Darklord Rooke

No and yes respectively. Unless 'popular' means 'barely profitable'. Who knows what changed, whether it was Steam, the dire nature of the market in Japan or maybe Sekai really are THAT good at negotiating *shrugs*. The first thing which needs to be done is people going out to buy these games, though.

Only just beginning, actually.

Fuwanovel HAS shed its writers at an alarming rate. Any more thoughts on what Fuwa can do to rectify this situation?

One of the core tenets of the Fuwanovel community is we treat each other with respect and courtesy. If the community were to start looking down on a group of people, any group of people, it would lose an important part of its identity for no benefit. Piracy has been included in the overview (2nd post of the thread) as an important tool for Fuwa to use in its quest to expand its userbase. Do not worry, nobody is suggesting Fuwa abandon the practice of hosting torrents. I have added a note that a discussion on whether torrents are hosted on Fuwa may need to take place at a later date, but I doubt that would be anytime soon. @SolidBatman: Excellent ideas!

Tay was thinking about separate threads but there’s only 1 OELVN currently being developed on Fuwa, and few projects in total. However, it should definitely be a goal of Fuwa to encourage more fan development/translation in general. Hopefully there’ll be enough projects in the future to warrant a split. Excellent idea! :3 Could you possibly explain this to me? Unfortunately I don't understand what you mean. And no need for an apology, those were some interesting insights! @Zakamutt: I feel like I now know part of the reason Tay has trouble keeping writers, this really needs to change. It’s incredibly unorganised. Considering you’ve had no meaningful contact or aid from staff, you’ve been doing an excellent job. The news site is an important tool for Fuwa to offer unique information to visual novel consumers, anything from in depth analysis on the state of the industry, to any interviews Fuwa chooses to conduct with localisation companies or developers (both English or japanese,) to staff reviews of recently released products. That such an important tool has been treated so trivially is a deep shame. @Sanah: Good idea, I think 'building support for commercial VN development and localisation' will be an important component in Fuwa’s strategy going forward (I’ll place your Gamertag idea under this objective.) Unfortunately I haven’t had the time to rework the overview yet, so once again this objective will be placed temporarily in Phase 2 (because it demonstrates how Fuwa can help the industry as opposed to gathering people to Fuwa.) The trick will be to encourage support for localisation and commercial development without looking down on, or being disrespectful to, people who pirate. You’re really helping with your suggestions on how Fuwa can support the industry, which is important because the strategic document was light in that area. ------------------ Suggestions have been terrific so far, and the end document is going to be far better for it. You've all been awesome. Don't be shy if you have opinions or thoughts on the matter, feel free to voice them.

@Sanah: This is certainly an interesting idea, probably not related to a VN database though (which would just hold information about VNs). To be honest it has caused me to re-evaluate a large section of the strategy. Initially phase 1 of the plan was to focus on building up a community at Fuwa, and was going to be initiated first. Then later on phase 2 (focusing on the health of the industry) would activate. I designed it this way because I thought Fuwa could do little to help the industry without more power. Your idea is eye-opening, and shows there are steps Fuwa can take right now to help promote the industry. This will mean the document will need to be changed slightly. The need for phases, for example, will disappear. It also opens up many possibilities for Fuwa to support commercial development and localisation. I’m going to temporarily place your idea in Phase 2 (because it focuses on supporting the industry) until I can rearrange the overview to reflect this shift in strategy. Quite the eye-opening idea. Top job! (I don't think eliminating member titles based on post count would be received so fondly, because it's such a staple of normal forum operating procedures. But that doesn't mean a user couldn't obtain unique titles based on their collection, or other awards/perks.) @Zhurai: A fantastic idea! This will go in the Community section. Do you have any examples of the sort of support you'd like to see? ------------------------------------------------- Concerning the document, Parts 1 and 2 will be posted(hopefully) by the end of the week. It isn’t very interesting, just definitions and analysis that will provide the foundation on which parts of the strategy will be based. I’ll be nice though, and put the boring stuff in spoiler tags. If you have any objections to those parts when they're posted, please feel free to voice them. Suggestions too.

Part 1 of Sunrider has already been released. It's fun, especially the combat system, but it's not written fantastically and the plot is light. Although considering it's free, it's an awesome product.

The Loren one is totally worth it though :3

Sorry for any mistakes in this reply. I have to be somewhere and I am almost out the door at the moment Rest assured the idea is for more than a few people to be working on those pages, but I don’t think those pages should be edited by anyone (http://www.penny-arcade.com.au/comic/2005/12/16 ). Already some of the work required for the main hub is being done by the community. Reviews and Walkthroughs are both things offered by users of the forum (there’s a walkthrough section, and Down has put together an excellent thread collecting reviews https://forums.fuwanovel.net/index.php?/topic/6085-index-of-vn-reviews-analysis-and-discussions-on-fuwanovel/ ) But why hide these excellent contributions in the forum? These will (of course) need a quick edit for grammar, and a quick check for comprehensiveness before it can go up on the site. Maybe later, if Fuwanovel obtains a staff reviewer, it can differentiate between staff and user reviews. This means people creating reviews and walkthroughs on the forum will be making a very real contribution to the site. Maybe a little icon, award or token regarding this can be entered into the user’s profile. Or something else. Thoughts anybody? The news and analysis section is the blog, and I believe Tay plans to organise a team of writers for that, under a head editor (and when I say “I believe”, what I really mean is “that’s what he said” and I’m totally holding him to it… I think he said it anyway.) I thought it sounded like an excellent idea at the time, but why not expand this “head editor’s” job so he doesn’t just manage the blog, but Facebook content, and Twitter content also. And maybe even manage the content going up on the main site (like reviews, walkthroughs, synopses and demos.) And maybe rename this head editor ‘Admin for content’, with all the rights and responsibilities implied. It will be this admin’s responsibility to organise participation and review content going up on the site. This will free up a lot of Tay’s time, with Tay just needing to ‘oversee’ instead of ‘do’. The magazine is for the future, once we increase our content output. Fuwa will need volunteers for the Youtube demos though. You're right, the merchandise isn't very important. It's more a thought bubble right now. I don't know the design philosophy behind the current Fuwa database but it isn't very important to me (sorry.) I’m interested in how Fuwa plans to move forward, and the planned hub is a service to all VN consumers not just the first time consumer. The idea behind a visual novel hub is it will become a service which caters to the needs and wants of visual novel fans, not just people new to a series. We want people to regard Fuwanovel as the main place for all things Visual Novels, to come and to stay. Regarding web design that's really not an area I know much about. I'm sure Nayleen or someone else could answer your question for you, though. @Nayleen: This is a very detailed and comprehensive piece. When you finish it, it can slot straight into part 3 where suggested changes and strategies for Fuwanovel going forward are fleshed out (it’s too big for the overview.) @Zaka: The new twitter feed looks good and I’m sure it will be an essential part of Fuwa’s social media push going forward. @Sanah: That sounds like an excellent idea. Would it be connected to your user profile? What would it involve? *Ponders where to include it in the overview* @Beato: Whoa, that's bad! 0.0 @Maef: Any help is definitely welcom

Hello Nayleen :3 So basically 2 things are necessary, you need to bring people to the site through a comprehensive outreach program (and increasing visibility,) and you need to keep them here through the services which are offered. It should be an outreach program designed not only to bring VN fans in from other communities, but to drag in new people from other genres. This is because we're trying to expand the VN fanbase as a whole, not just expand Fuwa's userbase. This is also what some of the committees are aimed at addressing, better ways to outreach etc etc. And once they come here we want them to stay through the services offered via the site - for example the ability to access unique and comprehensive information (like reviews, demos and news items etc,) in depth discussion and unique insights (it would be great if we could have more of this,) a friendly atmosphere, and maybe far into the future access to developers on the forum. The main site could definitely use a facelift, most people keep saying this. Also you're "big features" thing sounds really interesting :3. Currently this strategy (and overview) is still fairly "light" so If anybody has any suggestions then feel free to voice them.

Overview posted. Community outreach included. Fuwabundle... it would be interesting to know what the details are for that, but I think that's covered also.

*Placeholder Post – Part 4*

*Placeholder Post – Part 3*

*Placeholder Post – Part 1+2*

Overview - A tl;dr summary of what the document will be about. It will be modified to respond to the community's critiques. Intro: The goal of this sample document is to examine the goal of Fuwanovel as dictated by Tay, and to construct a sample strategy for Fuwa moving forward that aligns with the stated goal. This is a sample document because it was not written by Tay, and therefore anything recorded inside is subject to his approval. It should be fairly easy to remove unwanted sections, add additional pages or sections, or modify the text. This is a long term goal for the Fuwa Community (emphasis on long-term.) Part 1 - Define Tay's motto. What does 'making VN's popular' involve. Identified 2 components to this goal, increasing the fanbase and ensuring the Industry's survival. Recognised influencing the industry requires power and influence, power Fuwa does not yet have. Suggest 2 phases to Fuwa's progression going forward, the first phase concentrating on increasing the fanbase and collecting the VN fanbase to Fuwa. Collecting the VN fanbase to Fuwa will increase its influence, which will be needed for phase 2, which will aim to assist in the health of the industry. Part 2 - Before we start, a short piece of analysis is necessary. This analysis will be performed on the definition of the term 'visual novel'. It will detail why current definitions are inadequate, what sorts of games are usually identified as a VN, and the opportunities the flexible definition of the genre presents in attracting different types of gamers to the genre. On a side note, I posted a thread in the VN section a month ago introducing a piece of Interactive Fiction to the participants of the forum. However, because this piece of IF conformed to VNDB’s definition of a VN, people accepted the game without a second thought. This presents an opportunity, which will be addressed fully later on, but will revolve around tapping into the fanbase of existing gaming genres. Why try and build a fanbase for visual novels if you have the ability and opportunity to tap into existing ones. It will require a definition of Visual Novel which can coexist with other genres. Something to think on. Part 3 - Phase 1 described here. This will include: Making Fuwa a 'one shop stop' for the Visual novel (type game) consumer. This means including all the information a consumer could want - Like up to date news/analysis on Japanese and English VNs (and possibly some specific IFs) Improve the VN database on Fuwanovel by providing in depth information on each game (both Japanese and English VNs... possibly some IFs too) including reviews, synopsis, gallery, walkthroughs, a tagging system, availability (pirate locations or locations on where to buy,) an embedded 30 minute demo Youtube video just above the torrent link, ratings systems (EGS and VNDB... and possibly a unique Fuwa rating system down the track which may or may not be linked to a Users profile,) related series (whether the VN has ties to an anime, a manga, a LN or so forth,) and related merchandise available to buy. Also Fuwa could put together a monthly magazine recapping all the projects, news and events of the past month. A community section for the site. Representing things relating to the Visual Novel community’s contribution to Fuwa’s goal. This could include a noticeboard which would contain requests for help concerning projects (translation, development, help with the lexicon etc) Showcasing the lexicon, the bundling together of VN introduction kits. A friendly place to chat (forums.) We already have this. Restructing is needed though. Consider having an admin in charge of each area (content, user stuff, tech) so when the leader needs a break the site doesn't ground to a halt (I'm not implying anything here.) Also maybe a news area which links to the blog... Piracy. People like free stuff. I should note that if Fuwa plans to create relationships with the industry, it may need to reconsider its views on piracy at that point. But that's a very long way away. Obviously these torrent links will be taken down if official versions are available in english. A comprehensive, aggressive and continuous outreaching program. This will include Tay's outreach program to other sites. It would also recognise certain opportunities outlined in part 2 of this document, targeting gamers of different genres (I point to how many people are currently being introduced to VNs through adventure games.) Targeting anime fans by bundling together VNs of existing anime may or may not be necessary. This may also include suggesting certain VNs to small game sites to review. Like, for example, suggesting Yumina to some smallish RPG sites. Problem - how to get gamers to sample the introduction packages in significantish numbers? The distribution of Fuwa's monthly magazine to showcase what the VN industry offers gamers. The construction of certain committees. One such committee could be in charge of the identification of short-medium length VNs that groups of Western gamers would likely enjoy. VNs with RPG gameplay, or strategy gameplay, or untranslated VNs which have anime tie ins, for example. They could then advertise for people to translate these VNs. An overhaul of the main site. The main site will be used to service the visual novel consumer. But that would be pointless if the site is difficult or confusing to manage. An update, reducing redundancies on the site, and making the the about section up-to-date is necessary. Reducing clutter, streamlining the design etc. This section will be added to once Nayleen posts on this thread in detail, and in language I can understand - 100. *These pages are placeholders* XD Part 4 - Phase 2 is described here. The beginning of phase 2 is a ways off, Fuwa first needs to build influence. These ideas are not complete, and are geared towards supporting the industry. Create significant relationships with developers and localisation studios. For example, interviewing Japanese doujin developers and the same for their English counterparts, eventually get some spokespeople for developers to sign up to the Fuwa forum. Building support for commercial VN development and localisation on the site/forums. For example, Fuwa could add a page to members user profiles where users can show off their visual novel collection. This idea is based around the idea of a gamer tag. Organising Fundraising campaigns on Fuwa, for Japanese or English development. Maybe Fuwa can get an Easter Egg inserted in the game in Fuwa's name :3 Using influence to aid publicity in the West (*examples go here*) -100 *these pages are placeholders* XD Phase 2 is very rushed atm, and feels very bareboned. It will gradually be fixed and strengthened in the days to come.

As most of you are aware, Tay plans to shift the focus of this site from being mostly about piracy to making Visual Novels popular in the West. As the head honcho of this site it’s his call where to take it, and he has my full support in whatever he decides. Unfortunately he is a very busy man and has limited time with which to plan and scheme and twirl his moustache in ways which inspire dread and despair. Which is where we come in. The purpose of this thread is to help Tay out by constructing a sample document which aims to make things easier for him. This isn’t a document which will argue for the shifting of Fuwanovel’s focus, this thread isn’t to provide a discussion on what Fuwa is or should be, the purpose of this thread is to construct a document which outlines a path forward for Fuwanovel, a path that heads to our new goal as stated by Tay. Even if most of the ideas are not compatible with Tay’s vision, he can still use the template to insert his own ideas which could save valuable time. And if any ideas are useful to him, this will be yet more time saved. And if the worst comes to pass and this thread provides much raucousness, then maybe it might light a fire under his arse (once he becomes less busy) and make him get a move on then that might serve some random and undisclosed purpose as well. This is going to be a “fluid document”, and by that I mean this isn’t an “idea vs idea” type of thing, but instead it will encompass a wide range of ideas simultaneously. It will be a document emphasising a wholistic approach to making VNs popular. So feel free to make suggestions and point out sections which might not be so useful. This doesn’t HAVE to descend into a war, the addition of one idea will not mean the exclusion of another, and most people’s ideas will have a place (initially… heh). With this in mind I will now create several *placeholder posts*. I will post different sections of the document in these posts once they are finished being drafted. These drafts will then be modified, and added to depending on what the good people of the forum suggest. You will have to demonstrate how these ideas will help further the new goal of the site, though. The overview (or the tl;dr version of the document) will be up shortly. I need to fix a part that Maef had problems with, amend others, and add a suggestion.

Phenomenal work :3 Hmmm, I always thought Fuwa had more reviews than that.

http://games.renpy.org/statistics So 724 games have been made with the Ren'Py engine (most VN are, although there are a few which are not if you can manage to track those down.) 683 have been listed on games.renpy.org (including commercial releases.) That seems fairly comprehensive although I don't know why there's a 40 game discrepancy. You may need to look into that. Also these only include VNs made with the ren'py engine. I'm fairly certain there's VNs out there that have been made not using Ren'Py.

To play or to watch? To play - Cricket. However, after my skin sensitivity forced me indoors it changed to squash. To watch - I love to watch any sport. I suppose my favourites would be AFL, rugby league, cricket and tennis. Sometimes cycling.

I second Hajime no Ippo, and Hikaru no Go. Excellent animes

Time Team - Chenies Manor and other digs Time Team - Wayneflete Manor and other digs Essential viewing for any fan of history or archaeology :3

The sequel to Scheherazade. Technically a sim but these forums don't really make a distinction between VN and dating sim.

Depends on the religion. There has been no wars fought in Buddhism's name, yes there have been acts of violence but violence is a reality when dealing with any set of beliefs, and more specifically when they clash with alternate beliefs - this ranges from culture clashes to the local footy match (heh.) And the art of transcendental meditation Buddhism teaches is very beneficial to… everyone. Also Jainism believes in equality and non-violence and all that jazz. Taoism is fairly peaceful also. I'm going to have to turn in. Definitely not feeling so good

Would be interesting. Sweet suggestion :3

Tis fine don't worry about it. Concerning Communist doctrine, I believe it goes something like this (I'm feeling quite ill today and I'm paraphrasing something I read a while ago, excuse me if I balls this up.) "Religion is a system which suppresses a human's potential and is therefore something that should be abolished." Marx wrote about it. It's not so much about abolishing dissident beliefs, The abolishment of religion is a requirement of Communism itself, it's a core part of their philosophy. I suppose it's the way these countries go about it which is the problem. I should also clarify I'm not a religious man. I believe in a higher being, but not in religion. And I only believe in a higher being because I find the concept of higher dimensions both fascinating and cool. And by higher beings, I of course mean Tenchi and Washu.