Transferring Skillset from VNs to RPGs

[MysteryCorgi]

Greetings!


I am a visual novel developer. I've done a good number of different tasks to help others create their VNs. When it comes to creating visual novels, I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades, master of none. I specialize in Linguistics, Programming, and Design. I usually just write, edit/proofread, and program in Ren'Py, though I have also been known to make Logos and GUIs. I also teach local classes on how to make visual novels. You can check out my portfolio for a better idea of what I can do. Or even look at my introduction post on the forums!


My skillset is very Visual Novel-oriented. I've been working on VNs since 2010, and it's all I know. I know at least some of these skills can easily be transferred over to making RPGs, especially those in the style of JRPGs. I'm hoping to branch out of VNs towards RPGs, and then maybe on to games in general!


So, here is where I am.....


I have the following:

• the aforementioned skills
  
• a world designed
  
• a story plotted out
  
• no idea where to go from here
  

So I guess the point of this thread is...seeing as I'm a VN dev, do you have any suggestions for breaking into the RPG scene?


If any of you are also VN developers, let me know! I'd love to hear about your experiences with visual novels and RPGs and everything in between.


Thank you for reading.

 

[Archeia]

Welcome to the forums! One of the biggest differences between a VN and an RPG is player interaction and pacing.


Some examples:

• Player interaction is a huge deal and your entire design must revolve around that.
  
• Backgrounds would have to be made where you must think how the player will interact with it. It means more modular design for assets.
  
• You now must think about animation in general. From characters to battle effects, etc.
  
• Plot progression is extremely different from a VN in many senses. RPGs allows users to waste their time on other things (usually) that doesn't proceed the main plot. So the cours of your story will be experienced in different intervals in ways a VN has more tight control over.
  
• You'll be thinking about stats. balancing, etc.
  
• RPGs are a lot more involved in creation with possible less pay off compared to a VN. But finishing one is like finishing an epic. YMMV.
  
• You will be limited with script-type writing and no narrator. I mean you can but that usually doesn't translate well with pure ADV mode.
  
• Your art list to do will explode to a huge amount you start questioning your sanity. VNs were bad enough about it. 13 Characters for Midsize VN. RPGs? 100s including NPCs.
  

 

[MysteryCorgi]

Welcome to the forums! One of the biggest differences between a VN and an RPG is player interaction and pacing.

I'm definitely noticing that the pacing is different between VNs and RPGs. I'm going to completely have to reconsider writing! (Which I already did when learning to write for VNs. I can do this!)


And also interaction, you are correct! I tend to think of "kinetic novels" when I make stories, so I was considering just slapping on battles to a linear story. But now I'm reconsidering.


Thank you kindly for the bulletpoints!

 

[Kes]

I've just posted something in another thread which might be of some use to you.  






You might find some of the other posts in that thread useful in looking at your overall pre-planning.

 

[MysteryCorgi]

I've just posted something in another thread which might be of some use to you.  





You might find some of the other posts in that thread useful in looking at your overall pre-planning.

Thank you kindly!

 

[Ronove]

I'm trying to go from RPGs to VNs because I cannot deal with balancing and stats anymore. Archeia's got a pretty good list though your character list may not explode by that number depending on how you decide to do portraits. If you just do important characters, it's not THAT bad. One thing I think I will miss is how you can weave the backstory of your plot or place in RPGs into when the players aren't advancing the plot by just having things and people they can interact with.

 

[Archeia]

Though to be specific, if you are making the standard top down fantasy RPG, then by 100s I really meant character sprites that walk on screen