Learn to make an RPG by first learning to write well, and include lots of details in your writing.

Then find a group of friends and play table top games. You can do this online, but most will likely agree it is more fun in person. I'm personally not a fan of using in character voice, or much first person characters, but to each their own.

Then decide: Do you really want to make these for computers?

If so, learn to program, and expect your first RPG to be at least a year or more away. What language to start with? It doesn't matter, they're all good with different good and bad points to them. I strongly suggest learning Python, as it is easy to pick up and learn to do simple things, and it won't take you too long to move onto learning more complex things in it.

Remember, learning to Program is NOT the same as learning a programming language. Programming is about the theory behind how things work. Understanding the basics like Loops and Logical statements, Data Structures and Data Types. These things work basically the same in all languages that have them, but often look a little different at first.

Remember, RPGs are one of the most expensive (in time, and time equals money) style of games to develop. While really rather simple programming wise, their content takes a LONG time to do for a game of any length.


Another option, if you just want to tell cool RPG stories is pick up a copy of Neverwinter Nights or Morrowind, and use their game design tools to make your own 'game' with those engines. While they limit you a lot, (you will usually be stuck with the systems they have with little room to change how things work) they'll save you a huge amount of time in learning to program and developing content like models and textures. Storyline and that (unless you are doing something really funky) should not be limited by the engine.

We already had a recent discussion on RPG creation here: http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=440489


There is no place where you go to "learn to program RPGs". First you learn how to program (I recommend a college course, if possible). Then you practice programming by making simple applications that do specific tasks. Then after a couple years of that, maybe you'll be ready to write a program for a full fledged RPG.

Or you could just use RPG Maker XP or one of those applications if you don't have the patience and will to go through months or years (mostly years) of prior study.

I don't really have the time to give my usual "RPG" rant, but the best thing you can do write now is design an RPG without a written story that is still fun to play. Most people think that the best way to approach designing an RPG is by writing a story, but a story is not a game. If your mindset is "I want to make an RPG because I have this great story to tell", that story will very likely never be told. If your mindset is "I want to make a great role-playing game" you're already on the right track.

The thread Roots linked to has quite a few good discussions about different facets of RPG design and is well worth a read.