Creating games, Is it worth it? Options

[kayden997]

I've been thinking a lot lately and I bet most people have the same thoughts as I do.
So I'll just throw it out: Why am I creating this game?

It's a really simple question that I can't seem to answer myself.
I mean, it's just RPG Maker; I'm going to be using RTP graphics or graphics everyone saw before.
The story is probably going to be typical.
I'm going to use a battle script everyone knows of.
Nothing I have is unique!

So should I continue with this?
Because really all I should be posting is screenshots of my game and people will decide if it needs improvement or not.
Are they going to play my game in the end?
Probably not. When they see the typical plot, graphics, battle, scripts, they'll just turn away and move on to the one that does have excellent plot, custom graphics, and awesome HUD.

So, is it worth it?

[Strawberry]

To be honest I have this same exact question.

I'm using plain ol' RTP and a typical action-battle system, should we really be busting our bums over creating this so only one or two people end up playing in the end?

Then I have the question: Who am I making this game for? Myself? My friends? The RM community? Should I really frustrate myself over making this game if won't be worth it in the end.

I can't sell it since we're using other people's graphics, scripts, and music - so what is the point of making it?

[Vexus]

Atm the game I'm making is just out of boredom of normal pc games.

After watching a trailer of an rmxp game releasing on the psp I got a sudden urge to start again.

I'm just doing it as a hobby but I understand your concerns because very few people try rmxp games which makes you think all the work you did was/is for nothing.

This post has been edited by Vexus: Feb 1 2012, 01:07 PM

[Kaust]

Well when I've been asked this by friends I typically answer that its a game in itself, and when they ask to play my game I tell them they'll have a better time picking up a copy of rpgmaker themselves.
I cant help but look at it kinda like an instrument, put all the pieces together in the right way and enjoy the result. I cant answer why I play music, I have little interest in becoming a commercial musician, and I don't enjoy performing in front of others. I don't really talk about it with anyone other than fellow musicians same as I don't really talk about this outside of these forums. Its just one my things, a hobby or whatever. It may seem like I'm gaining nothing, but isn't a good time enough?

[Exlibris]

This really is a question you should answer yourself.

For me the most important thing in a game is for it to be unique. Will it be the system, or graphics, or story, or everything- that's what makes it an individual game and not one of the mass that no one plays. So if your game is missing these things- really, why are you making it? If you want other people to play it then think of what message you want your game to bring to the players. Do you want to tell them a story? Or to show them something interesting? Simple things like that.

If you can't find an answer to these questions then the only thing left is that you're making this game for yourself...Some people have no problem with doing so, but for others- it's quite frustrating. If it bothers you, then try to do something about it, instead of being upset about it. Make it so your game will be played by many people! Find a way! Because there always is one. ;'D Just a little heads up from me~

[kayden997]

Yeah, I think I see where you're all getting at.
*sigh* being idea-less sucks, you know?
I just wanted to create a game with a unique combat... Or just combat overall.
Now I feel the story should be worked on which doesn't motivate m at all... Especially since I have all these zones made.
This is how most of my projects end up not being good... Due to the story...
I hate story telling... Tower Defence never had a story to it Xo

[Lato]

We all have our own reasons for being here. When I first came here YEARS ago I just wanted to make a great game that ppl would enjoy. Now that I have seen how things work here and there I see that you guys have a point, there is something sad about using the same graphics and music that everyone else is. BUT keep in mind that this is a choice! I have been working on a game for many years now and it has custom sprites and char art and music, I am trying to get custom everything so that I can be free of this problem and disappointment and sell my game to the world. If all i had was the RTP I wouldnt even be here, there wouldnt be much of a point to me, but like I said we are all different.

But ive seen alot of the games that come out here and by dar the best have been with custom stuff, thats just the way the world works.

[Milton Monday]

My own game is unambitious and also likely to be nothing special, but I plug away at it anyhow, and hope to release something of it someday. It's bound to be panned by the community and quickly forgotten, but I keep going because I enjoy doing working on it, and no other reason.

Let me put it this way.

Do you enjoy making games? Do you think it's worthwhile?

There's your answer. If you're in this to get praise from complete strangers on the internet, you're in it for the wrong reasons. Make your game for you, because you enjoy doing it, and because you want to make it. Full stop. If someone else is able to derive enjoyment from your project, then all the better, but that should only be a bonus.

This post has been edited by Milton Monday: Feb 1 2012, 05:25 PM

[Oceans Dream]

I've always wanted to make an RPG. I still like making them! The old SNES games were a huge inspiration on me. Seiken Densetsu 3 and Secret of Mana are like my biggest inspirations ever. Creativity comes from all different places, and I think part of what we can do is simply stop relying on the same sources for story/battles and all. It doesn't have to be a big epic. It doesn't have to appeal to the masses. You copying a game because you liked it means you're likely going to make an inferior version. Instead, you can try to learn from it and doing something that creatively applies what makes it fun to become its own unique thing. Don't be afraid to just try something radical. Don't even worry about making it long. It can be short. Hey, a game that is fun for 30 minutes would be better than something that was entirely derivative and boring for 20 hours. (Keeping things shorter also helps the motivation along, rather than feeling "Oh man I have 10 more hours of game to go, that's gonna take me 50 years to do!")

In fact, just because it's RPG Maker doesn't mean you HAVE to make an RPG. While you're not gonna pull a First Person Shooter on it, there are things such as puzzles or other types of gameplay that you can do that RPG Maker wouldn't hate you forever for doing so!

RTP a problem? Draw your own. They don't have to be good, try a minimal style. Gameboy or Low Color resources can do fine. Don't know how the tilesets are made? Take a look at tutorials! (I did write some, and you can ask people on how it is done).

Try to find something interesting to you, try combining different game/story ideas that you like, try to think of themes that you might have to deal with, read different types of books, research, look at art, listen to music, all of these can be inspirational for you if you need it. Help, I am rambling again!

Either way, it should really be something that you have fun with and maybe that can help you experiment/improve too!

This post has been edited by Oceans Dream: Feb 1 2012, 06:37 PM

[Cleril]

I make my games because I plan to be a game designer, artist, and writer in the industry. I can show my work in my portfolio and of course I learn about all the intricacies of game design.

Sure, I get 1K views on a project but only 5-10 people ever give feedback and download rates are slow thought my game The Fall(en) has had 1K downloads by now.

[Kaust]

Tbh if it is just a concern over playcount I'll play your game
When I uploaded my demo the other day I was like 4 downloads?!? 4 people played my game!! (didn't realise 'til afterwards that played and enjoyed dont equate ) so yeah, I get why you'd want someone to play at the end.
But I think as pretty much everyone's said, don't do it if your not enjoying it, if anything you'll just look back on the whole experience as a sour taste. If it feels like you're just going through the motions, take a break for a few days and come back to it, helps with most things. Don't try too hard to think up ideas, they'll just come to you eventually.

[udivision]

Considering the effort needed to complete a game, especially when you're creating resources yourself (graphics, music, writing, etc...) you'd have to really dedicated if you're just doing it for fun.

Personally, if I'm only willing now to do two types of games:
Games that are for fun, for the community, or just to hone my skills. These use RTP or other resources, and dont' see the light of day outside of the RM community for the most part.

Games (potentially) for sale. If I'm going to put the effort into making custom graphics, music, and all of that, it only make sense to try to go the indie route. I haven't actually done this yet though.

[Essenceblade]

Sometimes you do wonder the question: Is it really worth it?
If this question comes across your mind, you need to sit down and go over the problem, how far and how you're going to plan out the future, and why.

I see game design as a personal experience as well as a personal achievement and learning curve.

I make my games because I plan to be a game designer, artist, and writer in the industry. I can show my work in my portfolio and of course I learn about all the intricacies of game design.

This is exactly my career path too, Game designer, artist and writer. I need to hone my skills as an artist, but my writing and game design come as a learning experience rather than a honed one.

When you're designing games, you're really not sure what'll come of it, or what will happen. To be honest, it's getting to the point where things are getting repetitive in terms of graphics and resources, so yes, you're going to be slightly off-put in terms of visual works, but programming and plotted work is unique to all. You can plan a story that is cliched, but it is always different, even if it is minor or directly and deliberately copied.

Really, game design should be a token of your work and how much effort you've put into it. A game shouldn't be or not even be classified because of how many downloads or reviews it has. It is there as your own achievement. Even if a game is made with all RTP, a vast amount of work has to be put into it regardless. It still requires work, and it still needs to be completed at the end of the day.

I think, especially for beginners there is a heavy hint of intimidation when you're looking at other peoples' work. I'm no omni-god at scripting or anything like that in terms of game design either, but I learnt from experience and inspiration from other games. I know people are often turned away when it comes to RTP. "Oh, that, ehh, this game's gonna be.." but no. I've seen some amazing stuff with the RTP, and I think when signs of negativity show when people play RTP based games, it is often a heavy stab in confidence for the developer. Then they often think: Is it really worth it?

The only way to assure you're ready for it, is if you can take criticism and have quite a bit of time on your hands. Game design is a slow art, it cannot be rushed if you want it to be the way YOU want it to be. It certainly isn't a 1 week phenomena. If you're going to work on a project, it's either make or break.

So in a summary, game design is inherited at your own pace, your own style, an you own experience. If you feel you've grasped the three, it's pretty certain you can complete a project, even with a few of those "Hmm..." moments.

[amaro57]

I make games because I view them as a form of art. A medium of creation, not limited to writing, not limited to static images and animations, but a mixture of both.

I make games to help exercise my imagination, to obtain experience in the development flow, to practice talents and help others discover theirs.

Also, because I want to be able to make people feel that 'Wow, that was incredible' feeling after playing a game I helped make in the future. It was always my dream after I played games such as Rayman Advance to Wild Arms 5 to Kingdom Hearts to Infamous 2, with a lot in between. Or maybe help develop an epic boss battle like Stallord's second form in Twilight Princess. (I mean really, scaling a tower on a spinner with Ocarina of Time remixed music playing with a floating Cortez head.)

Essenceblade also has some extremely good points covered, kudos.

[Titanhex]

LMAO This topic couldn't have been more popular if I wrote it myself. Good job. :3

A majority of points on designing a game have been covered already. All are valid points, and a lot of them are central to the person designing them.

Making games isn't for everyone. Some people will play with the program, and then get bored or frustrated and quit. They may never have what it takes to release a good game. Others will remain only hobbyists.
You know it's been said in "A Book of Lenses" (Game Design Book) that your first ten games will probably not be good, so it's smart to get them out of the way quickly and easily. Don't expect your first few games to have a lot going for them.

They can be a number of things. Learning experience, form of expression (A very long, tedious one), a means of immortalizing your work, etc.
Personally they are my work, and a challenge I like to do. I get something out of designing a game, that was instilled in me ever since I was young. For that reason I pursue it as a career. I'm not as good as some of the people I admire. Many have blown me away with what they've done. But I still pursue in hopes of being that good. I analyze, I detect, I find the patterns and I study.

It's perfectly fine if you prefer playing games instead of making them. Gamers are important to the industry too. ;D

[kayden997]

Thank you all for your say in this.
I believe what you all said is true and thus inspired me to continue what I love to do
I never came at the thought of "making games" as a way to expand or show your imagination.
Or that I'll never create a perfect game without creating bad ones first.

Thank you all, you don't know how glad and grateful I am for all your posts.

[Turkwise]

The reason I "make" games? (I use the term loosely...usually I just mess around in RMXP and never actually finish anything) I would imagine it's for the same reason many here do, the simple joy of creating something. The satisfaction of having an idea and making it work. It's a creative outlet, even if you are using basic tilesets and borrowed battle scripts. The ability to create something and call it your own, it feels good, even if nobody will ever see it. I doubt I'll finish my "main" game (side projects, sure) but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy working on it and feel good about what I've created. It can be great just to create, I love making things...since Legos and K'nex as a kid to writing music and programming and occasionally doing something like rpg-maker I just love to create things.

[Exlibris]

That's great then! ^^

Still if you have struggles somewhere, don't forget and don't be ashamed to ask for help! You mentioned that a weak side of your game is the story? Well then- find some friend or just someone to help you with it, hire a writer or simply do research yourself to see how you can improve it.

Keep going~

and Yes, Games are Art~<333

[cpt.tripps.2012]

It's a learning/growing experience. You can't be expecting to make the next star ocean right of the bat. But you will get there eventually if you keep at it. Those things that frustrate you are the challenges you have to over come. If you don't like the graphics then change them! Watch some sprite making tutorials on youtube or pick up a how to draw manga book. If you don't want to be an artist, then find someone who does and learn how to work with other people and keep a team motivated.

Start small and work up to it. keep in mind that RPG maker is designed for the prosumer market. It has it's limitations, but the more you work with it, the more you learn. Next thing you know you are writing scripts in ruby and before long you'll be making your own game engine.

This post has been edited by cpt.tripps.2012: Feb 24 2012, 11:47 AM

[LostSamurai]

I'm making my game entirely for myself. I have a few friends and a girlfriend who will play the game, which is an added plus. But when I started making RPGs, I didn't really expect anyone to play it, I made it solely as a project to work on for myself. I believe if you're spending all this time on making a game for the sake of recognition from other people, you're wasting your time. If you're having fun during the process and making the game for the sake of making the game, then you're doing good for yourself anyway> I happen to feel producing something is a much better use of time than consuming it, because you're using your brain and creativity.

And on top of that, yes, the chances are SOMEONE will play your game in this community. I've had a handful of people who have played my game, and I got some great feedback. And to get 3-5 random strangers on the internet to say they enjoyed playing the game I put together, I think that's an amazing bonus and far more than I could have ever asked for.

This post has been edited by LostSamurai: Feb 24 2012, 02:43 PM