Interactive novels - who plays them?

[Sstavix]

I was perusing the recommendations that Steam offered to me, and one of them was an interactive novel, like an electronic version of "Choose Your Own Adventure." I was looking through other options as well, and it got me to thinking.... How well do these things sell?

Maybe it has something to do with National Novel Writing Month, but I'm thinking that it might be possible for me to put something like this together. Something with little or no graphics, an entertaining story line, multiple endings, that sort of thing. The question I really have, though is whether or not something like this would sell.

Does anyone have any feedback about this sort of thing? Or, if not feedback, would you be interested in buying a game like this?

(If you need an example of what I'm talking about, take a look at Choice of Games' Web site, or my reviews for Forest of Doom or Monster Loves You.)

[ccgr]

visual novels are becoming more popular the most recent one I reviewed is this one: https://www.christcenteredgamer.com/ind ... -poison-pc

I enjoy them

[JOJ650s]

Hmmm, wow I don't think I have really played many interactive novels,
I mainly recall playing visual novels with a puzzle element and/or focus.
(Hmmm, now I am going to have to see what Steam has in terms of interactive novels.)

You know though, I think you'll find this site very helpful.
http://steamspy.com/about
It gives a rough estimate on the sales Steam games have.

[Sstavix]

visual novels are becoming more popular the most recent one I reviewed is this one: https://www.christcenteredgamer.com/ind ... -poison-pc

I think that might be why I picked up TyranoBuilder when it was part of a Humble Bundle a while ago, too - it might be helpful to create visual novels like that. Only issue is that I'd have to create the artwork for the visual novel. I suppose that's where my DAZ Studio skills will have to come in.

You know though, I think you'll find this site very helpful.
http://steamspy.com/about
It gives a rough estimate on the sales Steam games have.

That could be an interesting tool! I'll have to see what it tells me. Thanks!

[ccgr]

Fiverr would be another place to look at for hiring artists

https://www.fiverr.com/dynamitejay/draw ... e7cf24c989

[Superstars111]

I discovered the idea recently with Choice of Robots. It seems interesting. Of course, there's no possible way that they could ever include the type of diversity I'd want, but I like the idea.

What I buy is based on a combination of price and quality. Style means very little to me (though not nothing at all). That is to say, I wouldn't buy just any interactive novel, just like I wouldn't buy just any platformer, puzzler, sandbox, etc. But I wouldn't exclude them like I would a zombie slasher, for example. I'm actually trying to write one myself. Not necessarily to sell it (though that's not out of the question) but because I like writing.

[Sstavix]

I'm actually trying to write one myself. Not necessarily to sell it (though that's not out of the question) but because I like writing.

Cool! What software are you using to write your interactive novel? How do you like it?

[Superstars111]

I'm using the Choice of Games language. I'm not very knowledgeable about computers, but it's simple enough for me to understand. Or at least, it should be, once I get used to it. XD

[Kwan]

Creating an interactive novel could be fun, although I don't have much experience with them. I picked up a Choose Your Own Adventure book, but the story didn't really hook me. I've also tried a few visual novels but they have all either been completely linear or the choices they had were pretty insignificant.

As long as the story is original and engaging, and the choices are meaningful, I'm sure you'd have no problem selling a few copies. People are looking for one of two things: an interesting story or pretty visuals. Both help, one alone can sell.

Choice of Robots has overwhelmingly positive reviews. Hardly any visuals, but the story and choices are good enough to make it sell.

[mogumogu]

I am so glad there is a thread about this already up! I registered for the forums just now to post about this topic. I picked up Nekopara during the recent steam sale mistakenly thinking the censored steam version was edited to be for all ages. I knew the uncensored version was pornographic so I guess it was foolish of me to expect it to be totally free of lewd stuff, but it was still a lot more than I was expecting. I'm fascinated by this genre of games but I'm kind of scared to touch another VN if even the "all ages" versions still have the pornographic pics taken out but written erotica left in. Which ones are safe enough to read that wouldn't tempt a near occasion of sin?

(I still kind of want to finish reading Nekopara because I'm five chapters in and invested in the characters now, but it's too lewd. ;~;)

[Sstavix]

Amusingly enough, if I do a visual novel, I was thinking of trying to use "NO MUSHY ROMANCES" as a selling point.

I need to finish my NaNo, but then I was thinking about trying my hand at one of these, just to see what it's like. Who knows? This could be the bridge between writing and game development that I've been looking for all my life....

[micah211]

I personally love playing interactive novels. They are a good way to spend a few extra minutes you might have. It's always fun to see what happens in the end, and then choosing a different path.
You should definitely try to make one!