Is it possible to create a visual novel that is NOT eroge?

This thread was inactive for all of 2012 and 2013. What happened in that time? Let me think...

• 4 Leaf Studios released a freeware VN with optional adult content. It's pretty obscure. You've probably never heard of it.
• It's been influencing a bunch of other people.
• Meanwhile, the Lemma Soft forums are growing at a steady rate. Not every project gets finished, but such is life.
• Not every indie or freeware team using Kickstarter has succeeded. Sunrider and the Megatokyo VN were huge... while Icebound just barely got funded, and it took until almost the last day before My Little Dictator passed the 100% level. Also, if you browse Indiegogo, you'll find a small graveyard of unsuccessful visual novel projects. Look at the related thread for more.
• JAST is almost finished with Steins Gate, which will be M-rated for violence and sexual references.
• Mangagamer's slate of upcoming translations includes the worksafe d2b vs DEARDROPS. Also, it's been offering paid *untranslated* downloads of Rose Guns Days and Umineko, and linking to Witch Hunt's translation site.
• Aksys Games has been releasing translations. Hakuouki (M-rated for violence and cursing): spring 2012 on PSP, fall 2013 on 3DS, April 2014 on PS 3 with additional "Stories of the Shinsengumi." Virtues Last Reward: fall 2012. Sweet Fuse: summer 2013. Xblaze Code Embryo: some time in 2014.
• NIS America released Dangan Ronpa 1 for Vita just a few weeks ago, and announced they'd localize #2 just a couple days later. They're also working on Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection.
• Voltage Inc has been localizing mobile otome games for iOS and Android at a rapid pace.
• The first of three parts of World End Economica is done. I wish I knew if #2 and #3 are being worked on.
• Otometeki Koi Kakumei Love Revo fan translation for DS was released in May 2012.
• Both of the Suikogaiden VNs were fan translated in 2013. They're sidestories of Suikoden II.

This is definitely not comprehensive. I'm sure I'm forgetting some worksafe releases and projects.

As an afterthought, I looked again at the original post in this thread, and remembered that it talked about making a non-romance VN. If you're willing to write a story, use software, and create or request art, then you can make your own. I currently think it would be a challenge to *sell* a visual novel which lacks human relationships. But I've been mistaken before, and I expect to be mistaken again. Prove me wrong.

edited 28th Feb '14 8:32:18 PM by dorkatlarge