Dropout is an upcoming (and a side project!) +18 slice-of-life interactive fiction game. Loosely inspired by media such as In the Heights and Night in the Woods.
Tag(s): Slice of life, Drama, Romance, YA, LGBTQ+, Text-based.
You take the train home from college after nearly four years away, knowing you will be welcomed with open arms, bright smiles, and the sincerest congratulations from your friends and family, from the entire neighborhood. Their pride has not been misplaced, for better or for worse, you are the one: the only one who made it into college.
This is your first summer home since you began studying in Stanford. That is what everyone thinks.
This is your first summer home since you dropped out of college, thus becoming the biggest disappointment in your neighborhood. That is what only you know.
Trigger Warning(s): Crude humor, Strong language, optional sex scenes, Violence, Depression and depictions of other mental illnesses, Substance use, Unwanted pregnancy (a RO's, Wanda).
A short disclaimer
Features and Characters below!
Return to your home, the fictional neighborhood of Downtown Heights, where you're treated like a local hero because of your grand achievement.
Determine how you managed to make it into college and why you decided to call it quits.
Reunite with your high school friends and acquaintances, with whom you've barely spoken in the past few years.
Romance one (or more) of the six old faces waiting for you in Downtown Heights.
Customize your Main Character! From their teenage years to their young adulthood, from physicality to personality. Be it your traits, flaws, and vices: everything shapes your return home.
Navigate the very dramatic shenanigans of young adulthood.
Queer relationships • RO Intros • ROs' Social Media • RO Facts
Jean/Jade Gray (he/him or she/her): THE EX • 23 years old
J and you were good. Until you weren't, and then they broke up with you right before you left for college. The two of you promised to stay as friends, but, like most promises between you and J, that too was meant to be broken. Your ex is often considered to be ambitious, determined, and cutthroat. You honestly expected them to be well out of the neighborhood.
Exes to lovers. It's possible to start a poly relationship (v and triad) with J and Kai.
Uma Bharat (they/them): THE OLD FRIEND • 22 years old
It has always been you and Uma, and this has been something you covetously believed to be true. But then the distance settled in, and then the many years in which you lived abroad. You can't claim to know them as well as you once did. Uma once dreamed of being a successful painter, and they have never given up on art (though they sometimes feel like art has given up on them).
Childhood best friends to lovers. It's possible to start a poly relationship (triad) with Uma and Travis.
Statler Amani (he/him or she/her): THE HEARTTHROB • 25 years old
You knew Statler back in high school, though they can't claim to have known of you until you made it out of the neighborhood. Many years ago, they were every high schooler's dream partner: kind, polite, intelligent. Their current partner must be proud. Nowadays, Statler works as hard as they can to help their family.
Unrequited crush to lovers. Statler is already in a relationship, a (more-or-less) toxic one.
Wanda Pavon (she/her): THE MODEL • 22 years old
Wanda had a future in modeling, the two of you were in the same group of friends in high school, and you never doubted she would be capable of making it out of the neighborhood. Her self-assertive and spontaneous personality surely would have made Wanda's road a little easier. You only find out why Wanda stayed in Downtown Heights when you meet her daughter.
Friends to lovers. Wanda is a single mother, her daughter's name is Gabi.
Kai Alofa (he/him or she/her): THE ROOMMATE • 24 years old
Kai's glow-up is the reason some Downtown Heights grandmothers believe in magic. The high school nerd turned fuckboy/girl has spent the past few years traveling around the state. Like you, they are back for the summer, ready to disappoint their parents. Rooming together comes as a natural result of delaying said disappointment (or so Kai claimed).
Friends with benefits to lovers (mandatory to romance Kai). It's possible start a poly relationship (v and triad) with Kai and J.
Travis Camaro (he/him): THE RIVAL • 21 years old
Uma, Travis and you were considered to be inseparable: it was the three of you against the world. That is no longer the case. A massive argument completely shattered the friendship Travis and you had. You know he resents you, you know he's jealous you managed to make it out and that he was left behind. And that's all you know. Travis has always been... a private guy.
(Past friends) to enemies/rivals to lovers. It's possible to start a poly relationship (triad) with Travis and Uma.
It has been four years since your parents died. Your younger sister and you have been left in shambles, struggling to pick up the pieces of what’s left of your family. But nothing ever goes right; you devote your life to taking care of Chrissy, and she devotes hers to resent you—and to something darker of which you are unaware.
One day, Chrissy goes missing, and the only way for you to get her back is to journey into hell. In order to do that, you are forced to make a deal.
What happens next is up to you.
DEMO • BLOG
You take the train home from college after nearly four years away, knowing you will be welcomed with open arms, bright smiles, and the sincerest congratulations from your friends and family, from the entire neighborhood. Their pride has not been misplaced, for better or for worse, you are the one: the only one who made it into college.
This is your first summer home since you began studying in Stanford. That is what everyone thinks.
This is your first summer home since you dropped out of college, thus becoming the biggest disappointment in your neighborhood. That is what only you know.
DEMO • BLOG
Congratulations, human!
You have been chosen to join the extraordinary Creature Mediation Center (CMC), a unique workplace where all kinds of different monsters creatures collaborate to bridge the specieist gap in our society. As the newest and only human of our team, you'll navigate a world of diverse creatures, handling counseling sessions, managing projects, and making critical decisions to foster harmony between two worlds.
Welcome to a realm where diplomacy is a blend of corporate intrigue and fantastical diversity!
DEMO • BLOG
It's the year 2524, and you're a defeated God/Goddess/Deity in a place and time where your kind is rarely needed anymore. After being locked away and thought to be dead for nearly a millennia, you wake up.
music has been a big part of isa’s childhood and it was instilled in her life by her parents, the same people who crushed her dreams and said no when she told them she wanted to study it in college
she took up engineering on a whim and she hated it with a passion but her parents couldn’t be happier. even before she finished her first year, they were already gushing about isa not only being the first in the family who went to college but also the first in the family to have a job with a ✨title✨
i can imagine them on the phone with isa going “sooo how’s our little engineer?” and isa wanting to throw up every single time
super self-indulgent headcanon: even though isa in dropout canonically dropped out, i like to think that in apartment 502, after a few failed classes, she managed to graduate covered in her blood, sweat and tears. i feel like she deserves it 😪
from being a gifted child to a burnt out adult, isa always felt like her parents seem to be more critical of her than her siblings. and even though they insist they love all their kids equally, isa always had a feeling she was the least favorite child lololol hello middle children nation 🫂
being a frustrated musician, isa currently works as a bartender to save enough money to fund her dream. in the meantime, she posts song covers.
life is so shitty and her mental health is at an all time low but her work crush keeps her motivated to come to work <3
dropout universe: isa always considered her crush on statler as silly. she never gave it much thought especially now he’s in a relationship. but because they work together at the bar, she got to know him better and he’s sweet and kind and realllyyyy cute too. he listens to her intently when she confides in him and she never feels judged by him and before she knows it, she’s already jealous of noir so isa tries to keep her distance from statler but it doesn’t help that statler has also started to develop an interest in her
apt 502 universe: atlas is the last roommate isa (kinda) got along with. cal and l are already nice to her that she never really felt the urge to force a friendship with atlas but she works at the bar that atlas plays at and when it’s not too busy, she watches him in awe (and thinks man… if only he was nicer lmao) she can’t deny he’s talented but what started as admiration turns into a crush so isa starts avoiding atlas by spending as little time as possible in the same room with him. atlas eventually picks up on it and if it bothers him, i don’t think he’ll ever admit it
It took me way too long to figure dropout is yours too 😅🫶🏻 love it! Tell me, what‘s the main motivation behind those two IFs? What do you wish to experience and achieve with each one separately? Did I mention I am a huge fan of both already?? 😍😍😍
I have „Dereliction“ and also opened up „Paved in Ashes“ for the only reason of wanting to have a fantasy and slice-of-life one. But atm my friend is posting all the PiA content for me as I am busy studying. Can‘t wait to be back once my exams are through and finally throw myself into both!
Wishing you lots of joy with both of your babies 💕
Dropout was a kinda out of the blue thing I don't blame you 😭
What do you wish to experience and achieve with each one separately?
Honestly I agree I wanted to write both fantasy and slice-of-life!!
I really really like any media with demons lol that is The Deal's main reason of being. But the more years have passed the more I've used it as a means to explore responsibility and grief.
For a month or so now The Deal has been really hard for me to write (grief in general is something I'm struggling with atm though it's getting better!) so Dropout kind of just gained a little more priority.
As for Dropout... School makes me so anxious lol It's been a really alienating experience which I'm glad to say goodbye to next year hahaha I wanted to explore that feeling + the whole everything changes and I sometimes wish to go back to high school but everyone's an adult now and that sucks.
Did I mention I am a huge fan of both?
This means a lot fr 😭💕 thank you!! Mwah
I have „Dereliction“ and also opened up „Paved in Ashes“ for the only reason of wanting to have a fantasy and slice-of-life one.
Omg I didn't know paved in ashes was yours either 😭 Tumblr recommended it to me so it's doing something right!! It looks like it's going to be amazing, best wishes with both ifs💕
But atm my friend is posting all the PiA content for me as I am busy studying. Can‘t wait to be back once my exams are through and finally throw myself into both!
I've finally gotten around to putting some info together about my ocs for @dropout-if! Genuinely cannot wait for this to come out
Cherry Keegan (she/her)
Law student
M!Kai/Jade triad poly
Could have seen herself actually becoming a lawyer but would have preferred to go into the arts. Loves drama and acting. Would have joined a drama society if it wouldn't have been too much on her plate. Comes across as mean but is really just to the point and only to people that really deserve it. Argumentative as hell but is very good at getting people back on her side.
Harrison Bernhardt (he/they)
Uma/Travis poly
Golden retriever incarnate. Way too much energy for his own good and is often described as "too much". Doesn't really get on with family. Wanted to be a video game developer so studied computer science to be a potential stepping stone. Also adores pottery and used to do it all the time in school.
Alice Finney (she/her)
Wanda and f!Statler
Dry. Great sense of humour. Had always been great with kids. Honestly probably wouldn't have gone to uni if it wasn't such a huge expectation on her. Went with maths teacher because at least she kind of enjoyed maths. Approaches most situations with a logical frame of mind first before emotions, but is happy to let her emotions take over if that gets her nowhere.
Due to some questions about MC customization, I have decided to compile all the physical and personality aspects that are selectable about the Dropout.
A reminder that this is all subject to change and that new things may be added (or deleted). Feedback and ideas to further develop MC are encouraged.
Main Ideas
Name Surname Nickname
Sex, Gender, Pronouns (it's possible to customise them), Breast/Pecs, Penis/Vagina (If MC is transgender, their transition takes place while they're away) Title (Ms. / Mr. / Mx.)
Virginity or lack thereof.
If MC is trans (when they realized about it [high school, middle school, college] and if they told their family // the ROs already know, as MC told Uma and J, and word spread).
Birthday which establishes the Dropout's age as either 21 or 22 depending on the season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
Major (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Computer science, Law, Economics, Education (in relation to science/maths/etc), Mathematics, Physics, Psychology). The Dropout's Major affects flavor text. These options are the ones approved by the Dropout's parents, though it's possible for MC to express interest in other degrees/topics (music, art, English, anthropology, archeology, classical studies, history).
Reason behind dropping out (MC got kicked out (they were caught cheating) MC didn't get a high enough GPA and dropped out / MC never even wanted to go to college and ultimately decided they wanted out / MC didn't fit in (they were discriminated, lonely, etc) though they really liked college / MC originally liked their degree and college but gradually lost interest in the entire thing / MC never liked their degree and decided to drop out / Something specifically related to mental health (mainly anxiety) / Impostor's syndrome.) This affects flavor text.
2 Coping Mechanisms (Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Sleeping around, Avoidance, Overspending, Humor, *Hobby (overworking self) [Anger, Fake/forced happiness, Sadness, Indifference].) Each coping mechanism opens a variable and a storyline. You can choose two, though choosing one related to emotional responses [between brackets] automatically blocks out the others.
2 Hobbies (Singing, playing an instrument, songwriting, creative writing, drawing, sketching, sculpting, acting, photography, soccer, football, swimming, basketball, gymnastics, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, going to the gym, cooking/baking, dancing [ballet, contemporary dance, modern], yoga.) This affects flavor text and scenes.
Job (Bartender [Wanda, Statler is also around often], Cashier [Statler], Columnist [J (+Kai if poly)], Caregiver [Kai], Waiter/Waitress [Uma (+Travis if poly)], Tutor [Travis]) Each job gives you more time with a certain RO, as well as unlocking a storyline.
Personality Stats
Playful/Serious
Honest/Dishonest
Friendly/Rude
Introverted/Extroverted
Laid-back/Uptight
Cynical/Idealistic
Flirty/Reserved
Family oriented/Individualistic
Others: Insomnia, Migraines
Physical Appearance
*It's possible to choose MC's appearance as a high schooler as well. This affects flavor text.
Height (very tall, talk, average, short, very short)
Skin tone (ebony, dark brown, light brown, russet, golden, olive, honey, tawny, tanned, fair, rosy, ivory.) Choosing any skin tone gives you the possibility of choosing to be a poc (idea I stole from Mila, @beyondthegame)
Scars, can choose as many as possible (Back, chest, abdomen, upper and lower arm, thigh, knees, calf, mouth area, neck, cheek, hands, eye area, shoulder)
*Tattoos (One big in X body area, patch-like bodysuit, bodysuit, one/two sleeves, just legs, a few tattoos all over, a small in X place).
*Piercings (Ears [helix, lobe, industrial], navel, tongue, nose ring and septum, eyebrow, lips, smiley, nipples, genital)
Dimples
Braces
Freckles (face, body, both)
Beauty mark, multiple (under eye, over lip, neck, body)
*Outfit/Style (streetwear, alternative, cute, preppy, casual, formal, business casual, dark academia, messy, boho/eclectic, comfortable)
*Bedroom, at family home and at new apartment (messy, colorful, emo, basic, boho, modern, industrial, vintage, minimalist, cute)
Family pet (small/large dog, cat, fish tank, hamster/rabbit/guinea pig, cockatiel/parrot/canaries)
Characters
Closeness to all family members (tight-knit, close, so-so, cold, barely any relationship)
Same with the friend group
Crush on Statler during high school (yes/no)
'Popularity' during high school and college (popular, social butterfly [got along with many people but wasn't part of the popular groups], normal, loner, outcast [somewhat antagonistic in a way/rebel].)
I dont know who to romance 😫 everyone is so amazing
Thank you💕💕💕💕😭 I hope I can help anon.
Romance Jade/Jean if you want to feel like you're repeating a past mistake, if you want to explore the depths of the person you thought loved you and who you thought you loved. If you want fiery debates, deep conversations, and very rare moments of vulnerability. J will hurt you, and they won't realize half of the time, and the few times they do notice, J won't act apologetic. At all. It's reconciling past and present in order to potentially rekindle the spark between J and you. Being in a romance with them, though, pays off. They're loyal, protective, worried about you, they want to be involved in your life.
Romance Uma if you want to mend an open wound, if you want to explore the meaning of loneliness, of art and creativity. Uma's relationship with you is built on a very strong emotional connection that has since been neglected and left to rot. Romancing Uma means regaining their trust, revisiting the meaning of friendship. Uma's calming presence serves as a safe haven for you, their route is marked by genuine support and acceptance, it's embracing the unexpected.
Romance Statler if you want delayed gratification. If you're willing to take the risk of everything going wrong in every possible way—if you want to make terrible decisions, too. If you manage to overcome the major obstacle that's their partner Noir, Statler's route is mature and grounded. It's about quite literally forcing Statler to enjoy life, to fight for their dreams, to discover what they truly want to do. Their romance goes beyond being an old unrequited high school crush.
Romance Wanda if you want a bold and passionate experience, an unanswered question of "what went wrong?" Wanda isn't about the baggage, she won't create needless drama—there's enough surrounding her life as it is—and she expects you to do the same. Her route is built on a mix of flirtatious charm and genuine affection, a relationship that is characterized by bold gestures, heartfelt confessions, and a sense of adventure. Wanda seems like the least angsty route, and if you believe that she's without worries and concerns, she has fooled you too.
Romance Kai if you want to meet your opposite in life. If you want the kind of experience that your entire family is going to disapprove of. If you want to discover the limits of physical attraction, if you want to blur all the lines and watch as someone with very noncommittal tendencies experiences a very intense chemistry with you. Kai's route is full of witty banter and surprises, it's about opening up and overcoming past mistakes and traumas in order to properly enjoy the present.
Romance Travis if you want a grueling experience with very little communication. If you want to feel truly and genuinely hated prior to the reconciliation. Unlike J, Travis knows he can potentially hurt you. He knows you well enough to know and remember all your weaknesses, he knows how to exploit them, and he won't hesitate to do so—Travis is hurt enough he feels justified in all he says and does. If you endure Travis (regardless of a positive or negative reaction), romancing him means peeling off all his layers, slowly meeting again your old best friend.
Romance J&Kai if you want to dive headfirst into a complex web of emotions and attraction, if you're prepared to juggle the enigmatic J and the intense Kai. Both J and Kai have their quirks and challenges, and navigating their romantic dynamic is no easy feat. They're driven individuals who often clash, attempt to tear each other apart, and who will try to drag you along with them. It's about reconciling differences, and exploring the depths of your connection with both of them.
Romance Uma&Travis is like looking into a mirror of a past could have been. It’s about mending old wounds, embracing the beauty of art, and rediscovering the meaning of friendship. Uma, with their calming presence, provides a safe haven for all three of you, fostering genuine support and acceptance. While Travis may initially resist, this route is about peeling back the layers of his defenses and finding the camaraderie that was once shared in your close friendship.
