FATE/RISD - A Journey from Zero to Game Dev

The Beginning of a Dream

When I first thought about making FATE/RISD, I had absolutely no programming experience. The idea of combining my love for the Fate series with my life at RISD felt almost impossible. But, as cliché as it sounds, every big dream starts with a small step.

Learning to Code

My first dive into Ren'Py was both exciting and kind of terrifying. I remember staring at the screen, trying to figure out what "init python" even meant. It was a steep learning curve, but every little success—like getting a character to show up on screen or making a choice menu work—felt like unlocking a new level.

Early Challenges

• Wrapping my head around Python basics
• Figuring out how to structure a visual novel (what’s a “label” again?)
• Dealing with endless "expected 'word' not found" errors
• Fighting with indentation (seriously, spaces and tabs are NOT the same thing!)

Art and Design Journey

Coming from RISD, I had some art background, but making game assets was a whole new ballgame. It wasn’t just about making things look good—they had to work in the game too:

• Designing characters that fit a visual novel style
• Creating consistent backgrounds based on real RISD locations
• Learning how to make UI elements look clean and functional
• Balancing my artistic vision with the technical limitations of Ren'Py

Story Development

The story grew as my skills did. What started as a simple Holy Grail War idea became something much more:

1. A narrative rooted in real RISD locations, adding authenticity to the game world
2. 14 unique characters, each with distinct personalities and motivations
3. Multiple branching storylines where player choices actually matter

Technical Milestones

Every time I hit a milestone, it felt like a huge win:

• Building my first functional dialogue system
• Successfully adding character sprites and expressions
• Incorporating music and sound effects
• Implementing a save/load system
• Creating multiple endings based on player decisions

The Power of Community

There’s no way I could have done this alone. The Ren'Py community, my friends at RISD, and countless online tutorials were lifesavers. Every time I hit a wall, I found someone who had faced the same issue and shared a solution. It’s amazing how much you can learn from others.

Personal Growth

This project has been way more than just making a game. It’s taught me so much:

• How to code (from literally nothing!)
• Problem-solving skills I never thought I’d have
• How to break down a big, overwhelming project into smaller, manageable pieces
• The confidence to take on technical challenges
• A whole new way to combine creativity with technology

Looking Forward

Working on FATE/RISD has made me realize that with enough patience and determination, anyone can make a game. What started as a crazy idea is now a full game with:

• A story that blends fantasy and campus life
• 14 unique, fully fleshed-out characters
• Original artwork and music
• Branching storylines that make every playthrough different

Advice for Beginners

If you’re just starting out, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Start small, but don’t be afraid to dream big
2. Every mistake is a chance to learn something new
3. Lean on the community—there are so many people out there willing to help
4. Keep track of your progress—it’s amazing to look back and see how far you’ve come
5. Celebrate the small wins. They’re what keep you going

Conclusion

From writing my first line of code to publishing on itch.io, this journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. FATE/RISD isn’t just a game—it’s proof that you can create something meaningful, even if you’re starting from scratch.

To everyone who’s supported me along the way: thank you. I hope this little dev diary inspires someone else to take that first step and start their own project.

#gamedev #visualnovel #indiegame #renpy #learningtocode