Combining game elements with visual novel?

[lycheechan]

This topic is linked to my first post
http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewto ... 16&t=17635

Like that post I'm trying to add Old-school RPG elements. I checked around the net and found the RPG maker to make the gameplay.
The thing is, I want to be able to combine them. Are there anyways that I can combine two systems together or does the RPG maker have a choice feature?
Also is it complicated for first time users to program it with all the CGs, music, and the voices (Yes I know, too much wishful thinking)

[dramspringfeald]

Well you can take up learning Hard Code Python, cause Ren'Py (Ren Python) is based off python. Look into the python rpg makers. they should work.

Python.org // PyGame // (others will be listed by other people.)

[lycheechan]

Thank you, but I think that I'll hire a programmer to do that.
I don't know it's just that the programming thing kinda scrambles my brain a bit

[dramspringfeald]

It's just another language. once you start doing it it gets a little easier.

Khan Academy does wonders for beginners.

[lycheechan]

Beside that though.
What do you think of incorporating other elements in a visual novel? Just to have a little fun that's all.
This one I'm making, the gameplay is similat to Luminous Arc.

[dramspringfeald]

Well they are working on a RPG element somewhere in the forums.

RPG Battle Engine - Alpha 7 built right off RenPy but it's still too technical for me at the moment.

Edit~ I plan on doing the same thing on my games too. I just need train harder and start programming.

[Sharm]

If I could wrap my head around python I'd love to put a point and click interface like and adventure game into my VN. I think there's a lot of fun to be had with mixing genres in VNs. If you ever do hire someone to make a tile-based framework running I bet a lot of people will be begging for the code.

[CheeryMoya]

VNs with other gameplay elements isn't new. Just a few random ones to show it's possible:

• Kitten Crusade [NaNoRenO 2012][cat][sim]
• Madaline's Misplaced Miscellany ~ A Hidden Object Game
• The Flower Shop
• That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles [WIP]

Last one is mine yay for self-advertising All these games have a mode of gameplay along with the VN aspect. Some players who don't like long reading might enjoy this, pure VN fans might be annoyed by the extra gameplay. I only like extra game elements in my VNs if they affect the story, personally.

Also, my advice to anyone new to Ren'Py: do NOT make your first project a hybrid VN. I had to learn this the hard way OTL It's easy as long as you stick to the basics. After a while the learning curve gets harder and you'll have to find a skilled programmer, unless you insist on trying to comprehend all that stuff in the documentation. Don't get stuck in the same rut I'm in >_>

[lycheechan]

VNs with other gameplay elements isn't new. Just a few random ones to show it's possible:

• Kitten Crusade [NaNoRenO 2012][cat][sim]
• Madaline's Misplaced Miscellany ~ A Hidden Object Game
• The Flower Shop
• That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles [WIP]

Last one is mine yay for self-advertising All these games have a mode of gameplay along with the VN aspect. Some players who don't like long reading might enjoy this, pure VN fans might be annoyed by the extra gameplay. I only like extra game elements in my VNs if they affect the story, personally.

Also, my advice to anyone new to Ren'Py: do NOT make your first project a hybrid VN. I had to learn this the hard way OTL It's easy as long as you stick to the basics. After a while the learning curve gets harder and you'll have to find a skilled programmer, unless you insist on trying to comprehend all that stuff in the documentation. Don't get stuck in the same rut I'm in >_>

About making the first visual novel being made, I completely agree with that. This idea I'm going to leave it be until the right time has come. I might as well practice though, but I would love to produce a Visual Novel.

[dramspringfeald]

yeah me too. I'm still WAY too unskilled to be doing major projects like that. I'm just 'building' up to it.

[junna]

If I could wrap my head around python I'd love to put a point and click interface like and adventure game into my VN. I think there's a lot of fun to be had with mixing genres in VNs. If you ever do hire someone to make a tile-based framework running I bet a lot of people will be begging for the code.

reminds me of Monkey Island series. Now that's a point and click adventure with a story too.

[Sharm]

Yeah, Monkey Island is exactly the type of game I meant. I grew up on games like that. Someday when I'm brave and better at animation I'll make a game in AGS, I just wish it was a cross platform program. I really think combining aspects of adventure games and VN's would benefit both genres and I find it odd that it hasn't been done before.

[lycheechan]

Have you guys heard of Atelier Rorona or Meruru? These games have some of the elements I'm talking about.

[junna]

Yeah, Monkey Island is exactly the type of game I meant. I grew up on games like that. Someday when I'm brave and better at animation I'll make a game in AGS, I just wish it was a cross platform program. I really think combining aspects of adventure games and VN's would benefit both genres and I find it odd that it hasn't been done before.

Cool. Hmm...adventure games with VN sounds like a huge project from thinking of the story to the puzzles to the solutions...
well, there's the HOG in the RenPy cookbook. And I swear I've seen somewhere in the Q&A section on how to insert things into inventory. Couldn't find stuff that has 'use inventory things' on/with other objects....

aaack...just thinking of the programming is mind boggling. But I'd love to see a Point-and-click adventure in VN too.

[Sharm]

lycheechan: I haven't played either of them but I just looked at the websites. It looks like a full RPG with a more personal story told in VN style instead of with cut scenes. It might be easier to put VN elements into an RPG engine than the other way around. If the mobility isn't as important you could probably get away with just using traditional VN map system and use the RPG Battle Engine for fights. Elven Relations and NanoLife both had something like that.

junna: I've been thinking about how to implement the HOG system in a Adventure Game kind of fashion, it probably wouldn't be too hard to get to work. I probably won't do it for this game though. What I really want for this game is to be able to move around by doing things like clicking on a door. I suppose that sort of movement is more Escape the Room than it is Adventure though, isn't it? ^_^;