The Ballad of Devil's Creek
The West is Wild and the West is Weird. Take up the role of an outlaw who gets wrapped up in an adventure of a lifetime. Face bounty hunters, ghosts and a doomsday cult as you travel cross the Old West, trying prevent the end of the world at the hands of eldritch horrors.
A new century is around the corner, and you are an outlaw traversing the towns and terrains of the Frontier, only to one evening get wrapped up in chasing down the means to stop a doomsday cult from bringing forth the end of days.
You’ll have to deal with hustlers, grifters, gunslingers and vengeful brides as you make your way to the ghost town of Devil’s Creek to find answers, and hopefully get out of there alive.
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NOTE: Please see tags and warnings on the dev blog below. While this isn't a 'historically accurate' story, it is still dealing with some heavy topics of the time (late 19th century America) and might not be for everyone.
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This is an open WiP. You can find the development blog HERE.
Development log
- BaoDC V.0.7.131 days ago
- Updated version to 0.6.6Jul 09, 2022
- Ch7 is at 30k words with code nowMar 21, 2022
Comments
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Love this game so much! I've never considered myself a fan of Westerns, but after playing this I might have to rethink that.
:D I mean, I dunno how much it does actually hit all the marks of a western, but I try
I absolutely love it ! Thank you for the amazing work so far, it's one of my favorites and I have to keep coming back to play ^^
:D thank you.
CH8 is by now around 3000 words in, and I usually aim for around 20k per chapter (ch7 was a bit shorter, but it came with the bonus povs to make up for that)
My pleasure ! Yeah with the alternative pov it really put a lot more emotion in the situation and it was really nice seeing the others pov of our character and the situation. That's actually a really good aim point for every chapter, I look forward to the next one ! no pressure though I know it's strenuous writing sometimes 😁
<3 I hope to finish Lynwood's pov with the next update, wish me luck
Good luck ! You've got this xD
Finally finished the update, it was amazing! I love this game so much and look forward to more!
I'll do my best :3 Currently around 2500 longhand into ch8
I love the detail of the relationship numbers changing when you look at what the other characters are doing! At first I was wondering why Lynwood didn't like me when I was watching Charlie, but then I went back a bit and realized its different for each character.
I WAS GIVEN THE OPTION TO MEOW BACK AT THE CAT I LOVE THIS SM
Of course, how could I not? :D
:3 I said it before, I say it again, I am so happy people are noticing :3
This is by far my favorite game, I love Charlies character and the little details put into this is just outstanding! please do continue this!
<3 I will, but slowly. Got a lot that's getting in the way, but I'll do my best. Thank you.
I'M SO HAPPY THIS IS BEING CONTINUED. I REMEMBER REPLAYING THIS LIKE TWO YEARS AGO WHILE WAITING FOR AN UPDATE!!! sorry I'm excited!! Thank you so much for making my night!!!!
<3 You're welcome
I put off reading this for ages cause I'm not really into westerns, but i loved this. The character interactions are my favourite part. I really loved watching Lynwood warm up to the mc was great.
:D
I just realized you can actually check the stats and relationships from the other characters povs. That's such a cool detail. Thank u so much for this update <3
:D Happy people are finding these little bits :3
Great update also I had a mini freakout (good) when you can swap your pov and get further hints about said character with their stats/relationships (I was not expecting that attention to detail so amazing job truly)
:D I'm happy you went and checked the stats. I am worried people would miss that bit <3
It's finally here I finally get to read a good story again!!
When I play on my phone, there's this big menu banner and I cant fingure out how to move it/close it
i was about to comment this too i thought it was something to do with my phone 🥲
posted an amswer. sorry again
Ah. It seems the button has vanished Xx. click the upper left corner of the banner. I'll see how I can fix this Dx. sorry
edit: set it to portrait mode, hope that helps? squishes the text a bit though Dx
Edit edit: Removed the invisible unicode from the menu, but kept it in portrait mode for now.
i wanna see more of preacher im so in love with this if :3
<3 Thank you. It'll be a while till Preacher joins the posse though (i think he's the last RO to join?)
I also wanna see more of preacher
Oh haha I was not expecting to see the IF here but it's a very happy surprise!! I still really like this story (idk if you'd recall me author but I was the anon on Tumblr who problem solved the riddle section using Google doc LOL -)
Also I recall you liking sunflowers? So here's one for you 🌻 ty again for publishing your story here
<3
And I remember you :D We moved to Twine as Choicescript doesn't allow for some shenanigans (yet) :3
Thank you so much for this new format!! (Being able to save progression is just...mwah. Beautiful.) I played this first months ago and I was super hyped, really grateful that you're continuing this project (:
x - - - very slight spoiler of Chapter6 - - - x
I would just like to report a very small issue: at the very end of Chapter6 (dream/nightmare scene) when we follow the path to the forest and the storm, and then choose to go for 4 riddles instead of 3 and manage to answer them correctly only 1 skill is enhanced, not 2 as said. It was the second skill I chose to enhance that got an upgrade but not the first one chosen.
Hope you're doing well! You did a very good job with this IF, I look forward to see your future work. Very good day!
<3 thank you. as for the error: I checked the code and so far couldn't find anything wrong :( However, when the being in the forest asks you if you wanna go for two more questions, only the last option should give the bonus. could you tell me which choices you picked? Are you on tumblr by chance to contact us there?
Very sorry for the late reply!! I am on tumblr yes, np if you want me to contact you there. After reading your reply I decided to check what happens with the other options (should've definitely done it earlier), and it seems to be all fine except if I choose Gunslinging as my first choice.
No matter which stat it is the second choice will always get enhanced by 10 while Gunslinging won't. Tried it the other way around as well, and it... works? Whatever the first choice is if I put Gunslinging as my second choice it will somehow works this way and both stats will be upgraded. (May be irrevelant idk but Gunslinging is the higher stat I have-)
Anyhow hope you'll find what's happening ToT and wish you good days.
Hi. no worries for late replies. I think I found the error. It will go live with the next bugfix update later today :3 Thank you for the help. (also, yeah, it makes more sense contacting me on tumblr for bug reports)
I haven't even played the new update yet, but it already looks so good. So excited ^^
Well, it's technically not a 'new' updated, there's no new chapters yet. some new scenes and dialogue, yes, but the new chapters are yet to come. but thanks :)
It's great that you're still alive and still improving your story
I try <3
I can't belive in my eyes, is so....beutiful....thank you so much fo the update and the new UI looks so pretty, loved it!!! <333333
<3 it's made with nyehelismwriting's template and a lot of screaming at code :D
A perfect combo<3 it's so pretty.
I wish there was an option to be called father for priest mcs when it comes to mr/ms/mx choice.
Well, you aren't a priest, you just posed as one. Don't make the impersonation of clergy charge any more substantial D=
Oh~
There goes my fatherly dreams / -\ ~
You can still be a father-figure to finley?
I like it. but i wish that it has multi saves. I hope the next chapter comes out soon. :)
i find this to be very interesting and written quite well, i can't wait to see what future chapter's may bring
Thank you. You'll have to be patient, though, as life's getting in the way Dx. But I'll try. Next update will also bring a complete overhault of the UI and save system <3
i have a quick question and i dont remember if i have asked it already. but you said that the next chapter is going to be in the prospective of the other member(s) of the group, but is it going to be a little bit of time from the prospective of everyone or only from the prospective of the character with which mc has the most romance with?
Hi. The next chapter will be from the perspective of one of three characters. It's also an optional chapter :3
(Btw: it's best to ask questions like this on the development blog on tumblr too, for more people to see, in case they wondered the same)
🙋yes Captain!
Oh, I absolutely LOVE this!!! I find myself skimming over text in a lot of IFs, but I read every single word in this. Everything is written so well, the characters are all charming, and the plot is just phenomenal! Can't wait for the next update :}
Thank you :D
I hope I can get the update out at least this year... Right now the horse-names keep getting in the way >_> (I'm not kidding, the code to check your horse's name for achievements and flavortext reasons is by now nearly 15k of code... the chapters are usually around 25k words with code)
Halp
Oh wow, I don't know much about Twine coding but that sounds...intense lol. Remember not to stress yourself out too much, though, and take the time that you need! :))
thank you. And hey, it's all for the immersion. :3
Just found this and I love it! I can't wait for the next chapter btw that cliffhanger is illegal! I can't wait to meet everyone else especially Preacher. Like im so invested in this story now
:D I'll do my best to update. Life got in the way quite a bit, but things are going somewhere. And a heads-up: The next update will see an overhaul of the UI (switching from Twine's harlowe language to Twine sugarcube, because better menu and more save-slots), so you'll have to replay from the start. But it will be a prettier (ymmw though) layout, and more name-shenanigans... <3
lol that how life is sadly lol. But I hope everything is going good for you and everything and if I have to replay it, I'm so down for it. So, I will be looking forward to it :)
This is the most intriguing and fun text game/story I've ever played, hands down. The way your MC can be transgender and how it's actually brought up in gameplay was so good I don't even have the words to praise it, same goes with their heritage/ethnicity. And I spent the entire game not realizing romance was an option and was just wistfully pining for Charlie the entire time; the joy I felt when I got to the part where you could actually start a romance with him was unmatched. I was over the freaking MOON.
I'm so excited for more of this story, thank you for sharing it and I am thoroughly hooked.
<3 thank you
happy new year pals, lads and gals!
<3 same to you.
How are y'all not dying in that ambush? I keep playing it a million different ways and still die :,,,,,,,,,(
oh wait am i dumb is that the cliffhanger i thought i was just a loser
Don't worry, that is a cliffhanger. Next chapter will be a non-interactive one from the Pov of one of three ROs as they set out to rescue MC. I just need to fight off the writer's block Dx
PS: Also, if this helps a bit more: Every pre-mature ending comes with an achievement
<3 :3
Mx. MeltingPenguins, please tell me i can romance agent Lynwood. please?
you can. as of now (ch6 in the playable version) lynwood, charlie, tommy and seán (only together), and mrs meadows are romancable, with four more ROs to come down the line. maybe 5 if i find a reasonable way to have a potential character in the story.
Fantastico. I'm going to bully him into loving me with kindness.
though i didnt ask if it is possible as a trans woman, becouse i didnt specify. so, is it possible even(?) then?(english is not my first language, not iven(?) the second, so if i make a grammatical mistake please correct me)
very nice :3
Ok wow, this is really good! Can't wait for more!!!
Hopefully soon. I'm currently stuck coding hijinks with the names...
and nuuuu you can't leave me hanging like that in the alleyway with one big dude and a short guy like that
but I Love it ^^
heh. well, not to disappoint you, but they're not interested in you in any way you might like
i was so into the game that cliff hanger hit hard lol but it was amazing work
thank you. Next chapter, (mild spoiler) won't have any choices, as you'll play as one of three ROs... (because your MC is out cold)
i cant wait for more chapters yayz ^^
:D also, note: with the next update I'm switching to a different coding language on twine, so you'll have to replay from the start ^^; But it looks nicer (and has more saveslots)
You:
Name: Mr. William Doherty
Age: 25
Your horse:
Annabelle, a spotty gray Morgan horse stallion.
Your Reputation:
Bold: 60Timid: 40
Selfish: 70Altruistic: 30
Tactical: 50Rash: 50
Trusting: 70Doubting: 30
Polite: 20Brash: 80
Impatient: 80Patient: 20
Curious: 20Uncaring: 80
Your Skills:
Medical Knowledge: 60/100
Riding: 30/100
Survival & Brawling: 10/100
Gambling & Sleight-of-Hand: 20/100
Gunslinging: 25/100
Smooth-Talking: 20/100
Relationships:
Charlie: 85/100
Seán O'Brian: 70/100
Agent Lynwood: 20/100
Mrs. Meadows: 30/100
Tommy Burke: 35/100
???
???
???
???
Emmett Blayne: 20/100
Finley O'Conner: 55/100
Florence Beauchêne: 25/100
Sheriff Lowell: 45/100
Achievements:
???
???
???
~Oh, Just One More Thing?~
gratz :D Hope you enjoyed it so far.
Is this game still being working on?
Its so good it would be shame if wasnt
Also i played on dashingdon i dont know if its the same version because it says that the last update was in 21 so .....
It's still being worked on. (Had quite a massive burnout due to irl stuff, so, there's the culprit). Currently porting the version here from Twine Harlowe to Sugarcube, making it look better :) I hope to get a major update out by june/july (aiming for national cowboy day)
Alright i will wait
Oh one more thing do you have discord?
If yes can you the link here pls
I do have a discord, but due to certain things happening, I usually just give the link to people that follow the dev blog on tumblr for a while. (once bitten, twice shy)
bro i love charlie to much for my own good :))
also i wanted to know if there is anyone that charlie looks like so that i can imagine him
He's got an image over on the development blog. It's in the linked post when you click on his name :)
I love what’s happening with the plot, and the characters are very well thought and fleshed out! I honestly was a little bit put off by the accent (it’s ironic considering I’m Southern and locals speak exactly like it), but it grew on me.
I’m curious though, what’re the romance options available in the content currently uploaded? I seem to have accidentally stumbled upon Charlie’s (unless that was prompted). Am I just blind and somehow missed the chance to flirt with every character we’ve met so far?
thank you for the comment :)
As of now you can 'only' flirt/get together with Charlie, as you already know each other well. With the others it will take a while longer, as you've just met them and at best know them by reputation.
I'm so in love with this story so far. It's beautifully written. All the characters have such unique personalities and great backstories. Also the option to fully customize MC and their backstory is the best. I can't wait for more.
And btw will the characters get jealous if you romance more than one at the same time? (Not including Tommy and Sean with each other )
Thank you for the nice comment. :D
And no, they won't. Not in the 'you can romance everyone' way, but in the, the others catch on quickly and are a little suspect when you go flirt with them
Oh I love this ever so much. I am trying incredibly hard to seduce Lynwood (and save everyone at the same time), and hope that will be an option in the future, but did also adore the Charlie options. He's so sweet. They're all so sweet. I love all of them and would kill and die for them. That's a threat. Fantastic work!
thank you :D and yes, Lynwood is a possible romantic option down the line
this is probably my favourite story on here, i can't believe i only found it recently. Rdr2 is my favourite game so i love western themes and finally finding a western themed IF is amazing!
:D Great. Oh, have you tried naming your mc after any rdr2 character?
On my first play through i went for Odette Adler (Sadies last name) cause i couldn’t really decide on a last name
:D nice
Charlie appreciation post. He's so sweet i'm getting cavities.
<3 I must admit (again) that I am baffled how much people like Charlie. Ain't complaining, just surprised
everyone loves a good himbo character
He's not even a himbo XD (there IS a term for charlie, but I forgot)
Oh, one of my reads in dashing. You still planning to update there?
Of course. Life hasn't been kind to me the past year, so I didn't had much time/mind to write. But I'm working on it. It will be updated on dashing and here, and there should be a writing stream soon (check the dev blog for info) :)
oook.. straight off the bat , i love this shit & hope you can continue but uh yea was really a hidden gem to find tbh.
<3 sorry it's been almost a year since a proper update. Live really got in the way Dx I'm trying to have ch7 out before the end of the year, and also move from twine's harlowe to sugarcube to make it look nicer