discussion Who are these holiday specials for?

[SloppySqueezer]

I would prefer that devs put that time towards working on updating the stories that we're already invested in rather than divert that time and energy towards a one off episode that sometimes have no congruence with the main plot. Just a thought...

 

[Here's Johnny]

Personally I am not a big fan of them either - although some games really just use it to give us some juicy/steamy scenes that wouldn't really fit the narrative otherwise...
But I also know a lot of people that absolutely love them~ so.. to each their own I suppose.

As long as it's good wank content, I don't care either way

 

[Kernist]

Yeah, I agree, these special episodes are almost always detached form the main game and I rarely have an incentive to even check them out.

 

[SloppySqueezer]

Yeah, I agree, these special episodes are almost always detached form the main game and I rarely have an incentive to even check them out.

Same. Sometimes seeing a special will inspire me to go back to a salacious scene from the original though.

 

[longgoneguy46]

i think holidays specials is okay as long the main games is still the focus, i mean like they still on time giving the main games updates, something like that.

 

[rocketsheep]

I have no problem with them, especially if they later get integrated in the main game. This was the case several times for Ecchi Sensei. The Halloween Special of The Headmaster isn't integrated in the main story, but you can access it in the gallery of the main game. The Mykocks Manor special is not integrated (yet?), but it is an excellent example for a special done right:

1. It has a specific purpose: a poll among Patreons as to the new school uniforms.
2. It gives a glimpse into the nefarious organization that is behind the school.
3. It gives a glimpse into the future of the school, when things have escalated much further than they had at the time the special came out. (And even further than they are as the game stands today.)
4. It is not a sandbox like the main game, but an essentially kinetic visual novel.

I think in the best case (as in the Mykocks Manor example and at least some of the Ecchi Sensei examples), a major motivation for a special is as follows: To get a clear idea where a game is headed, the developer sometimes needs to jump ahead and create content that they can't use in the game until much later. Now sometimes the development slows down. This could be because the developer spent time creating future content that is not immediately usable, or it could be for other reasons. Either way it makes sense to release prepared future content separately as a special that can later be integrated into the main game.

 

[Delpp]

I'll go counter to most opinions here too: I think it can be a nice milestone for the dev, something to look toward and give some fresh air from the development of the main game.

Ideally it requires less work, might be more linear or more of a wink and a good excuse for some fan service. Like, I don't know if the dev of LongStory short wanted to explore more in depth that Alex girl (the Instagram one) even if it is not yet a playable path I wouldn't mind (wink wink in case the dev sees this).

The Halloween special tends to show chars in a different outfit and some light themed fun.

I by no mean need those events but if the dev likes to make them by all means I'm happy to play and explore them (especially if I happen to be on that holiday).

 

[bilione]

i feel like its become a part of the community culture that the devs like meme on like always using landladies and room mates

 

[Dikgamers]

I'll go counter to most opinions here too: I think it can be a nice milestone for the dev, something to look toward and give some fresh air from the development of the main game.

Ideally it requires less work, might be more linear or more of a wink and a good excuse for some fan service. Like, I don't know if the dev of LongStory short wanted to explore more in depth that Alex girl (the Instagram one) even if it is not yet a playable path I wouldn't mind (wink wink in case the dev sees this).

The Halloween special tends to show chars in a different outfit and some light themed fun.

I by no mean need those events but if the dev likes to make them by all means I'm happy to play and explore them (especially if I happen to be on that holiday).

agree. i guess many creators left their games because of burn out. if those episodes helps them to keep the spark in their job - fair play

 

[Runescape771]

I'm not a big fan but since it's not for me I won't complain

 

[Vulky]

They would be fine if they weren't slowing down regular development. But to me it's just wasting resources. I would prefer an episode to have more scenes inside the regular plotline than having a short non-sense story that just recycles the characters. That could be made by fans as well, I see no difference from decent fan art.

 

[Wulf]

Me, personally, i think it's nice if the dev gives us something that is nice but doesn't fit the game at the moment (ex: pregnancy). Usually they are short stories that, if done right, are as good as an update

 

[tiiiimp]

Devs probably get bored of developing the same story at some point and may want to do something different. I'd prefer a dev taking a month to make a special than starting a second game and risking abandoning the previous game.

 

[MattShizzle]

Yep, they suck and distract from getting on with the real game, but some people like them.

 

[BadJM]

Yea I don't get why devs do that either. Unless you intend to make those specials, part of the actually story, they just seem like a huge waste of time.

 

[xatfx]

I don't like holiday specials. I prefer when the creation time is used for the story rather than a special.

 

[jabax69]

I don’t mind it. I think special holiday storylines can be good

 

[indiatourpacka]

i am also thinking the same!!

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[Whazzup]

In general I love the april fools specials, but that's it. I prefer if the devs just let the characters enjoy the holidays in the main game.

 

[Captain Panda]

Can't say I've given it much thought. Heros harem guild has events tied in depending on the date on your phone.