I want to finish first a playable version before doing the actual post. This is just for asking suggestions 
Village of Gluttony
(placeholder title, didn’t check if it is already taken by someone)
Hello, it’s been some months that I have been away from the forum. I had another thread active for a game I was making but I had to put that on indefinite hiatus (again 
).
I recently started again with a new visual novel.
Unfortunately, my brain is incapable of putting an end to my ideas when I “work” on a project, so the original idea that basically was two cute elves get fat has become a lot more complex story. Now, I am working on it entirely for fun. I would have done even without posting anything online because all I do is very amateurish. Ultimately I lack the knowledge or the process to refine a “real game”. So I wanted to wait to complete a first playable version before doing the actual post.
Now, I really hope to finish this playable build in a few days containing only the first day of the story which will approximately be 1-2 hour of gameplay.
Synopsis idea: a group of adventurers find themselves forced to pass the night in a remote village where a sort of “fat cult” (I won’t spoil more) is apparently going on. Who knows what will happen
That was it for this post basically, I just wanted to share what I was doing even if I don’t actually manage to succeed in all I’m planning.
My idea is to put this on Itch.io as soon as I finish a first playable chapter to purchase for “a small price” but I’m worried that people aren’t really going to try it or that the game quality which is “low” (let’s be honest) is not enough to justify a purchase. It would be a one-time purchase with all the updates free. Unfortunately, the amount of time requested (for me at least) to make something decent is too much not to ask for a small payment. I have already made this little short game for free and you could use it as a comparison for the quality (Fattening Roommates: Wish Principle by eisenwg).
Other things are:
- I use AI for sprites and they are far from perfect, just amateurish if not messy
- android support
- there are a few CGs but mostly long dialogues which I hope at least well written
- branching narrative, choices
- music, sounds
Thanks for reading, I just thought to leave this here to see if someone is interested.
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The project seems sound, there should be no reason not to post it on itch. There have been many games that I have seen not fully fleshed out and have gone on to be some of the most interesting bits of fiction. Plus as long as you plan on doing updates you should not feel bad asking for a one time payment on itch.
If the final version uses AI art, then no, it shouldn’t be a paid release. Asking people to pay money for your product implies a level of professionalism which goes out the window the second you use generative AI. Please consider hiring an artist if you plan to sell your game.
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It’s your game and it’s your work that you put into it, if you want more people to play your game then don’t put up a pay wall or at a later time put up a free version. You gave your time to make your game and you don’t need to give us your time for free. Charge what you need to, learn from the release and make changes as needed.
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i agree with this was actually going to say that till i read the comments
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Well, when we create stuff such as a game, a VN , a mod, etc. we should get paid for it, it took us time and effort and should be compensated. That’s something my relatives and bosses would often tell me. However, it should also have in consideration the factors and the quality they have.
Don’t think that people wouldn’t pay for your VN, because i’ve seen people releasing games and VNs with way less effort and quality and people buy those games regardless of it because we know why. The things is "do you think the price for your game equals to your effort spent on it and is of a good quality?. “Is the price justifiable for what it has and contains?”. If you ask me, not even being in a complete state (that is, not being a full game), and having A.I art heavliy reduces it’s worth. Don’t take it as a “bad take”, i’m not really against A.I. But , to put it very bluntly , i wouldn’t consider it worhy of paid release.
I really don’t want to sound mean. I understand how hard it is to create and produce something. Even one of my friends is struggling to make their game right now and we always want some recognition for our effort and work in many forms , such as money. But we have to be honest and mindful of what we do. That’s the reason of why anything i’ve been doing is free, because i don’t believe they are worthy.
Sorry if i offended you. This was my honest opinion of it.
I agree with the above comments, but on top of that, if you want to put in for a paid game, its better to put out other games first, get your name out there, then as you gain a following, consider a large project that warrants a paid release
Just to add on to the AI talk
AI is not ethical to charge money for, because it is an amalgamation of artist’s work who haven’t consented to their work being used for AI. I say this as an artist.
I don’t care if people use it for games like this but on principle I wouldn’t pay someone to use inherently stolen artwork.
(Not a dig or anything, but you asked. Doesn’t mean I think any less of you or the game itself)
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if the final release uses ai then no. ai uses stolen assets to train whatever model it uses. also anyone can type prompts so you’re basically charging people for something that is already free.
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