Doing anime story stuff because we can

Our Game Dev Blog

<img src="/uploads/denise-jans-9uv9cah1hoq-unsplash.jpg" alt="Compass on a city map" title="Why this way?" height="427" width="640" />

What's with the new webnovel and life article direction? It's to get more content to you all while we make the games.

Yes, this is content marketing. But what I didn't realize I did that by mistake a long ago... and it felt right... somehow. And was fun... and sometimes theraputic! My writing soul gets nutured. And my webdev spirit gets therapy because I get to design it how I want!

And for the first fiction series (that may be made into a game eventually) it's an <a href="https://sakurariver.ca/tales/isekai-club" title="Isekai Club" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isekai Club</a>. Why? Because Isekai stuff is my guilty pleasure. Especially some of the RPGLit ones.

As a game dev who enjoys game/RPGLit... it is extremely tempting to go make an RPG out of an RPGLite. Probably would be more of a parody if anything. Hahaha!

Also the life articles are also a venue to dump out my brain filled with life advice. And also to merge it with a game developer's point of view. [Surprisingly one dating-sim mechanic is remakably similar to real life.](/lifeForGamers/exposure-as-attraction)

So sit back... enjoy the content on the site!

<img src="/uploads/denise-jans-9uv9cah1hoq-unsplash.jpg" alt="Compass on a city map" title="Why this way?" height="427" width="640" />
What's with the new webnovel and life article direction? It's to get more content to you all while we make the games.
Yes, this is content marketing. But what I didn't realize I did that by mistake a long ago... and it felt right... somehow. And was fun... and sometimes theraputic! My writing soul gets nutured. And my webdev spirit gets therapy because I get to design it how I want!
And for the first fiction series (that may be made into a game eventually) it's an <a href="https://sakurariver.ca/tales/isekai-club" title="Isekai Club" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isekai Club</a>. Why? Because Isekai stuff is my guilty pleasure. Especially some of the RPGLit ones.
As a game dev who enjoys game/RPGLit... it is extremely tempting to go make an RPG out of an RPGLite. Probably would be more of a parody if anything. Hahaha!
Also the life articles are also a venue to dump out my brain filled with life advice. And also to merge it with a game developer's point of view. <a href="/lifeForGamers/exposure-as-attraction">Surprisingly one dating-sim mechanic is remakably similar to real life.</a>
So sit back... enjoy the content on the site!

New Experimental Direction

<img src="/uploads/drifting-car.jpg" alt="Car drifting image in UE5 " height="451" width="742" />

Wow... trying to make a drifting car game that actually uses physics and is easy to pick up for a non-racing audience is hard. It is easy to just get a pre-packaged car drifting kit and plop it into our game. We in fact bought two of them. Then I realized that it isn't as easy to pick up for those without experience in driving games or that it wouldn't use the chaos physics engine. So we may have to market more... uh... Eurobeats instead of drifting for beginners. Have easy to use parts. Then have an option for drifting parts for those players who are good at drifting.

We'll need to use the chaos physics engine just so that it integrates well with our other games. There is the plan to implement "Standalone DLC" games. Where one game can act like DLC for another. There has been a physical version of this out years ago related to a certain hedgehog. So why isn't this more common in the digital age? Very sad.

Looking at all of these features of the car physics already made... wow. There are all these options to customize the car handing in Unreal Engine 5. It makes for an amazing opportunity to customize your car with parts as progression gameplay. But we're not really a specialized driving sim game company. So it would be important to us to make sure the audience understands that this game isn't that. The setting is literally the same place as _Fading Hearts._ You know... the one with magical girls flying around?

&nbsp;

<img src="/uploads/drifting-car.jpg" alt="Car drifting image in UE5 " height="451" width="742" />
Wow... trying to make a drifting car game that actually uses physics and is easy to pick up for a non-racing audience is hard. It is easy to just get a pre-packaged car drifting kit and plop it into our game. We in fact bought two of them. Then I realized that it isn't as easy to pick up for those without experience in driving games or that it wouldn't use the chaos physics engine. So we may have to market more... uh... Eurobeats instead of drifting for beginners. Have easy to use parts. Then have an option for drifting parts for those players who are good at drifting.
We'll need to use the chaos physics engine just so that it integrates well with our other games. There is the plan to implement &quot;Standalone DLC&quot; games. Where one game can act like DLC for another. There has been a physical version of this out years ago related to a certain hedgehog. So why isn't this more common in the digital age? Very sad.
Looking at all of these features of the car physics already made... wow. There are all these options to customize the car handing in Unreal Engine 5. It makes for an amazing opportunity to customize your car with parts as progression gameplay. But we're not really a specialized driving sim game company. So it would be important to us to make sure the audience understands that this game isn't that. The setting is literally the same place as Fading Hearts. You know... the one with magical girls flying around?

Programming Drifting


![](/uploads/sora-sagano-8sozj8jf0s8-unsplash.jpg "Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash")

And so... here we go again! Launching another website... and we're making 3d games now?

That's right. For the longest time we've held the skills for 3D game production at a faster pace than producing 2D games. Studied game design theories adapted for 3D games. Studied netcode theories for FPS and RTS games. Yet... we focused on making 2D-based games.

While I love 2D Visual Novels, making 3D games seems to be far inside my own skillset. Or rather a lower hanging fruit in terms of indie game production.

Also why jump to Unreal Engine and not Unity? At first it was because I knew at least the basics of an older C++ version. Then I realized I could get away with just using blueprints for most things except for multi-threading. I could do multi-threading but there isn't a powerful use for it until I get into crazy simulation stuff.

I also want to explore more concepts such as Standalone-DLC games. Where like every game would be an expansion of another game. In a kind of web. Imagine you got a 3rd person shooter game. Then you have an action RPG game you're playing. Everything looks grim in the RPG. Then the character you built in the 3rd person shooter comes in and saves the day.

Look forward to more info later.


<img src="/uploads/sora-sagano-8sozj8jf0s8-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash">
And so... here we go again! Launching another website... and we're making 3d games now?
That's right. For the longest time we've held the skills for 3D game production at a faster pace than producing 2D games. Studied game design theories adapted for 3D games. Studied netcode theories for FPS and RTS games. Yet... we focused on making 2D-based games.
While I love 2D Visual Novels, making 3D games seems to be far inside my own skillset. Or rather a lower hanging fruit in terms of indie game production.
Also why jump to Unreal Engine and not Unity? At first it was because I knew at least the basics of an older C++ version. Then I realized I could get away with just using blueprints for most things except for multi-threading. I could do multi-threading but there isn't a powerful use for it until I get into crazy simulation stuff.
I also want to explore more concepts such as Standalone-DLC games. Where like every game would be an expansion of another game. In a kind of web. Imagine you got a 3rd person shooter game. Then you have an action RPG game you're playing. Everything looks grim in the RPG. Then the character you built in the 3rd person shooter comes in and saves the day.
Look forward to more info later.

Unreal 5?! + New Website Launch... Again

<img src="/uploads/dp-title-card-large.png" height="591" width="783" />

The rise of visual novels on Steam and the new popularity of narrative-focused games have progressed games as a medium, however, there is the reoccurring question:

_Is it truly a game?_

This is interesting as many might consider some visual novels as games and others as not. What’s the difference? One question comes to light: _Is it a game of skill?_ We’ll explore this question and perhaps come closer to an answer.

# How can story be about skill?

There are two general ways that the story itself (in isolation from other game mechanics) can be about skill: _perceiving the story and influencing the story_.

When I say perceive I’m not talking about a surface understanding, I’m talking about the ability to read between the lines as a form of skill. One only needs to look to the _Ace Attorney_ games for a prime example of this. Can you figure out the contradiction in a person’s testimony?

Influencing the story is about taking the game rules (which may or may not come from the story) and using them to alter the events in the story. Technically, quick time events (QTE) kinda count, however, _Mass Effect_ and _Deus Ex: Human Revolution_ are better examples. An NPC’s personality counts as a game rule. If you understand the character’s personality then you can better influence them.

# Why are visual novels sometimes not considered games?

The more traditional visual novels (especially Japanese commercial ones that sell well) aren’t really designed to be interactive. They let you choose which side character gets to become the main character in their story. This allows you to explore each character’s story more in-depth than the traditional linear format.

There is a _common_ route which would be considered the trunk of the story, and there’s also separate _character routes_ that start when the common ends. To access that character route you usually need to faithfully trigger that character’s events. In old visual novels you had to “save scum” to do it, whereas modern ones now use icons or other means to indicate which choices trigger which character’s events.

For the traditional visual novel you aren’t intended to be challenged. Why? Because players would just look up all the correct answers on the internet, bypassing the challenge of finding those choices. Visual novel developers realized this, but seeing as how players stopped complaining and sales were still good, there wasn’t a reason for challenge.

This works well for getting the best story experience and reduces the barrier between the story and player. However, someone who’s treating it as a game will search for the “gameplay”, get frustrated, and quits, even though visual novels were never designed with that in mind.

Then there are visual novels which don’t follow that framework, and sometimes get a negative impression from veterans of the genre as a result. Why? Because it prevents them from accessing the story, but traditional gamers favour it more because it gives the challenge that they desire.

# The hybrid visual novel

One game that successfully uses story as gameplay is _Long Live the Queen_ by Hanako Games. It mixes stat-based gameplay with visual novel elements. Hence, the hybrid visual novel.

You play as a princess soon-to-be crowned Queen after her mother passes away, however, many people want her dead both within and outside the kingdom. The question is, why do they want the princess killed and does this have anything to do with her mother’s death?

In _Long Live the Queen_ understanding the story is key. Sometimes considered the _Dark Souls_ of visual novels, the game is filled with skill checks which dictate whether you pass or fail certain tasks. Knowing when, how and under what conditions each story event happens will help players survive.

As you can imagine, the standard way of following a walkthrough doesn’t work here, that’s because the skills you train are related to the story. If a walkthrough tells you to build up your military skills over a certain point of time, then you know that something military-related is going to happen in the future. Although non-linear in scope, making a walkthrough that is _completely_ spoiler-free would be really hard.

# Show me your skills

When players argue about whether something is a game, they usually mean skill-based games. Story can test a gamer’s skills, but many visual novels were not designed to be tests of skill in the first place. This is the reason why “walking simulators” may not be considered games by some as well.

However, like _Long Live the Queen_, there are more visual novels being released that feature story as skill-based gameplay. Slowly but surely more players will start to see that story and gameplay can coincide and offer a fulfilling experience outside of industry norms.

<img src="/uploads/dp-title-card-large.png" height="591" width="783" />
The rise of visual novels on Steam and the new popularity of narrative-focused games have progressed games as a medium, however, there is the reoccurring question:
Is it truly a game?
This is interesting as many might consider some visual novels as games and others as not. What’s the difference? One question comes to light: Is it a game of skill? We’ll explore this question and perhaps come closer to an answer.
<h1>How can story be about skill?</h1>
There are two general ways that the story itself (in isolation from other game mechanics) can be about skill: perceiving the story and influencing the story.
When I say perceive I’m not talking about a surface understanding, I’m talking about the ability to read between the lines as a form of skill. One only needs to look to the Ace Attorney games for a prime example of this. Can you figure out the contradiction in a person’s testimony?
Influencing the story is about taking the game rules (which may or may not come from the story) and using them to alter the events in the story. Technically, quick time events (QTE) kinda count, however, Mass Effect and Deus Ex: Human Revolution are better examples. An NPC’s personality counts as a game rule. If you understand the character’s personality then you can better influence them.
<h1>Why are visual novels sometimes not considered games?</h1>
The more traditional visual novels (especially Japanese commercial ones that sell well) aren’t really designed to be interactive. They let you choose which side character gets to become the main character in their story. This allows you to explore each character’s story more in-depth than the traditional linear format.
There is a common route which would be considered the trunk of the story, and there’s also separate character routes that start when the common ends. To access that character route you usually need to faithfully trigger that character’s events. In old visual novels you had to “save scum” to do it, whereas modern ones now use icons or other means to indicate which choices trigger which character’s events.
For the traditional visual novel you aren’t intended to be challenged. Why? Because players would just look up all the correct answers on the internet, bypassing the challenge of finding those choices. Visual novel developers realized this, but seeing as how players stopped complaining and sales were still good, there wasn’t a reason for challenge.
This works well for getting the best story experience and reduces the barrier between the story and player. However, someone who’s treating it as a game will search for the “gameplay”, get frustrated, and quits, even though visual novels were never designed with that in mind.
Then there are visual novels which don’t follow that framework, and sometimes get a negative impression from veterans of the genre as a result. Why? Because it prevents them from accessing the story, but traditional gamers favour it more because it gives the challenge that they desire.
<h1>The hybrid visual novel</h1>
One game that successfully uses story as gameplay is Long Live the Queen by Hanako Games. It mixes stat-based gameplay with visual novel elements. Hence, the hybrid visual novel.
You play as a princess soon-to-be crowned Queen after her mother passes away, however, many people want her dead both within and outside the kingdom. The question is, why do they want the princess killed and does this have anything to do with her mother’s death?
In Long Live the Queen understanding the story is key. Sometimes considered the Dark Souls of visual novels, the game is filled with skill checks which dictate whether you pass or fail certain tasks. Knowing when, how and under what conditions each story event happens will help players survive.
As you can imagine, the standard way of following a walkthrough doesn’t work here, that’s because the skills you train are related to the story. If a walkthrough tells you to build up your military skills over a certain point of time, then you know that something military-related is going to happen in the future. Although non-linear in scope, making a walkthrough that is completely spoiler-free would be really hard.
<h1>Show me your skills</h1>
When players argue about whether something is a game, they usually mean skill-based games. Story can test a gamer’s skills, but many visual novels were not designed to be tests of skill in the first place. This is the reason why “walking simulators” may not be considered games by some as well.
However, like Long Live the Queen, there are more visual novels being released that feature story as skill-based gameplay. Slowly but surely more players will start to see that story and gameplay can coincide and offer a fulfilling experience outside of industry norms.

Story as a Game of Skill


So a new visual novel engine is heading for the English market. Comes at an interesting time where Visual Novels have penetrated the Steam market and is growing. But what of this new visual novel engine from the perspective of a developer who has pushed Ren’py to the limit? Rather interesting thoughts.

Keep in mind this is based on screenshots of the interface. References to Ren’py will naturally be made.

I will try to keep in mind the perspectives from the super-indies and the money-making indies as much as possible.

### Easy-to-Use IDE Interface a Half-Step Away from Writer’s Comfort Zone

The interface looks extremely welcoming and friendly to new people to this area. If it has a built in spell-checker it would be amazing. Lots of visual elements to indicate what everything does.

However, writers aren’t actually scared of huge walls of text. They feel comfortable in this. Look at any word processor and the word density is big.

So the minor nag that might happen is that writers would have to do more scrolling around since they can’t see as much. Maybe there would be an option to decrease the size of the visual elements? They are still helpful.

Of course you can view the source text files directly for more dense reading. However, when you expose some writers to anything that looks like coding with equals signs and brackets they may be more reluctant to change things like position of characters for example.

Compared to Ren’py, for most basic scripting I can literally hand off the raw script to editors and writers and they would be able to understand it.

### Based on HTML5 Technology… Which a lot of People are Good At

TyranoBuilder is based on HTML5. So if you had to get a web programming job or even made your own website, you would feel right at home with a few minor speed bumps. Also a lot of people out there who are good at HTML5 so finding talent wouldn’t be as hard.

Sometimes you do choose a technology because a lot of people out there are good at it. As a Computer Science major who likes all the programmically efficient algorithms, it really hurts me to admit it. But it’s true.

### Source Files are in Plaintext for your Source Control Needs

While this may seem like a minor point, it would be a **MAJOR** dealbreaker if the source was not saved in plain-text. Especially with larger teams. Using source control is incredibly helpful.

### Standalone Desktop Theoretically Should be Bloaty… But Probably Most People Wouldn’t Care that Much

If you are exporting to a standalone desktop application, it “should” be somewhat bloaty in size and computational complexity. You have to bring along a HTML5 simulator or something to run it.

However considering that Visual Novels aren’t by nature computationally complex by any means and people watch HD Cat Videos for fun, the only people who would notice are the techie people. It wouldn’t be as huge of a factor in the case for Visual Novels.

Ren’py is still scripted but should run closer to the “native” application performance than TyranoBuilder. At least in file size. Although this point is more due to me being aware of more Ren’py specific optimizations that have been done over many years.

“But what about Sakura River’s games? You guys are always trying to do something interesting! At least you talk about it!” That brings us to our next point.

### JavaScript Programming Going Wild

JavaScript is a Turing complete language. So the crazy story structure of Fading Hearts should be possible on TyranoBuilder as well. I can’t say this for every “interactive story” engine out there however. Heck, industry-strength interactive story design tools can’t model Fading Hearts properly or easily.

But TyranoBuilder can… and that says something about the potential and future-proofing of it.

### Live2D is Possible… With Some Programming

That’s right! If you’ve been dying to use Live2D in your Visual Novel, you can with TyranoBuilder. However since using Live2D does require more programming, you’ll need some programming chops to use it.

I hear in the future there might be something for the less-programmically minded however.

I’ve been wanting a feature like this for Ren’py for so long. It currently doesn’t exist for Live2D.

### Ren’Py Steam Integration in Pre-Release… TyranoBuilder Steam Integration is Under Consideration

This is an interesting point that only directly affects developers on Steam. However TyranoBuilder in English is being sold on Steam.

I am so unsure of what to make of this. The casual developers in English require a Steam account to get TyranoBuilder. Ren’py developers don’t require Steam to get Ren’py. However Ren’py will have Steam API support very soon.

You see, for more people to accept TyranoBuilder (in English) you need English games released on it commercially. At least one as “proof” that it can be done (this is a business-minded thinking). The path of least resistance is through Steam at this point. If you’re going to release on Steam everyone is going to try to convince you to get achievements and trading cards.

### Cost Factor of Free vs. Price of a Dinner

This is an interesting part to talk about. For those on the super-shoestring **and** for those making money on Steam, Ren’py is going to be the choice.

However TyranoBuilder isn’t that expensive to get. It also can be easier to find HTML5 programming talent if you’re doing a business. So it might save you on labour costs.

So this part really depends on your particular situation.

### Conclusion? How’s Your Money/HTML5/Writing/Desire for Live2D?

So both can compete with each other with trade-offs here and there. If money is a concern then Ren’Py is usually the safer bet unless you have easy access to HTML5 talent than Ren’Py talent. The exception(or not) is if you are on Steam. Writers might feel they may have to scroll more often. TyranoBuilder should be easier to get into than Ren’py but not by that much. If you want Live2D and have programming chops, then go for TyranoBuilder.

Hopefully that sums everything up. They are definitely comparable (at this point). And keep in mind, this is by looking at screenshots of TyranoBuilder and working with Ren’py. So kinda uneven exposure bias.

Let’s see how well these thoughts hold up in the future though.


So a new visual novel engine is heading for the English market. Comes at an interesting time where Visual Novels have penetrated the Steam market and is growing. But what of this new visual novel engine from the perspective of a developer who has pushed Ren’py to the limit? Rather interesting thoughts.
Keep in mind this is based on screenshots of the interface. References to Ren’py will naturally be made.
I will try to keep in mind the perspectives from the super-indies and the money-making indies as much as possible.
<h3>Easy-to-Use IDE Interface a Half-Step Away from Writer’s Comfort Zone</h3>
The interface looks extremely welcoming and friendly to new people to this area. If it has a built in spell-checker it would be amazing. Lots of visual elements to indicate what everything does.
However, writers aren’t actually scared of huge walls of text. They feel comfortable in this. Look at any word processor and the word density is big.
So the minor nag that might happen is that writers would have to do more scrolling around since they can’t see as much. Maybe there would be an option to decrease the size of the visual elements? They are still helpful.
Of course you can view the source text files directly for more dense reading. However, when you expose some writers to anything that looks like coding with equals signs and brackets they may be more reluctant to change things like position of characters for example.
Compared to Ren’py, for most basic scripting I can literally hand off the raw script to editors and writers and they would be able to understand it.
<h3>Based on HTML5 Technology… Which a lot of People are Good At</h3>
TyranoBuilder is based on HTML5. So if you had to get a web programming job or even made your own website, you would feel right at home with a few minor speed bumps. Also a lot of people out there who are good at HTML5 so finding talent wouldn’t be as hard.
Sometimes you do choose a technology because a lot of people out there are good at it. As a Computer Science major who likes all the programmically efficient algorithms, it really hurts me to admit it. But it’s true.
<h3>Source Files are in Plaintext for your Source Control Needs</h3>
While this may seem like a minor point, it would be a MAJOR dealbreaker if the source was not saved in plain-text. Especially with larger teams. Using source control is incredibly helpful.
<h3>Standalone Desktop Theoretically Should be Bloaty… But Probably Most People Wouldn’t Care that Much</h3>
If you are exporting to a standalone desktop application, it “should” be somewhat bloaty in size and computational complexity. You have to bring along a HTML5 simulator or something to run it.
However considering that Visual Novels aren’t by nature computationally complex by any means and people watch HD Cat Videos for fun, the only people who would notice are the techie people. It wouldn’t be as huge of a factor in the case for Visual Novels.
Ren’py is still scripted but should run closer to the “native” application performance than TyranoBuilder. At least in file size. Although this point is more due to me being aware of more Ren’py specific optimizations that have been done over many years.
“But what about Sakura River’s games? You guys are always trying to do something interesting! At least you talk about it!” That brings us to our next point.
<h3>JavaScript Programming Going Wild</h3>
JavaScript is a Turing complete language. So the crazy story structure of Fading Hearts should be possible on TyranoBuilder as well. I can’t say this for every “interactive story” engine out there however. Heck, industry-strength interactive story design tools can’t model Fading Hearts properly or easily.
But TyranoBuilder can… and that says something about the potential and future-proofing of it.
<h3>Live2D is Possible… With Some Programming</h3>
That’s right! If you’ve been dying to use Live2D in your Visual Novel, you can with TyranoBuilder. However since using Live2D does require more programming, you’ll need some programming chops to use it.
I hear in the future there might be something for the less-programmically minded however.
I’ve been wanting a feature like this for Ren’py for so long. It currently doesn’t exist for Live2D.
<h3>Ren’Py Steam Integration in Pre-Release… TyranoBuilder Steam Integration is Under Consideration</h3>
This is an interesting point that only directly affects developers on Steam. However TyranoBuilder in English is being sold on Steam.
I am so unsure of what to make of this. The casual developers in English require a Steam account to get TyranoBuilder. Ren’py developers don’t require Steam to get Ren’py. However Ren’py will have Steam API support very soon.
You see, for more people to accept TyranoBuilder (in English) you need English games released on it commercially. At least one as “proof” that it can be done (this is a business-minded thinking). The path of least resistance is through Steam at this point. If you’re going to release on Steam everyone is going to try to convince you to get achievements and trading cards.
<h3>Cost Factor of Free vs. Price of a Dinner</h3>
This is an interesting part to talk about. For those on the super-shoestring and for those making money on Steam, Ren’py is going to be the choice.
However TyranoBuilder isn’t that expensive to get. It also can be easier to find HTML5 programming talent if you’re doing a business. So it might save you on labour costs.
So this part really depends on your particular situation.
<h3>Conclusion? How’s Your Money/HTML5/Writing/Desire for Live2D?</h3>
So both can compete with each other with trade-offs here and there. If money is a concern then Ren’Py is usually the safer bet unless you have easy access to HTML5 talent than Ren’Py talent. The exception(or not) is if you are on Steam. Writers might feel they may have to scroll more often. TyranoBuilder should be easier to get into than Ren’py but not by that much. If you want Live2D and have programming chops, then go for TyranoBuilder.
Hopefully that sums everything up. They are definitely comparable (at this point). And keep in mind, this is by looking at screenshots of TyranoBuilder and working with Ren’py. So kinda uneven exposure bias.
Let’s see how well these thoughts hold up in the future though.