V3C1 Part1

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TN: As you may have seen from the previous release, my wifi adapter on laptop died on me so I had to send it for warranty. Asus warranty took a long time (Though understandable with the situation) I'll have to rush through 2 chapters this weekend to make up for lost time so here's a small snippet of chapter 1 to tide you folks over. Will do a lot of releases from sat-sunday so wait for that ^^.

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It’s a Saturday, on the 16th of December.

It’s a weekend morning where the campus is on the verge of starting winter break, and everyone from Sharehouse Kitayama is gathered in the living room.

As for what it's’ for, I had told the two girls beforehand the story from Tsurayuki, but I hadn’t told them the important part yet.

Shinoaki -- Nanako --- and Tsurayuki.

The 3/4th’s of the people occupying the kotatsu are looking at me.

As I respectively looked at each of them, I began to talk.

“I was thinking that we should all make a Doujin Game together.”

Despite boldly declaring out my plans, everyone was slow on the uptake.

“Uhmm…..a Doujin Game was it?  What’s that?.”

It looks like I need to start explaining from there.

“It’s not “commercially sold” in the truest sense of the word, but rather sold as indie-made games that are sold at events like ComiMa…….or something like that, right, Kyouya?”

-Tsurayuki explains. 

From the way he says it though, his knowledge on the subject seems to only reach that far.

“Yeah, you’re right to think of it that way.”

“Ah~ So games also have that sort of thing. I’ve heard of indie stuff coming from the music industry though.”

Nanako said in amazement.

“So games ain’t just ‘bout playing ‘em~. I wasn’t aware ya’ could make it too.”

It looks like Shinoaki also hasn’t had a chance to experience making it herself.

“I totally get that. Can we really make one? I even only found out about it just now.”

“True. I don’t have a clue how to make one either.”

It seems like Tsurayuki and Nanako feel the same way.

“I’ve got it covered so don’t worry about it. You can rest easy on that end.”

But, the extent of whether I can do back-up on everything is exactly where the point lies.

Honestly speaking, I had a lot more confidence when we did the 1st movie.

“When we talk of games, there are action type games like Super Maruo to name one, and there’s RPGs like Dorogon Kuwesto, but that’s not what we’ll be aiming to make for this time.”

Keiko-san is a top of the line programmer, but having said that, if we end up working intricately crafted games with complex systems, it would be a difficult production task.

“What kind of game’ll we make then?”

And the answer to Shinoaki’s question is--

“--There’s a genre of games called Visual Novels.”

Visual Novels are a breed of games that appeared in the latter half of the 90’s, and since then, have become a massive hit thanks in part to the clear game mechanics, and easy to use production tools.

It can be said to be the most optimal solution for times like this, where you want to show the strength of illustration and script.

In fact, the doujin game industry boasts quite a few visual novels in its gallery.

Ten years down the line, I was tasked in creating the same genre. That’s why I have quite the knowhow in the inner workings of its production. Also, factoring the risks, this would be the natural course of action.

“The greatest factor of choosing this genre is that it can make full-leverage of Tsurayuki’s specialty. “

If the end goal was just making money, then finding a high paying job could be the better alternative. This time however, I want Tsurayuki to earn money through his own strengths. In order to carve that path, I thought of choosing Visual Novels where the game scenario takes a center stand.

Continuing on, I went on explaining the roles to be assigned.

“In line  with what I said, I’d like to ask Tsurayuki to do the scenario. Nanako with the music. And I would want Shinoaki to be at the helm with the illustrations. Lastly, I’ll do the job of managing director.”

One of the advantages of Visual Novels, is that having a small staff work on it is a feasible option. If you have on-board staff on the important aspects of it, 1 or 2 people producing it would be practicable.

Having members who are specialized in each of the fields, can be seen to be somewhat of an advantage.

It was as if the roles where decided from the start, as when everyone heard of such a story, it was as if they already imagined what they would be asked to do. That’s why the conversation reached a quick conclusion--

“Ok then, let’s start talking about specifics. What we’re going to make is--”

When I was about to say something, Nanako overwrid my words.

“H-hold your horses Kyouya. Even if we could make the game, can we really make money off of it?”

She asked without hiding the worried look on her face.

“I think it’s very dangerous for us amateurs to make and sell a game when we need to earn a lot of money in a short period of time. So, can you tell where your confidence is coming from?”

“To be honest, I’m really worried about that too, but with the way Kyouys is saying it brimming with confidence so…..”

I had already  told Tsurayuki my plans on the way home from the hospital but, he was looking more anxious than Nanako.

“I want to hear the reason too~ What are you thinking about, that makes you move on that plan, Kyouya.”

Shinoaki also had an atmosphere that felt like she wanted to ask a lot of questions.

For the three of them, it’s impossible to not have the feeling that a gathering of amateurs could make a game that would sell well…..\nI do think that is inevitable though.

I mean if it was me, if the plant of action in a dire situation like this was “Let’s all make a game”, then I would want to hear every single detail till I was satisfied.

“Alright then, I’ll explain how exactly we’re gonna make money, so listen here.”