What If I Use Affection, Be Obedient, And All That To Lowell Just To Use It To Try And Escape? :3

SO, YOU WANNA MAKE AN INDIE HORROR VISUAL NOVEL ON TUMBLR

Have you been seeing some cool blogs for hot, murderous men who are attached to indie projects? Have you ever wanted to try and make your own, especially as someone who doesn't come from a game design background? Not sure where to start, whether with your Tumblr blog to promote it or with the game itself?

Hi, I'm Kat. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design. I've been making games for 4 years and visual novels for 2. You may know me for Art Without Blood, 10:16, or Limerence. I'm here to help you make your first visual novel.

Though this is specifically geared for a Tumblr crowd making horror games, horror/yandere dating sims, murdersims, etc, I think anyone will find this useful! All of my advice is under the cut.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING

You should be wanting to make a game because you want to make a game. I'm sure there's someone out there who is only making a visual novel because they saw that dev's OCs and artwork get their own fandom. Do you want to make a game, or do you just want the attention that comes from making a game?

You cannot be a perfectionist, especially with a demo.

YOUR FIRST PROJECT WILL NOT BE GOOD. THAT'S OKAY. No one's first anything is good.

Some of this advice may sound rude. It's not meant to me. It's just meant to be realistic. Making games isn't fun 24/7. It'll be stressful. And that'll be okay.

OKAY, SO, LIKE, HOW DO I START?

"I've never done programming in my life! I'm so fucking scared right now!" You may be telling yourself this, shaking in your boots with tears running down your face. You're going to have to learn a little programming. It's not going to be all that bad, I promise.

ENGINES

Ren'py is the number one engine you will be recommended. It is very beginner-friendly, with lots of tutorials, assets on itch.io to use and download, and support. The engine comes with a few tutorials in the form of games, whose code you can freely browse. This is the engine I use most often.

Twine is a text-based engine that most people use for interactive fiction. You can add images and audio, though, if you don't mind messing with HTML. I use Twine for text games and for outlining for my larger games.

RPG Maker has multiple versions and has been used for exclusively VNs if you don't mind fucking around with plugins. It can definitely give your game a super unique feel. I recommend RPG Maker MV, since it has the most resources. This line of engines usually costs money, but it often goes on sale for under $5-$15.

People will recommend TyranoBuilder, but as a user and player, the lack of options and the format the games often come in is just...not fun to navigate. It advertises itself as little to no code, but it's often evident in the final results. Some good games have been made in it, though, so if you want to use it for prototyping/practice, you can. I'm not a fan, but that doesn't mean that fans don't exist! This engine costs money.

There are tons of Youtube tutorials for each of these engines. Promise. It's okay to be scared of code, but you're not going to stop fearing it until you learn how to combat it.

YOUR FIRST GAME

This is probably the most important piece of advice I will ever give: DO NOT MAKE YOUR FIRST GAME A LARGE PROJECT.

Your first game will not be good. And that's okay. What I recommend is doing "one week prototypes", where you make games in a short amount of time to learn skills. It doesn't matter how bad they are, just try to make them polished, and try to learn a skill along the way.

Eventually, start working your way up until you feel that the load for your dream project is going to be manageable.

ON MAKING YOUR DEMO

Your demo does not have to be perfect. That's why it's a demo! You are free to (and often will do) change things in it for the final game.

The purpose of the demo is to showcase the features, the general theme, etc. It doesn't mean it has to be the start of your game, but with a visual novel or other narrative game, it's easier to start from the beginning. One demo I really like is Dead Space 2's for E3 because although it's 2 hours into the game, it gives you a full feel for how the real thing will be.

I would say make your demo only 5-15% of your game. If your game is going to be less than 30 minutes of playtime, there isn't really a reason to make a demo.

OUTLINE AND PLAN YOUR STUFF, especially if you aren't used to writing. Keep a list of tasks on a website such as Trello, Notion, or Jira.

Do not spend more than 3-4 months on your demo for a visual novel. You can update it later. You can add things. You can do whatever. But if you are spending more than 3 months on a demo build, then you are never going to get the full project done. Unless your project is going to be super, duper big (as in you have a longer than 2 year plan on creating it), I'd be wary of your time. You also have people who are waiting for your game. Let them know of your speed, your scope, and your own expectations.

ON MAKING YOUR BLOG

Your Tumblr blog should enhance your game. Your game should not enhance your blog.

Make your blog, I'd say, when you have 75%-ish of your demo done. There's a lot of times I've seen people make blogs when they have ideas, those blogs sit for a year, and a demo never manifests.

One thing we do in game development is the devlog, where we basically talk about what we've done with our game. Set how often you want to write a devlog. Weekly? Every two weeks? Monthly? In it, list everything you've done, some challenges, and what's to come. It keeps it real, it keeps you working, and it keeps your followers consistently excited for your game.

If people send you hate, anon or not, do not engage. I know how tempting it will be to clap back or to be upset by it, but any sort of response from you is ammunition and fulfillment to the person who sent it. The best thing to do is to delete it. Feel free to joke about it in a private group chat or something, but being public will only make you a target.

In the same breath, do not be immune or rude about genuine criticism.

It's good to be joking and casual, but keep a sense of professionalism.

People on this website are horny. You are not obligated to indulge in horny asks, even if your game is NSFW.

In fact, you are not obligated to indulge in any asks that you don't want to.

People often make tags for asks per character (I have #dorian ask, #aeron ask, etc). Make a pinned post that has your demo's link and any other important social medias for your game.

ON MAKING YOUR GAME PAST THE DEMO

Try not to overscope! Try to give yourself a deadline. "I want to finish this game in a year." Try to stick to that. It is very tempting to want to continue adding things to it, but please make sure you get the important stuff done first. Core features and core gameplay. You can add extras in later updates, helping to prolong your game.

Practice writing and art in other places. Do short writing exercises. Talk about your game and its plot with other writers to help you tweak bits.

Plan your assets. Try to set a weekly goal for yourself ("I'm going to write 5k words and do 1 background this week").

Most of us aren't musicians. That's okay. Make sure the music you get for your game is allowed to be used. You can use anything non-commercial if your game will not cost money or donations. I try to do songs in the public domain or free to use overall with credit if I don't have a musician. Consult the Creative Commons website if you're unsure how you're supposed to use a certain piece of music. If you don't use the right stuff, not only can it put you in legal trouble, but it can put streamers in hot water if they play your game and they can't upload the video because music is copyrighted.

For the love of God, have fun.

The way I would let Lowell(I’m so sorry if I spelt that wrong ajbddj) pound me into the matresshsifbdbdb HED SO SKRUNKLE- okay okay so so he’s trans does he have too surgery since he has bottom? Also yes I know another ask but but he’s skdjdhr AHEMM NSFW ask but but how would he be with a Bratty MC in bed? Perhaps ahem, a Drabble of it

Ooaybyehdhdbrb I’m so sorry for so many ask (ಡ‸ಡ)

You spelled it right, no worries!

Lowell has indeed had a double mastectomy! He has one long scar across his chest and he chose to forgo nipple grafts.

Lowell loveeees brats :3 he finds them adorable, and he's very playful with them! Plenty of teasing, and he's not afraid to manhandle you a little if it gets the desired response. He takes a very 'sweet words with rough touches' approach, and he can be a little condescending if you push his buttons enough.

🔞NSFW under the cut! Minors DNI🔞

“Aww come on now, Doll~” Lowell coos, grabbing you roughly by the chin and tilting your head up with unexpected force. You grimace as your neck twinges, shooting him a glare. You'd been in a bratty mood all afternoon, and you weren't in a mood to cave so easily. Apparently undaunted by the challenge, he merely giggles in response, settling on your lap with his fingers still fastened tight around your jaw.

"Don't be like that," he continues. "Don't you wanna be a good little plaything for me?" You rear back your head, reaching forward to snap at his fingers with bared teeth. He retreats his hand smoothly, as if he'd been expecting this from you, and treats you to another sickly sweet smile that spreads wide across his face. Bright red has blossomed over his cheeks, and he whistles appreciatively.

"I have such a fiesty toy today," he practically purrs, reaching around to grab you roughly by the hair at the back of your head. "I think we need to find something else for that mouth to do, hm?"

Is there any scenario where Lowell would let his doll leave the attic, or where he would decide to not kidnap them???

Yes, he wants them to be safe, and he wants to keep tabs on them, but if they comply and don't show any signs of wanting to run off or behave irrationally then they can earn outside privileges. Takes... A long time though.

There's not a lot they could do to avoid kidnapping, though. He'll just treat them worse if they push the wrong buttons, and they might not make it out alive

Y’all gotta stop makin these guys so pretty wtf how am I supposed to keep up I only have so many hands

@restartheartvn @campwillowpeak @turnthepagevn @14dayswithyou @stnaf-vn @darlingdollhousevn

I don't think I've posted this yet, a little drabble for @darlingdollhousevn ! It's very short, but I just wanted to write something fluffy and cute for Lowell based off an ask I sent a while ago <3

----------------------------

"Stay still, Doll~"

You tried not to squirm, suppressing a giggle as the ticklish feeling of the makeup brush swept across your cheeks. You'd been doing pretty well to stay still until now, but the urge to fidget was getting stronger and stronger.

Luckily that was the end of it, as Lowell sprayed some setting spray across your face you couldn't help but be relieved. If you'd had to sit still any longer you'd have went crazy for sure!

"And done!" Lowell held up a handheld mirror for you to look at yourself. "Waddya think?~"

You took the mirror, inspecting your makeup with a smile. "Hmm... I like it!" You said with a nod. "I've never tried a full face of makeup like this. It's interesting to see!" You batted your eyes to get a better look at the eyeshadow. "Ooh, the eyeshadow is super pretty!"

"Right?!" Lowell exclaimed excitedly. "That's my favorite part!" He seemed pleased at your praise, beaming as he took the mirror from you.

"So?" You asked expectantly, looking at him with a smile. "Don't I get a reward for sitting still so long?"

Lowell chuckled. "Of course!" He opened his arms wide, scooping you into a hug, being careful not to mess up the makeup he'd just applied.

You squeaked, laughing as you looped your arms around his neck as he spun you around a couple of times before sitting down with you in his lap.

You carefully rested your cheek against his chest, hearing his heartbeat.

The words bubbled out, threatening to spill, but you held them back.

Not yet.

It'd never been easy for you to talk about your feelings, and yet the more time you spent with Lowell, the man who'd kidnapped you, the harder it became for you to not tell him how you felt.

After all, what would it say about you if you told your kidnapper you'd fallen in love with him?

So, even if you knew how you felt, you'd deny it for as long as possible.

Gently removing Lowell's makeup before we go to bed together and smooching each of his cheeks afterwards telling him he's gorgeous with or without it <3

Yall are so sweet to this weird little freak. He's crying abt it as we speak

He's for sure the type to sleep in makeup when he does get some sleep so a gesture like that he would be extremely touched by!

How does Lowell know hypnosis, and what would the trigger be? Like a nickname?

He picked it up online and in a few different kink clubs :-) he'd probably be a little shit and have "doll" or "dolly" be the trigger word for you so that he could drop you every time he used your pet name, but some people aren't responsive to trigger words, so he doesn't bank on that working necessarily.

He'd definitely take advantage of flashing lights and bright colors, repetitive motions, pleasure conditioning, and looping audio files. Fractionation is one of his favorite methods to turn your brain off. People respond to different methods pretty variably, so he's happy to tinker with his technique until he finds the right one to make you fuzzy, suggestionable, and completely reliant on him.

Aaaaa in the one ask about if mc had a partner while Lowell is stalking them the audio sounds like morse code I think?

But I'm not sure how to translate it and can't find any good websites to translate it either (I've spent the last hour trying to translate it belive me 😭)

So could I PRETTY PLEASE- Have a hint on translating it? I'm struggling bad right now-

[_o_d__on _otw____ _or__r_y _ab___ou _tit_,__ _low__e_ _ll_iski _nd__afu _nny__s_ _om____e _ti_me_s __!_____]

:o)

Lowell can design clothes, so is he inspired by the style like a mix of Japanese fashion, vintage, or gothic stuff?

Lowell first got into fashion design while he was in middle school- he was really into scene, cybergoth, and emo culture and since he already knew how to sew he was able to make his own outfits to match the aesthetic.

Over time his fashion sense evolved, and his current inspirations are lolita, fairy kei, lovecore, and kitsch

Some spicy Lowell work now available on my patreon! More to come, and any patrons are welcome to request NSFW drawings and scenarios for my little blorbos to get up to :3

https://www.patreon.com/posts/stuffin-cream-79948629