nanoreno is an annual month long game jam for games made with ren'py, and it starts MARCH 1ST. if you've ever dreamt of making a game, this is a great engine you can start with to make that dream a reality. it's completely free to download, no license to pay for like many other game engines, and it is specifically streamlined for visual novel production.

i've been making games with ren'py for like 10 years now--it's what got me into gamedev in the first place, and i would not be doing this for a living without ren'py. so i want to show others the way!!!!!!

ren'py is super fucking easy to learn, and in this post i will explain why you should try:

it comes with an interactive tutorial

if you take the time to play through it all, it very gently explains the basics. you don't have to absorb the information all at once--you won't even need to understand everything it explains to you, because you should be making a simple game anyway!!!

if you prefer to learn by listening to someone talk, there are many ren'py tutorials on youtube. i recommend vimi's channel to get lots of really great specific tips! he makes learning fun!! GO WATCH AND HAVE FUN!!!

"but i can't make a game, i'm not a programmer!"

YEAH, I WASN'T EITHER!!!! i was just an artist before!!!!!!

a simple VN does not take a lot of special code. you can get by on the basics. the most complicated thing you should be doing in your first VN is setting a flag that changes the ending or whatever.

the only thing you need to know is the proper formatting for dialogue. do you know what a screenplay looks like? it's basically that. YOU CAN DO IT.

"ok but even if i learned to code a vn, i don't know how to draw!"

i don't care. use stock art. there's a whole internet full of resources at your disposal!1 try any of the visual novel game assets you can find for free on itch.io!! just swap them out later if you think you can do better!!!

also, like... even if you can't draw to save your life, there is something so authentic to "bad" drawings that i wholeheartedly believe you should go for it anyway. would you discourage a child from drawing? you're the child in this scenario. draw something and have fun!

"but, but... i don't even know how to write!!"

yeah ok i guess give up then.

...

you don't wanna give up?? GOOD!!! it's the same as with drawing--i don't care if you've never written fiction in your whole life. you can always start today.

"ok smart guy, what about music?"

what ABOUT music. release a silent game!!! who cares!!!!!!

you can put in royalty-free songs if it bothers you that much. there's a huge library on incompetech that everyone uses, it's got music for all genres. there is literally no shame in using free music for your first game.

don't let your pride get in the way of learning something new and making something fun.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND WRITE A VISUAL NOVEL2!!!!!

  1. please don't steal. don't use AI art either. these things could get you in trouble and you'd have to take your game down, that's no fun! make sure you have the rights to whatever assets you use in your game!!
  2. or don't. if your heart is saying no to VNs, that's fine too i guess. i just think you should try to make a game if you want to. good luck either way!!!