For my first game jam, I really enjoyed the experience! I had absolutely no expectations going into this, so everything has been a pleasant surprise. I’ve been struggling a lot creatively for what feels like the past year, so this jam was a nice reminder that I can push out a quick low stakes project and still manage to find artistic fulfillment within it. Not everything has to be a huge project!
With that said, I feel like everyone else had something to say with their games while I…didn’t. My game is silly and lowkey and doesn’t do anything daring. I think the jam has opened my eyes to how lost I feel as an artist, which is a feeling I’m not used to. Before I can be the artist I want to be—and even used to be, at one point—I’ll have to confront myself. I guess it’s nice to know I am constantly changing and constantly finding areas where I can grow ^-^
Still, I really enjoy my silly little game! Writing it was fun and super easy. I had a plan, and then I did it. I got to talk a lot with my friends about the creative process and learned way more about the zootopia abortion comic than I could ever hope to know LMAO. This jam reminded me of how communal art can be, and I love it!
Playing other people’s games and commenting on their work has been so incredibly fun and fulfilling. Game devs used to intimidate me, and I’m learning that really we all just want people to play our games and share their thoughts. I’m also trying to learn how to be more intentional with my comments. My thoughts are usually just “ahh that was fun!” but because of all the other commenters, I’m trying to learn how to say why it’s fun. Because the jam is ranked, I’m also learning how to be more aware when I’m playing games. I’m noticing and appreciating things I would have usually glanced over.
If there’s anything I would do differently, maybe try to find a team? I really hate figuring out gui and audio stuff and did the absolute bare minimum for this game. If I’m on a team with someone really passionate about that kind of stuff, however, I could learn from them and try to cultivate even a fraction of that passion in myself. The other games were so creative in that aspect, and I really admire the work that was put out! In general, I’d like to be more communicative with others and see what everyone else is doing during the creative process. I truly am a locked-away-in-her-room writer, but game jams are built to be a communal thing, you know? So, even if I feel like a massive dork talking to others, I going to do my best to reach out to other people and try to cultivate that creative, communal space that I want to be a part of :)
That was some delicious fucking writing, and it is going to be living in my head for a good while. And you wrote so much!! Not only three different worlds, but the choices give their own lines and it all leads to three entire backstories with three whole endings. WOW we were fed good. Definitely a game worth replaying and unlocking all the options!
The ticking while in that inbetween space was SO good and built this very specific mood that I adore. Also, for your first time using Ren'py, you did such a good job!! The choices, looping back, unlocking the different endings. Really, truly great work!
You captured Aion's dissatisfaction so well and that belief that if just _one_ thing was different then everything would be perfect. I hurt when Aion hurt. I yearned when they yearned, and I wanted so desperately for things to get better. So of course the endings hit me like a brick to the face LMAO theyre so good
I know Marin has Val but _please_ if I could date him I know life would be perfect. i think...maybe....unless....
Oh also, I don't know if it's a glitch with my download specifically, but I'm unable to get the Apollo ending that others are mentioning? I've tried most every combination of choices I could think of, but I only get one of the two images of war.
The writing was SO GOOD. The descriptions were so vivid, and the frustrations of the character felt so real. I like the question this game presents and how each choice and the sheer difficulty of those choices lead to answering that question. Massive props to the team for being able to convey such a heavy story in such a short amount of time
So much good art, omg! I love the distinct aesthetic of the game. that art style is GORGEOUS. The various character sprites and multiple backgrounds really brought the game to life. The writing was enjoyable, and I like the personalities and the relationship dynamic of the two :) both endings were packed with emotion and i had a lot of fun with this
I adore the stark difference in personality between the characters! The way the two doctors interacted with the player was enjoyable. Lilith's want felt raw and real and desperate. I found her complex in a way where at times I couldn't tell if I wanted to root for her or if I wanted her to stop messing with Eve's work. I sympathized with both characters. The gui was also very clean in a robotic way that lends to the overall feel of the story's world.
I absolutely adore the narrative!! The description is so vivid, and seeing the same events from three different perspectives was so absolutely fun. The good ending was SO satisfying, and I love seeing how each friend viewed the group dynamic.
Also, all of the different expressions for the sprites is nice! I am holding these three friends ever so tenderly in my hands, I love them all.
Great take on the theme! I really enjoyed this one ^-^
The gui is so nostalgic, and I love how it can be interacted with. The mistress is cute, and i found the challenge of getting the different endings to be quite fun ^-^ I'm not the best at stat raising games, so i did struggle a bit; however, there was never a point where i got frustrated (which usually happens when i play those types of games...), and i do feel like the narrative tries to point the player in the right direction
I agree with the commenter saying it's reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland in a way that makes for such fun, confusing conversation. The librarian says things with such confidence that I'm inclined to believe him, even if I don't truly understand what he's saying myself, and, the more times I play it, the more I come to understand. The line about the player hesitating and then immediately having confidence where the librarian asks why even hesitate if you have confidence - it really stuck in my brain.
ELODIE!! i love elodie's concern for marcell, and i think their different personalities come across really well. with mentions of other people, like gabriel, it really felt like the characters were part of this bigger world even if we only get to see a portion of their lives. impressed with how much art there is!! also also also, i like that on the main menu screen, the beholder is missing an eye. such a neat detail!! the little squiggle design on the textbox makes me happy for some reason, i dont know why
i love the painting! the colors are so soft and soothing, it's easy to see how thought provoking it is for the characters. the fact that everyone can get something unique out of art, informed by their own individual experiences, is one of the many things that makes art so personal and so communal. i love how you used this story to show that
Thank you for making this! I used the textbox in one of my games and credited you both on the game page and in the game itself :) worked perfectly, thanks! https://pamsdrabbles.itch.io/bookcorners
Thank you!! I am SO glad my partner was willing to sketch two Diante poses because I think the pose switch truly elevates the entire game. Plus, the world could always use more Diante, haha
That was so much fun!! I loved the characters' strong personalities, and it was a ton of fun trying to get the different endings. The talking points were uncomfortably realistic 0.0
why am i the only one here who hasn't read the actual abortion comic dflkjlkgjlk
I'm glad you like the ending conversation with Diante! I think gaining second hand knowledge of something your friend loves is so special actually, truly one of the many joys of friendship. Best of luck with getting your friend to read the smut fic! I believe in you :D
I actually haven't read the entire zootopia comic, so imagine my surprise when my friends started a debate about it because of the reference i included and someone mentioned the JFK scene lmao. I'm glad you like the game! Granny seems to be a fan favorite hehe
Wow, I love the conversation progression! Watching the bot develop day by day was extremely intriguing and the ending sealed the entire thing nicely. The gui is also very clean and adds an overall nice feel to the game
I really enjoyed this! There's a scene later one where multiple photos are sent at once, and I especially loved that; felt so true to life and made me tear up a bit.
Very sweet game. I appreciated the talks about mental health and the willingness of the characters to go to therapy and help each other grow. I also love how the characters are allowed to be who they are. Noct can wear skirts, and it's not a big deal. Carol can play dating sims and isn't mocked for it. (Also love that everyone is casually trans). It's fun to play a dating sim where the MC has such a strong and bold personality. Jazz is completely different than me, but I loved getting to play as her. Definitely prefer it to the dating sims where the MC has no personality or agency because creators want a blank slate you can project on. The writing was extremely good, and I appreciated the honesty of the characters. My biggest complaint is that the choice of what route you take isn't obvious. Even if it breaks the immersion, it would have been nice if the choice was like "Stay inside (Noct's route) or go outside (Carol's route)." Was super lucky I got Noct on my first try, but making that a bit more obvious would have been nice. Overall I enjoyed the game! Thanks so much for creating it.
