How much knowledge of Python do you need

[Pescote]

Hello everyone. I'm a new to Ren'py and could not find any Ren'py associated communities online except for this one, so I hope I can have my Ren'py questions and discussions here. On to the topic, I tinkering around Ren'py and turns out you need knowledge on how to use Python. I want to make a quick game just to get comfortable before I set out to create my flagship game. I want to know how much Python knowledge does one need to make a simple game and how much do you need to make a complex game. I can invest time in learning Python if it is needed since I love coding and learning new languages is a no problem with me.

Thanks.

[Pugfarts]

None. I'm still figuring out that python is a programming language.
Looking at the code of the tutorial is really handy for understanding how things work, but all in all, renpy makes things really simple.

[Camille]

If you're just making a pure visual novel with no RPG system or other sorts of gameplay, you can make it with Ren'Py using just the Ren'Py "script" and no Python at all. You only need Python if your game starts getting more complex (a map, an inventory, RPG, mini-games, etc) and even then it sort of just depends on how complex your game gets.

[PyTom]

The funny thing about Ren'Py is that the line between Ren'Py and Python is pretty thin. Take the code:

Code: Select all

define e = Character("Eileen", color="#ccffcc")

Everything to the right of the equals sign is just a python expression - so if you can make a character, you can use a little bit of python.

Ditto for something like:

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$ flag = True

Which is python, through and through - but you don't have to think of it as such, if you don't want to.

[Pescote]

Oh I see. So making a complex game with stats and menu's requires more knowledge of Python otherwise everything you need for a simple project is given already.