I've always been a huge fan of visual novel/dating sims ever since the old days of games such as "True Love" and "Nocturnal Illusions" and I'd like to start a career in gaming with focus on visual novels. Hit me up if you're interested. Skills I offer:
Ren'py programming.
Website creation.
Help with directing, writing and other similar creative processes.
English to Portuguese(PT-BR) translation.
Payment condition:
I won't demand compensation if it's a non-commercial project AND the scope of what you're requesting my skills for is small/simple.
Background:
I have been teaching myself ren'py for the past year or so. (not non-stop) And though I have some of the basics down, I am still unable to create what I envision. I _think_ the programming should be easy (infamous words) but in the end, my programming skills are just not up to the task. If you already have some experience then what I have in mind may be easier for you.
The Story. (at the moment untitled, but the working title is Bethany)
The story is a mixture of sci-fi and poetic prose. Bethany and her ship's AI travel from place to place, bickering and more or less acting like mother and daughters do. It includes time travel, alternative universes, and our own humble planet. Mixed in with the 'main' story are some poetic prose pieces.
In a lot of ways, this project is an extension of an experimental prose novel.
The story(ies) themselves are finished. Some copy-editing is the only thing remaining.
What I envision:
Because 'Bethany' started out as a collection of flash-fiction pieces, it doesn't automatically 'scream' VN. However, after giving it some thought on how it/they could work in the VN genera, here is what I have come up with.
After a brief introduction explaining how Bethany is now stuck in a VN and that her memories have been corrupted, the reader is presented with the first flash-fiction piece. (each piece is ~500 words) At the end of each piece the reader will be asked to choose where in the time-line that piece occurred. (there are 24 chapters / flash fiction stories) Further, there are a handful of artifacts (images / art) which have to be placed with the correct 'story' Lastly, there are a handful of poetic prose pieces which can be seen as either an epilogue or prologue.
At the end, the reader will have the choice to re-read it in the order they've chosen.
Ultimately, the VN will be 'short' by most standards. The problem I have been having is getting the interface to record user choices and present them back as a completed novel.
What can I offer?
The writing is done. So, no worries about story creation.
Most of the 'assets' are also done. (though I am referring to them as artifacts.)
I plan on heavily promoting the 'physical' novel which this will be adapted from, which means 'you' as the main programmer will also be promoted. In theory, it could lead to better paying projects, or at the very least a nice feather in your cap.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
So to summarize:
The 'game' is simply to decide which order the chapters should go in.
It is mostly experimental literature, though there is a clear story line.
Though there are some visuals, this is mostly a text based game.
Choices are simply an ordering, and does not directly change game play.
I haven't planned on any sound effects, though I am open to changing that if it proves easy.
In Numbers:
Programming 0%
Art / Assets 75%
Writing / Story 99% (final proof reading is being done by a writer's group.
As for UI I don't envision anything extravagant. A simple 'clean' (almost ren'py default) would be fine. This is a VN which is meant to be read, and less played.
I will copy and paste this in a message to you.
Edit: If you're up for it, a translation into Portuguese would be awesome!
