[Closed] Next Character Voice Poll (Patreon)

Okay, one last poll for now.

This one on the different topic of voices. Yes, I know, I've still yet to even put that proper audio demo together that I keep going on about, but let me explain my thinking. My goal with voices is not necessarily to have every single line voiced for one character before moving on to the next. In fact, I likely won't have literally every line in the game voiced unless at some point there suddenly becomes the budget for it.  My goal for voice lines in v0.10 is to get the majority of Tiffany's repeatable scene lines (combat, sex scenes, etc) completed, along with all of her main quest lines from Day 1. But at the same time, I think it would be nice to try and give more characters a voice if possible, only because it sounds odd if Tiffany is the only one with a voice at times. 

Now since we are focusing on Day 1 mostly, voice line wise, of course, I figured most people are going to say, okay cool cast Vanessa or Hitomi next. This was my first thought as well, and who I would personally like to hear voices for first. The only problem with those two is the fact that, while they are very popular and prominent characters most of their scenes and interactions won't be implemented until later versions, and after v0.10 we're not going to bump into either again until Tiffany Returns to the south part of town on Day 4. So I'm feeling hesitant to cast these roles but then leave the voice actresses waiting around for a year or longer with no work, and then risk a situation where I take too long and they become unavailable to reprise these bigger roles when needed. Probably only a very small fraction of their total lines have been written so far, so it kind of seems too early to cast them just yet. Of course, Tiffany is a different situation, she's obviously got the most lines and her story is no where near done either, but we see her in every version with new things to say so it's not like we have the same problem there. 

That's why, alternatively, I feel it would be easier to cast some other characters instead. Terry for example, while also an incomplete and ongoing character, actually doesn't have that many lines, and since he is the first person Tiffany speaks with in the intro, (and I suppose the male lead) I feel like it would make the intro seem less weird if he spoke back with his own voice. And while we also won't be seeing Terry in game for a while, if worse comes to worse I feel he could be more easily recast if needed without as much hassle. Since Terry will ultimately end up having far fewer lines than any of the main girls (Like Vanessa or Hitomi) because of how infrequently we seem him in game and the fact that he won't be featured much in regular gameplay like the Companion Girls will be with all their combat lines and copious sex scenes. 

And then there are characters who are "complete" like Robert who only appears on Day 1, and we could easily get all of his lines recorded in one batch and then not have to worry about it anymore. But I also threw in Kiana as an option, because, while she's not a main girl, she is a "complete" character, and decently popular. I wouldn't be as opposed to finding someone to play Kiana, since it's a one-and-done role like Robert. And I think people would probably prefer to hear her voice in scenes than any of the other "complete" characters. Going with Kiana first may also help me scout out potential voices for other characters too. The only downside with doing Kiana next is that she's a Day 2/3 character and reasonably minor so it may feel a little out of place hearing her over others. But I hope people can see where I'm coming from when I say I'd feel more comfortable casting characters who are "complete" vs casting characters I'm not quite ready for yet, script wise. 

Of course, I'd like to have at least a few characters with voice lines by the time to full release of v0.10 is ready. Though that all depends on the timing of things. I'll never intentionally hold back the release of the next version just to add more voice lines, so don't worry about that.

But I'll leave the decision of who to cast next up to you all, because your support is what ultimately funds my ability to pay for voice lines in the first place. I just wanted to be able to let you make an informed decision before blinding smashing the "Vanessa" option in the poll bellow! :P Which is totally fine, if that's who you'd most like to hear next regardless of these minor considerations, go for it. :) I just wanted to explain my own line thinking first.

Thanks for your feedback and support. Now excuse me while I go finish writing and editing the last few hundred words of the Lara story update and I'll post that for everyone too. :)

~Jim