Premature Nostalgia

[Aura]

http://katawashoujo.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... algia.html

[Red_Machine]

I think that was succintly put.

Also, does it make anyone else think that the release might be sooner than we expect?

[griffon8]

Ultimately, I'd say it depends on the goal.

For Katawa Shoujo, the journey has become terribly important. With the length of time the game release has taken, the community has grown around it. And because we have relatively little to go on for exactly what to expect, speculation runs wild.

As you mentioned in your blog, the dev's community has its own activities. If you were able to bang out a game you were satisfied with within a year of starting, that community wouldn't exist, at least in its current form. So the journey became important for you.

I would not go so far as to say that without the goal being achieved, the journey becomes meaningless. It had value in and of itself, even if—horror of horrors—the goal is never reached.

Then there is life. For that, the journey is everything; the goal is mere triviality.

[Caesius]

The random porn getting posted on the Shimmie is the best part of the journey.


It's also the best part of the destination!

[Leotrak]

I would not go so far as to say that without the goal being achieved, the journey becomes meaningless. It had value in and of itself, even if—horror of horrors—the goal is never reached.

A journey would only become meaningless if one does nothing with the experience gained from it, I think.

(Please don't ask me to elaborate on that statement. I am mentally unable to)

[Palas]

The destination affects the journey and the journey affects the destination, I'm sure. I've been interested in KS for not so long, so I can't say whether you devs suffered much influence from the fanbase at, well, deving or not. My bet is that yes, you did. So, you know, it's not just a project - it's an experience. If the game didn't die, if you're stubborn and care about it, thank the journey.



(inb4 weird analogies with enjoying airplanes' food)


P.S.: Nice post.

[KFJ]

That was a great blog post.


It reminds me of how it is for me to watch anime - I watch the episodes from the pilot to the finale, just scratching at that happy ending until it finally happens. Then, when the show is over & done with - I feel a bit empty. "What should I do now?" Is a thought that keeps occurring.


I can't wait for KS - I've been checking the blog daily since Act 1 got released. It's really strange how most of the posts aren't directly related to the actual development of KS, but more what the folks who are making KS are thinking. (Can't put this properly - Sorry!)

[pollardy]

The random porn getting posted on the Shimmie is the best part of the journey.


It's also the best part of the destination!

i personaly go there for konflickers shenangins and for weee to kill me with moe.

/there have been a few good fanfics rather short but well written

[Lawls]

Lets go pre june release!

[Mercutio]

I think the journey changes what the destination means to you. only speaking for my experience here, but if I hadn't spent a few years keeping track of KS and watching the dev blog like a hawk (or like a boss, or maybe like a boss hawk), the game and characters wouldn't matter as much to me. but it's like now, I've watched all this stuff happen, I've read a ton of speculation, I've posted here and talked up the game to friends. people still look at me weird when I tell them the premise, but who cares. it's more than just another game I'm keeping track of.

and I think I'll appreciate the game more when it's done 'cause I've been here for the journey, y'know? after reading alllll the shit the devs have been through (or just the stuff they shared with us), the whole thing is more important to me, 'cause I know what went on behind it. and that's awesome.

[Jojje]

You guys should meet up when you release and have a release party, whoo!

[griffon8]

A journey would only become meaningless if one does nothing with the experience gained from it, I think.

I would accept that as true.

[qinop]

I prefer "The journey's the thing," but objectively speaking, there's no real difference.

I love that quote/idea; it's helped me with everything, even my damn life.

But it's what KS is. The thing that everyone's waiting for, what you guys are striving for. You have to keep going, just to see how far you can get.

[Deimos]

I believe what is now called a journey incorporates many elements of pilgrimages. The thorough self-reflection , the pursuit of a noble goal, the cleansing and rearrangement of the mind through experience are all elements within what makes a project that demanded a substantial amount of time so worthwhile.

The destination is the primary motivating factor and thus what sets nostalgia apart from escapism is that it is extremely precious when it concerns the fondness one might hold for certain stations along the way of the development of KS or its surrounding phenomenons, humans just prefer a closure to any story they consider remarkable and the story of KS is interesting in several ways. First of all, there is naturally the game itself, but also its conception and developmental cycles and what little influence the people had who cared enough to spend some thoughts on the forum in the form of amusing speculation, serious discussion, contributions of art and dedicated something meaningful - perhaps not in the grand scheme but enough to come to the realization that there is a certain carefully layered emotional depth or even magnitude to Katawa Shoujo.

I came because I cared about obtaining entertainment, I stayed and began caring about the characters and, I hope, I will go having cared about the project altogether.

[PureLionHeart]

Wow, your chatty lately.
Just sayin'.