Would it be better if the player character were girl? Just asking for reference, since we’re still considering whether to let players choose their character’s gender.
Viewing post in Malum Garden (Pre-Alpha) comments
For me, the fact that Shota is the main character is not a problem at all. I like the way he looks. But since this doesn't suit everyone, you can try making the hero a little older so that he remains young but removes the uncomfortable appearance of the shota.; I really liked both the concept and the design. I look forward to further updates.
I think it could have both girl, boy and neutral. Which can atratct more people AND make it more ecomfortable to who doesn't identify and/or care about immersion.
About my problem, it is more the visual of how young it is: Shota, Loli I am not into it and honestly? Will likely to make more people either ignore, tolerate or accept it. My Idea that it could just show as a tutorial or prologue BEFORE the gameplay, just for lore. And kind of show as a very simple summary of the rules of the world and backstory of the protagonist.
Example: Shows in dialogue as how he was as kid and give hint or just say that since this age they began what is right now the gameplay, and then show they as Teen and at the final, as young adult (between 18 to 21 visually) and leave the canonical age to your liking as the owner of the game.
I can give a lot more Ideas and talk more about, because I genuinely love your artstyle as I said and the problem is exactly this, just the visual age of the protagonist, because the game appears to have a lot of potential.