Everyone has to start somewhere, and you could use the experience you’ve gained from making this game to make even bigger and profitable projects in the future.
Also, would your dad have thought differently if he saw you making a game based on Star Wars or something like that? If so, he has no right to criticize you on that front.

he’s got a point: you could use your own characters, but afterall. it’s a first, and not a complete piece. just do what you want, all young artists went by this:  
“are you paid for this?”  
“why aren’t you doing x or y ?”  
“i don’t like stuff change it”  
“durf! you’re so skilled! why don’t you work for pixar or something?”  
“hur it’s for kids go get a better job! you need a mac too all artists use one!”

@Chocolate
 
Thank you!

@Prince Areo
 
Thank you!

Hey Herooftime1000. Just want to let you know that you’re pretty much not alone on this one. Although I don’t make the game exactly, I do have a dad who’s not controlling as your dad is. But he’s pretty much tired of my crap he to put up for this. I know you don’t know me, but I had to say that your game looks good! There’s a quote from Night at the Museum when President Roosevelt told “Larry” (I think) is this:“The key to happiness is to do what you love.” I hope this works out for you. ^__

Late reply, but I kinda had the same thought as your dad. Though, my thought was more curious than suggestive, I guess? I thought about it for a day or two, honestly. It’s why I’m still browsing the tags for this game when I’m this sleepy. (I was particularly impressed that you got people to voice it - that’s really impressive in this genre for an indie.)
 
A lot of work went into this and it really speaks to me as a fan of horror adventure games like Uninvited and the other ICOM games, (as well as a fan of cartoon horses). And I wondered why not use original characters, even stick with the cartoon animal thing, maybe? Walking the line between gruesome horror and cute cartoon characters is interesting.
 
Fan games are still cool, though. And this game shows what you can do when you’re motivated, which is important for if you ever do decide to try a commercial game.
 
At the end of the day, it’s your project; steer it the way you want it to go. Whether it’s reworked as something original or not, I’m looking forward to playing this. Keep up the good work~

You are your own man dude, and your dad has NO way in what you do with your life. The game you have right now is TOTALLY awesome, and if I were you, I wouldn’t change it at all.

If you want to make it pony related, go for it, but it would be a good idea if you can change it to be more of your own IP. It’s not because I’m against fan-made MLP:FiM games, in fact, I accept them, but more to encourage you to create something more unique that is yours to control.

Keep going, don’t be a wuss, you’re 25.

Dude, i would pay money to play this game, seriously, make a tumblr and open a donation pool. Keep octavia and Vinyl. Also, show the fandom to your dad, he’ll understand how much these two will be loved.

Keep going. Add your own characters to this.

keep going

Get dad to watch the BronyDoc.

@Tankris  
^^ This, oh a million times this!!

Tell your dad that the people who made Angry Birds and Minecraft gave their games away for free until they had a big enough audience to start charging for them.

@herooftime1000  
I’m not saying that you have to make an original game your main priority, focusing on school and doing a personal project for practice and fun is an excellent way to further cement your skills and lessons while not burning out.
 
It seems to me that there is currently no reason to halt or fundamentally change your project. IF an opportunity to work on a project that will more directly help you land an industry job or make money comes along, then maybe you should consider putting this game on the backburner.

It’s not as simple as just saying “Why do all this for free when you could get paid for it?”  
Making something for free vs. making something for money are two totally different paradigms.
 
As soon as you charge, even one cent, for a game it becomes a job. And all those people who’ve volunteered their time and help, it becomes their job too. You have to compensate them. There’s also license fees, if you don’t do all coding yourself. How will you sell it? Can you get it Greenlit on Steam? If not, then you’ve already got an uphill battle for market penetration. If you sell it from your own website will the server hold up if it gets popular? Are you prepared to write a patch within 24 hrs. if the game breaks on launch day?
 
If you jump into (or are pushed into) something like this with out preparation it can turn into logistical nightmare.  
And one of the best ways to get prepared is to do something as a hobby. It also allows you to network with people who could help you later.
 
 
And besides…  
If you just want to do this for fun, well so what? Why shouldn’t you? If people during the Great Depression could buy piano’s , and plant flower gardens, and if folks in pioneer days found time made time for harvest festivals, and if those in medieval times had carnivals and fairs; I sure someone now days, in a Modern, First World Country can afford to make free games for fun.
 
There’s no benefit in living your life in some sort of low grade bunker mentality.
 
Like the song says:  
There’s many that feign enjoyment  
From merciless employment  
Their ambition was this deployment  
From the minute they left the school  
And they save and scrape and ponder,  
While the rest go out and squander  
See the world and rove and wander -  
And they’re happier as a rule.

By finishing this game you will indirectly be telling your dad “good entertainment and ponies are not mutually exclusive”. Go for it, champ!

Put it on your resume to advertise your skill for when you are out of college, and tell your dad that you intend to do as such. Those job-obsessed types love their resumes.

Finish the game regardless at this point he should have no control over anything you do, this is your life and you should be allowed to create and do as you wish

As a 25 year old in retail, I loathe my job because it will never be anything more than a job. Money will come and go, but being able to say you made something like this by yourself, and knowing people played it and liked it will bring more satisfaction than material possessions ever will.

@GohmaDameon
 
I want to make an original game as well this, but school takes almost all my time…

@Putinforgod  
And you just presented a good idea.  
Explain the elder that it’s not wasted potential but selective demographic.

@Putinforgod
 
The worst that could happen is that OP gets disowned and thrown out of his house. Which we all know wont happen, because of ponies.

The big problem is that we don’t know how would his father react. Maybe he will finally accept herooftime’s will if he tells him clearly his motives for making that game, but I am pretty sure that if his dad doesn’t get what he wants, he’ll probably go into maximum dick mode, making his life impossible in every way he can.
 
Still, I’m pretty sure that changing the characters at this moment will just lower the general interest, because this game won’t be allowed to be shown here by example for not being pony related, all the potential players from here are lost.
 
This is not an easy decission.