KickStarter Vampire Syndicate: Gangs of MoonFall

[Vincente]

lack of sexy vampire RPGs

I think I know one other example that may turn out to be decent. But it does not have turn based combat.


And if it releases, it will probably be years after Gangs of Moonfall.

what's the name?

Bloodlines 2.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

lack of sexy vampire RPGs

I think I know one other example that may turn out to be decent. But it does not have turn based combat.


And if it releases, it will probably be years after Gangs of Moonfall.

what's the name?

Bloodlines 2.

'e said sexy vampires bruv.

 

[Louis_Cypher]

More latex, rubber corsets and fetish fashion please. Rubber cyberpunk femme vampire asses should squeak when they walk.

Tyranicon will you commit to more latex?

Perhaps even an ON/OFF option in settings to make it squeak and snap as female characters walk?

 

[Tyranicon]

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 a lot of AI use in the actual game.

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.

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.

 

[Peachcurl]

lack of sexy vampire RPGs

I think I know one other example that may turn out to be decent. But it does not have turn based combat.


And if it releases, it will probably be years after Gangs of Moonfall.

what's the name?

Bloodlines 2.

'e said sexy vampires bruv.

Yeah, I wouldn't make that mistake, though it checks some other boxes.

I was talking about Kalyskah.

 

[jaekl]

We could all talk bad about minorities itt when your kickstarter gets going, then we can share it with kotaku and get you some serious publicity. Big bucks to be made, think about it.

 

[Tyranicon]

I knew I joined this forum for a reason.

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

Awww I won't abandon you guys.

Plus, this is where all my edgy street cred is.

"Despite commercial success, Vampire Syndicate developer proclaims unyielding loyalty towards the notoriously racist forum RPGCodex."

 

[Demo.Graph]

Perhaps even an ON/OFF option in settings to make it squeak and snap as female characters walk?

They shall squeak with latex on, they shall squeal with latex off.

 

[Readher]

We could all talk bad about minorities itt when your kickstarter gets going, then we can share it with kotaku and get you some serious publicity. Big bucks to be made, think about it.

Don't forget about eurogaymer.net

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

Don't show gameplay, no demo; show trailers, cute vampire chicks, and focus on storytelling—storytelling way above anything else.
Look at this , its just a book with pictures: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/the-stormlight-archive-rpg/comments 10 millions $....
Sell a dream with pretty pictures, sexy girls with haunting voices, and promises you won't even have to fulfill—and you become a millionaire.

I concur. I already read a ton of comments from normies on the YT video lamenting that it's turn-based.

Keep quiet about the areas that are of little mainstream interest. Present pretty girls, interesting story with some good looking art, and weigh into the "heroic solo indie dev against corporations" narrative, which is already the sole reason why Asmongold watched your video in the first place.

It would be a real shame if you missed out on a few millions because you put too much emphasis on stuff that a lot of people don't like. (turn-based combat etc.)

 

[Mortmal]

Don't show gameplay, no demo; show trailers, cute vampire chicks, and focus on storytelling—storytelling way above anything else.
Look at this , its just a book with pictures: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/the-stormlight-archive-rpg/comments 10 millions $....
Sell a dream with pretty pictures, sexy girls with haunting voices, and promises you won't even have to fulfill—and you become a millionaire.

I concur. I already read a ton of comments from normies on the YT video lamenting that it's turn-based.

Keep quiet about the areas that are of little mainstream interest. Present pretty girls, interesting story with some good looking art, and weigh into the "heroic solo indie dev against corporations" narrative, which is already the sole reason why Asmongold watched your video in the first place.

It would be a real shame if you missed out on a few millions because you put too much emphasis on stuff that a lot of people don't like. (turn-based combat etc.)

That and without irony. Tyranicon , dont fuck it up it's the once in your life opportunity.

 

[jaekl]

I thought that turn based was cool now since baldur's gate 3 was so successful among the internet's large population of women and femboys?

 

[Readher]

I thought that turn based was cool now since baldur's gate 3 was so successful among the internet's large population of women and femboys?

The normie fears the unknown. Fully isometric cRPGs were a thing for a long time, 1st/3rd person with isometric turn-BASED combat are very rare.

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

I thought that turn based was cool now since baldur's gate 3 was so successful among the internet's large population of women and femboys?

These are the 4 most popular videos on the Larian YT channel. There's about two seconds of combat in the launch trailer and it's not shown from the isometric perspective with UI, it's just a zoom in on a "cool" spell.

Real footage of combat appears for the first time in their sixth most popular BG3 video. The preceeding 5 are all focused solely on the story and characters.

Out of the 20 most popular BG3 videos released by Larian, 18 do not show combat gameplay.

 

[Readher]

I thought that turn based was cool now since baldur's gate 3 was so successful among the internet's large population of women and femboys?

These are the 4 most popular videos on the Larian YT channel. There's about two seconds of combat in the launch trailer and it's not shown from the isometric perspective with UI, it's just a zoom in on a "cool" spell.

Real footage of combat appears for the first time in their sixth most popular BG3 video. The preceeding 5 are all focused solely on the story and characters.

Out of the 20 most popular BG3 videos released by Larian, 18 do not show combat gameplay.

This is sad, and I'm saying that as a storyfag.

 

[The Wall]

Normies are beyond retarded. And basically have no soul, only programming. Zeitgeist aka programming of time and place we live in is like 90% of their identity

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

Reading the comments on the trailer video reminded me of how dumb the average person is.

Now, I hope to see this game succeed, but I do find it hilarious that the only thing the normies need to be impressed is a bunch of random, stitched together assets with UE4 lightning.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Reading the comments on the trailer video reminded me of how dumb the average person is.

Now, I hope to see this game succeed, but I do find it hilarious that the only thing the normies need to be impressed is a bunch of random, stitched together assets with UE4 lightning.

He's got a redhead though

 

[Jarmaro]

I got the trailer recommended by the algorithm, only realized whose project it is once I saw the mention of Battle Brothel. It looks solid.
My only real criticisms would be women shown in the trailer, they have a bit of 'generic visual novel plastic-y porn woman' going on. Their design could use some more personality, especially if erotic content would be one of the main goals of the game.

Other than that you're project seems great. It looks huge for a single developer, but if you know your limits you do you. Hope you succeed, there is a huge market for proffessionaly made video games with erotica elements that just waits to be exploited.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

They fear TBC because they are assimilated into RT so bad these days.

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

My only real criticisms would be women shown in the trailer, they have a bit of 'generic visual novel plastic-y porn woman' going on. Their design could use some more personality, especially if erotic content would be one of the main goals of the game.

Other than that you're project seems great. It looks huge for a single developer, but if you know your limits you do you. Hope you succeed, there is a huge market for proffessionaly made video games with erotica elements that just waits to be exploited.

The game's visual side is destined to be the weakest element unless the kickstarter generates enough money to buy dedicated 3D artists. Tyranicon is a writer, a storyteller, that's where he shines.

Tyranicon doesn't actually promise much except that there will be a good branching story (mostly told simply through dialogues, no doubt). The fact that people see UE4 and immediately project their wild expectations about impeccable visuals, cutscenes, voice acting, and whatnot is on them. It is rather convenient for the kickstarter, however.

I implore Tyranicon to go full Sun Tzu with the Kickstarter. I would never dare to suggest that he should lie about the game, but accidentally omitting the less appealing aspects and focusing on the more interesting ones? There's no point in being honest unless you are deliberately doing it to present yourself as more sympathetic (which is how he got the surge of attetion, through being the "indie dev against corporations").

Ironically enough, "fake it till you make it" applies here, because in case the kickstarter actually starts garnering millions of dollars, he may be able to fulfill even the misplaced expectations.

 

[Tyranicon]

So what I'll say is, the whole reason I got into this as a solo is so I don't have start chasing the mainstream dollar, which inevitably leads to all the bad stuff we see in games and general media today.

But at the same time, I also can understand what someone looking at this game wants most, and I think thankfully, it aligns with my priorities. Right now I'm just trying real hard not to fuck it up.

 

[Spectral Pontifex]

So what I'll say is, the whole reason I got into this as a solo is so I don't have start chasing the mainstream dollar, which inevitably leads to all the bad stuff we see in games and general media today.

But at the same time, I also can understand what someone looking at this game wants most, and I think thankfully, it aligns with my priorities. Right now I'm just trying real hard not to fuck it up.

You don't have to change anything about the game, you just have to sell it right. You could market it primarily as an isometric combat, turn-based RPG or you could market it as gripping story-driven game. Both of these are valid descriptions of the game, but we all know which one appeals to the masses, as BG3 demonstrated.

 

[Harthwain]

Reading the comments on the trailer video reminded me of how dumb the average person is.

Most people have below average IQ.