Intro

In a sea of constant change, does a ship remain true, when every plank replaced, and every sail anew?

[DEMO TBA]

we all know the ship of theseus' dilemma. Is it the same ship?

is it not the same ship?

what you know is that it's yours.

every morning after a full moon, you wake to witness a part of it replaced.

you're the captain of this cursed ship, you and your crew bound to it like day and night are to each other. despite the curse, you've known a life full of adventure and travels, exploring and seizing the waters. all this, you know.

until you don't.

this morning, no member of your crew can find the object that's been replaced.

what happens when for the first time since this curse has been set, not an object has been replaced, but a person–or a part of them– has?

you wake in a captain's cabin. are you the same captain?

are you not the same captain?

you know nothing.

Innovative Relationship Stats in Interactive Fiction

This is the write up I've been most excited to do--this is one of my favorite things in interactive game design--doing cool stuff with stats. I really, *really* wish someone had told me this stuff when I was starting out.

The most ordinary way to handle a relationship stat is to track it with a number that goes up and down according to choices and tests in some predictable fashion.  So, for example, if I do something that Gilberto likes, according to some reasonable option, like “support Gilberto in the argument,” I get:

*set rep_gilberto %+10

And this makes sense to everyone.  I gave Gilberto a gift, I get reputation points with him.  I showed that I’m good at swordfighting, this impresses him, and I get a higher number.

Similarly, if I insult him, if I’m nice to his enemy, if I do something stupid in front of him, I get

*set rep_gilberto %-10

For my first game, this is the only kind of relationship stat I used.  It was the only one I knew!

So the relationships were very simple to track and very simple to test.  If, by the end of the game, Prenzie likes me 72 much, and that’s over the romance tester of >= 65, congratulations, Prenzie and you can have a happy ending together.

You can write a totally fun game never using anything weirder than that.  But I thought it would be fun to share with you some other interesting ways to conceive of relationship stats.

A character who only goes to 0 or 100. That's it. Her relationship stat with you is essentially a boolean true/false. You can do everything for her, but the second you do something she doesn't like, it's down to 0. She loves you or she hates you. This is very character defining. The number tells you everything you need to know about the character.

That same character, who only goes to 0 or 100--except that you can do something over the course of the game to change them, to allow them to have a broader range of relationship numbers. Suddenly there can be shades of relationship. You did something to help them mature, to understand people better.

A hidden relationship number. If you look at the stat screen, whatever you do, nothing will change their number. They neither like you nor dislike you. They are professional, perhaps, and nothing more. However, you can do something to break down their shield or facade, and then, you can see the number moving; or perhaps the number doesn't move at all until that shield is broken.

The above, but in reverse. Something happens to chill someone's heart, and then nothing you do can affect the number. Or perhaps it can only go down, and then you are in a constant battle of attrition where you can only lose affection from someone.

When you reach a certain level of love and trust from someone, the bottom of the scale raises permanently. No matter how much I annoy my true love, the number just bottoms out at 40.

A relationship number that can be tapped as a resource. The bartender at the Noble Gases Club likes me reasonably well. Let's say she likes me 60 out of 100 much. When I need something in an emergency, she can do astonishing things. If I have over 35 relationship with her, she'll help me. Each time I use her, it depletes her by some amount depending on how big a favor it is. So this one is interesting, because now I have to balance whether I want to keep her liking me because I want to pursue this relationship, or whether I just really need her help right now.

A relationship number that can be a catch-all variable for a test. If you have a high relationship with Toppers, the club millionaire, I can throw that in as a variable in a test to see if you can impress someone by talking about high finance on the grounds that you may have had a conversation with Toppers about her money in the past. (*if intellect + toppers >= 50) Then, if you pass the test *because* the Toppers variable made you cross the threshold, you can add flavor text talking about that conversation with her. This is very, very good, because it tells the player that the game has taken into account your having done things to get close to Toppers (and there's a reward for it--you passed the test, sure, but...here's more content, too!)

A degrading relationship stat is incredibly powerful and characterful. This stat declines, scene by scene unless you do something to raise it. This is a "what have you done for me lately" person, and even though it take a little setting up, code-wise, it's really powerful, and your player will feel smart for figuring out that's what's going on. Also, it's stressful. If you want to create that stress, this a great way.

You can, of course, do the opposite--this is how you code your biggest fan. I like you, and I just keep liking you more and more and more and more!...until you do something to halt that, at which point, the growth shuts down, which is a gut punch. The numbers tell such a story here.

Finally, numbers that seem to tell a different story than the narrative. Players are going to look at numbers; they are going to look at the stats. Not everyone, but a lot. And so they are part of the story, they just are. So you can make them part of the push-pull of romance, for example, or rivalry. What does it mean that as my relationship number with Haze goes up, they are more and more standoffish? Does their scale mean something different from other people's, and if I figure out out, will I understand them in some sense? Perhaps there's a tremendous amount of pushback in the 60-75 range, but once you get through that minefield, something changes?

More musings on game design and other Jolly Good stuff here (I just wrote up a thing on "hidden relationship stats and their use")--I'm on a relationship stats kick today, I suppose:

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The Noble Gases, est. DCIVMCD

The Heart of the Heir

DEMO // CHARACTER INTROS // BLOG INFO

status: currently writing & coding

To the Members of the Ton,

It is so nice to be able to come to you for another social season. I can already hear the air buzzing with anticipation on the new couples and the everlasting ties that they will bring to our strong community. People are already parading around like gallivant horses to impress the masses as well as the royal family. It is truly a sight to behold. However this year, my fellow Ton, the tides have changed. This year, instead of the members of high society fighting out in the field for love and marriage opportunities, the King and Queen are announcing their child, the new heir to the throne, to be the one whose hand is up for marriage.

This comes as a bittersweet surprise. After the recent and devastating passing of the King and Queen's first child, the high society’s dazzling Emerald, it would have seemed that the line to the Crown was at stake. To lose a precious jewel is a true defeat. But with every wondrous heir, there will be a spare to fill in the shoes of our perfect Crowned Royal. Our Emerald’s younger sibling will finally have a place to shine in the Sun.

This is a change that no one expected. The Royal Family doesn’t deal with the social season to this caliber. Instead of watching from the sidelines, they will be front and center. It will be interesting to watch and see if our new heir is the right pick for the Crown and the high society that we have all built. Will this new heir be our diamond in the rough or will this be an example of a stone with none of the shimmer and shine that is needed to sit in the throne?

Throughout the season, there will be thoughts and gossip to gather, and I will be your humble servant in the collection and distribution of any and all information I can get. My darling members of the Ton, everything I know, you will know. That’s a promise. Enjoy this season, and to the heir, remember to shine like the gemstones of the past, or you will sink like a pebble in the Thames.

Until we meet again,

The Royal Record Holder

Inspired by Bridgerton and The Pride and Prejudice, the interactive story The Heart of the Heir, is a historical romance that takes place in the Regency Era. You, a young royal and the second and younger child of the King and Queen, unexpectedly become the next in line for the throne when your older sibling passes away. Without the knowledge your elder sibling has gotten, you are trusted into the world of high society and must navigate through the social season. Besides the expectations of being a future ruler, you are expected to find a suitor by the end of the season to lead by your side. You, the heir, must balance the future responsibilities of your nation while staying true to your heart. Will you be what the kingdom expects of you or will you lead by example and break away from tradition that was planned for you?

The Heart of the Heir is an +18 interactive fiction that includes topics of death and grief, substance use (drugs and alcohol), and skippable sexually explicit scenes. This is a romance book, romance will be the focal point. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you have been warned!

A customizable main character including gender, pronouns, sexuality, physical appearance, a skill fit for a royal, your sibling’s gender, family dynamics, and basic morals for your character to start on.

Decide on what type of ruler you want to be: do you lead with compassion and the knowledge that your kingdom comes first? Do you march to the beat of your own drum? Do you wish that you didn’t want the responsibility of the crown?

Navigate the tight community that comes with the Ton. Don’t lose yourself in the hushed secrets that hide behind cups of tea, the art of conversing via fan, and the walk around the lake.

Get courted by one of the four romance options: your royal match, your childhood best friend, the mysterious newcomer, or the lover who lost it all?

Romance Options:

The Royal (Duke/Duchess Edward/Edwina Drake of Exeter): In the eyes of your parents and the Ton, they are the picture perfect suitor for your hand. E was born and bred to be a royal, your partner. Extremely smart, poise, dedicated to their country, E fits the bill and still has amazing qualities. They’re perfect through the rose tinted glasses. But just like you, they have baggage. The expectations to be the best and to prove themselves worthy of their title and their name. The phrase heavy is the head that wears the crown rings true for both of you. The level of perfection that weighs on both of you, could break and destroy the hardest of stones, and to leave them in a disarray. But if you both were there to burden the stress and build each other up, it wouldn’t be all that bad. If you two crumble, at least it will be together.

Trope: Marriage by Convenience.

The Widow (Victor/Violet Clarke): The one that lost a love too. Planned to marry your older sibling, you’ve always seen V as someone respectable and honest. You’ve watched how their and your sibling’s love has blossomed and how their mutual love and understanding for each other stood rival to only your parents. So when someone you both loved died, pieces of your sibling, and their love, died with them. No one can understand the loss like you do. To lose your best friend, your sibling, or your better half, your lover is a level of pain no one should endure. Navigating the hardships of death and grief can be a lonely time, but thankfully you have each other. A budding companionship is on the horizon, or is there a tie of romance that bounds these two mourning souls?

Trope: Second Chance at Love.

The Knight (Helena/Henry Barnes): From birth, it always seemed like you and H were destined to be with each other in some way. H’s father served under yours, and now H serves under you as your right hand, protector and best friend. They’re the most active person in your life, besides your parents. H has always been supportive and protective of you, both as a requirement to the Crown and because no one knows them the way you know them. H knows your next move, your witty comments, and all the minute details even your parents couldn’t pick up. When you look at them, you see yourself in someone like you: dedicated to the role they were given. When they look at you, there’s a great level of fondness, respect and admiration. But is that all, or is there something deeper behind the gazes they give you?

Trope: Childhood Friends to Lovers.

The Outsider (Sayyid/Safiya): A sponsorship. Since the Viscount and Viscountess Beaumont have no heirs to their name, they decided to send word to an old friend to sponsor for the season. As the new arrival to the Ton, S made a name for themselves as the new and allusive candidate for your hand in marriage. The only issue is, you don’t like S. They don’t follow the customs you’re used to, and have no need to fit in. Their forward thinking and bold personality clashes with you, and you’d be damned to have someone mess up your new reputation. S always itches at your patience, and seems to get a rise out of you. It’s infuriating, annoying. They’re like a gnat. Then why do they challenge you to the point where they swarm your mind? Is the level of combativeness something you seek? Is this what you want?

Trope: One-sided Enemies/Rivals to Lovers.

A Moon so Cruel - Upcoming IF

DEMO - Last updated on September 11th, 2023 Prologue + 1/3 of Chapter 1

A Moon so Cruel is a 17+ slice-of-life, paranormal mystery (with optional romance) interactive fiction book written in Twine- where you, a college student, suddenly find yourself with a spirit attached to your side.

This game is still in early stages of development, and will undergo significant changes as I develop my own writing and new ideas come to mind.

It was meant to be an ordinary college party. Dozens of kids drink until they puke their guts out, couples grinding on the dance floor, and the only smell in the air is that of drugs. Your intention was a brief two-hour stay, merely for a couple of drinks before finding a ride back to your apartment. You stuck to the plan, making sure to never go above your alcohol tolerance.

However, everything took a dramatic turn when the lights began to flicker, and the ground started trembling. Suddenly, every step you took felt as though you were walking through a torrent of frigid air.

Now, you find yourself compelled to confront the hand fate has dealt you. You must seek innovative solutions to strange challenges, all while grappling with the demands of a hectic college life.

Unless...

Completely customize your MC, in appearance, majors, beliefs, and more!

Adhere to college life! Go to parties, work after school,

Form platonic and (optional) romantic relationships with the cast of characters! All of who will react differently according to what you say, do and believe in.

Tons of flavor texts, and some things you won’t notice change until a second time around.

Learn how to deal with the trials and tribulations of having a ghost be stuck to you like glue, a ghost of that was born in a completely different generation.

Solve the mystery of a lifetime, and maybe even help a simple spirit move on.

Interludes in-between chapters to give you and MC a break from all the havoc *Please note that the MC is semi-set in the form that they will care about their studies regardless of what you say and headcanon. It can be some care or a lot of care, but they are in college for a reason!

THE GHOST: Felix/Edith Mongrove

The spirit that seems to be haunting you. They told you they weren’t here to harm you, that they had a deep sense of empathy and kindness. You’ve yet to test it out.

You can only assume they’re above 6’0, they don’t walk around like normal humans - The Ghost likes to float instead. They’re stuck in a grey hue, the only identifying features being hair that falls to their shoulders and the out-of-fashion academic style.

THE JOCK: Max/Laurie Tanner

Someone you see occasionally throughout your school, surprisingly, you tend to have a portion of your classes with them. However, they’re always on the move- whether it be physically with sports or mentally with fast paces in the library. Their vitality is contagious, and they often try to drag others in their ideas with a strong self-assurance. The Jock likes to take charge but put a little spin on the dramatics, often making a 5-minute-long presentation to last 15 minutes.

Max and Laurie both stand at 5’7, one of the smallest jocks around campus. They both have pink buzzcuts, originally taking it as a dare freshman year of college- which ended up being their main hair color. Freckles adorn their skin, but usually covered up by streetwear attire.

THE GUITARIST: Kade/Jade Salvatore

The person who rings up your weekly coffee order, and also plays as a guitarist for the local band in the background. They’re a challenging one, that is. They thrive on pushing boundaries and questioning the status quo, fear rarely holds them back. The Guitarist is known to chart their own course, often using their sheltered independence as a way to fuel their creative pursuits. Oh, and they also have a wicked motorcycle.

Kade stands at a good 6’4 with brown eyes and long eyelashes. Jade is tall for a woman, exactly 5’8 on the dot. They both have a long, shaggy mullet that fades from blonde to black- it pops out against their olive complexion and Italian heritage. The Guitarist is often seen wearing a style that mixes between y2k and grunge.

OMWAT Official Prologue

It's Time. It's Here. (I'm scared)

The time has come at last. I am super excited to finally post a bit of what I have been working on with everyone, I had a lot of fun coding and writing this, even if it's a little short.

I'm still going to be adding and fixing things as we go, Act 2 is already mostly written, so once I am done editing it, I will get to coding.

But I am taking this weekend off however, I sorta crunched to code this ASAP and besides, I really want to see how you all react to OMWAT's beginning.

I will be keeping an eagle's eye on my inbox so PLEASE let me know what you think; give me feedback, criticism, suggestions, all of it.

I hope this helps piques your interest and that you all stick around for OMWAT's development with me!

Link to the Prologue: Dashingdon: Link

Winter wolf howls by Wolf Conservation Center

Today's bird is: Willow Ptarmigan

Footage of a black fallow deer recently seen in Baryczy Valley, Poland.

(source)