@@TheProphetMusico If y'all are interested in getting a team together, I do music and writing. (don't look at the music I have posted, this is where I used to post my experimental electronic music attempts, I'm way better at more conventional music lol)
I work with a furry publisher, and we get requests for more "blank" works (lesbian, trans, straight, non-sexual) stuff day to night every convention. Our response is always "write it/draw it and we'll publish it." We aren't an 'industry refusing to tell stories', we're always trying to get more variety.
@ZomboMau There are actually several. I've been working with Fur Planet. They publish a lot of novels, comics, and art books. There's also Fenris Publishing, who also operates several different publishing imprints. Those are currently the two largest ones (at least I'm not aware of there are any others, there's certainly no other bigger publisher with a presence at furry conventions), but there are other smaller places that are active, too.
@@editorbuck Hey, I'm an editor for Fenris! I can absolutely corroborate: furry publishers aren't gatekeeping vast troves of non-M/M content, it's just that that's a big chunk of what we get.
"I feel like it's more important than ever to continue making queer art. Tell your stories. You never know who might need to hear them." this this this
If anyone watching this thinks "...but Keith has connections and I wouldn't be as lucky to get super talented artists involved"-- Such is the importance of networking. And I don't mean that in an inorganic, results-oriented mindset. Like, don't make friends with the assumption they'll help you with something. But if you want to make something like this, it's just very important to start making stuff without worrying too much about the quality of your first efforts. Just make things and talk to people who have similar interests at the same time, and take an interest in what they're working on as well. Before you know it, you have potential collaborators. Maybe they're your friends, maybe they're friends of friends, etc. I can't speak from personal experience in the VN space or anything with visual artwork really, but having played in a few bands... the more you put yourself out there, the easier it is to find other bands to play with, future bandmates, etc. Making friends and connections is huge in making art.
I thought about addressing that a lot, yeah. The element of "haha I'm a fraud because I just know people." But like, I've been doing RUclips since 2011, quit my job for it in 2016 so I could make shit money at a less shit job. I still didn't meet anyone even remotely attached to this project until I made stuff here on this new channel two years ago. It can all come together fast.
My personal rule has been that I don't take help for free from anyone. I believe in compensation for people's time. This has not been effective. It's great for like, ensuring carpets get replaced and shit. Artistically, it's just made me feel isolated and made my ambitions impossible to achieve. Don't be like me. Build your communities and embrace the people around you. Ask for collaboration. Just make shit. Trust me, you don't want to try and hack through your creative life alone. This doesn't apply to "ideas guys" of course. Fuck those people.
Carl being used as a stand-in for McSkinny makes perfect sense. But with having my voice set to it, I wouldn't have picked any other character from the cast for me as well! Anyways, congrats on seeing the whole Since November project through. The idea of setting and committing to any sort of deadline would destroy me.
1:24:31 this phrase hit me the hardest because i've been the person reading a story that made me feel less lonely and also the person making one.. finding out youre not the only one interested in something is a very unique feeling and i think one of my life goals as an artist is making people feel seen somehow. this video was very much needed though because at times i get too carried away with what others think instead of indulging in what truly makes me happy, i rlly couldnt be more grateful that this channel exists
As a lone guy who learned Renpy in 10 days and is currently making a whole Echo VN fanwork by himself, this video came at the perfect time!! Thanks a lot for making it Keith😄
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t be afraid to tell the story you want to see. You can make that art you want in the world, and you might fail, but you have practically infinite tries to try again to make it right. Do you want to see “representation” of something you rarely see in FVNs? You can, in 30(3) days, apparently!
We've had a similar mindset with stuff like fic writing and rps. 'Be The Change You Want To See'. The indie and fanworks spaces are so accessible bc they're filled with people making and writing the stories they want to read, highlighting characters they want to see and explore interpretations they wanted elaboration on. 'Do it yourself' in this case is meant to be as an encouragement rather than dismissal. Not to mention the queer experience is so wide even outside furry circles that any one team realistically can't include or be relatable to everyone. Therefore holding AAA studios or corporations like Disney with the money to burn and all the incentive and mini studios and teams making passion projects to the same standards in this case is being unfair.
“33 days” with the help of a artist and music producer that you wouldn’t have gotten if you didn’t have the status within the community to have them interested in your work in the first place.
I don't normally comment on videos and forgive the fact that I have trouble putting my thoughts into words, but I really want to thank you for this video. I don't play VNs that often but after your video I decided to give yours a whirl, and my GOD somehow every route manage to strike something deep within me. One of the reasons I don't go into the furry VN scene is because I'm a lesbian and, well, not really the target demographic for a lot of them haha. But Since November is probably one of the most relatable pieces of media I've consumed in a long time. I don't see my struggles represented a lot, and I know I'm just some stranger on the internet but I really have to hand it to you for writing something like this, from one queer artist to another. Especially as your first VN! I hope you feel immensely proud of yourself. The conclusion of "Please keep making queer art" resonated with me particularly hard. I don't make VNs but I do make webcomics (your videos are actually some of my favorites to put on in the background while I work so! Thanks for that too!) and all I ever want is to make something that others can find solace in somehow (while also being shamelessly self-indulgent). Lately I've been doubting my skills and wondering if it's even worth it to continue my projects, but this video and your VN really reignited that old spark. So, all in all, thank you for YOUR art. Don't underestimate your impact!
NGL, I might consider doing a one shot for funsies one of these days, thanks for sharing this and yeah, I honestly hope every furry vn creator here gets a break cuz having time to do art is precious
This was a great watch. I loved seeing how the qna's were woven in. I recently got into making vns solo to round out my skills after being im a few jam teams as an artist and its been a massive learning experience and very rewarding.
Oh, Frack you, Marrow.. I'm a C# coder. The last time I looked at RenPy was years ago. now it looks like I could make a VN in my sleep, programming wise. This is a compliment. :)
That feel where you're an artist who had faith in this country, only to be let down on election day and now feel hopeless about the future and too demoralized to create. It's inspiring seeing you able to put together a whole game despite everything that's going on.
I started my writing project last year out of the crushing realization that the things I wanted to make would never be achievable because the opportunity I had to make them probably ended when I was around 8 or 9 years old. So I gotta make what I can while I can, because I feel like windows are closing every day. It's a very hopeless time to be alive. But you have to create while you can, in case things get worse.
The comment on starting small is very true, something clear even to non fvn creators, I saw many vns that had a lot of promise and a grand plan being abandoned due to the sheer ammount of work
Was neat to see/hear about your process on Since November and from the other creators. Love the game jams cause it's always exciting to see what might come from them. Plus, some teams stay together after and that means more people making things. Can't wait to see what comes of these next two jams. Also, Edgar's theme and scene from Since November is just such a great moment. Your team really killed that scene, no pun intended.
I feel a little juvenile leaving a message like this, but you are one of my favorite RUclipsrs. When I see a new video from you, it's an immediate must-watch. You mentioned your upload schedule during this video, and of course, anyone who likes your videos would want more of them all the time, but the amount you make is what it's going to be and I'm grateful for whatever you publish. You take your time on videos and that is so very clear. Quality over quantity feels like the key point here. Your first Beastars video was formative for me and every time I rewatch that video, hearing about your gay/furry journey makes me emotional. (I had a similar one, as I'm sure many did.) Anyway, all that is to say that you make amazing work and I could listen to you talk about furry culture things (or anything else you wanted to talk about if you chose to diversify) for hours. Your videos always leave a lasting impression on me.
I've been getting more of a taste of putting something together as I'm finally finishing up some school projects while recovering from an intense burnout. And this? This is really inspiring. I've so many ideas, so many actual game ideas, but they're all so big. I need to build a rapport with myself. And I somehow completely forgot visual novels exist and are a thing I can just...Do. That software also looks super nice, definitely going to look into it. Great video, wholly cosigning that conclusion.
I read Since November like two weeks ago I think and while yeah, it didn't take long to read through all of the routes, you certainly shouldn't get hung up on that relative to how long it took to make, not the least of which because, for as compact as it was, god, you were not pulling your punches. I still felt some powerful emotions through each of those. Pretty sure I cried a couple times. And given how compact it is I'm gonna be making sure everyone in my circle experiences it, and I'm already kinda thinking about revisiting it. Amazing work, Keith, sincerely. 💜 Also, yeah, trans girl here, Nomi feels pretty on point, not gonna lie. x3
Me basically as soon as the whole general lack of non-cishomo furry content got brought up: "man I should make something for my little lesbian ocs" Keith at the end: *mentions a few jams on the horizon* guess I know what I'm gonna do next month! fr tho great video thank you for continuing to make great art and videos!
Inspiring stuff, it's even got me wanting to make something myself. Though it's going to take a lot of writing practice. Who knows, never know what the future holds. Also the sexiled bit without explanation was hilarious.
I like this. It's a peek under the hood that demystifies a bit of this process. The talent that y'all have for all this stuff is awesome to see & sometimes it's surprisingly moving. Thanks for making it available to us.
A great video, I really like how it worked on the devlog/journal-of-your-experiences level, the advice-for-getting-started level, and the documentary/video-essay level all at the same time, while also having real emotional power behind it.
Had to rewind and make sure I heard you right because I'm not used to seeing content that's so local! Love seeing creative projects come out of here. Sending love from 209
FVNs are a passion of mine i wish i had the time to pursue. I've solo developed 3 VNs (Midsummer's Night, Oblation, Thoroughfare) and its such a great creative writing. I can express both writing, art and music skills. I really want to pick up the hobby again but with uni I barely have the time, especially for solo developing. My first 2 projects were way too ambitious so I had no choice but to make Thoroughfare into a short one-shot so I can at least put out something finished. Maybe I can start writing a sequel and slowly work on it
This is super cool!! Visual novels are what first got me into learning game development! I liked how it was an art-and-story-first approach to making a game!
Just wanted you to know that this video has reminded me how passionate I am about this space and now I'm building my PhD proposal around it. Thank you for all you do!
I am so inspired with the connections people in the fandom just seems to click at the least expected way. It really pushes me to find more on my own and actually create great memories out off it
22:00 I‘m really sorry to hear that. The fact that the self proclaimed country of freedom is only one election away from ripping away the rights of certain groups is terrifying
Not me frantically searching for that Notepad++ script... That would cut down on dev time for my next VN... But thank you so much Keith! I played Since November and I resonated STRONGLY with it. Many emotions were felt, and it spurred me on to keep working on my first project, especially after the election. So thank you, again.
I've been itching to write a furry horror for awhile, writing something I am truly proud of. I am horrible with procrastination and have barely started it because I just couldn't break through that wall. A part of me wanted to make it a visual novel, but those felt like hazy daydreams that would be far too troublesome to usher into reality. So thank you so much, Keith, and thank you to everyone involved. This video was incredibly informative and inspirational, and I'm definitely going to be rewatching this several times so I can use the sources and tips provided later.
Adastra made me accept myself, so it will always remain my favorite, but at the same time, it's nice to see so much talent and so many people trying their hand at the whole FVN thing. Maybe one day someone's gonna make a wolf I'll like more, but maybe not. Either way, I'm glad I found y'all.
I always want to make a VN but the problem is that I can never come up with the right story. I think I just want to make art assets for one. UI sprites all that. Maybe one day I'll come up with the right story, or find the right collaborator.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's motivating to see your determination, despite the rollercoaster you were going through. The intoxication of artists feeding off of each other's works is inspiring.
I'm glad I watched this. For a long time, I felt like I was never gonna get my story out there. I downloaded Ren.Py and got distraught multiple times. Nit because it was hard to learn or anything. I just get in my head so much and immediately think too far ahead and wonder if my story is gonna do good or not. Im terrible at networking, super high social anxiety whenever I try, and worst of all, too much Pride. I get into this headspace where I start to think that since my anxiety gets in the way of me networking. I have to do all of it myself. I have drawn sprites, have the story (practically memorized at this point) and other assets finished. I know what im missing and I know what's holding me back. Just a huge hurdle that I have to get over myself. I'm glad you made this video interviewing other VN authors/creators. It really boosted my confidence
I'm not even a furry but this was really inspiring to me. It's genuinely astonishing how much you all got done and how quickly you did it. You wrote how many words in how few days?? And it really moved me to see other people feeling the same hopelessness I did, and instead of falling into despair, coming together to make art. I'm definitely going to play your VN, and I might make one myself :D
Im not a furry but this content is really interesting. As a person of the lgbtq it feels really cool to see these kind of works and being introduced to them by a fairly large creator. Thanks for sharing these amazing story games!
Yanno, I never considered trying to make a visual novel. I'm not great at drawing quickly, so comics are tough, but this method I feel would work really well for me. The nice mix right in the middle of logic and art would be perfect for me.
As someone who has been pushed out of my bubble by the unstoppable force of time... This video is something I looked forward to because I'm on the early steps of just making something that I have never made before... a comic. I've been slowly pushed and tugged further into the fact I create stuff, and I have the yearning to make my story exist out of my mind. A loud cackle of desire that shakes the strings of my recluse nature. I like your stuff and I've been pushing myself to see your content. It's been a push amongst everything else to make something that speaks its mind. So I'm going to keep throwing myself at this script I'm writing and figure out designs. I've grown tired of being quiet, but while my maw can't shout everything I wish to say. I'm going to splatter my den with my creations and soul. To make what I can because there's plenty of proof that ANYONE can no matter what. So umm... thanks for your content and expression. It inspires a lot! Pretty rad and swag if I say!
Im so happy that you made something like this, i love the way you talk about narratives like this so i immediately bought the game, cant wait to play it :]
this is a really inspiring video on just creativity, collaboration and putting pen to paper and working on the things that inspire you. thanks so much for making it :] making the art you want to see is a really powerful force, it's something I'm newly dipping my toes in, in life, just like getting the things i wanna see out in the world even if they're silly or cringe or not the respectable magnum opus i always thought id be creating that'd wow everyone. it's for me and a couple others who share my neuroses and that's alright yknow :] can't wait to play the VN
Damn, thank you for making this. I know there's more to it than that, but this is hands down the best tutorial I've ever seen on this website, and you've already launched me 600 words deep into my first furry VN. Thank you so much for showing me how accessible and flexible this medium is, and how cool the community surrounding it really is. I'm going to do you proud by creating the gayest piece of shit anyone's ever seen and thriving in the face of mounting fascism.
@@vanillaplanifoliae but at what point does it turn into a not-furry visual novel? cuz last i checked, dog and cat people dont exist in the same way a human does
Thank you for this video, Keith. I'm not much a part of the furry community but I've been hit with so many ideas for a vn (Something I've never made before) while watching and because of this I've joined the Love + Attraction game jam. My first game jam ever and my first ever furry visual novel!
I just went to my first game jam this weekend and did art and animations for it. I was already getting the itch to download Godot and try making something on my own, but now, watching this video, I’m struck even harder by the idea that I really could just make a game…. that I HAVE made a game. There’s something there for me to pursue, and I just need to do it.
I've got 2 books I should work on - ever. One is about a bisexual knight hunted by inquisition, the other about living in a dystopian capitalist future. I think that's fun escapism compared to real live right now.
I dont think I would be interested in making VNs, but the furry VN space sounds so close knit and welcoming. I hope I can find a community like that one day.
thank you for sharing your process... even if it was only a month of devtime there's a lot of love and sweat and tears that goes in to game making.... very inspirational. and i appreciate the little tutorials for renpy!!!! it's gonna happen, in 2025 everyone will make furry vns!!!! i'm manifesting it now!!!
Aaaa Love This 💖💘💝!! The process of creating a story is so cool to me. And creating one in about a month? A story with Several Endings? Together with other people? That rules :] Ive been trying to get back into art recently and this video makes it feel less scary. Thanks you for that :] 💖💘💝!!
Furry VN is great, game jams are great, zines are great. There are a lot of ways to make something and feel involved creatively. I see some earlier comments that mention feeling scared about it or having trouble with scope or staying focused on completion. For that group I suggest the Venn diagram exercise: sit down with a piece of paper and make some overlapping circles. The center of the diagram is the most abstract thing in the work(themes, principles, "pillar" elements shared throughout). The other circles are concrete details that would make it feel finished and ready to implement(character designs, art style, plots, audio, technology choices, game mechanics if you're making a more systems-driven game). All you're doing with this diagram is figuring out: "does this cohere? Is there a contradiction? Did I forget to include a detail?" Because it's just a diagram, you can make really broad iterations over the design and work out what elements work best together before committing to hours of effort. This is good for your morale, for scheduling the work, and for the quality of the result. At the beginning you might have, for example, a strong sense of what character you want but not what plot they'll fit into or what the general theme of the work is. So then the center starts blank, but you can mess around with designing other details without addressing that yet, just trying to get some good overlap going. At the end you evaluate it by comparing each element in pairs: "does A go well with B, or is this a contradiction?" Every contradiction adds scope to try to explain it, and it confuses the audience in the process. And each change you make to fix the contradiction adds more overlap, making the result feel more focused. Resolving the contradictions is what makes the production go smoothly, and it also guides what you want out of feedback. When audiences are confused, they will percieve a different diagram in their head and try to cram your work into that, and ask something like: "Why isn't this more like Call of Duty?" You can make an intentional choice about what audience the work connects with by asking them in advance whether elements A and B work together and guiding the design around that. Or you can make a work purely for your own tastes by only asking yourself. The diagramming process can be repeated to break down the design even further; after a certain point, technical skills take over and drive you to completion. If you don't have the skills, this process still gives you the questions to ask about what you need to learn or research next.
This makes me excited to start working on my own projects eventually. Just gotta get a computer first lol. But it's great to know that renpy isnt hard to learn!
Last year I started making a very (VERY) NSFW VN, took to learning how to code in Ren'py quite seriously, and even got quite far with it. Then, I started making some decisions I don't see that often in visual novels - interactions with objects and NPCs on the screen, for example - and it became a very simple point-and-click adventure. I was super into making it until I realized how much time I was spending on a gay furry game that was 20% comedy, 20% adventure and 60% porn, and that meant it would probably be seen and enjoyed by a couple of people at best. There's the "making things for myself" mindset, which I agree with, but at some point it becomes taxing. Afterwards, I started working on something more serious, and it dawned on me that I'm not bothered by people not playing it, I'm actually terrified of making something I'd like and then realizing that people hate it. I'm... kind of stuck at that point now.
Thanks for making this!! I learned firsthand that you can pick up renpy super easily and also do super wild stuff in there (including a 2d platformer ??). I love the title card and nvl tricks you showed as well!!
I mean, I've definitely thought about making a vn before. But I don't really play them. I feel like I'm too much of an outsider to the medium to make anything that would connect with people.
Psst, the full uncut versions of the interviews are over here: www.patreon.com/collection/1253204?view=expanded
mom I'm on tv!!!
Ur art is such an inspo omg
you are incredible!!
Omg honey get the camera
Oh it‘s the artistic gigachad
k
i will be unsurprised when people cite this video as their "o shit, *i* could make that" moment lol
@@jewbearidk definitely was for me
Unfortunately, I no longer feel safe in this world. If creating a visual novel helps me survive within it, then so be it.
That is a hundred percent me, I didn't realize making one of these was so simple
@MightGuy15 Want to work together? I write and do some art, among other things.
@@TheProphetMusico If y'all are interested in getting a team together, I do music and writing. (don't look at the music I have posted, this is where I used to post my experimental electronic music attempts, I'm way better at more conventional music lol)
I work with a furry publisher, and we get requests for more "blank" works (lesbian, trans, straight, non-sexual) stuff day to night every convention. Our response is always "write it/draw it and we'll publish it." We aren't an 'industry refusing to tell stories', we're always trying to get more variety.
who do you work for? ive never known there was a publisher that did just furry stuff
@ZomboMau There are actually several. I've been working with Fur Planet. They publish a lot of novels, comics, and art books. There's also Fenris Publishing, who also operates several different publishing imprints. Those are currently the two largest ones (at least I'm not aware of there are any others, there's certainly no other bigger publisher with a presence at furry conventions), but there are other smaller places that are active, too.
@@editorbuck Hey, I'm an editor for Fenris! I can absolutely corroborate: furry publishers aren't gatekeeping vast troves of non-M/M content, it's just that that's a big chunk of what we get.
"I feel like it's more important than ever to continue making queer art.
Tell your stories. You never know who might need to hear them."
this this this
If anyone watching this thinks "...but Keith has connections and I wouldn't be as lucky to get super talented artists involved"-- Such is the importance of networking. And I don't mean that in an inorganic, results-oriented mindset. Like, don't make friends with the assumption they'll help you with something. But if you want to make something like this, it's just very important to start making stuff without worrying too much about the quality of your first efforts. Just make things and talk to people who have similar interests at the same time, and take an interest in what they're working on as well. Before you know it, you have potential collaborators. Maybe they're your friends, maybe they're friends of friends, etc. I can't speak from personal experience in the VN space or anything with visual artwork really, but having played in a few bands... the more you put yourself out there, the easier it is to find other bands to play with, future bandmates, etc. Making friends and connections is huge in making art.
I thought about addressing that a lot, yeah. The element of "haha I'm a fraud because I just know people." But like, I've been doing RUclips since 2011, quit my job for it in 2016 so I could make shit money at a less shit job. I still didn't meet anyone even remotely attached to this project until I made stuff here on this new channel two years ago. It can all come together fast.
My personal rule has been that I don't take help for free from anyone. I believe in compensation for people's time.
This has not been effective. It's great for like, ensuring carpets get replaced and shit. Artistically, it's just made me feel isolated and made my ambitions impossible to achieve. Don't be like me. Build your communities and embrace the people around you. Ask for collaboration. Just make shit. Trust me, you don't want to try and hack through your creative life alone.
This doesn't apply to "ideas guys" of course. Fuck those people.
echo spearheading basically all of the vns mentioned is so interesting to see. truly one of the best stories ever written
You can spot its influence in so many vn's. It's reach is pretty wide.
it's original as well, nothing like it can come outside of the fandom
It IS very good but "best story ever written" is a big stretch
@@Thedawg2604they said one of, not the best
I've yet to read it due to not liking horror. I didn't know it inspired that many VNs.
Carl being used as a stand-in for McSkinny makes perfect sense. But with having my voice set to it, I wouldn't have picked any other character from the cast for me as well! Anyways, congrats on seeing the whole Since November project through. The idea of setting and committing to any sort of deadline would destroy me.
1:24:31 this phrase hit me the hardest because i've been the person reading a story that made me feel less lonely and also the person making one.. finding out youre not the only one interested in something is a very unique feeling and i think one of my life goals as an artist is making people feel seen somehow. this video was very much needed though because at times i get too carried away with what others think instead of indulging in what truly makes me happy, i rlly couldnt be more grateful that this channel exists
As a lone guy who learned Renpy in 10 days and is currently making a whole Echo VN fanwork by himself, this video came at the perfect time!! Thanks a lot for making it Keith😄
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t be afraid to tell the story you want to see. You can make that art you want in the world, and you might fail, but you have practically infinite tries to try again to make it right. Do you want to see “representation” of something you rarely see in FVNs? You can, in 30(3) days, apparently!
PREACH
We've had a similar mindset with stuff like fic writing and rps. 'Be The Change You Want To See'. The indie and fanworks spaces are so accessible bc they're filled with people making and writing the stories they want to read, highlighting characters they want to see and explore interpretations they wanted elaboration on. 'Do it yourself' in this case is meant to be as an encouragement rather than dismissal. Not to mention the queer experience is so wide even outside furry circles that any one team realistically can't include or be relatable to everyone. Therefore holding AAA studios or corporations like Disney with the money to burn and all the incentive and mini studios and teams making passion projects to the same standards in this case is being unfair.
“33 days” with the help of a artist and music producer that you wouldn’t have gotten if you didn’t have the status within the community to have them interested in your work in the first place.
@@Candy-yq3xh There are *alot* of smaller submissions for novembear without either.
"sexiled" is so damn funny lol
Regular furcon experience.
Thanks for having us. Was fun to chat with you!
I don't normally comment on videos and forgive the fact that I have trouble putting my thoughts into words, but I really want to thank you for this video. I don't play VNs that often but after your video I decided to give yours a whirl, and my GOD somehow every route manage to strike something deep within me. One of the reasons I don't go into the furry VN scene is because I'm a lesbian and, well, not really the target demographic for a lot of them haha. But Since November is probably one of the most relatable pieces of media I've consumed in a long time. I don't see my struggles represented a lot, and I know I'm just some stranger on the internet but I really have to hand it to you for writing something like this, from one queer artist to another. Especially as your first VN! I hope you feel immensely proud of yourself.
The conclusion of "Please keep making queer art" resonated with me particularly hard. I don't make VNs but I do make webcomics (your videos are actually some of my favorites to put on in the background while I work so! Thanks for that too!) and all I ever want is to make something that others can find solace in somehow (while also being shamelessly self-indulgent). Lately I've been doubting my skills and wondering if it's even worth it to continue my projects, but this video and your VN really reignited that old spark. So, all in all, thank you for YOUR art. Don't underestimate your impact!
NGL, I might consider doing a one shot for funsies one of these days, thanks for sharing this and yeah, I honestly hope every furry vn creator here gets a break cuz having time to do art is precious
the power of the 'just do it' mindset
striving to attain that frame of mind myself
This was a great watch. I loved seeing how the qna's were woven in.
I recently got into making vns solo to round out my skills after being im a few jam teams as an artist and its been a massive learning experience and very rewarding.
Oh, Frack you, Marrow.. I'm a C# coder. The last time I looked at RenPy was years ago. now it looks like I could make a VN in my sleep, programming wise.
This is a compliment. :)
That feel where you're an artist who had faith in this country, only to be let down on election day and now feel hopeless about the future and too demoralized to create.
It's inspiring seeing you able to put together a whole game despite everything that's going on.
I started my writing project last year out of the crushing realization that the things I wanted to make would never be achievable because the opportunity I had to make them probably ended when I was around 8 or 9 years old. So I gotta make what I can while I can, because I feel like windows are closing every day. It's a very hopeless time to be alive. But you have to create while you can, in case things get worse.
not Keith feeding us with hours long videos. ty Keith :3
I really enjoyed the bit of mcskinny printing leo on his dad's printer
barely 1 minute in the video and its already hitting me hard as someone with a million art goals i struggle to begin trying to reach... awesome!!
The comment on starting small is very true, something clear even to non fvn creators, I saw many vns that had a lot of promise and a grand plan being abandoned due to the sheer ammount of work
Was neat to see/hear about your process on Since November and from the other creators. Love the game jams cause it's always exciting to see what might come from them. Plus, some teams stay together after and that means more people making things. Can't wait to see what comes of these next two jams.
Also, Edgar's theme and scene from Since November is just such a great moment. Your team really killed that scene, no pun intended.
I feel a little juvenile leaving a message like this, but you are one of my favorite RUclipsrs. When I see a new video from you, it's an immediate must-watch. You mentioned your upload schedule during this video, and of course, anyone who likes your videos would want more of them all the time, but the amount you make is what it's going to be and I'm grateful for whatever you publish. You take your time on videos and that is so very clear. Quality over quantity feels like the key point here. Your first Beastars video was formative for me and every time I rewatch that video, hearing about your gay/furry journey makes me emotional. (I had a similar one, as I'm sure many did.)
Anyway, all that is to say that you make amazing work and I could listen to you talk about furry culture things (or anything else you wanted to talk about if you chose to diversify) for hours. Your videos always leave a lasting impression on me.
I've been getting more of a taste of putting something together as I'm finally finishing up some school projects while recovering from an intense burnout.
And this? This is really inspiring. I've so many ideas, so many actual game ideas, but they're all so big. I need to build a rapport with myself. And I somehow completely forgot visual novels exist and are a thing I can just...Do. That software also looks super nice, definitely going to look into it.
Great video, wholly cosigning that conclusion.
It's incredibly heartwarming to see other artists in the community jumping to collaborate you. Great video!
I read Since November like two weeks ago I think and while yeah, it didn't take long to read through all of the routes, you certainly shouldn't get hung up on that relative to how long it took to make, not the least of which because, for as compact as it was, god, you were not pulling your punches. I still felt some powerful emotions through each of those. Pretty sure I cried a couple times. And given how compact it is I'm gonna be making sure everyone in my circle experiences it, and I'm already kinda thinking about revisiting it. Amazing work, Keith, sincerely. 💜
Also, yeah, trans girl here, Nomi feels pretty on point, not gonna lie. x3
Me basically as soon as the whole general lack of non-cishomo furry content got brought up: "man I should make something for my little lesbian ocs"
Keith at the end: *mentions a few jams on the horizon*
guess I know what I'm gonna do next month!
fr tho great video thank you for continuing to make great art and videos!
Inspiring stuff, it's even got me wanting to make something myself. Though it's going to take a lot of writing practice. Who knows, never know what the future holds.
Also the sexiled bit without explanation was hilarious.
I like this. It's a peek under the hood that demystifies a bit of this process. The talent that y'all have for all this stuff is awesome to see & sometimes it's surprisingly moving. Thanks for making it available to us.
A great video, I really like how it worked on the devlog/journal-of-your-experiences level, the advice-for-getting-started level, and the documentary/video-essay level all at the same time, while also having real emotional power behind it.
The most creatively inspiring video ever made for queer furries, definitely giving your game a shot :D
Had to rewind and make sure I heard you right because I'm not used to seeing content that's so local! Love seeing creative projects come out of here. Sending love from 209
You know its a good day when Keith drops an hour an a half long video :)))
FVNs are a passion of mine i wish i had the time to pursue. I've solo developed 3 VNs (Midsummer's Night, Oblation, Thoroughfare) and its such a great creative writing. I can express both writing, art and music skills.
I really want to pick up the hobby again but with uni I barely have the time, especially for solo developing. My first 2 projects were way too ambitious so I had no choice but to make Thoroughfare into a short one-shot so I can at least put out something finished.
Maybe I can start writing a sequel and slowly work on it
This is super cool!! Visual novels are what first got me into learning game development! I liked how it was an art-and-story-first approach to making a game!
Just wanted you to know that this video has reminded me how passionate I am about this space and now I'm building my PhD proposal around it. Thank you for all you do!
I am so inspired with the connections people in the fandom just seems to click at the least expected way. It really pushes me to find more on my own and actually create great memories out off it
22:00 I‘m really sorry to hear that. The fact that the self proclaimed country of freedom is only one election away from ripping away the rights of certain groups is terrifying
As someone currently hard at work on my own visual novel fan-game, this was a fascinating video to watch. Thank you!
This is so real, thank you for not just sharing the process, but also how you felt!
Only a minute in, but it already spoke to me. Knocked out of the park, again.
be gay, know how to draw, write up a good plot while putting fan service and BOOM there it is.
Not me frantically searching for that Notepad++ script... That would cut down on dev time for my next VN... But thank you so much Keith! I played Since November and I resonated STRONGLY with it. Many emotions were felt, and it spurred me on to keep working on my first project, especially after the election. So thank you, again.
This is really cool, I loved every VN creator's perspectives on each of these processes
I've been itching to write a furry horror for awhile, writing something I am truly proud of.
I am horrible with procrastination and have barely started it because I just couldn't break through that wall. A part of me wanted to make it a visual novel, but those felt like hazy daydreams that would be far too troublesome to usher into reality.
So thank you so much, Keith, and thank you to everyone involved. This video was incredibly informative and inspirational, and I'm definitely going to be rewatching this several times so I can use the sources and tips provided later.
Adastra made me accept myself, so it will always remain my favorite, but at the same time, it's nice to see so much talent and so many people trying their hand at the whole FVN thing. Maybe one day someone's gonna make a wolf I'll like more, but maybe not. Either way, I'm glad I found y'all.
I always want to make a VN but the problem is that I can never come up with the right story. I think I just want to make art assets for one. UI sprites all that. Maybe one day I'll come up with the right story, or find the right collaborator.
Don't say that too loud, FVN writers will hunt you down to make art for them 🫣
It's me, I'm the fvn writer, here to hunt you down, @Kol-Fox!
Holy hell, this is an incredible journey through a really interesting project! You knocked it out of the park with this one
great editing work on this, was engaged the whole time
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's motivating to see your determination, despite the rollercoaster you were going through. The intoxication of artists feeding off of each other's works is inspiring.
I'm glad I watched this. For a long time, I felt like I was never gonna get my story out there.
I downloaded Ren.Py and got distraught multiple times. Nit because it was hard to learn or anything. I just get in my head so much and immediately think too far ahead and wonder if my story is gonna do good or not.
Im terrible at networking, super high social anxiety whenever I try, and worst of all, too much Pride. I get into this headspace where I start to think that since my anxiety gets in the way of me networking. I have to do all of it myself. I have drawn sprites, have the story (practically memorized at this point) and other assets finished. I know what im missing and I know what's holding me back. Just a huge hurdle that I have to get over myself.
I'm glad you made this video interviewing other VN authors/creators. It really boosted my confidence
This came out 30 seconds ago and someone commented 4 hours ago
HOW
Patreon.
unc be saying patreon with the thought terminating thing from tiktok
@@Sissé.speakin you be saying words without saying anything intelligible
@bearatdusk8013 unc be gettin backup from the unc group without any groove
I'm not even a furry but this was really inspiring to me. It's genuinely astonishing how much you all got done and how quickly you did it. You wrote how many words in how few days?? And it really moved me to see other people feeling the same hopelessness I did, and instead of falling into despair, coming together to make art.
I'm definitely going to play your VN, and I might make one myself :D
So ... When do we get the keith ballard live coding channel?
Joking aside, what a great video!
Is this the interview video essay??? Whooooo🎉🎉🎉
Im not a furry but this content is really interesting. As a person of the lgbtq it feels really cool to see these kind of works and being introduced to them by a fairly large creator. Thanks for sharing these amazing story games!
what a hopeful peek into the new year, can’t wait to play the game myself one of these days!!
You VN has inspired me to make my own VN. I made it because I wanted more Trans and especially Nonbinary inclusion.
Yanno, I never considered trying to make a visual novel. I'm not great at drawing quickly, so comics are tough, but this method I feel would work really well for me. The nice mix right in the middle of logic and art would be perfect for me.
UGH I REALLY WANNA MAKE A FVN AND THIS VIDEO IS INSPIRING ME
As someone who has been pushed out of my bubble by the unstoppable force of time...
This video is something I looked forward to because I'm on the early steps of just making something that I have never made before... a comic. I've been slowly pushed and tugged further into the fact I create stuff, and I have the yearning to make my story exist out of my mind. A loud cackle of desire that shakes the strings of my recluse nature.
I like your stuff and I've been pushing myself to see your content. It's been a push amongst everything else to make something that speaks its mind. So I'm going to keep throwing myself at this script I'm writing and figure out designs.
I've grown tired of being quiet, but while my maw can't shout everything I wish to say. I'm going to splatter my den with my creations and soul. To make what I can because there's plenty of proof that ANYONE can no matter what.
So umm... thanks for your content and expression. It inspires a lot!
Pretty rad and swag if I say!
Im so happy that you made something like this, i love the way you talk about narratives like this so i immediately bought the game, cant wait to play it :]
37:00 This is so important. I feel like some visual artists still don't understand how powerful and different it is to tell a story through musuc
MY FAVORITE POSTS ONCE IN A BLUE MOON UPLOADER HAS RETURNED
this is a really inspiring video on just creativity, collaboration and putting pen to paper and working on the things that inspire you. thanks so much for making it :]
making the art you want to see is a really powerful force, it's something I'm newly dipping my toes in, in life, just like getting the things i wanna see out in the world even if they're silly or cringe or not the respectable magnum opus i always thought id be creating that'd wow everyone. it's for me and a couple others who share my neuroses and that's alright yknow :]
can't wait to play the VN
Chat wake up, peak dropped
Damn, thank you for making this. I know there's more to it than that, but this is hands down the best tutorial I've ever seen on this website, and you've already launched me 600 words deep into my first furry VN. Thank you so much for showing me how accessible and flexible this medium is, and how cool the community surrounding it really is. I'm going to do you proud by creating the gayest piece of shit anyone's ever seen and thriving in the face of mounting fascism.
Glad that silly meme got some mileage LOL
Thanks for having me!!
dude i wanna make a visual novel.. i can draw but writing is really hard lol
im in the same boat... but im a photographer, and cant draw either lol
@jewbearidk omg do a photo visual novel
@@vanillaplanifoliae but at what point does it turn into a not-furry visual novel?
cuz last i checked, dog and cat people dont exist in the same way a human does
@@jewbearidkphotobashing may not be your personal aesthetic but maybe look into it
@@jewbearidk oh i didn't realize you wanted to do a furry one, i was just saying in general 😅
Thank you for this video, Keith. I'm not much a part of the furry community but I've been hit with so many ideas for a vn (Something I've never made before) while watching and because of this I've joined the Love + Attraction game jam. My first game jam ever and my first ever furry visual novel!
I just went to my first game jam this weekend and did art and animations for it. I was already getting the itch to download Godot and try making something on my own, but now, watching this video, I’m struck even harder by the idea that I really could just make a game…. that I HAVE made a game. There’s something there for me to pursue, and I just need to do it.
I've got 2 books I should work on - ever. One is about a bisexual knight hunted by inquisition, the other about living in a dystopian capitalist future. I think that's fun escapism compared to real live right now.
this is yet another one of my favourite kind of videos: furries coming together to make amazing shit. Keep up the great work Keith!!!
"the industry should change" this is an indie only industry. Make your own shit. Its literally the most accessible method of game story creation.
Don't know how this got recommended, I'm not a furry but this was very insightful, and made me look into ren'py for future projects
I love that I found this 2 hours old.
I dont think I would be interested in making VNs, but the furry VN space sounds so close knit and welcoming. I hope I can find a community like that one day.
I'm 20ish minutes in and I'm the most stressed out I've been in months. 👍🏾
well, now I HAVE to keep working on my furry comic. Damn you and your motivational, inspirational videos!
❤DAWN CHORUS REFERNCED (1:45) !!! IM HAPPY ^w^❤
Great video by the way! Time to actually follow through now haha :D
knocked it out of the park again, amazing video
thank you for doing a detailed breakdown of your workflow, people like you are generous and it will cause people to make their own stuff
commenting for engagement, super excited to check out your game!
YES! WE WERE WAITIN FOR THIS!!!
thank you for sharing your process... even if it was only a month of devtime there's a lot of love and sweat and tears that goes in to game making.... very inspirational. and i appreciate the little tutorials for renpy!!!! it's gonna happen, in 2025 everyone will make furry vns!!!! i'm manifesting it now!!!
Aaaa Love This 💖💘💝!! The process of creating a story is so cool to me. And creating one in about a month? A story with Several Endings? Together with other people? That rules :]
Ive been trying to get back into art recently and this video makes it feel less scary. Thanks you for that :] 💖💘💝!!
NIKKO WAS INTERVIEWED FOR THIS?? I LOVE IT!!!!!
Furry VN is great, game jams are great, zines are great. There are a lot of ways to make something and feel involved creatively.
I see some earlier comments that mention feeling scared about it or having trouble with scope or staying focused on completion. For that group I suggest the Venn diagram exercise: sit down with a piece of paper and make some overlapping circles. The center of the diagram is the most abstract thing in the work(themes, principles, "pillar" elements shared throughout). The other circles are concrete details that would make it feel finished and ready to implement(character designs, art style, plots, audio, technology choices, game mechanics if you're making a more systems-driven game). All you're doing with this diagram is figuring out: "does this cohere? Is there a contradiction? Did I forget to include a detail?" Because it's just a diagram, you can make really broad iterations over the design and work out what elements work best together before committing to hours of effort. This is good for your morale, for scheduling the work, and for the quality of the result.
At the beginning you might have, for example, a strong sense of what character you want but not what plot they'll fit into or what the general theme of the work is. So then the center starts blank, but you can mess around with designing other details without addressing that yet, just trying to get some good overlap going. At the end you evaluate it by comparing each element in pairs: "does A go well with B, or is this a contradiction?" Every contradiction adds scope to try to explain it, and it confuses the audience in the process. And each change you make to fix the contradiction adds more overlap, making the result feel more focused.
Resolving the contradictions is what makes the production go smoothly, and it also guides what you want out of feedback. When audiences are confused, they will percieve a different diagram in their head and try to cram your work into that, and ask something like: "Why isn't this more like Call of Duty?" You can make an intentional choice about what audience the work connects with by asking them in advance whether elements A and B work together and guiding the design around that. Or you can make a work purely for your own tastes by only asking yourself.
The diagramming process can be repeated to break down the design even further; after a certain point, technical skills take over and drive you to completion. If you don't have the skills, this process still gives you the questions to ask about what you need to learn or research next.
This makes me excited to start working on my own projects eventually. Just gotta get a computer first lol. But it's great to know that renpy isnt hard to learn!
29:23
Keith there's a hanging bracket. Oh my god he has earpods in he can't hear us. Oh my god
I was starting to wonder where you disappeared to, glad to say I'm not disappointed.
Last year I started making a very (VERY) NSFW VN, took to learning how to code in Ren'py quite seriously, and even got quite far with it. Then, I started making some decisions I don't see that often in visual novels - interactions with objects and NPCs on the screen, for example - and it became a very simple point-and-click adventure. I was super into making it until I realized how much time I was spending on a gay furry game that was 20% comedy, 20% adventure and 60% porn, and that meant it would probably be seen and enjoyed by a couple of people at best. There's the "making things for myself" mindset, which I agree with, but at some point it becomes taxing. Afterwards, I started working on something more serious, and it dawned on me that I'm not bothered by people not playing it, I'm actually terrified of making something I'd like and then realizing that people hate it. I'm... kind of stuck at that point now.
I'm at a loss for words for how good this video is 😮
KEITH KEITH KEITH KEITH KEITH LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO
Thanks for making this!! I learned firsthand that you can pick up renpy super easily and also do super wild stuff in there (including a 2d platformer ??). I love the title card and nvl tricks you showed as well!!
Amicus is one of my favorite vn characters.
Listening to the coding explanation makes me want to reply baba is you.
I mean, I've definitely thought about making a vn before. But I don't really play them. I feel like I'm too much of an outsider to the medium to make anything that would connect with people.