Why Early Access?

“Because this is a free and open-source project without full-time developers, it relies on us to volunteer the development work, and it still takes a long time to complete and polish. However, its core functionality is available for use. Therefore, we hope to release it with Early Access. We also hope that this EA release will attract more potential users to provide feedback and guide improvements.”

Approximately how long will this software be in Early Access?

“More than one year, maybe around three years.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“WIP items:

• UI layout improvement
  
• More documentation, including frontend (script syntax), IR design, and how to hook up with custom engines if the user has an in-house version.
  
• More embedded assets
  
• Improved support for existing engines, making output scripts more similar to hand-written ones and easier to modify manually.

In addition, we are considering implementing GUI templates, which allow users to generate game GUI with low effort, but we haven't really started.

In general, the PrepPipe Compiler is positioned as the first tool along the toolchain for visual novel development before the game engines. We hope to solve or simplify all common challenges during visual novel development that are independent of game engines unless there are existing solutions or they cannot be solved programmatically.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“

• Internationalization: The program supports English and simplified/traditional Chinese, but most of the documentation is in simplified Chinese only.
  
• Visual novel game engine support: Ren'Py (mostly done but not polished) and WebGal (working but with reduced functionalities) supported.
  
• Input script syntax: supports basic functionalities like narrations, dialogues, character sprites, scenes, and background musics. We do not support specifying transitions and special effects from the scripts yet. Variables not supported yet. Control flow instructions limited to instructions like function call/returns and menu operations (requesting user selection)
  
• Analysis and reporting tool: Asset usage report is working in the core but not exposed in UI yet.
  
• Embedded assets: Three sets of generic backgrounds. 14 backgrounds covering common scenes like bedroom, street view, and classroom. Two sets of character sprites. We are working on new backgrounds and character sprites, and will make them available when ready.

”

Will this software be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“No. Everything remains free and open-source, and embedded assets are free for commercial use.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We welcome everyone for feedback and suggestions. Please use [Discussions on Github]. We will typically respond within 24 hrs. (If you speak Chinese, you can instead join our QQ group for discussion: 732421719)

We would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions, especially the following aspects:

• Choice of names for commands and parameters
  
• Commonly used story script writing styles (for dialogues, annotations, etc). We can adapt the program to detect more patterns for such writing.
  
• New feature requests
  
• Feedbacks on documentation

”