So I've made the basic pong, breakout, snake, etc games. I want to get into something else now, I have a 2d top-down RPG started, but I feel like I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew. Mostly because I can't figure out a good way to set up the items in the game(fiddled with component-entity, not too sure what other directions I can take it). What other game genre's would be a good idea to start working on? How would a basic RTS game work?
What kind of game to make?
Whatever you feel is motivating to you yet just above your level.
If an RPG is above your level, so is an RTS.
But RTS games can be scaled down—you don’t have to make it fully featured. In fact RPG’s can too, but you probably wouldn’t be motivated to make an RPG with only one quest, a few loot types, and 2 enemies to kill before a boss and game over.
It’s not for us to answer.
The formula is simple: Know yourself.
Know what types of game excite you because that excitement will necessarily keep you going when times get tough.
Know your abilities so you can aim at just above them.
L. Spiro
L nails things in terms of overall "desire" but I differ in terms of how to proceed. You've done the basic games and gotten a feel for the process and requirements. Why not extend such things to new levels without "adding" a lot? So, you mention an RTS, how about making a simple move to point X game using RTS styled elements? For instance, say you generate a random map (kinda maze) and time the player getting to the exit. With fog of war style visualization, there is a simple game there. I don't think it would be fun, but who knows, implementing it may give you goofy ideas as you practice and it could be the next MineCraft for all any of us can guess. The idea behind any further projects would generally be to try something simple and see if you can make it fun. MineCraft is not an isolated phenomena, every concept in it can be traced back to other games, the unique combination, that's what makes it the phenomena at this time.
By targeting for the things you should already know and applying them to a different context can be just as good a learning tool as anything else. Just simplify the context to a point you believe is viable. Though, I do suggest pushing just a BIT outside your current comfort zone in order to learn. (Ask questions, MANY questions, making games is not a single person in a vacuum, well at least the games folks *want* to play.
By targeting for the things you should already know and applying them to a different context can be just as good a learning tool as anything else. Just simplify the context to a point you believe is viable. Though, I do suggest pushing just a BIT outside your current comfort zone in order to learn. (Ask questions, MANY questions, making games is not a single person in a vacuum, well at least the games folks *want* to play.
So I've made the basic pong, breakout, snake, etc games. I want to get into something else now, I have a 2d top-down RPG started, but I feel like I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew. Mostly because I can't figure out a good way to set up the items in the game(fiddled with component-entity, not too sure what other directions I can take it). What other game genre's would be a good idea to start working on? How would a basic RTS game work?
Have you made a Mario, Sonic, Gradius, or Ikari Warriors type of game?
Barring that, how about just concentrate on one aspect of RPGs. Meaning just do one important part of creating a RPG:
- Creating a map
- Loading the map to the screen
- Getting the character to move around (without the map)
- Getting the character to animate (walk, run, attack, cast magic)
- Create the menu
Just do ONE of these and don't worry about integration. Once you get done and right, then move on to the next thing and only concentrate on that.
Author
So I've made the basic pong, breakout, snake, etc games. I want to get into something else now, I have a 2d top-down RPG started, but I feel like I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew. Mostly because I can't figure out a good way to set up the items in the game(fiddled with component-entity, not too sure what other directions I can take it). What other game genre's would be a good idea to start working on? How would a basic RTS game work?
Have you made a Mario, Sonic, Gradius, or Ikari Warriors type of game?
Barring that, how about just concentrate on one aspect of RPGs. Meaning just do one important part of creating a RPG:
- Creating a map
- Loading the map to the screen
- Getting the character to move around (without the map)
- Getting the character to animate (walk, run, attack, cast magic)
- Create the menu
Just do ONE of these and don't worry about integration. Once you get done and right, then move on to the next thing and only concentrate on that.
No, I haven't made those games yet. That would be a good starting point.
I've done all of those small tasks for the RPG I've been working on. The only thing I'm stuck on right now is designing the component-entity system for items(I don't know any other methods other than deep class trees).
Plenty of solid ideas, mixed with a couple of cautionary or mis-direction from where you may want to go. So here is another one.
Have you tried doing a puzzle type game or a "Game Show" type game? Both would expand your design skill set.
RPG game items such as weapons and pick-ups. I have found that by keeping things simple maybe a better approach. For example: a Player Charactor(PC) has atrributes and skill sets, Pick-ups and weapons also have the same. Food & Drink provide health to a Player, So does a health Kit, so does resting. Poisons take away health. So when these items are used, they would affect a players health.
If a PC uses a skill to is affected by movement, then Armor or amount of items carried would affect that skill set or attribute. These type of items also affect more than 1 Attribute/Skill Set.
I hope these ideas help you and others with the same questions.
So I've made the basic pong, breakout, snake, etc games....
Have you completed these games entirely?
Are they fully polished - with menus, game over screens, settings menus (such as the option to change controls and keys), high scores, maybe even demo modes?
In short - if you gave them to a complete stranger, would they feel like it was a 100% completed product or would they feel like it was something a student completed for his project at school, before moving on to the next class assignment?
If they're not polished, then you need to go and do those things - you'll learn a LOT that you wouldn't otherwise, and will have a fully completed product that you can be 100% proud of to show off to friends, strangers, and employers. Most people skip these steps (because they're hard or boring or dull or not exciting), and that's what prevents them from being real game designers or programmers. They don't see it through to the end (and if they can't see the simple projects through to the end, there's no way they'll see the complicated ones through to the end).
If you HAVE completed these steps, then congratulations - I have much respect for someone that actually completes what they said they've done. In this case, it's time to move to the next step, which will probably be:
Have you made a Mario, Sonic, Gradius, or Ikari Warriors type of game?
A sidescroller! Unlike the other examples you've already completed, sidescrollers are going to have multiple levels, a potential storyline, characters, much more in-depth animations - in short, a much more immersive experience. It'll be a lot harder and also a lot more fun to play in the end.
But unlike RPGs, RTSes, or FPSes, the amount of content and programming behind a sidescroller is going to be much more manageable (while again being a step up from what you've done before).
Plenty of solid ideas, mixed with a couple of cautionary or mis-direction from where you may want to go.
What do you mean by the bolded?
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