: Re: Are there tools that can aid an author in writing a branching storyline? I would like to know whether there are any tools that would help an author write a branching storyline. Usecases may

@Si5022468

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While not a program I would suggest using a flowchart.

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.

Since you mention visual novels in your question 2 good examples I know of are the flowcharts that you can find for the translations of the visual novels Tsukihime and Fate/Stay night.

While not the full image of Fate/Stay Night's you can track down the original .pdf file (it's included in Mirror Moon's translation of the original game and the Realta Nua PC Translation (the latter is what I'd recommend)).

You can see how the flowchart can not only track progress, but also allows you to play with choices and variable management during planning for branching storylines ie. in Fate Stay Night you see how it shows where it branches at the end of the 3rd day and that there is a check to see if you continue with the Fate Route (Blonde1) or Heaven's Feel Route (Purple).

As for a program you might want to try yEd. The link there takes you to the Software Recommendations SE Site where I asked for software for making Character Relationship Maps. In a way Character Relationship Maps are very similar to flowcharts and using yDe myself I can say that you could make a flowchart similar to Fate/Stay Night's in it.

1: I say Blonde because the route colours match to the heroines who Shirou becomes romantically involved with. Fate = Saber who has Blonde hair, Unlimited Blade Works = Rin who generally wears Red, Heaven's Feel = Sakura who has Purple Hair

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