Question Thread: February 2024 [CLOSED]
Added 2024-02-05 19:00:02 +0000 UTCHello! The Patreon question thread is open from now until the after the 19th of this month.
Here you can ask me things you're wondering about for our games or company and they'll be answered at the end of the month an an audio recording (with a text transcript too). Just make sure the questions long follow the guidelines!
The thread will close after February 19th.
Guidelines:
1. Please don't reply to other people's questions even if you know the answer. The fun of joining a Q&A is that the developer can give a direct response to you and that everyone else also gets to hear/see the answer in the end of the month post. Having another player resolve the question in the comments right here might not be what the asker was hoping for. This thread is more about having a good time rather than looking for an immediate response to an important question. And if you do have a question you want to hear about right away, it's best to ask in some other thread or to message me directly.
2. I'm afraid questions about what scenes/choices/art assets Our Life: Now & Forever will include aren't answerable right now. Most of the details are decided as the game is created and currently I'm only writing Step 1. I do know some things coming later, but only a small fraction of the whole game.
3. The questions can't be about more serious/potentially upsetting topics because I don't want those listening to suddenly be surprised with something they might not have been prepared for/want to be confronted with.
4. Please keep the questions here to things that wouldn't be really hard to tackle in an off-the-cuff, spoken out loud kind of Q&A, aha. Questions about a half dozen characters or wanting an entire theoretical situation described aren't super doable in this situation.
You can always send me questions outside of the audio Q&A if they wouldn't work here!
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You can also find answers for more basic info like heights, birthdays, timelines, and such in the Overall FAQ.
That's everything. Thank you to everyone who participates in the Q&A!
Comments
Ah, I was thinking the OL2 group, I didn't play the first one so I forget about cove's game lol
Yarino Tengoku
2024-02-22 19:39:35 +0000 UTCIt's okay! You don't need to apologize
GB Patch
2024-02-22 01:44:29 +0000 UTCNo worries! Sorry if it seemed like I was pushing for off limit questions!!! 💙💙💙
Blue
2024-02-22 00:01:08 +0000 UTCUnderstandable, thank you!
LukkaDev
2024-02-21 23:29:24 +0000 UTCI'm sorry, I can't answer this right now. The new color system may have a type of shading but it's not in the game yet.
GB Patch
2024-02-21 23:27:09 +0000 UTCI appreciate the understanding. I don't think I can answer the last one right
GB Patch
2024-02-21 23:24:48 +0000 UTCThank you very much! Though I'm afraid I can't answer questions about all the characters there are.
GB Patch
2024-02-21 23:14:44 +0000 UTCThank you for asking! I'm doing alright. Though, I'm afraid I don't know who you mean for the gang of characters.
GB Patch
2024-02-21 22:57:06 +0000 UTCI can answer the second, but I'm afraid I don't have an answer for the first, aha
GB Patch
2024-02-21 22:50:28 +0000 UTCStep 3 takes place the year they graduate high school. I'm not sure is that's what you meant by saying they finished it last year or if you thought they graduated a while ago. But I can't give any details about Step 3 besides that.
GB Patch
2024-02-21 22:48:38 +0000 UTCI'm afraid I can't answer questions about Step 3 right now! But thank you
GB Patch
2024-02-21 22:46:30 +0000 UTCHi, I hope you are doing well! I was wondering if you mostly work alone, or it's a small company? Would you consider opening a company or expand it even more in the future and produce more visual novels? Or would you prefer to work at your own pace? I really love you past games and future OL2. It would be wonderful to have more similar games in the industry. Thank you for your time!
Amalia12
2024-02-21 21:49:32 +0000 UTCHello from South Africa. I was wondering about which software is used for composing and arranging the music. I'm also curious about whether aspects present in the game like culture, nationality, language etc are going to have a more tangible role in the experiences and perspectives of the characters and MC, or if it's just going to be something that's there but not really that significant within the greater scheme of the game? That's all from me. Be well, and take care of yourself.
oliver
2024-02-21 05:09:00 +0000 UTCNot sure this has been asked and it might count as an art asset question that can't be answered right now, but... Is there any chance that the MC's hair will be shaded like everyone else's dolls? Some combos get lost in a blob to me unless you make it two different colors.
LukkaDev
2024-02-20 04:25:46 +0000 UTCHello hello! Just wanna say that I absolutely love all the work you have done for both OLBA and OLNF and I am vibrating from excitement over the next 2 years !! Replaying Step 4 of Baxter route something just kinda stood out to me during cake making (this is so anticlimactic too lol) but is Baxter lactose intolerant or just doesn't prefer milk? We know he is pescatarian but was wondering if this is something he has chosen for preference or something he has to live with? Again love your work and excited to see all future updates and works!
Olivia Usak
2024-02-20 01:33:34 +0000 UTCI always look forward to Q&A’s being posted every month. Thank you for doing this! I have three this time: (1) What triggered Baxter’s fear of the ocean? (2) You said that in Step 2 the Lins are struggling. Will MC have a chance to try to help smooth things out a little (like OL1 MC could with the $20 reveal in Step 2?) (3) You said that you weren’t sure how Qiu felt yet about “fathering” a child. But does that mean they don’t want a genetic child of theirs at all? Or perhaps they would want to have one but through fertility treatment means rather than in a traditional way?
Kara Onasi
2024-02-19 04:09:33 +0000 UTCHello and happy belated Valentine's Day! I hope everyone's having an amazing day. My first question would be if we're gonna be able to have a pet in OL2? We couldn't have any in OL1 until the last step and even then, I'm not sure we could actively interact with. My second question would be about more cultural clothing. I saw in the beta for OL2, in Step 2, that there were some cultural clothing that we could choose from and I was wondering if there's plans to add more stuff? Both in the customization screen and in the story-wise? For example, maybe waist beads? I've been wearing them since I was a little kid and, after seeing how many choices and possibilities we have to customize the background of the main character, I do wonder if there's gonna be more options added in the future?
Evthys
2024-02-18 21:24:29 +0000 UTCHello! If you can't answer any of these then no worries! - In OL1 for the Derek DLC, we are able to choose where Derek and our MC will live. I did a full on romance route for him and I was wondering if we chose to live in his current city, would Derek and the MC have more privacy since they're a couple? There's nothing wrong with the family being very close but it also caused issues in a way. - In OL2, do you have a set decision on how Tams and her parents relationship with each other will end up? Such as they will end up being close or not. I'm curious because if I am correct, we have the choice to like or not like them. - Lastly, If we are dating Tam and decide to not like Tams parents and Tam ends up having a good relationship with them, how would Tam feel about this?
Sakura
2024-02-16 05:59:40 +0000 UTCHello (and Happy Valentine's Day 💘)! I hope you and the team are having a lovely day. My questions have to do with Derek and his family: 1) Would Derek ever consider being a stay-at-home parent? He's shown he's great with kids and doesn't mind a big family so I thought I'd be cute. 2) Is Derek's family the type to celebrate sports/sporting events like the Super Bowl or World cup? (Like, Do they throw big parties and have a favorite team or are they casual enjoyers?)
Carisma
2024-02-15 03:31:29 +0000 UTCIn OL2, will we be able to change our hairstyle in moments along with our outfit?
🩷
2024-02-14 05:55:09 +0000 UTCSo I'm not sure if there is an answer to this one, but I'm curious! Was there a particular reason you decided to go with a "shorter" period of time for OL2? The first game spans from age eight to 23, while the second will be from 10 to 22. It's also a difference of five years between each Step in OL1, while it's only four years in OL2. I was wondering if there was a thought process behind this difference!
Meesh
2024-02-12 16:10:04 +0000 UTCWhat made you want to start a business and create visual novel games?
A.J. Agreste
2024-02-11 21:51:59 +0000 UTCHi! Just something that crossed my mind the other day. Sorry it's been asked and answered. You said that the moments would be released in the beta at half a moment per beta. I'm assuming that applies only to the base-game moments, or will the DLC moments also be released that way?
Keita Darkwolf
2024-02-09 16:38:42 +0000 UTCIf you could revisit any scene from OL1 and redo it with the experience you've gained having finished it and started OL2, which would it be?
M
2024-02-09 07:27:53 +0000 UTCThis probably falls under "we can't say for sure yet", but are you planning to have more indepth body type choices in later steps, or are you thinking of keeping it at just "Short/Tall, Small/Large"? Second Question, do you have any tips for making a bulk amount of characters? Personally I struggle to keep them distinct and seperate, they tend to fuse into just 1 or 2 over time instead
UserEl
2024-02-09 06:18:50 +0000 UTCif qiu’s favorite color is gold why is his bike black and silver in step 1
killjinx
2024-02-09 06:09:47 +0000 UTChi!! hope you all are doing well. i remember you mentioned before in a tumblr ask i think that cove and mc were meant to meet (in whatever timeline, tho i might just be putting words in your mouth), and i was curious to know if you share that sentiment with the OLNF mc and qui and tamarack. on a more sillier note, as the creator, what's something you'd clown your characters for? thanks for answering our questions <3
Audi
2024-02-08 13:50:10 +0000 UTCHello, and congratulations to all you’ve accomplished! I was wondering, what do you think would be everyone’s love language? (Gift giving, quality time, etc.) Thank you for taking the time to read this question! 💙💙💙
Blue
2024-02-08 12:08:17 +0000 UTCDo you have an idea of when the KS stretch goals will be worked on and implemented? Like, will there be a beta with the new color system and/or choice log before the end of the year? I'm just very excited for these new features haha
Disson
2024-02-07 23:39:25 +0000 UTCIn your January post talking about monthly content plans, you mentioned that eight out of ten step one moments were conceptualized. I'm wondering, how is that number looking now? And how is step 2 doing on ideas? Do you have certain elements that you know you want to add in future moments?
Ro
2024-02-07 22:26:22 +0000 UTCHello, hope the development is going smoothly! Is it possible for the mcs from ol 1 and 2 be related? would that work?
Lewis Zeng
2024-02-07 16:16:39 +0000 UTCHi! I hope you all are having a nice time and are doing well. This time i wanted to ask a random thing about the OL1 and OL2 LI, do they like to fly kites? if yes/no, who is wich? Thank you for reading this question : )
NeneGh
2024-02-07 13:47:14 +0000 UTCHello I hope everyone is having a great time and all is well! 1.Would Qiu let Mc put make up on them? And what would the boys club members reaction be? 2. If Tamarack ever became a teacher what do you think she would teach? Art? or theater? Maybe a language class?
Mouse
2024-02-07 13:19:17 +0000 UTCTranslation. I apologize if the text is incorrect. 1.Why is it that when Jamie is in CRUSH, he exhibits the same behaviors as in FOND, but still confesses or invites me on a date? 2.While there's an option to decline a confession, is it possible for a player to intentionally set Jamie to CRUSH or LOVE and engage in a playthrough where Jamie's emotions are more akin to FOND? 3.If Baxter has high initiative in STEP4, he takes bold physical actions without choices, but does he secretly desire to do something with options in STEP3 as well? (After seeing STEP4, the choices in STEP3 seem to reflect Baxter's inner thoughts.) 4.Towards the end of the Baxter route, it's possible to treat each other as friends while still in LOVE. Considering the scenes inserted that aren't in FOND, could there be a potential for them to become romantic partners after the ending? I'm enjoying playing with various options. Thank you.
usagi
2024-02-07 03:35:13 +0000 UTCHello again! Thank you for the amazing work, hope you’re healthy, happy, comfortable! Feel free to omit any of my questions. 1. If Qiu was put in the same situation the MC was in with Tamarack during Fancy Fun (Tamarack having them unknowingly sneak in and having to witness the confrontation between Tamarack and her grandparents), how do you think they would’ve responded? 2. Do you have any specific traits you think Tamarack takes after her parents character wise? 3. Do you watch any anime/read any manga? Have a great month!
liumiu
2024-02-06 23:49:25 +0000 UTCHi, hope you're doing well! You're doing a really awesome job. I was wondering if any of the LIs in Our Life like Shakespeare? I know our MCs can make Romeo and Juliet references in both games, so I'm curious to see if the LIs actually appreciate Shakespeare. Edit: Do you like Shakespeare?
Prince
2024-02-06 19:20:43 +0000 UTCHello! I hope things are going well for you. You’ve talked a little before about how Qiu would feel about someone who was usually only into boys/men liking them, but what about the reverse? If someone who usually wasn’t into boys/men liked them, would they find that validating, or would it not affect how they feel on the topic? Also, just to share, but before I knew anything about OL2 my OL1 MC ended up being quite similar to Qiu (from what I’ve seen so far) and it resulted in Baxter seeming to have a very clear type in my game (beyond what he discusses himself), and I just find that quite funny.
Jason Li
2024-02-06 08:50:41 +0000 UTCWhat job did Granny have before she retired?
Trinity
2024-02-06 03:07:43 +0000 UTCSchool struggles were explored a little in OLBA but with OLNF taking place during the fall, will we be going a bit more in depth with the joys of academia? Study nights, school lunch, and cramming for tests at the last minute, perhaps?
Casey Rose
2024-02-06 02:31:52 +0000 UTCHi there! I'm so excited for the progress made so far. This is a silly question but I grew up in a small town where extra ciriccular teachers would trade students like pokemon. (ie. choir teacher would send one of her boys to audition for musical theater in exchange for the drama teacher sending over one of her altos) would Qiu be willing to try out musical theater if his teacher asked him and the MC was also in the program?
Melanie Bushnell
2024-02-06 01:50:07 +0000 UTCWe know Cove is nearsighted after last month but what about Tamarack? Is she nearsighted or farsighted?
luminescentspine
2024-02-06 00:43:13 +0000 UTCAs usual, thank you for doing these! This time, an easier one from me, about OL2, though it's a few questions in one I guess. About ballet, will we go more into detail about the plays MC and Qiu will have opportunities to perform? And do you have an "amount of plays" planned? Like for example one per step or something like that. Also, in the future, will we get "choices of plays"? Like a vote and MC will be able to influence what play will be picked - or are all of them predetermined?
Konoi Kurozora
2024-02-06 00:22:22 +0000 UTCHii, I hope you're feelin better after last month, here are a few questions! - I know there are going to be more cultural outfits but they only showed up in fancy fun and while it's cute, none of my mcs would wear their outfits for that occasion. So my question is will there be a cultural day in step 1? I think it would really be cute and actually have mcs wear their cultural clothing - Are there gonna be any more school focused moments in the dlc? It doesn't look like they'll be any in the base game and I wanted to see mrs murray more, her character design is too pretty to only be regulated to the prologue in step 1 - This one is wishful thinking but will we be able to go pumpkin picking with Qiu and Tam? 👀
Rose
2024-02-05 23:51:40 +0000 UTCHow great are the OL2 kids spice tolerances? Like, on a scale of 'can't handle any spice' to 'can eat a ghost pepper without changing expressions'?
SimplyUnknown
2024-02-05 23:06:00 +0000 UTCHello again! Btw, i finally got tammaracks part to load 🥹 soooo.... 1-So, since tamarack says we don't look like our mom, if we're darker complexion and she lighter complexion...will there be a talk about racism/colorism in game? 2-i noticed that if your not crushing on qui, tamarack, there are hidden options for Baxter? Can I please break his heart again? Please?☺️ 3-i wanna be a player~ in game. Crushing on both, makeing advances but pulling away last minute? (Like, being invited, wanting to dance and then not) sort of like..playing the feild. Will that be allowed in game? How much of those memories would they retain. 4-does us being nice to Darren affect the transition? 5-(this one isnt a question lol) i really want to be a singer and have a qui dance to my melodic voice. ;-; 6-will opal, be angry with us, of we consider another family( for example quis parents) our "parents" like with how we did with Mr holden? 7-can I crush on quis dad like Mr holden >u>
Anime Yay
2024-02-05 22:38:24 +0000 UTCOnly one question - I missed out on the Kickstarter funding or OL2 for various reasons, but I was wondering if there is still any way for me to support beyond Patreon? I was also wondering, following that, if there was any way to still somehow get my names in the credits haha! I REALLY wanted to join the campaign but life was really rough around the time it was going on and I couldn't, but I believe in the past for OL1 you had a tier on Patreon be able to add their name to it the game prior to launch. I know it's still a far way out, but I'm SO excited for the game and would love to see a little bit of myself in it if possible! Completely understandable if I missed the window though, sorry. Thank you so much and I hope you're having a wonderful day! ♡♡♡
Positivitea
2024-02-05 22:18:59 +0000 UTCTo clarify, by scrap book, I mean the moment selection screen.
Doc_Witch
2024-02-05 21:06:11 +0000 UTCI really love the scrapbook that you can make in game, it’s reeeeally cute and tickles my brain in just the right way. After each moment I spend a long time perfectly moving everything into a good position. I was wondering what kind of stickers you had planned for the future steps. Btw, the acorn sticker is my favorite, it’s just the right amount of round.
Doc_Witch
2024-02-05 21:00:57 +0000 UTCHi, so I have a few questions. 1. how have you been doing? hopefully, you haven't gotten sick with everything going around. 2. if all the gang (excluding the mc) had superpowers, what would they be? I have my headcanon on that but I'd like to hear your take if possible. (i always find it fun to hear other people's ideas.)
Yarino Tengoku
2024-02-05 20:53:45 +0000 UTCIn OLNF on the step 2 preview when you choose how Qiu and Tamarack act towards you will we see those traits show later on in the game? Also I've been wondering when you were deciding what season OL2 would be why didn't you do Winter? Is because you have no ideas for it?
Yamir
2024-02-05 20:21:08 +0000 UTCHi!! I'm very curious to know what the OLBA love interests default expression elements are?
Sai Ridhe
2024-02-05 20:10:43 +0000 UTCFor OLNF will we be able to take extracurriculars other than dance or band or are we going to be able to type it in like some other choices?
MelonPanda
2024-02-05 19:57:11 +0000 UTCdo the leads prefer cats or dogs? (ol1) thanks for always doing this thread!!
riley
2024-02-05 19:50:03 +0000 UTCHi, love both OLs so much. I have 2 questions but unsure if you're able to answer second. What would the LIs go-to snack be? and during OLNF baxter is supposedly shown in step 3, but isnt he in sunset bird at that time? or is it a seperate year?
Velvet
2024-02-05 19:30:24 +0000 UTCTo be clear, this question is probably too hard to answer, and I'm sorry for that.
Jessee Lee
2024-02-05 19:19:52 +0000 UTCSimilar to a previous question, but I need to know this lol. Is there a planned layout of the houses? I catch myself staring at the neighborhood background and try to puzzle out what's actually where, but the mental map I have of Sunset Bird is probably skewed in general lol Thank you!!
Jessee Lee
2024-02-05 19:17:45 +0000 UTCI have many questions AAAA- But the main ones are: Will there be a point at which you think you no longer want to continue with this type of creations? Or do you think there would be some specific reason that makes you say "this is it"? Currently, do you have in mind how many projects you want to carry out or do you prefer to take it easy? How do you feel about the community that you have managed to form thanks to your magnificent ideas, your characters, your efforts and that of many of your coworkers? Is there a reason, feeling or memory why you have created such beautiful, realistic, tender and comforting visual novels? (It's okay if the questions are difficult to answer or you prefer to avoid them, I just want to say that I love the work that you and the company have done, I admire you so much!🧡✨)
Summer Waves
2024-02-05 19:13:42 +0000 UTCI hope this is ok to ask; no worries if this is looking too far ahead. What is the general timeline of step 3? Like, if I understand correctly, the MC + Tam and Qiu are 18 and would have theoretically finished high school last year. Did the main cast all take a gap year? Is this the MCs first year of college/work and the step takes place over a fall break? Does all of step 3 take place right before people would theoretically leave for college in like august/September? Thanks so much!
Jennifer Wellnitz
2024-02-05 19:13:30 +0000 UTCFirst of all—thanks for the games! Love ‘em to pieces. Okay, now question: As we will be 18 in Step 3 in Now and Forever, and it takes place in autumn AKA when most of the gang should’ve left Golden Grove for college, what’s the explanation for why Qiu and Tamarack are still there? Apologies if this can’t be answered yet, but I’m curious ^^;
Lily the Litten
2024-02-05 19:07:50 +0000 UTCHello, I have a question. So, in OLBA, the background with Cove's house, the player's house, and I'm assuming the condo Baxter rents out, has always confused me. Which one is the player's house? Which one is Cove's house? Also in the middle house is that a garage? I've always wanted to know the answer to these questions....so please let me know. Thank you 😊
S ED
2024-02-05 19:02:58 +0000 UTC
