Ren'Py
Encyclopedia
The Ren'Py Visual Novel Engine is a free software
engine which facilitates the creation of visual novels
, a form of computer-mediated storytelling. Ren'Py (a portmanteau of Ren'ai, the type of game made using Ren'Py, and Python, which is the system that runs Ren'Py) has proved attractive to English-language hobbyists; over 300 games use the Ren'Py engine, nearly all in English.
scripts and archive game assets to mitigate copyright infringement.
Ren'Py is built on Python
and PyGame
, and is officially supported on Windows
, recent versions of Mac OS X
and Linux
, and is included as part of the Arch Linux
(as an AUR package), Ubuntu
, Debian
and Gentoo
(in experimental overlay) Linux distributions. It can also be ported to Android.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
engine which facilitates the creation of visual novels
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
, a form of computer-mediated storytelling. Ren'Py (a portmanteau of Ren'ai, the type of game made using Ren'Py, and Python, which is the system that runs Ren'Py) has proved attractive to English-language hobbyists; over 300 games use the Ren'Py engine, nearly all in English.
Features
Ren'Py supports nearly all features that a visual novel might reasonably be expected to have, including branching stories, saving and loading of games, rollback to previous points in the story, a variety of scene transitions and so on. Ren'Py scripts have a screenplay-like syntax, and can additionally include blocks of Python code to allow advanced users to add new features of their own. Additionally, tools are included in the engine distribution to obfuscateObfuscation
Obfuscation is the hiding of intended meaning in communication, making communication confusing, wilfully ambiguous, and harder to interpret.- Background :Obfuscation may be used for many purposes...
scripts and archive game assets to mitigate copyright infringement.
Ren'Py is built on Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
and PyGame
Pygame
Pygame is a cross-platform set of Python modules designed for writing video games.It includes computer graphics and sound libraries designed to be used with the Python programming language...
, and is officially supported on Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, recent versions of Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, and is included as part of the Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, Linux-based operating system for i686 and x86-64 computers. It is composed predominantly of free and open source software, and supports community involvement....
(as an AUR package), Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
, Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
and Gentoo
Gentoo Linux
Gentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
(in experimental overlay) Linux distributions. It can also be ported to Android.
Notable Ren'Py games
- Always Remember Me
- Bionic HeartBionic HeartBionic Heart is a visual novel video game for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by Tycoon Games and was released on July 17, 2009. On November 4, 2011 an updated version of the game was released and also a version without voice...
- Date WarpDate WarpDate Warp is a visual novel video game about a young Indian-American woman, a college student who goes on a date and disappears. It was released on May 22, 2010 for Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It is a science fiction game with elements of romance. The game uses anime-style graphics and is written in...
- Digital: A Love StoryDigital: A Love StoryDigital: A Love Story is a 2010 indie video game developed by Christine Love and released for free in February 2010. The game is a visual novel, with the player's actions unable to significantly change the course of the plot...
- Don't take it personally, babe, it just ain't your storyDon't take it personally, babe, it just ain't your storyDon't take it personally, babe, it just ain't your story is a 2011 indie video game by Christine Love. Intended as a spiritual sequel to Love's Digital: A Love Story, the game was developed over the course of a month and was released as a free download on April 4, 2011...
- Heileen 2: The Hands of FateHeileen 2: The Hands of FateHeileen 2: The Hands of Fate is a visual novel video game for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by Tycoon Games and is the sequel to the original Heileen.-Plot:...
- JiseiJisei (video game)Jisei is a Visual Novel video game for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by SakeVisual and is the first installment of the Green Tea Line.-Plot:...
- KanseiKansei (video game)Kansei is a Visual Novel video game for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by SakeVisual and is the second installment in the Green Tea Line and the sequel to Jisei.-Plot:...
- Katawa ShoujoKatawa Shoujois a bishōjo-style visual novel by Four Leaf Studios that tells a story of a young man and five other girls suffering with varying disabilities. The game uses a traditional text and sprite-based visual novel model with an ADV-style text box. As of now, only the demo has been released...
- Magical DiaryMagical DiaryMagical Diary is a visual novel video game about a young freshman girl at a magical school. It was released on June 19, 2011 for Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It is a fantasy game with elements of romance. The game uses anime-style graphics and is written in English...
- Planet StrongholdPlanet StrongholdPlanet Stronghold is a visual novel, sci-fi role-playing game with a turn-based combat system for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by Winter Wolves and was released on February 28, 2011.-Gameplay:...
- RE: AlistairRE: AlistairRE: Alistair is a free, English otome game developed and published by SakeVisual for the Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It was released on February 28, 2010.-Gameplay:The player takes control of Merui Lucas...
- Summer SessionSummer SessionSummer Session is a dating simulation video game for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by Hanako Games and Tycoon Games. It uses anime-style graphics and is written in English...