Developing a good Game

[Whataface2]

If I posted this in the wrong section I'm sorry. I couldn't figure out if it went in the Workshop or the General section on the site. Anyway I was wondering how other people develop their stories for their RPGS. I would like to hear how you make your games.

Generally I first develope my characters. From there I develop the different areas they will be entering. After that I develop my story. Along with this process I also do some research depending on the characters in my game. For example, in the game I'm working on now I'm doing research on Buddhist Monks and on medicinal herbs.

After that I work out the treasures, and items that will be in my game.

I think this the hardest part in the game making progress. So does anyone have any other suggestions on making a good story?

[Lausen]

Re: Developing a good Game

I generally think of a basic concept before I even turn on the game. Knowing the basic ideas help me with coming up with believable characters. Then I go to my maps. I need to make the first map before I can even think of doing anything else. I don't really have a next step. From there I just make the game as I go. Of course I am always thinking of where it needs to go. As for NPC's, items, monsters, etc... I build as I go so I know their exact purpose, not have a bunch of things taking up space. Maps are the most important part for me. Those always come first.

[madcopper]

Re: Developing a good Game

Before you even turn on the the RPGM that you are using to begin a new game, you first should plan out a few things on paper.

Before I begin to contruct any game I always write down what I want the main idea or point of game to be. You could also write a short synapsis of what you want you game to be. This allows you to stay focused throughout your game because it makes you think, "how does such and such relate to my story" so you dont end up making pointless things.

Once you have an idea of what you want your game to be, write down who your main characters are, give them a little history, maybe profiles and select a charater model.

After this I usually begin to develop my world on paper as well. I think by drawing out your maps before hand allows you easier expression of your ideas and once you get into designing the stages having a template makes it much easier. Also by preplanning your world helps to decide where your character will be going which helps with the progression of the story making it smoother.

After this I begin to develop the actual story and do all the events, items, NPCs, treasure, ect.

So yes doing research is a very important part of making games as well as planning them out in advance. By doing this will keep your game focused and generally will yeild a better product.

As for making a good story goes, read some books, play other games, watch TV, movies, and what not and see how they work their stories.

[Whataface2]

Re: Developing a good Game

Thanks for the help. I just have another question. How do you come up with names for your villages or dungeons? That seems to be a weak point in my game making. I can only come up with bland names like Mountain View or River Edge. Unfortunely I can't progress unless I can come up with names for where my characters will be going. Thats just me though.

[Dungeon Warden]

Re: Developing a good Game

Places are often named by the people who first find them. Thus instead of Mountain View, you could use Barrette's view. It could be the name of the person themselves or of someone they look up to. For example Victoria Falls. A place might also be named after what it is best known for, like Salmon River. Sometimes a name is a foreign word or a corruption of a foreign word (usually named by the previous owners). For example, Canada is a corruption of a native American word for village.

Look at maps of English speaking countries (USA, Canada, England, and Australia are the big ones) and see how places are named in those countries. You can search around the world for even more place names.

[Whataface2]

Re: Developing a good Game

Look at maps of English speaking countries (USA, Canada, England, and Australia are the big ones) and see how places are named in those countries. You can search around the world for even more place names.

Never gave that a thought. Thanks!

[Hikari no Kaze]

Re: Developing a good Game

Just a thought...

You might also want to look to foreign languages themselves for inspiration. For example, "River's Edge" in French is "Bord du Riviere" (that's pronounced "bore doo reev-yair"). From there, you could get Riverbord, Riverboard, or simply Bordue. Also, there are three words for "river" in French, those being "fleuve" (the largest), "riviere" (medium) and "ruisseau" (smallest).
From here, we could get Ruisseaubord, Fleuville, or any number of names... all from one word translated into one other language.

[rpgfanatic]

Re: Developing a good Game

Here's what I do: First, get two notebooks, label one as "Concepts" and the other as "Notes". For the Concepts notebook, label some pages as Story, Characters, , World/Worlds (you could draw out a sketch of a world map), Items, Mini-games, and Conflict (this should include enemies, bosses, and any custom battle system ideas). For each section, write some ideas and use drawings if that helps. For the Notes notebook, you could jot down some changes, scripts, and such that you add to your game. Then, experiment with your ideas on RPGM2. If everything works out, you got yourself a game!

[Whataface2]

Re: Developing a good Game

Thanks for all the great advice. My game project is really comming along. To me the hardest part of RPG Maker is actually coming up with a really good concept for it. I have tried to make many of games, but they all have never been finished. I think through a lack of planning.

Now instead of have towns named Mountain Top and Hunters Village I have Dragon Lake and Eagle View.

Okay another question for you. I know it is off topic but how do you make enemies that are balanced? I usually just copy the status and change the monsters appearance, but there always seem someone in my party who is too weak or too strong. Any suggestions?

[Cheesylard]

Re: Developing a good Game

When I want new charecters/storys I just draw random things on a piece of paper, I usally have a new game idea in like 15 minutes.

[madcopper]

Re: Developing a good Game

When I want new charecters/storys I just draw random things on a piece of paper, I usally have a new game idea in like 15 minutes.

And how is that working out for you??