Other research!
Added 2020-07-21 02:18:21 +0000 UTCAlso possibly related to the October time coming. This one has a bit more depth to it though.
This seems to be a big subject for a lot of people in regards to a visual novel, and there are a lot of different opinions out there.
What do you prefer in regards to your main character? There are pros and cons to each of them, so there are things to consider when answering!
Do you like a defined character or undefined?
With defined characters, it allows us to do more with visually seeing the main character, laying out their choices and explaining their backstory.
With an undefined character, it lets the player better put themselves in that character's spot and better imagine things from their own point of view. Unfortunately, this also means we can't exactly put the main character into any special scenes, since that would break the idea of an undefined character.
Of course, we can combine the two where we have a defined character to an extent. Perhaps with a detailed character image, but most of his personality is left to fill in with things like that. Maybe even things such as sexuality and identity.
So, what what do you think?
As an extra note, this has nothing to do with Extracurricular Activities.
Comments
Undefined for love stories that aim to have an "husbando". Otherwise, It dosent matter.
Tore91
2020-08-01 17:06:19 +0000 UTCPersonally I think the format of the visual novel doesn't work as well with undefined characters. When compared with something like a sandbox RPG, or even moreso a tabletop RPG, you're given a great deal of freedom not only to define your character, but also their actions and personality. While the dialog trees in a sandbox RPG may still be limited, it's nowhere near as much as in a visual novel. And so I like when creators don't fight that limitation. Everybody doing this has limited bandwidth to put to the project, each branch in the tree requires additional resources, be they dialogue writing, character animations, background images or cutscenes. I'd rather they be spent on allowing me to live a known character to its fullest, than trying to shape an unknown character using the handful of levers available to me. Realistically, you're not going to be able to create enough customization in personality or action choices to let me really be me, so you might as well give me someone else, someone specific enough that I can latch on them. That being said, this is also art and everyone should be free to create what they want and enjoy what they want. So if a creator wants it open, they should leave it, and if a player prefers the generic, they should be free to find it. That's also the beauty of there being so many visual novels out there.
Bob Grannan
2020-07-24 03:08:59 +0000 UTCI definitely prefer a mixture of the two. I mean, I would like for you to retain as much personal control over the narrative as necessary to make sure that it remains true to your original concepts. On the other hand, I would very much like to see different, or conflicting, choices for that and, or, those concepts that are created by you. It would be interesting to be able to make our choices, but see how you would judge their place on the moral and ethical spectrum, and their functionality within your universe. I mean, I'm playing YOUR game for a reason, and while it would be nice to have a strong sense of independence, I'd really, really be against that if it sacrificed your personal narrative or removed changed the story inorganically.
Matthew S Brajevich
2020-07-22 03:19:57 +0000 UTCOptions on what you can do/say is what makes it part of the adventure.
Lord Memnar
2020-07-22 02:20:59 +0000 UTCI love the idea of combined especially when it comes to the idea of being able to project your own sexuality onto said character. I don't know if I've mentioned this before but man I would love some bisexual choices out there for EA. Like I'm gay leaning but at the same time I'd love a route for Maria too.
ArcTheWolf
2020-07-21 18:58:51 +0000 UTCHmmm, an interesting outlook on it. That could be something fun to explore for a more in-depth project!
DyneWulf
2020-07-21 16:25:39 +0000 UTC*cough*Choosingwhotoshareabedwith*cough*
DyneWulf
2020-07-21 16:24:17 +0000 UTCI would have to say combined. I lot of visual novels make defined characters but that can misconstrue sexual roles. Especially when people tend to complete the visual novel.
Michael Byrd
2020-07-21 13:24:24 +0000 UTCMy preference leans towards a combined option. I don’t have a problem with the main character having defined characteristics, as I just see it as role playing in a RPG; you are taking on the mantle of someone else. As others mentioned, consistency in regards to theme and character are very important, but also for the choices we make as that character to have meaning and impact on story progress and their relationships with the other characters. If those choices don’t feel like they add to the overall story, then it feels more like reading any other story, rather than interacting with the VN.
Drizzlebone
2020-07-21 13:10:28 +0000 UTCI came to love the work you have done with the MC (eric) that we have come and see him, and got to say i like it more than how it originally started to be. But maybe you could combine them, for some special scenes, like you have done so far, like, when darius jumps into the water for the first time, and the MC looking him up from the cliff, or the scene when MC was watching Spencer to pole dance in the school, or (one of my favorites) when we were checking harold to shower XD... Those moments sure look nice, but also personally, i came to love the MC (Eric) and wish to keep seeing like this. it's pretty great ^.^! At the end of all, once you guys have worked and finished the game, the only thing i could suggest if you want to invest, is maybe, just maybe more customize options for the MC, like maybe custimize some of his body features, body hear, hair style...?? , ect ect. Once more ofcourse only if you guys want to try anything like that. wont lie that so far, the game and the story looks pretty awesome to me
Xeralex
2020-07-21 11:58:17 +0000 UTCThe weakness with the current MC is the dorky face that it has. It should be possible to customise the sprites that are superimposed to give expressions in ways that fit easily into the story line. At least the public, uncovered genitals in V1.001 have gone, as they fitted poorly with the prudish, maidens's blush nature of the early character.
Worraps
2020-07-21 10:54:56 +0000 UTCI think there has to be at least some sort of a defined persona. Otherwise you get those ghostly undefined bodies in any art you want to do.
AndovarEdoras
2020-07-21 09:08:56 +0000 UTCFor a visual novel whose focus is on discovering an adventure and there isn't as much focus on personal relationships? I think an undefined character can make more intriguing settings more immersive. For example, putting a character into a Horror or Sci-Fi setting. Both of these stories can still have the idea of the main character being present for events, but since the focus is on the dilemma or environment, the art can similarly not worry about the character. For a story like EA or any VN that focuses on relationships, having at least a baseline personality and a defined character will help conversation feel more organic. The MC should still be allow for the player to make a wide array of decisions to suit their curiosity and preferences, but personality flair in responses makes decision making more difficult, and dare I say, more fun! Or, it can even help give some intrigue into figuring out more about the MC!
Angelic Bard - Pflegehund
2020-07-21 08:12:01 +0000 UTCI do generally prefer a more defined character in most cases, though I do like when you can say decide their origin story to a degree to give some additional flavour. Though as far as EA goes I adore Eric and who he is, I've connected with his backstory.
Naesaki Ashwell
2020-07-21 05:47:48 +0000 UTCnot to complain im basically addicted to this series but id love the option to be something other then a human thats my biggest hope
idksomethingclever
2020-07-21 04:16:42 +0000 UTCI'm definitely more on the 'defined' side of things. I like Dyne's writing a lot. I really like how the main character has been handled so far, and I enjoy learning about Eric's past. I love watching Eric interact with the other characters, sexually or socially. I love the romantic nature of the story and I feel very fulfilled reading it, and feel like it's helping me as a person even though I don't have that much in common with Eric. So my vote goes with Defined character, but I guess that's partly because that's how I perceive the status quo. I'm a patron because I like your work, I don't want to give you any advice or suggest any changes really. Just keep up the awesome, sexy work! <3
Fuzzy Delp
2020-07-21 03:40:26 +0000 UTCI’m in it way more for the story than the fantasy.
Adam
2020-07-21 03:18:48 +0000 UTCPersonally, I'm usually fine with either, but which one I'd prefer usually depends on the context of the story, if that makes sense? Like, the story needs to fit with the MC and vice versa. Whether they're defined or undefined, the most important thing is that the MC is both well written AND consistent; I've seen way too many VNs try to write the MC as being somewhere in the middle only to create a MC that's too defined in some way for the player to project onto them, only the thing that defines them is their near total lack of any real personality or agency. A story with an undefined MC needs to give a fair bit of leeway in its choices so the player can better project onto the character, while a story with a defined MC should take care in maintaining their consistency (e.g. the choices they make and responses to events in the story). For an MC that's somewhere in the middle, Extracurricular Activities actually does a great job of balancing having a consistent and defined personality for Eric while offering enough leeway for players to project themselves onto him, or rather, the game gives players a lot of control over what Eric does but makes every action appear consistent with his defined personality. Tl;dr Match your MC to the story you want to tell and, above all, make sure they are well written.
The Mysterious M3tav0X
2020-07-21 03:12:45 +0000 UTCIf there was a way to have the player choose from some preexisting parts of a background that could help tailor the character to the player while having a more defined character
George L Robertson
2020-07-21 03:07:36 +0000 UTCIn a novel such as EA a less defined character makes it more interesting when you’re playing it multiple times. If they are overly defined I’d imagine their story would never change from play though to to play though.
Hossdoggy Derous
2020-07-21 02:59:27 +0000 UTCWhat would combined entail exactly?
Nick
2020-07-21 02:33:41 +0000 UTCDon't care as long as it matches the VN style. Like, a defined character I have way more tolerance for them doing stupid shit. An undefined character I'll get annoyed at the writer if they only allow limited choices because they're forcing "me" to do stupid shit against my will. >_>
Regonoreth
2020-07-21 02:27:32 +0000 UTCReally folks? I think combined is the best choice... 😥
G0ldenF0xy
2020-07-21 02:27:04 +0000 UTC
