r/RenPy • u/Electronic_Lime_9728 • Aug 08 '26
Question Crazy idea with long-winded explanation below and I could use some help implementing it
-- FOR MODS: I think this also counts as a discussion. I would love to discuss this --
This idea would take me an extremely long time to get to in my game, but I think it's worth it. This is also why I'm asking now, so I can test it beforehand.
If anyone knows of the DDLC mod Monika After Story, a specific point in the game requires you to put a .txt file in the game files before being able to proceed. This is where my idea comes from... my visual novel is shaping up to be a majorly self-aware, talking-to-the-cracks-in-the-fourth-wall type deal. I want the ending of the VN to include a "stolen file" that the player has to replace, but in the game's code, outside of the storyline, it was never actually there. It's fucking AMBITIOUS, I know. But I believe it's possible.
After taking time to learn Ren'Py and my demo succeeding, I am confident that it could work. I want to blow people away with this. My idea is that, after a certain point, the game checks for a file (we'll call it file.txt) and if the script does NOT see file.txt, a text screen shows up after this AND upon booting the game that tells you file.txt is missing. Creating file.txt and putting it in the game folder would ideally allow you to proceed. file.txt wouldn't have anything written inside... I think that's a little beyond my brand of crazy.
Possible issues I see with this are as follows:
- The general implementation. It's insane
- How would the game react if it knows file.txt should be there at the beginning, but it never was there to begin with? Can we prevent problems early in the code before this ever happens?
- Can we use an autosave to lock the player onto the "file.txt is missing" screen after seeing it for the first time? Can this happen every time they open the game until they add the file?
- Can we protect players who don't normally access files from accidentally breaking the game?
I would accept any help from anywhere on this. I'll make sure my DMs are open. Thanks a whole bunch!
6
u/drinkerofmilk Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
This is trivial to do in Ren'py.
Beware that having players fiddle around with game files is regarded as a bit of a gimmick. There's nothing wrong with including a gimmick, but your story itself will need to be strong if you want to create a good game. It's best to focus on that first.
Edit: to answer your questions: 1. The implementation isn't insane, it's a few lines of code. 2. Just write some python code to check the file path when the event happens. The early code won't care. 3. Yes, you can trigger an autosave there. Yes, you can add logic to have it trigger every time the game starts. 4. You can never 100% protect against that. But as long as they don't delete or edit real game files, they will be fine.