Why is it taking so long? (2)
One of the main things that have been making ORS’ progress slower has been the need to plan things out. With GGGB this issue wasn’t too important: my approach to writing and making VN’s has always been pretty organic, and I don’t have a set plan or structure of how things need to progress, only a base idea and a rough guideline that keeps changing and mutating. This is also necessary with this business model, since I have to release chapters as fast as possible (I have been releasing monthly for the most part during these 4 years), so I can’t afford to go dark for six months or an entire year to really plan things out and take time into pre-production.
As I said, GGGB’s structure was pretty straightforward, but with ORS’ complexity things aren’t so easy. I find myself having to take breaks during writing to think ahead and structure the main plotlines, deciding where they’re going to lead, how they’ll develop and how to set them up in the current chapter. I’ve had to go back and re-write or retcon some stuff, or add some elements that felt like missed opportunities, sometimes even after the chapters are released. And new ideas keep popping up, separate pieces suddenly come together in a way I hadn’t seen before, and it makes just writing much more complicated. Sometimes I need to stop until I figure something out, and sometimes I just need time to think and plan, and this drags the monthly production of the script.
In the end, though, I feel like this part is of vital importance. Coming up with cool ideas that don’t feel too generic or shallow is what excites me to write, and I try to construct the game in a way that flows and feels balanced. I have to find space for these moments during production, which makes things a bit messy, since I can’t really afford to take time off just to plan and think, as I said before. But in the end I feel working this way is when I’m more creative and helps me keep pushing myself to work and release content, chapter after chapter.
I hope you’re willing to continue to be patient with me, in exchange I’ll do my best to make ORS as fun as I can!
Comments (23)
A joke! Ian is preparing for the tournament, so he cut his hair bald ! Wade patted Ian's head and laughed ! Then he explained that the skin on Ian's head was as smooth as Cindy's ass! Ian touched his head and agreed that Cindy's ass was just as smooth ! Wade immediately stopped laughing! Continued in chapter 8!
lol
Dear Author! I promise to be patient and wait for the game to continue! Because communication is as simple as with a friend! Because Lena is so damn attractive! In different ways, the game evokes feelings - tenderness, love, sympathy, pain, jealousy, and the question: how could it be done? Be healthy!
You nailed it: "the game evokes feelings - tenderness, love, sympathy, pain, jealousy," - not only hornyness or something alike. "Real" feelings similiar to those caused by reading a classic, good book. And not only for Lena - many characters come to life here.
Appreciate the hard work. Thank you for all you do.
I'm glad to know you're taking more time to plan things ahead. Your already fantastic game will only benefit of this. I really like to read your insights about creative process. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. <3
To be honest I feel you are pretty fast for the amount of work you do. So don't stress yourself out so much, as you are doing fine.
in my humble opinion, after this chapter drops I suggest you take a month to draft your entire branching story for 20 chapters that you want to write. Just plan ahead roughly about how you want to go each chapter. It's always good to have a plan before doing something like this huge undertaking. Everyone has a plan. Company, miitary, government has a roadmap for the next 5 -10 years at least. I think it can be applied here. Of course it does not have to sit in stone but I think it will help you immensely when doing the chapter next time. I don't think chapter planning one by one basis is good for the game this complicated like ORS anymore.
Don't think she really said she has no plan at all :) .
I had to become a patron just to write this comment lol The truth is, I'm a patreon of a couple more games and yours, word for word that I'll write is worth it for a lot. What I wanted to say is that: the truth is that I think it's great that you add things to chapters that have already come out, I don't mind playing ORS over and over again until I discover all the paths, it's just a lot of fun, I'm a pig in the mud. ;)
I always love to read reasons for something and especially details of your work. Thanks for sharing and also for avoiding spoilers :) . I would have thought that GoodGirlGoneBad would have been more complicated to plan though, because of the vast possibilities. In contrast, ORS seems to me more like a book with a more or less fixed main story and some slight variations to it. But maybe only I got an incomplete impression because I am only at my second playthrough (of the released half) and having chosen a rather decent path for the protagonists. As to your delay: Two souls are living in my chest - both of them were conquered by storm by GoodGirlGoneBad. But one of them, mostly controlled be the Id, greedily wants play through all of OurRedString just now, or, even better: yesterday. It wants to see everything, every path, every girl, every mindset of the protagonists and every ending. They both do agree in one more thing than enjoying your story: both of them fear the final ending! The Id is more unaware of it, unawarely rushing towards it by its greed, whereas the other one, mostly controlled by my super-ego, is avoiding the ending, hesitating to go forward. This second soul of mine knows that each release will bring the story closer to its ending. But it also knows that good things take time. It wants you to take all the time you need in order to make this game the best you can, perfect it. Even if it had to wait for years until the next chapter if this only means your game reaches it full, magnificient potential. So, am I willing to be patient with you? Yes! Go on and tourture me with waiting for the next chapters - I know it's worthwile! It it is also very kind of you to comfort my greedy heart a little with your soothing reason ;) .
Don't worry: if Eva keeps releasing chapters in roughly bi-monthly pace we will see The End screen in about two years as the game is going to have 20+ chapters. This is going to be a looooong ride. :)
"Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." The element of ORS that has impressed me most is the ambition implied by the scope of choice you've allowed the player in shaping the personalities, desires, careers, and personal relationships of, not just one, but two main characters. The first seven chapters have been truly impressive in how well you've consistently rewarded the player's choice with meaningful consequences and seemingly personalized narrative experiences. Given the number of variables you've introduced, it's unsurprising that it's become a struggle to manage the ever-expanding branching. I can only think of a couple AAA games that have even attempted to share narrative control with the player to the degree you're attempting here, and I wholeheartedly applaud you for it! ORS is a masterpiece in the making. Hearing that you're trying to apply a more deliberate approach to managing the storylines is great news as far as I'm concerned. Having a clearer idea of the end-states you want to offer and some of the key events and their dependencies along the way will help you deliver a better product with less stress in the end. Good planning enables rather than inhibits adaptation and improvisation. As a figure of speech, I'd say that I can't wait for Chapter 8, but that's not true. I can wait, and I'm really excited to experience the next installment whenever you're ready to share it. Thanks again for all you do with your game and this community.
Don't worry take your time is better go slow than fast.
For me, GGGB has been the pinnacle of fun games with great paths. I'm sure you will outdo yourself with ORS! Out of curiosity's sake, Our Red String? Where did that title come from? I mean Good Girl Gone Bad was pretty self-explanatory.
As I remember, it is explained in the game (or trailer?): The Main Characters are Ian and Lena and their "red strings" (the main thread of their stories) may be interwoven (or not) by the player. I think, the title is playing very nicely with this anology, making their two strings into a single shared one.
The maturity of the writing, and the depth of choice in ORS is completely unparalleled. It's definitely worth the wait!
Rewriting early material is perfectly fine, and could even be done more often. Releasing a game piecemeal, and having each part more or less set in stone as soon as it's released, is somewhat unusual. Scripts often goes through several revisions and rewrites, so I see this as a kind of early access or pre-release version.
Keep up the good work!
You're still faster than many. There's also far too many on here who end up abandoning their game and we know that will never happen with you. You're also near the top in quality.
There is few people as diligent in their communication and output as you are, Eva. If it takes longer, it's really no big deal. Also, don't forget yourself over your work. This is a lot of pressure. ❤️
Just wanted to say, I think your doing amazing, keep up the great work!! <3
I had a suspicion this was coming up. Regardless of skill, ambition or work-behaviour you can't expect to wing it forever. I'm sure anyone who follows you understands that this project is bigger and better and therefore requires more time to consolidate. Best of luck and remember to keep yourself in mind too, your work will suffer if you do too.