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Steps to a good RPG 
Hey, I'm Essenceblade, and I'm here today to show you the many ways you could come up with a good RPG game.
So, let's start from the beginning shall we?
~The Story~
Every RPG needs a story, without a story, there is no RPG, so think about what would make your story special. If you're thinking "And how do i do that?" Then I'm here to tell you.
1.) You need to jot down ideas and make notes every time you get a little idea, keep doing this and your story becomes better and better.
2.) It never hurts to get inspiration. It can give you confidence in your game and you can see where your game lacks in the places of others. Every good story doesn't just pop up out of nowhere, so keep this in mind.
3.) Think about how your story is going to Evolve from the Start, Middle, to the End. keep it dynamic so you will keep the people playing on the edge of their seat. But at the same time keep it understandable
4.) Will you split your game into Volumes? chapters? or even a sequel? whichever you choose, make sure you keep extra ideas just in case you decide later on.
5.) Which way will your game end? Sadly? Happily? or with a classic "To be continued"? choose wisely, because you may want to it change later on, meaning you might have to change your whole game if your at the stage of it ending.
6.) Will you think outside the box? Will you mix up the order of your game? will it start from the end and finish at the start? that's up to you. remember, keep it understandable.
7.) What type of game will it be? Romance? Fantasy? Adventure? Horror? or a mix of alike? there are limitless combination's so mix away!
That about covers it for the story, but remember, even this guide doesn't cover the ideas one can have, so keep them coming!
Moving onto the next Area, Characters. the second most vital part of an RPG, without Characters, there is no story.
~The Characters~
1.) Think of the names, make them unique and not boring.
2.) Think about their personality's, will they be joyful? serious? funny? annoying? you decide.
3.) Referring to 2.), will your character have a set personality that changes later on in the game? what happens to them to make them that way?
4.) Once you've thought those through, jot these down too.
5.) What separates the good from the bad? or did your ally turn against you, or did your mortal enemy turn into your ally? again, limitless combination's to try out.
6.) Do your characters have flashback's and hidden pasts? when will they be revealed in the game, or are they kept a secret?
7.) Does one of the girl/boy characters meet someone and bond with them stronger as the game continues? perhaps to romance? this is always a good way to keep your audience into the game
8.) Define your characters age, will they be old, young, or will their age be untold? perhaps, something else...?
9.) Define appearance, what type of hair, style, body structure do they go for, what height? keep these combo's going!
9.) Are there races in your game? Perhaps besides humans and animals? they could be half-cat,? half-dog? keep your game dynamic in these ways
10.) Does the character have a punch line? perhaps it becomes a cliche?
That about covers it for characters remember, you can go beyond this. keep your game awesome.
Moving onto era's now, Era's are types of area's of which your game is set in. there are usual Three era's at default. Past, Modern and Future.
~The Era~
1.) Obviously, what era will your game be set in? the past? modern? or the future?
2.) Remember, what type of map's you'd need to set out. give the players a feel they're in the right era.
3.) What type of weapons and Armour would be in your game? could it be in the future but have weapons from the past era? you can keep the combo's going on!
4.) Era's more detailed, the past could be in the Medieval times? the modern could be how we are set out today? or the future, with flying cars and techno- style looks to everything as the typical look.
5.) Take your game to the next level? Could they travel through time? on purposely? accidentally? or would it be something else?
6.) Remember, make the player feel more like they're in the era by making Speech more realistic, perhaps in the past, you could use "Thou" ect? in the future? perhaps the speech of a high IQ robot?
7.) The style of your game also varies with the era it's set in. You can't have your game speaking about the modern life in the past now could you? well, i guess only the characters could do that.
Era's is a hard topic to cross over, so i don't blame you if you didn't understand a word i meant. most RPG's are set in the Medieval era though.
Moving on from Era's now to Classes. yes classes. the very things that make your character specific and have a role in the game or battle.
~Classes~
1.) Will you be going for the traditional? perhaps Warrior? Cleric? Black mage? Thief?
2.) Will there be extra classes? perhaps unlock-able ones?
3.) Will you give your characters the ability to switch classes during the game? or will you allow it only once when you start the game?
4.) Will you make it so the player can choose classes during battle? or not? perhaps during a hard event?
5.) Maybe a certain class is needed before you can proceed the game? for example: A black mage is needed to use a fireball on a rock? Or a knight is needed to mount a horse? anything can be mixed and matched, remember that
6.) Will there be Armour and weapons class exclusive? perhaps these armors and weapons are only unlocked after a certain level is reached?
7.) Perhaps certain trials are needed to be reached before you can exceed a certain level maybe at level 45 your level will be capped until you complete a quest?
8.) For mage type classes, what type of magic's will they use? Green? Black? Blue? White? Red? Dark? the types are unlimited!
I think that about covers classes for awhile but remember, no one said you can't make up your own class!
Moving on to extras and bonuses now. usually these are unlocked by completing certain tasks or something similar,
~Bonuses and Extras~
1.) Music unlock-ables? perhaps after playing through a cut scene or boss, the music can be replayed.
2.) Trophies, medals, awards? what happens when you get them all?! how do you get them all?!, keep your players scratching their heads!
3.) Will special and exclusive items be unlocked when you complete a hard challenge? what if you defeat a boss before 5 Minutes? will there be a situation bonus? perhaps with an awesome reward? keep your players wanting more!
4.) Is there a special room or area you can see these achievements? perhaps they can be viewed in the menu? make your players feel proud of themselves that they have a shiny new medal in their collection!
5.) Biastrys. a book that keeps your data on monsters safe, what happens when it's complete? keep the secrets and mysteries coming at them!
6.) Will your game have the option to play Mini games? as a reward? perhaps replay cut scenes that had games like this in them?
That's about it for the Extras and Bonuses, remember, there are limitless combo's and mix and matches, so try them out!
The last topic of my guide, Features, the thing that get's your players excited about your game. you usually see these at the back of computer game cases. find a way to showcase your game in that way!
~Features~
1.) A monster hunting system? perhaps in your spare time you hunt the most vile beasts in the world?
2.) Guild system it could be linked to the monster hunting system or it could be a group of people who take on tough quests for rare jewels?
3.) Cooking system. tired of having to bring potions and casting spells to keep you buffed? fear not! with the cooking system enhanced, you can make food's that, heal, cure nasty statuses and even buff you up! order now!
4.) Mini games. will your game have mini games? perhaps darts or racing mini games? who knows.
5.) Mounts, and pets. Does your game have the ability to raise pets to the point where your able to ride them? like from a Pony to a shiny white horse fit for a paladin!
6.) What's your battle system like? Dynamic? traditional? side view? perhaps for the advanced aspects of 3d battling?! who knows.
7.) Remember, have custom music and stuff like that in your game, it'd be boring without your own custom "Pizzaz"
Well folks, that just about covers all of it, remember, make your RPG stand out from the rest, make it different, this guide is nothing compared to the power of your brain and imagination! if you'd like to hear more from me, PM me I'd be happy to assist you. Farewell!
-Essenceblade
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Tutorial:
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Steps to a good RPG |
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Date Listed:
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Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:14:08 -0400 |
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Author:
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Essenceblade
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