Shinsei (A Kinetic Novel)
Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 2:33 pm
Shinsei is a very short, minimalist, non-branching visual novel created within about four hours. At first, I had other intentions, which I don't really care to mention, in creating this visual novel. However, after much deliberation and guided by some insightful opinions from the IRC regulars - I edited out some inappropriate references and in a manner of speaking, "defanged" the story to bring you this short, unpolished and very abstract piece.
While some might be turned off by the subject matter, being very community-centric and perhaps just a tad condescending, I believe this VN has enough redeeming factors for a place here in the completed games section.
If anything, it's a good example of what one individual can accomplish within a short span of time using limited resources with the Ren'Py engine and from a broader perspective, just how versatile and unique Visual Novels can be as a medium of expression.
In terms of substance, perhaps some might find that a short, abstract VN such as this one is severely lacking. Yet, I would like to believe otherwise. One of my guiding principles exclusive only to Visual Novel writing is to leave many words left unspoken in order to allow the over-all elements of the medium to shine through in a sort of orchestrated harmony.
To expound further, as this VN is read by a variety of people from all walks of life -I believe that the experience that it imparts will be quite unique for each individual. This is the power of abstract, open-ended prose - it allows multiple interpretations and feels much more personal than a vividly written series of events.
That aside, calling Shinsei a story might not even be entirely accurate. As one commenter for the original version puts it, "Aren't there 0 characters?" I do not feel compelled to answer this question in this introductory text, because I feel that it might ruin the experience for potential readers. However, for simplicity's sake, let's assume that Shinsei is indeed a story while not being too technical about the definition of what exactly comprises a story.
At its core, Shinsei exists to impart a message. Yet, this author finds that the message is too complex to be put into concrete words. Thus, I chose the medium of the Visual Novel to embody that message. So, from its creator's perspective - this VN is the tangible form of a message that can only be said with words beyond words - that is to say, utilizing almost all the senses of the human body, barring the sense of touch, which the technological level of the VN medium prohibits.
To address the issue of word count, which to my dismay is given too much emphasis in evaluating English Language Visual Novels by no less than our own forum of creators; Shinsei is unique in the sense that it deliberately tries to be short - to cut out the words spoken in between and to a certain degree, even the existence of the characters. Yet, from an exceedingly open-minded, philosophical point of view, It would not be an exaggeration to claim that this VN contains more than 5000k of words left unspoken with 150 characters and 200 possible endings. Then again, even this view might be limited, putting an exact number to the possibilities is in itself restrictive to Shinsei's actual potential.
Alas, now I have rambled on for too long and effectively, exceeded the actual word count of the uploaded Visual Novel with this introductory text. That said, please read and enjoy this story while it lasts.
For those with HD displays... I have a message for you after you try this game at least once.
While some might be turned off by the subject matter, being very community-centric and perhaps just a tad condescending, I believe this VN has enough redeeming factors for a place here in the completed games section.
If anything, it's a good example of what one individual can accomplish within a short span of time using limited resources with the Ren'Py engine and from a broader perspective, just how versatile and unique Visual Novels can be as a medium of expression.
In terms of substance, perhaps some might find that a short, abstract VN such as this one is severely lacking. Yet, I would like to believe otherwise. One of my guiding principles exclusive only to Visual Novel writing is to leave many words left unspoken in order to allow the over-all elements of the medium to shine through in a sort of orchestrated harmony.
To expound further, as this VN is read by a variety of people from all walks of life -I believe that the experience that it imparts will be quite unique for each individual. This is the power of abstract, open-ended prose - it allows multiple interpretations and feels much more personal than a vividly written series of events.
That aside, calling Shinsei a story might not even be entirely accurate. As one commenter for the original version puts it, "Aren't there 0 characters?" I do not feel compelled to answer this question in this introductory text, because I feel that it might ruin the experience for potential readers. However, for simplicity's sake, let's assume that Shinsei is indeed a story while not being too technical about the definition of what exactly comprises a story.
At its core, Shinsei exists to impart a message. Yet, this author finds that the message is too complex to be put into concrete words. Thus, I chose the medium of the Visual Novel to embody that message. So, from its creator's perspective - this VN is the tangible form of a message that can only be said with words beyond words - that is to say, utilizing almost all the senses of the human body, barring the sense of touch, which the technological level of the VN medium prohibits.
To address the issue of word count, which to my dismay is given too much emphasis in evaluating English Language Visual Novels by no less than our own forum of creators; Shinsei is unique in the sense that it deliberately tries to be short - to cut out the words spoken in between and to a certain degree, even the existence of the characters. Yet, from an exceedingly open-minded, philosophical point of view, It would not be an exaggeration to claim that this VN contains more than 5000k of words left unspoken with 150 characters and 200 possible endings. Then again, even this view might be limited, putting an exact number to the possibilities is in itself restrictive to Shinsei's actual potential.
Alas, now I have rambled on for too long and effectively, exceeded the actual word count of the uploaded Visual Novel with this introductory text. That said, please read and enjoy this story while it lasts.
For those with HD displays... I have a message for you after you try this game at least once.
I'll try to repent some other time.
I went into it with my curiosity intrigued, but all that I can deduce from it is that:
