A Question about Length
Added 2025-01-29 18:53:14 +0000 UTCSo, I was in the shower this morning, and I was thinking about length...
Length regarding the days for the routes, that is. (I don't know what you were thinking!)
As many of you know, the difference in length from the early days on the first 5 routes differs greatly from Dwayne and Richard, and it leads me to wonder... What do you prefer?
Back then, I used to tell myself... 300-500 lines per update! You can do it! Nowadays, I tend to not settle for anything under 1200 while still pushing up to 1500 to even 2000 lines in an update (when I say lines, it's usually a mix of dialog and code). This comes up to roughly 10k words on the minimum side
Of course, my writing style has, very clearly, evolved over the years, but still, I wanted to know... Do you guys like the length of the most recent updates? Or would you prefer them to be on the shorter side? I don't know if it'll really impact how I handle things for the rest of ExcA, but it would be nice to get some feedback going forward!
I've been experimenting with recent updates with how I skip certain parts of the day. I don't feel like I -have- to write about every aspect of the day (as sometimes I struggle to fill bits in), so I just... skip over it with some lines of text kinda filling in what happened.
Anyway, just looking for feedback on these things! Thanks, folks!
Comments
I was wondering since you're talking length. Would you be interested in some point in the future to revisit Coach Grifter, Spencer & Darius ('s) routes and extend them some more days? Possibly add some new choices to encourage rereading them. I've read ExCA several years ago and loved it. Would be nice to see more of these good boys. <3
Andrew Moldenhauer
2025-02-16 18:03:20 +0000 UTCI know this has nothing to do with the post, but can I know the height of Dwayne and Richard? I'm looking for information but I can't find anything
Anti Folletisti
2025-01-31 15:18:46 +0000 UTCHorny reader in me says keep sex scenes as long as possible and as many as possible. I am a bit biased however, personally I love the storytelling and how it's paced and I'm really glad it got longer in the recent years. ExA was my first visual novel and the one that introduced me into this world so it'll always be close to my heart. But playing earlier routes like Harold and Dozer, some things do get a little bit repetitive during the days, that may also be the way I am playing it but it felt like declining a certain event or missing a choice just left the day empty. Again it might just be the way I played the game but it felt empty only then, after a couple of replays there was content just in different place. With these new days it doesn't feel empty at all, makes the game feel way more realistic. Especially when there is a lead up to a certain event, I remember how excited I was on those big moments in the story. So the longer the better.
LynxinLavanderSea
2025-01-30 17:01:17 +0000 UTCYou know that feeling when you are watching a show and you can't wait for next week to get a new episode, thats how i feel about your writing, more is always good when you are delivering such a good product. That being said i think you should keep in consideration 2 things, first prioritize quality, is never good to drop it just for length wich i think you had no problem so far, second is your health, we really appreciate you take your work seeiously and you provide a great service, but dont feel like you need to keep a huge workload just to comply, droping a small update once in a while is not the end of the world either (tho it kinda is for me 🥲). Keep the great work
Ricardo Diaz
2025-01-30 03:00:35 +0000 UTCCall me Goldilocks cause I think these updates are just right! 💕
BearyThing
2025-01-30 02:09:18 +0000 UTCI have not felt any issues with the length of the days for the most parts. Just some days I wish we spent more time with very well written days, you can just read/feel the muse flowing on those days but all in all it's all good. Though I wouldn't mind some more options during the sex days, but that's just me being horny so you know how that is.
Mestev
2025-01-30 00:48:52 +0000 UTCI'll join the side that is "more is better, but don't overwork yourself" XD
Gekido Panda
2025-01-29 23:07:53 +0000 UTCNever had that thought come up, the updates always feel right and the quality is by far the best, compared to other games i played. Just continue what feels right for you and don't push yourself too hard into perfectionism.
Wu Bear
2025-01-29 21:08:05 +0000 UTCFor me personally its really about fulfillment than length, but for now I think the current length each update has been getting has been perfect!
Snowden Namdar
2025-01-29 21:00:06 +0000 UTCI'm here for quality and story progress. I've never felt like you've dragged sections out too much like say Silence. By the same token I've never felt like "that's it?" You walk a solid balance of stuff going on and not belaboring every minute is every day. S'why I come back to ExCa more than went other FVN.
Cody Fox
2025-01-29 19:48:54 +0000 UTCI like the pacing. Don't think something needs to be longer than what it is, however.
Sparks
2025-01-29 19:47:30 +0000 UTCPerfect length already. For most independent VN,s the update is like 200 lines every 2 months and then they sadly disappear after a year or 2. The fact that the work you do is such high quality, has been going on for so long, and so frequently updated is proof that YOU and EA are both the best, and to ask the BEST for more would seem selfish. Seriously you are the GOAT and never forget that! 🏆
Silverjack
2025-01-29 19:41:53 +0000 UTCI like the varied day length. Short medium and long. I will say mabey consider a short day with a medium length day. Though only if that works in your narrative Overall the day length is good
CatCentaur
2025-01-29 19:27:35 +0000 UTCI'm happy that you're able to make your living making a project you're passionate about. I've been backing for almost 10 years now I think and your game is a project that will be great no matter the length in my opinion. It think last build I played was like 1.38. Haven't played since because I'm just gonna wait for that full release and then just go absolutely ham playing it. Whether that means longer or shorter dialogue makes no difference to me. Just keep doing what makes you enjoy your work.
ArcTheWolf
2025-01-29 19:16:39 +0000 UTCThe updates should be as long as you need them to be, whether they're 500 or 5000 lines
badaimrac00n
2025-01-29 19:15:30 +0000 UTCI feel like I said so much but nothing at the same time lol
Warfare
2025-01-29 19:10:55 +0000 UTCAs long as the story benefits from what you choose all will be okay. There's no need to write about the whole day in great detail. Skipping some parts of the day is good. You can't just write about when the character showers all the time because showering is just the same process, it'll get boring eventually. Also, as long as what you choose on how you write the story enables you to deliver an amazing story, ill gladly be supportive. Don't make a choice that'll negatively impact you or your writing
Warfare
2025-01-29 19:10:29 +0000 UTCI prefer longer day lengths, even if they take slightly longer to produce. Getting more details about the characters lives and how they think and feel is always a wonderful. That said, I've absolutely no complaints about what you r produced this far! ❤️
Arzei
2025-01-29 19:07:48 +0000 UTCI think the amount of text and content has been fine in my opinion. But if you need to shorten for your own wellbeing/ to make it easier on you I’m fine with that. I don’t feel the need for a certain length. I’m appreciative of getting anything 💜
Evil_Seawitch
2025-01-29 19:02:16 +0000 UTCOver these last like 7+ years I've always felt you've found the right balance to fit the narrative of what is being told in a given day.
Naesaki Ashwell
2025-01-29 19:00:51 +0000 UTCI have noticed they're quite larger in the recent updates, but I like reading, so I might not be the best to ask. However, that being said. If you did make them shorter, I wouldn't make them less than 2/3rds the length they are now. Most of the lines in the last few updates were either really good follow through and flowed well, added to the characterisation of Richard or Dwayne, or they were funny. You could realistically cut up to 30-40% at most before it became really noticeable yet retain quality. I guess it depends on what works for you, and if writing longer updates is something you think will fir the characters and the story beats. 🤔
David Laurence
2025-01-29 19:00:42 +0000 UTCPersonally, I love the way things have been in terms of length. It feels fine to me.
Bobby Thornbody
2025-01-29 19:00:05 +0000 UTCSecond it too. All the routes have something unique to offer and it's only natural to have various lengths for each day. At least this is my opinion.
Xeralex
2025-01-29 18:59:50 +0000 UTCIn the end you are creating a visual "novel". A story that draws soo many of us into the world you have created. I, personally, absolutely love the length.
Talis
2025-01-29 18:59:14 +0000 UTCI love they are just right Dyne, that way when there is a longer one is like "boom jackpot!"
Kibz_Grandius
2025-01-29 18:59:01 +0000 UTCI like how everything has been flowing in the story! I especially like how some days have more and some have less. It makes it feel more real to me because not everyday has some major event or thing. Someday are just short and quiet so good job!
PlasmaSnake90
2025-01-29 18:57:13 +0000 UTCAgreed
Randastasius
2025-01-29 18:57:08 +0000 UTCIf some "days" are longer or shorter than usual, that's okay. Whatever fits the narrative you're trying to tell ✨️
Hyou Vizer
2025-01-29 18:56:22 +0000 UTC
