1. BY: BRIAN CHU Research Presentation

2. What is a Visual Novel? Visual Novels or VNs are, to put simply: text based games with visuals. VNs are known for their strong stories and sometimes player choice. Choose your own adventure type games are the closest example to a VN. There could also be small mini game scenarios implemented in order to progress the story. They were made popular and still are in Japan and have recently been becoming so in the US as well.

3. History of Visual Novels VNs are a young form of game, the first few being made in the early 90’s. It is unclear what was the first VN game but most point to Otogirisó for the Nintendo Famicon made by Chunsoft. They were originally called sound novels but then was changed to visual novels in the mid 90’s. Most are made for being played on a PC but some have been made for or been ported to consoles and handhelds.

4. How to make a VN Most visual novels are somewhat simple to code and most of the work goes into the story, visuals, and extra gameplay like mini games. Most of the coding would be to advance to the next piece of text but you also have to also change backgrounds and character expressions. The hard coding will be in the branches he story takes when the players make their choices.

5. Story You are an surveyor hired to explore the new world that has opened up to humanity. Adventure and discover Acéron. Will you get caught up in-between the warring kingdoms or remain a bystander? When the world you’re from comes to interfere, will you join your brethren or help this new world that you’ve come to know?

6. “Game Play” Focus on player choice. Choices have huge effect on story outcome. Mini games to find new info on the world? (Helps with making choices that help you later on?) Will be 30 minutes to 60 minutes long. (depending on how fast you read) Replayability! (Make different choices to get different outcomes) Will be able to be played on the computer.

7. Timeline This Week - Story and Character Design Week 1 – Story and Characters Week 2+3 – Coding Week 4+5 – Play Testing and Fixing

8. Sources http://andsohesaid.psychedelico.net/?p=67 http://www.usgamer.net/articles/visual-novels-in- america http://www.usgamer.net/articles/visual-novels-in- america http://www.gamesomniverse.com/brief-history- interactive-fiction/ http://www.gamesomniverse.com/brief-history- interactive-fiction/