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Patreon is Live
6 months ago
Hello all! I now have a Patreon, available here: https://www.patreon.com/c/Cainiam
As a now full-time writer/game designer for hopefully as long as I can be, I need to start making money in order to continue to produce content. I have been taking Commissions weekly as I'm sure you've noticed, which was Phase 1. Phase 2 of the plan is this Patreon. What I end up doing through Patreon really depends on how much money it makes. I may tie Commissions to it in the future, but as of right now I'll continue with the current model for at least another week.
Now for some questions I'm sure you're wondering:
Does this mean you'll stop uploading fics?
No, of course not. I'll still be writing and endeavour to maintain a three upload a week schedule for content.
What is through the Patreon?
Basically the Patreon currently is for Game Over fics produced every 2 weeks, and Quest games which I would love to produce monthly but as of right now I can't guarantee that with 4 comm slots needed a week to comfortably make rent. Still Quest Games will be produced for it and the Game Over fics that result will be released on Furaffinity publicly so that's more content for you.
Quest Games?
That's right, the Text Adventure game creator that's basically a fossil at this point but I still use as it's what I'm familiar with and it works for me, dammnit. But yes, there should be more Quest games in future HOWEVER this will be gated content. I will ALWAYS release a public demo so viewers will get some content, but the rest will be paywalled behind the Patreon.
So you're going to start paywalling your content?
I will be paywalling the full versions of Quest games. I need to have something to give to my patrons as they'll be funding the entire development of the Quest Games as they're paying for me to not do comms so I can work on this stuff without going homeless. BUT you non-subs will still get the demo access so you are getting MORE content than you would have gotten otherwise as these games would not be produced without the Patreon.
Where do you see this going?
Well my ambition has always been more with the Game Design side than the fic side, I just have never had the time or place to really hone those skills. If this does take off then that is where I will be looking to next. Moving from Quest to learning other gaming software and maybe even sprite art.
If you've read this far, thanks, I appreciate it. As for a quick Patreon tier breakdown:
Non-Patrons: If you can't afford or are unwilling to support me then know you will at least get a Game Over fic every two weeks and a public demo of any Quest Game produced so you're up on before I had a Patreon.
Voters vote on the subject matter for the Game Over fics, and for the Quest Games, but do not have the ability to suggest options for the polls they vote on.
Consumers is the tier for actually playing the Quest Games produced. Consumers also get all Voters rights.
Influencers are the ones who suggest the options for the polls, and will get WIP builds of the Quest game in progress.
All Patron tiers come with Discord access and I will reply to things there. I am notoriously flaky on social media but I will do my best to reply to people and if I'm being bad at it, feel free to call me out.
That should be everything, but I am happy to reply to comments here!
As a now full-time writer/game designer for hopefully as long as I can be, I need to start making money in order to continue to produce content. I have been taking Commissions weekly as I'm sure you've noticed, which was Phase 1. Phase 2 of the plan is this Patreon. What I end up doing through Patreon really depends on how much money it makes. I may tie Commissions to it in the future, but as of right now I'll continue with the current model for at least another week.
Now for some questions I'm sure you're wondering:
Does this mean you'll stop uploading fics?
No, of course not. I'll still be writing and endeavour to maintain a three upload a week schedule for content.
What is through the Patreon?
Basically the Patreon currently is for Game Over fics produced every 2 weeks, and Quest games which I would love to produce monthly but as of right now I can't guarantee that with 4 comm slots needed a week to comfortably make rent. Still Quest Games will be produced for it and the Game Over fics that result will be released on Furaffinity publicly so that's more content for you.
Quest Games?
That's right, the Text Adventure game creator that's basically a fossil at this point but I still use as it's what I'm familiar with and it works for me, dammnit. But yes, there should be more Quest games in future HOWEVER this will be gated content. I will ALWAYS release a public demo so viewers will get some content, but the rest will be paywalled behind the Patreon.
So you're going to start paywalling your content?
I will be paywalling the full versions of Quest games. I need to have something to give to my patrons as they'll be funding the entire development of the Quest Games as they're paying for me to not do comms so I can work on this stuff without going homeless. BUT you non-subs will still get the demo access so you are getting MORE content than you would have gotten otherwise as these games would not be produced without the Patreon.
Where do you see this going?
Well my ambition has always been more with the Game Design side than the fic side, I just have never had the time or place to really hone those skills. If this does take off then that is where I will be looking to next. Moving from Quest to learning other gaming software and maybe even sprite art.
If you've read this far, thanks, I appreciate it. As for a quick Patreon tier breakdown:
Non-Patrons: If you can't afford or are unwilling to support me then know you will at least get a Game Over fic every two weeks and a public demo of any Quest Game produced so you're up on before I had a Patreon.
Voters vote on the subject matter for the Game Over fics, and for the Quest Games, but do not have the ability to suggest options for the polls they vote on.
Consumers is the tier for actually playing the Quest Games produced. Consumers also get all Voters rights.
Influencers are the ones who suggest the options for the polls, and will get WIP builds of the Quest game in progress.
All Patron tiers come with Discord access and I will reply to things there. I am notoriously flaky on social media but I will do my best to reply to people and if I'm being bad at it, feel free to call me out.
That should be everything, but I am happy to reply to comments here!
Reeces Pieces
~dancedanceimmolation
Congratulations, man!
Cainiam
~cainiam
OP
Thank you! FIgures crossed this is the start of something big!
driftcatch
~driftcatch
If you're looking to do more on the game design end for interactive fiction I think you should certainly check out twine, it's really good for both learning how to add more scripting to an interactive story, and for being versatile enough to handle more full-on game style projects. Ren'py is also very good for that, although I haven't personally had experience with it, it's a little more complex but has better graphics support if you want to create a visual novel style game.
Cainiam
~cainiam
OP
I have looked at Twine before and coming from Quest it doesn't really have the same level of functionality but it is a lot more user friendly, especially for the player. I made a project back with Inkle Writer before and Twine reminds me more of that, you have the ability to add variables and such but it is still an interactive story more than anything else. Quest at least has the rooms so it's more like a point and click game but told through text, a Zork versus a Give Yourselves Goosebumps. I have used Ren'py, I actually was enjoying getting into it, but the problem there is Ren'py is *VERY* visual, I'd need an artist and then I'd have to pay them for the art. Maybe if I do pick up Aseprite that may be viable in future. The engines I'm mostly looking at are Godot and Game Maker. And then trying to think of methods of utilising less art assets and more text, such as creating a Card game or something with an Overworld map and a grid.
driftcatch
~driftcatch
Yeah, in that case if you're trying to move away from interactive ficiton into more straight games then a full on engine is always a good choice, Both Godot and GMS are solid options, Cocos-2d might also be worth a look. I do think twine isn't also completely worth writing off, compared to Quest it doesn't have a lot of functionality out of the box but seeing as it's just a wrapper for HTML/JavaScript you can add quite a lot to it, it's possible to add images, animations, full on RPG mechancis, a structured open world, and a number of other things as long as you can write scripts for them, there several games made twine that take full advantage of this so it isn't just a niche use, Quest couldn't really handle that due to it's more rigid structure of rooms/objects/NPC's to adhere to the adventure game standard, although again, if you're going for full 2d, then Godot/GMS is a very solid choice as long as you've got the fundamentals of scripting down. Excited to see what you end up creating!
Milkymoofficial
~milkymoofficial
I’m no game designer, but I respect the hustle and I’m glad to see other writers offer more beyond just stories. Recently I started experimenting with audio voiceovers based on stories I made and it’s been fun doing the editing, so I hope this is the start of something special for you!
Cainiam
~cainiam
OP
Thanks, I appreciate it! And yeah, never a bad idea to branch things out. More you can offer, more you can earn!
Yaboyguzma1
~yaboyguzma1
are we ever getting part 3 of the time wolf quest game?
Cainiam
~cainiam
OP
This one? https://www.furaffinity.net/view/60181621/
