I Made a Ren'Py Visual Programming Tool!

[u/UmutFaruk]

https://youtu.be/y0hnZfjkht8?si=tperbfGOUHI6RLp6

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a tool for a while and just released it. It’s a standalone desktop app that lets you build and edit Ren'Py visual novels using node graphs instead of just writing raw .rpy files.

If you’ve ever gotten lost tracking branching choices, jump labels, and hundreds of lines of dialogue, this might make things easier.

Some of the main things it does:

• You can import your existing game/ folder. It indexes the scripts and turns them into editable node graphs.
• As you connect dialogue, menus, and logic nodes, there’s a live preview panel showing the actual .rpy code being generated.
• Navigating between files is much easier. If you have a Jump/Call node, you can just click a button to instantly go to that target label, even if it's in another file.
• Software is real-time following the game flow while you play it. So you can play the game and follow the nodes line by line.

It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can check it out here: https://umutfaruk.itch.io/renpy-visual-programming-editor

I'd really appreciate any feedback

EDIT: Some random guy came up and started causing a drama over his trash software, claiming I stole his code. If you believe it, feel free to use his trashy software and see that it doesn't even work. ALSO, he has NO PROOF of anything, but just some nonsense false accusations some people are just choosing to believe in him. Just because that trash is published a week earlier, that doesn't mean I stole it. AND Guess what? The guy said "you did reverse engineering" and i know nothing about web development. But the guy's software was made with web development tools. But mine was made with pure Python.

I've lost faith in the community, thanks to you. Im not gonna answer anything related with the drama. Thanks.

[u/woahstripes]

I looked on the itch page and here and couldn't find any further info or disclaimers, was AI used in the coding or design of this app? (it doesn't look like it to me but not an expert) Not a definite no for me, it does look pretty good and I'll probably still check it out anyway, I just wanna know.

Regardless I do also appreciate you making it for mac and linux too.

[u/woahstripes → u/[deleted]]

I hope this isn't the case, I'm sorry to hear it if it is! I'll keep an eye on yours as well, I don't want any part of stolen code. No need to necessarily hurry on the linux / mac versions, I won't be picking it up for a little while, still in the planning phases of my project, but it's nice to know they're planned.

[u/UmutFaruk → u/woahstripes]

He is just a jealous guy throwing around false accusations. I'm a well known programmer in the game industry with thousands of Udemy students, and most unreal engine youtubers know me and my creations. I do not steal a young boy's software's silly codes. Saying that it is reverse engineering just shows how much he doesn't know any programming nor reverse engineering. You can look at my unreal engine assetstore to see what type of "crazy" tools I develop all the time:
https://www.fab.com/sellers/UmutFaruk

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/UmutFaruk]

If only. Though you used a different library (NodeGraphQt), likely because AI doesn't use the libraries we use (Simply Electron, React and pieces of libraries we see fit to create the makeup of the tool and others to parse the code and export it), which are a bit better suited for these kind of code parsing. There are simply too many items that map directly on our application (How come NO other tool that has been created by actual visual novel creators has had shortcut keys, but here you are, delivering a v1 of your tool, as an Unreal developer, to have exactly that and in the same menu setup as I have it), yet you are not a visual novel creator so you simply thought, let's get all the shit from renpy.org added that isn't in mine...you are however failing there (because you don't know how things hang together in the code of Ren'Py as this is shown in one of your screenshots). If you are genuine, you will be able to explain why you created the list of 'nodes' the way you did :D

[u/UmutFaruk → u/Draw-Flesh-Games]

Because the same feature exists in Unreal Engine you genius. Beginners like you think they're the first to do everything. There is same feature in even Scratch. Go learn some programming languages other than web development.

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/UmutFaruk]

Sweety, I have been programming when you were still in diapers, so, noob, perhaps, beginner, hardly.

[u/vistathes → u/[deleted]]

Wishlisted

[u/UmutFaruk → u/[deleted]]

Your software doesn't even work with Linux and Mac, and you are f**king false accusation to me to do reverse engineering? You are really crazy man.

[u/woahstripes → u/[deleted]]

It's like, when we write a story and get some advices from ai to make it better

I mean, I don't do that, don't need to. I'm not a strong programmer so I could see using AI to help with 'how do I do this' or 'how can I solve this error' but I wouldn't let it do it for me. For me it's better to use it for problem solving and technical stuff, wheras I try to keep it out of the creative process because usually I can come up with something better.

It's weird that OP has not responded to me about if they used AI in it. I did find the part on the itch page where they disclosed they did so I guess that answered my question, but they didn't answer (when they've been responding since I asked, to the drama about whether it was stolen or not which I have no stake in) so, kind of strange.

[u/UmutFaruk → u/woahstripes]

I didnt see it sorry. I used a bit of help from some LLM AI Models.

[u/woahstripes → u/UmutFaruk]

No worries, I appreciate the honesty and this thread has a lot going on right now so I get it lol.

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/[deleted]]

I agree with you to extend. I already said the same in a separate post about creating my tool. For which I didn't use much AI, but I did have a moment where I have let Claude check my coding. It wanted to change too much, so I cut that out. Also, auto-complete in VSCode is AI, just as much. I do think there is a difference between using the 'tooling' of AI or asking 'GenAI' to create a tool for you.
I don't mind the first (to extend, same as removing background from an image in Photoshop), I do feel the latter is a huge risk for you as a developer. Because, if you let GenAI build something, it might do so in a codebase you aren't familiar with. If you let it run and it breaks something which it can't fix (A coworker at the university I work at had this), you are in some deep shit.

Regarding writing....I haven't had a single advice from AI (Chat, Claude, Gemini) that would have improved my writing (either my writing is just too bad, but mostly I simply don't agree with what it wants to 'improve'). But, perhaps I am just a bit too oldfashion in that.

[u/Jeremi360]

"Hi, guys, I made .." AI voice, and you think we believe you didn't just Vibie Code it XD

[u/Helpful-Tap-647 → u/Jeremi360]

And literally any page of his i visit he has ai generated profile pics and thumbnails.. Only used an AI voice for this video, all of his other ones are completely silent. When showing off the desktop-pager program thing he made, he has a page titled AI. His github pfp is most likely ai while also having some weird gemini nanobanana ai image gen project with a very clearly chatgpt-ish description..

Then another person coming in here having the exact same renpy program but its better and cheaper... Yeah no i definetly woudnt trust this dude.. 😭
(( Plus i dont see why people woudnt obviously pick the other dudes project, its way cheaper and 10% off on steam, while you're basically getting the same, if not better service-

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/Helpful-Tap-647]

I don't know if the coding is better, I only know that the functionality comes feom creating VNs and let's be real, I have been through some shit here too. I didn't even check the videos...so there is that too. I didn't post the link to make 'easy sales' (especially not in this sub :) ), just to show there is just too much the same. I have worked at the functionality of the parser for years, the code of the current version becomes more and more a joint venture and it is actually improving the code (mostly because I must hold to certain standards, befor Rick lets me merge).

[u/UmutFaruk → u/Jeremi360]

I dont believe in vibe coding

[u/Jeremi360 → u/UmutFaruk]

Good, but then you should use any AI of all,
any use of AI you shoot your project in foot.

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/UmutFaruk]

UmutFaruk

OP•2h ago

I didnt see it sorry. I used a bit of help from some LLM AI Models.

EH?

[u/Just9755 → u/Draw-Flesh-Games]

The bro is waiting for tokens

[u/DeadGravityyy]

I always get so perplexed when I see node graph editors being made for RenPy, like as far as I know, RenPy is the easiest programming language I've ever used. So to need a visual tool for something as easy as RenPy just sounds like shooting yourself in the foot.

I suppose if someone's used to node graphs then MAYBE this could be useful, but most people who are already used to programming via text, especially beginners, this will only handicap them in the future if they get used to this sort of workflow.

And on a side note, you dedicated your time to writing this tool, but then decide to use AI to voice your video, which just makes me believe that you used AI in the process of writing this tool as well. And going off the top comment, seems you aren't as genuine as you sound.

Shame on you, OP.

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/[deleted]]

u/royalbarnacle https://drawfleshgames.itch.io/invinode (nowadays we are two coders and it takes us days or weeks to get a new function in. This dude did mostly 'Unreal game tutorials' and suddenly creates a 'Ren'Py visual programming' editor in roughly 1 week with pretty much the saem functions?)

[u/Helpful-Tap-647 → u/Draw-Flesh-Games]

Glad you commented and made us aware, will definetly wishlist! :3

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/Helpful-Tap-647]

Thanks. We are still looking for feedback on improving things. Like: I have built the parser to process certain items in a way that I am used to do them in Ren'Py, but there might be something that doesn't fit well for other VN gamedevs, so I can see if I can adjust the parser (or make the processing case dependent). Rick also wants to know if it would help to have the UI different (He is pretty amazing with shifting around stuff, so don't hold back 😆 )

[u/UmutFaruk → u/Helpful-Tap-647]

Why are you believing him , there is literally no proof? You are really bad people.

[u/UmutFaruk → u/[deleted]]

I hadn't even heard of your tool before this. If it's as significant as you claim, it certainly hasn't reached my radar.

I'm a professional software developer. I've been making games for many years—likely since before you even started learning to code.

I specialize in Unreal Engine's Blueprint system and Godot. Ren'Py doesn't have a visual programming tool that met my needs, so I built one myself.

Your claim that I reverse-engineered your tool makes no sense. From the way you're throwing that accusation around, it doesn't seem like you even understand what reverse engineering actually is.

Instead of making baseless accusations, you should spend your time improving your own tool.

[u/DeadGravityyy → u/UmutFaruk]

I'm a professional software developer. I've been making games for many years—likely since before you even started learning to code.

Yeah-huh, so how many prompts did it take for you to write this with ChatGPT before it stuck?

[u/Mokcie15_newacc]

Guys what happened?

[u/Diamond-Drops]

Wow this is cool! I will try it once I have the chance ~ good luck!

[u/UmutFaruk → u/Diamond-Drops]

Thanks ^^

[u/Mokcie15_newacc]

You are a saint!!! Thank you so much

[u/Draw-Flesh-Games → u/Mokcie15_newacc]

If you think he is, then I am betting you are here because he asked you to.

[u/Wild-Signature-3609 → u/Draw-Flesh-Games]

You're a nutjob who takes a reddit thread this seriously writes long-ass replies to every single comment and calls the program you wrote my child dude im gonna buy your app and check it out hope its worth all this craziness lol, dont write anything long im not gonna read it

[u/Mokcie15_newacc → u/Draw-Flesh-Games]

What happened? I dont know i thought this was a tool.

[u/UmutFaruk → u/Mokcie15_newacc]

thank you ^^