Open for Work — Visual Novel & Narrative Game Developer

I’m Cayque Cicarelli, a game developer and writer from Brazil, currently Lead Developer on A Week to Remember by Letterflux Studios. I’ve also contributed to The New Year’s School — a co-op survival quiz game built in Godot, coming to Steam in 2026. With my current studio’s blessing, I’m opening a slot for an additional project.

What I do

I specialize in Ren’Py visual novels with real interactive depth — choice-based branching, multiple routes, interactive menus, and custom animations built in Python. I also work in Godot, with a shipped title to back it up. Beyond the engine, I bring a solid computer science background to the table, so I’m comfortable with the technical side of game development, not just scripting.

I also help shape the project itself: story and concept brainstorming, structure, and organization. If you have an idea but need someone to turn it into a working, polished game, that’s my wheelhouse.

Extras

Alongside development, I also offer two services priced separately from the core dev work:

• QA & bug testing — I test the game thoroughly and hunt down bugs, including builds on Android via Android Studio.
• Localization — translation and adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese. Pricing for each is agreed on a case-by-case basis depending on scope.

How I work

I’m not just writing code and disappearing. I run projects with proper software engineering practices: Scrum/Kanban workflows, a clear roadmap, consistent updates, and version control through GitHub.

This includes weekly meetings where we review progress, go over the latest updates, and align on what comes next — so you always know exactly where the project stands and where it’s headed.

Confidentiality & NDAs: I take information security seriously and I’m happy to work under an NDA. I can help set up sensible confidentiality practices for the project so your ideas, assets, and unreleased builds stay protected.

Availability

I’m currently taking on one Ren’Py project, with possible room for another Ren’py game or a Godot project as well. I work well as the sole developer on a game, but I can also integrate into an existing team. Open to discussing whatever setup fits your project best.

Rates

Pricing is weekly and scales with the engine and complexity of the project. Ren’Py projects start at $180/week; Godot and Unity work is priced higher depending on scope. The final rate is set after we talk through your project’s needs and timeline.

Payment: USD, EUR, GBP, BRL, or JPY — all handled through Wise. Languages: Fluent Portuguese, advanced English, and conversational Spanish. Location: Brazil (UTC−3).

Links

• Portfolio: https://neonbrasil.github.io/cayque/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayque-cicarelli/ Interested? Reach out and let’s talk about what you’re building.

Hey everyone! I'm Cayque, a Ren'Py programmer and Computer Science graduate based in Brazil. I'm currently working on commercial visual novel projects and I have availability to take on additional paid work.

═══ REN'PY SKILLS ═══

Core Development:

✦ Full Ren'Py scripting — variables, labels, branching logic, conditional control flow

✦ Complex choice systems with multiple endings and route-based storytelling

✦ GUI customization and Ren'Py screen language

✦ Python scripting within Ren'Py

✦ Audio and music integration

✦ Save/load system customization

✦ Working with existing codebases — I can jump into your project and adapt to your conventions

✦ Git version control (comfortable working in teams)

Custom Mechanics & Systems:

✦ Point-and-click exploration

✦ Minigames and puzzle systems

✦ Inventory and item management

✦ Spell/ability systems

✦ Stat tracking and relationship meters

✦ Custom UI elements and menus

✦ If your project needs something that doesn't exist yet — I'll figure it out and build it. I'm a problem solver and I enjoy tackling new challenges.

Quality Assurance & Testing:

✦ I go beyond just writing code — I actively playtest and provide feedback on the game itself

✦ I use virtual machines to test across different environments and OS configurations, making sure the game runs smoothly everywhere

✦ Bug hunting, edge case testing, and making sure all branches and endings work correctly

✦ I treat your project like it's my own

═══ BEYOND REN'PY ═══

I bring more to the table than just game programming:

🎮 The New Year's School — An upcoming game on Steam developed in Godot. I handled development and networking security.

🖥️ DM Dungeon Music — A full desktop application I built from scratch in Python/Pygame. Multi-track audio management, session persistence, custom dark mode UI, and 4 published releases.

→ GitHub: https://github.com/NeonBrasil/DM-Dungeon-Music

🎓 Bachelor's in Computer Science — FEI University Center, completed December 2025.

🔒 Information Security background — I have professional experience as an Information Security Analyst, working with risk management, data protection (DLP), SIEM tools (Splunk), and security awareness programs. If your project involves handling sensitive data or you need someone who understands security best practices, I've got you covered.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning — Experience with Python for AI, including working with Hugging Face and deep learning models. I've done research in Deepfake detection.

📢 Communication & Training — I've created and delivered security awareness programs and given public talks on technology for diverse audiences. I'm comfortable communicating clearly and can help with documentation, onboarding materials, or anything that needs to be explained well.

═══ LANGUAGES ═══

🇺🇸 English — Advanced (I work daily with English-speaking teams)

🇧🇷 Portuguese — Native

🇪🇸 Spanish — Intermediate / Conversational

═══ WHY WORK WITH ME ═══

→ I prefer being the sole/lead programmer — you get one dedicated person who knows your project inside and out

→ I work fast and deliver consistently

→ Comfortable with long-term projects (1+ year commitment, no problem)

→ I don't just code — I actively participate with feedback, playtesting, and internal testing to help make the game better

→ Open to calls, async communication, whatever works for your team

→ Timezone: GMT-3 (São Paulo, Brazil) — flexible schedule, good overlap with US and EU timezones

═══ RATES ═══

My standard rate is $200 USD/week, but I'm open to negotiation depending on scope, complexity, and project length. I'm happy to discuss what works for your budget.

Payments via Wise, PayPal, or similar.

═══ WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR ═══

I'm looking for visual novel projects (any genre!) that need a reliable, dedicated programmer. Whether your game is a short kinetic novel or a massive branching epic, I'd love to hear about it. I'm especially drawn to projects with interesting stories and creative mechanics.

I do ask that the project is paid — no rev-share only, please.

═══ GET IN TOUCH ═══

🌐 Portfolio: https://neonbrasil.github.io/cayque/

💻 GitHub: https://github.com/NeonBrasil

💬 Discord: padeiro_padas

📧 Email: cayquecicarelli@gmail.com

Feel free to message me here, add me on Discord, or shoot me an email. I'd love to hear about your project — let's make something great together!

Hey! I'm a Ren'Py developer from Brazil with experience on commercial visual novel projects. I've worked with complex branching systems, multiple endings, point-and-click mechanics, and custom game systems — all in Ren'Py.

I also have broader dev experience:

- Python (built a full desktop app with Pygame: https://github.com/NeonBrasil/DM-Dungeon-Music)

- Game dev in Godot (worked on a coming-soon Steam title)

- CS degree (Bachelor's, completed Dec 2025)

I'm comfortable being the sole programmer and can work consistently. I'd love to hear more about your project — scope, timeline, and what you have so far.

Portfolio: https://neonbrasil.github.io/cayque/

Discord: padeiro_padas

E-mail: cayquecicarelli@gmail.com

Quando vai vir a tradução para inglês?

GOTY 10/10 melhor jogo que joguei no ano!