zesnax

[zesnax]

we’ve only gotten a little taste of primal so far but it was so good, i’ve re-read it multiple times. the scene of the RO straddling the MC was so hot 👀 i’m very excited to read more!

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed the beginning of Primal! And the straddling scene :) The heat level will increase even more in future chapters, I'm so relieved that Itch.io has rolled back some of their recent restrictions so that, at the very least, I can continue featuring spicy scenes in future updates <3

[zesnax]

Just read the demo and I'm already delulu for hayden and Jax.

Zander is confusing tf out of me 😭😭😭

Probably gonna accidentally stab that prophet dude tho 😒

Oooh so Jax and Hayden peaked your interest then? Good to know :) I'm always curious which RO's players prefer. Zander is definitely an enigma, if you pursue his route, you'll eventually learn why ;) Hahahaha! Accidentally, of course. You and MC are definitely on the same wavelength!

[zesnax]

Just wanted to warn, I can't play Primal new update. I'm blocked on the 2 days earlier first page and can't move forward

Hi Anon,

Thanks for reaching out! That's actually the end of the demo. I didn't make it very long because I wanted to gauge interest in the project since it's so different from what I usually write. Now that I know it's something people would be interested in reading, the next chapter will be much longer :)

[zesnax]

Hello! I just read the first chapter of Primal last night and I was wondering how frequently are you planning on updating? I know some people seem disappointed that the alien race looks human, but I like it! And it leaves room for surprises :smirk:

Hi werewolfxhunter!

The plan is to update Primal as often as possible. I took a bit of a break from working on it recently amidst the wave of censorship taking place, but luckily Itch.io has rolled back some of these restrictions and I was able to have Primal reindexed by disabling donations. It's not a perfect compromise-I hope they'll do more to remove the restrictions they've placed on adult and 18+ games- but it at least makes me feel comfortable enough to return to working on game development :)

Also, I'm so glad you like Xi'tal! And exactly! In the next couple chapters, the differences between MC and Xi'tal will become much more apparent as they interact more and have to navigate trying to communicate with both a language and a cultural barrier. It's one of the parts I'm most excited to write (other than the actual erotica scenes lol)!

[zesnax]

Monthly Devlog and Deindexing

Updates for this month have mainly consisted of a lot of coding corrections behind the scenes. Thankfully, I caught most of the issues before coding additional chapters, so though it was a bit time consuming, overall nothing too crazy.

Life has been crazy,  I apologize to those of you I haven't been able to respond to yet in Itch.io comments or tumblr asks. I'm hoping to set aside some time to do so soon.  Getting caught up on everything will probably take me a couple weeks, but it is definitely on the top of my to-do list <3

Regarding the recent changes that have taken place on Itch.io, I'm not sure how it will affect SilverBound moving forward- I had planned on incorporating optional 18+ scenes in later chapters. I may have to consider offering these sections through another medium if the recent changes made on Itch.io are not rolled back. The main game will continue to be available on Itch.io regardless, but I may offer the 18+ scenes through another platform. 

Primal, my other IF, was unfortunately deindexed as part of the recent wave of censorship sweeping across Itch.io and Steam. Primal is, at it's heart, an erotica. And while I'm not particularly concerned with how these changes will prevent monetization of the game itself (I have no plans of monetizing the game), this is my passion project. I want to be able to share it with as many people as possible. And if Itch.io is no longer a safe space for this type of content, it may be good to consider other options. 

Nothing is set in stone yet. With any luck, the recent changes will be temporary. Till then, take care and let's keep applying pressure to the payment processors responsible for these censorships!

[zesnax]

So....

Sorry for the radio silence on my end. Life has been chaotic lately, but I feel the need to comment amidst the dumpster fire of censorship unfolding on Itch.io and Steam.

It probably comes as no surprise that Primal is one of many stories that have been deindexed on itch.io. It goes without saying that their decision to deindex (and, in some cases, remove) games tagged as adult or NSFW feels deeply antithetical to what these platforms have meant to so many of us.

As someone from a community whose voices are traditionally marginalized, discovering Itch.io was a breath of fresh air. It felt like a sanctuary. A space where, for the first time, I saw myself reflected in the stories I loved. For me, and for many others, it became a safe haven, one where being centered, validated, and accepted was the norm, not the exception.

Censorship is a slippery slope. And while I won’t pretend to know every detail of the current situation, I do know this: progress isn’t made by silencing voices, especially those that challenge or differ from our own. We grow by listening. By understanding that diversity and difference are avenues for connection and understanding beyond our own personal experiences.

And while I understand that sites like Itch.io and Steam are caught between a rock and a hard place, if we yield to rhetoric that marginalizes and oppresses, even if we don’t agree with it ourselves, we become complicit by proxy.

The traction our community has made in pushing back against these changes has been incredible. I truly believe that, if we continue to push back against this wave of censorship, we can ensure that itch.io continues to be a safe space for all <3

[zesnax]

Sorry if this annoys you but will you be able to choose you gender in primal sorry if this is not good English

Hi, no worries at all! Your message is totally fine, I appreciate you asking :) Yes, you can already choose your pronouns in Primal! For any sexually explicit scenes, you'll also be able to customize your body parts so those scenes are tailored to your preferences. ❤️(For example, you can choose they/them pronouns and select your chest type and sex organs separately, so that you can customize everything to your preferences)

[zesnax]

So... I just read both Silver Bound and Primal and like... He... Hehe... Hehehehe... HEHEHEHE I NEED more like they were so good u can't even imagine 😭😭😭 Eagerly waiting, salivating, shaking EVERYTHING :3 Have an amazing day/night thank u sm 😭😭😍😍🤧❤️

Thank you! That's so kind of you!! ❤️ I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed both Silver Bound and Primal!!!😀 I've been itching to write more on both stories, Primal will be easier since it only will have one RO where as Silver Bound has four, but Silver Bound helps satiate my post-apocalyptic cravings 🤣 I'm hoping to finish the next chapters to both stories soon🙂

[zesnax]

Primal- Chapter 1 Update

Happy Saturday Everyone :)

Just a minor update today. I added a few more customization options to the beginning screens to fit the sci-fi setting for the game. I also went back and replayed this the other day to get myself in the headspace to continue working on chapter two, and the music felt a little off to me, so I changed the song for Chapter 1. I feel like music is so important in text based IF's especially, in order to set the mood and tone. Let me know what you think and if you prefer this one or the old one better :)

Zesna <3

Check out the first chapter here !

[zesnax]

New Project: Primal

Welcome to the jungle, quite literally! Primal is my newest project, a sci-fi survival erotica romance. While I am definitely still working on SilverBound, I will also be working on this story as well, which will lean more towards explicit/sexual content and exploring the complexities of navigating a relationship where communication is more honest through touch than words. While the demo itself is brief for now, it gives players an idea of what Primal will focus on in future chapters. This first bit is simply an introduction to the story, but later chapters will include choices that will have branching narratives that lead to different outcomes depending on player choices. 

Check out the Demo here!

Primal

A Sci-fi Survival Erotica Romance

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The Crash

In the year 2083, Apollo-9, a research vessel set to explore the fringes of the galaxy, fell from the sky and crash landed onto an uncharted planet. You are the sole survivor of this crash. Thrust into an unknown world with barely any resources and surrounded by predators you know nothing of, your chances of survival are slim. At least they are until he finds you.

Xi'tal.

He's the only thing standing between you and a planet that wants you dead. Your bond isn't just destined. It's instinctive. Dangerous. Primal.

But will that be enough?

Trigger warnings for explicit sexual content, sexual situations, language, and violence. Primal also features sexual situations and touching where consent is not explicitly given beforehand due to language barriers, but never non-consent. 

This is a short demo to gauge interest. This game is rated 18+

Check out the Demo here!

[zesnax]

Hi everyone,

This is my intro post for my new post-apocalyptic dystopian survival romance, SilverBound. If you enjoy your romance with sci-fi, angst, and a dash of survival suspense, then check out my new interactive fiction novel here!

SilverBound

A Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Survival Romance

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Dome-IV

You were born inside Dome-IV, one of the last remaining strongholds to survive the radioactive fallout that wiped out nearly all life on earth. You scrape by a meager existence, clinging to the threads of what's left of civilization. Food, water, the right to lay with another and reproduce- everything is regulated by The Stratum. As a soldier, your life is simple. You keep the perimeter just outside the dome safe from renegade factions, rogue bandits, and, above all, The Marked Ones- beings that were once human, now changed by the radioactive waste. But when The Stratum sends you on a mission to the edge of the earth, right on the fringes of The Wasteland, to make contact with a unit of scavengers they haven't heard from for weeks, what you find there changes everything. What starts as a mystery becomes a fight for survival- and, more importantly, love. SilverBound is a post-apocalyptic dystopian survival romance where every choice the player makes brings them closer to the truth- or death. Play with 5 character stats: hunger, thirst, stamina, body temperature, and radioactivity, each of which must be managed as the player navigates the desolate, unforgiving desert wastelands. Uncover the secrets of Dome-IV in a branching narrative where every choice matters.

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Romance Options

Hayden

The only person in Dome-IV that ever truly held your heart, you thought he was dead. His whole until was decimated in a scavenging trip gone wrong- or at least that's what they told you. But the things we lose to The Wastelands don't always stay buried. Sometimes, instead, they come back changed...He used to say he would die for you. But is he still the same boy that promised you the world?

Prophet

Fifth Templar to The Oracle, Prophet has been tasked with overseeing your mission to The Outpost. The moment you lay eyes on him, you know you're going to hate him. And you do. He's confident, commanding, insufferably self assured, and doesn't shy away from a challenge every time you push back against his orders. In fact, he almost seems to enjoy it. When you two are forced to rely on one another to survive, the flames between you only grow. Still, he’s a Templar. Loyal to the Oracle. Loyal to the Stratum. Can you really trust him?

Zander

Zander is the son of your late Father's best friend. He's never been particularly friendly with you. In fact, he almost seems to avoid you. His coldness towards you stands in sharp contrast to the easy charm he shows everyone else. It’s hard not to take it personally. But his actions are more honest than his words. With enough discernment, you may be able to uncover the truth behind the up-and-coming Scavenger Commander's actions… and why he’s always keeping you at arm’s length.

Jax

Jax has been your best friend for the last ten years. He's always been there for you. He held you together when your father died, and later, when you lost Hayden to The Wastelands. You're used to his casual flirtations by now. And when The Templars made him a breeder, it seemed like a natural fit. But everyone has secrets in Dome-IV. And behind Jax's silver tongue and roguish charm, his weighted gaze hides a truth that's been eating him up inside ever since The Templars assigned him to a role that made the only thing he's ever wanted off limits: you.

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Customize your Character

Choose your character's name, pronouns, hair color, eye color, skin color, and height. The choices you make throughout the game will determine what type of survivor you are and shape your character's personality. Choose to play while pursuing love, or forego romance and focus on carving out your place in Dome-IV and uncovering the secrets hidden in The Wastelands.

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Who will you become in your fight for survival among the desert wastes? And what price will you be willing to pay for the cost of love?

Check out the Demo now!