would you buy games without story/romances?

[jack1974]

So first of all let me get this straight: I plan to keep doing my usual games, both dating sims, the RPG/VN, and maybe even other kind of story-based games.

That said, I often am thinking about some ideas of games without a plot, but only gameplay. Some examples are town building/RPG mix, or simulation/management and RPG mix and so on.
Of course, I would always give precedence to the story based games, since whenever I tried gameplay only games the results weren't particularly encouraging . But sometimes I'm stuck waiting for the various collaborators to finish art/writing and so on, and in those moments I think that I could work on something else instead, in which I'm independent (well apart for art of course, but the biggest part would be coding the game itself).

Anyway, not saying will do any of those games in the immediate future (I'm quite busy with a lot of things to do now!), but I'm just testing waters to see what people think of this idea. In practice just getting an idea of how many of my current followers would play something different from me or not

[Miakoda]

I don't mind playing a game without romances. I mean, I am a fan of SimCity, Civilization, etc. :D Of course, it would still have to have some story behind that.

That said, I would also buy a game if it came from a developer (like you) with romances I liked. I mean, I had some thoughts on a pirate simulation (thanks to playing Heileen) that would incorporate elements of town building, adventuring (such as finding lost/buried treasures), looting, etc...

[Jaeger]

I play fighting games regularly, they usually don't have much of a story, and the ones that try are really terrible in that respect. However, I play them more often than any other genre.

Story can enhance the experience, but it doesn't have to be the focal point of the game. Even though people associate RPG as story-heavy genre, it's not always the case if has other strong elements like combat and exploration to make up for it. Etrian Odyssey gives the player some context of the world, but the meat of the game is exploring the dungeons.

[Franka]

I play games with no stories all the time, but....

I'm sad to say that I don't think the gameplay alone has been strong enough, in any of your games that I've played, to stand on its own. I'd say you should probably play to your strengths, which seem to be getting people to write good stories and character dialogue for you. Unless you want to start making dirt cheap shovelware and sell it to impulse buyers.

[jack1974]

Haha no I don't want to make shovelware
It's probably true that gameplay isn't strong enough, there is a lot of competition nowadays, even in roguelike or town building. Anyway as I said I just was curious. Personally I like stories myself (I wanted to be a comic author when I was a kid) so I'm good to keep doing what I do now.
Besides recently I've found some really good and reliable writers

[Franka]

If you had a fantastic idea for unique gameplay or something, that would be something else. I mean, for example, Crypt of the Necrodancer only has a peripheral story, but a rogue-like rhythm game? That's just crazy enough that it works (plus, good production values and all that). You need a fresh idea like that, or a really, really strong niche setting, not just a desire to create something within a given genre.

[Rebly82]

My real answer would be somewhere in between!

Any game that I like will catch my eye, regardless if there is a story or not. But they may/may not be very high on my to-buy list. Because, since gameplay is the crux after all, many developers are building these games. I have a whole backlog full of them, and wishlists equally long too. But what very few are doing, are your blend of story, different types of romances, choose-able/customizable main character and a good art & total quality overall. So, these games hold a lot more value for me, as I can't really find the same caliber anywhere else.

Overall, it depends. Not a hard yes or no.

I'm sad to say that I don't think the gameplay alone has been strong enough, in any of your games that I've played, to stand on its own.

Just curious, are you basing this on the gameplay within the VNs or have you actually played any of Jack's older gameplay only games?

[jack1974]

If you had a fantastic idea for unique gameplay or something, that would be something else. I mean, for example, Crypt of the Necrodancer only has a peripheral story, but a rogue-like rhythm game? That's just crazy enough that it works (plus, good production values and all that). You need a fresh idea like that, or a really, really strong niche setting, not just a desire to create something within a given genre.

Well I know Ryan's personally (we started being indie at same time) and he's a genius. If I made a gameplay-only game even 1/10 successful as his latest one, I would probably not need to work anymore So of course I wasn't even thinking to have such crazy success like him! I could live with much less
The fact is also implementing/coding it. I know it's easy to say, but I have a lot of ideas for games, but one thing is the idea, another thing is implementing it. I can code (not really well) but what really I don't like is making looong games. Crypt of Necrodancer took 3 years, and talking with him he explained the whole process (lot of prototypes, going to conventions, gather customer feedback, etc) and honestly it's not something I could do (or like).
My gameplay-only games would be something maybe less original but could still be fun (I think of course) and also smaller scope. Stuff you can play for few hours a day, like roguelikes or sims with permanent progress and no real gameover. Think SOTW gameplay+team management (gladiator game) or stuff like that. I have no clue of course if I could do decent games like those since is a while since I did them

Just curious, are you basing this on the gameplay within the VNs or have you actually played any of Jack's older gameplay only games?

Those games are "ancient" so is not fair to compare to my latest ones though the first two, the boxing/goalkeeper sim, were quite original (they still are, no other games like that are available on PC).

[Franka]

My gameplay-only games would be something maybe less original but could still be fun (I think of course) and also smaller scope.

Of course you shouldn't expect a breakaway hit, but I'm not sure what would be the point in aiming for something average. You'd still need to do crazy amount of work in programming, bug fixing and balancing, especially if creating something that should be playable for a long time, and we know how burned out you got the last time.

On the other hand, if you feel you have the extra time, and won't burn out, I guess the point is it'll pay some bills, and you should just do it instead of beating around the bush.

[Troyen]

Loren the Amazon Princess, fresh off the defeat of Fost, settles back to manage the prospering Amazon holdings. Meanwhile, she has to spend time ensuring the human Empire and the tree-hugging Elves overcome their decades of animosity and hatred, lest another war break out. If that isn't enough, rumors abound of a land across the ocean, populated by hot snow elves who would make for some pretty slaves.

Behold: Loren the Amazon Queen, the empire simulator.