# Visual Novel Maker

> visual novel game creation system

**Wikidata**: [Q110422360](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110422360)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/visual-novel-maker

## Summary
Visual Novel Maker is a game creation system and visual novel engine designed for the development of narrative-based video games. Distributed by Degica and Kadokawa Corporation, it provides a scripting language interpreter that allows users to create single-player visual novels. The software was released on November 16, 2017, and is available natively on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Visual Novel Maker (also known as VN Maker, VNM, and Ranoge Tsukūru MV).
- **Category:** Game creation system and visual novel engine (scripting language interpreter).
- **Release Date:** November 16, 2017.
- **Publishers:** Degica and Kadokawa Corporation.
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux.
- **Distribution:** Digital distribution via Steam (App ID: 495480) and the Humble Store.
- **Game Mode:** Single-player video game (as a playable creation tool/runtime).
- **Languages:** English and Japanese.
- **Website:** https://visualnovelmaker.com/

## FAQs
### Q: What operating systems are compatible with Visual Novel Maker?
A: Visual Novel Maker is compatible with Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is distributed as a cross-platform tool for creating and playing visual novels.

### Q: Who publishes and distributes Visual Novel Maker?
A: The software is published by Degica and the Kadokawa Corporation. It is digitally distributed through platforms such as Steam and the Humble Store.

### Q: When was Visual Novel Maker released?
A: Visual Novel Maker was published and made available on November 16, 2017.

## Why It Matters
Visual Novel Maker serves as a dedicated tool for the democratization of game development within the visual novel genre. By functioning as a specialized scripting language interpreter, it lowers the technical barrier to entry for writers and artists who wish to create narrative-driven "choose-your-own-adventure" style games without building an engine from scratch. Its availability on multiple desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux) ensures a wide reach for both developers and end-users.

The software is significant within the independent game development community due to its distribution channels (Steam, Humble Store) and its support for both English and Japanese languages. This dual-language support bridges the gap between Eastern and Western visual novel development traditions. Furthermore, its association with publishers Degica and Kadokawa Corporation—entities well-known for the RPG Maker series—positions it as a professional-grade successor or companion to other "Maker" software tools. It provides a structured environment for digital storytelling, evidenced by its specific integration with community databases like PCGamingWiki and RAWG.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Platform Support:** Unlike many older engines, it offers native support for Linux in addition to Windows and macOS.
- **"Maker" Series Lineage:** It utilizes the "Tsukūru" (Maker) branding (e.g., *Ranoge Tsukūru MV*), associating it with the lineage of Kadokawa's game creation tools like RPG Maker.
- **Digital Distribution Integration:** It is fully integrated into modern digital storefronts, possessing specific IDs for Steam, SteamDB, and the Humble Store.
- **Localized Documentation:** The software is distinct for maintaining official resource pages in both English and Japanese, catering to a global user base.

## Body

### Development and Release
Visual Novel Maker was officially published on **November 16, 2017**. The project is a collaboration between **Degica** and **Kadokawa Corporation**, serving as a specialized tool within the broader ecosystem of game creation software. The software is classified functionally as both a **game creation system** and a **visual novel engine**, utilizing a scripting language interpreter to execute game logic.

### Technical Specifications
The engine is designed to operate on three major desktop platforms:
*   **Microsoft Windows**
*   **macOS**
*   **Linux**

The primary mode of operation is single-player, allowing creators to test and play their narratives within the same environment. The software is distributed digitally, requiring an internet connection for acquisition via **Steam** (Application ID: 495480) or the **Humble Store**.

### Identity and Aliases
The software is recognized by several aliases in different markets and databases.
*   **English Aliases:** VN Maker, VNM, Visual Novel Maker MV, VNMMV.
*   **Japanese Aliases:** Ranoge Tsukūru MV, lng tkoolmv, lngmv.
*   **Database IDs:** The engine is tracked by PCGamingWiki as `Engine:Visual_Novel_Maker` and by SteamDB with the tech ID `VisualNovelMaker`.

### Online Presence and Resources
Visual Novel Maker maintains an active digital footprint managed by its publishers.
*   **Official Resources:** Detailed descriptions and downloads are hosted at `visualnovelmaker.com` as well as on official Degica and Kadokawa (tkool.jp) product pages.
*   **Social Media:** The engine has verified accounts on Twitter (`@VN_Maker`), Facebook (`visualnovelmaker`), and a dedicated YouTube channel (ID: `UC84DujxRRfFNRPGjc-Y5drw`), which has accrued over 284,000 views as of late 2025.
*   **Community Tracking:** It is indexed on gaming databases such as RAWG (ID: `visual-novel-maker`), Lutris (ID: `visual-novel-maker`), and HowLongToBeat (ID: `52835`).

## References

1. YouTube API