Overview

Working on a visual novel, and want to give your players the opportunity to fully customize their pronouns? This is the code for you! I tried to make it as non-intimidating as possible but please do not hesitate to reach out if anything's unclear or could be improved.

The code, the background and Eli were designed by Oneirocritica Games.

What does this project page include?

• A sample game with unarchived script + image files, where you can:
  •  try out the pronoun system and see how it works in action,
  • get information on the usage rules (also at the bottom of this page)
  • have Eli explain the code (almost) line-by-line
  • copy the script.rpy code for the pronoun system

How does the code work?

Developer Standpoint

Essentially, the code walks the player through inputting their custom pronouns step by step, binds the input to individual variables, and allows the developer to print these variables later with both capital and lower case letters during the game.

This also makes it possible for the player to go back to this pronoun input system at any point and change their pronouns seamlessly during their playthrough! (there's no jump to this system built in at the moment, but it should be possible to add it in).

Player Standpoint

The game first shows a chart of some sample pronouns, to demonstrate how pronouns will be put in. It will also provide this information in  a written sentence. (they/them/their/theirs/themself).

It then prompts the player to put in one pronoun at a time.

Lastly, the game shows a set of sample sentences using all 5 pronoun forms to ensure the pronouns were put in correctly. If this is incorrect, the player can restart the loop and put in their pronouns again.

What are the usage rules, and do I credit you? If so, how?

This code, the code screenshots and the pronoun table are free to use/copy/modify/share. Credit to 'Oneirocritica Games' with a link back to this page would be appreciated but is not mandatory!  You're able to use it for commercial and non-commercial projects.

Please don't use Eli's sprites/the background elsewhere, or put restrictions on the code that prevent others from using it!

Feedback

If you come up with ways to make the code more accessible/efficient, please feel free to share either by emailing me or leaving a comment! The more games allow players to pick their own pronouns, the better. :-) As always, I'm available at lovehuesgame@gmail.com.

Warranty

This game, all accompanying files, data and materials, are distributed "AS IS" and with no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. The user must assume all risk of using the program.