Explain VNs in a single line

[Ashadow700]

So, one thing I have noticed is that it is actually slightly difficult to explain to my RL friends precisely what VNs are.

Whenever I try to they always gets confused if I'm talking about a book or a video game, which I think is understandable since visual novels are more of less stuck in between.

So; here's the challenge of the day: make an explanation of what VNs are, using only one line (preferably as short of line as possible)

Whoever gets the best one wins one hundred theoretical euros and a virtual high five.

Here is the best one I have; "Kind of like jrpgs, except that you have removed all the gameplay and only left the story aspects of them."

[sanahtlig]

Hentai dating sims from Japan.

I usually explain them as choose your own adventure books in anime-style with images, spoken dialogue, and sound effects. The JRPG comparison doesn't help if they don't know what a JRPG is.

[Forythos]

I usualy explain it as interactive novels with sound and pictures you read on your computer.

Sometimes I also make the comparison with "choose your own adventure" novels.

[Metaler]

I just say they're like those old adventure games, except you only have to make choices, and most games are about fornicating with girls.

[REtransInternational]

Not all of them have choices, however.

It's a mix between reading a novel, watching a narrated slideshow, and (if there are choices) playing a game.

If you want a single line for a website introduction or something like that, consider "Interactive Low-Speed Multimedia Entertainment"...

[Steve]

I tell people they are dating sims where I have all my virtual girlfriends and in most of them I also have sex with them - and they also have great stories.

[Down]

Usually, I sell them as 'Sold as video games but they are more like books with background music and pictures, with a few choices that can influence the story, and a heavier focus on the characters and the immersion'.

One-line hardly carry everything I'd like to say about the medium but explaining things quickly is often necessary... The best is probably to show one to explain what you mean by 'books with background music and pictures' and the choices.

If the person intend to play some, I might add that they often have shitty hentai scenes but they're not that much of a bother.

[ilegend]

(most) VNs are point-and-click picturebooks.. And they run on a computer.

[Mikel]

"It's a computer game that it's like an interactive book with pictures"

I normally say something like that, I also compare them to make your own adventure books

[Wolfscythe]

"Novels with bgm and visual aspects (cg, backgrounds, etc.) that sometimes have some kind of gameplay or where you have to choose options to progress through the story. Most of them 18+ rated."

That's how i would explain it, but for some reason i've never had to do it.

[Kendjin]

I wish I could up with a line that would win me the theoretical Euro, I have a lot of theoretical items I want to buy.

VNs in one sentence.

VNs are passion in digital form.

[1234abcd]

Japanese novel(game) having text, graphic and sound (and game play). Unfortunately, most of we was't Japanese

[garejei]

Porn with a story. /trolling

Okay, seriously now. Basically books with music and pictures and voice acting. That's about it in a nutshell.

[Wahfuu]

I always tell people its some sort of mutant child of manga and anime.

[InvertMouse]

When I introduce VNs to people I tell them they're interactive novels with anime graphics and (often) great music .

[Eurobeatz]

Interactive story-based games done in anime style art with usually no actual gameplay other than choices presented to further the story.

[Guest]

Text-based adventure games from Japan

[solidbatman]

To my friends who don't give a crap, or are ignorantly against anything different: "Those weird Japanese sex games."

To my friends who actually do care, and are remotely open minded: "An illustrated, electronic novel, sometimes voiced, where you are presented dialogue and situations and given a choice on how to react/respond, or in other words, something like The Walking Dead game without any of the action."

^Run on much?

[Sieg]

"VN are japanese games developed through storytelling specs,mechanics and relevant antics such as art, music and narration." You could say that VNs are an art of its own, but that's another story. I don't think it's simple enough but if I'd have to took my time explaining, that's how I would do it.

[Secchan]

Book with multiple endings.

[Snowtsuku]

Isn't visual novel the best way to describe it o.O

A novel with a visual component. Since VNs may be H or not. May have multiple endings or a single one. Some don't even have choices.

[zoom909]

Like anime except with less animation and more subtitles?

[Zakamutt]

"A digital book with pictures and music, and often a branching storyline."

Hmm, too basic?

[Sieg]

"A digital book with pictures and music, and often a branching storyline."

Hmm, too basic?

Sometimes the simpler, the better. So not bad at all.

[jaxter0987]

To my friends who don't give a crap, or are ignorantly against anything different: "Those weird Japanese sex games."

Essentially what I'd say except without the sex aspect. There's already enough ignorant people out there without also making them think that I'm a closet pervert or something.

And to my friends that are actually open minded:

"A game where your choices affect the story in various ways; You choose your own fate essentially."