Cuddle Kobold (stylized Cuddle Kobold!, name not final) is the latest VR project I'll be working on. It's a Companion Simulation featuring you and an Exchange Monster. It is a project exclusively for adult audiences only, however the current plan is to allow the player to adjust the content level to their preferences.

Q. How long is Cuddle Kobold?

Cuddle Kobold isn't planned as a "play it until the end" game. It's intended as a game you revisit when you feel like spending some time or playing some games with your Exchange Monster. While there are limited-to-no planned restrictions on how much content you interact with in a single day, your experience will be less than ideal if you attempt to do everything as fast as you can. Incidental conversations and changing behaviors based on player activity will also make some activities feel unique from how you may initially experience them.

TL;DR: Think "Critter Crossing", with a singular, more fleshed-out neighbor, less of a rigid time structure, and This Raccoon won't try to hold a house loan over your head.

Q. What kind of activities are there?

There is a tentative list, but nearly all are subject to being altered or removed if scope or complexity becomes detrimental to the game's development. As a couple of examples? It's in the name, so you can definitely cuddle! This is an adult game, and the Kobold is an adult, so whatever Do That means to you, you can almost definitely Do That. Other planned activities include simple, natural interactions like playing cards, board games, conversations, and more extensive plans that may or may not make the cut. It's intended to present a very free-flowing casual atmosphere, limiting rigid structuring of activities. But that is certainly easier said than done.

Q. Are there other monsters?

Not as your companion, but there are early plans for scenarios temporarily involving other monsters. But the Kobold is the companion you'll spend the majority of your time with.

Q. Can you customize the Kobold?

Tentatively yes! Color customization is almost definite, proportions and costume elements are being explored. You can also customize your interaction with the Kobold, restricting or even excising the suggestion of adult activities. Further customization is definitely in consideration.

Q. What experience do you have making VR?

I created Rulent Tower VR, which was included in the Itch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality. This included design, programming, 2D and 3D asset generation, and other aspects. I've been a VR enthusiast for most of my life, and active in the local scene since our initial meeting in early 2016. I've also assisted with development of other Unity projects, mostly during Global Game Jams.

Q. What VR platforms will Cuddle Kobold be available for?

Cuddle Kobold is being developed in OpenVR, with the intent of maximum portability and compatibility. Current targets are Desktop VR, the Oculus Quest 1, and the Oculus Quest 2, though that may change as development progresses due to market realities, hardware limitations, et cetera. 

Q. Will there be a "Flat Screen" version of Cuddle Kobold?

I'm open to the idea, but a good VR game has to be developed with VR controls in mind, and seldom converts well to monitors, especially using Mouse + Keyboard controls or Gamepads. There are exceptions, and I will explore possibilities for "Simulator" integration, but the simplest answer is that you'll need access to a VR headset with 6DoF controllers to play Cuddle Kobold. Thankfully, the hardware is getting cheaper and better with every day.

Q. Will there be an AR (Augmented Reality) version of Cuddle Kobold?

Cuddle Kobold would adapt extremely well to AR, even down to the restricted FOV of some displays, and as the XR market advances and changes, it is certainly a consideration for the future! But without development hardware or wider-scale releases of consumer-grade AR displays, for now production will be focused on VR platforms.

Q. Will you support Hand Tracking (Oculus Quest or otherwise)?

This is on the extended list of desired features, but due to limited hardware support, and complications with providing useful feedback and reliable interaction, this may need to wait until the technology matures.

Q. Will there be a PG/Safe version of Cuddle Kobold?

This is partially addressed in the next question below, but the simplest answer is it's an open possibility, as content is already being earmarked based on maturity level.

Q. What are some of the challenges Cuddle Kobold faces?

There are a few, and I'm going to be honest here, so I apologize if that hinders your enthusiasm or interest:

• I'm a solo creator currently. And I'm definitely no wunderkind that can do it all in an afternoon. It is my intention to create a prototype that is at least compelling enough to interest some creators into teaming with me for the actual production. I've produced most of my projects solo, and they've suffered for it, so to create anything of this scale, finding additional hands talented in fields I'm not is a necessity.
• This project has limited appeal. It is a niche of a niche of a niche. It is a VR project. It is a VR furry project. It is an adult VR furry project. And even then the content is not guaranteed to appeal to those looking for that Niche³. This is not going to be the game that lands me (or anyone teaming with me) a McMansion.
• Distribution will be a challenge. While Steam and Itch.io will likely be open to allowing the title, most platform holders will reject direct listing due to the adult content. This will require users to either "sideload" the app, or have already sideloaded an alternate app store that will host it, if one exists to begin with. This further limits the audience that will interact with or even see it.
• Temptation to turn it "mass-market". One of the hardest things about being an adult games developer is that any time you develop something with real effort or quality, the temptation exists to try to pivot it to a safer mass-market product. One the more restrictive Distribution Platforms will approve of. This is why there are only a limited number of quality adult games, especially finished ones, as not only is it an uphill battle to produce one, but pivoting to wider audiences is almost guaranteed to be more profitable. I'm open to creating a "Safe" version of Cuddle Kobold in the future, but I don't want it to supersede the development of the Mature version. But there may even come a point where I won't have a choice. I really hope to avoid that.

None of these are minor challenges, and I'm approaching them as carefully as I am capable. Please forgive me if I stumble along the way.

Q. When will Cuddle Kobold be done?

We're not at that part of the project where I can confidently provide even a rough estimate.

Q. How does this impact Rulent Tower?

Rulent Tower was intended as a side-project from the get-go, and was already derailed pretty significantly by an engine bug which broke a lot of existing work, but is thankfully being fixed now. Rulent Tower will continue to be developed at least as far as the Move-In Day release (which was the original scope of the game), and if feedback is positive, I'll explore finishing out the remaining scripted plans for it.

Q. Is that the Kobold from Kobold Garden?

For the time being, correct! uwusoft has graciously published the model for free use in personal or commercial projects. It makes for a handy stand-in during prototype phases until custom 3D model work can be completed. It is not intended for use in the final project.

Q. Does the Kobold actually ship in the box? Do they live in there?

The box serves as a portal to the Kobold's home, and they aren't actually in there until it's time to make an appearance. It saves on shipping costs and the carrier's back, not to mention the Kobold's stomach. The Kobold can return to their home at any time, even with just a thought, so they're never trapped with you. They stay because they choose to.

Q. The Kobold is short, are they...

Definitely not. I do not and will not create a project with that kind of content. Kobolds, particularly in the furry fandom, are popularly depicted with squat bodies with generous proportions. To take a literal yard stick to them is misguided or disingenuous. The final word is that Author Intent is to only depict fully mature adults.

Q. Can the Kobold be hurt?

Not that type of game. The Kobold is a rough-and-tumble monster, and even if you pick up and lob them, they're just going to curl into a ball, maybe break some of your things, then run up and ask you to do it again. The Kobold will greet most things with a positive, eager attitude, and game mechanics will veer sharply away from anything that could be considered abusive.

Q. Am I limited to just one Kobold?

Short answer "Yes", long answer "At any one time". If for some reason you want to start fresh, you can do so, while still optionally retaining costume gear and other elements you may have unlocked through play. Plans are to save a certain number of profiles, so you might be able to revisit old friends as you make new ones. All of this is tentative planning, however.

Thank you for taking a look at all this! I want to make it clear that everything I wrote here is my intention at this current date, but as with all early projects, plans can and most likely will change with time. I will do my best to keep you updated as these changes arise. If you have further Questions, feel free to ask them below, and I can amend this list with additions or clarifications!