PC Swinger Game: Want to Help Develop a New Computer Game?

[kpennink]

Greetings!

We’re a couple that has had an unusual hobby for the last six years: creating erotic computer games. Currently, they’re played by about 50% couples, 35% singles, and 15% swingers (VERY approximate numbers) We are now about halfway through writing a major upgrade of one of the five games, with the goal being to make it as swinger-friendly as possible. Along with all the usual improvements and enhancements one sees in software upgrades.

So . . . that’s where we hope you come in (we hope), as we can’t think of a better group of people to do so. This is your opportunity to help suggest and define features, and even propose variations on the game play. And, when it’s ready, to help test the game -- which will hopefully be the most pleasurable work assignment you’ve had in a while. Your reward? You mean aside from the satisfaction of helping out? Well, we have been known to hand out free copies to active participants in the process.

What we’re going to do below is briefly outline the basic game structure, as it is now. In other posts we’ll list some of the features we’re currently receiving feedback on, so you can provide your thoughts. Of course, you’re also free to add other features you’d like to see.

The “brain” of the game is its database, which is centered around a large collection of interactions. These can range from strictly verbal (e.g. describe the lingerie you think Julie would look best in, and why), to downright kinky group activities. There are also areas for categories with relative values (verbal at 10, flashing at 40, anal at 75, etc.) props (dildos, whipped cream, etc.), facilities (outside window, hot tub, etc.), clothing (obvious), graphics, music (maybe), and sounds (also maybe). Additionally it holds player information (gender, orientation, activities the player will and won’t participate in, etc.). All these areas are fully customizable; you can add, delete, deactivate, import, and export to suit.

When starting a new game, the players are led by an “analyst” to customize all the information for that game. You choose who will be playing, what they’re wearing, who will interact with whom (pre-populated based on gender and orientation), and what categories will be available. Finally, you get to choose the pace of the game (anywhere from very fast to very slow) and the type of game (from social to full interactions).

The game itself is geared around earning and spending points. Each player in turn can choose to earn, spend, go to the market, or pass. Earning will draw for them an interaction, which they are to perform. Some are solo, and some involve other players. Both the values and intensity of the interactions increase as the game progresses. If the player chooses to perform the interaction, he/she will get the specified points. If other players are involved, they’ll also receive a lesser number of points. You can decline an interaction, but will lose points doing so. Assuming one of the higher intensities was chosen when the game was started, you can choose to spend some of your points to strip clothing from other players. You can also buy any clothing that has been lost (yours or someone else’s), although at a premium. Or, perhaps purchase a “favor” from another player. Eventually, a player will hit a predefined point total, which ends the game, but can only be the beginning of the fun. Based on the points the players have collected, each can then collect a special interaction from all the players with a lesser number of points.

Whew! Our apologies for the length of all that, but we wanted you to have at least a fair idea of where the game currently stands. Subject to change, of course, based on the feedback we get from you. We’ll list some of the issues we’re currently discussing in separate posts with the header “PC Swinger Game,” admittedly a poor double entendre. But, please feel free to add anything you’d like to see added, changed, or taken out.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts, and we’ll look forward to reading what you have to say!

-- Ken & Kerry

[kpennink]

A current player has suggested offering the option to flip-flop the “earner” and “receiver” for any given (non-solo) interaction. Should this be offered? Which player would get to decide? And, should there be a cost involved?

[bccpl77]

Sounds very interesting. What are the games you have made, do you have a link so we could check them out. You should keep all the issues you are discussing in this thread, it makes it easier for us to keep track of. We would be interested in helping out, sounds fun, we play pc games and have been looking for ones like this without much luck.

[JustAskJulie]

Here are the links to the other threads regarding the games:

PC Swinger Game: Buying Back Clothing

PC Swinger Game: Declining an Interaction

[kpennink]

BCcpl, we (obviously) enjoy being led through "something different" by a PC game, also. That's really what got us started writing them. We had found perhaps two erotic games that didn't become, well, boring in a short period of time. So, we decided to create our own. First on pieces of paper, then programmed.

Much of our emphasis has been to try creating more interesting interactions. Instead of something like "flash the other players for 30 seconds," we'll instead attempt something more like "You have likely heard the expression "naked as a jaybird." And, wondered what that really meant. Well, perhaps you didn't ever wonder, even if you had heard it. Nevertheless, Jack will be giving an object lesson on its meaning. Jack, you're to strip naked (as a jaybird?). The undressing can be done out of sight, if preferred. And, for the amusement of your audience, spend thirty seconds or so running around the room, flapping your arms, and producing your best birdcalls. We'll guarantee that nobody will view that expression quite the same way again!" Or, instead of "Jill, give Jack a blow job for 30 seconds," why not "Taking a cue from Hugh Grant, Jack is cruising the street looking for a little action. Unfortunately (unlike Hugh), with only enough cash for a few minutes of oral services. Nevertheless, Jill will give Jack more value than Hugh got. Keep it quick, though . . . you wouldn't want the police to catch you with your pants down?" Hopefully, the players can keep a smile on the faces for more than one reason.

We'll try keeping the discussion in this thread as much as possible; with the obvious exception of any polls. Finally, we've opted to keep things anonymous for now. The idea here is to -- with your help -- improve the games; not to deluge the Board with spam (yuck). Once the upgrade is ready to be beta tested, we'll find a way to get free copies out to those who actively participated.

[SluttyWife]

This sounds like such fun.

Hmmmm.....could you add sex vacations destinations
into the game like Hedo, and all?
My head is spinning just thinking about the branding
and joint venture possibilites!

My twelve cents,

Slutty Wife

[kpennink]

Not sure exactly what you mean, Ms. Wife, but it's nice getting 6X the usual $0.02 worth! On each turn have the game issue a random entry number, and 1 in 1,000,000 players wins an all-expense paid trip to Jamaica?

Uh, oh, now we've opened a can of worms saying that! Seriously, if you're talking about a "Monopoly" style layout, the answer is probably no (since we rarely say never). There's plenty of those out there already, and quite frankly we've never felt it added much to the game besides clutter up the screen. But, please feel free to correct us if we're wrong about that. Or, if we're misinterpreting what you're suggesting.

[JustAskJulie]

Feel free to go ahead and post your URL so that folks can check out your current games, I think it might give them a better idea where you are coming from and wanting to go with the new games.

[SluttyWife]

I mean have Hedo as one of the settings/places couples can play at within the game. Wouldn't that be cool?
If you had their cooperation they could let you use their logo
within your game and maybe even sell it at their resort.
Ditto with the Lifestyles Resorts and dozens of other places
swingers gather. Just a thought.

Slutty Wife

[kpennink]

Guess I’ll try a MFF here, at least in an editorial sense.

Slutty Wife -- Sounds like your idea would be fun, but it wouldn’t really work with the game currently in mid-development. Plus, as you noted, with trademark law getting “permission” would be essential. And unfortunately, marketing isn’t really our thing. If it were, we’d actually be making some money off the programs instead of their just being a fun hobby. So . . . I’ll tell you what. If you feel like helping design the game structure, and getting the necessary consents, we would take a crack at developing the program. Unless you had other ideas, once it’s done maybe Julie could give it away free along with the Swingers Board t-shirt. Could even do a Swingers Board version, so everyone here could (virtually) visit you. Wadda ya think about that?

Julie -- You may be right; just hope that this comes off the right way. The site name is Erotitainment. What we’re working on is creating a new version of InterActions for Partners. Obviously, to those reading this thread, the biggest difference will be that the new version (InterActions 2) can be played by any number of people, of whatever gender and sexual orientation they happen to be. We’re also incorporating a lot of the suggestions we’ve received over the five or so years since it originally was released, some of which I mentioned in the initial post. And, of course, writing a whole new batch of activities. Believe it or not, coming up with those is tougher than much of the coding. Anyway, please feel free to download a copy and play around with it, and you’ll have a better idea of the starting point we’re working from. Where it winds up is, to a large extent, based on you folks.

- Ken