Ren'Py
The Ren'Py Visual Novel Engine is a free software game engine which facilitates the creation of visual novels. Ren'Py is a portmanteau of ren'ai (恋愛), the Japanese word for 'romantic love,' a common element of games made using Ren'Py; and Python, the programming language that Ren'Py runs on.
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Features
Ren'Py includes the ability to create branching stories, save file systems, rollback to previous points in the story, a variety of scene transitions, DLC, and so on. The engine also allows for movie playback for both full-screen movies and animated sprites, in-engine animation (using the built in "Animation and Translation Language", or ATL), and full animation and customization of UI elements via "Screen Language." Ren'Py scripts have a screenplay-like syntax, and can also include blocks of Python code to allow advanced users to add new features of their own. In addition, tools are included in the engine distribution to obfuscate scripts and archive game assets to mitigate copyright infringement.
BDSM Elements
As mainstream visual novels tend to "vanilla" in flavor, BDSM narratives are largely the purview of amateur game makers. A number of niche VNs have been proposed through online communities, with actual production meeting varying levels of success. Many were text-based interactive games supported by minimal graphics; a few of the more ambitious projects utilized high resolution images and animated sequences.
Theoretically, a user could assume any role within a BDSM storyline. A well-designed game may also offer sound effects, animation and high-resolution illustrations to enhance gameplay. In the present day, 3D models and backgrounds may be imported onto the game stage, allowing for hyper-realistic rendering and figurework.
