I think the reason the ending is so abrupt and messed up is because this is just a demo of sorts and they're trying to appeal to us to support so they can finish the project as stated by the cat in an ending. I however wholly agree with you that it was a really messed up and graphic way to do it. I feel gutted.
I think what most of us are trying to say is that we aren’t so much so upset at Jenny for attempting something like this, it’s pretty unique and a good concept on paper, we just wish if suicide was done it shouldn’t be for shock value and I think she should’ve used this for a full project and not a game jam so she could translate her ideas better and have better pacing. I don’t think you should need a demo to feature suicide just to boast ratings and moral for your game, that sounds like a lame excuse to get people to support you and kinda manipulative as others have pointed out.I understand the grander scheme of the story she was trying to put out and what op was trying to say is that this is a good idea but it had very awful execution + it needed more time in the oven and a lot of this stuff should’ve stayed in development or very well been done better and in a longer format so you can really understand what’s really going on. I think Jenny limited herself to a game jam and that was kinda the root of the issue, not saying it’s a justification for the misuse of suicide but I think that’s where a lot of these issues could’ve been avoided and a lot more research as to not stigmatize her audiences trauma and experiences for likes and reviews. Especially since I don’t even think said creator struggles with these ideations themselves, or has never outright confirmed as such. Not that it would make it any better.
I'd agree if she hadn't asked for such a high number of ratings. Her other game ERROR143 only has 2,370 ratings at the time of this comment. There's currently no Otome game on itch.io with 5000 ratings, including games like Our Life: Beginnings & Always or Blooming Panic, games which honestly blow this one well out of the water. It just comes across as a scammy way to boost her way to the top.
Her request is also hurting her fans. Many are making alt accounts to post false ratings and some of those have gotten banned. For anyone reading this: itch.io will ban all of your accounts and IP ban you if they catch you doing this.
this.^^^ I think she stated it was supposed to be impossible or almost impossible, which is weird because that’s just blatant misinformation and dangling a piece of cheese over a mouse, but she could’ve benefitted from there being more time to develop this project and just being straight up with the “there is no happy endings thing” because it feels like false advertising with the whole impossible reviews thing and secret third ending which just blatantly untrue because there is only two, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This project is honestly just a mess, the games you suggested are so much better. Sorry for not originally stating that, I do actually wholeheartedly agree this game was scammy from the beginning and just think it’s a very interesting idea horribly executed.