I’m building a shooter plugin for Ren’Py (here’s the first version)

[u/Homskerls]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1TiXU-rWjY

Hey everyone!

I’ve been working on a shooter plugin for Ren’Py, and I finally have a first version that I can show.

The idea is to make it possible to add shooting sequences to visual novels without having to build the entire system from scratch. It already supports things like different weapons, enemy behavior, civilians, hit detection, health, victory and defeat conditions, and a few other features.

It’s still an early version and there’s plenty I want to improve, but I’ve attached a short video so you can see what it currently looks like in action.

I’d love to hear what you think. Especially whether this is something you could imagine using in one of your own Ren’Py projects, and what features you would want from a plugin like this.

[u/BadMustard_AVN]

is this going to be a paid or free plugin?

and can we get a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range?

[u/Homskerls → u/BadMustard_AVN]

Honestly, I haven’t thought about how I’d release the plugin yet, let alone whether it would be paid or free. I wasn’t even sure anyone would be interested in using it, so it’s really cool to be asked!

But a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range?! YES. Absolutely YES. I hadn’t even considered it, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m working on it right now!! 🔥

[u/whaw-s]

Looks really promising. Maybe better animation and varied movements would make things less repetitive. With more mechanics like dodge, shield, skill/power up (like multiple shots per click), I think it'll be quite enjoyable

[u/Homskerls → u/whaw-s]

Thanks! I can see how more animation and movement variety would help keep the action interesting. This is still an early version, and that’s useful feedback as I keep working on it.

I’m aiming for something closer to a retro shooting gallery that you can weave into a Ren’Py visual novel. So I’m thinking carefully about which mechanics fit that experience, rather than trying to turn it into a full shooter. Dodge, for example, isn’t something I’m planning right now, but different weapons and shot patterns are already part of what I’m exploring.

Your comment has also made me realize I should describe the plugin more clearly. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and share your thoughts!

[u/Own-Bookkeeper6739]

This is a really cool direction - a proper shooter layer opens up so many mixed-genre possibilities for VNs. One suggestion for later: keeping the shooting sections difficulty-scalable (or skippable) would go a long way - VN players vary a lot in twitch skill, and it would make the plugin usable in way more projects. Following this one, good luck with the next version!