Hello everyone. I've been writing a story in Twine using its default story format for a very long time now but I've never wanted to publish my story using Twine since I felt it was only helpful in organizing my story.
I've looked for a game engine that could do what I've needed for well over 2 years now but my own shortcomings have made the task difficult. Just about ANY game engine could accomplish what it is I need, but I am NOT a programmer. I've learned several languages but am far from being competent with any of them and whenever I try to think for myself with the languages I know, my brain turns to scrambled eggs. Originally, when I first began writing my story in Twine, I thought Twine had limitations that made it impossible for me to create what it was I wanted within it. I know now that with some skill you can make some pretty fancy stuff with it. I think that I'd need to create my own story format to make the kind of game I would like with Twine however, and that's where my brain turns to scrambled eggs again. I'm hoping I can get some guidance and on where to begin and what kind of things I'd need to make in order to support the kind of game I'm making.
The kind of game I'm making would be part Visual Novel, part Text Adventure, part RPG and would be presented in the following manner:
(ignore the flavor text)
Here's a list of some features my game would need to function:
I think that's about it.
The list must make me look like I'm over my head, and maybe I am. I've thought about giving up on several occasions, but what I've written for the past several years is very important to me and I'd like to present it to people in some fashion. I have the support of an artist, and I've tried to make up for the lack of programming with my own skills but I've discovered just how terrible I am at that particular area.
Regardless, if I must, I'll continue to try if someone here can help point me in a good direction.
Is Twine still a good option for me with my requirements?
I've looked for a game engine that could do what I've needed for well over 2 years now but my own shortcomings have made the task difficult. Just about ANY game engine could accomplish what it is I need, but I am NOT a programmer. I've learned several languages but am far from being competent with any of them and whenever I try to think for myself with the languages I know, my brain turns to scrambled eggs. Originally, when I first began writing my story in Twine, I thought Twine had limitations that made it impossible for me to create what it was I wanted within it. I know now that with some skill you can make some pretty fancy stuff with it. I think that I'd need to create my own story format to make the kind of game I would like with Twine however, and that's where my brain turns to scrambled eggs again. I'm hoping I can get some guidance and on where to begin and what kind of things I'd need to make in order to support the kind of game I'm making.
The kind of game I'm making would be part Visual Novel, part Text Adventure, part RPG and would be presented in the following manner:
(ignore the flavor text)
Here's a list of some features my game would need to function:
- Web Fonts; specifically Cinzel or at least a way to use Cinzel as the primary font.
- Text Color Coding; this would be needed to help the reader identify codex links of different types (people, locations, lore), as well as speech, attributes, and items.
- Codex; a built-in codex that the player can bring up with a click at any time and put away at any time, letting them resume where they left off.
- Inventory; some kind of inventory would be helpful but it would not need to be extremely in-depth. A simple listing of items you've acquired would be more than enough so long as the player can bring up this list and resume the story at any time, like the codex.
- Attribute Checking; some support for saving various character and item attributes as well as checking against them for success and failure when making choices in the story. This could be done in the background, though a Attribute Window and Status screen would be preferable.
- Adjustable HUD; the window containing narration would need to move or vanish according to what the player is doing. Sliding to the right to make room for the Attribute Window or sliding off screen completely for the Codex or Inventory.
- Saved History; the narration window should allow the player to scroll up to see the entirety of their current chapter including the choices they've made thus far as well as an option to view previously completed chapters with all the choices they made.
- Save/Load Functionality; the length of my story would make this a requirement. Multiple save files would be preferably.
- Character Portraits; the portraits I have are not heavily animated, but some support for animation would be needed as the portraits would slide on and off screen as characters enter and leave scenes.
- Sound/Music; self-explanatory.
I think that's about it.
The list must make me look like I'm over my head, and maybe I am. I've thought about giving up on several occasions, but what I've written for the past several years is very important to me and I'd like to present it to people in some fashion. I have the support of an artist, and I've tried to make up for the lack of programming with my own skills but I've discovered just how terrible I am at that particular area.
Regardless, if I must, I'll continue to try if someone here can help point me in a good direction.
Is Twine still a good option for me with my requirements?