STOP making these VISUAL NOVEL mistakes | Beginner Game Dev Tips

Summary

In this video, Chris, an experienced visual novel creator, shares his insights on how to avoid common pitfalls in game development. He emphasizes the importance of having a solid plan before diving into development, warns against rushing into projects without preparation, and highlights the value of feedback from others to improve the story. Chris also advises against perfectionism, encouraging creators to accept that early projects might not be perfect but are essential for growth. Ultimately, he stresses that progress and experience are more important than striving for flawless execution.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Have a Clear Plan**: Visual novel development requires a plan. Start with a clear vision of the story and its structure before diving into development to avoid unnecessary revisions later on.
• 😀 **Don’t Rush into Development**: Starting development too early can waste time and lead to unnecessary rework. Take the time to fully develop your concept before beginning actual work in the game engine.
• 😀 **80-90% of the Script First**: Having a large portion of your script written before starting development gives your project a solid foundation, guiding the flow and branching choices.
• 😀 **You Don’t Need Perfection**: Aiming for perfection can paralyze your progress. Accept that your early projects might not be great, but completing them gives you valuable experience.
• 😀 **Get Feedback Early**: Don’t wait until the end of the process to seek feedback. Getting external perspectives early on helps you catch issues with plot, pacing, or character development before they become bigger problems.
• 😀 **Avoid Overcomplicating Problems**: What seems like a tough problem in your story may not be as challenging as you think. Getting feedback can help you identify overly complicated or unnecessary elements.
• 😀 **Use Game Dev Documents**: Writing a detailed Game Dev document and outlining the entire script before diving into production gives you a roadmap for the project, helping keep things organized.
• 😀 **Building a Strong Foundation**: Just like building a house, your visual novel needs a solid foundation to stand on. Start with strong planning to avoid collapsing under the weight of poorly thought-out ideas.
• 😀 **Don't Overestimate Your Abilities**: It’s okay to accept that you’re not perfect at first. Recognizing that you might not have all the answers lets you focus on growth instead of stagnation.
• 😀 **Embrace Failure as Learning**: Every project, even the bad ones, teaches you something. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as they are the key to getting better in the long run.

Q & A

Why is having a plan so important when creating a visual novel?

Having a plan is crucial because it helps you organize the development process and avoid wasting time. It ensures you know the direction of your story, the flow of choices, and how your game will progress, which ultimately saves time and effort in the long run.

What are the risks of starting development without a plan?

Starting development without a plan can lead to wasted effort and duplicated work. You may create assets or write parts of the story that don’t fit into the larger narrative. It can also result in time-consuming revisions and continuity issues later in the project.

How does Chris suggest balancing excitement with planning?

Chris advises that while excitement is natural, it's important not to let it rush the development process. Take the time to plan thoroughly and understand the story and choices before diving into development. Planning helps ensure the project has a solid foundation.

What should be included in your initial planning for a visual novel?

Your initial planning should include at least 80-90% of the writing, a rough flow of the game, character designs, and a script. This gives you a strong base for development and helps you understand how the game will unfold, making it easier to implement the mechanics later on.

Why does Chris emphasize the importance of not rushing into development?

Chris warns that rushing into development can result in wasted time and duplicated efforts. Without a solid foundation, you may end up having to redo work or make unnecessary changes. Taking your time ensures that the project progresses efficiently and smoothly.

What role does feedback play in the development of a visual novel?

Feedback is essential for identifying potential problems early in the process. Whether it's in the scripting stage or later in development, feedback helps spot plot holes, character inconsistencies, and makes sure that the story and choices are engaging and logical.

How can feedback improve a visual novel project?

Feedback can provide new perspectives that help you spot flaws you might have missed. It can reveal issues with pacing, logic, or character motivations. Incorporating feedback helps refine the narrative, ensuring the final product is stronger and more polished.

What mistake did Chris make when writing a story problem, and what lesson did he learn?

Chris thought a particular problem in his story was difficult to solve, but after sharing it with a friend, he learned it was actually too simple. This taught him the importance of seeking feedback early, as others may offer solutions or insights that you wouldn't have considered.

What is Chris's advice regarding perfectionism in visual novel development?

Chris advises against aiming for perfection from the start. Perfectionism can lead to analysis paralysis, where you never release anything because you're constantly revising. Instead, he suggests accepting that your early work may not be perfect, but the key is to put out projects and learn from them.

Why is it important to accept that your first projects may be 'trash'?

Accepting that your first projects may not be great allows you to focus on progress rather than perfection. Each project, even if flawed, provides valuable experience that helps you improve for the next one. This mindset helps you avoid the trap of never finishing or releasing anything.

How does aiming for perfection affect productivity in visual novel development?

Aiming for perfection can drastically reduce productivity. It can cause you to overthink, delay decisions, and prevent you from finishing projects. Embracing imperfection encourages you to move forward, learn, and improve with each project.

What did Chris learn about his development process after creating multiple projects?

Chris learned that creating visual novels is harder than it seems, and that having a plan, not rushing into development, getting feedback, and accepting imperfection are all essential for improvement. His experience has taught him that failure and mistakes are part of the learning process.