Wander - Full Game Progress Report

[Pagerron]

Something I’ve been working on for the last few months. I’ve got a long way to go but…

Wander – for RPG Maker 3

You find yourself waking from unconsciousness as you hear the sound of waves against a dock. You soon come to realize that you are in a world you’ve never seen before and have no idea why.

Featuring:

-NO battles
(That’s right. No random nor event battles at all.)

-NO towns
(In this world, there is no need for them.)

-NO NPCs
(Imagine that! Seriously though. It’s just you and your environment.)

-NO huge expansive maps that require holding down the triangle button for long periods with nothing happening (The world is compact but jam-packed)

-NO Medieval theme
(This game is set in the modern day or beyond.)

-YES-highly interactive field maps

-YES-usage of the L3 button to pan the camera around you. (You’ll need to look carefully wherever you travel. The exclamation mark may appear in unexpected places. Pay close attention.)

-YES- secret bonuses (Who knows what items, or places, you may stumble across)

-YES- Original events (If you have seen “Test Facility” and/or “Origami,” you’ll know what I mean.)

-YES- Frequent save points (in case you need to play just in short spurts)

I would appreciate any comments you have as I keep working on “Wander.”

[Valkysas]

Re: W A N D E R

I'm interested. no battles, no towns, no NPCs, no huge empty boring maps. definately has my attention.

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Thanks Valkysas for the comment. I hope that once it's finished, you do get a chance to play it. That would be really cool.

Well, over the last couple of days, I've had some successful game-making time, so I've gotten a bit done. Right now, I'm working on linking the field maps and creating warp areas to minimize unnecessary walking. However, there will be walking in this game. Seeing as it's called "Wander," it would be very strange if there weren't some walking to do, right?. The difference is that it will be walking with the purpose of exploration of the environment and figuring out why you are there in the first place. I am trying my very best to make them neither huge nor boring.

I'm also trying to make good use of the available graphics to create special items/events that could help make the game more interesting. It's been (and continues to be) a fun experience. I love just tinkering with things. Of course, that means this game might take forever, but who cares, it's fun. It really is cool to see what can be done with burying, overlapping, and linking graphics.

Well, I wish happy game-making to others, and hey, play some other people's games and submit reviews. That's a great way to keep inspired, too.

[Jamos]

Re: Wander

I'm certainly curious as to how you are going to go about this. All we really know is that you wander around. Is there a point? Are there puzzles? Is it just one big fetch quest? Mainly curious as to how items are going to be used seeing as there is no combat.

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Hey Jamos. Thank you very much for the questions.

This is more of an adventure game than an RPG.

The point of the game is to find out why you are in this world, and ultimately find out how to get back to your own.

Yes, there definitely are puzzles to be solved.

There are many items to be found as well, many of which directly affect your success in getting back home. They will be found in your treasure item inventory, each with a detailed description. Some items may work as regular "items" do, but this will be in the minority.

Think of it as a mystery to be unraveled or a code to be cracked (or both).

You will need to become familiar with moving the camera while you play because there will be things to see above or below you that can/will help you unravel the secrets.

Also, you have the option to save often, and this is recommended.

[JPS]

Re: Wander

I love games where you just wander around and look for stuff, I cant wait for this to be finished, especially with your track record.

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Thanks JPS for the kind words. I really am planning on seeing this game through to completion.

I've gotten some more ideas and I have been toying with different interactive event ideas.

Things that I'm in the process of creating:

-wall levers on a field map (one type designed already)
-wall switches in a dungeon (one type designed already)
-new varieties of plants on a field map (One type is designed already. The design for a second in underway.)
-bridges on a field map (one type designed already)
-docks on a field map (two types designed already)
-enormous interlocking doors on a field map (one type designed already)

I have some other "original" events that I hope to keep as a surprise, too.
Still lots and lots to do. Woo Hoo!

[salamander]

Re: Wander

This will most certainly be a breath of fresh air from the sea of RPGs as of late. Consider your game at the top of my 'to-play' list!

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Hey Salamander,

Thank you for the support. I hope that you do get a chance to play it when it comes out. It would be nice to hear what you think of it then too.

Well, The last week or so has been pretty productive. I'm in the process of designing some more special events.

Messing around with Storytellers has been fun lately, too. You can create some interesting new "creatures" and "Places" with overlapping the shadow model 2D graphics.

I've also thought of some more ideas for ways to make the environment more interactive. Still quite a work in progress though.

The story as to why you're there exactly and how that develops is coming along well. I have typed up several things today.

I've also been working on a special alphabet that will be used within the game. You'll have to decipher it in order to progress at certain points.

So, although it's a bit disjointed, there is a bit of update on things. Any comments at all are welcome. Suggestions? Ideas?

[Ωbright]

Re: Wander

I've been taking a small Summer vacation of sorts, but I just popped by to tell you that I'm definitely intrigued by these new game ideas.

I can't wait to see how you handle some of the things you've planned/done!

Wall switches...on a field map??

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Yeah, taking a bit of a vacation can be a good thing. I hope it's relaxing. Thank you for the support. Also, keep up the stained glass window making. That thread in the Creativity forum is really cool.

As far as Wander goes, I've been working more on the game. I had this one idea that was so awesome in my mind and on paper, but I wasn't able to translate it as I had thought into the actual game. Anyway, I've made some more progress in the last couple of days. I have created a few more events and fooled around with making some more "original"type ones too. I've also had a couple of storyline related ideas.

I've found myself just tinkering lately though. Haven't made any REAL progress, if you know what I mean, and I suspect other RPG Maker 3 owners know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Vonwert]

Re: Wander

I know that feeling all too well.

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Yeah, Vonwert, I know you do.

Well, today has been a really good day progress-wise.

I worked on things for a few hours. It was a good feeling to get some things done. I had to create a couple more storytellers today. I also created a sequence of events that has worked out well. That sequence alone has taken up about 3% of available memory.

In addition, I worked on finishing up connecting the fields with logical warps.

I have to go back to work (my real job I mean) in earnest on Monday, so I'm trying to get some good things done on the game this week. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for your interest everyone.

[Pagerron]

Re: Wander

Hey. Just wanted to check in and say that Wander is still in the process of being made. As the summer is done now, and my real work is back underway, things may be a little slow going for a while, but I look forward to being able to continue working on this game little by little as time permits. Hope everyone is doing well with their games. Thanks for checking in.

[Lausen]

Re: Wander

It' great to see you working on a new project, Page. It sounds very interesting and it plays right into your strengths so I know it'll be good. I'm excited to give this a go, and if you ever need help let me know. I'd be more then happy to playtest it for you when the time comes.

I look forward to hearing more updates. Have fun with it.