Best Order to Build a Game

[RPG Maker 3]

I have looked for the past two days on the internet, yet have not found anything like what I am looking for.

I am looking for a basic outline of the best ways to progress with building a game from start to finish.

Has anybody done anything and thought, I wish I knew this when I started playing this game, or has anybody built something then realized they should have done another step before building it, etcetera..

It's kind of an abstract thought, sorry I cannot explain better what I mean.

[Lausen]

Re: Best Order to Build a Game

This really depends on the person. It all depends on what you think is more important. If you think the story the most important then go for that. If it's how everything is presented do that first.

Personally I like to have a good foundation. Meaning I need my maps to be done first. I can't go back for some reason. Another thing you should think about before you start to proritize is, how much space will each thing take up? You don't want to go through with all of the story events only to realize you wont have room for any items, classes, monsters, etc... The safest way is to make everything as you go. Don't skip around and make towns and maps that you have no idea what you'll do with them.

Again it's more of a personal style each person finds out through experiance. I hope this helps a little. Good luck with your game.

[Hikari no Kaze]

Re: Best Order to Build a Game

You're not the first to ask.

[Ωbright]

Re: Best Order to Build a Game

It's also a good idea to go through the ENTIRE graphics set of RM3. Look at all of the 2D portraits and models closely (I know there are a lot of them, but the ones that stick out in your mind are apparent fairly quickly). Think about what those people would say and do...how they would behave. That's a good way to come up with characters, and doing it that way means you're working WITH the software, and not trying to fit the software into what you imagined. Believe me...this will save you some time and aggravation. It's really like the characters make themselves. The portraits that really appeal to you will tell you what they want to say and do if you listen to them...sorry if that sounds esoteric, but it's the absolute truth.

What Lausen said about making the map first is GREAT advice. That's your setting, and once that's done it's much easier to establish an overall mood, and develop the characters and events. He's also right on about making the game as you go along.

While it's far from impossible to come up with a great idea and THEN try to make it with RM3, it's just much harder, that's all.

[RPG Maker 3]

Re: Best Order to Build a Game

Thanks for all the advice, I followed the link and read that thread too, ty for it. I will begin shortly with my field maps.

[Nje789]

Re: Best Order to Build a Game

The first thing to do is plan it all out on paper or a PC document.

Assess how much memory everything requires, test any questionable points in any custom script systems in your game, test how well the game enigne itself handles everything you plan to have going on.

Structure your developement into a scheduled plan, and you'll be more motivated and may tend to accomplish more with your time.
If you can't move on, it means you didn't plan your game on paper/word document well enough, and need to finish it so you know what you're doing next.

I'd go maps, then data like items and enemies, then finally setup the scripts, and watch your memory use at each step.