Ashadow700 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 So, one thing I have noticed is that it is actually slightly difficult to explain to my RL friends precisely what VNs are. Whenever I try to they always gets confused if I'm talking about a book or a video game, which I think is understandable since visual novels are more of less stuck in between. So; here's the challenge of the day: make an explanation of what VNs are, using only one line (preferably as short of line as possible) Whoever gets the best one wins one hundred theoretical euros and a virtual high five. Here is the best one I have; "Kind of like jrpgs, except that you have removed all the gameplay and only left the story aspects of them." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanahtlig Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Hentai dating sims from Japan. I usually explain them as choose your own adventure books in anime-style with images, spoken dialogue, and sound effects. The JRPG comparison doesn't help if they don't know what a JRPG is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forythos Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I usualy explain it as interactive novels with sound and pictures you read on your computer. Sometimes I also make the comparison with "choose your own adventure" novels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metaler Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I just say they're like those old adventure games, except you only have to make choices, and most games are about fornicating with girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REtransInternational Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Not all of them have choices, however. It's a mix between reading a novel, watching a narrated slideshow, and (if there are choices) playing a game. If you want a single line for a website introduction or something like that, consider "Interactive Low-Speed Multimedia Entertainment"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I tell people they are dating sims where I have all my virtual girlfriends and in most of them I also have sex with them - and they also have great stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Usually, I sell them as 'Sold as video games but they are more like books with background music and pictures, with a few choices that can influence the story, and a heavier focus on the characters and the immersion'. One-line hardly carry everything I'd like to say about the medium but explaining things quickly is often necessary... The best is probably to show one to explain what you mean by 'books with background music and pictures' and the choices. If the person intend to play some, I might add that they often have shitty hentai scenes but they're not that much of a bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilegend Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 (most) VNs are point-and-click picturebooks.. And they run on a computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikel Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 "It's a computer game that it's like an interactive book with pictures" I normally say something like that, I also compare them to make your own adventure books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfscythe Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 "Novels with bgm and visual aspects (cg, backgrounds, etc.) that sometimes have some kind of gameplay or where you have to choose options to progress through the story. Most of them 18+ rated." That's how i would explain it, but for some reason i've never had to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendjin Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I wish I could up with a line that would win me the theoretical Euro, I have a lot of theoretical items I want to buy. VNs in one sentence. VNs are passion in digital form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1234abcd Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Japanese novel(game) having text, graphic and sound (and game play). Unfortunately, most of we was't Japanese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garejei Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Porn with a story. /trolling Okay, seriously now. Basically books with music and pictures and voice acting. That's about it in a nutshell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wahfuu Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I always tell people its some sort of mutant child of manga and anime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvertMouse Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 When I introduce VNs to people I tell them they're interactive novels with anime graphics and (often) great music . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eurobeatz Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Interactive story-based games done in anime style art with usually no actual gameplay other than choices presented to further the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Text-based adventure games from Japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solidbatman Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 To my friends who don't give a crap, or are ignorantly against anything different: "Those weird Japanese sex games." To my friends who actually do care, and are remotely open minded: "An illustrated, electronic novel, sometimes voiced, where you are presented dialogue and situations and given a choice on how to react/respond, or in other words, something like The Walking Dead game without any of the action." ^Run on much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sieg Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 "VN are japanese games developed through storytelling specs,mechanics and relevant antics such as art, music and narration." You could say that VNs are an art of its own, but that's another story. I don't think it's simple enough but if I'd have to took my time explaining, that's how I would do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secchan Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Book with multiple endings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowtsuku Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Isn't visual novel the best way to describe it o.O A novel with a visual component. Since VNs may be H or not. May have multiple endings or a single one. Some don't even have choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoom909 Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Like anime except with less animation and more subtitles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zakamutt Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 "A digital book with pictures and music, and often a branching storyline." Hmm, too basic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sieg Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 "A digital book with pictures and music, and often a branching storyline." Hmm, too basic? Sometimes the simpler, the better. So not bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxter0987 Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 To my friends who don't give a crap, or are ignorantly against anything different: "Those weird Japanese sex games." Essentially what I'd say except without the sex aspect. There's already enough ignorant people out there without also making them think that I'm a closet pervert or something. And to my friends that are actually open minded: "A game where your choices affect the story in various ways; You choose your own fate essentially." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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