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+--- Thread: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam (/showthread.php?tid=429)
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Jen - 12-27-2025
I bought it to support you as an indie developer, but I didn’t read the description carefully enough. My bad. While I understand why you went with AI art, it goes against my own anti-generative AI dogma, so I uninstalled it. Sorry. I hope you are able to find a human artist for your next game.
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Estória - 12-27-2025
(12-27-2025, 04:06 AM)Jen Wrote: I bought it to support you as an indie developer, but I didn’t read the description carefully enough. My bad. While I understand why you went with AI art, it goes against my own anti-generative AI dogma, so I uninstalled it. Sorry. I hope you are able to find a human artist for your next game.
Hey Jen,
I totally get it. Ideally, I wouldn't have used AI at all. I tried to supplement it with my own artwork to the point that it is as close as possible to how I saw it in my head, but I know that argument doesn't hold much water.
Anyway, thanks for the initial support, and if I can ever piecemeal replace the artwork with 100% "made by me" work, I hope you'll give it another look.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays,
Jonathan
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Baron Blubba - 12-27-2025
(12-27-2025, 04:06 AM)Jen Wrote: I bought it to support you as an indie developer, but I didn’t read the description carefully enough. My bad. While I understand why you went with AI art, it goes against my own anti-generative AI dogma, so I uninstalled it. Sorry. I hope you are able to find a human artist for your next game.
I also didn't like the AI aspects of the art, but the game's author very respectfully addressed my complaints in a post on the previous page.
Ideologically and functionally, I still prefer human-made art. But the game's good, and perhaps with our support, Jonathan will be able to do the art without AI assistance next time. The game's definitely good enough that I'd pay twice the price (or more) for a lengthier sequel without AI art.
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Estória - 12-27-2025
(12-27-2025, 04:13 PM)Baron Blubba Wrote:(12-27-2025, 04:06 AM)Jen Wrote: I bought it to support you as an indie developer, but I didn’t read the description carefully enough. My bad. While I understand why you went with AI art, it goes against my own anti-generative AI dogma, so I uninstalled it. Sorry. I hope you are able to find a human artist for your next game.
I also didn't like the AI aspects of the art, but the game's author very respectfully addressed my complaints in a post on the previous page.
Ideologically and functionally, I still prefer human-made art. But the game's good, and perhaps with our support, Jonathan will be able to do the art without AI assistance next time. The game's definitely good enough that I'd pay twice the price (or more) for a lengthier sequel without AI art.
Thank you so much, Baron Blubba, for your kind words!
I'll never try to argue for AI content, I'm generally against it as well. I guess with this game, I had an idea that I loved and wanted to make, but no idea how to actually do it (I had zero programming experience prior to Estória) and it came down to making the game with the help of AI, or not making it at all. Realistically, it wouldn't exist if I hadn't been able to use AI, but it was always sort of a cop-out. That's why I try to be as upfront about it as possible.
I'm definitely planning to go forward on the sequel(s) without AI, and hopefully do a "remastered" version of this one with handmade graphics only.
Thanks again for your support. I poured my heart into making this game, and I'm so happy to be able to share it with everyone, flaws and all!
-Jonathan
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - srnickolas - 01-11-2026
Congratulations for finishing and releasing your game. I finished it a couple of days back. I like that you are gradually building Lore for your world, it gives depth to the story. Optional puzzles are nice and care was put for different actions actually outputting responses from Luna and the other characters without necessarily being part of the solution. I appreciate these features as an adventure player, they give reason to familiarize with the characters and immerse with the environment. I do agree with the Baron that the library section should not be optional though. its a nice scene and should be mandatory because it grounds the plot also offering tons of Lore. I would love to try for your ultra super deluxe ending and had some ideas how to get it but the limited save files kind of deterred me to try. I had to replay the game, thus my advise is to add more save slots to give room for the players and encourage them to experiment and try alternate actions. Looking forward for your next game.
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Estória - 01-11-2026
(01-11-2026, 08:40 AM)srnickolas Wrote: Congratulations for finishing and releasing your game. I finished it a couple of days back. I like that you are gradually building Lore for your world, it gives depth to the story. Optional puzzles are nice and care was put for different actions actually outputting responses from Luna and the other characters without necessarily being part of the solution. I appreciate these features as an adventure player, they give reason to familiarize with the characters and immerse with the environment. I do agree with the Baron that the library section should not be optional though. its a nice scene and should be mandatory because it grounds the plot also offering tons of Lore. I would love to try for your ultra super deluxe ending and had some ideas how to get it but the limited save files kind of deterred me to try. I had to replay the game, thus my advise is to add more save slots to give room for the players and encourage them to experiment and try alternate actions. Looking forward for your next game.
Thank you so much! This is really useful feedback. I just bumped the number of save slots to 10 (9 + autosave). I can't fit any more than that onto the menu. I'll post the updates on Steam, Itch, & GameJolt today. The App Store takes a few days to review any updates.
I'm currently redoing the iPad / iPhone inventory controls to make them "one touch and drag," which is much easier to use. The Windows / Mac inventory controls will stay the same.
I'm also sliiiightly changing the ending to add one more step before winning the game. It's minor, but hopefully adds a bit more justification to how the game is won.
I really hope you can get the super mega ending. It's pretty hard to trigger, but there's a hint in the library (big hint... it's in one of the books in the Outer Kingdom section.) I'm thinking about your and Baron's idea to make the library mandatory. I'd always thought of it as a bonus, because it doesn't have anything "necessary" to do, but it's probably my favorite room in the game and is based on a really beautiful library near where I live in Japan.
Again, thank you so much for your support and feedback. It means a lot.
-Jonathan
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - srnickolas - 01-11-2026
I am glad you increased the save slots, 10 should be ok for such a small to medium length game, thank you for that. I have a good idea for acquiring the bonus ending that you confirmed with your hint, alas I already replaced my save files and I don't usually replay adventure games. I'll just see a walkthrough video, i often do with games with alternate endings, it's not big deal though don't worry about it, it didn't ruin my experience or anything and now that you increased the save slots it should be easier for players to try
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Estória - 01-11-2026
(01-11-2026, 10:30 AM)srnickolas Wrote: I am glad you increased the save slots, 10 should be ok for such a small to medium length game, thank you for that. I have a good idea for acquiring the bonus ending that you confirmed with your hint, alas I already replaced my save files and I don't usually replay adventure games. I'll just see a walkthrough video, i often do with games with alternate endings, it's not big deal though don't worry about it, it didn't ruin my experience or anything and now that you increased the save slots it should be easier for players to try
I'm curious to hear your idea for the bonus ending. If you want, PM me the idea and I'll tell you if it's correct or not.
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Baron Blubba - 01-11-2026
Minor spoilers below.
I'm interested in knowing what the super deluxe ending is, too. I thought I played the game pretty meticulously, helped all the animals and all the beggars except maybe that one guy who just stood there like he was waiting for something, did (possibly not essential) interactions with all the shopkeepers, saved the plant, saw the library, etc.
No way I'm playing through the game again just to do 5% better and get that ending.
By the way, I think you really lucked out --your game was the last feature posted before the site went on Christmas - New Year vacation. It sat at the top of the page for almost two weeks! I wonder if that helped with sales.
RE: Estória: my new 2D adventure game on Steam - Estória - 01-11-2026
(01-11-2026, 03:03 PM)Baron Blubba Wrote: Minor spoilers below.
I'm interested in knowing what the super deluxe ending is, too. I thought I played the game pretty meticulously, helped all the animals and all the beggars except maybe that one guy who just stood there like he was waiting for something, did (possibly not essential) interactions with all the shopkeepers, saved the plant, saw the library, etc.
No way I'm playing through the game again just to do 5% better and get that ending.
By the way, I think you really lucked out --your game was the last feature posted before the site went on Christmas - New Year vacation. It sat at the top of the page for almost two weeks! I wonder if that helped with sales.
It sounds like you got a lot of the bonuses. I'll PM you the mega ending and some of the Easter Eggs. Srnikolas pretty much had it figured out.
I think you're right about the post. I did get a nice bump in sales on Steam and the App Store, so I think it helped. I really appreciate that feature so much, and all the support from the members on this site. I wish I'd found this site years ago. It's a great community.