Spin-offs? [Spoilers]

[Zetsubou]

I've been considering a number of different options with regards to possible additions and continuations of Sable's Grimoire. Nothing that will happen in the short term - or possibly at all - but still food for thought.

If you've finished at least one route, you've probably noticed instances of foreboding that ultimately didn't lead to anything. This is largely intentional. Not all conversations or topics raised by a character need to result in some big, climactic event. Sometimes it's for lore, other times it's to give you a glimpse of that character's thoughts.

Other times, it's because there's something I wanted to explore in greater depth than a single game feasibly should (without going off-track or increasing exponentially in length).

More obvious examples of this include:

-Drakan's route, where Nidhogg mentions that her daughter might just be obsessive enough to perform a bonding ritual. Drakan again makes reference to a bonding ritual in Eth/Rei's route.

-Lisha's route. Lisha's mother is portrayed as a villain who was banished from her village, abandoned her children, killed one, attempted to kill the other, and wants to thoroughly destroy Ein. By the end of the game, she is still at large, and we're given no insight as to what will happen with her going forward.

As you could imagine, these stories extend far beyond the end of this game - inside of my head, at least. The hard part is figurinig out if and how such continuations might be explored.


Would a sequel be feasible? I was considering a continuation which starts at the beginning of Sable's second year at Amadronia, with a couple of the (non-conflicting) routes from the first game having happened one after the other.

A visual novel has to be pretty popular to merit a sequel. They're already a niche, and a game without a large following shouldn't expect much success from a sequel. Then there's the matter of time and cost involved, and whether the sequel would be at least as good as the first game.

It's a fun thing to think about, but probably not practical. If Sable's Grimoire gained a decent following a year after release, then maybe a crowdfunded sequel would be in order. But at this very early stage, it doesn't seem likely.


What about DLC? A full sequel might be a bit much, but what about DLC?

Personally, I'm not a fan of DLC, but I do understand the role it plays in game development. Situations like this, for example, where a game might not have enough of a following to merit a sequel, but there's still a demand for certain aspects to be further developed.


Then there are spin-offs... which I guess could be seen as a slightly different form of DLC; new games in their own right, rather than patches for the first, but ultimately just new content added after the fact. Maybe it's a distinction without a difference?

In any case, these seem a little more likely to me, given the nature of this game. Perhaps a couple of spin-offs for the most popular characters, following one possible future after the end of their route?

I could certainly see a spin-off with Sable and Lisha warding off her mother. Or perhaps the truth behind Bartholomew's legacy will come to light, and these two will strive to become new embassadors for relations between man and elf? Does Lisha know of a method to extend Sable's life after all? Or will he die a typical death, perhaps leaving behind descendants?

How about Drakan's route? Perhaps the duo will discover what a dreadful impact Nidhogg's reign has had on others, and see first-hand what Drakan herself will one day become. Maybe they will perform this so-called "bonding ritual"? If they do, what will that entail, and what effects will it have on the participants?


I know I'm focusing on Drakan and Lisha in the text above. If you've played all of SG's routes, I'm sure you understand why. If any characters were to get spin-offs, it would be the two of them.

Putting that aside for a moment, and keeping in mind that this is all purely hypothetical at this stage, what are your thoughts on possible continuations for Sable's Grimoire?

I won't be promising anything at this stage. Right now I'm looking at additions to the main game, such as additional endings and new character routes, so any continuations would be a long way off.

Be that as it may, I'm sure it's pretty obvious by this point that there are still many things I'd like to explore from this game. Whether that meant a crowdfunded sequel, DLC, spin-offs, or something else entirely.

Is this something you'd like to see? Do you have any preference as to how such a continuation would be handled, or what form it might take? Are you completely ambivalent? Share with me your thoughts on the matter.

[milman95]

I could not be more excited for the future of this game and its universe :) I still think so fondly of this game and use its characters as a measurement for other VNs that I play. This world has so much potential and you best believe im gonna be one of the first supporters and buyers of anything more you create :)

[mariods1001]

Again looking forward to seeing the extention of the Drake and Lisha routes, especially seeing more of the story with the elf girl and her family and beyond sense it seemed incomplete to me and maybe others.

Having you continue Eth's route perk my interest. Would be interesting seeing the plant girl make more Advancements on Sable and would strenghten their friendship and romance and learn more of her species. Also would be neat to see more of Trix's route with her mother and seeing the progress of Trix's abilities and eventually having a family with Sable then leaving him.

[mariods1001]

Actually for any extendtions for the game or a sequel, would love to see demi-humans, monster girls of species mentioned in Lisha's route who help build the city near the Academy like the Harpies and Lizardmen and maybe others not mentioned...

[Scoundrel]

Thank you very much for this game Zetsubou. I'd love to see after stories for all of the routes, but in particular Rei and Eth's as their routes were a little underwhelming compared to the rest. Also, I feel that Jorou's end was a bit too sudden. Nevertheless, I enjoyed each and every one and I am looking forward to what's in store for SG and your future games.

[Zatio]

Personally i would love for the game to get more content instead of making a new game, i would be fine with that being dlc or expansions and would really like a Eris route. Also i loved Tix's route and hope to see a continue there as well at some point. I got plenty of time so i can wait years if need be. Keep up the good work.

[Dayrador]

if the Game is already complett, or you still plan others ends
I have an idea for another route,
after meeting (underground stundents) Owl, fox, Rabbit, scream (its not only the voice, more an empathic shock wave, Bundled by heart, mind, voice) to Tix, I query Tix (or/and) Raphael or Eth whether they help me to the care wounds from (underground stundents) alternative route to tix, and dating route to underground stundents (Owl, fox, Rabbit)
and a Dating route to Meara from route Pouint (Jorou fight Meara)

(if no other routes are planned, or not intends spoiler, I can extinguish him put down)

[cniht]

Here is a possible exploration for a route or at least some closure which was stated by at least one person but just add another vote.

Eris and Raphael. There is something going on there that seems ripe for expansion. One or both ways. And the villain could easily be not the person everyone (at the school) thinks it should be.

[Xastanga]

Please consider a route for Koko as well (if it is a feasible option to pursue of course)! Perhaps it could branch off from her first introduction, or later on when she has you confess. Just a thought for later on.

I love the current plans for the future of SG and eagerly look forward to anything and everything added. Best of luck Zetsubou! ^_^

[Zetsubou]

The store pages for the sequels aren't yet ready to go live, but I figure it's about time for a progress update.

Both games (A Dragon's Treasure and Man And Elf) are pretty far through development, but they still have a bit left to go. At the moment I'm estimating April or May release dates.

Here's a rough breakdown of the current state of things.

Man And Elf

Writing: 70%
Backgrounds: 100%
CGs: 80%
18+ CGs: Unstarted
Sprites: 100%
Music: Unstarted
GUI: 100%
Trailer: Unstarted

A Dragon's Treasure

Writing: 80%
Backgrounds: 100%
CGs: 80%
18+ CGs: WIP
Sprites: 100%
Music: Unstarted
GUI: WIP
Trailer: Unstarted


The above is only an estimate and still subject to change.

I'm currently weighing up some additions to both games, which would of course change the progress listed above. That being said, I don't think they would push the release back, given which parts are currently closest to completion.

The estimated length for each game is now 150-200k words, which puts each at roughly half the length of the original Sable's Grimoire (which was 350k at release and 400k after a couple of new content updates).

Each game will have 25-35 CGs, plus a couple of 18+ CGs.

The Steam pages aren't yet ready. First, I'll need logos for each game (they aren't done yet). After that I'll need trailers made for each game (a requirement for Steam pages). Finally, both games will need to go through the initial Steam page review process. So realistically, I don't expect the store pages to be up until February at the earliest.


That's it for now! The next progress update will probably be when the store pages go up, at which point I'll post here again and also make an announcement.

Other expansions to Sable's Grimoire (eg. another route added to the main game, a more direct sequel) will be discussed at a later date, most likely after these two games are complete.

[Cronomancer]

Originally posted by Zetsubou:

The store pages for the sequels aren't yet ready to go live, but I figure it's about time for a progress update.

Both games (A Dragon's Treasure and Man And Elf) are pretty far through development, but they still have a bit left to go. At the moment I'm estimating April or May release dates.

Here's a rough breakdown of the current state of things.

Man And Elf

Writing: 70%
Backgrounds: 100%
CGs: 80%
18+ CGs: Unstarted
Sprites: 100%
Music: Unstarted
GUI: 100%
Trailer: Unstarted

A Dragon's Treasure

Writing: 80%
Backgrounds: 100%
CGs: 80%
18+ CGs: WIP
Sprites: 100%
Music: Unstarted
GUI: WIP
Trailer: Unstarted


The above is only an estimate and still subject to change.

I'm currently weighing up some additions to both games, which would of course change the progress listed above. That being said, I don't think they would push the release back, given which parts are currently closest to completion.

The estimated length for each game is now 150-200k words, which puts each at roughly half the length of the original Sable's Grimoire (which was 350k at release and 400k after a couple of new content updates).

Each game will have 25-35 CGs, plus a couple of 18+ CGs.

The Steam pages aren't yet ready. First, I'll need logos for each game (they aren't done yet). After that I'll need trailers made for each game (a requirement for Steam pages). Finally, both games will need to go through the initial Steam page review process. So realistically, I don't expect the store pages to be up until February at the earliest.


That's it for now! The next progress update will probably be when the store pages go up, at which point I'll post here again and also make an announcement.

Other expansions to Sable's Grimoire (eg. another route added to the main game, a more direct sequel) will be discussed at a later date, most likely after these two games are complete.

You has peaked my interest, fine sir. :)
Also, will we get to meet any half-elves in either of these games or no? (Just curious, cuz I think they'd make a neat character to write about)

[Zetsubou]

Originally posted by Cronomancer:

You has peaked my interest, fine sir. :)
Also, will we get to meet any half-elves in either of these games or no? (Just curious, cuz I think they'd make a neat character to write about)

I think you're crossing into spoiler territory here XD

Yes, Man And Elf will include half-elves. And quarter-elves, for that matter.

[Cronomancer]

Originally posted by Zetsubou:

Originally posted by Cronomancer:

You has peaked my interest, fine sir. :)
Also, will we get to meet any half-elves in either of these games or no? (Just curious, cuz I think they'd make a neat character to write about)

I think you're crossing into spoiler territory here XD

Yes, Man And Elf will include half-elves. And quarter-elves, for that matter.

*happy player noises* :D

[Sippy Cup]

I'M GONNA ♥♥♥♥ THE DRAGON

sorry for disappointing you mum. but this is my life now

[insolentmeddler]

These are separate games, then, and not extensions of existing games? I'm fine either way, but I'd like to know so can get them ASAP.
Also, if you could set up the crowdfunding so we can contribute through steam and not Kickstarter (which I can't use for some reason), it would be more convenient. Thanx

[Zetsubou]

They will indeed be separate games. I'll post here and also make an announcement when their store pages go up (and again when they're released).

I wasn't planning on crowdfunding, so they won't be available through kickstarter.
They will be sold through Steam, Itch.io, and probably JAST USA.