Stories that left you disappointed for a reason

[Sokrates]

The market is saturated with mostly average and weak games (I'm talking about HG released) and lots of dead demos that were promising....

The competition is not that strong imo. Poor quality writing, too often repeated tropes (keywords for popular ones: dark fantasy, trauma, toxic relationship, bad family, war in medieval kingdom, magic, vampires, demons) and above all, focusing mainly on spicy scenes.
The problem is rather the attitude of the new 'writers'. They do not seem to treat IF game as their loved project. The one they would be willing to work on for free, having a clear vision of the world, who MC is and what role has etc. Something that gives them the joy of creating and don't need the approval of other people. It's writing and development most important, not flattery from Tumblr or money from Patreon.

I have the impression that authors of new demos only care about these last two things mentioned.

One of the reasons i keep somewhat mocking on this thread the "if no romance or sandboxy choices then I won't play the game". You can't expect a new writer to properly write for you:
1. at least three different protagonist routes based on gender choices
2. At least 4 RO routes
3. A story at least 100K+ long
4. Power fantasy MC, similar to the one from Solo Leveling
5. Micro-choices which will be referenced down the story. Etc.

Not everybody can write romance. And
the expectation for them to write the next fallen hero is too much, leading to the abandoned wips graveyard. Then you also get the "I'll never finish the story, but I'll gladly get your bucks for side-stories/POVs" (don't get me started on the paywalled progress reports).

 

[Parallax]

One of the reasons i keep somewhat mocking on this thread the "if no romance or sandboxy choices then I won't play the game". You can't expect a new writer to properly write for you:
1. at least three different protagonist routes based on gender choices
2. At least 4 RO routes
3. A story at least 100K+ long
4. Power fantasy MC, similar to the one from Solo Leveling
5. Micro-choices which will be referenced down the story. Etc.

Not everybody can write romance. And
the expectation for them to write the next fallen hero is too much, leading to the abandoned wips graveyard. Then you also get the "I'll never finish the story, but I'll gladly get your bucks for side-stories/POVs (don't get me started on the paywalled progress reports).

So let them write a short, fairly linear story with one or two ROs, but finish it for f*** sake instead of making empty promises, starting a Tumblr blog, starting a kofi, making playlists, moodboards, Pinterest pages, portraits of ROs, describing what ROs are like in bed, etc. etc. And you know what? I followed once WIP that was supposed to be a short romance story with two ROs and an MC with set background. In addition, the story based on other existing story.
Guess what happened with the project.

They promise a lot instead of actually focusing on writing and learning to code. People will follow the project that has been announced publicly and will have expectations. It's normal.

Btw. I don't expect next FH (not anymore) although considering how many years it has been, it would be nice if any new game appeared that would be such great example.

 

[LosLorento]

You can't expect a new writer to properly write for you:

I wish they'd stop failing the expectation to write what they want to write for themselves. As a bare minimum? I dunno why even asking that they have passion for their own project feels like too much nowadays.

 

[Ireth313]

I don't know about you, but how do you guys feel about ROs being into each other? I know its mostly to sell the idea of a poly but I generally don't like it because I don't want to play polys and to know my RO is into someone else, it sours me.

I might be an outlier, but I don't mind as long as: a) it is clear that everyone into each other equally b) I have the option of dating each RO separately, should I choose to. You know, there are some characters from whom you kinda want to snatch their lover and rub it in big time.
What I am not a fan of is forced polys (hello, Night Market) and games where you can ONLY get one of the ROs if you are not in poly (hello, Bride of Shadows; I started playing it thinking I can romance the one char I liked, only to learn that to get with him my MC has to either also be with the second dude whom I cannot stand for the love of all holy, or there will be no romance at all; like... I see who is your favourite char, dear author, and I'm afraid we have very different tastes). If it's a sort of situation where MC is in the middle and everyone is happy AND romanceable separately (like in the Soul Stone War: you romance both, you can get a poly; you romance one, you get a monogamous relationship; you don't romance either, they don't end up together), I don't mind.

 

[seneya]

I wish they'd stop failing the expectation to write what they want to write for themselves

What if what they really want to write is RO scenarios and NSFW alphabets? Or lore posts or whatever lol
I don't think most consciously draw things out to profit from patreon. They are, indeed, writing what they want, and what a lot of their audiences want, and THAT is what killing progress on the game itself.
Sometimes writing involves pushing through and writing things you aren't inspired for. Or hours of breaking your eyesight editing. Writing isn't always fun, it's work, and it's that + lack of dedication/discipline that causes games to be dropped or stay in development hell when the initial burst of inspiration passes. Scenarios... these are small. Fun. And allow you to feel like you're still doing something while feeding the fanbase. And the game... will get finished... someday...

Alright lmao I'll shut up on this topic

 

[Zenith121]

One of the reasons i keep somewhat mocking on this thread the "if no romance or sandboxy choices then I won't play the game". You can't expect a new writer to properly write for you:
1. at least three different protagonist routes based on gender choices
2. At least 4 RO routes
3. A story at least 100K+ long
4. Power fantasy MC, similar to the one from Solo Leveling
5. Micro-choices which will be referenced down the story. Etc.

Not everybody can write romance. And
the expectation for them to write the next fallen hero is too much, leading to the abandoned wips graveyard. Then you also get the "I'll never finish the story, but I'll gladly get your bucks for side-stories/POVs (don't get me started on the paywalled progress reports).

While I mostly agree, I think these issue have more to do with the person who's making the if than anything else.

If an author aims high (and that high will vary but let's say Fallen Hero), they have to know they'll have to do A LOT to get there. At first it doesn't look like it's that much, but writing an interactive book, even if it's a short and more linear one, takes a lot of time, and everyone who tries can see it even before publishing the first chapter.

The way I see it, the moment that an author releases that prologue, they have a commitment to the readers. More so if they run a Patreon or Ko-Fi. The fact that so many new authors (and not that new) create a project, hype it up, publish a chapter or two, and then abandon it while making money with Patreon subscriptions and manage to drag it for so long infuriates me.

I recently met a Twine author that's been working on their project for a few years now and is very consistent even in Patreon, and yet they don't have that many subscribers. Their story isn't my cup of tea, but it's not bad either. Definitely better than a lot of things I've read recently in HG. How authors like this stay small while others who don't progress their stories and still get a big audience and economical support, I'll never understand.

 

[LosLorento]

What if what they really want to write is RO scenarios and NSFW alphabets? Or lore posts or whatever lol
I don't think most consciously draw things out to profit from patreon. They are, indeed, writing what they want, and what a lot of their audiences want, and THAT is what killing progress on the game itself.
Sometimes writing involves pushing through and writing things you aren't inspired for. Or hours of breaking your eyesight editing. Writing isn't always fun, it's work, and it's that + lack of dedication/discipline that causes games to be dropped or stay in development hell when the initial burst of inspiration passes. Scenarios... these are small. Fun. And allow you to feel like you're still doing something while feeding the fanbase. And the game... will get finished... someday...

Alright lmao I'll shut up on this topic

I'd be fine with that if they'd be honest on that point. Lots of people profit off of writing short stories/scenarios for an audience just fine in non-IF spaces. But continually promising a game while only intending to do those short stories/scenarios because your looking for attention/praise (which a few of these writers have admitted to) is not. Even worse if you do so whilst taking money from people.

And yes, writing is hard but it's not an activity that needs to be done with an audience from the very first sentence which is my biggest gripe with people who stall (for months into years!) on the prologue or first chapter. They're their for their five minutes and don't give a **** for the people interacting with them when they quietly drop it and move on. I'd have a lot more respect for these types of writers if they were actually honest about wanting to shelve the projects they throw out and leave it up to the audience if they want to continue hanging around for something that won't reach fruition.

 

[OrionCats]

While I mostly agree, I think these issue have more to do with the person who's making the if than anything else.

If an author aims high (and that high will vary but let's say Fallen Hero), they have to know they'll have to do A LOT to get there. At first it doesn't look like it's that much, but writing an interactive book, even if it's a short and more linear one, takes a lot of time, and everyone who tries can see it even before publishing the first chapter.

The way I see it, the moment that an author releases that prologue, they have a commitment to the readers. More so if they run a Patreon or Ko-Fi. The fact that so many new authors (and not that new) create a project, hype it up, publish a chapter or two, and then abandon it while making money with Patreon subscriptions and manage to drag it for so long infuriates me.

I recently met a Twine author that's been working on their project for a few years now and is very consistent even in Patreon, and yet they don't have that many subscribers. Their story isn't my cup of tea, but it's not bad either. Definitely better than a lot of things I've read recently in HG. How authors like this stay small while others who don't progress their stories and still get a big audience and economical support, I'll never understand.

Probably because they spend more time writing than in Tumblr. From the authors I follow, I’ve noticed that the ones that answer less have longer demos.

 

[Zenith121]

Probably because they spend more time writing than in Tumblr. From the authors I follow, I’ve noticed that the ones that answer less have longer demos.

You're probably right. It's still sad how that gets rewarded less.
It's also funny how sometimes I get more entertainment out of if authors' tumblrs and the dramas they get into than their actual projects.

 

[God]

Eh I don’t really like when two ROs get together only because it feels like at least I’m the IF world means that’s the author canon relationship and MC trying is thrown in. With Mass Effect being probably my favorite series ever, my romances went Jack, Tali, then Liara. With the Garrus and Tali romance I’ll give the devs a pass it wasn’t so much they are canon, it’s more so Liara is the writer’s pet and they wanted her to be romanced so bad lol. Why the hell would I care about other people Relationships in an IF unless it’s a theme of the game that I most likely wouldn’t be playing. Especially when I used to play with other medias help these two get together like wtf.

 

[hTubman]

The market is saturated with mostly average and weak games (I'm talking about HG released) and lots of dead demos that were promising....

The competition is not that strong imo. Poor quality writing, too often repeated tropes (keywords for popular ones: dark fantasy, trauma, toxic relationship, bad family, war in medieval kingdom, magic, vampires, demons) and above all, focusing mainly on spicy scenes.
The problem is rather the attitude of the new 'writers'. They do not seem to treat IF game as their loved project. The one they would be willing to work on for free, having a clear vision of the world, who MC is and what role has etc. Something that gives them the joy of creating and don't need the approval of other people. It's writing and development most important, not flattery from Tumblr or money from Patreon.

I have the impression that authors of new demos only care about these last two things mentioned.

Some shift happened when Wayhaven was a WIP. It's not her fault. It brought new people to CoG. A lot of new people. They wanted to treat CoG like their own commmunities, people already here switched up too

Write a tropey novel about sexy vampires. You bring in the bookstagram/pre-booktok crowd that want more tropey keyword stories, you bring in the tumblr twilight/superwholock groups with their fandom culture and bulletpoint worldbuilding lists, and slap in some bold/flirt options and you'll bring in the Episodes/VN crowd and how they write stories. Finish with a **** ton of money coming into your patreon and you've made the perfect storm that is modern CoG.

But we wouldn't have had ITFO or Golden Rose. I woudn't change any of it. maybe kick a few people for making patreons when they shouldnt

 

[yourstalkeroutside]

Gawain from The Bastard of Camelot

I'm willing to fight for Gawain since BOC MC really needs at least 1 person who isn't a total a*shole to them that isn't family, and he fits the role well enough. If anything, the forced bestie is Elaine. Chapter 5 is a total slog to get through if you're not interested in her at all with the way she's basically forced down your throat.

 

[SasariRomanii]

I'm willing to fight for Gawain since BOC MC really needs at least 1 person who isn't a total a*shole to them that isn't family, and he fits the role well enough. If anything, the forced bestie is Elaine. Chapter 5 is a total slog to get through if you're not interested in her at all with the way she's basically forced down your throat.

Yikes don't remind me of that one

Yeah, Gawain is better because he's away for most of the dragged out childhood arc (which makes me drop the IF like hot coals, along with other reasons ). But he is too naive, too obnoxiously sweet. Wth is he doing, keeping a creepy over protective a55hole like Galahad around and making excuses for him? He's as spineless as Arthur imo. Honestly it's better to have no one than being with someone like that.

I guess BoC just isn't for me and the best — most normal thing — I can do is stop reading it, since it's one of the IF that give me the ick like The King's Hound, Crown of Ashes and Flames, etc etc. I don't complain much about it here because I don't think I can openly say about why it dissapoints me other than that it doesn't match my vibe

 

[seneya]

As a funny aside, thanks to all the people who complain about lazy writers here, I returned to writing today. Tnx guys, keep ranting

On topic:
Infamous is seriously making me reconsider the idea that more words = good. It's just... so... wordy... and I feel like I skipped like half of the last update.

Bride of Shadows: finally tried it, and I think I would've liked it better if MC wasn't simping sooo hard right out of the gate But it's a romance/erotica, so I get it

The name Valdricht keeps reminding me of... Aldrich the Devourer (of Gods). Whelp. Great association for an RO.

Also why no solo route for my man Serax

 

[BiscuitB]

I'd be fine with that if they'd be honest on that point. Lots of people profit off of writing short stories/scenarios for an audience just fine in non-IF spaces. But continually promising a game while only intending to do those short stories/scenarios because your looking for attention/praise (which a few of these writers have admitted to) is not. Even worse if you do so whilst taking money from people.

It's this! If authors in the IF community were more honest with what they were wanting to do, we may not have a 72 page thread that kinda gone from "Stories that left you disappointed for a reason" to "Stories that left you disappointed for a reason and the bullhocky and scammy stuff the IF community does" Sadly it isn't that way, it's why people can't ask authors genuinely why are you posting more about AU's and NSFW ABC then the story that got you popular?

IF Author promise this high end story full intrigue, msytery, romance, etc etc and most never fulfil this. It's tiresome, disappointing and not surprising.

 

[Ireth313]

Also why no solo route for my man Serax

Funny thing I was considering supporting the author on the patreon since I heard solo routes are locked there (and I wanted Serax), only to find out after some digging that you can ONLY solo romance Valdricht. Whom I really want to punch because 1) the game keeps telling me how perfect he is, while showing none of it... 2) he is the k-drama cold CEO archetype in a fantasy setting and that gives me an ick, It's very clear that he is the author's favourite and Serax is an afterthought, honestly. If the author ever releases a route without Valdricht, I'll revisit the game, but for now I've dropped it.

 

[BiscuitB]

As a funny aside, thanks to all the people who complain about lazy writers here, I returned to writing today. Tnx guys, keep ranting

On topic:
Infamous is seriously making me reconsider the idea that more words = good. It's just... so... wordy... and I feel like I skipped like half of the last update.

I gave up on Infamous a while ago I really wanted to give it a chance but it feels more like the author wants to write an actual novel then an IF. Plus with I hate MC, and only MC, cause they exist around me Seven. I couldn't do it.

A story I was rereading again was The Fernweh Saga, and I was so utterly confused by it, I mean nothing really happened or did I miss something?

 

[Mjölna]

The Infamous author seems to be dipping more and more into the 'inserting thoughts into player's head' territory, which used to be a big no-no in IF writing. And I think it does indeed feel wordy because there is just so much rambling and angsting and brooding about how everything is so bad and horrible all the time. Not to mention the forced encounters, and the MC feels increasingly like a bumbling idiot as well.

I still like the story, but man does it have its set of problems.

 

[seneya]

It's very clear that he is the author's favourite and Serax is an afterthought

Funny cause I felt like Serax has much more of a personality than Valdricht does.
On the other hand, might be that because he's not the favorite, the author doesn't feel the need to make him into the perfect lover trope, so he gets to have an actual character.

'inserting thoughts into player's head' territory

It wouldn't have been so bad if no options existed that contradict the narrative.
There's an option to say you don't care about Seven. You'll still feel down because of Seven.
There's an option to not care about your family. You'll still be down because of your family.
idk if being accepting of or optimistic about your situation changes the narrative where the MC keeps angsting over the drama fame brings, but I wouldn't be surprised if not
It's like ACoAaF, where you can choose to be bitter and vengeful, but will flip to being all "" when the game wants you to anyway.
Either adjust the narrative, or don't give options that contradict it.

 

[Zoklitsos]

As a funny aside, thanks to all the people who complain about lazy writers here, I returned to writing today. Tnx guys, keep ranting

Lol same here, not only does this thread keep me kinda motivated, but also keeps me grounded in reality since I want to work on my own IF one day and I don't want to do any of the dumb **** a lot of authors and stories mentioned in this thread do

Infamous is seriously making me reconsider the idea that more words = good. It's just... so... wordy... and I feel like I skipped like half of the last update.

Omg, I'm so glad I finally found someone who shares the same opinion. I've expressed a similar sentiment in the Hosted Games subreddit a couple of times and I got absolutely crucified for it lmao. I'm pretty tired of the huge Infamous circlejerk in every single IF space except this one thankfully where opinions are more varied. I used to enjoy Infamous quite a lot since reality TV IFs are a huge guilty pleasure for me (RIP Body Count and Odessa Dating Games ) and I loved the concept of a reality IF being crossed with a music/band IF, but lately I've found my enjoyment of it dropping. When I heard news about the new chapter release, I didn't even feel excited anymore. Like, I'm still gonna read it at some point, I'm not gonna drop it quite yet since it's still entertaining enough (though with every chapter there's been more and more issues popping up for me), but with previous chapters I immediately ran to the demo, I was SEATED lol, now I just can't be that bothered tbh. I also can't be bothered to read the overload of POVs and side stories anymore even though they all get immediately leaked here lmao, there's just so many of them and a lot of them aren't even canon which is very meh to me.

Another thing I got crucified for in the Hosted Games subreddit is that I don't have much faith Infamous will be finished. I think people really need a reality check because while yeah, Amy does write a ton and quickly, a lot of that is side content. I mean if you look at the releases so far, she's averaged 1 chapter per year. Also, didn't she say last year after the release of the prev chapter that she hopes to get this new chapter out BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR?? Cue almost a year later and... she's only now releasing it. She wants the story to be 20 chapters... which means that unless she doubles her writing speed to at least 2 chapters per year (and that's the minimum), it will take literally 20 YEARS FOR THE GAME TO BE FINISHED Okay more like 15 since it's on chapter 5 or something now I think? But the point stands lmao.

My opinion of IF lengths in general has really made a 180, because just 2-3 years ago I used to think the more words it is, the better. But these days I just feel like there's such a thing as too many words and too much variation (another example of this is Wayfarer). Like if it was a team of people working on such massive games then yeah it would be feasible. But some of these authors are way too ambitious and the plans they have just are not realistic for a single person to do unless they wanna work on the same game for like 10 years lmao. Which I mean some of them will probably be happy to if they can keep milking patreon cash out of it but I digress Atp I just think it's better to have a shorter, but FINISHED IF where you make some compromises and cut some stuff, railroad the player if needed (which is inevitable anyway, no matter how much freedom you give the player) and reduce the amount of variation to a more reasonable degree, rather than having a massive, never-ending WIP with a ridiculous amount of variation that makes it virtually impossible to finish. Like it's still possible to make a good IF without it being a morbillion words long and having 57485748 variations for every single little thing....

The name Valdricht keeps reminding me of... Aldrich the Devourer (of Gods). Whelp. Great association for an RO.

Lmao you're not the only one, I'm a huge fan of FromSoftware's games and I made same association, it was all I could think about when playing the game