bloodboilswithoutwater

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Woah it’s amazing what having a desk does for your productivity and avoidance of carpal tunnel

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Concept Doodle

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thinking again about vampirism as disability

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I’m not super fond of the way vampires turn pale no matter their skin tone so here’s a proposal:

Colder tones!!!

This was loosely based off livor mortis which is the bluish-purple discoloration of the skin of dead bodies. It’s a result of the gravitation of blood but fuck that vamps are purple now

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Relationships in Scarlet Hollow

Have you ever wondered why every playthrough of Scarlet Hollow feels so different? It isn't *just* from branching off of major decisions. A lot of characters make use of a hidden 10-variable relationship system that maps to their perception of the protagonist.

These variables influence a *lot* of dialogue, as well as the sprites and emotional range of these characters in a given scene, and tracking this much information lets us take a very nuanced approach to PC/NPC relationships.

It's also why SH will probably never get voice acting.

So instead of just looking at someone likes or dislikes you, we can look at "trust" as its own value separate from surface-level likeability

ex: You and your cousin can be at each other's throats and still trust each other with your lives, or you can be cordial and share nothing with each other on an emotional level.

This system also dovetails into other parts of our narrative design, often unlocking different paths or scenes based on who someone is to you.

Your relationship with your cousin, for instance, has the possibility to unlock an entirely separate outcome in episode 3.

We go out of our way to not show off this system, even though it's a big part of our secret sauce, mostly because the whole point of it is to make our story and characters feel more alive and dynamic.

Having a meter to see that x statement gives you y openness points with Tabitha would ruin that immersion and gameify things to the detriment of the narrative.

When you're making decisions and choosing what to say in Scarlet Hollow, it shouldn't *feel* like a game, at least not in the sense of it being something you're playing on a meta-level. You should pick what feels right for you, and the game should respond accordingly.

Hiding the system has other benefits as well, including being able to *change how it functions* as time goes on without calling attention to those changes.

Values move A LOT (almost every dialogue choice) in episodes 1-3 as you make a first impression on characters, but by late episode 3/early episode 4, most of the characters in Scarlet Hollow have decided who they think you are, and it starts to take big, character defining moments to move that needle.

Just like in real life!

Anyways if this stuff interests you and you want a longer read on it, please take a look at this devlog!

Or if you haven't played the game, try episode 1 for free!

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would the ROs still love me even if I was a worm? 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🫴🫴🪱

Basilio would, Marcela might if you’re deep enough into your relationship, Carmen may not be so inclined.

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Hi!! I'm very interested in ur if bc vampire stories have always been a soft spot for me and urs seems very inchresting so far so I can't wait!!! Tho idk what to ask for since there's no demo yet no rush tho and also take care of urself since being sick in this economy is expensive 😭😭😭 make sure to always hydrate!!

I do have mb one question? But what are like the traits in the stats options ur planning on incorporating? Like is there gonna be self sacrificial stats or something??? (Since I always somehow end up w a very self sacrificing mc LMAO) so I was just curious and how would the stats affect the story

Happy that you’re inch rested, I love hearing from people! IF ALL GOES WELL (dangerous statement with a life like mine), the demo should actually be releasing within a month!

But anyways….

The basic personality stats are as follows:

Spontaneous vs. Strategic

(Do you make your best plans in the moment, or do you make them well beforehand?)

Emotive vs. Controlled

(Do you tend to show your emotions, or do you keep them out of sight?)

Straightforward vs. Subtle

(Do you say and do exactly what you mean, or do you get at what you want in roundabout ways?)

Confident vs. Insecure

(Do you have complete faith in yourself, or do you question your every step?)

Altruistic vs. Self-Preserving

(Do you give it all for everyone else, or do you keep yourself safe above all else?)

I’ve written this IF specifically so that none of the above stats make you inherently evil, so don’t worry about a MC with super high self preservation being treated like a villain by the narration! Maybe just some in-universe judgement based on circumstance.

For your self-sacrificing MCs though, I don’t think that’ll be a problem XD

As for how your personality affects the story, I have a big-ass spreadsheet for all the times it can change flavor text, give hidden dialogue, or change your relationships. These traits will affect moreso* the relationships side of the game, whereas the skills** will affect more alternate routes.

*moreso, but not exclusively

**see previous asks for more information

I have a slightly Scarlet Hollow-esque system. Changes to personality get smaller and smaller as the game progresses, so eventually you can have locked in or locked out traits, and there are some hidden stats based on what choices you make. Some are locked to specific relationships, affecting how that particular character sees you, but not anyone else.

Overall, my ethos is that you can be whoever you want and “win” however you see fit.

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Weather Update:

Sick! Send asks about whatever you want if you so desire, they will be answered within 0-3 business days, just remember that I won’t have a super solid answer on questions that vary a lot based on MC’s personality

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CIOCANA by T0M0pann

Their reputation precedes them; from the mutterings afloat in the afterlife to the tales written in books, their presence is like an omen. Amid a hall flooded with lights and color, they are a dark taint, a foreboding what is to come.

✧ DEMO 🌿 INTRO POST

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Experimenting with the idea of a soundtrack

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I'd say gold, purple/violet, red and silver (which in my mind's eye are brighter than gray while still being separate from outright white).

Wow these are extremely consistent answers

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tbh for the glowy anime eyes question gold is my go to color but I think for this if Blue eyes would make for a great contrast w the whole red theming u got going on

Love some horrific neon blue eyes

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RED, VIOLET (not purple there’s a difference 💀💯) AND GOLD

DIFFERENCE SOLEMNLY NOTED 🫡

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LUCIEL by T0M0pann

Their smile has that inexplicable power to transport you somewhere far away [...] A timeless, forgiving place that relieves you of all earthly burden, so sacred that pain ceases to exist. For a smile so unreservedly merciful, their eyes hold such coldness within.

✧ DEMO 🌿 INTRO POST

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If you had to choose a color for your glowing anime eyes moments, what color would it be?

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ONE OF MY PROFESSORS HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO TURN ON THE SPANISH KEYBOARD ON MY LAPTOP

GOD BLESS

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Reviews of the most recent scene from my lovely beta tester @snowthornes

I can’t stress enough to read the content warnings, people