StoryFlow Editor: Steam Release & Future Plans
I'm excited to announce that StoryFlow Editor is launching on Steam and itch.io on November 6th, 2025. After months of development and refinement, my visual scripting tool for interactive game narratives is ready to help you build complex branching stories without writing a single line of code.
If you've been searching for an intuitive narrative design tool that combines the power of node-based visual scripting with the simplicity of drag-and-drop storytelling, StoryFlow Editor is built for you.
Why I Built StoryFlow Editor
Creating branching narratives for games shouldn't require mastering complex scripting languages or juggling multiple tools. I designed StoryFlow Editor to bridge the gap between powerful narrative systems like those found in AAA games and the accessibility that indie developers and writers need.
The challenge many creators face is finding a tool that's both powerful enough for complex narratives and approachable enough to use immediately. Text-based scripting tools require learning custom syntax. Professional solutions can be expensive and overwhelming. Web-based editors often lack the performance needed for large projects. In-engine tools lock you into a single platform.
StoryFlow Editor takes a different approach: visual scripting inspired by Unreal Engine's Blueprints system, combined with the flexibility to export to multiple formats and platforms. No coding required, no vendor lock-in, and no compromise on power or features.
What Makes StoryFlow Editor Different
Node-Based Visual Scripting
Design your narrative logic using an intuitive node graph system. Connect dialogue nodes, create branching paths with conditional logic, and visualize your entire story structure at a glance - just like working with Blueprints in Unreal Engine, but specifically tailored for narrative design.
The visual node system gives you a bird's-eye view of your story's structure. You can instantly see how different story branches connect, where choices lead, and how variables affect the narrative flow. This makes it dramatically easier to design, debug, and refine complex branching narratives compared to working with text files or spreadsheets.
No Coding Required
Whether you're a writer, narrative designer, or solo developer, you don't need programming experience. StoryFlow's visual interface lets you focus on storytelling while the tool handles the technical implementation. Every aspect of your narrative - from simple dialogue choices to complex conditional branches - can be created by connecting visual nodes.
Desktop Performance
Built as a native desktop application, StoryFlow Editor delivers the responsiveness and power you need for complex projects - no browser limitations, no connection requirements. Work on your narratives offline, handle large story graphs with hundreds of nodes, and enjoy smooth performance even with complex branching structures.
The editor provides fluid zooming, panning, and node manipulation with a polished, professional interface. Whether you're working on a small interactive story or a massive branching narrative with hundreds of dialogue nodes, the tool remains fast and responsive.
Multiple Export Options
Start creating immediately with HTML export to easily share your interactive stories. JSON export is available for custom integrations, with official game engine plugins currently in development for Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot.
HTML Export creates a fully standalone web application with your entire story embedded. Share the exported package with anyone, publish it on itch.io, or embed it in your portfolio. The exported story includes all your dialogue, branching logic, variables, and background images - everything packaged together and ready to play in any modern browser.
JSON Export maintains your folder structure and outputs clean, readable JSON files that you can integrate into any game engine or custom system. This gives you complete flexibility to build your own narrative runtime or integrate with existing game systems.
Built for Complex Stories
StoryFlow isn't just for simple branching narratives. The system supports sophisticated narrative design patterns that professional writers and designers need:
Variables and State Management
Create boolean variables to track player choices, story progress, and game state. Variables persist throughout your narrative and can be referenced anywhere in your story graph. Track whether the player has met specific characters, made important decisions, or completed objectives - then use these variables to create dynamic, reactive narratives.
The variable system uses a dedicated panel where you can create, rename, and manage all your story variables in one place. Each variable displays its current state (true/false), making it easy to understand and debug your narrative logic at a glance.
Conditional Logic with Boolean Operations
Build sophisticated branching conditions using a complete set of boolean operations:
- Branch Node: The core conditional node that routes your story based on a boolean value. Connect a variable or boolean operation to the Branch node's condition input, and it will automatically route to either the "true" or "false" output based on the result.
- Get Boolean: Read the current value of any variable in your story. Drag variables directly from the Variables panel onto your node graph to create Get Boolean nodes instantly.
- Set Boolean: Update variable values during gameplay. Use this to track player choices, story progress, or trigger flags for later story branches.
- Not Boolean: Invert a boolean value (true becomes false, false becomes true). Essential for checking if something hasn't happened yet.
- And Boolean: Returns true only when all connected inputs are true. Perfect for checking if multiple conditions are met before showing a dialogue option or story branch.
- Or Boolean: Returns true if any connected input is true. Useful for creating multiple paths that lead to the same outcome.
- Equal Boolean: Compare two boolean values and return true if they match. Great for validating complex state combinations.
These boolean operations can be chained together to create sophisticated conditional logic. For example, check if the player has both met a character AND completed a quest, OR if they've discovered a secret - all without writing a single line of code.
Visual Novel Support with Background Images
Add background images to your dialogue nodes to create visual novel-style experiences. Images are displayed behind your dialogue text and transition smoothly between scenes. The system automatically handles image loading and display, and all images are bundled with your exported game.
Simply select an image from your project's content folder, and it will appear in the dialogue node. The Image Selector provides thumbnail previews and search functionality, making it easy to find the right background even in projects with dozens of images.
Modular Script Organization
Organize your narrative into multiple script files using the Run Script node. This is essential for larger projects - instead of cramming your entire game into one massive node graph, break it into logical chapters, scenes, or story modules.
For example, create separate scripts for different game areas, story chapters, or even character-specific dialogue trees. The Run Script node lets you jump between these files seamlessly, and the editor maintains your entire project structure in an organized Content Browser.
The Content Browser supports nested folders, so you can organize scripts, images, and other assets exactly how you want. Drag files between folders, create new directories, and maintain a clean project structure as your narrative grows.
Conditional Dialogue Options
Make dialogue options appear or disappear based on game state. Connect boolean nodes to dialogue option inputs, and they'll only display when the condition is true. This lets you create dynamic conversations that adapt to player choices and story progress.
For example, show a special dialogue option only if the player has a specific item, has met a certain character, or has made particular choices earlier in the story. This creates the kind of reactive, branching narratives that make players feel like their choices truly matter.
Current Features
StoryFlow Editor launches with a robust feature set designed for professional narrative work:
Visual Scripting System
- Drag-and-drop node creation with a searchable node menu
- Intuitive connection system for story flow with visual feedback
- Multiple node types: Dialogue, Branch, Run Script, End, and complete boolean operations
- Variable management system with drag-and-drop variable creation
- Real-time visualization of your story structure with zoom and pan controls
- Saving functionality to protect your work
Dialogue Editor
- Dialogue node editor with title and text fields
- Multiple choice options with drag-to-reorder functionality
- Background image selection with visual preview
- Conditional option visibility for dynamic conversations
Project Management
- Organized Content Browser with nested folder structures
- Multi-file tab system with unsaved changes indicators
- File operations: create, rename, move, and delete files and folders
- Image asset management with supported formats: PNG, JPG, JPEG
Export Capabilities
- HTML Export: Creates standalone interactive stories that are perfect for easily sharing with anyone and playing in any modern browser. All dialogue, logic, variables, and images are packaged together in a portable format.
- JSON Export: Exports your .sfe files as clean JSON data while maintaining folder structure, ideal for custom integrations and game engine plugins.
- Asset bundling automatically includes images and resources in both export formats
User Experience
- Theme support with multiple dark color schemes (black, green, blue accents)
- Keyboard shortcuts for efficient workflow
- Undo/redo support for all operations
- Context menus for quick access to common actions
- Visual feedback for connections, validation, and state changes
What's Coming Next
My development roadmap focuses on two key priorities: game engine integrations and community-driven improvements.
Game Engine Integrations (Primary Focus)
After the Steam and itch.io release, my immediate focus shifts to developing official plugins for the major game engines: Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot.
These plugins will allow you to design your narratives in StoryFlow Editor and then import them directly into your game project. Each plugin will include runtime support for dialogue systems and branching logic, along with example projects and comprehensive documentation to help you get started quickly.
The goal is to transform StoryFlow Editor from a standalone narrative design tool into a complete end-to-end solution - design your story visually in StoryFlow, export it, and integrate it seamlessly into your game engine of choice without manual conversion or complex setup.
Community-Driven Development
Your feedback will directly shape StoryFlow Editor's future. After launch, I'll be actively engaging with the community to understand what features matter most to actual users.
How Community Feedback Will Guide Development:
- Feature priorities: If users need specific node types, export options, or workflow improvements, those move to the front of the development queue
- Engine integration order: Community interest will determine which game engine plugins get developed first
- Workflow improvements: Real-world usage will reveal which parts of the editor need refinement
- New capabilities: Your projects and use cases will inspire features I haven't thought of yet
I'm building StoryFlow Editor with the community, not just for it. The tool exists to solve real problems that narrative designers, writers, and game developers face every day. The best way to ensure it does that is to listen to the people using it.
Pricing and Availability
StoryFlow Editor has been free during its development phase, and I'm grateful to early adopters. With the Steam and itch.io launch, the tool will transition to a one-time purchase model priced at $20 USD.
Launch Special:
Wishlist StoryFlow Editor on Steam or follow on itch.io now to be notified when launch discounts
go live on November 6th, 2025.
Who Should Use StoryFlow Editor?
StoryFlow Editor is designed to be versatile - whether you're building visual novels, RPG dialogue systems, interactive fiction, tutorial flows, or something completely unique, the tool adapts to your needs. Here are just some of the ways creators are using it:
- Narrative designers use it to prototype and document complex story systems before implementation.
- Indie game developers rely on it to build dialogue-heavy games without needing extensive programming resources.
- Writers transitioning from linear storytelling find the visual node system makes interactive narratives more approachable.
- Game development students learn narrative design principles and branching story structures through hands-on creation.
- Visual novel creators appreciate having more structural control than Ren'Py without learning code.
- RPG developers implement quest systems and dynamic dialogue trees that respond to player choices.
- Interactive fiction authors get a visual alternative to traditional text-based tools.
But these are just examples. If your project involves branching narratives, player choices, or dynamic storytelling in any form, StoryFlow Editor provides the tools you need to bring it to life.
Join the Community and Shape the Future
StoryFlow Editor's development doesn't end at launch - it's just getting started. I'm building this tool in collaboration with the people who use it, and your input will directly influence what features get built next.
Join the Discord community where you can:
- Share your projects and get feedback from other narrative designers
- Request features that would improve your workflow
- Report bugs and help make the tool more stable
- Influence the roadmap by voting on which features matter most
- Connect with other creators working on interactive narratives
- Get direct support from me as you build your projects
- Beta test new features before they're officially released
I want to hear about your use cases, your pain points, and your ideas. Whether you're building a visual novel, an RPG dialogue system, or something completely different, your feedback helps ensure StoryFlow Editor evolves to meet real-world needs.
Your voice matters. The tool's development direction will be shaped by what the community actually needs, not just what I think would be useful. If there's a feature that would dramatically improve your workflow, I want to know about it. If a game engine integration would unlock new possibilities for your projects, that feedback helps me prioritize development.
Get Ready for Launch
November 6th, 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for interactive storytelling tools - and the start of a community-driven development journey.
StoryFlow Editor launches on Steam and itch.io with powerful core features, JSON export capabilities, and a refined user experience. From there, development focuses on game engine integrations and community-requested features, ensuring the tool evolves to meet the needs of real narrative designers and game developers.
Whether you're designing your first branching narrative or building your tenth commercial game, StoryFlow Editor gives you the tools to bring your interactive stories to life - with a clear roadmap for even more powerful integrations ahead.
The future of StoryFlow Editor will be shaped by its community. Be part of that future. Wishlist on Steam or follow on itch.io today, and join us as we build the narrative design tool that the game development community deserves.
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