Harem Hotel (18+)
Dev Diary #1
Hello everyone! I would like to start posting Dev Diaries every other Monday or something to get feedback on some of my plans. As the game is currently in early development it can be hard for my intentions to be clear so I would like to start posting my intentions and hear what you all have to say.
Plans for v0.17 and beyond
There are many concepts being workshopped in my head, both story and mechanical. I want to make Harem Hotel as enjoyable as possible, much more than it currently is. Right now this means increasing the available choices you have at any given moment. So what will this look like?
A Farmable Garden:
- As many of you probably know from my v0.16 dev post, I intended to add a farmable garden to hotel, behind the currently accessible Garden area. But this was delayed for many reasons.
- A farmable garden would be an active source of income and usable items, which would later unlock into a passive source in Jin's storyline once she takes over.
- Maintenance would be required through watering, bug spray, fertilizing, etc. First done by you, then by Jin automatically.
- Actively gaining income can be fun to an extent, but when grindy becomes a chore. This is why it will be active in the early game when that money matters more, but passive once the income is negligible.
- The garden could include food crops such as potatoes, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. This will save you money, as there are so many mouths to feed.
- The garden could include cash crops such as Tinu, Hops, or maybe even an ingredient for Naki.
- The garden could include stat crops such as lust beans to increase lust manually, or something that causes an experience multiplier to stat, such as gaining 2 anal points during a single action instead of 1.
Interactive Mobile Phone:
- Can provide extra context before and after story events
- Characters can send you nudes after unlocking certain stats
Making Sex Completely Optional:
- Could unlock a SFW path (not that you would want to)
- Allows for a possible SFW version of the game to be released in more markets (for free)
- Gives you more choices to play how you want, and skip content you don't want to see.
Expanding the "How are you?" Dialogue:
- The "How are you?" dialogue changes as you advance each character's story, but not enough.
- Can add context to how a character feels after each event or major action.
- It shouldn't be more than a handful of lines for each new response, keeping it to the point.
- Should make the characters feel more alive.
Adding Themed Music:
- The music options are currently very limited, this is because sound files can bloat the filesize.
- But an optional "DLC" could be downloaded if that becomes an issue.
- Many story events and locations could benefit from themed music, which would increase immersion.
- Does anyone here know how to compose music?
Remakes, Remakes, Remakes:
- Many scenes are still in need of improvements, some visually, some through better writing. Android's early content specifically has begun to stick out now that most of the other content has been remade.
- My goal is never to remove, but improve.
- Some repeatable sex options, exhibitionism options, and most of the dungeon content could probably be remade. I will need help finding inconsistencies.
Side Character Content:
- Side characters like Kate, Vanessa, Ellen, etc are planned to get repeatable content in the hotel. As well as their friends.
- The Hot Springs is a place for outsiders to enjoy your hotel, soon you'll be able to enjoy them ;)
- Dungeon content is on the table.
More Explore Content:
- The "Explore" feature is only 25% - 33% done
- More locations will be added when they are ready, current ones will be expanded.
- As well as a new "District" with three locations to visit. This district would be in a nearby forest with a cave.
- This would allow more perspective to be shown, including with Drows and more rural people.
- Eventually all Explore content will be replaced with Tier 2 Explore content, which will allow you to revisit the same places after they have changed.
Holidays:
- Holidays provide great opportunities to show off a culture and what they value most.
- A calendar system may be added, in which case birthdays may also be mechanically present.
- Some Holidays already exist, but they don't always have much significance. That can change.
- Some Holidays will be story based, and some will be mechanical (Such Lin's Midlari)
- Unification Day - In some ways like an 'Independence Day', but in other ways the complete opposite. This is a day when people dress up like it's the medieval era (When Syl'anar was founded) and recreate the culture "Cowboys vs Indians" style.
- Elvish Cultural Holidays - Each culture has their own holidays, such as the Common Elf's Midlari, or the High Elves worship of the moons. These can be expanded upon as well.
A new Main Character:
- Yep, that's still coming.
Gallery updates:
- Yeah, I'll get to it. Eventually all events will be available.
And that's all for now! Please let me know what you think. Suggestions are always helpful as well :)
All of this is only possible due to your support, I would not be able to do this otherwise. So thank you!
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Comments
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Really enjoying what you have done so far. The Explore feature is fantastic, really expanded the enviromental atmosphere. The tweaks you've been making to the characters and stories are making it feel more fleshed out and thought over. Looking forward to seeing more of that done.
You probably already have the next charater's traits thought over but I think it would be neat if the next main character (or Guest/Elven Charater) was headstrong and took the lead/initiative in interactions because they only trust themselves or has their guard up constantly. I think this because similar to how Android is shy/cautious about Oral and how Autumn is waiting on vaginal, that character would be ready for Submission only beause they have opened up and have statted to trust because of all the interactions with the Main Characters.
Was on my mind because I've noticed you've changed the pacing and when each character is ready for something new over the course of your updates. I think it's wonderful and further makes each character feel unique.
In regards to Garden Farming and Money, I like the idea of being able to up a stat a little faster but I feel money has a weird pace in the game. Many things are extremely cheap or feel oddly priced and then huge sums of money just pile up and eventually money means nothing. Maybe increase food/date costs, a gift shop that sells stat boosters related to dating/sex/dungeon or other events, and slow character events down when story resonable.
Kali is my favorite main girl and Kate is my favorite side. Great game. Looking forward to more.
Thank you for the feedback!
My mind must have blanked out. I literally describe Felicity's storyline. LOL.
Great work, looking forward to more content.
The game is FANTASTIC but what could be the time period that we could expect the next update if there is not a rough time period then that's okay
Having an in game phone that the girls can send nudes to will be an awesome addition!
Hi, Runey! I like all the ideas, although the "SFW mode" one isn't something I see myself using. Haha
One thing that I'd like to be able to do is to visit Moon, since she said we could do so anytime. And her place looks reaaly nice. More content for her also will be nice. And Kate. I think they are the best secondary characters.
Another thing I'd like to point is that the vending machine at the lobbyfeels kinda useless. This could be the thing that give buffs to stats like you said.
No more from me for now. I love your game. Keep the good work!
It isn't a safe for work mode. It seems people are very confused by what I meant. Just as anal is optional, so too can vaginal be optional.
Making that optional allows me to make a SFW version that can be played elsewhere. It's not something you have to consider at all.
Making Sex Completely Optional
In my opinion, this game is the one that have the most balance in sex and plot content. Other games sometime have amazing plot but sex seems out of place and felt like porn. Some game have awesome and various sex content but the plot is hardly enjoyable.
Harem Hotel on the other hand, kinda balances that and the sex content seems to provide more depth to the character instead of just being a porn content. Example to this are Maria and Felicity. They discover their own self by experiencing their own sexuality. My point is, sex in this game bring the player and the characters more closer to each other. Most of em get to know player more after sex. When you have the character development and sex content in balance, the game felt more lifelike.
So, if you take out the NSFW content, it might cause a gap in characters development and plot. SFW version should have an indicator that implied the player have sex with characters, if chosen to continue the relationship but simply skipping the H content ahead. Also, I'm reminding you here, your characters stats are based on sexual traits. So, making this game SFW might take most of your content out of the game. The plot for SFW version also have to make sense without NSFW content.
I'm not exactly opposing you making SFW version here, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying there's a lot of things to consider here than simply removing the NSFW content to make SFW version. Another thing to add is if it's time consuming for you to to convert this to SFW version. I'd rather you making progress on the game just like you already planned.
But in the end, this is still up to you. I've like everything you've done so far and other things you have planned in the diary, so don't let my opinion stops you from making decision that you think is the best for the game. I will always be rooting for you, Runey. Wishing you all the best.
I'm not taking anything out of Harem Hotel. I am making all sex optional.
Phew..ok. Oh, you're emphasizing the 'skipping' part, by making it optional. Sounds less of work. Gotcha, gotcha. Go for it then.
Any plans for more public and submission content? Also, have you considered to add MFM, DP, gangbang, blowbang and bukkake scenes in the later stages of the game?
I don't fell like I'm alone on wanting some Juliet content. Just putting it out there.
Yes!
For me the best visual novel in 2022, thanks 💗
Honestly, the best part of this game is the cast of characters. They are all really well written and their development is great. Having a SFW version of the game would be nice for sharing the game with people who don't like hentai games
Good stuff, good work, love ya
I really admire the effort put on this game, keep going.
Always love seeing new ideas and content from you. Your game is wonderful, and a ready breath of fresh air when I need it. Thanks!
Oh, and you might already be considering this under "side character" content, but I'd really love to have even just a little bit more to do with my Sanctuary elves. Specifically the ones that hang out in the back room. Obviously Nia and
OjousamaSylvia have integrated stories already, with many more future events and interactions on the way... but my other Sanctuary elves need love, too. And not just the "Let's have some fun!" kind of love. :PWhile Lin is the #1 greatest elf in existence and Nia is pretty dang amazing herself, Ann the dark elf is one of my favorites. Not only is she universe-shatteringly beautiful, she's a lot of fun. I want to spend more time with her. Wholesome time. Also sexy time, but mostly wholesome time. I know you'll probably never write an epic story of politics and intrigue and vigilantism for her
unless she gets tied in to Autumn's story, and I certainly don't expect it... but one or two cute little events where I interact with her in the hotel or maybe even hang out with her at the beach would be wonderful.Peni. Cute, sweet, ridiculously talented Peni. Why isn't she working in my bar as an entertainer? (Not that kind of entertainer. :P ) She comes with all sorts of skills and talents that we could put to great use at the hotel, the bar, or maybe somewhere else... but right now she just stands around waiting for me to say hello to her. Look, I'm happy to pay her, let's just get some value out of her. Also, a sweet date would be welcome.
I will always support more side character content... since a couple of those "side characters" are my favorite girls. ^_^;
The farmable garden seems neat, but I personally would shy away from growing stat-boosting items or anything really usable. A active-to-passive income generation with tied-in story content - LOTS of tied-in story content :P - would be wonderful. Really, I just want more to do in the garden... and the hot springs... and the laundry room (don't give me that look :P ) in general. I keep habitually visiting these places over and over hoping something will appear there, but they're so underused right now. Ultimately I'll be happy with just about anything to increase the traffic and events in these areas, but being able to produce usable items with actual effects just creates an unnecessary headache for both you and us.
Adding holidays... well, I'm certainly not opposed, but in a game that currently is so meandering and at-your-own-pace, tying in timed content can be difficult to script. What if an in-game major holiday happens while I'm away at sea for spoiler reasons? Do I just miss it? Does the game interrupt one of the most important story segments in the game to show me mysteriously back at home and having a grand ole time with my favorite elf? Will there be a scripted warning before starting lengthy story segments ("Grand Poobah Day in 2 days, are you sure you want to start this event now?") We'll also need a tighter reign on certain events that claim to take all day, or even multiple days, but only actually advance the in-game time by a single time segment.
A new main character... you mean 5 of them, of course, yeah? One more to fill out the second floor, and then another 4 for that third floor you're going to let me build onto the hotel. Right? RIGHT!? Right... :P
More Explore content? Yes, please. Drow content!?! YES, PLEASE!!!! I was so looking forward to being able to
purchasesave that drow from Lin's contest event, but she's the only one who never showed up. T_TThe stupid cell phone... ugh. So many games keep adding this feature. I'm old! I don't care about you kids and your dang beep boop rectangles! D:< I just want to be able to call my mom once a week, I don't need the interwebs or pokemans on my phone! *sigh* Haha, I'm a cranky old man with a flip phone IRL. An interactive mobile phone is FINE... I guess... but even in game I'll just fumble around and not know how to use it. XD
Option for a no-sex run? Sounds too much like real life. :P
Thanks for the response :)
中文中郑中文Z钟文钟中佐日·
Everything sounds perfect, but an sfw versions sounds horrendous to make, honestly do it only if u want to, are u also planning on pregnancy or stuff like that ? or maybe something like a swimming pool or public pool area?
Anal is already optional, vaginal can be too.
Hello Runey, thanks for the Diary and the Promised Infoblasts, very much appreciated!
However, I would scale back the frequency to bi-weekly or even monthly, otherwise, I fear it would be too timeconsuming - it probably will be timeconsuming anyways. My concerns overall are twofold. One, you might be biting off more than you can chew, get overwhelmed and the project dies, I have seen this numerous times with similar projects, NSFW Porn games that is, developed by one person or a very small team. Two, you might run into the whirlpool of ideas and can't get out. Ideas thrown around are good, but in the end you have to get to the point where you declare an idea as "good enough" and get to doing, or nothing will get done.
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Plans for v0.17 and beyond
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increasing the available choices
[...]
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I get it, believe me, I do. The Idea is absolutely AWESOMESAUCE! And now we come back to reality where, even if everything else would not be, time IS always a limited resource. I would like to bring up the Mass Effect trilogy here and point out how big decisions were handled there and how much impact they had on the story. To simplify, there were many "bubbles" that could influence the story but to a limited degree only, as the overarcing story is the same, with few details different based on decisions made.
Designing and fully fleshing out different paths that are mutually exclusive is awesome on paper only.
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Farmable Garden
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stat crops [...] XP multiplier
[...]
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So far, the universe you created is grounded in a reality fairly similar to ours, so to implement food crops as a bonus you would first have to implement consumption and generate a budget there, also, how does plantlife work? Are there seasons like there are on earth, or is their rotational axis more aligned with the orbital plane and so on and so forth? How long until a particular plant can be harvested? Not that I want to throw a wrench into your ideas, but if you go that route, there might be a bit more info-fluff required around all that. So far you have gone that "extra mile" with the elves to some degree and I feel there is more coming, it would feel "off" if you skimped on the details in the garden - so... more planning required I guess?
As for the XP multiplier beans... I throw out the reverse idea and by that, I mean that each of your potential "main" lovers has her own preferences. Lets take Ashley, I can see her "vaginal" bar be lower than the other girls' thanks to her breeding fetish, same for her "cumdump" trait. Hell, I think giving the girls some agency and particular kinks and fetishes that resonate with their personalities would be really awesome. Ashley for instance could sometimes scream "Oh no, you don't" when you try to pull out and cum on her tits and instead slams herself down on you, forcing you to creampie her - chances she'll do this inscrease with complete traits of "cumdump" and "lustful" (or other traits), pretty much what you did with the "overflowing lust" events, but on a smaller, more day-to-day basis and with an element of randomisation.
For Maria, I can see her needing slow-super-cuddly-sex with a cuddle-sleepover in her bed. Ok, maybe that's something for all the girls.
You could make "stepping-stone" traits for some acts and girls. I can see that with Lin and Anal, yes, we all like the Porn-version where you can just take your dick out of her vagina and shove it down her hershey-highway no problem but reality begs to differ, so why not have an experimental play phases with different sized toys before the great event? Side note: penetrating your partners' pussy while she has a nice sized plug in her asshole is also very enjoyable.
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Mobile Phone
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Mhhh... I get where you're coming from, but I can tell you from other games which have something along this line, it gets rather boring quickly unless you're willing to invest a good amount of time and make more than 1-3 pics per girl.
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Making Sex Completely Optional
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Uhm... yeah, like others have said, stupid idea.
And I freely admit that I played the game more for the story at some points than the sex-scenes but I see them as an integral part and as the second prime motivator to come back to the game.
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Expanding the "How are you?" Dialogue
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I like the idea and would even so far as that characters seek you out actively and wish to talk to you. You could use Ellen as a go-between. Girl leaves message with Ellen, Ellen informes you that X wants to talk so you can drag the talk out if you choose to.
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Adding Themed Music
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Liking the idea of location based themes, but other than the free audio archives, no idea. If you find someone willing to donate, make sure to settle the licensing to avoid potential headaches later.
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Remakes, Remakes, Remakes
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Ah, the curse of the perfectionist. While I get the idea, especially whith improving skills, there comes a point where you have to declare something "good enough", otherwise, you can get stuck in a treadmill of ever improving aspects. To keep yourself from getting trapped there impose a "only every x-th update will be an overhaul of something old(er)" rule on yourself, or you might never see the game finished.
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Side Character Content
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Love the idea to get more "playtime" with Ellen, Jin, Hana, Lucia and all the others.
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More Explore Content
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Phew, while I enjoyed the content, at the moment, I see the "explore" content as a dessert and I'd like to have some more meat & potatoes first, please.
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Holidays
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Oh boy... this sounds awesome and while I expect similarities with western culture holidays to some extent, I advocate against overdoing and/or simplifying it too much. You know, like so many others do a Halloween special, or Christmas Special that are most often sorely disappointing and completely disconnected from the game itself. Definitely not a fan of stuff like that. Your idea sounds exceptional, though I fear for the needed time investment to get this "done right", again, be careful not to bite off more than you can chew and personally, you don't have to match certain holidays IG with any of the real world holidays in my opinion. So if you'd release a winter-y themed holiday update in the middle of next summer, I'd be fine with that.
Most of this sounds good, but honestly, making a SFW version sounds like a lot of effort for something that very few people would want. This is of course just my opinion, but I'd rather you spent your time adding content to the game.
I would like to second that...SFW seems a lot of work for a game originally geared to SEX ;)
I have always advertised Harem Hotel as an Adult Visual Novel, which is an Adults Only (AO) book, played in a video game format. Or an interactive comic book. Most people only know Mature/R rated media, then porn. Nothing in between. But life is full of nuance.
I can understand the confusion but it's not so black and white. Sex is a huge part of harem hotel, but it is not the reason anyone keeps coming back, and it isn't the reason I develop the game.
It wouldn't take much effort at all. Anal is already optional, vaginal can be too. More freedom to choose who you fuck and how can only be good.
Loving the new ideas Runey.
One thing id like to suggest if i may, would be a little more freedom early on in the game as to who you "conquer" first.
I know it doesnt matter at all in the long run but for example a player might want to go all the way with Lin first rather than Ashley
You should be able to focus anyone's story up to a certain point.
- I like the sound of the garden. Could be a good way to diversify active income gaining methods, rather than spamming photo shoots over and over. And I like the idea that I could roleplay the manager as someone that doesn't want his gfs' nudes all over the internet, and still make decent money.
- On the phone, I think my ideal for this kind of addition would be an interface that tells the player who's available and where, as well as maybe a call/text function for extra dialogue based on current story events. And more nudes are, of course, always welcome.
- I think the game has a story and characters that can stand on their own without being all about sex. My only real issue with the sfw proposal would be the sheer scope of such an undertaking vs the benefits of the addition. I might be down with RP-ing manager as less of a horndog, but IDK that enough other people would be interested. Maybe it wouldn't actually be that big a deal to implement? Idk, I've got no clue what development is like.
- I thought that what was available to explore in the recent update was neat, I'd welcome more. Maybe it could unlock new date spots, or be integrated into character stories? Though I imagine that second idea might be more complicated to implement than its worth. But I imagine exploring the slums with Ashley, for example, being a more active undertaking.
- I'd welcome special holiday events. I mean more content is always nice. I have reservations about having a set calendar though. I think the 'time bubble'-esque nature of progression is preferable with the sheer size of the cast.
-TBH, having everything in the gallery is one of my most anticipated additions. I couldn't tell ya how many saves I have, but its a lot and they're a mess.
Thanks for all the work you put in.
I'm already roleplaying the manager as someone who doesn't want his girls' nudes all over the internet. :P Once the bar is up and running money is only an issue during a couple characters' biggest events, and the money from selling the photos is insultingly low for even the most lucrative character. I'd never let some jerk whack it to pictures of one of my ladies for $15. :|
Tying Explore content into the stories more is definitely something I would love, but I agree that it'd likely be a hassle to code into the game. Though, unlocking new locations where we could choose to go to for taking the girls on a date would be a nice option. I need to take Kali bowling.
The story in this game is amazing, and I'll admit at this point I'm definitely here more for Kali's, Lin's, "Android's" (I gave her a real name, and I really hate going back to just calling her that... >_< ), and Autumn's stories than I am for the sex. THAT SAID... I have zero interest in removing the sex from the game. >_> It certainly could potentially open up the game to a wider audience, but... realistically, how many people out there are both interested in a polyamorous story but opposed to seeing naked ladies? I'm sure there are some, I just don't think it's a worthwhile use of time. *shrug*
Pinups were recently buffed, and as Ellen will tell you, outfits that you put them in will increase the price. That price changes for each outfit so it is up to you to find the best outfits to sell for each character. Or you can just do deliveries. But double pinups with Felicity and Emma sell for $175 at most, which is massive.
Explore content is already apart of the story, but I think you mean "bringing the main characters into the explore content". If that is the case, I will say that the point of the Explore content is to treat the world as a character. This is why main characters will never show up in Explore content. But main characters currently do go to the areas in the Explore content in their story and repeatables.
Harem Hotel is not a polyamorous story. Harem Hotel just includes a polyamorous relationship, which is no more inherently sexual than a relationship with two people. Since most stories with married people don't include sex, I think we'll be fine ;) Making all sex optional is easy and only a good thing though. You could avoid sex with anyone you don't like, or any sexual option you don't like. Anal was already always optional, but now blowjobs and vaginal will be too.
Making it all optional means it's not too much harder to release a SFW version which could be played on Youtube or Twitch, or anywhere else people want a story. Our society hasn't accepted sex work as real work yet so we have to bend over backwards to fit in. I can't even get some platforms to acknowledge my existence.
It's pretty much only itch, and maaaaaybe Steam. And these are only recent advancements.
So I reread your initial proposal, and I think we're hung up on different areas. Sure, as you say, it would not be particularly difficult to make sex optional. However, simply not having sex on screen wouldn't make this game Safe For Work. There are times where there is nudity on screen with no sex involved (just two quick examples - the party where they play beer pong and the time we take Android to college and she hacks everyone's phones). There are also drug references that would need to be removed, dialogue to be scrubbed - not just of sex, but of other topics not considered safe for viewing in a public area, let alone work - entire events and characters to rewrite...
If your only goal here is to make all sex scenes optional, there's still a lot of work to do to eliminate references to it, but sure. It's doable. But, for me, that isn't the same as making this game safe for work. Ashley will need more than just an option to say "no" to her sexual advances to make her SFW. Maria, good lord, the number of interactions not only with the player character but with the other main and side characters that will need to be altered is staggering, to say nothing of what her job is at the start of her story. The entire dynamic with the elves has to be redone. The majority of the Info screen just... disappears. What are we replacing it with? All of the grindable "traits" are gone, and the only trackable stats for each girl that remain are Relationship Level and Affection (I assume Kisses, Hugs, and Headpats could instead be tracked for each girl and added to their pages, but this still leaves a huge hole to fill).
Let me be clear - I am not at all opposed to making all of the sex scenes optional... most of them already are. But I think you and I have different ideas about what would constitute a "SFW" version of the game.
I also personally feel that while any specific sex scene is not integral to the overall story, sex itself is woven into the very fabric of what you have created - both the world you've built and the characters you've populated it with. Excising it from the story will require approaching topics and characters in entire new ways and will necessitate a lot of rewrites that will inevitably change the story and the people we love.
It's your creation. If this is a path you truly want to follow, go for it. I'll still play and love the game. I just think maybe you're getting in deeper than you realize.
A SFW "path" is as simple as me adding the option to say "no" every time sex is presented, which wouldn't take much rewritting or coding at all. The hardest part would be making checks for any dialogue that mentions sex which I would certainly need help from the community with through bug reports.
A calendar would be a mechanic that allows me to create scenes based on the week, month, or year. Currently the game only keeps track of days, hours, and seconds. Calendars, holidays, and birthdays naturally go hand in hand.