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Survey #1 Results!
🕑 Added 2016-06-15 02:10:47 +0000 UTC Hey guys!I figured I'd show off the results from the survey I posted earlier this month along with our interpretation of the data.
The results are highly favorable overall, and show that a lot of issues people had with the early versions have pretty much been taken care of. We received a total of nearly 500 responses (before I pulled the results down), and since it was only available to patrons I think this is a great amount of feedback that pretty well covers the patron fan base. I'll go ahead and present my thoughts on the results question by question, along with some of my reasoning for asking the question in the first place.
Question 1:
http://i.imgur.com/0sIVM8i.jpg
What's Question #1 tell us?
This question was asked to get a grasp on where you, the audience, was coming from. I wanted to know if the people giving feedback were more or less likely to have a knowledge of modern games outside the H genere or if their experience was more isolated to adult games. Obviously, you do! Except for dat one guy.
Question 2: http://i.imgur.com/4DGtNm2.jpg
What's Question #2 tell us?
This adds some more detail to the last question. This question tells me that while a majority of the patrons played and enjoyed some of the classics that this game is based on, a pretty surprising percentage did not. While it doesn't isolate a whole lot, it does suggest that some of the retro gameplay concepts that made the above games super charming (and nostalgic for many of us) could be entirely new to a significant number of the patrons. Not all of these concepts aged well, and it's possible that people who enjoyed these retro titles will find them more appealing than others.
Question 3: http://i.imgur.com/53f6U0s.jpg
What's Question #3 tell us?
This was mainly out of curiosity. We plan on supporting these equally and making adjustments for each to make them fun. The results however are significantly different than we had guessed. We all figured a lot more people would use 'No Wait'.
Question 4: http://i.imgur.com/8mCh2SO.jpg
What's Question #4 tell us?
This suggests to me that we've zeroed on in a pretty solid sweet spot for difficulty. Granted, it's definitely going to sway back and forth as development progresses, but now we have an idea of what it should feel like. I'm not particularly concerned with the absolute difficulty as much as "is difficulty or a lack of difficulty settings hindering the player's experience?" I feel that's true for those who answered 'Too Easy' or 'Too Difficult'. You'll see however there's a question below that I think could remedy the rather high % of 'Too Difficult' responses. Note that just because of this favorable response it doesn't mean we won't consider adding more difficulty related options in the future.
Question 5: http://i.imgur.com/7EdPTd2.jpg
What's Question #5 tell us?
This is probably the most significant question of the survey for us, as it says what I suspected but wanted some confirmation on. I'd prefer for the teal color to be a lot bigger and the green and yellow to go away. That said, it's tough to isolate a reason for this right now, and it's definitely too soon to jump to conclusions about the overall design of the battle system (which I think that some players may be inclined to do). The good thing is, I believe there are a lot of ways that this can be remedied, and probably through relatively small changes. I'd really like to hear your input on this one! Just remember to consider small changes before big ones.
Question 6: http://i.imgur.com/qo1ZAKW.jpg
What's Question #6 tell us?
I'm pretty happy with this result. I'm personally in the green category, as I more than anyone would like to be able to push more content out faster. In fact, we will have to. Of course, this is simply a limitation of resources. It's a bit of a catch 22 in that the faster we put out releases, the more members we can add to the team. On the flip side, we need the members to quickly push out enough content to keep patrons satisfied. A secondary issue is that we simply need leads for talented developers, and a lot of quality developers aren't going to want to work on hardcore adult material for the amount of money we can pay them (just a reminder that we are working for way less than a developer at any normal game studio would). AltairPL and I work anywhere from probably 10-19 hours a day 7 days a week, and are both very motivated, so hopefully the addition of TK as a full time member will be the first step to improving development speed (it's going great so far by the way). We also have a lot of areas (specifically with art) where workflow optimization can still happen, and TK is already proving to be a second set of eyes that can critique my workflow and offer better solutions. There'a also the factor where as engine development finishes, it will free up time for more content related work for both of us (AltairPL will likely shift to spending more time adding events for the game, and I can concentrate more on art). Granted, we still have some distance to go on that front.
On the topic of adding team members, I think the next position we need filled is something I'll call a "community manager". At this point, I probably spend as much time handling community stuff and invoices / sending out rewards / etc. as I do on development, and that will likely only increase as we get more interest in the game. If you're motivated, trustworthy, have better social skills than a potato, hate your 9 to 5, are more interested in the project than in making bank right now, and want to have the opportunity to get in with what I think could eventually evolve into a successful adult game studio, let me know :D.
Question 7: http://i.imgur.com/W6ppqTQ.jpg
What's Question #7 tell us?
So, this wasn't quite what I expected. I guess what it does say is that I was aware of what the community was interested in, and even though the largest chunk is happy with the direction we've taken in V0.03 and V0.04 with regard to adding rounded out content, it's still pretty divided.
The main reason I asked this question was to get validation for what I want to add for V0.05. Really, it's more of what *we can* add, and I'm just seeking your approval. AltairPL is knees deep in taking apart the map layer of the engine for the overhaul, which is naturally going to mean some work just to get back to where we were at once he's finished. To add to that, TK is hot on the trail of a great idea to revamp our map making process. He's basically started work on a 3D map editor in Maya, which we will then use to render out all maps similar to how the sideview maps are currently being done. There are a ton of theoretical benefits that I won't go into here (good topic for another post... with visuals), but the point is that I don't think it's a great idea to add new environments right now when they will likely just have to be overhauled soon. In addition, we really need to choose objectives so that I don't have to bug AltairPL while he works on the map engine overhaul. This of course goes against the (small) majority vote here, but my proposal is that the main objectives for the V0.05 development cycle be the following (in no particular order):
1. Map engine overhaul. Primary objective, no questions, this one has to be done sooner rather than later to minimize the work we have to redo later. Not only will it improve performance, it will make the process of making maps and events significantly faster.
2. Add Neon's second outfit and as much related artwork (and combat H stuff) as possible.
3. Cloud integration for development tools/assets and major software upgrades. As of today this is actually about wrapped up, as it is has been my major task for the past few weeks now.
4. Bring TK up to speed on as much as possible, and in doing so consider and implement as many workflow optimization solutions as possible.
5. Follow through with TK's new map editor idea.
6. Pull out the major puzzle area from V0.04 and replace it with more straightforward exploration. I'd potentially like to use this as an opportunity to create the replacement overhead maps using TK's new map editor system, assuming we get that far.
7. Add at least one new story H scene.
8. Anything else we can cram in that doesn't interfere with the map overhaul or create related work that we will need to redo later.
Let me know what you think!
Question 8: http://i.imgur.com/JUGPGiL.jpg
What's Question #8 tell us?
While not critical, the number of 'Too Slow' responses is pretty high in my opinion. I'd like to find a solution for this that doesn't make characters look like they are cheetahs with respect to the environment scale. I personally think a small speed increase could be acceptable, but unfortunately RPG Maker only allows for really significant changes in speed, meaning it'd have to be customized.
Question 9: http://i.imgur.com/jm0vhnr.jpg
What's Question #9 tell us?
This tells me that, pretty overwhelmingly, the issues patrons had with combat speed in the early versions of MATM are a thing of the past. For those that think it's too slow, I have a couple ideas. I think a portion of the significant % that think it is too fast may not have known about the Battle Time Mode option settings (see the next question).
Question 10: http://i.imgur.com/1qwTc49.jpg
What's Question #10 tell us?
The number of patrons that didn't know about this was surprising to us. We also think it could be a reason for the 15% of responders to Q9 that think combat is too fast, as well as the 11% of responders to Q3 that feel combat is too difficult. Perhaps this merits a tutorial message in future versions!
What's Question #11 tell us?
As for Question 11 (which asked if you had any further comments), about a third of responders left comments! There were a lot of great ideas, and a few requests kept appearing over and over. The most popular three are listed below, with some feedback.
1. Animated H scenes. This is something I'd love to do, and it's possible that we could do this for some special events, but there would be a whole mess of obstacles to overcome to manage it successfully in combat (not to mention we'd need more artists).
2. Group H content in battle.
We have plans for this!
3. An H scene gallery (or alternative). This is also something we plan on doing, though we don't have details solidified yet.
Sorry for the novel, but hopefully this sparks some discussion! I'll post again soon with a progress update!
- Eromancer
Comments
Nevermore
Just played through what has been done so far and it's really good. I'm looking forward to what comes next!
Jamie C.
I love that idea Martin story related would be amazing.
Martin
When you do decide to free Neon's boobs, will it be as simple and non-dramatic as simply equipping a new frame in the ARIS (*Poof*, insta-boobs just because), or will it actually be story/quest related?
We actually plan on making the 'Manual' Struggle mode option available for 'Wait' battle time modes now that we've improved the time mechanics for these modes.
Alex
I have voted "Often enough" at question 5 but it was a tie with "not very often". I don't see much H content when I don't go looking for it and I like it that way. I hate being disabled by H attacks and the current escape skills are underwhelming. They are either too weak to break free (by yourself) or very expensive in energy. If you plan on increasing the number of H attacks please make them not disable our heroines completely or make the anti-H skills more potent/add more anti-H skills that work best against different attacks (rock paper sissors?).
Two Threenine
I would love to use the wait for commands option, but the auto struggle can struggle it's way out of a wet paper bag. Just saying.
Jamie C.
Though while we are on this track, a thought appeared in my brain might be possible is after battle status effects. Right now as it plays the H-scenes with the critters seems a little pointless. Though nice to see it feels a little empty it would be nice if there were debuffs and advantages like damaged armors means more dps but lowers damage resistance. But possibly visible damage like cuts and knicks on the character cause those reaper claws look sharp pointy and very painful. Or even like possible visual effects like bloating cause those reapers are like bismarck doughnuts and gots loads of gooey jelly they inject into the character. lol sorry. Idk I guess that may be pointless. lastly a rare item that reduces lust like adrenaline but much rarer still forcing you to use the ARIS unit but at least lowers lust but not repair the armor that would make no sense.
Void Abyss
Grrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaat!!!
Darthjake
3 cheers from the team, they are probably harder on themselves about content the we could ever bee, and that goes for most creators of whatever type. Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah!
Big To
This is why I'm glad they released that survey. You can't gauge people's opinions based on complaints, since most people that are happy with the way things are usually have nothing to say about it.
Jamie C.
Wow I didnt expect that so many wanted a balanced out content and more H-scene stuff. From all the posts on here I read I thought there would only be a small section including my self that wanted more story, balanced with the H-scenes. Knowing that you guys are hard at work no doubt you guys are balancing having more H scenes but also with more story. Kinda impressive, This is a really fun game, its just shocking that like my self people wanted story with it as well I have seen a few H games that its all about H-content and virtually no story, but you guys have really balanced that in my opinion. It was like my nagging of having neon escape the flesh father that was by far the happiest day for me I litterally was like oh gosh this game is going to be like final fantasy 7 but with adult stuff like game of thrones, pardon me on this but boobies with a intresting story = hell yea! As for content release I am definetly ok with slower releases if it mean more fleshed out content as you guys have shown. Thanks again for posting this up :D
Thank you for the survey and giving us the results. It was interesting seeing how all the questions fell. Keep up the excellent work!
blahblah69123
Just wanted to say I appreciate the response to the survey. I don't usually fill em out since I rarely see a response, but I'm glad I did this time. You guys rock, glad to be a part of this endeavor!
My biggest problem with the game right now is that it's too easy to avoid getting raped in combat and getting raped is too bad when it happens. Getting raped is very close to dying for 2/3 of the enemies that can do it, you can't escape at full lust, and stopping lust gain is almost as easy as stopping the rapes themselves. I think more enemies should follow the model of the bug thing, where its rape just stuns you, instead of the instant kill of the leeches on Malise or the pods.
Dashiell
Lol I'd love to drop real life job to become full time lewd but all my past experiences with leadership in guilds went quite the same by setting puppet leader with good talk or just pr person that would pass my word to people outside of guild because my person gethers as much likes as dislikes due to my constant forum posting where I don't agree with everything I'm fed with which would hurt guild in process which I couldn't allow to so I'm not right person to let handle community stuff. Too bad. #freeneonsboobs
Cereliona
Really glad to see the results of the poll, also hammers down the fact that the majority are loving the work that the two of you have done. Some tweaks could definitely be made to make the remainders happier, but even those who have had some issues with certain aspects of the game do seem to like it as a whole, based on the assorted comments in the past (puzzle notwithstanding). So, without further ado, keep up the good work, guys. We're all hyped up to see what else you can come up with!
Greent
Holy crap I love you guys. Brilliant to have this poll, brilliant questions, brilliant analysis. And brilliant results! You nailed it, you can take a fist-pump lap. But not for too long, v0.5!
