.

 

[Loliholic]

If the actors are protagonists i dont care, but if not my brain starts working and trying to remember where the hell i've seen them before, that goes to the point i miss the plot until i remember it.
And movies/series dont share backgrounds ^^

 

[NumNeg]

Not really important, and I get it why it happens sometimes - lack of good assets -, but sometimes it's a little bit annoying. I mean, going to buy clothes (and to peek) is a very much too common thing these games anyway, and usually they use the very same shop location (as assets) for it.

 

[badplottwist]

The models are made by creators that are uploaded to the Daz store, and they are bought by devs making VNs. You can tweak them, which most do, but they still look similar to their original designs. Others can't be bothered and just use the asset as is. Same goes for certain set pieces.

 

[User_56991]

I view as i do with movies. I dont wanna watch movies with the same cast EVERY time - but i also dont mind seeing the same models across games - especially if they are good looking. Its all about the writing for me. You can watch a movie with a actor and another one with the same one - and u can be just as immersed - and wont see the previous character in the current one because of the acting. With good writing it shouldnt matter is what im saying. Atleast not to me.

Same. Maybe models that get reused a fair bit ought to be given names so they can appear on credits.

"The newest game from XYZ Studios, starring Megs Cannonboobs and Charlie Megadikk."

 

[User_56991]

Yeah, backgrounds get used way more often. Every other game has me going "ah, that apartment/coffee shop/clothing store/... again". Luckily backgrounds are just that, background, so far easy to ignore (but getting harder with each repeat).
But backgrounds are the last thing I'll be dissing a game for, let them be reused! I'm here for the rest! And games with unique backgrounds jump out more.

There's a park I see a lot. Paved running path, bench to the left, and the path curves to the left and goes into a tunnel or underpass. I laugh when I see it now. And no, that doesn't bother me.

 

[Jambagi]

Asset store goes brrrr. Honestly, can't flame them too much over it, especially if its something like a minor background or something. Seeing the same girls used over and over is a bit lame though.

 

[Loliholic]

There's a park I see a lot. Paved running path, bench to the left, and the path curves to the left and goes into a tunnel or underpass. I laugh when I see it now. And no, that doesn't bother me.

Yeah, i see that thing almost as much as my bedroom with the cartons and the hanging power strip...