shaywrites-ifs

[shaywrites-ifs]

I ❤️ self-loathing characters, characters who struggle with monstrosity (either fearing or embracing it), characters who are so lonely, who have a gaping hole in their chest, who bottle up & repress their feelings, who claw their way up & have ambitions, who fall down & lose everything, who search for identity & purpose yet can’t see themselves outside of what others want from or expect of them, who are hurt & hurt others, who long & grieve, who lie & pretend. characters who are messy & flawed & human

#in time vibes #mc vibes #reblog

[shaywrites-ifs]

The 5 love languages of monster fucker:

Understanding someone so different from yourself

Loving the unlovable

Big

Being turned on and afraid

Freaky inhuman sex

#reblog

[shaywrites-ifs]

Vote for MC hairstyle

Hello as you may or may not know, one of our stretch goals included new hairstyles for the MC.

Just to be clear, hair type and hairstyle are two different things.

Hair types are how your hair looks per default (straight, wavy, curly, dreadlocks) and it will be reflected in CG! Hairstyles, however, are just variations of your hair type, aka how you style your hair that day. It will be like dresses, you can change them during your playthrough and they will appear in your sprite, but they will not be reflected in CG.

This week, you can vote for the hairstyle for the straight hair type, the top 4 will be added to the game!

(Those are WIPs not final version, click on the image for the big version)

I can't wait to play Barbie on the MC

#reblog #other ifs

[shaywrites-ifs]

the most important question you can ask yourself when designing a magic system in fiction is "wouldn't it be fucked up if this happened"

#reblog #thoughts to think

[shaywrites-ifs]

website

#reblog #important

[shaywrites-ifs]

Horror & romance is a wicked & gorgeous combination we can't get enough of in our upcoming otome isekai game, Save the Villainess.

When even your lovers may long for your murder murder...

Who can you love or trust?

Interested in a fully animated black comedy murder mystery game with unique love interests that may or may not want to destroy you?

🦋Join Save the Villainess' Kickstarter & Demo Pre-Launch.

🦋Wishlist Save the Villainess on Steam.

🦋Follow Save the Villainess on Itch.

🦋Sign up to the Mailing List for exclusive character cards every month.

Credits: Somate Studio for characters; @arodude and Karel Kok and Son Huynh for Backgrounds; @arodude for item art; Sokei for graphic design.

#reblog #other ifs

[shaywrites-ifs]

So, overwhelmingly, people prefer to gender selectable ROs. I'm not surprised, exactly, tho I can say I didn't expect it to be that much of a win for Yes. Again, anybody has thoughts on why they picked whatever they did, it'd be cool to hear.

Thank you for participating, and it's something I'll keep in mind for my next project.

So, I am working on the update- I'm just terrible at estimating time for these things and am also having complicated feelings on what I've written. But it's coming and I'm going to keep chugging along, putting a pin in these parts to come back and edit later so I don't end up in a perfectionist loop of editing and rewriting the beginning. There's gonna be a lot of pins.

That said, one way I keep my sanity is the secret little side writing project I dabble in with brainstorming and plans. Which brings me to a question:

#them poll results

[shaywrites-ifs]

Few hours left, and looks like an overwhelming preference for selectable genders in ROs 🤔

So, I am working on the update- I'm just terrible at estimating time for these things and am also having complicated feelings on what I've written. But it's coming and I'm going to keep chugging along, putting a pin in these parts to come back and edit later so I don't end up in a perfectionist loop of editing and rewriting the beginning. There's gonna be a lot of pins.

That said, one way I keep my sanity is the secret little side writing project I dabble in with brainstorming and plans. Which brings me to a question:

#reblog #polling the people

[shaywrites-ifs]

dunno if you want my two cents but here they are:

when i first started playing if i only really played if all or most characters were gender-selectable. but i found myself defaulting to making them all male because although i date all genders i tend to be attracted to more men than women (not men more than women, just MORE men). this wasnt exactly bad but when i started playing ifs with gender set ros i realised that it was actually so much easier to see them as a full character and really 'fall in love' with them because i wasn't stuck trying to figure out if what gender i would be most interested in them as.

i don't mind gender-selectable ros but if theres a lot of ros all gender-selectable i find it usually either causes or correlates with less developed characters.

I always welcome thoughts and explanation when polling!

I will say I do think gender selectable ro's seem to be more in IFs that are heavy on the romance genre. Which isn't a bad thing, and the romance genre comes with its own tropes (no shade, loved the covers with all that painted hair and cleavage). It just also gives me chill vibes from those IFs, usually? (Which, sometimes is all I want. Brain off, just entertainment.) Not all. I can instantly think of at least one IF where all the ROs are gender selectable and the IF stresses me out.

And, I get it. I get preferences for character genders when they are selectable, even tho it doesn't change anything (besides height and hair length). And, I guess for people who do inserts instead of making characters, it can matter more.

#sweet anon #thank you for sharing #still don't understand inserts but I hope people who do so have lots of fun

[shaywrites-ifs]

I really feel like I'm the odd one out here, not really caring for gender selectable ROs! Not that there's anything wrong with them, and it's never made me less interested in a game, but it's not my preference. Personally, I kind of like playing as, say, a gay man and being unable to romance every RO because their sexualities don't align; it feels more natural to me, and less, uh. Like the ability to romance them takes priority over who they are and what role they have in the story.

Probably in part because back when I first got into IFs a good amount of the ones I played had ROs that really didn't have much purpose beyond being able to romance them, so there were a lot of really boring characters I was expected to like. Plus generally not being interested in romance unless I REALLY like a character anyways.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

I'm not somebody who has ever been annoyed by "player sexual" characters, besides being rather annoyed at that term (DA2 is full of bisexuals and whatever the fuck happened to Sebastian and Aveline). I'm also somebody that greatly enjoys the romance aspect of IFs, so maybe that also explains the difference. I've never gotten angry that an RO has a set sexuality, I just also don't mind a cast of bisexuals, and tend to toss my player chara in as one as well.

That said, I resonate with the idea that characters should be relevant beyond if the MC wants to hold their hand. I look at some IFs that are juggling more than 4 ROs and I just am amazed (;° ロ°) cause I don't know how they're gonna do it.

A better example maybe is that it makes me think of like ME, where they wrote themselves into a corner with the possibility of all the characters (besides fucking Liara) could be dead so they couldn't do anything with any of them. As somebody who adores characters, and plays for characters and their development and their relationships (not just romantic), I was appalled.

#sweet anon #thank you again for sharing!

[shaywrites-ifs]

It's not like a no I will not interact if they're not selectable, I think the best is balance, like have a some selectable others not. The other alternative is to have the game randomize it which I find great relief in because I am indecisive as fuck. Love your work.

Thank you for the thoughts! and I'm glad you've enjoyed what I've been able to share, so far.

Your answer does make me laugh a little. Being indecisive, and preferring the game decides with randomization, but not the author just making a call. Is there a reason you still prefer to have the genders be selectable?

I admit the main reason In Time doesn't have any selectable RO genders is just that I didn't want to deal with coding that in, but having at least one selectable in my next work is something I'm pondering, so kinda like your thought on "balance", not that it'd be balanced with the amount of ROs I'm bouncing around. But it'd give people a little choice on at least one RO.

#sweet anon #thank you again for your thoughts!

[shaywrites-ifs]

So, I am working on the update- I'm just terrible at estimating time for these things and am also having complicated feelings on what I've written. But it's coming and I'm going to keep chugging along, putting a pin in these parts to come back and edit later so I don't end up in a perfectionist loop of editing and rewriting the beginning. There's gonna be a lot of pins.

That said, one way I keep my sanity is the secret little side writing project I dabble in with brainstorming and plans. Which brings me to a question:

#tiny update #poll for the people #personally a mix of the last two #less high stake ifs it's nice to be able to pick #but also its extra coding so more intricate pieces imo would rather the author focuses on plot intricacies #overall doesn't affect anything big to me as a reader tho #meant to let the poll to be open longer but forgot to change that before publishing #oh well

[shaywrites-ifs]

Sanguine Sky: Chapter 2 Pt. 2 is OUT! [Public Update]

Hello! I'm happy to announce that Chapter 2, Pt. 2 is out! The update contains 43k words (excl. code).

Here's the link: [DEMO].

Important note: please make sure you delete all your old saves before you start a new game or proceed to new content.

What awaits you in the update:

Two activities with the CID team to choose from:  ▹Question the janitor who found the body with R.  ▹Head to the morgue to find out more information about the victim with T and I.

An opportunity to spend more time with the CID team members, depending on the activity chosen.

Three activities after the end of the work to choose from:  ▹Confront Morgan about the whole situation.  ▹Talk to K and try to learn more about the CID and the investigator. ▹Stay in the office to sort through boxes of stuff after moving to your mentor's new office, and dive into a Klemens-related flashback that will shed light on what happened to your aunt.  ▹Or just go home after a very long work day.

A conversation with your sister about what was bothering her in the morning (optional).

A phone call with L at the end of the day: different scenes for romance/friendship path (optional).

Jealousy choices and parts of the narrative for both the MC and the ROs.

Optional RO's POV scenes for K and L.

A special extra scene for those who plan to romance R or I.

Total word count: 96k words (excl. code) | 116k words (incl. code).

Right now, I'm in the process of translating my drafts for Chapter 3 and finishing K's Side Story that will be released on May 25.

Thank you for all your interest and support! ♥

#reblog #other ifs #big excited for this IF #still haven't decided who I love the most #but am eager to see where this all goes

[shaywrites-ifs]

#reblog #accurate and relatable #especially currently as I'm making faces at the latest scenes written

[shaywrites-ifs]

Game Update - 5/7/24

The next update is ready to play!

Features include:

An update! 😅

An entire recoding of Chapter 4! including a new chapter title (2 of them, technically, as it’s different depending on the route you chose at the end of Chapter 3)

Some actual communication between characters about what’s going on!

Gavin Cowles!

A reminder that previous saves made in Chapter 4 will be broken! You will need to load a save from Chapter 3 or earlier to play, or start a new game!

There isn’t a lot of new content this time, as most of the work for it was on the back end and overcoming behind-the-scenes obstacles, but I’m so happy to finally have an update for you all! I say “thank you for your patience” a lot, I know, but I really can’t say it enough. Your continued love and support is what kept me going while I battled the various demons that kept getting in my way. Next update should be a lot bigger, and include some conversations you’ve all been waiting for!

(On the last page, if Gavin mentions someone other than your chosen RO, let me know! I’m still trying to iron out the code on that one… so far I’ve only seen issues on no-romance runs thinking you’re romancing Li, and I think I’ve fixed that, but if I haven’t/something else comes up wrong, please tell me)

What you can expect in the next update:

Another update! 😂

Gossiping about your love life!

Gossiping about your friends!

Gossiping about your… sister’s love life?

As always, thank you for reading, and enjoy! 💙💙💙

#other ifs #Congrats on winning the battle against coding #Am excited to replay

[shaywrites-ifs]

D E M O - Play Here!

Updated: March 10, 2024

Rated: 18+

Romance-Focused Sports IF

You're a formula racing driver.

You're a professional.

But besides your recent success, you are far from the finish line.

Now you're busy searching and finding sponsors and signing deals left and right. You're trying to make the right decisions. After all, you do have to maintain a certain image. On top of all of that, your ex is back and climbing the ranks after falling off the grid for five years.

Can you deal with it all?

Or will you crash and burn?

Riley Veluz (m/f): The Mechanic. 27. Southeast Asian. (m) brown eyes and thick, messy black hair that is sometimes slicked back. (f) brown eyes, and layered black hair that falls to waist.

Lane Kingston (m/f): The Ex. 25. Spanish and black. (m) brown eyes, short curly hair on top with shaved sides. (f) brown eyes, shoulder length curly afro.

Ryder Benedetti (m/f): The Competition. 25. Italian, British, and Spanish. (m) hazel eyes, with brown, wavy, tousled hair. (f) hazel eyes, wavy brown hair to waist.

Phoenix Justt (m/f): The New Engineer. 27. Irish. (m) red hair kept in a short quiff hairstyle, green eyes, cheeks and shoulders splattered in freckles. (f) red hair that falls to waist, green eyes, cheeks and shoulders splattered in freckles.

. D E M O .

Stroll through PINTEREST for story and RO aesthetics.

#reblog #other ifs #this is fun #am already in love with ryder and riley

[shaywrites-ifs]

Thru the Riff is an 18+ interactive fiction revolving around music and the paranormal. It follows you, a journalist working for Star-Dust Magazine, in your newest gig of “interviewing” the members of the “hottest rock band” around, MANHUNT. You’ll work to uncover the bands secrets in your own… creative ways, and find out the truths as to why their stardom is surrounded by scandal.

Content Warnings: violence, foul language, suggestive themes, substance abuse, possession and other paranormal related themes, and more.

You’ve spent the past three years of your life trying to climb the corporate ladder at Star-Dust Magazine, a magazine focusing on the secrets and personal lives of the biggest bands and musicians of your time. You were hired as a journalist alongside your best friend, and have worked on countless jobs and interviews together, most of them being your best work despite your bosses trepidation.

However, your most recent jobs have seemingly all ended as busts, your boss describing them as “fluff pieces” rather than the raw, true pieces that she wants. She’s given you an ultimatum: give her something truly fitting for Star-Dust, or she’ll refer you to a different career path.

Seemingly at rock bottom, you’re given a golden opportunity — MANHUNT, one of the biggest rock bands around, has gone viral for a scandal revolving around one of the members volatile departure from the band. It’s the perfect opportunity to use the bands mystery to your advantage.

The bad news? MANHUNT has never accepted written or filmed interviews that they can’t control, and they’ve refused countless interview invitations from Star-Dust in the past. The good news? Now with their rhythm guitarist very publicly leaving the band, they have to open auditions to replace her.

If only things could be as simple as they seem.

Customize your main characters gender, pronouns, physical appearance, personality and views. As well as choose their skill and interest in music, and their belief in the occult. Do they like the kind of music MANHUNT creates? Can they play any instruments themselves? Do they believe in any sort of occult or spiritual beings? How do those questions tie together? Only one way to find out.

Audition to join the band! MANHUNT needs a new rhythm guitarist, and you see this as the perfect opportunity to get an insider look on the band. Will you be genuine or secretive with your audition? Meet your future bandmates and impress or disappoint them.

Choose from four romance options; MANHUNT’s distant lead singer who has more secrets than they let on, MANHUNT’s drummer who has integrated you into the band without complaint, your guitar tech who has taken a special interest in you, or your best friend who has tagged along for the job.

Develop friendships with the rest of the band and help or destroy MANHUNT’s public image.

Oh, and don’t forget to write your piece for Star-Dust, your job literally depends on it. Find out as much as you can. Find out too much. Don’t get hurt.

Maxim / Maxine “Max” Hawke (RO, gender selectable) — The rather broody lead singer of MANHUNT. Max is the perfect fit for a rockstar, broody in their personal life but an all-out force of energy on stage, wooing crowds of thousands (and mortifying their parents) without issue. As personable as they appear to be on stage, they seem like they want nothing to do with you. It’ll be difficult getting close to them, especially with how odd they seem to be acting offstage.

Roman / Romona Woods (RO, gender selectable) — MANHUNT’s drummer who has a roguish appearance with a heart of gold. They may not look like the most approachable of people, but they’ll surprise you with their boundless energy and bubbly social skills. They’re the most accepting of your arrival to the band so far and are genuinely excited to get to know you.

Beck Moreau (RO, they/them) — Your own personal guitar tech! Well, not technically yours as they used to be Willa’s tech before she left but, regardless they’re tagging along to MANHUNT’s shows and maintaining your equipment for you. They’re loud and can be pretty irritating, and they seem to have a special interest in pushing your buttons. Can you handle the headache they give you?

Gabriel / Gabrielle Moretti (RO, gender selectable) — Your quiet, kind hearted best friend from your childhood. The two of you have been thick as thieves since you were young, and somehow you found yourselves tackling the same career path in adulthood. They’re kind and have been there for you throughout your struggles working for Star-Dust. They decided to come along with you on your newest job to “keep you safe” but, is that really… it?

… and be prepared to meet the rest of the band!

Finn Kellett (he/him), MANHUNT’s perpetually tired manager, Nex Warren (he/they), MANHUNT’s apathetic bassist who couldn’t care less about your arrival, Juliet Beckford (she/her), MANHUNT’s energetic lead guitarist who has a special interest in the unknown, and Willa Perez (she/her), MANHUNT’s rhythm guitarist before you came along, of whom you know very little about.

Author’s Note: Thru the Riff is a passion project of mine (Wil) and Elliot’s, so development will be entirely based on our free time and understanding of how to create our first interactive fiction. We hope you’ll enjoy what we create!

#reblog #ngl this one sounds like a lot of fun