[Closed]

[Redthorn Anvil]

Hey guys! So I had this kinda bizarre idea, to make a visual novel...but as a fully-detailed RPG. So like, for example, if Skyrim was a visual novel.

It's crazy, I know, and it might actually take me years to finish--although that might just be because I'm not totally fluent at this whole coding thing. I've just started using Ren'Py, and for those of us who've never heard of it, it's essentially an open source visual novel engine, where you can write/draw/code your own games and then upload them somewhere for people to play. It supports most OS formats, and is also phone-compatible.

I can do all the coding and the art [though if someone feels compelled to do art for me, I'm okay with that too XD]
And even after I finish writing the game and upload it, I can update it with new/better art, fix bugs, make patches, whatever. I've already made two small projects just to test-run the program, and it works great.

Anyway, my main problem is...well, I don't have a story. And I kinda want it to be original [so like no fan-based stories from The Witcher, sorry XD], but I thought it might be cool if you guys wanted to help me make this thing! Of course there would be credits to mention you and optionally what you did to contribute to this project, so you'd be awarded with that elite status of 'Co-Developer'...

Also, this project would be completely free--which means that I'm not paying you to contribute, but it would also be free to play, and I'm considering only releasing the project to Guild members, but allow all Co-Developers to have access to exclusive content...or something. I haven't really hashed out all the details yet.

Anyway, to keep the suspense on, I thought about releasing the game as it's being written, like in chunks, or 'chapters'. So we'd only have to work on one small section as we have time [that way we can also fix any immediate problems before we make new content], and people can beta test it, play it, make reviews so we know what they like, et cetera, and then when I finish coding the next portion, I'd just update the file and players can update their games with new content. Um, theoretically, if how I plan to do that works, you shouldn't have to make a new game every time, I'd just update the script and add new files as I need them--kind of like a mod. But I'm not 100% sure--that's why I'd need beta testers.

And there's one more thing...sound. Specifically, music and voice-acting. I can make soundtracks for the game, but my options there are a bit limited, so if anyone has more experience with that, they are welcome to create music for the game if they want, and of course they'd get a special mention if they did. I have the ability to voice act as well, but I can't act every single character. That's where a lot of the volunteers would come into play. I'd need voice actors, and probably a lot of them. So if that's something you're really interested in doing...

So what do you guys think, is this something anyone would be interested in?

[pugbutter]

I'm RpG's best girl

[pugbutter]

In all seriousness I think the plotline should be meta as hell. It should be a plot about RpG somehow.

What if someone hacked the site, and because the Fallen God Mahz is not around to save it, this person is able to give the players an ultimatum or else he will shut the site down for good? So we have to do what he says in order to save the Guild. He wants us to beat him in an Arena fight but unfortunately, he's a godmoding and metagaming piece of shit, so we need to use our combined wits to beat him as a team.

None of that Sword Art Online "we get sucked into the game" shit tho that's hella gay

[Redthorn Anvil]

@pugbutter I was totally not prepared for that and I'm still trying to process what just happened XD

Edit: Theoretically though, that could work, but I want more opinions first before I decide on anything.

[pugbutter]

Not that I ever recommend anyone watch a Marvel superhero film, but Ant-Man sort of did with the tone what I would want to do with that idea; building up a "fight scene" as super epic and amazing, but really, it's two guys the size of a grain of rice fucking around on a toy train set.

Same thing. We have a "fallen god," we have a strictly stratified society (free, casual, advanced) within this glorious empire of ours, our gladiatorial arena is named the "Status Updates".........and it's all a fucking website, man, who the fuck cares?

As a parody it could be pretty cool.

[Redthorn Anvil]

And considering that I'm kinda making this mostly just for the Guild members--it actually kind of makes sense XD

[Redthorn Anvil]

@pugbutter This thing will be hard to pull off though if I'm stuck trying to do all the work...I'll have to start advertising or something >.<

[pugbutter]

I'd like to tell you that I could write the story, but I think if I couldn't write the story I probably wouldn't be on this website to begin with. Sooooooo I'm not gonna brag about anything and pretend I'm special.

[Redthorn Anvil]

Hey if you wanna help write this thing, you're hired--I just feel like we need to make sure that we're writing a story that the majority of the masses would be interested in--hence the need to advert. And again, I'll need testers, voice actors, optionally people who can make great music...all that good stuff.

Edit: Optionally, if you don't want to help, I'd love it if someone would be willing to help me spread the word XD

[pugbutter]

I can write. Uhh, in theory I can voice act, but don't expect me to have range. (Or talent, for that matter.) So like, two characters at most, kek.

[Redthorn Anvil]

@pugbutter The trick to doing believable voice acting is emotion and drama, imo. If you can get into the character's spirit and emulate that in your voice, you're golden XD Um, the only things you'd need to be able to act is having some form of mic [preferably headset], and a voice recorder. I like to use Audacity. And of course a script XD
But yeah you can totally do some writing. It might be a good idea to get a few more writers tho so we can all collaborate with plot ideas and stuff, and so one of us can keep writing in case someone else doesn't have the time...if that makes sense? I dunno, maybe I'm making this more complex than it needs to be? XD

[Rhythmloid]

@Redthorn Anvil I'm good with music if you need help with that

[Redthorn Anvil]

@Rhythmloid You're hired--Welcome to the small gang of developers XD

Edit: You can do other things too like voice acting if you want, but that's totally up to you.

[Rhythmloid]

@Redthorn Anvil great! Is there a specific program you need for me to use? I'm limited on music programs

[Redthorn Anvil]

@Rhythmloid Nope, as long as it's MP3, Wav, or OGG [I think that's it??], I can work with it. So you can use any and all music programs you want for that!

Edit: I will need to know which programs you end up deciding to use, though, so I can make appropriate credits for their use.

[Rhythmloid]

@Redthorn Anvil Well I can make sheet music for it and you can download a reader to turn it into an MP3. It would probably be the easiest. Also what is the genre? What types of songs do you need? (Sad, puzzle music, title music, possible sound effects, battle themes, etc.)

[shylarah]

@Redthorn Anvil I can speak, I can sing, I've dabbled in acting and will be in a choir performance tomorrow. I've composed amateur songs and know a little about I strumentation, I have written out music for small ensembles in the past as well. One fan project had me as a VA but they never finished the script so there's...nothnothing to show for it. Still, I'd be happy to contribute my voice and assorted other skills to this project.

As an aside, I highly recommend you read the visual webcomic MorphE, as it is being created by the DM and three players of the campaign whose story it loosely covers. Also Alexis Royce is an amazing person and blows people's minds on a regular basis, and she, Tricia, and Chelsea are great artists. Mature content warning, but I think it's awesome. Don't have a li k handy, but Google morphe the webcomic and you'll find it. <3

[pugbutter]

@Redthorn Anvil Bitch it's easier said than done!!!

I do have all three of those things though: Audacity, headset, and later on I must assume I'll eventually get a script, regardless of who wrote it. So I'm ready. Ish.

Gonna send you a PM with something.

[Redthorn Anvil]

@Rhythmloid Well, that whole bit is still kind of up in the air as of right now, I really need people to start throwing out plot ideas. We have one, so far.

In all seriousness I think the plotline should be meta as hell. It should be a plot about RpG somehow.

What if someone hacked the site, and because the Fallen God Mahz is not around to save it, this person is able to give the players an ultimatum or else he will shut the site down for good? So we have to do what he says in order to save the Guild. He wants us to beat him in an Arena fight but unfortunately, he's a godmoding and metagaming piece of shit, so we need to use our combined wits to beat him as a team.

None of that Sword Art Online "we get sucked into the game" shit tho that's hella gay

@pugbutter

@shylarah I think maybe you and @Rhythmloid may be able to work together on the music stuff if you wanted to collaborate [make sure that's okay with both y'all], and if not then by all means, you're hired for acting! You can do other jobs too like script writing or character design or whatever you think you'd be good at.

[Redthorn Anvil]

@pugbutter Well how about I give you a bit of random script, you record it and send it to me, and I'll tell you if you'd be good for acting? [unless that's what this mysterious PM is about...XD]