Dawning Games

Blog of Tobias, creator of the interactive novel The Brighter The Dawn

[dawning-games]

The Brighter The Dawn

For the past five years you have struggled to grapple with grief and forgiveness and answering questions you have shoved away for so long. This has formed the structure for your days, turning every time you’re awake into something to be suffered through, not lived. You have spent more and more time asleep in an attempt to escape your everyday life, but you certainly weren’t expecting to wake up in a strange cave with a sword impaling you through the torso. And the day only goes downhill from there.

Are you sure you're awake? Is all of this a dream, or not...?

~ FEATURES ~

An 18+ game suitable for mature audiences

7 romantic options for you to sweep off their feet, whether on their own or as part of a polyamorous group. Alternately, you may pursue queerplatonic relationships with any of the RO's, with one exclusively queerplatonic route

Play as a male, female or non-binary character.

Explore a strange world that lies parallel to our own and discover how to get home... or if you even want to.

Learn to control magic you never knew you were capable of.

Work to come to terms with the changes that have rocked your life.

This is made all the more difficult because this new world seems to almost be mocking you with reminders of your loss.

And all the while, a war is brewing...

|| THE DEMO IS NOW AVAILABLE || SUPPORT MY WRITING THROUGH KO-FI ||

(It should also be noted that I accept nsfw asks, but please be respectful of my own boundaries if something makes me uncomfortable, thank you!)

[the-kingshound]

if you only update once a year is this game gonna take like ten years or something...?

Look anon, with all the love I have for all of you, and all the passion I have for this project, TKH will be finished when it's ready. As much as I wished I could do more, I also have to listen to my own body and not end up burnt out or overwhelmed.

Even linear books take years to be planned, written and edited. I will keep working on this at my own time, and unless you can pay me a salary or write for me, you will need to respect my pace.

TKH might take years, yes. If you can wait, then I will be grateful to you and your presence and support.

[dawning-games]

Emerging from my well for a moment here BUT,

As a disabled author of an IF game that frequently battles depression spikes which severely limit my everything, may I gently hand anon a comic I have found that was created by @joscribbles here on tumblr:

[dawning-games]

So it's been a hot minute, filled with mental and physical health struggles and various other forms of turbulence. I know the world has not been kind to many of you since I last regularly posted on this blog. I am hoping to get back into finishing up chapter four now that I have done stability in my life again, but we'll see. In the meantime, have a preview that features Scarlet-Be-Thy-Coat:

"And what do you suggest?"

There was a beat of silence. When Scarlet-Be-Thy-Coat spoke again, it was in a hushed, urgent tone. "Don't let guilt drive you to make decisions against your best interests." You eased out a breath and drew in another, and in that time Scarlet-Be-Thy-Coat drew closer. "You did what you had to do, and I would tell you to do it again. And again. As many times as it takes to guarantee your safety."

[dawning-games]

I just love tall strong/buff and mean women.

You are so intensely valid. Please feel free to imagine that I am crying a single tear while nodding in complete understanding

[dawning-games]

Is this still continued?

It is! I have still been making slow progress on my story now and again, but my health has suffered extensively since I suffered from covid and then pneumonia in short order, so I very rarely have the spoons/energy to maintain the blog to report updates. However, the chapter is approaching being finished regardless

I do appreciate anyone who has stayed, and still welcome any asks or questions anyone may have!

[interact-if]

Hide. Explore. Combine. Influence.

Explore a city that lives without your input in this illustrated text adventure. Observe the lives of its inhabitants behind the veil of your invisibility magic. Find items and combine them to solve intricate puzzles. Set your own pace as you control time and move freely in an open fantasy world.

In a world where the only discrimination is based on the order of birth. Cursed with a magic which does not fit within the five cardinal aelic callings, 13-years old Lecia has to hide from the sentries and find a way out of the city. Yet this magic will allow her to sneak into places and observe plots and schemes that could shake the foundations of Magistan, as the Empress’ progress approaches Norwood.

Escape From Norwood  is a solo project text adventure that draws on 50 years of tradition and innovation to build an original and modern formula fit for touch screens. Among its treats are an open world that lives on without your input, dynamic contextual actions, comprehensive inventory and diary and uncanny spells for surprising effects.

The interactive fiction is created by @singularworks. You can support them on other medias such as Facebook, Twitter and Mastodon. Currently, their game is downloadable only on Apple Store and Google Playstore.

[townofcrosshollow]

Twine Sugarcube 101

AKA, all you need to make a Twine game (I swear to god)

I’ve seen a lot of people go “Twine is too complicated for me :(” and give up before they’ve even started. And that makes me sad, partly because they’re giving up on a really cool hobby, and also because that’s false! It’s absolutely not too complicated for you!

I think the problem is that people look up Twine, see the documentation, and go “There’s way too much there! I can’t learn all that!” Well guess what- you shouldn’t learn all that, at least not yet. As a beginner you can skip pretty much all of this:

(Ignore <<linkappend>> too, forgot to crop that one out)

That’s a lot more manageable, right? Below the cut, I’ll let you know how to use all those remaining important things to make your story! Warning- it’s quite long! You might want to read it in sections! And while I’ll try to keep it entertaining, it’s also a coding tutorial, so… y’know. Might not be the most exciting read if you aren’t trying to learn Twine.

Keep reading

[dawning-games]

Twelve's "loud noises bother me and I need to constantly be in movement" autism versus Lichtenberg's "unaware of how loud he speaks and repetitive movements and noise upset him" autism.... doesn't result in a fight, actually, though can and does sometimes mean they need give each other space.

[dawning-games]

"Do you ever wonder if the people this world are the way that they are because they don't require sleep anymore?" The Splintered wondered aloud, crossing his arms behind his head. "Think about it with me, if you will. Go on this journey with me. Sleep gives you respite from stress and just having to think and be you for a few hours at a time, and here? Now? There is no such relief, no matter how much you may try. Doesn't that simply sound exhausting, on a metaphorical, emotional, and grammatical level?"

"You sound exhausting," Malcolm muttered.

"Do you take issue with questioning the world around you, Malcolm? The very foundation of human understanding?"

"Nah. What I take issue with is you being a blowhard when I'm trying to ignore you for eight hours."

[dawning-games]

Similarly, the character of Lichtenberg who is going to be introduced in this upcoming chapter, will later identify with the term gendervague, which is a gender identity influenced by one's neurodivergence. In his case, the autism I am very deliberately and loudly writing him as having!

For those curious, Lichtenberg will still use he/him pronouns and dress in a typically masculine fashion, but this knowledge will help him feel much more at home in himself, as himself.

[dawning-games]

Also! Relating to my previous answered ask about favorite foods of the characters, I would be very appreciative if my Pakistani buds had any capital "O" Opinions they would like to share about tea that they wouldn't mind my using for Twelve at some point, and similar for drinks they/xie might miss from Hawaii. Thank you in advance!

[dawning-games]

Coming out of my well to reiterate to mankind that my character of Twelve is fat, and this is something that will never be raised in a negative light because I believe it to be a neutral to positive part of anyone. It is just a part of them/xir, and it doesn't make them/xir any less wonderful or physically attractive to people who choose to pursue Twelve romantically.

For example: Twelve wears a mask. Twelve is autistic and has OCD. Twelve is in love by default with The Splintered but can be in a polyamorous relationship with the protag, as well. Twelve is fat. Twelve truly misses tea time.

[fashionsfromhistory]

Waistcoat

c.1850

National Gallery of Victoria

[dawning-games]

I’m so sorry you’re going through so many health issues all at once 😥 I hope you’re able to recover soon. Please get some rest and don’t worry about answering asks here or whether you’re writing or not. Your health is more important, and we’ll still be here when you get back 💗

Thank you very much for saying so, I appreciate this message very much!

[dawning-games]

Posting a quick update as to the radio silence here once again: last month I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which was worsened by my previously having had covid back in October. I still only barely have enough energy to do a limited number of things per day, and writing for fun is typically not one of those things.

I apologize for any inconvenience, and once again I extend my thanks to anyone who has stayed this long/followed during this period of silence.

[the-remainder]

Our Winding Road

domestic-fantasy-breakup(?)-adventure

Disillusioned with civilian life, former heroes Rowan and Jori retrace the steps of the journey on which they fell in love, with the hopes of rekindling their strained relationship.

Assume the role of the-great-“Ogre Slayer”-turned-desk-jockey Rowan, brave the various dangers lurking on your way, yourself being chief among them. Will you and your love find your way back together again, or will this journey mark the end for you two?

Play it here!

32k words - Multiple endings

Animated sprites and backgrounds

Immersive soundscape

Puns galore

Mature Warning - Explicit descriptions of sex.

Good ending guide

A collaborative effort by Square Weasel Studio and friends, made for Amare Jam 2023.

[doubledeadstudio]

Reanimated Heart by Jack

A horror romance visual novel about finding love in a strange town.

There is a new update featuring three in-game days, the first romance scenes of the love interests, new NPCs, a major GUI overhaul, and inventory implementation.

Dev log now available on the page!