2018-12-04 06:00:43

Hi!  So I've got this idea to make a game that's like an audio drama interactive fiction.  So instead of reading the text like a story, it's an acted out scene like you're listening to an old time radio show.  I only know about using Ren'py, and did a test on if using that would be viable, but it didn't seem to work.  So I'm wondering, what would be the best option for a generally super noob at coding who wants to make a basic game?

I really just want to be able to put audio scenes into the game, and then have options to choose from.  So like a visual novel, but all audio if taht makes sense.  I'd like the scenes to be able to play out completely instead of having to click from dialogue line to dialogue line, so really those are the two things I'd need in a program I'd use.  And of course, I'd like it to be accessible to use lol

So yeah, any help would be appreciated!  Liek I said I know 0 about code haha.

2018-12-04 06:37:15

Ren'py does have an accessibility mode with built in TTS as mentioned [here], though it has to be enabled by pressing the "v" key. You can also play custom audio samples which is covered [here].

Besides using Ren'py, you could consider picking up a programming language to code it, in terms of complexity, its not much worse than Ren'py. If you do decide on learning to code, when choosing a language, depending on who you ask for such things, you can get a lot of different answers. I would recommend Python, as its easy to learn, versatile, has plenty of documentation with such books as [Dive Into Python], [Think Python], and [How to Think Like a Computer Scientist], and there are plenty of people around here who can help you out should you need it.

-BrushTone v1.3.3: Accessible Paint Tool
-AudiMesh3D v1.0.0: Accessible 3D Model Viewer

2018-12-04 10:47:20

wow. i am going to check ren'py out. is it even totaly accessible for a blind person? i know that post 2 said it. but i just can't believe it.

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.

2018-12-04 15:45:05 (edited by Jaseoffire 2018-12-04 15:47:06)

at 3. Actually, Renpy is indeed accessible. It does require you to activate the TTS, though. Just press the v key if I remember correctly, and you'll be all set. There are some things that are just inaccessible, but they can be worked around. Anyways at 1, I would also recommend python. Renpy uses python 2 for its scripting. Well, scripting outside of the usual renpy script. So, if you want skills to be transferrable nearly completely, I'd recommend python 2. Though, as a personal opinion, I prefer python 3. I think renpy will be soon moving to python 3 as well. It doesn't matter all that much either way, though as both are rather similar. Just some odd differences here and there. Anyways, hope this helps.

I have a website now.
"C: God's Programming Language
C++: The object-oriented programming language of a pagan deity" -- The Red Book
"There, but for the grace of God go I"

2018-12-04 18:31:55

Hi, i saw that ren'py is accessible. and all that i saw that was not accessible, is when you compile apps on android and when you want to work with colors.

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.

2018-12-04 19:48:56

I would also agree that Python would probably be a good starting point. Th elearning curve is not super steep, and there are tons and tons of reference materials out there.

Much less active on this forum than in the past.

Check out my live streams: http://lerven.me
follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/liamerven

2018-12-04 20:01:52

that is so true.

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.

2018-12-04 20:20:03

Hi!  Thanks for all the comments.  I guess I'll look into Python then, thanks for the info!

My problem with Ren'py was more that I wasn't able to get an entire scene to play, and would have to pop voice clips in individually so I feel like the flow of an all audio drama style game wouldn't work in there if you had to keep on hitting space to move the scene along.  But that may just be me, and others would find it fine, who knows. 

Thanks for the advice guys!  I'll mess more with Python and Ren'py smile

2018-12-04 20:45:04

Hi, @ post 8, from what i have seen with ren'py today, you could just use the menu command.

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.

2018-12-05 00:29:54

@#9 How do you mean?  Can you expand on that a little.  The menu command as far as I know just allows you to select options, but the rest of the VN plays out more like a book than a cutscene.

2018-12-05 07:28:06

when you use the menu, yes you will only have voice prompts if you enable self voicing. but what i meen is after the player chooses an option from the menu, you can just use play voice. this way you can make it voice based.
and for the music, you can use play music. and for sounds, you can use play sound.
i am sure you already knew about all my rambling.
thanks

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.

2018-12-05 11:44:23

Ah, I gotcha!  I was just tinkering around with the play voice option, and I think that will work defs.  Thanks for the refresher, I haven't messed in it for a while and I always have to relearn the ropes haha.

2018-12-05 12:30:39

No problem. if i am not mistaken, you could also say for example, voice "hello.ogg"

best regards
never give up on what ever you are doing.