So I'm trying my hand at a "game" story and I had a few questions beyond the poll. I would also like to hear how many paths readers feel a story needs. How many is too many. Also, on this one fellow game writers perspective would be appreciated.
I don't think it matters too much overall. I love to see when a story/game I have under favorites gets updated with a lot of chapters for me to read through, but that's not very realistic. Since writing takes time, and everyone here is just writing in their free time, an update here and there is more than enough. For my own writing, I try to get a scene completed before I publish it. For example, the character goes to the store, there are several options for things to do there, then they all lead back to a stopping point. Then I publish them. Granted my chapters seem to be pretty short so I can crank out several in one sitting, then publish them all at once. It can get overwhelming if I try to do too much. Editing, making sure chapters are linked correctly, and then double checking that variables work right usually takes longer than the actual writing. If I add too much at once, then it makes my head spin. Then it takes longer before I get the writing bug and want to do it again. I say update what you can when you feel like it. Any other author is going to understand if you only add a chapter here and there. Any reader already knows that this site requires patience. As for how many paths should it have, more seems like it would be better, until they end up becoming dead ends. Every time you add an option, it's just another path that needs to be written. I have a favorite game or two on here where it's pretty much two options every time. Choice A, or Choice B, but it's written in a way that makes those enough, and they still have replay value.
I don't write games but in my stories t try to update each path minimal once a month. How many paths come down to are they logical extension and do you as the writer feel right going that way! In the long run it all comes down to how you the writer wants it to come out!
For me, it's fine if only one chapter is released at a time. It's also fine if one takes a break and doesn't write for some weeks/months (though it's a pity if you can't continue your favorite story). Some game stories may only need one "main path" with a lot of answers. e.g. the protagonist visits a gallery with a woman. They look at some erotic pictures and talk about them. The woman asks questions regarding the pictures. All answers lead to the next chapter in "line" with another question at the end. All the answers to the questions determinate the relationship between them: - she says goodbye. - she kisses the protagonist and asks for another date. - she is aroused and invites the protagonist to drive her home. - she is so horny and hale him to the men's toilet. - she dares him to do her in front of a picture. Well, probably most stories will need more branching, but with game mode, it is easier to merge them because you can use conditions in the following chapters. e.g. if the protagonist has seen a woman naked in one branch but not in the other one. You merge that branches and it comes to the point, that the woman undresses. It would be implausible if he is surprised after coming from the first branch.
Thanks for everyone's feedback. Off topic I both love and hate if statements now. I love the fact that I can make chapters read multiple ways depending on the choices that users have made. Though I hate the tediousness of debugging those things and the time sink of making certain they're perfect.
