VN Ren'Py Completed The Libido Enigma [Ch.8] [broiler_x]

[gregers]

What would be the point of recycling the character models? Players who've played your first game already know them, their stories, and relationships; their stories have been told.

What would you hope to gain from players having to reset and forget all that previous experience, rather than just making new characters for your new story?

 

[Beast Within]

I would wipe clean the current history of The Libido Enigma and start over. And that is the biggest issue, as we already have relationships and opinions that we are just supposed to forget. That may prove to be insurmountable. But it could also be fun if I could pull it off. I need to think this through and write a rough outline.

that may sound as a good idea, but to be honest I havent seen anyone managing to pull it off yet. that doesnt mean you wont, just sharing my experience so far. I understand the feeling behind it though. you like the characters. I mean I have the same problem .making characters I like that will end up used once and then they are done. it does sound as a waste of good characters. but it is what it is. usually this sort of good characters work better in sequels.
I can also understand the need to change settings for variety.
on this I would suggest a complete new set of characters for a completely new setting, and just keep the established ones for the future for when a good sequel idea appears.

My other thought was to do something as you suggest with bigger stakes corporate espionage involving big pharma. I need it to be bigger scale and not them just going from conference room to conference room, lol.

I imagined something like SxF: Code White. you know adventure al around the world with a lighter theme but with same characters. the mc could use his girls specialties in helping him proceed through the story. like, a teck girl may help him bypass a firewall or acting career put in practise as his date for a gala where he has to gather information.
problem I see with this is the ammount of assets you may have to use. your current game was pretty tight in eviromental assets but when you go to an "around the world" scale, even if it is two cities, your library will need expansion if I make any sence. not to mention the new characters, but that is somewhat solvable since you can create them without spending money.

 

[Anteron]

I would wipe clean the current history of The Libido Enigma and start over. And that is the biggest issue, as we already have relationships and opinions that we are just supposed to forget. That may prove to be insurmountable. But it could also be fun if I could pull it off. I need to think this through and write a rough outline.

My other thought was to do something as you suggest with bigger stakes corporate espionage involving big pharma. I need it to be bigger scale and not them just going from conference room to conference room, lol.

That pisses a lot of us off having to restart. Too far along. It's no different from abandoning a game and starting a similar one at this point.

 

[broiler_x]

That pisses a lot of us off having to restart. Too far along. It's no different from abandoning a game and starting a similar one at this point.

I think you are probably correct. I was talking to my wife and she said the same thing. People are fully invested in the characters and the relationships and what has already transpired. I'm just brainstorming here and I wanted to get some feedback. I agree with you. In fact I'm coming up with a way to do a continuation but make the plot be bigger scale with more adventure and intrigue. I think I may have figured out how to combine the existing story with also my desire for more adventure and excitement.

 

[motseer]

I would wipe clean the current history of The Libido Enigma and start over. And that is the biggest issue, as we already have relationships and opinions that we are just supposed to forget. That may prove to be insurmountable. But it could also be fun if I could pull it off. I need to think this through and write a rough outline.

My other thought was to do something as you suggest with bigger stakes corporate espionage involving big pharma. I need it to be bigger scale and not them just going from conference room to conference room, lol.

It could involve an expedition to find an exotic plant that they suspect has certain properties that are beneficial in some groundbreaking way. The rigor of such an endeavor might rule some out for various reasons. But why would you bother to change the relationships to tell a new adventure story with the same cast? Just continue on with the ones who will be on the adventure and they may form new relationships on the journey...

 

[RandomGuy99]

I posted the following on Patreon and my Discord server, because I'd really like some fan feedback. I'll put it here too. Let me know what you think!

******

I've been out of the country for several days and will be for a few more, which means I haven't been able to work on rendering images or animations. But that doesn’t mean I’ve been idle! I've been focusing on the story script and Ren'Py code, and I’ve also had time to think about what’s next for The Libido Enigma.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that Chapter 8 would be the final chapter of Part I, and that’s still the plan. I also said there would be a Part II, and that’s... mostly still true. Originally, I envisioned another biotech story with the same crew, but I haven’t been able to come up with an idea that truly excites me.

So, I had a crazy thought—what if I kept (most of) the cast but dropped them into a completely different kind of story? Something like an action/adventure plot? I’ve never seen this done before in a visual novel, but why not? The characters would still have their same personalities, just thrown into an entirely new setting. Of course, I’d introduce new characters to shake things up, and some of the current cast might take on smaller roles or even step aside.

I have some specific ideas, but I’m not ready to share them just yet. What do you think about this concept? I’ll likely start a discussion on my Discord server, so feel free to join in there—or let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

It’s unconventional, but I kind of love that! That said, I might still return to my original idea of continuing their next drug plot at LibSci Technologies. This is all very early-stage brainstorming, so nothing is set in stone yet.

i would prefer a different story. This entire story is about a pharma espionage. Nothing exciting and the story is quite predictable. The plot of where the pill is used is lost due to patreon rules concern. basically, you swap the pill with anything and story remains the same.

Originally i thought the story could be a Jekyll and Hyde scenario or create some uncontrolled nymph or the pill stolen and abused by the underworld/pimps or a wide variety of different scenarios where it is not so mundane. The story now is basically jumping into beds and conference room/lab room, not as exciting. I would say please try NOT to be safe in the story direction. Go wild

 

[broiler_x]

i would prefer a different story. This entire story is about a pharma espionage. Nothing exciting and the story is quite predictable. The plot of where the pill is used is lost due to patreon rules concern. basically, you swap the pill with anything and story remains the same.

Originally i thought the story could be a Jekyll and Hyde scenario or create some uncontrolled nymph or the pill stolen and abused by the underworld/pimps or a wide variety of different scenarios where it is not so mundane. The story now is basically jumping into beds and conference room/lab room, not as exciting. I would say please try NOT to be safe in the story direction. Go wild

It's funny, the whole reason I was thinking of branching out with a totally different story is because I didn't want to continue with more office and conference room scenes! So, I get it. And yes, the plan is to get more wild, but still make something that is plausible with these characters and stories. But just barely plausible! I've reflected on this a lot and I have finally come up with some ideas that I think will work. Stay tuned.

Oh and Chapter 8, the final chapter in Part I is behind schedule by about a week now. I think it will be out in the first week of March. I recently added a new scene and I have lost a week of rendering due to travel. But things are getting close.

 

[TigerWolfe]

I'll be sad if Shriya and Heather are both gone. :/

 

[broiler_x]

I'll be sad if Shriya and Heather are both gone. :/

You won't be sad. I'm working on a scene right now that has both of them in it.

 

[AnonW123]

It's funny, the whole reason I was thinking of branching out with a totally different story is because I didn't want to continue with more office and conference room scenes! So, I get it. And yes, the plan is to get more wild, but still make something that is plausible with these characters and stories. But just barely plausible! I've reflected on this a lot and I have finally come up with some ideas that I think will work. Stay tuned.

Oh and Chapter 8, the final chapter in Part I is behind schedule by about a week now. I think it will be out in the first week of March. I recently added a new scene and I have lost a week of rendering due to travel. But things are getting close.

Okkkk. I'm kinda lost with this. My first issue is that the next chapter will wrap up the entire story? Cause I played chapter 7 and it feels like they have a way to go to establish some form of hard evidence to take down the competition and expose the corruption and tampering. Unless I'm missing something.

In terms of your part 2, there are three ways I see that you could do it:

1. New game, new characters. I don't think wiping the slate clean with existing characters will work for people. I think it would be better to just trust yourself to be able to come up with new interesting characters.

2. Same Mc, sequel (no wiping slate), new story, new and old Lis. You could do some kind of espionage adventure as Beast Within suggested. Possible Mc gets pulled into some CIA investigation in the industry, whatever and he has to change job/locations and meet and get close to new people (Lis). You could also have him reach out to some or all of the old Lis to help him out. It could get crowded in the Li department though.

3. Self contained alternate reality stories with the same Mc and Lis but with new continuity. Something like the Christmas Specials some devs do where it doesn't fit into the main continuity of the game and is a self contained story. Thing is a lot of players hate or are not too fond of those specials because they feel disposable, Few of them are any good. To make it special you would really have to do it like an alternate take on the main game.


1 or 2 might be your best bet. I'm not sure 3 would work well at all.

 

[broiler_x]

Okkkk. I'm kinda lost with this. My first issue is that the next chapter will wrap up the entire story? Cause I played chapter 7 and it feels like they have a way to go to establish some form of hard evidence to take down the competition and expose the corruption and tampering. Unless I'm missing something.

In terms of your part 2, there are three ways I see that you could do it:

1. New game, new characters. I don't think wiping the slate clean with existing characters will work for people. I think it would be better to just trust yourself to be able to come up with new interesting characters.

2. Same Mc, sequel (no wiping slate), new story, new and old Lis. You could do some kind of espionage adventure as Beast Within suggested. Possible Mc gets pulled into some CIA investigation in the industry, whatever and he has to change job/locations and meet and get close to new people (Lis). You could also have him reach out to some or all of the old Lis to help him out. It could get crowded in the Li department though.

3. Self contained alternate reality stories with the same Mc and Lis but with new continuity. Something like the Christmas Specials some devs do where it doesn't fit into the main continuity of the game and is a self contained story. Thing is a lot of players hate or are not too fond of those specials because they feel disposable, Few of them are any good. To make it special you would really have to do it like an alternate take on the main game.


1 or 2 might be your best bet. I'm not sure 3 would work well at all.

Thank you SO MUCH! I am so happy that people are concerned about the future plot. I think you will like it. It will be a continuation but with much bigger stakes. That's all I'll say. But again, thanks for you input.

 

[AnonW123]

Thank you SO MUCH! I am so happy that people are concerned about the future plot. I think you will like it. It will be a continuation but with much bigger stakes. That's all I'll say. But again, thanks for you input.

You're welcome and that's probably the best approach.

 

[Mookys]

It's great to see more players taking part in the poll.

 

[broiler_x]

It's great to see more players taking part in the poll.

Hey thanks, I haven't looked at it for awhile. I'm happy to see Emily with more than one vote now! That one vote was me, btw.

Steam is promoting my game in a current event called Next Fest, which features games that are coming out soon and currently have free playable demos. Full game release for Steam is scheduled for March 24. That means I really need to finish this quickly because they need 2 weeks to review the game. I'm working on the final scene now and should have the renders all finished by the end of this weekend!

 

[Mookys]

Hey thanks, I haven't looked at it for awhile. I'm happy to see Emily with more than one vote now! That one vote was me, btw.

Steam is promoting my game in a current event called Next Fest, which features games that are coming out soon and currently have free playable demos. Full game release for Steam is scheduled for March 24. That means I really need to finish this quickly because they need 2 weeks to review the game. I'm working on the final scene now and should have the renders all finished by the end of this weekend!

That's great! Thanks for the info.

 

[MrDude1977]

I was just wondering how long will this story be? Also is there going to be a Harem ending?

 

[broiler_x]

I was just wondering how long will this story be? Also is there going to be a Harem ending?

Part I will conclude with the next chapter, Chapter 8. I'm nearing completion of that and testing should start tomorrow. I consider that a complete standalone visual novel. Yes, there is a harem ending, and that was one of your choices in Chapter 6.

Currently I am planning on Part II to be harem only, at least from the start. It will be a continuation of the story, but the plot focus will change and become more substantial, with some more exciting locations (you can only have so many conference room meetings! lol).

 

[MrDude1977]

Part I will conclude with the next chapter, Chapter 8. I'm nearing completion of that and testing should start tomorrow. I consider that a complete standalone visual novel. Yes, there is a harem ending, and that was one of your choices in Chapter 6.

Currently I am planning on Part II to be harem only, at least from the start. It will be a continuation of the story, but the plot focus will change and become more substantial, with some more exciting locations (you can only have so many conference room meetings! lol).

At least at start? So we might lose our Harem?

 

[broiler_x]

At least at start? So we might lose our Harem?

Probably not, it's just that I haven't written anything for Part II yet, so nothing is for certain. Harem will always be one path though, at the very least. I've come to realize that's what people like the most (and I like it the most too).

 

[MrDude1977]

Probably not, it's just that I haven't written anything for Part II yet, so nothing is for certain. Harem will always be one path though, at the very least. I've come to realize that's what people like the most (and I like it the most too).

Good, if it is always a Harem that is good. I don't want to lose the Harem. I've made it to chapter 5, so far so good. Your animations are really good, and all the women are very beautiful. I like that the women leave their heels on lol i love women in heels and stockings lol.