Re: KS Academic Conference Paper - Seeking Help
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:08 am
1. Which girl's thread affected you the most emotionally? Why did it do this?
Lilly. I was attracted to the character, and wanted to learn more. The transition between polite, cordial, and loving was very endearing. The wheat field scene, the face feeling scene and the scene of Hanako hugging Lilly are extremely picturesque. The airport scene is convincingly enough done.The hospital scene following feigns on coming full circle: showing Hisao wondering half-seriously if Yamaku was all just twisted dream. He is back to the mental state he was originally, after his first heart attack. Basically, the story goes in a way, where it could truly reach an end for the game, both neatly and artistically, with Lilly forever leaving.
2. Which girl's thread did you successfully complete first (good ending)? How did you reach the good end of this thread? Did you use a guide, or did you answer the questions according to your own thoughts, as I did?
Emi. I reached the good ending on the first run, answering according to my own thoughts. The options I picked were not necessarily the action I would've take if no options were shown; there was both a player (of a visual novel) element and a self-insert character element to the decision making. Ultimately the choices were sparse, but in turn, that made them significant. The thought process was something like this. "Ok, immediate striking option? Pick it. If not, think about the ramifications of the choices. Then check again emotionally/instinctly, except more finely. If still nothing, look at the game as a game and try and guess how a correct option could be formulated." All of these were more blended in with each other in practice, but I remember in particular Hanako's *Trust yourself/lilly, was a real long hard think. Rin's more abstract choices were so abstract they devolved into a gut feeling. Emi's first key decision, the one to listen to what Mutou has to say, was a great disguised choice. I was so sure that saying "I have to go" and pursuing Emi was right choice, that I had to replay the surrounding segment twice with the flowchart before I realized that, was in fact the wrong decison. While the actual relevance of the discussion with Mutou was contrived, the idea is quite easily there. Ignorance induced by acting blindly.
3. In what order would you rate the quality of the girls' threads?
By preference/experience: Lilly, Emi, Hanako, Rin, Shizune (decreasing)
By merit: Rin, Lilly, Hanako, Shizune, Emi
Rin: I have quite high regard for the arc who's meaning largely passed by me. The idea is original, so is the conflict that occurs in that path. It's convoluted, but it doesn't seem to be that way for the sake of that. I think it's also disability which is most shocking/unnerving (with no bad intentions) to the player when they first see it.
All the arcs had something to bring, but they also all had pieces of the plot which left the reader wondering. Rin had the problem of how Rin dressed or even ate when she was staying at the upstairs store. Lilly had the question of why she chose to keep moving closer to Hisao despite knowing that she was being summoned (apparently, I'm not sure), before she left for Scotland for 1 week the first time. I don't know why they just didn't make it so that Lilly actually receives notice AFTER she comes back from scotland for the first time. Shizune's thread felt quite detached, with lack of much romance, and the almost episodic nature of the thread. This is actually is justified in hindsight, but the execution could have been been done more tightly. Emi's thread just had a bizarre handling of Hisao's knowledge of Emi's father's death. That was quite detracting, especially since that was a critical part of the last acts.
Playing multiple arcs within a short span (only 1 day in between) does detract from your enjoyment. Also, the first few threads one plays are generally the better experience because what you will realize to be common elements between arcs, instead show up as unique events.
Finally, one thing which I've heard someone else say that I wholely agree with is that while the ordering does show your preferences, it doesn't show how close the arcs are. Honestly, the more you think about them, the less envisionable the arcs seem and the more uncertain you become of which arc you prefer. It is a much clearer distinction right after you finish the arcs, though if you go by that setting, then the arcs you did earliest will be mostly forgotten.
4. If there was a single word which describes the key a player must remember to complete each girl's thread, what would that word be for each girl?
Emi: Awareness
Lilly: Openness
Rin: Understanding
Hanako: Equality
Shizune: Judgment
The immediate tendency when summarizing the thread, especially with the wording given (*key to complete thread) is to give the word that directly relates to the critical choice in the thread. Especially when you know exactly what the critical decisions are from looking at a flowchart post-run. A decison is easier to represent in a word then a person. I think the words chosen are as on the mark as one can be, yet quite unsatisfactory.
5. How much time did it take you to complete each girl's thread? (Play time, not total IRL time)
Emi 4h, (including Act 1)
Lilly 4h
Rin: 3h
Hanako 3h
Shizune 0.45h+2h (skipped through, then came back 2 weeks later and restarted part way through))
6. Give an example of a particularly effective piece of writing from your favorite girl's thread.
A history of thyme:
...
Hisao: "Oh? And what about me?"
She suddenly runs ahead of me and turns, blocking me off.
With a smile, she holds her hands behind her as she leans forward.
Lilly: "You're different"
And with that, she turns back and continues to walk ahead of me, a newfound spring in her step.
...
The surrounding lines are contemplative and a lot more articulate. This was a good break in the heavier atmosphere, and it revealed a new part of Lilly's personality. All that, in a walk to the grocery store.
7. Give an exampe of a particularly effective piece of writing from your least favorite girl's thread.
The scene in the empty classroom where Rin breaks down, and Hisao is totally at a loss. That was a great scene which highlighted a rare emotion: fear of uncertainty. Fear of being unable to understand or even reach Rin, ever. Being in love with Rin, and having just seen Nomiya yell at her, and himself having yelled at her, and being the one who pressed/encouraged her to pursue art: that just compounds the emotional agony.
8. Do you feel that, after playing Katawa Shoujo, that you are better equipped emotionally for a real-life relationship? Why or why not? If you are currently in a relationship, do you feel that playing KS will allow you to strengthen it? Why or why not?
I have not been in a relationship, but I think KS makes you better prepared, emotionally for a relationship. While the scenes may not reflect real life, they are experiences which you can look back on and go "hey, I've seen this before". It also makes you reflect about yourself and your actions. Perhaps you can avoid making an errors similiar to one Hisao made. Experiencing first hand the emotions from playing Katawa Shoujo is an experience in itself. Ultimately, I think it's the perspectives gained which helps you the most.
Lilly. I was attracted to the character, and wanted to learn more. The transition between polite, cordial, and loving was very endearing. The wheat field scene, the face feeling scene and the scene of Hanako hugging Lilly are extremely picturesque. The airport scene is convincingly enough done.The hospital scene following feigns on coming full circle: showing Hisao wondering half-seriously if Yamaku was all just twisted dream. He is back to the mental state he was originally, after his first heart attack. Basically, the story goes in a way, where it could truly reach an end for the game, both neatly and artistically, with Lilly forever leaving.
2. Which girl's thread did you successfully complete first (good ending)? How did you reach the good end of this thread? Did you use a guide, or did you answer the questions according to your own thoughts, as I did?
Emi. I reached the good ending on the first run, answering according to my own thoughts. The options I picked were not necessarily the action I would've take if no options were shown; there was both a player (of a visual novel) element and a self-insert character element to the decision making. Ultimately the choices were sparse, but in turn, that made them significant. The thought process was something like this. "Ok, immediate striking option? Pick it. If not, think about the ramifications of the choices. Then check again emotionally/instinctly, except more finely. If still nothing, look at the game as a game and try and guess how a correct option could be formulated." All of these were more blended in with each other in practice, but I remember in particular Hanako's *Trust yourself/lilly, was a real long hard think. Rin's more abstract choices were so abstract they devolved into a gut feeling. Emi's first key decision, the one to listen to what Mutou has to say, was a great disguised choice. I was so sure that saying "I have to go" and pursuing Emi was right choice, that I had to replay the surrounding segment twice with the flowchart before I realized that, was in fact the wrong decison. While the actual relevance of the discussion with Mutou was contrived, the idea is quite easily there. Ignorance induced by acting blindly.
3. In what order would you rate the quality of the girls' threads?
By preference/experience: Lilly, Emi, Hanako, Rin, Shizune (decreasing)
By merit: Rin, Lilly, Hanako, Shizune, Emi
Rin: I have quite high regard for the arc who's meaning largely passed by me. The idea is original, so is the conflict that occurs in that path. It's convoluted, but it doesn't seem to be that way for the sake of that. I think it's also disability which is most shocking/unnerving (with no bad intentions) to the player when they first see it.
All the arcs had something to bring, but they also all had pieces of the plot which left the reader wondering. Rin had the problem of how Rin dressed or even ate when she was staying at the upstairs store. Lilly had the question of why she chose to keep moving closer to Hisao despite knowing that she was being summoned (apparently, I'm not sure), before she left for Scotland for 1 week the first time. I don't know why they just didn't make it so that Lilly actually receives notice AFTER she comes back from scotland for the first time. Shizune's thread felt quite detached, with lack of much romance, and the almost episodic nature of the thread. This is actually is justified in hindsight, but the execution could have been been done more tightly. Emi's thread just had a bizarre handling of Hisao's knowledge of Emi's father's death. That was quite detracting, especially since that was a critical part of the last acts.
Playing multiple arcs within a short span (only 1 day in between) does detract from your enjoyment. Also, the first few threads one plays are generally the better experience because what you will realize to be common elements between arcs, instead show up as unique events.
Finally, one thing which I've heard someone else say that I wholely agree with is that while the ordering does show your preferences, it doesn't show how close the arcs are. Honestly, the more you think about them, the less envisionable the arcs seem and the more uncertain you become of which arc you prefer. It is a much clearer distinction right after you finish the arcs, though if you go by that setting, then the arcs you did earliest will be mostly forgotten.
4. If there was a single word which describes the key a player must remember to complete each girl's thread, what would that word be for each girl?
Emi: Awareness
Lilly: Openness
Rin: Understanding
Hanako: Equality
Shizune: Judgment
The immediate tendency when summarizing the thread, especially with the wording given (*key to complete thread) is to give the word that directly relates to the critical choice in the thread. Especially when you know exactly what the critical decisions are from looking at a flowchart post-run. A decison is easier to represent in a word then a person. I think the words chosen are as on the mark as one can be, yet quite unsatisfactory.
5. How much time did it take you to complete each girl's thread? (Play time, not total IRL time)
Emi 4h, (including Act 1)
Lilly 4h
Rin: 3h
Hanako 3h
Shizune 0.45h+2h (skipped through, then came back 2 weeks later and restarted part way through))
6. Give an example of a particularly effective piece of writing from your favorite girl's thread.
A history of thyme:
...
Hisao: "Oh? And what about me?"
She suddenly runs ahead of me and turns, blocking me off.
With a smile, she holds her hands behind her as she leans forward.
Lilly: "You're different"
And with that, she turns back and continues to walk ahead of me, a newfound spring in her step.
...
The surrounding lines are contemplative and a lot more articulate. This was a good break in the heavier atmosphere, and it revealed a new part of Lilly's personality. All that, in a walk to the grocery store.
7. Give an exampe of a particularly effective piece of writing from your least favorite girl's thread.
The scene in the empty classroom where Rin breaks down, and Hisao is totally at a loss. That was a great scene which highlighted a rare emotion: fear of uncertainty. Fear of being unable to understand or even reach Rin, ever. Being in love with Rin, and having just seen Nomiya yell at her, and himself having yelled at her, and being the one who pressed/encouraged her to pursue art: that just compounds the emotional agony.
8. Do you feel that, after playing Katawa Shoujo, that you are better equipped emotionally for a real-life relationship? Why or why not? If you are currently in a relationship, do you feel that playing KS will allow you to strengthen it? Why or why not?
I have not been in a relationship, but I think KS makes you better prepared, emotionally for a relationship. While the scenes may not reflect real life, they are experiences which you can look back on and go "hey, I've seen this before". It also makes you reflect about yourself and your actions. Perhaps you can avoid making an errors similiar to one Hisao made. Experiencing first hand the emotions from playing Katawa Shoujo is an experience in itself. Ultimately, I think it's the perspectives gained which helps you the most.
Another part of this is to observe someone else playing it and record their responses to the same questionnaire, so here comes the hard part: trying to convince my wife to play it.
and watch her do so, is it going to be in one sitting? (not the whole thing in one sitting of course)
I think....I know we have females in these forums, somewhere...around....not sure how they felt about the game though. Will you be putting up your wife's answers to the questionnaire as well? You know, when she plays it all. That would be interesting.