#AND PLAY THE DLC!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lovebirdgames]

Hi everyone!

Here comes the long post that I alluded to recently: What's Next for Lovebird Game Studios. Buckle in!

You all know that I like to be very transparent when it comes to our game development. Sharing the journey with all of you has always helped me keep taking steps. So I’d like to share the decision we came to regarding which game to work on next, and I’d like to explain the thinking behind it as well. It may not be the news you were hoping to hear, but I hope you will also leave here with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

At this time, we have decided to not move forward with a sequel/fandisk of Band Camp Boyfriend.

This is a decision that does not come easy, especially since I know a lot of you were hoping for an Aaron route. We had a lot of fun ideas for the sequel we were excited for and it’s a bit of a heartbreaker to think they won’t come to fruition. I also adore our cast of characters and loved writing them, and will miss doing so. There are many different factors at play that went into making this decision.

Time. The reality is we both work full-time jobs and we have to choose our battles when it comes to this hobby. While the fandisk would be about half the size of the base game, we feel it would still take around approximately 3 years to release (I’d like to say 2, but let's face it: we are slow at game development). 

Money. We are incredibly grateful and proud to say that we made back the money we spent making Band Camp Boyfriend. We consider BCB a modest success. However, we don’t feel that the current player base is large enough to justify a sequel, especially since sequels do not typically perform as well as the base game. We have a feeling we would dig ourselves right back into the financial hole and not make it out the second time around.

Art. Particularly the backgrounds. Keep in mind that we commission the art for our games. Most otome games are easily able to pull off a fandisk because they have all of their assets from the base game. Since Band Camp Boyfriend took place in a bottle setting that the characters have now left behind, we would need a ton of new backgrounds for the school setting we had imagined for the sequel. Our background artist is no longer available, so we would have to shop around for someone with a similar style and buy a whole new host of backgrounds. And of course we would need new CGs, new outfits, new everything to really make it exciting.

Inspiration. During our “break,” the creative juices began to flow and we found ourselves gravitating to our next idea. I told myself I wouldn’t write or work on anything until making this choice, but I couldn’t stop myself. And I found myself writing the prologue for our next game and drawing concept art of the characters. Even while listening to music, the music videos that would play in my head shifted away from Band Camp Boyfriend and towards the next game. I guess after 8 years, deep down, I am ready to move onto a new story with new faces. My love for Band Camp Boyfriend runs deeper than the Marian’s Trench, but my heart is leading me into uncharted waters full of hammerhead sharks!

I’m happy to answer questions if you have them. Here are a couple that might be on your mind.

Q: Can’t you just make an Aaron DLC that takes place at band camp? Please, I will give you my left kidney!

A: I want you to keep your kidney, and I’m sorry, but the answer is no. I feel we have conquered band camp and there is no need to return to it. (We actually cut a route--the Leon route--and merged most of the ideas for it into the final route, because it was getting to be too much!) I’m totally burnt out on new ideas in that setting, plus it was wrapped up so wonderfully in that final route. I have no interest in doing another story there.

Another point - even though it would be easier in terms of art assets, we wouldn’t want to phone it in and do an Aaron Band Camp route, in case we were to change our minds about doing a sequel down the road. We would want to do his route as we envisioned it, so it’s best to keep that avenue open.

Q: Can you make a smaller game or just write new scenarios with what you have?

A: As we have learned about ourselves…we are not capable of making small games. Our ideas just keep getting bigger and bigger. We want to release substantial games with hours of playtime. So I guess the answer is no.

Q: If money is an issue, can you run a Kickstarter for the sequel so I can throw money at you?

A: We are probably not ever going to do another Kickstarter. It was a lot of work. It felt really bad when our first one failed and our motivation took a hit. However, I am glad it failed because we wound up releasing 3 years later than we had hoped for, but we didn’t have any pressure weighing on us from Kickstarter. We’ve seen a lot of successfully funded games get abandoned or delayed, and a lot of unhappy fans voice their displeasure and sour on a game completely. You never know what curveballs life will throw at you and these projects can easily face delays. We would hate to let you all down like that. We agree we would rather work at our own pace without that immense pressure. Also, I am kinda old fashioned when it comes to the trading of goods…you give money, me give you game! Unga bunga.

Q: So…that’s it? We’re never getting a sequel?

A: Ehh…all of this aside, never say never. If Band Camp Boyfriend unexpectedly blew up in popularity and had a mind-blowing amount of sales, then I would absolutely reconsider a return to Blue Mountain High School. But I don't really see that happening.

I really hope this news hasn’t made you too sad and I hope you’ll join us for the next game! Saying I am extremely excited for it is an understatement. I’d like to share a little bit of what we have planned and I hope it will get you excited as well, and you won’t leave here feeling too down.

If you loved Band Camp Boyfriend, you will certainly love our next otome game. It will carry the same elements of humor, romance, darkness, and drama you can expect from us—and this time, the stakes are even higher. (I know--what stakes could be higher than high school marching band?!)

The structure of this game will be a bit different. We’re dropping the crazy long common route because we feel like we’ve been there and done that, and it’s a huge headache. I love long common routes but now...I get it, I get why a lot of games have a short one or just have you pick a route, hahaha. This game’s common route will be much shorter (one whole day haha), but each romance route will be a beast in length with larger branches into various endings. The plot is so heavy that it would be best experienced in a specific order so a couple routes will be locked when you start up the game.

There will be heartwarming good endings, tragic bad endings, and somewhat bittersweet endings. And we shall once again have an original soundtrack and partial voice acting, so keep an eye out for that casting call! We plan to cast later in the process so we don’t keep our voice actors waiting around for light years on end.

There will be four main love interests to fall in love with this time around, though I’m certain you will fall in love with even more. This cast will be older, as well, with a 25-year old MC and LIs ranging from 24 to 30. I’m looking forward to writing a more adult story (not 18+, just in tone and perspective). I can’t wait to someday introduce you to them along with the rest of this memorable cast. Or maybe you’ve already heard of them…?

All of this means my social media activity is going to be eclipsed by writing and planning this next game for a while. Our platforms may be a bit quieter, but I will continue to check them of course, so don’t ever hesitate to reach out!

I’ll eagerly be anticipating the day we can start revealing the game and its amazing characters once we have something to show you. It was conceptualized way back in 2019 and been patiently awaiting its turn to shine. There will also be a free demo for you to meet the cast and dip your toes into the plot. For now, we gotta focus on the grind! But I know we have the perseverance to see this through because we’ve already done it once before!

Thank you so much for reading all of this. You deserve a yummy heart-shaped cookie with pink icing for doing so. We really appreciate you all so much! Please look forward to our next game.

♥ Lovebird Games

#lovebird game studios #indie game developer #otome #visual novel

[rainyjackalope]

btw the outer wilds bundle is on sale for 23 dollars rn

#begging you to play it #pleading with you to play it #collapsing to the floor at your feet sobbing begging pleading yelling #this game changed my life #if anyone ever says video games are not art in front of me i will explode them with my mind #because this alone is all the proof you ever need #(and obv yada yada art is subjective art doesnt have to be any one thing blah blah blah PLAY OUTER WILDS. PLEASE!!!!!!!!) #AND PLAY THE DLC!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #IT IS EVERYTHING TO ME #stays collapsed on the floor clenching my fist #rainy rambles #the art is not new btw so im not tagging it

[larabar]

"so, that was fun"

#YAHOO YIPPEE #i drew each of these in like 2 mins and i can do like 50 more the amount of energy i have rn is !!!!!!!!!!!! #GAH im not normal im so sorry #WHAT A GUY #sth #doodles #sonic frontiers spoilers #frontiers dlc spoilers #IM GONA RAMBLE ABOUT THE MUSIC HERE because idk where else to do it #the new im here version ??????? SO so good what did they put in this song !!!!!!!!!!! #specifically. it fits the new super form so well. it sounds more electronic and theres less focus on the traditional instruments in the bg #which is so cool!!!!!!!!! #but the bit that gets me is the new vocal line that plays in the instrumental part right near the end. the higher bit #THATS SO PRETTY . AND IT PLAYS RIGHT AT THE CLIMAX #then it fizzles out and ghhhh the visuals ...... ... . #sorry i cant focus on what im writing im still listening to the ost and the instrumentals on undefeatable are INSANE #the melodies you couldnt hear before are incredible. ill just stop here💥 #but anyways. please talk to me about the dlc im ALWAYS up to talk about the dlc ok bye

[cvtesins]

what the fuck do you mean i cant bring my fucking emotional support greaser bf you fucking asshole

#in celebration of butch posting like its 2014 heres the first post #this was my first time doing the pitt dlc cus idk why i never had it in 2014 when i first played fallout 3 #but like LET HIM COME THE PITT IS SO SCARY I NEED HIM COMPLAINING OR ELSE ILL LIKE EXPLODE I CANT DEAL WITH THE TROGS ALONE THEYRE SO SCARY #even tho butch would 100% die the instant we step out but like please let him come #lana del rey song like dear lord when i get to heave please let me bring my man #PLEASE #fallout 3 #fo3 #butch deloria #the pitt #fallout 3 dlc #fo3 dlc #the pitt fallout 3 #the pitt fo3 #butch deloria posting like its 2014

[slocumjoe]

Anyway do you ever think about how piper is given weight in the main plot only to be shoved into a ditch to make way for Nick Valentine Synth Detective, who has large presence in the main plot + a personal quest + a whole ass DLC

#shes there to introduce you to DC #she's implied to be a good lead/source of info #which she kinda is? just not utilized #and then nick is like (oh no kellogs dead. guess we have to go to piper) #then you go to piper and then she gets maybe one sentence out before nick is like (wait no actually we'll just use kellogs brain matter) #and then you never see her again #like Nick and Piper are very much set up as like. the main plot companions (everyone else is rogue or faction) #and piper is there for maybe 20 minutes #beth can you PLEASE let your characters DO SHIT #beths fallout and skyrim are similar in that sometimes i feel like im playing with barbie and ken dolls #and not participating in a world where shit happens beyond the player character #this is an issue with all of them but idk #where are my hijinks bethesda. #CAN WE GIVE THE OTHER COMPANIONS CONTENT. #COMPANION REHAUL DLC WHEN

[konaharts]

He's been on my mind ,,,

#killer frequency #the whistling man #fanart #slasher #henry barrow #killer frequency is so good #if you have a chance to play or watch it please do #it's such a good homage to horror and very campy i love it #normally i'm iffy on sequels and dlc w/ most games nowadays but i hope the devs make more of this! #nothing is queue everything is permitted

[camping-with-monsters]

‼️MAJOR POKEMON SCARLET AND VIOLET: THE TEAL MASK DLC SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT! ABSOLUTELY DO NOT OPEN IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS!!!!!‼️

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!!! GRAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Do you understand that I would actually die for you. The minute I saw your face I screamed, and then was overcome with emotion and started crying (I actually did this like I’m not even exaggerating here. I actually broke out into ugly sobbing. I am dead serious.).

You are my everything sweet little baba grill. Please sign the adoption papers. I want you in real life.

Edit: Unfortunately I have to sacrifice one of the images because for some reason it won’t let me turn off top posts, and since this is getting a lot of traction, it’s stuck there…… I needed something to spoiler it on my top posts cause many of my peers haven’t yet been able to play/watch The Teal Mask for whatever reason!

#‼️SPOILERS‼️ #The kiwi speaks #I’m the only one out of everyone I know who’s played/watched the dlc #so tag rant will be at the bottom this time for people who don’t want spoilers!!!! #pokémon spoilers #Pokémon scarlet and Violet spoilers #Pokémon #Pokémon scarlet #Pokémon violet #Pokémon scarlet and violet #the teal mask #ogerpon #I would die for you ogerpon. #I’m so serious when I say this please 😭😭😭😭😭😭 #IM SO ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ #IM SO IN LOVE WITH OGERPON GOD DAMMIR #friendship ended with Gholdengo. Ogerpon is my priority now. #/JJJJJ #I named mine Milly-Babel because I couldn’t decide on either name so why not both #I also caught her in a friend ball she was so incredibly deserving of this status #she’s my favorite thing ever I love her I love her I love her I love ogerpon I love you I love you I lo #I AM SO. ONE DAY MAKING AN ANIMATIC WITH YOU BECAUSE. WELL I KNOW A SONG. #HHHHHHHH #okay rant over #I’m normal. #there is no live laugh love only o ger pon

[purble-gaymer]

these are my splatoon 4 idols. their names are marci and rondo and they make ytpmvs for a living (inspired by this video)

#splatoon #splatoon 3 #side order #side order spoilers #pinging marciale #asynchronous rondo #rhyn's art #parallel canon and smollusk show up on special occasions #they pair w one of em for splatfests and such #rondo is my favorite boss ugh i need to talk about it #that fight is so cool. when i first saw it in the trailers i was so excited #my sibling still hasn’t played and i’m like!!! i need to talk to someone about this dlc PLEASE

[prismpuffle]

Current concept living rent free in my head is an AU where the Kitakami siblings went to Naranja/Uva Academy instead of Blueberry, and Kieran gets recruited as a Team Star Boss and has the time of his life! He's hesitant and a little intimidated by the idea at first, but in their pitch the other bosses explain how they also feel like socially awkward outcasts and formed this team to stick together. They proceed to give him a tailor-made costume, a Grass Crew base to defend (that he'll add plenty of Ogerpon imagery to ofc), and his own living battle car with built-in boss music to ride on top of while he challenges people, and by the tenth 'Wowzers' they've got him completely hooked.

#Carmine is like please get my brother back he's in a teen delinquent phase and never goes to class anymore #with faint team star boss music playing in the distance as Kieran drives around on his Revavroom challenging people and laughing giddily #pokemon kieran #pokemon sv dlc #pokemon indigo disk #pokemon teal mask #I picture his team as Shiftry and Hydrapple in addition to Rev #this is a much happier Kieran but still lets his shyness take a backseat to embrace the mini power trip he's been given

[skylar-the-twig]

This was my exact live reaction to Kieran.

#please I picked up on the vibes immediately #no one can convince me that Kieran didn’t have a crush on the Mc in the beginning #I drew this when I first started playing the dlc so- #I’ve finished it now and it destroyed me #someone help my boy #Kieran #Pokémon #pokémon teal mask #Kieran fanart #Pokémon fanart #pokémon violet #kieran pokemon #Kieran Pokémon fanart #rival Kieran

[somethingaboutmint]

Boone an ncr courier and an unlikely friend they made hanging out at the novac motel (more fucking around in clip studio)

#fallout #fallout new vegas #fnv #fnv boone #craig boone #follows chalk #fnv follows chalk #courier six #fallout oc #art'd #cant believe they made a whole dlc specifically about follows chalk and nobody else guys how cool is that #the couriers name is dick. dick kickem. please laugh? #playing thru honest hearts again just to see follows chalk #dick was also born a tribal so hed have a soft spot for the boy even if he did go to zion just to blow joshuas brains out

[telleroftime]

Lord have mercy to whoever sits behind me during lectures because I now have the Grim Reaper from "A Date With Death" as my wallpaper.

#slutty white haired anime man?? yes please #edgy and blushing and all #how could I resist #a date with death #I refuse to play more of the endings until I buy the DLC

[hamable]

Need low stakes DLC Psychonauts 2 levels in, at this point, anyone’s mind. Fuck shit up and kick ass in the interns brains? Hell yeah. Otto? Sasha round 2? Milla round 2? ANY Aquato? I’d eat it up om nom nom. I’m begging. As a treat for me please.

#psychonauts 2 #psychonauts #double fine #and listen. fucking. it gets more and more obvious that Otto has Something going on with every playthrough #first play through I was thinking about literally anything else and I didn’t catch it #but going back and doing all the dialogue and keeping an eye on him? #Otto was sus as HELL #Like fully unresolved I think canonically he’s still up to some shit #he didnt mind wipe a family to stop a genocide a la putting tape over a cracking dam #but he’s still shady #and I think they kinda wrote him as a red herring #which is wild bc I did not give a fuck about Otto my first time through I was trying to connect so many other puzzle pieces #but yeah DLC content would be good but also… Psychonauts three??? #it’s be too surface level for it to be just straight plot line Otto is the big bad tho so idk. #psychonauts 1+2 tells such a tight well thought out story that’s been cooking for two decades. I wouldn’t want a third game if it didn’t #lovingly expand the world and characters and story. but damn I got questions. #hence: low stakes dlc please and thank you have a good day 👍

[dreamdaddyhotch]

dug this trashy low quality edit out that i made and posted on twitter two years ago bc the new update reminded me of it LMFAOOO theyre such yummy bisexual food 4 me male!v 😋😋

#cyberpunk 2077 #kerry eurodyne #panam palmer #btw side note i was playing the dlc n alex is sucha BADDIE.. im gna fall in love w her please watch out

[pixelatedraindrops]

RAINCODE YAKOU DLC SPOILERS

HOLY SHIT UHHH-

PETITION FOR YUMA TO SEE YAKOU AGAIN IN A SEQUEL PLEASE?? THE FACT THAT THERE'S HOPE FOR HIM TO EVEN COME BACK

BLESS HIS WIFE.

(this edit sucks but AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA)

This made me so happy. I didn't want Yakou to stay dead. He still has so much potential to continue living as a detective for Kanai Ward even after the master detective's leave. Plus...his base is like a second home to them all. Makoto could probably work with him to perfect the medicine his wife left behind and...maybe it could save kanai ward's citizens from being zombified...

I hope he ends up okay if these character return in a sequel...

And I know Yuma would probably be a bit of a different person whenever he eventually sees him again, what being the previous Number 1 and all.

But imagine just upon seeing him alive, and he just breaks down.

Idk the amount of tears and fluids spilling from his face when he died says a lot...

He loved him... ;-; He meant so much to him.

A literal father figure and mentor to him.

I need a reunion between them so badly...

(And what if that medicine DOES end up helping all of the zombie homunculi return to proper life over time? Then Yuma's kill count would be back to zero. Imagine that miracle...that would be a crazy drug of a happy ending.)

Yakou's wife is the true savior of Kanai Ward.

I am so excited for a possible sequel now...

I genuinely hope these characters return...even if they're not main characters anymore. God I love all of them so much... I'm gonna miss this series...

(But I'll probably be fixated on it for a while despite it ending XD)

#master detective archives: rain code #rain code #yakou furio #yuma kokohead #yakou fathero #rain code spoilers #dlc spoilers #my edits #pixeledits #I JUST FINSIHED PLAYING AND- #THAT DLC HAS ME ON A CHOKEHOLD OF FALSE HOPE RN #PLEASE LET YUMA SEE HIS DETECTIVE DAD AGAIN ALIVE AND WELL SO HE CAN CRY IN HIS ARMS #IDC IF THAT ENDING SEEMS LIKE CONVENIENT BULLSHIT IT MADE ME HAPPY #also that edit is months old #I made it after writing my second raincode fic. #so it sucks but ehh it'll do

[grymkoena]

#No time to play the game today so please enjoy some pictures I never posted because i wasn't 100% happy with the light in them #looking at them several days later the shots are honestly not even that bad though #save me Rosalind Myers #cyberpunk 2077 #rosalind myers #cyberpunk 2077 phantom liberty #cyberpunk dlc #cyberpunk photomode