Vampire Syndicate: Gangs of MoonFall
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Vampire Syndicate: Gangs of MoonFall

 This topic has been pinned, so it's probably important
manlymousedan  [developer] Aug 29, 2024 @ 9:43am
Q&A
Wow! I am blown away by the positive reception of the trailer. I really can’t express how gratifying it is to see all the support from everybody. Thank you!

I noticed there’s a lot of questions about the game, and this Q&A is set up to try and answer some of the ones I see most often. If you have a specific question, ask it here and I’ll try to answer it if I have time.

Are you really a one-man developer?

Yes, although that doesn’t mean I do everything myself. I contract artists, musicians, programmers and other talented people as needed (and as I can afford, my current budget is very low).

I will do the same for this project, although I do plan on retaining full control of development. This is not a, uh, control freak thing. I just have a certain vision for the game and I found that historically, solodev is the best process for me personally.

I have to admit that the scope of Vampire Syndicate is massive for a solodev, or even a small studio, and that there will be numerous difficulties involved with the project. It is very, very ambitious. But I believe I can bring this project to fruition and offer a great game. All I can promise you is that I’ll try my best.

How long have you been working on the project?

I’ve been working on Vampire Syndicate since 2022, although it has not entered full production. It was supposed to last year, but my first attempt at a Kickstarter failed.

I’m honestly glad I got the extra time so I could rethink things. I started migrating engines two or three months ago, and it’s a very large amount of work. But I think in the long run it’s for the best.

I was attempting to use a very customized version of RPGmaker for Vampire Syndicate, like my previous games, but what I had in mind was outside of what that engine is capable of. This is not a knock on RPGmaker of course, I have fond memories of it and it offered me, someone with no programming experience, a chance to make games.

What stage of development are you in?

Early. There are certain mechanics that are well-developed, like the combat system, which I’m attempting to migrate wholesale from the old engine. I’m at a stage where I am coming up against financial barriers and I’ll need more money to continue development.

Is it the same setting as your other games?

Yes, it’s a cyberpunk fantasy setting broadly comparable to Shadowrun. I’ve spent many, many years working on it. It’s set in an island city-state called MoonFall. There are a lot of sci-fi elements, the technological singularity is looming ominously over the horizon, there are fantastical monsters, a SCP Foundation-inspired faction, a global conspiracy, very few remaining pockets of elves and dwarves, battle hookers, Lovecraftian cosmic horrors etc.

It’s a kitchen sink and I love to talk about it, but keep it short here to save space. I have a lore book for my last porn game!

You can find it as a DLC for Memoirs or independently here: https://amemoryofeternity.itch.io/moonfall-a-lore-book

Why turn-based combat?

Two major reasons. The first being that I have experience in (and I really enjoy) making turn-based games and no experience with FPS or third-person action combat. The second is that those would cost significantly more money and be much harder for a small dev like me.

What’s combat like?

I’m using a homemade turn-based combat system. I would very broadly compare it to if XCOM and Baldur’s Gate 3 had a baby, but that’s not super accurate. It’s an action point system where you can increase almost all your stats for player progression. If you’ve played a turn-based RPG before, you’ll be familiar with what I’m making.

Do you use store assets?

Yes. All my games use store-bought assets in addition to stuff I have personally made (not being an artist, they don’t look great) or commissioned. I think, especially for solodevs, that store assets are there to be used. That’s why they’re sold. I know there’s a giant stigma against them from developers of more established studios, and I apologize if I use assets in a tactless manner, but being an outsider, I have no idea of what the norms in the industry are.

Right now the store assets I use are a mix of placeholders and really nice stuff that I plan on using for the future.

Do you use AI?

You will probably notice that I use some AI for marketing material. I’ll say that I personally don’t disagree with the use of AI tools, but I vastly prefer human creatives if I can afford it. I did make a little art project using AI music and voice because that story revolved around an AI singer program, but Vampire Syndicate is very different and I don’t have plans for AI use in the actual game.

Although I can't guarantee 0% since a lot of artists and designers use it and even store assets have AI-gen stuff in them now.

Will the game be voiced?

I hope so! That’s one of the crowdfunding goals. However, I will probably do limited voice acting like in the older RPGs where only the important dialogue is voiced. This gives me greater freedom with writing dialogue.

Can I be a werewolf or a slayer?

Unfortunately, no. Having the player actually be a werewolf or slayer is an entire game in itself. I do intend on making a game about the Slayer Order, but that’s far in the future.

Why is it not available in my region?

The game has adult content. As in fully explicit adult content. This means the game will be banned in several countries on Steam. I do plan on having the game on Itch.io: https://amemoryofeternity.itch.io/vampire-syndicate-gangs-of-moonfall

GOG is also likely, as my last game is on there, but might come later than the Steam and Itch.io versions.

How much adult content is there? Will it be separated from the rest of the game?

The adult content is significant but not the main content or draw of the game. Consider this an RPG that just happens to have explicit sex in its romances.

I am considering putting the adult content in a free DLC.

When will the demo be updated?

So the currently available demo is very outdated, and on a completely different engine. I was rushing pretty hard to try and get a new demo in time for the Kickstarter but that was more or less an impossible task as I was two months into an engine migration. I also don't want to put out something that feels rushed and tanks the hype I've somehow built up.

A new demo is coming, but it will take some time.

What characters and sexual content will be included?

The game will have a relatively large cast of characters to romance. This includes men and women of varying sexual orientations (M+F, F+F, M+M). Although I do have to caution that the bulk of the content is made for a straight male audience.

I would also describe the content as mostly vanilla, in terms of fetishes, although there will be exceptions.

All other questions

There’s a lot of technical and content-related questions that could be answered with “depending on budget.” The scope of this game will depend heavily on what crowdfunding goals are achieved. Regardless, I am very enthusiastic and optimistic about the project.

Thank you for your trust and excitement. I’ll try my best not to let you down.
Last edited by manlymousedan; Sep 2, 2024 @ 10:13pm
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Showing 1-15 of 37 comments
SEVENTH_SIGHN Aug 29, 2024 @ 2:14pm 
Question here, regarding the narration will you still have that in the game? Even though it was AI voiced in the demo I found it well done and not hard to listen to at all. Actually liked it to be honest.

Also a question about companions will we get the same main companions as in the demo ie Frankie, Proxy, Doll face etc
manlymousedan  [developer] Aug 29, 2024 @ 2:22pm 
Originally posted by SEVENTH_SIGHN:
Question here, regarding the narration will you still have that in the game? Even though it was AI voiced in the demo I found it well done and not hard to listen to at all. Actually liked it to be honest.

Also a question about companions will we get the same main companions as in the demo ie Frankie, Proxy, Doll face etc

Yes to narration, although it will hopefully be voiced by a real person. But voice acting will be towards the very end of development.

Also yes to the companions. They might look slightly different though, still tinkering with their designs.
Loki Aug 29, 2024 @ 5:17pm 
Saw this on Reddit, and thought it looked awesome. It's insane you did this as a solo dev.

Question: When's the kickstarter being launched? And do you plan to showcase an updated demo?
manlymousedan  [developer] Aug 29, 2024 @ 5:40pm 
Originally posted by Loki:
Saw this on Reddit, and thought it looked awesome. It's insane you did this as a solo dev.

Question: When's the kickstarter being launched? And do you plan to showcase an updated demo?

That's actually a great question, I'll add it to the FAQ.

Kickstarter is scheduled for sometime in September.

I was rushing pretty hard to try and get a new demo in time for the Kickstarter but that was more or less an impossible task two months into an engine migration. I also don't want to put out something that feels rushed and tanks the hype I've somehow built up.

A new demo is coming, but it will take some time.
SolBlaze Aug 31, 2024 @ 2:34am 
Would this game support mod and modding friendly ? coz a lot of game now a days do this to have consistent player base ? Also coz I play skyrim, Fallout NV, VTM bloodlines to this day.
manlymousedan  [developer] Aug 31, 2024 @ 4:40am 
Originally posted by SolBlaze:
Would this game support mod and modding friendly ? coz a lot of game now a days do this to have consistent player base ? Also coz I play skyrim, Fallout NV, VTM bloodlines to this day.

That's probably too early to tell and depends on budget.
ShadowSplit Sep 1, 2024 @ 11:30am 
The trailer looks great. The soundtrack is the type I love. I'm quite intrigued by the game, and very much looking forward to it. Wish you all the best.
rtothereeves Sep 2, 2024 @ 11:25am 
Thank you for the Q&A update. I wish you much success with this. Please keep me in mind for possible Voice Acting.
manlymousedan  [developer] Sep 2, 2024 @ 10:11pm 
Originally posted by LemonRush7777:
Oh wait, this has porn? I was under the impression it was just a Vampire Xcom kinda game.

Is the main focus the gameplay and game mechanics or are those just a vehicle to deliver horny stuff? Asking because thats how some AO games are designed: everything orbits and exists for the porn content.

Nothing against it, but it can lead to ruined expectations, especially for a nice looking game like this.

If you could make the 18+ content a separate DLC we can turn off if we want like you mentioned, that would be great.

Porn is not the main content of the game, my games are RPGs that happen to have sex in them.

Yes I'm leaning towards the DLC idea.
rtothereeves Sep 4, 2024 @ 6:00pm 
Originally posted by LemonRush7777:
Oh wait, this has porn? I was under the impression it was just a Vampire Xcom kinda game.

Is the main focus the gameplay and game mechanics or are those just a vehicle to deliver horny stuff? Asking because thats how some AO games are designed: everything orbits and exists for the porn content.

Nothing against it, but it can lead to ruined expectations, especially for a nice looking game like this.

If you could make the 18+ content a separate DLC we can turn off if we want like you mentioned, that would be great.
Personally I do not understand why porn is not a "normal" part of adult age games. I mean not many bat an eye to the endless killing and violence in video games (even for kids). But add something that is probably the most awesome, pleasurable thing that consenting adults can do for each other (ie, sex) and we suddenly get all worried about how awful the content is. Our priorities are backwards, to say the least.
Lordsamuel Sep 6, 2024 @ 1:56pm 
are you still planning to do the whole bioware thing with battle brothel since in a sense Vampire syndicate is a sequel
manlymousedan  [developer] Sep 6, 2024 @ 3:29pm 
Originally posted by Lordsamuel:
are you still planning to do the whole bioware thing with battle brothel since in a sense Vampire syndicate is a sequel

Yes! It will probably just be a questionnaire when you start the game. It'll change the world state in both small and big ways.

There will be a "default" state for players who aren't familiar with Memoirs.
Last edited by manlymousedan; Sep 6, 2024 @ 3:30pm
Lordsamuel Sep 7, 2024 @ 4:31pm 
Originally posted by manlymousedan:
Originally posted by Lordsamuel:
are you still planning to do the whole bioware thing with battle brothel since in a sense Vampire syndicate is a sequel

Yes! It will probably just be a questionnaire when you start the game. It'll change the world state in both small and big ways.

There will be a "default" state for players who aren't familiar with Memoirs.
pretty much similar to Dragon Age Keep for DAI
sansee Sep 8, 2024 @ 12:34pm 
Was looking at the newest trailer and got really excited since it showcases the game in first person, and then I saw the tb combat in isometric view part and it got me a little confused; how will this work? Will it change to TB with isometric view automatically when you trigger a combat event?

TB isn't what I usually play (the last two I played was Shadowrun Returns and Mutant Year Zero) as I prefer first person, but I don't completely shy away if the rest of the game seem interesting. I can understand it's an undertaking to create a game like this as a solodev.
Last edited by sansee; Sep 8, 2024 @ 12:38pm
manlymousedan  [developer] Sep 8, 2024 @ 2:51pm 
Originally posted by sansee:
Was looking at the newest trailer and got really excited since it showcases the game in first person, and then I saw the tb combat in isometric view part and it got me a little confused; how will this work? Will it change to TB with isometric view automatically when you trigger a combat event?

TB isn't what I usually play (the last two I played was Shadowrun Returns and Mutant Year Zero) as I prefer first person, but I don't completely shy away if the rest of the game seem interesting. I can understand it's an undertaking to create a game like this as a solodev.

Regarding the TB combat, your party will be transported to a battle map when combat triggers, where you can deploy your party. It's very similar to my last game, Memoirs of a Battle Brothel.
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