Interesting.
I really suspect this is due to how niche the market is right now. Only the most hardcore fans even know this stuff exist. And the mangagamer site is not exactly the most welcoming from non eroge fans. That is why I think that Higurashi Steam release is an opportunity. It might make a broader audience aware these games exist and are not always porn or even romance.
At very last it might open doors for other bigger games to have Steam releases.
Spoony Bard
This thread was silent for about three years... In any event, challenge yourself to find a visual novel currently available in English that might cause a Newbie Boom. If you're stumped, look for upcoming translations or work-in-progress visual novels that seem promising. Think about factors such as...
- Does the story sound clever, thought-provoking, or genuinely interesting?
- Does it promise anything other than two or more love interests?
- Is there relevant gameplay which could be challenging and entertaining?
- Does the art look exceptional or distinct?
- Would the story or game appeal to people who aren't currently active in VN fandom?
Yes. People look forward to companies like Mangagamer releasing "good" games that will earn them real money from fans, but games like Cow Tits Five, Ride The Dragon are the ones that apparently get them the greatest returns.