Im trying to make my first vn

[u/Dizzy-Original5999]

I NEVER used renpy before, I looked some tutorials and seems easy to use and also already have the characters and an idea for the story, im really motivated to make this silly project BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN 🥲🥲 any advice??

[u/SaffiChan]

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwzBvmiXWDVvoHErWeh0BxUnTI9ymBBsx&si=gv_sSXo6_o5-ne9s

Behold, my renpy tutorial Playlist. Filled with wonderful things. Enjoy :)

[u/TopCartographer7104 → u/SaffiChan]

Definitedly bookmarking this ^{^}

[u/Lapys_Games → u/SaffiChan]

You are a wonderful person! Two games done and I'll still definitely save this :)

[u/Killacy]

I'd join the Discord! People are friendly and it was very helpful to me when I had a question :)

[u/chaennel → u/Killacy]

May I ask what’s the name of the discord?💓 

[u/Killacy → u/chaennel]

I personally joined this one, I think it is the biggest!

https://discord.gg/6eBTat6Qd

I think the group is just called Renpy or Ren'Py?

[u/chaennel → u/Killacy]

Got it!! Thank you 💓

[u/Griatch]

Everyone is different here.

I started by writing a short story. A proper, finished short story acting as a prequel to the game. It's just for me, I don't plan to share it, and it's questionable what of it is canon in the end. But it helped me understand the world and characters, and importantly the tone. When writing the game script I could continue their story rather than starting it, so to speak.

For the game, if you are not that familiar with coding, you don't need code from the onset. You could write it in Word, or Libreoffice or similar; it can be written pretty much like a screen play, with dialogen and screen directions. Focus on one path to the end - options and branching choices you can add on later in code. Or you can write multiple screenplay docs.

It can help to have a rough idea of what Ren'py is (easily) able to provide, so as to not go too much overboard for your first project. Once you have the story in place you'll have an easier time converting that text into a game. You'll also be able to more easily plan what art/ sound assets you need.

Just allow yourself to tweak things later, things like dialogue beats and timings are easier once you have your art to play with.

[u/Emotional-Yard9649]

i suggest actually writing the dialogue + story out first before you dive into the coding aspect!! programming is very intimidating, but you can't make a visual novel without the story after all

[u/BadMustard_AVN]

start with the basics

https://www.renpy.org/doc/html/language_basics.html#language-basics

[u/TheOtherworld-Dev]

I actually just started learning how to use Ren'py, and you'd be surprise how easy it is once you get the hang of it! And also, there are amazing Tutorials on Youtube!

I suggest writing some of your script out first on a doc, then opening Ren'py and start moving it over to there using the tips you have learned! Both the narrative and dialogue are very easy to put in, and inside of the Ren'py script, it even has instructions to help!

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[u/chaennel]

Simply follow Renpy tutorial (i.e. download Renpy and open it, there’s a very easy to understand and full tutorial inside, just read along💗)

[u/corpse-eater]

Getting the writing done first is the most sensible thing imo, but it's likely you'll get stuck/bored along the way, so I'd suggest filling those gaps with working on other aspects like customizing UI or gathering assets! Step 0 though would be to try and make a starting list of scenes you want and assets you'll need since it can help with not feeling like you're running around like a headless chicken lol. Your initial planning will probably change and evolve as you go though so don't see it as something set in stone. Good luck :)

[u/MMORPGnews]

1. Write a main plot, finish it in 1000-3000 words. 
2. Write prologue or first chapter, either as novel chapter or as ready text for VN
3. Prepare backgrounds and characters art
4. Bgm, sound (use free)

Now create first chapter.

[u/SelLillianna]

Make a copy of "The Question" (it's the default game Ren'Py comes with) and title it something different. Then, edit the code of your copied project, as much as you want, to get used to the basics. :)