Anima_
Nov 11, 2012
Well beside the ethical reasons Aleema just detailed, it's also a smart business decision. The current gaming market does not satisfy the demand for BxB romances.
Even if say there are only 10% of all people interested in boys love fiction, that's still way more then our audience. Of course not every one of them will want to buy Loren, but even if only a few of them will buy Winterwolves games because of their BxB content it will end in a profit for Jack. So in a very real sense the game might be even more expensive without the BxB content, since we would miss those sales.
To summarize my point, even those of us who do not play the BxB content will profit from it's inclusion in the end. (It's funny that I of all people would end up making a capitalistic argument. Maybe my cold is getting to me
)
While I understand your point, it's sometimes pretty frustrating to have game where you only have fun with half of it. I felt the same in all Bioware RPGs where you can play EVIL. But if the development cost is lower then the increased profit from people who like it, I end up profiting from it as well. Since either the game will be cheaper or the studio has more funds for the next game.
Thanks for your suggestion and worrying about us, but I think we will end up making a better game for both BxB and (BxG,GxB,GxG) lovers if the percentage of those romances is balanced.
jack1974
Nov 11, 2012
Ha, nothing better than two good replies while I was watching a movie
Jokes apart I agree with what both Aleema/Anima (the double A team!) said, but even if I wanted, I really see no solution. Or better, the only one could be to use some kind of free to play mechanics where you can pay based on the romance paths you're interested. But I'm really not inclined much in doing that for two reasons:
a) I really don't like free to play mechanic both as player and as developer
b) It's a RPG, and while I'm sure many people played it mostly for the romances, I think the price should be justified ALSO by everything else. Ok , maybe in your case you play it almost as a dating sim and don't have much interest in the RPG part but believe me, lots of people are
That said, if the price seems to high just wait a few months before buying - as you know I do regular discounts, and considering how big my games are getting I'm sure that you'll find that it was worth the money especially if you have the patience and buy it during one of my various 30-40-50% off promos!
biscuit
Nov 11, 2012
Just jumping on the fan-wagon to say that even though I normally don't play BxB romances (I prefer playing as a girl, whether for GxG or GxB) the fact that it's included makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I like having the options, and knowing that Jack and his team at Winterwolves are inclusive 'n accepting folks. It's nice to feel included as being more than a token minority/attempt at diversity.
Sylrissa
Nov 12, 2012
Just jumping on the fan-wagon to say that even though I normally don't play BxB romances (I prefer playing as a girl, whether for GxG or GxB) the fact that it's included makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I like having the options, and knowing that Jack and his team at Winterwolves are inclusive 'n accepting folks. It's nice to feel included as being more than a token minority/attempt at diversity.
I agree and that is how I feel about it as well.
lothvamp
Nov 12, 2012
I play as both genders and I generally go through all the romance paths available. Draco's romance path was one of my favorites, and he's one of my favorite characters even when not romancing him. I really don't think having the option to romance him takes anything away from the experience for those who chose not to pursue him.
Having Straight/Gay/Bisexual romances be treated equally in a game is almost unheard of, and I for one appreciate it greatly. Keep up the excellent work, guys ^__^
Madance
Nov 13, 2012
I play as both genders and I generally go through all the romance paths available. Draco's romance path was one of my favorites, and he's one of my favorite characters even when not romancing him. I really don't think having the option to romance him takes anything away from the experience for those who chose not to pursue him.
Having Straight/Gay/Bisexual romances be treated equally in a game is almost unheard of, and I for one appreciate it greatly. Keep up the excellent work, guys ^__^
I agree and I enjoyed all the romances paths!
jack1974
Nov 13, 2012
Remember: the keyword is DATE ALL SPRITES!
(actually, in Loren 2 it works really like that!)
krisslanza
Nov 13, 2012
Remember: the keyword is DATE ALL SPRITES!
(actually, in Loren 2 it works really like that!)
But you can only have one romance!
CladInPink
Nov 13, 2012
Just jumping on the fan-wagon to say that even though I normally don't play BxB romances (I prefer playing as a girl, whether for GxG or GxB) the fact that it's included makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I like having the options, and knowing that Jack and his team at Winterwolves are inclusive 'n accepting folks. It's nice to feel included as being more than a token minority/attempt at diversity.
Having Straight/Gay/Bisexual romances be treated equally in a game is almost unheard of, and I for one appreciate it greatly. Keep up the excellent work, guys ^__^
That's exactly how I feel! I didn't know this when I first started playing Winterwolves' games, but it was quite an awesome surprise
kuracha-macha
Nov 14, 2012
But you can only have one romance!
Cheating is wrong, yo.
Just jumping on the fan-wagon to say that even though I normally don't play BxB romances (I prefer playing as a girl, whether for GxG or GxB) the fact that it's included makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I like having the options, and knowing that Jack and his team at Winterwolves are inclusive 'n accepting folks. It's nice to feel included as being more than a token minority/attempt at diversity.
Having Straight/Gay/Bisexual romances be treated equally in a game is almost unheard of, and I for one appreciate it greatly. Keep up the excellent work, guys ^__^
That's exactly how I feel! I didn't know this when I first started playing Winter Wolves' games, but it was quite an awesome surprise
Actually what I find most unique about WW's games is that they have the diversity of romances available in their games. Being honest I played Loren specifically because of the otome elements, but I ended up playing everything.
I actually liked Draco's path, which was weird since I usually can't tolerate yaoi, and the idea of romancing guys to fellow guys... But it wasn't a mistake to do so. Everyone's awesome. I like it. 8D
I know in the sequel there will be more characters to love, so yes. I'll be looking forward to it dearly~ <3
krisslanza
Nov 14, 2012
I prefer to call it "harem route", myself...
biscuit
Nov 14, 2012
I'd personally enjoy a 'harem route' option as well (why choose if you love them both/all and if they were actually OK with that?) but it would be very difficult to write/play without it falling into Mary Sue-ish (or Marty Stu) wish fulfillment fantasies.
SpectralTime
Nov 14, 2012
...Yaaay! Eventual Loren romance!
See, my main problem with just keeping the same cast from the previous game was... well, they already got their happy ending, ya know? Though... I guess a pure timeskip would have left Elenor alive anyway... *sigh*. I wish there were an easier solution to this...
Aleema
Nov 14, 2012
If the main character wasn't the same PC as before, then there wouldn't be these many romances. Expect romances from the previous game to be mostly happy glimpses into their lives together.
Sylrissa
Nov 15, 2012
If the main character wasn't the same PC as before, then there wouldn't be these many romances. Expect romances from the previous game to be mostly happy glimpses into their lives together.
I'm okay with that, seeing how that's what I was expecting, plus it's not often you get to see what happens in a relationship, beyond all the build up, since most stories end once you get the guy/girl. So I for one am looking forward to seeing glimpses into their life together as a couple.
jack1974
Nov 15, 2012
Some combos as you can imagine would be rather interesting. Life with an arrogant a... ahem, archer like Rei, or the former Queen Karen, or Draco! Can you imagine how must be living with Draco!?!?!??
I can tell you that I wasn't much convinced about this, but from what I've read on the Planet Stronghold 2 continued romances who Aleema is writing now, it's really something refreshing, something new, at least in those kind of games
Nightsnow
Nov 15, 2012
Some combos as you can imagine would be rather interesting. Life with an arrogant a... ahem, archer like Rei, or the former Queen Karen, or Draco! Can you imagine how must be living with Draco!?!?!??
I can tell you that I wasn't much convinced about this, but from what I've read on the Planet Stronghold 2 continued romances who Aleema is writing now, it's really something refreshing, something new, at least in those kind of games
Well, if I was living with Draco I would make sure to buy mostly fireproof items. Just in case he gets any good ideas.
I am really glad you do it like this or I would not have bought the sequel since so many sequels simply force any ending of the first game into status quo completely destroying whatever ending you get.
Plus with all the new characthers there are still plenty of chances if one wants the classic built up story,
jack1974
Nov 15, 2012
Well the sequel will works like Planet Stronghold 2 will. In the beginning you make choices of what happened in the first game, like who killed Fost, who was your previous romance, and so on (and more spoilery things).
kuracha-macha
Nov 16, 2012
Well the sequel will works like Planet Stronghold 2 will. In the beginning you make choices of what happened in the first game, like who killed Fost, who was your previous romance, and so on (and more spoilery things).
It would have been easier to just load a save game, but that works too.
It's more friendly for people who have played the first game.
