discussion how to recognize death games

[UnknownScript7]

I'd like to hear tips from the community on how do they recognize when a game(sfw or nsfw) isn't going to be finished, maybe because the developer is lazy or the ideas don't have a concrete end or goal, etc.

 

[elfieeven]

- Any first game
- Dev does what the community wants when they whine a lot.
- Dev expects to make money without at least 1-2 years of effort
- Dev depends on Patreon and has incest

 

[User_111574]

The first signs: the updates become progressively smaller in scope and add nothing to the development of the storyline. This is typical for games that have been in development for a long time (as a benchmark - since 2016-20). This is a major indication that the developer has reached a dead end (writer's block) - he just doesn't know how to complete the storyline. Gradually, such games are dying.
The second option is that the developer gradually increases the intervals between update releases (not for a week or two, but for months), while constantly complaining about problems in real life, problems with computer hardware, etc.
These are the most typical signs of problem projects.
Although sometimes the developer just suddenly disappears, without explanation, although the development of the game was very active. As an example - LifePlay. What happened to the developer, no one really knows.

 

[numpodece]

If u see a remake of a game thats is still going, not finished, thats a huge red flag.

 

[AlBetGam]

Things that initially throw up "this project won't last long" red flags?

"This is my first ever project and I've never written coded or rendered anything before"

"Tags are, umm, vaginal sex and... I dunno, what are you guys into?"

"Hope you enjoyed this ten seconds of game, here are the links to my Patreon Kofi SubscribeStar Boosty Itch.io, my content output will depend on the support I get"

"Here's my 3.7 GB .0001 release with 4K renders and completely custom backgrounds and characters, it only goes a third of the way into the first hour of Day 1 of 30 of Part 1 of 4 of Book 1 of 3 of the prequel but I plan to release updates every week."

"Hey guys, this is my new project, I swear this one's totally getting completed unlike my other 17 abandoned ones!"

Later on of course you get an idea of the dev's general pattern, and you may see other red flags telling you that a long-running project is soon to die:

"Sorry guys, this month's update will be late (again) because you know how my cat has cancer (which made me miss last month's release)? Well I was taking her to kitty chemo and one of the hospital machines overloaded and sent out an EMP that fried my hard drive and the sparks gave me a heart attack so I may be late next month too. So sorry, appreciate the support!"

"So Chapter 30 releases tomorrow, but I was looking back at some Chapter 1 stuff and it just doesn't look right, so starting next month I'm going to be remastering the entire game from scratch..."

"Renpy just doesn't have the functions I want so I'm switching engines to Tyrano, or maybe Godot, I'll try both and see."

"Hey guys, SweetieFox posting for the DoomedProject dev team. Sadly our team members FlakyArtist LousyWriter and BuggyCoder have all left for, umm, personal reasons, anyone out there know how to code write and/or do renders?"

"Hey guys, sorry I've been out of touch for the last 16 months haha, pinky swear I've been working super hard on Chapter 3! Here's a couple non sequitur lewd renders of a girl my MC hasn't held hands with yet, thanks for your support!"

"Hey guys, sorry I'm kinda behind on my release schedule, just wanted to announce this new project I'm working on- Darkstalker: Rise of the Witchalok! Don't worry, I promise DRotW won't take any of my time away from A New Beginning: The Awakening: Family Summer!"

"[Last online: December 7, 2018]"

 

[User_111574]

If u see a remake of a game thats is still going, not finished, thats a huge red flag.

Oh, yes - Lust and Power, Summertime Saga...

 

[numpodece]

Things that initially throw up "this project won't last long" red flags?



Later on of course you get an idea of the dev's general pattern, and you may see other red flags telling you that a long-running project is soon to die:

I cant count the number of flashbacks i had reading this.

 

[Magician5513]

First sign in my eyes is : longer times between updates for smaller content...

 

[BeowulfKnight]

Honestly I've been burned so many time I just assume every single VN I play is gonna get abandoned -_-.

 

[PrivateCaptain]

A large number of branches in a VN is a red flag.

 

[bravoswild]

Honestly I've been burned so many time I just assume every single VN I play is gonna get abandoned -_-.

This.

Another flag is when the story starts changing direction in incredibly different ways.

 

[jamesuser273]

I'd like to hear tips from the community on how do they recognize when a game(sfw or nsfw) isn't going to be finished, maybe because the developer is lazy or the ideas don't have a concrete end or goal, etc.

updates taking to long

 

[korochan48]

Fake excuses like health problems and hardware problems at the promise release date of the update. Not even pausing the subscription

 

[jimjimson]

The dev lives in a police, nanny state where they like to clutch pearls.

 

[Republican Bear]

Simple really here we go....

1. Developers first game.
2. English is terrible.
3. Images are grainy and poor.
4. Not many backers.
5. Poor communication about updates.
6. A year or more since it was never updated.

 

[perveldia]

I'm gonna be honest: when clicking on the title, I expected a way different kind of thread. That said, I always expect new developers to abandon their first project. I am also very wary when a large number of paths and LIs are added to game that was much smaller in scope. Although, some devs do make it work, it usually leads to exponentially more work, longer times between updates, less content per update for each path/LI and even burnout.

 

[urfmcgarf]

nail in the coffin is always devs dropping a "side project" but promise to continue normal work of original project

 

[grim019]

The first signs: the updates become progressively smaller in scope and add nothing to the development of the storyline. This is typical for games that have been in development for a long time (as a benchmark - since 2016-20). This is a major indication that the developer has reached a dead end (writer's block) - he just doesn't know how to complete the storyline. Gradually, such games are dying.
The second option is that the developer gradually increases the intervals between update releases (not for a week or two, but for months), while constantly complaining about problems in real life, problems with computer hardware, etc.
These are the most typical signs of problem projects.
Although sometimes the developer just suddenly disappears, without explanation, although the development of the game was very active. As an example - LifePlay. What happened to the developer, no one really knows.

That is a pretty good list but, there are 2 things I would add.
1.Announcing a rework to a decent portion of the game when it's not even finished this can also be a sign of writer's block.
2.If the dev announces a side project or a second game as most devs can't handle 2 games well.

 

[MattShizzle]

If it gets to like 6 moths with no update and the dev's only communication are wallpapers/pictures from the game.

 

[Montimer]

1. Developer starts making on multiple games despite not coming closer to finishing his first. Not saying it's impossible but very few devs out there are "credible" enough to be pulling off 2 games at the same time.
2. Developer doesn't finish his game and instead goes to remaster it. Which sets back the game for another year.
3. Developer is too money focused and either has no patience with his project or focuses way too much on the financial aspect. Without proper understanding that NSFW community members have been burned way too many times by unreliable devs. It takes time... but usually it's quite consistent to make it your job as long as effort is there and story/visuals arent complete garbage.
4. Developer doesn't deliver sizable updates every 3-5 months. VNs require commitment if intended to be a job in the future. If it's just a hobby, then whatever. Nobody should be entitled to updates if person simply does it for fun.
5. Developer introduces way too many characters. Which kills off the game because now he has to dedicate more time making scenes for newly made characters. Which down the line results in conflict, infighting between the community members and generally lot of whining. Rather than a community being unified under several good, fully fleshed out charactes.
6. Developer doesn't know how to interact with people on the internet. You got to have a thick skin. You got to know with what kind of people you're going to deal with. You got to know that your game will be eventually leaked. You got to know that there will be dramas. If the developer doesnt appear to be able to deal with these issues properly, its going to cause dramas which will tank the future of he game.
7. Developer relies on a singular support site. One of the oldest tales. Dev relies on one site, site does down. Dev panics and either completely remakes his game, removes content or quits.

That being said. I did have lot of unpleasant times where I got burned on bad projects but I never go as far to shut myself from the potentially good games. In my eyes, if developer can consistently deliver 2-4 updates and keep going, they deserve a chance.
We as members of a community gotta stick together and make games actually happen. Lot of the time, financial security is all that is needed for devs to make more content and more frequent updates.