Advice for noob developer

[Rododendron3322]

Some time ago, a year or few already, I came with this idea to create my own aVN since I couldn't find anything similar what I dream to play. But I have 0 experience, and no idea what to do.
So, I have a question for you guys. What I should learn first? I want to make it in Ren'Py and use renders, Daz and/or Koikatsu (of course not in single project). Or maybe should Iwrite scenario first?

If it's wrong place for that post, than I'm sorry, I wasn't sure where to put it.

 

[Cosy Creator]

There's no one way to do it since you need to learn all of these things, but I would recommend:

1. Get renpy and watch a bunch of video tutorials on how to use it.
2. Write a few scenes into renpy and get it running with just dialogue/choices but no images. This is the skeleton for your VN that all of the other images/videos/bgm will bolt on to.
3. Finally make some renders to fit the skeleton.

Good luck!

 

[Jamleng]

Some time ago, a year or few already, I came with this idea to create my own aVN since I couldn't find anything similar what I dream to play. But I have 0 experience, and no idea what to do.
So, I have a question for you guys. What I should learn first? I want to make it in Ren'Py and use renders, Daz and/or Koikatsu (of course not in single project). Or maybe should Iwrite scenario first?

If it's wrong place for that post, than I'm sorry, I wasn't sure where to put it.

"I want to create my own game"
I often read or get questions: "I want to / am going to make a game myself so I can make tons of cash money."

At a glance, that might be a good idea, but in reality, it's not that simple.

First off, you're competing with loads of other games - literally thousands at this point. It's difficult to find a foothold, to make people notice your work; that's why I personally think a game can only succeed as long as you're in it for the fun! You have to bring something truly unique and original to the table, which is only possible by seeing what's already out there, perhaps playing hundreds of those competing games. And most importantly - you cannot under any circumstances - be in this to make money.

To put this in perspective, the app stores alone list thousands of new games and apps every day - of which the vast majority are bad. It's very hard to be seen in the massive cluster of garbage and legit original content out there.

Reality Check:
But since we're talking about adult games, let's put that into perspective. Only 5% of all adult games on Patreon make over a $100 bucks a month. If you count the amount of people that can actually live off their work? Less than 3%. That's the truth, and no matter how much you wish for it, you likely will never be included in that 3%. At the same time, the top 1% - like everywhere else in the world - own almost everything, lol.

Aside from that, being able to live off an intellectual property is not really the first thing you have to worry about, since there are many other aspects that you kind of need to learn first.

The most important element of game development is that you need to like what you're making, you need to have some skills/creativity, you must have an original concept that is different than everything on the market, and - just to get noticed - everything surrounding the game must be nearly perfect from the beginning, which most first games rarely are.

Inability to meet these basic essentials will likely result in you getting bored, frustrated, or spending more money than the game will ever make to promote it, ending inevitably in another abandoned project (of which, there are thousands).

Coding:
Starting out to make your own game takes some serious effort. The first and most important step is to figure out the format your game will take. That all hinges on the choice of code or platform you choose. You can code in Renpy(Python), RPG maker, TWINE, or another engine, regardless of preference - most are generally more difficult to work with for various reasons.

I would suggest you begin small stuff, write a very small story or even random text, then make images and dialogue text appear. Work out how to utilize and alter menus, the user interface, transitions, etc. Make a short game, a demo, or just something no one will ever see but yourself. From there you can build something bigger.

Once you've come that far, that's when you can expand on it, add new pieces of code to it, and experiment with more complicated systems. Don't rush it. Learn as you go and slowly move towards the kind of game you want to make.

Renders/animations:
Download a program like DAZ/Koikatsu/Honey Select/Blender or something and start creating characters and scenes. The learning curve is not that big for basic use but it will end up being the most time-consuming process of them all by far. Literally 80% of all game production time goes into this. But be careful. Some of the 'assets' and 'resource packs' may get expensive if you choose a rendering environment with DLC that costs money.

If you're able to do it, making your own art or having an artist do the work for you is even better, but again probably not possible because of the cost, a very simple standard game will probably cost you upwards of $2k on art alone.

Writing:
Stories, character development, worldbuilding and all of that take some serious thought, effort, reworks, rereading, etc. And a really good writer.

I am fairly good at this myself, but it's been my biggest weakness ever since I started creating my game. I acknowledged this and got very lucky by finding someone who helps me out tremendously, especially on the writing part.

Finding a good writer or editor for your written content is key. Some will do it pro-bono (free) or for simply a credit and a free copy of the end game. Others will charge per word or per page, which can get pricey. And yet a few will just ask for a percentage of subscriber/patron donations. How you compensate anyone who contributes to your production is up to you.

Other Aspects:
I could list out all the aspects that go into game development, but - in short - time is the most consumed aspect of game design.

Then there are many other time sinks like photoshopping images/art, finding/buying licenses to music and sound effects, promoting the game on social media, learning how to code and use the rendering environment properly, managing files/uploading to various hosting websites, bug-fixing/play-testing to make the game work as it should, and lots of other stuff.

Conclusion:
"I want to create my own game" might look easy, but it takes some serious effort. You must study diligently to create a game, endure lots of trial and error, and again, you will spend time, lots and lots of time on everything. In fact, all of your time. I'm thousands of hours into developing Lewd Town Adventures and still learning new stuff regularly.

Nonetheless - if you still think it's something you really want to do with your life - give it a go! There's never anything wrong with learning new techniques.

Just realize that - if you want to make a game that people will play (and pay for) - be prepared to lose all of your free time and a part of your sanity. It's A LOT of work.

Long story short; as a beginner, play around/start with anything you like from learning coding, the programs or anything else you'd like.
Keep things small and very simple and go from there. If you're willing to put in the time, dedication, and effort without slacking or giving up, you can succeed. Just don't underestimate the learning curve and what it takes to actually create a semi-decent game or better. Good luck!

 

[Rododendron3322]

Jamleng, I really appreciate your response, you're one of my fav devs, and I really like LTA. You where one of those guys that inspired me (not most but in top 10 easy). I don't dream to achieve your level, not fast at least. And as making money on it would be great, I wanted to do it mostly coz I couldn't find any aVN that was close enough to things that I would like to see in it, the one that was close, it's abandoned for a few years already (and that one was my biggest inspiration). So yeah, making money would be awesome, but I want to do it to see the game(s) that I have in my mind, and I have quiet some ideas in my head. And hey, even 200€ it's always something
The only thing that I'm afraid of it's not pressure, not reviews, but my, myself and I, that I will get frustrated and rage quit coz of fails on a road.

And about sanity... What sanity? I already have lost it at my work