Experiment: Making A Continuous VN
Objective:
1) To determine whether it is possible to maintain interest in a continuous VN made by fans for fans
2) To find out the technical and social/interpersonal problems that may arise from such a VN
Things Needed:
1) Renpy engine (Renpy 6.4.0 since rpa files are not compatible with older ones)
2) Ability to endure bad looking graphic, bad sounding music and an absurd story.
3) (Theoretically) 60 minutes of your precious time (extra 30 minutes if no knowledge of Renpy)
4) A typical computer and internet connection
Intro:
The above mentioned continuous VN is defined as a VN which has these features:
1) Each chapter is a game by itself though it'll be merged together to form 1 VN
2) the work on the next chapter can only commence after the current chapter is completed. Work on previous chapters are however free from such constraints.
3) when more than 1 story is made for the the same chapter. the story branches. This is the only way the story is allowed to branch
4)
Instructions:
Downloading File By File
1) Launch the renpy.exe and start a new project. Name it anything you want.
2) Download the following files at the end of this post; script.rpy and prompt based template.rpy
3) Put those files into the newly created project's folder, replacing it's script.rpy with the newly downloaded one
4) Play through the very short game once.
5) Download the following files at the end of this post; JQuartz_1_chapter_1_branch_1.zip and extract into the above mentioned folder.
6) Play through the game again and see the changes.
7) Try to make either next part of one of the branches or branch off to form a new one. JQuartz_1_chapter_1_branch_1.rpy as reference though it's probably unnecessary given the automation done by the prompt based interface.
8) Remember that this is just for experimental purposes so don't spend too much time and effort to make your part of the game. 15 minutes would be enough. Also to speed up the experiment, make sure the total size of your parts of the game isn't larger than 500kb.
9) Post your game on this thread (a zipped file of your rpa and rpyc file just like JQuartz_1_chapter_1_branch_1.zip)
Downloading The Starter Pack
1) Launch the renpy.exe and start a new project. Name it anything you want.
2) Go to the latest post, look around for a StarterPack.zip and download it.
3) Extract the files into the newly created game folder. Replace the folder's script.rpy with this one. Replacing Options.rpy is however optional.
4) Block out (select all and Ctrl+Q if you're using Scite) all the codes in template.rpy if you do not wish to use it for the time being.
5) Play through the game
6) Try to make either next part of one of the branches or branch off to form a new one. Use template.rpy as reference.
7) Remember that this is just for experimental purposes so don't spend too much time and effort to make your part of the game. 15 minutes would be enough. Also to speed up the experiment, make sure the total size of your parts of the game isn't larger than 500kb.
8) Post your game on this thread (a zipped file of your rpa and rpyc file just like Bigfish_1_chapter_1_branch_2.zip)
Other stuff:
1) If you have questions please post them here. Those questions might prove to be very useful in understanding this VN.
2) If possible visit this thread again and hopefully be able to participate in the VN again. Even if that isn't possible, your current participation is greatly appreciated.
3) Comments and criticism is appreciated as well (even if you don't participate)