Visual Novel too Short?
Forum rules
Ren'Py specific questions should be posted in the Ren'Py Questions and Annoucements forum, not here.
Ren'Py specific questions should be posted in the Ren'Py Questions and Annoucements forum, not here.
Visual Novel too Short?
I want some general feedback on a thing that's been bugging me for a while- the short VN I've been working on the past month is nearing completion, but it's only at 8,300~ words right now. I'm projecting it to be around 10,000 when I finish writing it, which begs the question- is 10,000 words too short for a short visual novel?
I don't know of where I can add extra scenes since it is set up on a day-to-day setup where something important happens each day, but I can fit something in if need be. I was just wondering if 10k was way too short for a VN. Also, what do you believe is a good length for a short VN?
Also, please forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this thread ^^;
I don't know of where I can add extra scenes since it is set up on a day-to-day setup where something important happens each day, but I can fit something in if need be. I was just wondering if 10k was way too short for a VN. Also, what do you believe is a good length for a short VN?
Also, please forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this thread ^^;
- trooper6
- Lemma-Class Veteran
- Posts: 3712
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:33 pm
- Projects: A Close Shave
- Location: Medford, MA
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
Don't pad your game. Let it be as long or short as the story needs to be. My first game (I'm just waiting on art assets then I can do more progress on it) is 7656 words. And it probably won't get any longer than that.
Tell your story.
Tell your story.
Last edited by trooper6 on Thu Dec 31, 2015 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A Close Shave:
*Last Thing Done (Aug 17): Finished coding emotions and camera for 4/10 main labels.
*Currently Doing: Coding of emotions and camera for the labels--On 5/10
*First Next thing to do: Code in all CG and special animation stuff
*Next Next thing to do: Set up film animation
*Other Thing to Do: Do SFX and Score (maybe think about eye blinks?) Check out My Clock Cookbook Recipe: http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewto ... 51&t=21978
*Last Thing Done (Aug 17): Finished coding emotions and camera for 4/10 main labels.
*Currently Doing: Coding of emotions and camera for the labels--On 5/10
*First Next thing to do: Code in all CG and special animation stuff
*Next Next thing to do: Set up film animation
*Other Thing to Do: Do SFX and Score (maybe think about eye blinks?) Check out My Clock Cookbook Recipe: http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewto ... 51&t=21978
- YonYonYon
- Veteran
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:25 am
- Projects: Nightflower(Frozen), Reach the Starlight(WIP)
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
If 10k words are enough to tell your story, then it's enough to have only 10k words. Don't add additional scenes just because of padding, add additional scenes if they're really important.
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
I agree with what trooper6 said, specifically "Let it be as long or short as the story needs to be."
I consider all of my work 'short'. The longest one has a word count of 12000. The shortest had under 2500 words.
For what it's worth, I don't recall anybody ever complaining about the word count on one of my VNs.
Very respectfully,
fleet
I consider all of my work 'short'. The longest one has a word count of 12000. The shortest had under 2500 words.
For what it's worth, I don't recall anybody ever complaining about the word count on one of my VNs.
Very respectfully,
fleet
Some of my visual novels are at http://www.the-new-lagoon.com. They are NSFW
Poorly done hand-drawn art is still poorly done art. Be a Poser (or better yet, use DAZ Studio 3D) - dare to be different.
Poorly done hand-drawn art is still poorly done art. Be a Poser (or better yet, use DAZ Studio 3D) - dare to be different.
-
- King of Lolies
- Posts: 4538
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:57 pm
- Completed: R.S.P
- Location: Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
Yes, don't let the word count dictates you. If you think your story is enough... then it's enough. Longer doesn't always means better.
"Double the princesses, quadruple the fun!" - Haken Browning (SRW-OG Endless Frontier)
DeviantArt Account
MoeToMecha Blog (under construction)
Lolicondria Blog (under construction) <- NSFW
DeviantArt Account
MoeToMecha Blog (under construction)
Lolicondria Blog (under construction) <- NSFW
- TuttyTheFruity
- Regular
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:38 am
- Completed: A!MGIADSFTDOH!, Palinurus, Our Home., Seeds of Sylvia, Last Continue Customization Prototypes
- Projects: Citrus Girls
- Organization: Watercress Studios
- IRC Nick: TuttyTheFruity
- Tumblr: therecettearsarereal
- Github: TuttyTheFruity
- Skype: tutankoopa
- Location: Ottawa, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
There's something to be said about proper pacing in a visual novel and poor pacing anchors an otherwise fantastic VN. Never pad length for the sake of word count (unless you're getting paid by the letter ), just do you!
Check out our Maximum Monster Month submission, Ah! My Girlfriend is a Demon Summoned from the Depths of Hell!
- PyTom
- Ren'Py Creator
- Posts: 16096
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:58 am
- Completed: Moonlight Walks
- Projects: Ren'Py
- IRC Nick: renpytom
- Github: renpytom
- itch: renpytom
- Location: Kings Park, NY
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
I'd say don't simply pad for word count, but at the same time, if people download a game and it's overly short, they might be a little disappointed. So it might make sense to see if there are ways to add to the story that aren't simply filler - find a place where the story feels weak, and flesh it out a little.
Supporting creators since 2004
(When was the last time you backed up your game?)
"Do good work." - Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom(When was the last time you backed up your game?)
Software > Drama • https://www.patreon.com/renpytom
- SinaAzad
- Veteran
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 11:27 pm
- IRC Nick: SinaAzad
- Deviantart: sinaazad
- Skype: sina_m_azad
- Soundcloud: Sina_Azad
- Location: Firenze, Italy
- Contact:
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
I'd rather read a good-short story than a bad-long story , unless I wanna waste my time !
I am very proud to be a part of this generous, nice and friendly community!
but please, don't go around telling people that their work is somehow off! thats not how critique works!
Mainly a C# Programmer
Re: Visual Novel too Short?
If you really feel as if it's too shirt to merit a full release/executable, it might be worthwhile to look into hosting it on the web (or allowing it to be played in-browser) or packaging it with another short visual novel(s). I know that I've been annoyed by having to download a game and spending less time playing it than I did waiting around to play it.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users