Visual Novels

Presentation by Sarah and Ryan

ION:

This is the main text area for a visual novel.

ANISE:

Visual novels are full of dramatic scenes like this.

Ryan:

But what is a visual novel? Is it like a picture book? Or a video game?

Sarah:

A visual novel is an interactive fictional game featuring still graphics and usually uses anime-style art.

Ryan:

Is there a distinction between visual novels and adventure games?

Sarah:

In Japan, there is!

Sarah:

In visual novels, there is minimal game play, and most of the game is made up of text on screen, accompanied by still images.

Ryan:

Oh, I recognize this! It’s like Clannad, isn’t it?

Ryan:

So where’s our nameless protagonist?

ALL:

...........

Sarah:

You know, it’s kind of weird how the player character can have lines, even if they never speak up...

Ryan:

Link never speaks up...

Sarah:

No, that’s an adventure game! Visual novels are in the first person point of view, and the protagonist is rarely, if ever, seen.

Ryan:

With some exceptions, of course.

Sarah:

Oh, of course.

Ryan:

...so are we going to do this the whole time, or can we branch this into a non-linear storyline where this is a regular presentation?

Sarah:

...(thinking)

Sarah:

What the hell are you talking about?

STORYLINES

Linear Style Novels

• One path, one ending

• Sometimes no game play, often limited

• Player choices minimally influence characters

• More akin to an interactive comic than a video game

• Most examples are fan created

• Recent linear works by Key have been called Kinetic Novels

Non-linear Style Novels

• Often multiple endings

• Player choices influence characters and outcomes

• Common in mystery genre and bishoujo games

• Blurs the line between visual novels and video games

• More popular in recent years due to technological advances

• Good end, bad end, true end, false end...

GENRES

(Ecchi) H Games

• Porn with plot, hentai games• Bishoujo titles, harem themed• Pro-tag chooses to get close with one of the female

characters• Some of Japan's first "adventure" games• Square and Enix, prior to making their world-famous

role playing games (Final Fantasy) were known for their H games in the 80s

• Many H game titles are re-released in all-ages versions• Examples: Fate/Stay Night, AIR, Kanon, Little

Busters!, To Heart

Sarah:

So all these games have a male protagonist, right? What the hell?

Ryan:

Most of them do, but that doesn't mean they're only targeted at men.

Sarah:

Are there any variations to the boy-gets-girl theme?

Ryan:

Well...

Sarah:

Oh! That’s right, they have BL titles. But the only one that's well-known in the US is probably Absolute Obedience. And there’s a few others too, like...!

Ryan:

...moving on.

Science Fiction

• First Science fiction games released by Square, point and click interface

• Portopia Serial Murder Case in 1983

• Inspired Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear Solid fame) to go into the gaming industry

• 1988, released Snatcher, his first adventure game

• First "visual novel" to come to the US on the Sega CD

Crying Game (Melodrama)

• Generally slice of life, may include fantasy elements

• Influenced by Leaf's To Heart series

• Designed to make player feel emotionally connected to the characters

• Each follows a common theme

– Heart-warming beginning, tragic separation, emotional reunion

More Melodrama

• Invokes emotion through sudden plot twists

• Involves mood-whiplash

• Visual Arts and Key often use this genre

• May overlap with other genres

• Kanon, Clannad, D.C.: Da Capo

• Clannad often considered best bishoujo game of all time

Horror

• Nightmare fuel

• Uses Crying Game formula of investing emotional attatchment

• Instead of making the player cry, wished to instill fear in the hearts of millions

• Most well-known example: Higurashi no NakuKoro ni by Ryukishi07 of 07th Expansion

• Also known as the"When They Cry" series

• (Do you get it, do you get it??)

Ryan:

So what's the pacing like for these games? Why are they so... frightening?

Sarah:

Here, let me show you...

Ryan:

...that was terrifying.

Sarah:

You know, there are a lot of people in Japan who are terrified by this common theme.

Sarah:

Have you ever heard of School Days?

Ryan:

No...?

Sarah:

...(tee hee hee)

Sarah:

School Days is a visual novel whose anime adaption was famously censored following a gruesome murder committed by a high school student.

Sarah:

Do you want to know how they censored it?

Ryan:

That really was a...

Ryan:

Ryan:

...NICE BOAT.

ALL:

.......

Sarah:

So what about in the US? Are there any visual novels over here?

Ryan:

Sure, but... most of them are...

Ryan:

H games.

ALL:

.......

Ryan:

(cough) Fan translation projects are the easiest ways to get them in English...

Sarah:

Wow, that must mean no one in the US really likes them, huh.

Visual Novels and Consoles

• Many started on the PC as H games, became all ages when ported to various consoles

• To Heart on the PlayStation had all erotic scenes removed

• DS titles became popular in US

• Examples: Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, Trace Memory, Hotel Dusk, Ghost Trick...

• Distinction between visual novels and PCs is blurred in the US

Visual Novels vs. RPGs

• Less "game play" in the sense that the novels are mostly text based decisions

• Emphasis on story over game play

• RPGs may resemble visual novels.....

Visual Novels vs. RPGs

• Less "game play" in the sense that the novels are mostly text based decisions

• Emphasis on story over game play

• RPGs may resemble visual novels

• For the most part, this similarity is found in Japanese RPGs

• JRPGs can even be denied as being "true" RPGs because of their linear pre-decided outcomes

• Examples: Tales of Series, Fire Emblem, Persona...

Impact of Visual Novels

• Many go on to become successful multi-media series

• Anime, manga, drama CDs, light novels, fan works, etc.

• Examples: Fate/Stay Night, AIR, Clannad, To Heart, When They Cry series

• Ace Attorney Series, mirrors the long-running debate in regards to reforms of the Japanese court system

• 2009, Japan’s first trial by jury since 1942

Ryan:

This presentation is strange. Our dialogue feels forced and contrived.

Ryan:

It's almost like we're reading from a script!

Sarah:

You should be made aware that many visual novels are infamous for their poor and often wordy translations.

ALL:

.......

Ryan:

Shall we conclude the presentation?

Sarah:

Yes.

Sarah:

I am pleased to have finished the presentation thing.

Ryan:

And I as well.

Sarah:

...wait, what the hell!?

The End

Sources and Credits

• http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_253/7530-Phoenix-Wrights-Objection

• http://en.rian.ru/world/20090803/155715148.html

• http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/088/088501p1.html

• http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31090/Layton_Series_Hits_95M_Ace_Attorney_39M.php

• Tales of the Abyss: Anise and Ion drawing from Pixiv user にけ

• All character drawings by Sarah

• Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Professor Layton, Tales of Symphonia, AIR

• Nice Boat: Durarara!! From NicoNicoDouga

• WTF Cat: No idea.