Hello everyone!
As those of you who play my games know, I've used Live2D-style animations for most of my games (hair movement, breathing, and facial animations). When I was first exploring ways that VNs have innovated, I was really enamored with the dynamic animations used in games like Virtue's Last Reward and Twisted Wonderland. I especially loved the smooth facial animations, which made the characters feel so alive.
However, after some pondering, I'm thinking that perhaps it would be best if I removed those animations. It has come to my attention that, for a lot of people, this kind of animation can look a bit unnatural and can be distracting at times. Moreover, I think that most people are relatively ambivalent towards it. Based on the comments I've received on my games so far, I think that, for the most part, people are relatively ambivalent towards the animations or don't notice them? (For the most part I've tried to make them VERY subtle so that they're not bothersome or distracting.)
If I removed the animations, I would be able to:
However, of course, the animations are a "feature" that I've advertised for my games, and I don't want to remove a feature without giving the opportunity to my players to provide feedback. If you've played my games and have any kind of strong feeling about the animations, please comment below! If there are quite a few people who feel strongly that they add to the games, then I'll keep them.
For the time being, I'll be transitioning the animations out of my current project, "The Perfect Woman." Depending on player feedback, I'll also work on transitioning animations out of my preexisting projects in the coming weeks. If you want me to keep the animations, please let me know, either by dropping me an email at chattercap@gmail.com or a comment below!
Thank you for your time and understanding!
Chattercap
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idk, I liked the moving animations :O the first work of yours that I played is Karamu and it added to the pop-up storybook effect and its underlying eerie feeling. A lot of people already commented and I'm late but just wanted to say it. I respect wanting to move ahead with a new style for future works though!!
Please don't remove the animations. That's one of the reasons I started playing. then your talent just hooked me in. If you remove it, it will take away from the fun of replaying. I understand if moving forward you want to stop, that will make sense if you want to be able to reach a wider audience. I have to say, I love how your games are created. I'm a fan. I think the previous games should be left with the Live2D-style animations. The comment Ombrella made about the toggled on or off if that was possible, I would vote for people to just do that. Also, SageSanctum comment of a version of them that stayed the same I also agree with. The selfish me wants all the games to have the animations., I love how you do it. I will continue playing all your games either way. Thank you bunches for all the hard work you do in creating these games and thank you for considering everyone鈥檚 opinions. Ps the 2D style animation for the Karamu series makes it even better in my opinion.
AHH thank you very much for taking the time to comment! Don't worry, after hearing all the feedback I've decided to keep a version with the animations available regardless what I decide to do with the animations 馃檱 (I think that the only exception is probably The Deepwater Witch since that one hasn't been finished, so I wouldn't want to have half with animations and half without 馃槀) I'm still thinking about whether I want to include animations in future games going forward or not (as I do want to make my games available on Android for the people who don't have PCs), but I'll keep your comment in mind! Thank you for the feedback 馃グ
I really like them, they made your games very recognizable for me and give a bit more life to the characters. I understand the can be distracting for some, i don't know if they could be toggled on or off, but if that was possible it would help the people that find them distracting.
OH this is very good to know! A toggle was something that I had in mind initially but alas, I thought that if most people toggled them off, then there wouldn't be much of a point in including them in the first place 馃槀 I'll keep this in mind!
Hi!!! Another fan of live2d here! It's one of my favorite things and I think it really made Karamu stand out; that one was how I discovered your work~ I can totally understand adding in a still version for android and not using live2d for future projects (since it seems like that's a ton of extra involvement for you!!) but I definitely was one of the people enamored with it in the games you've already made & would love it if there was at least a version of them that stayed as they were.
I'll still be sticking around for all your future work, either way! Best of luck with your projects(:
AHHH thank you so much for the kind comments 馃ス I think that this is a good compromise, I'll definitely keep this in mind! Thank you so much for the feedback!
Hi!! I personally really adore the live2d elements as it makes your games feel more 'alive' and stand out compared to other visual novels :) but I can also see and understand the reasons you listed for removing animations. Maybe a good middle ground would be to keep the existing animations in your previous projects, but to pursue and experiment without animations in your future projects and WIPs? I know that I would definitely mourn the loss of the animations from your already released games </3 but I would still definitely play and look forward to your future projects even without animations!
AHHH thank you so much for your kind feedback! I'll keep this in mind! If I do decide to migrate the animations out of my preexisting games (mainly since I do want them to be available on Android, for the people without ready access to a computer), then I'll try to keep a version with the animations available. Thank you again! 馃槉
hello!! i just wanted to say i personally enjoyed the live2d elements. i totally get why you would decide to not use them anymore, but i wanted to make sure you knew they didn't go unappreciated <3 i know you'll decide what's best going forward, and i'll still love your games without them
Oh thank you so much, you're so kind!! 馃ス I'm glad that you liked them 馃槶 I'll consider it a bit more; thank you so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it!
I can't speak to what the best choice is, but I'll second seraten04's comments. You have solid artistic direction in your projects, and so long as you commit to your decision and put out the best work you can, it'll be worth the players' time. If you're able to, trying out some alternatives to your current style may lead to satisfying results.
Thank you very much for the comments, they're very reassuring 馃ス! At times it's so difficult to make the right decision 馃槄 I sometimes wish that someone would come in and tell me what to do 馃槀 though I suppose that's the beauty of art, there are no right decisions!
Hi Chatter, I thought I'd share my thoughts. I do really like the Live2D element, but when reading your thoughts and the reasons (e.g. Helping more people access them in more platforms and make the production process smoother) I can understand why you'd want to make that choice. Also your art and storytelling are fantastic with and without the animations. I think you should do what you feel is best for you and your players. Personally, I'll enjoy the games either way. 馃
Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts, Sera! 馃ス (I'm glad that someone enjoys the animations LOL honestly they're the main reason I didn't use Ren'py to begin with, so it's a relief that they weren't all for naught) I'll definitely take this into account - thank you again!!