Supah Kawaii Weeaboo

My first experiences with kinetic novels were around 2005, right around the time when Insani started translating freeware VNs. They were refreshingly different: no harem, no obligatory sex scenes, and little to no padding. When it's clear from the beginning that a product is a kinetic novel, that changes the reader's expectations. There is presumably no bonus content or hidden endings. A KN has almost no game-like qualities, but instead becomes linear fiction, thus drawing better comparisons to prose, comics, film, and theater. * Are graphics necessary? (Freeware visual novels such as Digital: A Love Story, and The World to Reverse, suggest the answer can be "no.") * Are words necessary? (It's entirely possible to present a story through visuals, such as the collage novel A Week of Kindness, or the comics series Gon. Music and spoken dialogue can help. This is all rather avant-garde, and unfortunately I don't know any examples.) * Is audio necessary? (Maybe silence is better...) * Is a computer, console, or similar device necessary? (If you use just paper, then is the product automatically considered a gamebook?)

For what it's worth, I've purchased only one game through Steam, and I've never even looked at Projekt Red / GOG. Meanwhile, just a few days ago, I paid full price for the cartridge versions of Persona 4 Golden and Virtue's Last Reward. That sounds like what Voltage Inc has done, and what Roseverte is trying to do. The former company has translated a few GxB visual novels for mobile devices, and released them on iTunes and Google Play. The main routes of Voltage Inc products are free, and the company sells the character routes individually. The latter company is following its lead with the visual novel East Tower (also iOS/Android). On Roseverte's site, it's clearly stated that this VN "...will be released per character path, and there is a mystery that connects them together." You may benefit by talking with indie devs who are currently trying to sell their niche products to small groups of customers. If you want to persuade creators to sell their products in different ways, be willing to listen to their point of view as well. For instance, the head of Winter Wolves has talked on Twitter about the business of indie games. He's talked about why his group typically sells games from $20-25 US, why selling cheaper versions on iOS/Android is unprofitable, and why he's had trouble getting accepted by Steam.

As Aozaki said, Air is one of the big-name VNs with no full fan translation. Only a few partial patches exist. And I don't expect any company will license it for any platform. Though according to what I've read on VNDB recently, there is a group that plans to work on Air in the near future... From the following: 1) pictures and opening videos 2) previews and reviews in English (how else would I have heard of the '90s game Fire Woman Matoi-gumi?) 3) official anime/manga/novel spinoffs that are more likely to get translated 4) fan-made creative efforts. The Flash game Nanaca Crash was made by a fan, and became surprisingly popular. It was loosely based on the adult VN Cross Channel, which did not have a complete fan translation until 2009, and which is still fairly obscure.

My short answer to "is romance necessary?": No. In almost any kind of fiction, you will find relationships between characters. They might be antagonistic. They might be neutral -- think coworkers, fellow soldiers, neighbors, and so on. They might be categorized as one of the Four Loves, which were defined by C.S. Lewis as follows: 1. Storge (love between family members). See also the TVTropes article on True Companions. 2. Philia (love between friends). 3. Eros (sexual and romantic love). 4. Charity (divine, sacrificial love). These are topics worth exploring, whether you're making a VN or some other creative work. Likewise, it's perfectly fine to focus on a more general plot. And even if your focus is on romantic relationships, you can write a story or game in which the main character does not get together with their significant other... and it's not a bad ending. Having said all this, if you are looking to make your own story, think about possibilities. Don't confine yourself to writing VNs about teens / young adults in love. It depends. I have purchased a few visual novels partly because they were not love stories. That includes Sakevisual's first two murder-mystery games (Jisei and Kansei) as well as the DS game 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. Its sequel Virtue's Last Reward is on my "do want" list right now. But at the same time... I do like more than a few romance and harem games. Yes, even though I understand that Sturgeon's Law applies to them just as much as any other genre, style, or format. If I'm gonna venture outside of that category, then I need to make sure that I'll enjoy a non-romance VN's aesthetic, gameplay, writing, and so on. There's been a lot of overlap in terms of romance games, porn games, and VNs. And it's rare to see a dating simulation which lacks quite a bit of narrative and can't be considered a VN. I'm hoping people will make more games to help differentiate these categories. That said, if you look at games in English with simulation gameplay, you can find some examples that are a bit different. Some of the games in the list have other gameplay elements (such as Koisuru Oukoku and Sakura Wars 5), and others have general plot as well (such as Love and Order and Fading Hearts). Tokimemo Girls Side games are almost all girl x boy pairings, but include best friends endings with girls.

I'm not entirely sure what "black market" means. But I do remember buying some knockoff wallscrolls and fansub tapes at comic book stores. A few fans will sell custom game cartridges for games which were never formally translated or released. Oh yeah, and to this date, it's not difficult to find "region zero" DVDs on eBay. Over the last few years, there's been several collaborations with companies and fan translation groups: * It took some time, but No Name Losers and Minori eventually worked out their differences, and worked with Mangagamer to release the first Ef game. * Dakkodango created a full translation of a worksafe Windows version of Eien no Aselia. Some time later, JAST licensed this game. They had talked about working with the original game creators on the translation, but ended up working with Dakkodango instead. * Sekai Project had already made a great deal of progress on School Days when JAST got the rights to the game. The two groups worked together to release it. * Shuffle! was being translated by some fan when Mangagamer got the rights to it. This was a frustrating experience, because I foolishly imported the untranslated game... * Several VNs that began as TLWiki's projects were eventually licensed. I'm probably forgetting a few. There have been a few console game creators that acknowledge the existence of a previous fan translation. (For instance, the people who translated Front Mission for DS were familiar with the fan-made translation of the same game on SNES.) Always remind yourself that it could be worse. Remember the days when Himeya Soft would release professional translations with an absurd number of typos and inconsistencies? Remember the slow, frustrating DVD-ROM format that Hirameki often used, and how the company made foolish decisions such as censoring blood in Anima Mundi?

As of this writing, I know there are four DS games which have complete fan translation patches. Each one is a statistic-driven dating simulation. In other words, while they have some narrative segments, and while they're often considered interchangeable with visual novels, they're not quite the same: The first version of LovePlus. The game opens with three romance options and fairly simple gameplay. One the main character commits to one girl, the gameplay becomes more complex. Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side. A port of the Playstation2 game. Like the other main Tokimemo games, the main character must build and balance stats in order to improve relationships with NPCs, and avoid ignoring other love interests. This is the first Tokimemo game with a full fan translation. Also, this is specifically the "Plus" edition of TMGS, which includes voiced dialogue. TMGS2. Very similar, but with new skinship options. Also, if you look through Gokusaishiki's forums, then you will see her progress on translating TMGS3. Girlish Love Revolution. Another reverse harem game, but with health management as a major part of the gameplay. To be more specific, the translators used the official Korean version of Otometeki Koi Kakumei Love Revo. None of the DS ports of this multiplatform game have voices. If you look at the current VNDB list, you'll see a decent number of professional translations and localizations. There's a few fan translations that seem to be stalled and possibly dead. Some of the games listed have English versions, but not for the DS.

The last two VNs that I purchased were box copies of School Days and Koihime Musou. Got 'em from dealer tables at Otakon 2012. Hendane goes to a number of fan conventions and sells untranslated games. It's been some time since they sold one that I really wanted. Lately, I've been hoping that they would carry Canvas 2 (which seems difficult to import), or the Windows versions of the first three Galaxy Angel games (difficult just to find). No luck yet. It has been quite a while since I imported a game... One of my life lessons is "make sure a translation patch is available first!" You see, I had high hopes for the group that seemed to be translating the Playstation2 edition of To Heart 2, so I imported a disc and decided to wait. Then one day, they either ragequitted, or revealed that they were trolls all along. Right now, I'm seriously considering a purchase of the puzzle game / VN hybrid Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. I'll probably get the Vita version. Typically, they're sold in standard size cases, not too different from an average DVD or video game box. A few of their products have a bonus disc with a few music tracks, and/or a short book with some illustrations and character profiles.

A few years ago, a fan translated several paths of Da Capo Plus Communication (an expanded edition of the first game, also known as DCPC). I had quite a bit of money and not much common sense then, so I bought the game through Himeya's then-active site. I was hesitant to purchase Mangagamer's products for a while. But I felt confident in buying the DVD-ROM editions of Da Capo 1 and 2, especially since they had no DRM and did not require activation. ...So yeah, I kinda like translated Da Capo VNs. I will watch the DC3 fan translation carefully, and see if it might be finished before a company licenses it.

I almost completely forgot about the following: * Tears to Tiara for Windows. Unlike the later PS3 version, has adult content. It was translated by Dakkodango. * Utawarerumono for PC. Unlike the PS2 and PSP versions, has adult content. It was translated by Mirrormoon and the brief-lived group Soylations. * The 2001 PC version of Ys I and II Complete Edition. Created by Nightwolve, the fan who worked on the translation of Ys Origin. The person's domain ysutopia.net now seems to be owned by a gay porn site, so the content might be difficult to find now... * Farland Symphony is a worksafe Windows game made in 2002, and translated by Mirrormoon. The VNDB considers it to be a strategy RPG rather than a visual novel. * Castle Fantasia 2 is an adult PC title (with strategy RPG gameplay) made in 2000, and translated by BTAxis. * Langrisser 1: The Art of the Swords War is a worksafe PC game from 1998. To quote its summary on Romhacking.net: "The original Langrisser for the Genesis was released in the U.S. as Warsong. The game proved to be so popular (in Japan) that it made way for tons of sequels (in Japan.. and mostly for Saturn), and the original Langrisser was eventually remade for the Playstation, which was in turn ported to the Saturn. SoftAction took this Saturn edition, ported it to Windows, and released it in Korea. And this is what this is." * Men at Work! 2 ~Hunter Academy e Youkoso~ is an adult RPG for Windows. The patch that Mirrormoon made apparently only works with the versions of MAW2 that were part of Men at Work! 3 ~Hunter-tachi no Seishun~ DVD Edition, or Men at Work! 4 ~Hunter-tachi yo Eien ni~ Special Edition.

What does it take to create a visual novel? * Free or inexpensive software. Ren'py is freeware, and it's routinely updated. Some people like Novelty Maker, which is also free, but it's not been updated in quite some time. I don't know if anyone's using ONScripter, but it's another free option. Finally, don't neglect other tools if they are suited to your needs (Adventure Game Maker for graphic adventure, TADS 3 or Inform 7 for text adventure, RPG Maker XP or VX, Game Maker 8, etc). * A person willing to write. * A person willing to create / provide visuals: sprites, backgrounds, and so on. * A person willing to help with music, sound effects, and so on. * A person willing to debug the game or VN. (One individual can do all four tasks, or they can be shared by a team.) * Dedication. I realize it's possible to create a short story or a game in a short amount of time. There are competitions such as Ludum Dare, in which all participants make small indie games in about 48 hours. But if you want to create a lengthy story or a complex game, you need to commit effort and energy. You must be willing to persevere even if you struggle to write the first few lines or the first few scenes. * Passion. In the words of Limp Bizkit, "if you don't care, then we don't care." Decide that you're going to create an amazing story, brilliant gameplay, beautiful visuals, a fascinating experiment, or whatever else you want. Do it for the art. * Communication. If you work with a team, then they need to get along. Someone has to be willing to organize people and settle arguments. Also, a little while ago, you mentioned Kickstarter. A person named SoBa managed to get Devil Gene R episode 1 funded. But if you're just getting started, then I recommend creating freeware. Show us what you can do with no budget. If you need the support of a few people for art, coding, music, and so on, that's fine. One last thing... Harry_kinomoto said, "I would, to that end, love if Fuwanovel came up with its own VN-production division and actually start to making this a reality. I am sure many of the members have a writer hidden deep down inside~" That's a good idea. If you want to create games or VNs with people on this forum, then it might be good to have a thread or a whole section.

I try not to get negative or cynical, but I don't expect that visual novels will become more than a blip on the radar of English speaking fandom. Why do I say this? 1. After spending years in general video game fandom, it baffles me to think that more than a few of my fellow English speaking fans would consider interactive stories to be on par with video games. Perhaps I've listened to genre snobs... but it seems that an awful lot of fans will judge a product by its gameplay above all else. 2. Few VN companies can afford to create animation. As I learned during the one Hirameki panel that I attended, a lot of fans are either looking for gameplay or animation, and will ignore a product that does not offer much of either. 3. Cute media of all kinds has always been stigmatized. Even if it's not buried in the girl show ghetto, it will probably be ignored unless full of irony and dark comedy. 4. The English speaking fanbase for harem or love triangle series has seemingly shrunk. Since fans tend to detest any character who can be labeled a Mary Sue, don't expect fans to like too-perfect haremettes, or main characters who get what they want at little to no cost. 5. If no one is making a profit, that leads to no more official translations, and possibly even no more games. I liked Sakura Wars 5, but remember hearing how the English version sold only a few copies, and realizing that there was almost no chance that any other game from the series would be translated. Same is true for some of my other "one and done" favorites. Both are already happening. For the former, look into Moacube's indie VN "Cinders." (If you browse freeware archives such as renai.us, you'll find a few more zero-budget but distinctly different stories.) For the former, check out what the group Roseverte is doing. They managed to get "Cafe 0" released in Japanese and English on the same day, and in German shortly afterwards.

Last year, JAST released Aselia the Eternal for Windows. (The company almost worked with Xuse in order to create its translation, but ended up working with the fan translation group Dakkodango.) As far as I can tell, it qualifies as an eastern RPG. XSeed released Ys Origin not too long ago. This was another project in which a company worked with a fan translation group. As of this writing, Carpe Fulgur has translated three doujin games. I think all three can be considered RPGs. If you figure in low (or zero) budget games from freeware/indie scene, then there are quite a few more relatively recent eastern RPGs for Windows.

The extensive TVTropes main article about Mitsumete Knight really sold me on the game. It sounds like a one-of-a-kind gem: a cute romance game with lots of gameplay... and even unexpected, plot-relevant character deaths. It was created about fifteen years ago (exclusive to the original Playstation), had one follow-up, and nothing else. There is no current or planned fan translation, though there are a decent amount of video clips on Youtube. My ideal romance game that doesn't current exist would include: * Quite a bit of complex gameplay, as well as optional narrative sequences. * The option to customize characters, and add/modify content. (Heartache 101 is a decent step in this direction.) * NPCs that can go from potential love interest to committed partner. (LovePlus does this fairly well, though the cast doesn't really age, and the game has few side characters.) * No random stat increases or decreases. The main character should be growing, not constantly on the verge of becoming weaker. * The ability to politely opt out of a relationship, and thus break ties with an NPC. (The lack of this feature in Tokimemo Girls Side was annoying.) * Multi-platform support. It would work on a variety of computers, devices, and perhaps even consoles. All these features would be a tall order for even the best indie devs. I'm not sure what current professional creators could make an upbeat, 2D game which would be remotely similar. I have a lot of faith in WayForward Technologies to create amusing 2D games, but they're not perfect, as you should expect...

Do you know a specific untranslated visual novel that you want to be translated above all others? If so, what is it? Tell us about the game, why you think it's exceptional, what you (expect to) enjoy about it, and if you think it will benefit fandom as a whole. If you can not name an untranslated VN you'd really want, but you can imagine an awesome VN that doesn't currently exist, then start talking about this ideal game concept. If possible, let us know what it would take in order to create this game. (For instance, specify what sort of dev team, software programs, and funding would be necessary.)

I was one of the few fans who bought the Playstation game Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. While I can't call it a romance game, it was an authentically cute translated RPG. That was around 1999, about the time I realized that I enjoyed girls' comics and animated series. Around 2005, a few girl x boy(s) games started getting created or released in English. I was all over this trend for a few years, purchasing commercial games (Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town, Yo-Jin-Bo, Spirited Heart, Date Warp, and more), and trying to support fans' efforts. My interest has been wavering recently, but I'm still active in fandom. Right now, I enjoy a wide variety of interactive stories and games. No matter what style/setting/genre, it helps if I find the characters sympathetic, the plot coherent, and the gameplay neither too difficult nor too easy. Attractive visuals are always a plus, but I'm willing to ignore a zero-budget aesthetic if there's quality writing or gameplay. One final note. I found two surprisingly sympathetic male characters in Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side DS. While both Wataru Hibiya and Morimura Sakuya are different from me, I can say that I've been similar to them at times, and I considered them to be compelling and identifiable.

I've attended Anime Central (aka ACen), just outside of Chicago, as far back as a few days after grad school graduation, and every year since 2005. It's not a huge fan convention, but it draws thousands of fans. Over the last few years, I've n noticed a steady increase of Valve and Bioware fans. There was an xbox hueg number of Hetalia fans by 2010. This year, there were Adventure Time, Homestuck, and MLP:FIM fans around every corner. If you're considering attending next year, then be sure to ask for advice on A-Kon's forums, and read at least some articles on Animecons.com. Do your research several months ahead of time, so that you're prepared in terms of money, travel arrangements, accommodations, packing list, etc. I know that at least one person from the indie group Sakevisual (the creators of RE:Alistair, the Jisei/Kansei/Yousei series, etc) has attended A-Kon for the last few years. The only other internet celebrity who I know that attends the con is Chef Sandy, one of the hosts of the Bronyville audio show.

Here's a list of all visual novels that work natively on Mac OS, starting with the oldest. If you look through the list for a few pages, you'll notice that there have been surprisingly few Japanese VNs for OS X since 2007. Just about everything since then for the platform has been created with Ren'py, usually by English speaking fans. I'm sure someone else can think up some specific recommendations. But to understand what VNDB users like, click the down-facing arrows for "popularity" or "rating." This is no guarantee that you'll enjoy the story, gameplay, presentation, etc.

Recently, I've posted (under the username Gekiganwing) on some developers' forums about this topic. If you're curious, it was the main forums for the work-in-progress visual novels Missing Stars (formerly Mentaru Shoujo) and Starshine Academy. I basically told them, "If you wanna include on-screen sex scenes, that's fine. But including NSFW content is not necessary, or sometimes even beneficial." I mentioned how obligatory sex scenes can disrupt a good story, and how including NSFW content to placate fans can be a gimmick. The following categories have an awful lot of overlap. I'm hoping for a little more distance in between these: * Romance game * (Reverse) harem game * Porn game * Visual novel If there were more video games in English that fit into _only one_ of the above categories, that'd be great.

This is relevant to my interests, for several reasons: 1. I tend to like console games. 2. Over a decade after the PS1 era ended, I still consider it one of the best times to be a video game fan. And when I look at untranslated import games from the era, it seems amazing at how many complex, clever romance games were available. 3. I don't expect any company will localize Double Cast. While it was re-released on the PSP in the recent past, even that version has almost no chance of getting an official translation.