Video Game Design

[Shiroiyuki]

Okay, this question probably doesn't belong in this subforum (or even apply to AN's community), but--has anyone ever attempted to create their own video/computer game? Not necessarily forum/chatroom based RPG games or text formated games. I mean games comparable to Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy, Vagrant Story, World of Warcraft, etc. Detailed (or semi-realistic in design), epically scoped (I think they call it...multi-platform? but I'm not sure) RPG/etc. games with complex characters and plot that would accommodate one or more players easily.



What is involved, besides the obvious character design and makeup, storyline/storyboarding, world design/mapping, etc.?

Which programs would you recommend a novice use if they were interested in designing a game themselves?

What are some hints/tips that would help said person along?

Are there any reliable websites dedicated to game design that anyone (i.e. those not willing to pay for information/membership) can access and benefit off of?

What sorts of websites (if any) would be willing to host your game after it is completed? How would you market/distribute/test/promote said game legitimately? How would you patent it?



I dunno. I just seem to find myself bored with excess time on my hands nowadays and thought, heck, I like video/computer games! I could make one myself...maybe *winces*. Thank you for any information you may have ^_^!

[earsofdoom]

Okay, this question probably doesn't belong in this subforum (or even apply to AN's community), but--has anyone ever attempted to create their own video/computer game? Not nessarily forum/chatroom based RPG games or text formated games. I mean games comparable to Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy, Vagrant Story, World of Warcraft, etc. Detailed (or semi-realistic in design), epically scoped (I think they call it...multi-platform? but I'm not sure) RPG/etc. games with complex characters and plot that would accommodate one or more players easily.



What is involved, besides the obvious character design and makeup, storyline/storyboarding, world design/mapping, etc.?

Which programs would you recommend a novice use if they were interested in designing a game themselves?

What are some hints/tips that would help said person along?

Are there any reliable websites dedicated to game design that anyone (i.e. those not willing to pay for information/membership) can access and benefit off of?

What sorts of websites (if any) would be willing to host your game after it is completed? How would you market/distribute/test/promote said game legitimately? How would you patent it?



I dunno. I just seem to find myself bored with excess time on my hands nowadays and thought, heck, I like video/computer games! I could make one myself...maybe *winces*. Thank you for any information you may have ^_^!

I wouldn't advise a single person try and make a game alone (try to get a team), but a good place to start would be buying a version of flash. makeing a simple flash game will teach you allot of general stuff.

[VidelCoolGirl]

If you want to learn basics, and build up upon that, mastery of RHINO and ImageEditiing software is a must. Then, preferably programing, since mattering on what you use it with, has to work on whatever platform you make it for.

[HSaabedra]

Try building a simple cellphone game. The basics are the same and the tools are standardized, so there's little chance of the game not working.

Java Mobile Edition is easy to learn and once you have the outline of the game figured out, easy to get going. A lot of Japanese programmers make small vertical shooter PC games and are made by one person, but most toolchains are esoteric and not easily understood by beginners, so I would go for the most direct route with mobile games.

[Tom Servo]

I'm assuming you'll want to write in c/c#/c++ and use directx for windows, so my reply is focused around those -
Okay, this question probably doesn't belong in this subforum (or even apply to AN's community), but--has anyone ever attempted to create their own video/computer game?
I've made a sprite game (Avoid The Triangles!) and a text-based labyrinth game.

I mean games comparable to Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy, Vagrant Story, World of Warcraft, etc.
Maybe you can create something similar to the first final fantasy games on a lesser scale, but 3D graphics are a HUGE leap that most hobbyists like myself will never make.

What is involved, besides the obvious character design and makeup, storyline/storyboarding, world design/mapping, etc.?
Programming knowledge and the necessary development kit which contains all the graphics libraries/headers you'll need. If you want to create 3D graphics then you'll need knowledge of strange things like invisible geometry and vectors - general good math skills and a enjoyment of solving problems is certainly needed.

Which programs would you recommend a novice use if they were interested in designing a game themselves?
You'll need a text editor, a complier like borland c to start with, and a image editor that can save in bitmap format like MSPaint. You can make a text-based tic-tac-toe game in a day using arrays.

Are there any reliable websites dedicated to game design that anyone (i.e. those not willing to pay for information/membership) can access and benefit off of?
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/aa937781.aspx (ignore the xna stuff) / nice forums here with more links - http://cboard.cprogramming.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6 edit: http://www.gamedev.net/reference/

What sorts of websites (if any) would be willing to host your game after it is completed? How would you market/distribute/test/promote said game legitimately? How would you patent it?
I doubt you'll make anything worth distributing that folks will want to PAY for, even advanced games written over the years by countless people like Oolite are completely free.

[Hara!]

How to be a game developer?

1. Go to DeVry.
2. Get a horrible job at EA.
3. ???
4. Profit nothing.

[tenshi_a]

A few months ago there was a minor flurry about a PC freeware RPG that'd been made with one guy using RPG Maker XP (http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/tkool/RPG_XP/eng/), the game was called Last Scenario (http://tenshi-a.blogspot.com/2007/05/last-scenario-freeware-pc-rpg.html) and looked pretty competantly constructed, but I never tried it out...

[Vaikyuko]

If you're into making fighting games and know nothing of actual game-making, you might just try getting yourself a copy of MUGEN and editing sprites and such to create your own characters and stages. No chance it'd ever be published, though, I imagine.

EDIT: Oh yeah, if you're willing to put in the effort, you could also make a visual novel (which technically is a game...right?) using the Blade Engine (http://www.bladeengine.com/).

[Tenou]

A few years back I came up with a concept, talked to a couple of CS friends, a couple of NSCAD friends, a couple of animators, and we were all very excited. Then it was midterms and we all forgot about it.

[Gray]

I posted a thread a long time ago in the video games section detailing a mod that i had creaetd, i made everything but the Graphics and Physics engine that it ran on (Hence it beign a mod) Dunno if the pics i uploaded are still hosted, and i'm far too lazy to take new ones :/

http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=194139

http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=201604&highlight=Trigun

[VSh]

I think you should begin from this book: Secrets of the Game Business (http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Game-Business-Development/dp/1584503998/). I found it the most useful. You can read about every aspect of game creation there.

[Gibb]

there are plenty of schools around that focus on game design, such as the Guildhall at Southern Methodist University near Dallas, TX.

There are usually pretty stiff requirements to get into a place like that tho. I believe the Guildhall requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and at least 2 years of C++ experience. I unfortunately had Java experience and couldn't program in C++ for anything. Also, they require you to make a simple game in C++ before you can get accepted into the program.

[tenshi_a]

...that sounds like it probably wasn't worth getting into; I mean, it sounds very blinkered, limited... game design shouldn't require C++ proficiency above anything else, anyone can see that, and anyway, it's not a huge step from Java to C++ if you can demonstrate that you're already a great Java programmer with years of experience...?

...the games industry seems unnecessarily stressful and backwards, from what I've heard about it (and I'm not specifying any particular country either)

EDIT: I see they offer other game design courses there, not just the programming course. That's not so bad.

[earsofdoom]

How to be a game developer?

1. Go to DeVry.
2. Get a horrible job at EA.
3. ???
4. Profit nothing.

This is exactly why i hate when one of my favorite developers gets swallowed by EA, don't even think about playing one of there games multiplayer becouse of the crappy coding, hackers are haveing a ball being able to launch nuclear missles at your base from the get go.

[Reidar]

I recommend RPG Maker, either for Playstation or XP. You can focus on the fundamentals of game design without worrying about any programming knowledge, for the time being.

I made a Mike Tyson RPG. SPOILER ALERT: He defeats Satan at the conclusion via left hook, thus restoring all of the stolen meat products, for those who've been wondering.

[Ikari Warrior]

I recommend RPG Maker, either for Playstation or XP. You can focus on the fundamentals of game design without worrying about any programming knowledge, for the time being.

I would second this. RPG Maker, if you can find it, is available on PS1. RPG Maker 2 & 3 are on PS2.

note:

RPG Maker may be good for learning the basics of game design, but will eat up a lot of space on the itty-bitty PS1 memory card.

RPG Maker 2 will allow you to make a 3D game, so you can make your OWN 3D remake of Final Fantasy #. If memory serves, RPG Maker 2 is even more complex than the first one

RPG Maker 3 is similar to 2, but simpler. This is a double-edged sword. You can crank out your RPG faster and easier, but you have less control, and fewer options.

[tenshi_a]

Since she wants to make a game that she can easily upload to a website somewhere, wouldn't it be better to recommend Shiroyuki "RPG Maker XP"?

It looks pretty complete, easier to add your own graphics / sound / etc and when you're feeling more advanced you can alter the basic game mechanics by writing some Ruby scripts (and Ruby is a :wub: kind of programming language, IMHO)

[Ikari Warrior]

Ah, I missed that part about uploading it. It would be more practical to make something to upload, rather than something to waste away on a memory card, neh? Of course, there are ways to get it off the mem card and upload it, but that's more hassle than its worth.

[Shiroiyuki]

Wow, there was some really good feedback!! I actually didn't think I'd get too many responses on this subject--I guess they are right; you never know until you ask ^_^. Thank you all for your input on this topic! There were a few more questions I had based on a couple of your responses though. Here goes:


Since she wants to make a game that she can easily upload to a website somewhere, wouldn't it be better to recommend Shiroyuki "RPG Maker XP"?

I looked into this software a little bit, and it seems like this would be a good place to start (easy to use interface, etc.) to achieve what I intended....but...I do have a few questions before I go out and download. The website I looked at (http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/tkool/RPG_XP/eng/) was chock-full of information, but I noticed while browsing the pictures that the look and feel of the resulting games were very basic in design and function. Now, granted, I probably won't even be able to create something even HALF as 'epic' and 'complex' as the screenshots/samples showcased...but....later on, after trial and error kicks in, would this software have the potential to create more detailed, lush, complex worlds, characters, and plots? Push aside the fact that a single person might not have it within themselves to achieve such advanced stages. Does this software have the capabilities to produce realistic, multi-layered games?

Also, how reliable is this software? Has anyone ever downloaded or tested it themselves? What were your impressions?

I would second this. RPG Maker, if you can find it, is available on PS1. RPG Maker 2 & 3 are on PS2.

RPG Maker 2 will allow you to make a 3D game, so you can make your OWN 3D remake of Final Fantasy #. If memory serves, RPG Maker 2 is even more complex than the first one


Is this the same software that tenshi_a recommended? You say that RPG Maker 2 will allow you to make games similar to Final Fantasy. I assume you mean utilizing the software to create original concepts/character designs/plots/gameplay/battle systems/etc. without template, right? You aren't just making a carbon copy of an established RPG game with pre-made templates?

Where is this program available? Is there a reliable (a.k.a. reputable and safe) retailer online?

[Ikari Warrior]

I couldn't tell you how much liberty they give you with character modeling, and I unfortunately haven't played RPG Maker 2. I know I'd start something and not finish it -_-;

You can likely find a used copy (ps2) at your local retailer EB/Gamestop, Gamecrazy, Fry's, whatever you got.

[Reidar]

The only RPG Maker I'd recommend is the XP version, since it lets you scan in your own drawings for use as sprites. How else do you think I was able to graft rocket launchers onto Mike Tyson's arms? Duh. Oh, and just for your information, I already copyrighted that. Nice try, you sniveling worms.

Anyways, let's see -- RPG Maker for PSX lacks keyboard support and the premade sprites blow, with the coolest one being a giant, photorealistic sperm whale that you can program to eat people in a gory frenzy by changing the color of a certain light spell to red (to look like a geyser of blood). The first PS2 installment, RPG Maker 2, is 3D, but your characters will never amount to anything more than deformed block-polygons that look like they've just walked out of ground zero from an exploded nuclear waste plant. Normally, that would rule, but trust me, this isn't good. The best game I was able to painfully drag out from this crap was "Fester the Violent Fetus". I was planning on mailing this to the developers over at Agetec as a metaphorical middle-finger, but then I decided that they weren't worthy of the best possible creation from their software. RPG Maker 3 is also 3D, but with limited options and a generic selection, which is probably for the best, considering what those sickos dumped out for its predecessor.

RPG Maker XP gives you more control, and for cheap/free. You'd definitely be able to create something with the depth and scope of any 16-bit RPG. Typically, in screenshots, the most basic of circumstances are shown so as to pass on a clear impression of what the system is all about. I really had to pull teeth to make something cool from the console versions. I should be awarded for my brave service. Now, if you'll excuse me - not, I excuse myself - I have an unfinished Satan to tend to.

[tenshi_a]

I haven't actually tried out RPG Maker myself, but it seems pretty customiseable from what I've seen of games made from it, so long as you want to make a walk-round-the-map, get-into-turn-based-battles 2D RPG.

It seems that it's possible to do more with the battle system, but it's not for novices.

That Last Scenario (http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2474929) game that was made with it also comes with a "collectable board" mini-game, nowhere does it say that that was made separately from RPG Maker XP, but I don't know for certain. It sounds like it's probably entirely possible (http://www.phylomortis.com/html/rmxpmain.html), to me.

I just did a search on google and found some other RPG creation engines:
Ika (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ika), Verge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verge_%28gaming%29), Sphere (http://sphere.sourceforge.net/flik/info.html), and I found there's a 3D dungeon maker called "Dungeon Maker" but I don't see much about it.

There's also an RPG Making community (http://www.rpgmaker.net) for games, help & tutorials... I haven't looked into it myself.

I'd say... come up with designing your game first, while your ideas are nice and fresh, and work out how you're going to build it later. :)

[Shiroiyuki]

I'd say... come up with designing your game first, while your ideas are nice and fresh, and work out how you're going to build it later. :)

Thank you very much for the information. I'll be the first to admit that technology sometimes...goes over my head a bit. I'm an old fashioned gal; doing things on paper always comes easier to me.

Last night, I downloaded RPG Maker XP (it took almost three hours with my dial up connection, hahaha) and tinkered with it for a little bit. Thankfully, you don't need to be the master of C++ programing to get started (which is an important factor in my case). I didn't really do much, besides test some things out and whatnot, but it seems like you can't really blend your own character designs into the engine. I dunno, I didn't really get too far along--there might be a way to do so for more advanced users. So far, so good though! I actually really want to get back on it and try again ^_^

Thank you all again for your help!!!!

[shintoshio]

I would love to see another game like Heart Of Darkness, or Jazz Jackrabbit 2

[Melion]

HOLY NECROMANCER BATMAN!

c

[DavenIII]

http://www.forsena.org/Brig/Training/necromancer.jpg

[Shiroiyuki]

DAMN this is an old thread...but if it makes any difference I did get RPG Maker XP and have been using it since then (off and on). It works okay I suppose but like most programs that are free and intended for people who have absolutely no talent but lots of drive, it has its limits.

Since this is total shamless thread necromancy, I'm shutting her down. It was fun though, maybe I should make a new thread about this topic (when I'm closer to releasing my very own fan-game, WOOT <Nerd>).