So You Want To/Write a Dating Sim: Difference between revisions
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== Choices, Choices == |
== Choices, Choices == |
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The first decision you make will unlock a major [[Event Flag]] for your story/game: |
The first decision you make will unlock a major [[Event Flag]] for your story/game: |
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1. Are you prepared to make a stat-driven dating simulation which approaches the complexity of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'', or a raising sim as intricate as ''[[Princess Maker]]''? (If so, you better have a lot of time, resources, and assistants who are committed to work with you.) |
1. Are you prepared to make a stat-driven dating simulation which approaches the complexity of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'', or a raising sim as intricate as ''[[Princess Maker]]''? (If so, you better have a lot of time, resources, and assistants who are committed to work with you.) |
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Stereotypes: some character lists in bishoujo and otome games can seem like checklists of fan-favorite character types. [[Patient Childhood Love Interest]], [[Meido]], [[Ojou]]''/''[[The White Prince]], [[Not Blood Siblings]], [[Troubled but Cute]], [[Token Mini-Moe]]...) Add some unique-but-not-bland characters, or at least add some variety. It's possible to present the audience with a character who seems like a stereotype at first, and then introduce complications as the story goes on. |
Stereotypes: some character lists in bishoujo and otome games can seem like checklists of fan-favorite character types. [[Patient Childhood Love Interest]], [[Meido]], [[Ojou]]''/''[[The White Prince]], [[Not Blood Siblings]], [[Troubled but Cute]], [[Token Mini-Moe]]...) Add some unique-but-not-bland characters, or at least add some variety. It's possible to present the audience with a character who seems like a stereotype at first, and then introduce complications as the story goes on. |
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If your story takes place near a school, and nearly every important character is under twenty years old, then there's a chance that your story may seem trite even if it's original. Strive to add distinct elements to your game/story which will be obvious from the very first scene. |
If your story takes place near a school, and nearly every important character is under twenty years old, then there's a chance that your story may seem trite even if it's original. Strive to add distinct elements to your game/story which will be obvious from the very first scene. |
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How will the characters meet? Do they know each other before the story begins? Make sure any [[Meet Cute]] scenes are not just random occurrences. |
How will the characters meet? Do they know each other before the story begins? Make sure any [[Meet Cute]] scenes are not just random occurrences. |
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In ''[[To Heart]]'', it's possible for the main character to build a relationship with Multi, who is a [[Ridiculously Human Robot]]. It might be possible for them to live together, but this could be awkward. Work with that idea, and think what might happen if your main character attempted to win the love of a humanoid being incapable of straight sex or procreation. |
In ''[[To Heart]]'', it's possible for the main character to build a relationship with Multi, who is a [[Ridiculously Human Robot]]. It might be possible for them to live together, but this could be awkward. Work with that idea, and think what might happen if your main character attempted to win the love of a humanoid being incapable of straight sex or procreation. |
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If the main character attempts to hook up with a "different" person (someone much richer, or someone of a different race), then it should be a challenge. |
If the main character attempts to hook up with a "different" person (someone much richer, or someone of a different race), then it should be a challenge. |
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If the main character is an adult who falls in love with an underage person, then either they should be punished, or else it should be quite difficult to wait until that person is old enough. |
If the main character is an adult who falls in love with an underage person, then either they should be punished, or else it should be quite difficult to wait until that person is old enough. |
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=== Set Designer / Location Scout === |
=== Set Designer / Location Scout === |
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Many ren'ai games take place in locations which are calm or pretty. But if your game borrows fantasy RPG elements, you can make your art reflect that. Ditto for science fiction, horror, etc. |
Many ren'ai games take place in locations which are calm or pretty. But if your game borrows fantasy RPG elements, you can make your art reflect that. Ditto for science fiction, horror, etc. |
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=== Props Department === |
=== Props Department === |
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School-themed dating simulations tend to have [[Sailor Fuku|uniforms somewhere between "cute" and "cool."]] But if your game/story doesn't take place in a school setting, you may use whatever costumes you want. |
School-themed dating simulations tend to have [[Sailor Fuku|uniforms somewhere between "cute" and "cool."]] But if your game/story doesn't take place in a school setting, you may use whatever costumes you want. |
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Outside of sex scenes, characters in H-games tend to stay fully dressed. He has seen only one game with an [[Innocent Fanservice Girl]]... and the protagonist could not hook up with that character. He wouldn't mind a little [[Author Appeal]] -- that is, seeing a few more characters of that type. |
Outside of sex scenes, characters in H-games tend to stay fully dressed. He has seen only one game with an [[Innocent Fanservice Girl]]... and the protagonist could not hook up with that character. He wouldn't mind a little [[Author Appeal]] -- that is, seeing a few more characters of that type. |
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=== Casting Director === |
=== Casting Director === |
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== '''The Greats''' == |
== '''The Greats''' == |
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This section is hampered by the fact that several critically acclaimed ren'ai games not only lack official translations, but also lack fan translation patches. (To be more specific, as of September 2010, only one of the ''Sakura Taisen'' games received an English localization, and only the first ''Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side'' game of the vast ''Tokimeki Memorial'' franchise has a complete translation patch. Thankfully, some individuals on [[ |
This section is hampered by the fact that several critically acclaimed ren'ai games not only lack official translations, but also lack fan translation patches. (To be more specific, as of September 2010, only one of the ''Sakura Taisen'' games received an English localization, and only the first ''Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side'' game of the vast ''Tokimeki Memorial'' franchise has a complete translation patch. Thankfully, some individuals on [[GameFAQs]] have created English guides for a variety of relationship games.) |
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''Quartett!''. One of two games that sent littlewitch's popularity skyrocketing. It focuses on the lives of various young men and women who strive to be world-class musicians. Despite the slice-of-life pace, it still has incredibly powerful drama and romance aspects, making it a very satisfying coming-of-age tale. A complete English patch has been released for it. |
''Quartett!''. One of two games that sent littlewitch's popularity skyrocketing. It focuses on the lives of various young men and women who strive to be world-class musicians. Despite the slice-of-life pace, it still has incredibly powerful drama and romance aspects, making it a very satisfying coming-of-age tale. A complete English patch has been released for it. |
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