Poll: Your thoughts on Second POV Character
Added 2021-04-04 12:00:53 +0000 UTC
Update: Based on the feedback so far (here and on another site), I wanted to give you an update on my tentative plan.
My first priority is to finish Build 0.4, with new content in Chapter 4 and then new Chapters 7 and 8, which are 99+% focused on Alex. It's a huge update and I don't want to get distracted from it or delay getting it into your hands. After that, I'm considering giving all current patrons a free month for May while I go back and do some re-writing for Chapter 2 (Nick's introduction) and re-shoot Chapters 1 and 2.
I am not going to take Nick out of a POV role, but it does seem there is a sizable portion of the audience for whom there is something in how I've written him that is a turn off or just not appealing. That would be fine for a supporting character, but is kind of dangerous for a POV character and I think I need to address it.
If you're one of the folks for whom Nick isn't an appealing character, I would hugely appreciate it if you could give me some examples as to why. You won't hurt my feelings! You would be helping me make a better story and I'd be very thankful. Conversely, if there are things you really like and want to make sure don't get written out (or perhaps should be emphasized), let me know that, too!
Original Post Below
Hi all. I was wondering if you could do me a quick favor and, if so inclined, a bigger one. One piece of feedback I've received several times on another site goes along the lines of "Not wild about a second protagonist; not sure I like Nick."
I'm listening to the feedback and considering how to proceed, but those folks (a) aren't financially supporting the project and (b) haven't played Build 0.3 yet. You have.
I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts as they could have a significant impact on Build 0.5. A quick response to the poll is appreciated, but if you feel like going into more detail, I'd love whatever you have to share in the comments, a PM or on Discord.
Comments
Yeah, I don’t see myself taking the second POV out entirely as there are parts of the story that I’ve plotted out around Nick, but I don’t see doing the Chapter 5 switching perspective thing again. That was work and a little confusing. But I think in an update of Chapter 2, leaning in a little more to who Nick is, give a little more of a peek around the curtain to see why he’s being such an ass to Ronan, and using some assets I have now but didn’t then to frame and present things a little better. I think he’ll be around maybe 20% of the storytelling perspective.
Bound By Night
2021-04-06 12:04:06 +0000 UTCPersonally, I think one perspective is easier to follow, but that's also a bit limiting. If you're willing to use more than one perspective, but keep Alex as our 'hub' or 'axis', I think that's fine. It's just a lot more work for you 😂 I mean it's like...some games make a design choice to use only first person as our viewpoint when really they should've probably considered having 3rd person also sprinkled in for cinematics...particularly when they showed it in gameplay footage previously. Sure it's more work, but it can spice things up so we aren't looking at the same perspective all the time CDProject Red.
Ryan Fox
2021-04-06 11:49:00 +0000 UTCThanks for the feedback, Scott!
Bound By Night
2021-04-04 12:59:27 +0000 UTCP.S. I didn't think I would like multiple POV, but it is being done well in Our Red String and Lust Campus, and I really liked it.
Scott Percival
2021-04-04 12:45:18 +0000 UTCI voted 3rd option. I'm trying to figure out what I don't like about Nick. I get a definite "straight arrow" vibe from him. A cautious rule follower. As a cop, that is kind of his job description, but makes me have zero sexual interest in him.
Scott Percival
2021-04-04 12:38:09 +0000 UTC
