re: what to do with the player character
I know the stance of the character is what inspired you to make a 'western' ice-cream game in the first place, but if you can't work out how to fit him in so as not to obstruct gameplay, and you don't wanna make him transparent at all (a la Punch Out), can you perhaps get by without him being there at all? Perhaps just have his hand (or arm?) as the mouse pointer?
That way maybe it'll play less like controlling someone else fulfilling orders, and more like fulfilling orders yourself. You could still remind us we're pretending to be someone else (by using the character in different "Yay I did well" or "Sob I did crap" poses)during cut scenes.
Just something that crossed my mind. I'd personally probably prefer he was in the scene during gameplay, but I can't manage to think of a sensible way to do it either.
I know the stance of the character is what inspired you to make a 'western' ice-cream game in the first place, but if you can't work out how to fit him in so as not to obstruct gameplay, and you don't wanna make him transparent at all (a la Punch Out), can you perhaps get by without him being there at all? Perhaps just have his hand (or arm?) as the mouse pointer?
That way maybe it'll play less like controlling someone else fulfilling orders, and more like fulfilling orders yourself. You could still remind us we're pretending to be someone else (by using the character in different "Yay I did well" or "Sob I did crap" poses)during cut scenes.
Just something that crossed my mind. I'd personally probably prefer he was in the scene during gameplay, but I can't manage to think of a sensible way to do it either.