~thinking about making a game

[Reincarnate]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

And also, I disagree with Reincarnate that "the [game] idea is easy". Maybe we have different ideas of what "idea" constitutes, but actually getting the whole game idea flushed out in a usable fashion, is much of the work. Controls, game mechanics, game rules, level design, character design, music choice/design, structuring, etc .... I include all in the term "idea". Once you have the idea flushed out and understand at least some programming environment, you can then begin to actually code it.

To be fair, what you describe I would consider details. When I say "idea," I mean "the general concept."

[UserNameGoesHere]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

One more piece of advice I'd say.

When making your first game(s) start small. Try to make clones of very simple games. Old arcade games are perfect candidates for this (Space Invaders, Breakout, Frogger, etc...). Preferably something simple that takes place entirely on a single screen with simple controls and simple game mechanics.

They're simple games which are well-understood (everyone knows how Space Invaders is supposed to work, at least in their head, right?) so you already have the "game idea" part taken care of. And they're the simplest games to actually program, other than text-based games. And it'll serve as an excellent proof-of-concept -- that you know enough that you can actually make something.

Once you get a couple of those working to your satisfaction, then you can try to make a platformer, Zelda-like game, or SHMUP. SHMUP will be very easy to do wrong so if you make a SHMUP just remember don't put so much stuff on the screen at once that it slows to a crawl or controls become less responsive, and clean up objects as soon as they are no longer needed, if possible. This is true with the others as well but particularly I see it as a problem in independently-made SHMUPs.

Don't even start with a 3-D (for example FPS) game yet. You're not ready. When/if you ever do feel that you're ready, start small, again. Start out with something like Wolfenstein3D or the "maze" screensaver for Windows3.1 where all of the floor is completely flat as is the ceiling. You can then advance to more complex terrain (more complicated dungeons/castles, outside scenes, etc...) only once you've mastered the basics.

If you think about video game progression over the years and try to make games like the oldest games, then like older games, then like old games, then like newish games, then newer games, then new games ... in that order, it should be more "doable".

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

Oh god I would love to see a decent platformer get made.

[Reincarnate]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

So who's in?

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

Uh I could help with UI design and Title screen etc. for sure if needed.
(designing, not coding that is)

[Izzy]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

I can code or design the programs structure / diagram.

[Reincarnate]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

What kind of games y'all interested in making?

[rushyrulz]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

I can code a bit in AS2 if u need me. And I'm sure I can adapt to other languages need be, I know like 5 lol.

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

Something 8bit would be cool, esp. platformer imo but since, if I do contribute, only have the small role of UI / Assets I don't think I should chime in on this
but rather let the main programmers, animators (if needed) and designers decide ;)

[Izzy]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

We should make a platformer in XNA and c#. It's what castle crushers was made in if you've ever heard of that. I have a lot of experience with XNA as well.

[hi19hi19]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

I've always thought a metroidvania style game wouldn't be too hard to create as a first project, and would have a lot of potential depth. Games such as Knytt Stories and Cave Story just seem like the perfect place to start, while still leaving room for a LOT of potential development.
I have a lot of ideas based on what I like from those games. I think about game design very frequently- not only about how something is made, but WHY it was made that way and what could have been done better. One of my odd hobbies is designing raidbosses for MMOs, I think that would be my dream job haha. The power to challenge your consumer to do something unique and difficult while still having fun is really amazing to me.

I also have a little coding experience and stuff.



Related tangent:
Every time I hear Stone McKnuckle's music I imagine a Metroid-style bossfight. For some reason all his songs make me think I have an arm cannon fighting armored space dragons. Imagine Cave Story with badassed VG metal music... fuck yeah Zaghurim :)

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

ps I have contact with most if not all active FFRtists -- if this takes off I'll be sure to get many of them on board, including zagh ;)
(provided they are interested and have time ofc.)

[Reincarnate]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

Well, I'm on Skype right now... let me know if you guys are interested in actually getting together and mapping something out

[Zageron]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

I would be, except my workload rampped up again and I'm booked to be at school for the next 5 days. (All day, working on homework.)

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: ~thinking about making a game

Well, I'm on Skype right now... let me know if you guys are interested in actually getting together and mapping something out

That would require obtaining your skype username, wouldnt you say ;)