How do I download Ren'Py and start making a game?
Download Ren'Py 8 from renpy.org — it's the version recommended for all projects, and the current official release is 8.5.3 "We Can Go to the Moon" (released May 15, 2026). Once installed, start with the bundled quickstart, which walks you through building a simple game. Ren'Py is open source and free for commercial use, so there's no license step before you begin.
Get the engine
The download page offers two builds:
| Build | What it is | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ren'Py 8.5.3 (official release) | The latest stable release | Default choice for every project |
| Ren'Py 8 Nightly Fix | Built every night with fixes to the latest stable version | Only if you're hitting a bug that may already be fixed; it isn't tested as thoroughly as the official release |
The site states plainly that Ren'Py 8 is recommended for all projects. If you're starting fresh, take the stable release and ignore the nightly build until you have a concrete reason to switch.
Check that your target platforms are covered
Ren'Py games run on:
- Windows 10+
- macOS 10.10+
- Linux x86_64 / Arm
- Android 5.0+
- iOS 11+
- HTML5 / Web Assembly (Beta)
The HTML5/Web Assembly target is labeled Beta, so treat browser builds as experimental rather than a primary distribution channel.
Start with the quickstart, then the manual
- Install the engine from the download page.
- Open the quickstart, which walks you through creating a simple game. This is the intended first step — it gets you from an empty project to something runnable.
- Move to the reference manual when you need specifics. It's described as comprehensive but complex, so it works better as a lookup resource than a cover-to-cover read.
- If you prefer reading in another language, the manual is also available in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
The engine's design supports this progression: the script language is meant to be easy enough for anyone to write large visual novels, while Python scripting covers complex simulation games. You can start in the simple layer and drop into Python only where you need it.
Where to get help
- Ren'Py Discord and the Lemma Soft Forums are named as the best places to ask questions.
- Release announcements and development news come through @renpytom on Twitter and the Ren'Py Facebook page.
- Bugs go to the GitHub issue tracker; development contributions go to the GitHub project page.
- For questions not suited to a public forum, or to find a speaker for a visual novel conference, the site lists an email contact.
What you're joining
Ren'Py has been used to create over 8,000 visual novels, games, and other works. You can browse them on the Visual Novel Database, and find games made with Ren'Py on Itch.io and Steam. The project is sponsored by a list of studios and individuals plus 354 more sponsors, with an open "Become a Sponsor" option.