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Arcane Dice Wars

RPG/VN Isekai Hero Collecting Amare Adventure · By coffeedripstudios

Introducing the Transient One (Tell me about your MC)

A topic by coffeedripstudios created Aug 01, 2024 Views: 513 Replies: 9
Viewing posts 1 to 4
Developer(+2)

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to start by saying ADW is my first attempt at a "blank/insert" protagonist. I come from a comics/graphic novel background so it was never an option to me when I was writing for that format. For a long time playing jrpgs, I didn't care much for "blank/insert" protagonists as many of them had an established name, history, gender and visual appearance but were "silent" so in my mind they just seemed like lazy writing. I gained more appreciation for the concept when I started playing DnD and some other games like the Dragon's Age series. For those who know me, I always like to try new things when I'm creating, so when I was preparing ADW, I thought I would challenge myself. It's opened my eyes firsthand to the unique and interesting writing/visual presentation challenges around this concept.

 And most importantly, I create games to connect with others and I love seeing/learning about players interpretation of the protagonist! From a creator's standpoint, it feels like I get to "collaborate" with the player to some extent when I saw fanarts with the player's OC and I absolutely love it.

Please share your thoughts, interpretation of the MC and any suggestion or related experiences. Along with any instances of both poor/jarring execution on my part (I'm always trying to improve and thinking about whether I will do another "blank/insert" protagionist in future works.)

Thanks so much and I hope your MC is having a good journey~

(+2)

I'm quite happy with how you executed the MC!
Their personality is bland (which is a good thing in this case) enough so us players can imagine them just the way we like.
Since i'm a visual novel nerd, i went through all the different dialouges from the choices you provided and i'd like to say that the way you wrote each of them is commendable! For example : there was a 3-option decision laid out for the players in one of the unit's tavern meeting where we could choose wether we have a wealthy upbringing, a poor one or something in between. It made me feel included!
As someone who had taken a liking to 'blank/insert' protagonists, i'd like to thank you for it.
You did a splendid job at displaying the different ways the MC could be molded into according to us players' personality choice.

Of course, there's always room for improvement, so keep up the good work <3

Best Regards, Star

(P.S. My 'OC' is literally just me but in the ADW Universe XD, Self-Insert go brrrrrrr) 

Developer(+1)

Hi Star!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and take on the MC.  I was hoping that the player had enough choices to self-insert without feeling too frustrated so I'm really glad to hear it worked for you. I'm not sure why there seems to be a slight stigma around "self-insert" in some circles? but I actually find it really whimsical and endearing to think of someone being able to directly immerse themselves into a story as I think most people read stories/play games to escape reality a bit. Maybe the whole premise of isekai has a stigma for being too self indulgent, with certain themes being somewhat over reiterated in some animes/manga/light novels as of late. However, I remember 'isekai' stories before I even knew the term for it (like Escaflowne,  Fushigi Yuugi, Peter Pan) and I just think there's something really fascinating about the premise. Perhaps as a transracial adoptee, who has always felt a bit out of place and thrown into this world, it connects with me on a deep, subconscious level.

My copy editor sometimes makes notes in the margins that I sometimes give options to "kick" the companions (I think of it more like being blunt, opinionated or teasing? LOL) Like maybe no one would take those options (I'm a recovering people pleaser myself) because they don't want to read a potentially upset response from the character, but I wanted to make sure there were options that weren't all centered around telling the characters what the player would think they'd like to hear. I think it also opens up to revealing more about the character when you can listen to their disgruntled side or coping sides as well. Also I don't want to condition people (even if it's just a game) into thinking you need to agree with people all the time or they won't love or like you LOL.

I'm actually someone who tends to over empathize with characters to the point of 'dreaming' of hovering over other people's shoulders and observing them rather than being the 'main character', so if I were to try and self-insert, I'd probably make an OC instead. I hope I'm not being too noisy, but I'm very curious, do you prefer to self insert over a defined protagonist when possible? What are your opinions on the isekai genre in general?

Best wishes and sincerely,

Jen

(+1)

Hello Jen! <3

From my point of view, the constant dislike that self-insert protagonists usually get probably stems from the growing fandom of people who use the Isekai genre as a way to somehow live in their 'questionable' fantasies, resulting in most media nowadays getting too self-indulgent.
Subjectively, i have no problem with such individuals as long as they can differentiate between fiction and reality. Objectively, however, those people often find themselves being frowned upon due to said fantasies and self-indulgence by others who find it strange.

As for YOUR media... I think it's a great move to give the player a choice on how they talk to characters, be it nicely or bluntly.
It adds more depth to each character when we're able to see their not-so-composed side, i agree with you!

Anyways, i'm glad you asked for my own opinion regarding the genre!
I'm someone who daydreams a lot and muse on various stories and poetry that my mind somehow manages to conjure, with each story either containing me as a whole or a part of me in certain characters and writing. So yes, self-insert is my go-to.
For the next question, Isekai is a great way for people to entertain themselves and that applies to me as well! 
The genre is something i've adored ever since i was a youngling, so to say i love it would be an understatement tee-hee.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea but hey! We all have our preferences~

Sincerely, Star

(5 edits) (+2)

Helloooo! first of all as ı person who both loves isekai stories and blank protagonists (because in those stories ı can hopefully crave my own path) ı am happy to see this post! ^^ yay !

as for my MC ı usually think of some sort of ''alter ego'' of mine in stories ı cant call them myself since with all those experiences they will gain as the story continues they will surely end up different than who ı am because the circumstances we grow with is certainly different .

As for the choices ı love them! because most of the choices are usually general options of words or actions that you can easily insert your own touch in them unfortunately ı saw many games having ''blank'' protagonists, yet you could feel their personality through the options. (well ı cant say ı played every game with blank protagonist but ı played the ones ı could)

ıf ı could give few examples there one game ı played had look like having a blank protagonist yet while ı was playing there was so little character actually said like the options ı could choose were usually like ''Hi, uh, that..., ha ha'' . Unless there were times where main character would speak only with some certain way would affect to story in ''right flow'' like lets say our blank protagonist had found themself in critical or bad situation with other characters then this very quiet character would immediately become talkative enough to gather other characters around them to survive from this situation. and well, ı would feel like ı wouldnt say the things they chose to so ı usually see these types of games are having a typical character yet games leave their appearance to our imagination. 
Other game had alot more ''options'' to pick but unfortunately they were all extreme type of choices. İn the main story somehow all the LI's would be interested in you automatically and you could either accept them fully or decline them horribly and well there is no other choice...  there was also type of choices you could make and tell those LI some sentence that calls them ''dog'' :').  ı guess ıt needless to say made no sense for me since ım type of person who dislikes both being pushed into things and conflicts or anything harmful and this game was about either ı would accept the feelings LIs' pushing to me or ı would be cruel against them. maybe there are certain people who wouldnt mind to be cruel and bad towards characters since they are technically ''not real'' but usually put myself in the game world thorough my alter ego so ı generally accept the game as my second reality which makes me not want to do such things at all. Of course, ı played other visual novels with not bad blank protagonists but most of them are usually having very quiet protagonist so player doesnt have much option to pick.

For ADW ı think there is alot of room for the player to think about how they can approach situations as both options and answers doesnt really show any direction of what protagonist could have said or did except the main idea you will pick from the options (ı mean whatever ı chose in that moment ı can imagine my MC saying or doing in their own way and answers ı get from other characters doesn't really clash with this). I was also very happy about how Samuel said ıf there is certain things we cannot eat due to certain health or religious reasons we should tell him. Actually this part is something ı dont really see games think or at least ı have never encountered such thing before though ı usually think these stories in fantasy universes with not much religious content because fantasy and religion may have some difficulties getting along especially thinking everyone who play this game has their own beliefs and trying to put religious lifestyle into fantasy world can be... interesting.  If ı should give an certain example in some beliefs, there some certain ways to dress (either in daily life or in certain events) and talk with others or certain praying duties people should follow also there is tons of other thoughts when ıt comes to romance XD but ı wont bore you with them. so instead of fully adding religious beliefs into game ı tend to think fantasy games in fantasy universe since pushing full reality into game does not make much sense in the firts place. But ı think ADW is pretty open for people who wants to create their own religious OC for the game as ı think characters wouldn't mind to even help the MC's continuing their religious life while their stay in this fantasy world. This is why ı didnt mind my MC  doing religious things ı normally do or think similar with me in religious topics.

As for my MC ^^ well since they are my alter ago ıts safe to say that their personality is pretty close to mine except they are bit more confident than ı am since ı also wish to change my bad trait of not being able say ''no'' to others. well ı would even call her me but yea as ı said in the end of the adventure she will grow into someone different than me surely and well for also because of some certain religious topics ^^; so ı prefer to call her  alter ego or other me in the fantasy universe XD maybe some people might call my MC bit gloomy since ım kind of person who can get stressed over everything and can be pessimistic but overall ı think my MC is someone who trying their best to hide their gloomy side and be kind and friendly towards people while trying to avoid conflicts. and so far ı was able to see good options that would reflect this.

sometimes ı try to imagine them having their adventures in the ADW world but also ı feel like ıf ı hadn't any quick save and quick load ability ı feel like ı would be kind of devastated in every defeat ^^;; well ı think once ı finish my main save for now perhaps ı can challenge myself to ''no quick save/load'' account to see how would my alter ego proceed with no power over the process.


ı also do remember Lor was calling MC being very calm even in fight but ı guess ıts either due to gods help or MC is focusing on dices instead of fight itself XD
ı actually think about this this MC being calm alot but maybe ıts just a small detail. well ıf ı would explain it in my own with my MC then she would be probably overly focused on dices and would probably going inside inside of her mind without reflecting these feelings to her face clearly XD

Developer(+1)

Hi JustaOneGirl,

Thank you so much letting us know about your MC! I'm glad that Samuel's comment about the MC dietary preferences was meaningful for you, as I think he's the only one who really asks the MC about this. As a very religious person himself, he's considerate of such things. I can't say it was intentional on my part tbh, but I'm glad that you felt the  freedom to include this aspect of your character by your own choice. 

I give a few teasing or blunt options but I don't think I bother with flat our mean or malicious options, as that would be too story breaking imo. I don't think the cast of ADW would follow and protect the MC as much as they do if the MC was an abusive tyrant. Like if the MC called them a dog, I think they'd probably leave the guild. These are all adult characters, so they are mostly mature enough to work through differences but there's a limit to when it comes to flat out disrespect. For this reason, I'm not sure that I like games that have good vs evil paths, as they are just too polarized/extreme for my tastes. I'd be making two different games, and that's a lot of work. Plus I just have a heard time writing pure evil characters as even my 'villain' characters are not so stark imo.

It's interesting that you mentioned the comments about the MC seeming calm. In my mind I picture the player sitting at a computer looking at cute sprites and dice, rather than jumping up and down shouting excitedly as someone might if they were in the midst of a life and death battle. I wasn't intended to say the MC is a stoic personality but rather they were unusual in their perception of battle. But perhaps some players are able to immerse themselves more fully than I thought. I'll try to keep that in mind. I was suprised that some people find losing harsh, even though there is not a game over penality like there is in a lot of RPGs. I hope losing doesn't feel too bad, as the companions do show some discontent but they are also accepting that battle is not always ideal. They are tenacious enough to handle the occasional defeat, so feel free to let them toughen up a bit LOL. I do have a list of randomized losing battle dialogue in every dungeon for that purpose anyway~

Again, I love your drawing of Lor with your MC reading together all cute and cozy in ADW:GD~ I hope the two can cheer each other on!

(+1)

Helloo! thank you for the reply >w<  ım actually fine with fantasy games being fantasy like away from reality or religious things since thats also why ı dont really put literally myself as MC but my alternative version that would fit the fantasy world better. I truly hate tyrant characters as they have nothing you could sympathize with so even before leaving that game with extreme choices ı was doing my best to ignore that mean options. Tbh ı really love ADW's vallain characters as a player though ıf ı would look in the eyes of MC ı guess ı would like to stay away from them lol. but being a player lets me to think about their actions in objective way (sometimes ı feel like a detective trying to understand their nature) which helps me to love them as characters. ı also find guild member's actions towards possible tyrant MC is fair as aslo in real life no sane and mature person would be with someone who sees them as an object of use. 

as for MC's calmness ı guess once ı read the start of the story ı simply accepted that MC got isekaid in a fantasy world and whatever will happen there will affect them too like MC suddenly got involved in a very huge story and their success will determine their fate. this was how ı saw the whole story's logic and imagined them staying behind of the fight and watching the guild members clashing with enemy side while also checking the dices  to see whatever their guild member will win or not (ı didnt exactly thought about location but decided that they just exist above the people's head while they are fighting) because of this was how ı imagined these whole thing ıt made me feel like ı should go on a winning spree XD though the reason ı took these fights seriously is because of ı tried to empathize with the MC's situation and how could they possibly feel in this situation but of course my perfectionist side also has a good impact on this decision. But ı have to admit that ıt slowed me down in certain degree as ı was filming the game for my friends who prefers watching over playing (even ıf ıts visual novel) ı realized that ı fought agaisnt that Hydra for one and half hour just because ı was keep quick saving and loading to win. of course ı edited my painful fight and made it alot faster so ıt was just a 8-9 minutes in the video. this is also why ı also want to try to ''no quick save/load'' challenge for myself. ıt will be a tension for me since ı will not use my perfect power to win fights but lets see ^^;; 

Also from how you described the calmness of MC makes sense afterall ı was alot more calm that how ı would be ıf ı would be the MC XD but that also gave me an interesting few perspectives and possibilities that can make is easily happen. they are kind of based on my experiences with other games played or mangas ı read

one possible not super logical but possible perspective is:
from this perspective MC is more like a human puppet rather than the being human themselves which is compatible with ''player'' who is technically mastermind of the puppet doesnt get affected by the war and the ''transient one'' acts according to ''player'' also looks calm which makes player or the real ''MC'' a observer who can control over transient one and change the fates of characters without being too much mentally involved. Basically, this is the bond between every person and their ''OCs''

perspective with alot better and logical explanation for the sake of the story is:

while MC gets involved in this fantasy world they dont necessarily gets mental affect by things that happening around them thanks to some invisible ''4th wall'' protects them from any type of mental damage. in this scenario gods dont only give the divine aura to MC but also kind of creates a 4th wall for MC thanks to that they will both exist in their world fully but also their mental health wont be affected which allow them to move without any psychological problem. this scenario would also get along very well with the fact that in gacha side them MC would suddenly ''super tired'' and would need to rest. 

As about my MC being with Lor, since MC is technically me with some differences ım sure they always would happily support Lor.  as for me though ı somehow feel jealous over ''other me'' XD ım also cheering for them.

(1 edit) (+3)

I always assumed I wasn't one for self insert type games and as a writer if given the chance I always feel having another strongly established likeable character would be the preferred option. I kinda wrote it off not giving it a fair shot (I've played some otome games with varying degrees of self-insert protags but ehhh.)

but um. well.  I don't know what happened here to be honest. This is my first time making a proper self-insert OC and it's been so fun LOL ADW does self insert really well and I'm now more open to the format.

Maybe because Jeth feels like a character I'd want to write myself or the fact this is a project from a fellow indie creator it felt a little more approachable and collaborative vs bigger otome games where I feel like I'm being pandered to (and so I end up not really connecting with it) but as soon as I was done with my first playthrough I was working on a character to ship jeth with haha:

(SPOILERS FOR VILLIANS HEART PLS GO PLAY IF YOU HAVENT. ALSO CHAPTER 7 OF ADW I GUESS? PLS PLAY THAT TOO )



I love (and made sure to get) specifically Jeth's return ending and so my TO was primarily designed for that.... Queen outfit in Jeth colors heheh:



I don't have a proper name for her.......She's just EkkoberryTOchan to me LOL TOchan for short. Her personality is a lot like her creators-- very jeth-focused (to the detriment of everyone else), pretty shameless about it too LOL 

I started with Villian's Heart so in my brain that's the first game and they're all interconnected to me u______u 

Jeth return ending ---> portal didn't take them to TO's world but ADW Timeline instead where Jeth's memory got (partially) erased but TOchan remembers p much everything and is trying to date Jeth again----> Gacha Date 

ADW Timeline:


They're trying their best not to worry


How the kidnapping played out in my head


Landing on Jeth's shoulder KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT

And finally Gacha Date lol:


I'M STILL HURT BY THIS LINE LIKE JETH IF ONLY YOU KNEW. I LOVINGLY DESIGNED THOSE OUTFITS FOR YOU

Its very immersion breaking not to have "Throw self at Jeth" option every time hes on screen but I think that's my only critique. I genuinely love the world and the (other) characters (as well) this series has such a special place in my heart FOR LOTS OF REASONS but one was learning to have more fun with self inserts too.

Developer(+2)

Ahh~ TOchan! She's so adorable ha ha! I can imagine her asking for her Queen's dress to match the fabric of the Advisor's.  And thinking of the whole story of the original ADW through Jeth-colored glasses is pretty interesting to consider! I can only imagine how things would derail if TOchan just repeatedly threw herself at Jeth from the very start LOL. Also if they had an on-going secret mailing exchange.... It could work in the context of chapter 8... Not to get too spoilerly. These comics are so funny and great. I love how shameless and dedicated TOchan is... And that huge sack of soulstones in the last panel that looks like enough for all 30 days... all the details are so good! 

 I honestly didn't know that fluffy-haired murderers was a 'type' but I'm thankful that Jeth roped you in because it's was so much fun working on ADW:GD with you! I'm so honored that you gave this a game a shot despite not usually preferring self-inserts and very glad that you found it to be fun! I wonder if you'll ever consider writing a project with a self-insert protagionist in the future?

(+2)

Oh absolutely lol there was probably a discussion about how on the nose it'd be for them to match immediately but with TO's personality being a factor it wouldn't be a secret for long  u____u New queen is in love with her advisor!!!

A true ADW Jeth run would be terrible nothing would get done. Lor would have to drag her from the cell and she'd get everyone and herself murdered waiting around a week at the bandits hideout . The gods' restrictions are probably good for everyone LOL

I'M EXCITED FOR CHAPTER 8!!! I don't know if I like the idea of an actual secret exchange or Samuel's  just neatly folding the letters into his back pocket and leaving them there for the good of everyone. Or Jeth has a growing collection of letters hes very confused that he keeps receiving. All are equally funny to me.

Oh I don't have an active dislike of them I just never had one hit me quite like ADW........Jeth was ON SIGHT!!! (and I wanted to check out the cool dice battle mechanics too) but my eyes have been opened now to self insert's power.........so maybe one day I'll give them a proper try yeye