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Want to create a game, don't know where to start

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Started by ChizFreak May 30, 2012 11:37 PM

10 comments, last by Angus Hollands 11 years, 11 months ago

ChizFreak

106

Author

May 30, 2012 11:37 PM

Hi all! I'm new to this community, I decided to join because it seems that everyone here is friendly!

I need some help, I want to create a game, but I don't know where to start, I will put down here some basics ideas of the game I want to create, so you can help me better:

It would be a 2D game.
I just want it to look like the game Diablo 1 or 2, nothing too complicated.
I wanted it to have randomized maps, just like in the game Diablo, in case you don't know, Diablo had maps that were randomly generated everytime you exited the game, along with random generation of monsters, chests, etc.

Also, here are some core questions:

What should I use to make the characters? I mean the look, the "image" the engine will "display" for each one. Is Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop an option?
What language should I use? Keeping in mind my goal (an 2-D RPG).
What part of the game should I start making/learning?
What engine, if necesary, besides language (I'm not well informed about this), should I use to make my game?
What else do I need?

I play the guitar, I love composing music, and my love for music is only surpassed by my love for video games. So, how should I implement sound in a game?

If you want a more graphic view of what I want to accomplish, here is a video of the game Diablo 1 (year 1996 game):

[media]

[/media]

Extra info: I have NO previous experience in programming.

I was also thinking in doing a course of Adobe Flash CS6, but I'm not sure yet, could this program make the game I described?

Hope I covered all the info.

Thank you in advance!

PS: Sorry if there are some language mistakes, english is not my primary language.

FortifiedDestruction

107

May 31, 2012 12:30 AM

I think I may actually know this one.
To start with you should start out learning to program really any language could do what you are looking to do with enough experience in it, if you want my reccomendation in which language to use I would say C#, it is a neat, clean, easy to understand, and pretty easy to learn language.

With C# you may want to take a look into learning XNA which is a nice framework to have around when doing something like this.

ChizFreak

106

Author

May 31, 2012 02:06 AM

I think I may actually know this one.
To start with you should start out learning to program really any language could do what you are looking to do with enough experience in it, if you want my reccomendation in which language to use I would say C#, it is a neat, clean, easy to understand, and pretty easy to learn language.

With C# you may want to take a look into learning XNA which is a nice framework to have around when doing something like this.

So C# it's a language right? Can it do what I described? And what's XNA? And what you mean by framework? Sorry for so many questions lol.

Also I still need answers to my other questions.

Thanks!

kidman171

498

May 31, 2012 03:34 AM

Hi chizfreak,

I will try to answer your questions.
1. Yes you can make your artwork in Photoshop. Another idea is to use a 3d modeling program such as Blender to model/animate characters and convert them to sprite sheets for your game.
2. You could make a game like this in many different languages but you might want to consider what platform you want to deploy the game to. For windows and xbox, c# with xna is a great choice.
3. At this point you really need to learn how to program. Once you feel comfortable with a language, learn to use a graphics API / game engine that is supported by that language. ( e.g. C# then XNA)
4. There are so many options out there, you really need to just find something you like and just stick to it.
5. It's great that you have a musical background, you can put your skills to use when it comes time to add audio to your game. What you really need to make a game like this is the will to learn and patience. If you want to learn how to program, pick a language and google tutorials. If you like the language maybe buy a book on it. Get comfortable with the language. After that make some small games like pong and tetris. Eventually you will be ready to make the game of your dreams!

Serapth

6,672

May 31, 2012 04:01 AM

Read this, it should get you started.

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]I just want it to look like the game Diablo 1 or 2, nothing too complicated.[/background]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)][/quote][/background][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]You do realize that Diablo 2 had a team of dozens and a multimillion dollar budget, right?[/background][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Aim small, much much smaller than Diablo2 to start.[/background][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Like say... Zork.[/background][/font]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]EDIT:[/background][/font][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]
[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Game Developer Magazines Diablo 2 post mortem is online. That "not too complicated" game took 40 people 3 years to make![/background][/font]

Huge Collection of Game Development Tutorials || Getting Started? Start Here

marvel_magnum

333

May 31, 2012 05:07 AM

A very common scenario when starting out game development is to be arrive with a lot of inspiration from a game you like playing and more often than not they are classics. Making one of these classics (usually) takes a LOT of talented people a LOT of time to make.

Thinking that is achievable alone especially when starting out, is a very common newbie mistake. Once you start working on "much" smaller games, you will understand how much work goes into making ANY game and those "not too complicated" games will suddenly seem to be "a godly combination of art and science".

I just want it to look like the game Diablo 1 or 2

ChizFreak, its very good to be inspired. But its equally important to know whats practical. [And I actually like your avatar.

Hail mighty Archangel Tyrael.]

Angus Hollands

869

May 31, 2012 09:18 AM

If you don't see this as a console project, then Blender may be what you're looking for. It is has a game engine which has a very friendly content pipeline. It can be limited by certain features - in the sense that it has limitations due to its design, but it is free and open source. Be aware that it has GPL, which shouldn't be a problem for any game but can be an issue for some who aren't aware of it. Here are the forums that members are most active, including myself:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?34-Game-Engine
Here is the download link:
http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/
And here is my own tutorial site, under development.
http://hostilestudios.com/bge/

CJ_COIMBRA

980

May 31, 2012 12:42 PM

I´ll give my opinion here

It would be a 2D game. - You are right, it´s a good idead to start with 2D games. However diablo is isometric and that includes several complications that you´ll discover soon.
I just want it to look like the game Diablo 1 or 2, nothing too complicated. - Diablo 1/2 are VERY complicated, believe me.
I wanted it to have randomized maps, just like in the game Diablo, in case you don't know, Diablo had maps that were randomly generated everytime you exited the game, along with random generation of monsters, chests, etc. - One day you will realize the complexity of this feature, but know I would advise you to leave it out of your first game.

What should I use to make the characters? I mean the look, the "image" the engine will "display" for each one. Is Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop an option? - Maybe you could ask for someone to help and focus on the coding. Or even join a team with similar goals.
What language should I use? Keeping in mind my goal (an 2-D RPG). - Start with a game engine. It will simplify thing for you.
What part of the game should I start making/learning? You should think of all details of your game, which means the design. Avoid thinking the details during the game programming. Things tend to go wrong that way!
What engine, if necesary, besides language (I'm not well informed about this), should I use to make my game? Unity3D engine is a good choice. You can also use a programming language with some gamedev oriented API/framework such as C++ and SFML or C# and XNA.
What else do I need? - You need to simplify everything so you can learn. If you can, try doing a smaller game than your diablo-like project. I mean it´s not impossible but trying a huge project from the start will make it harder for you to learn and even frustrating.

CJ
====================================
Chesster - the ultimate match-3/puzzle game!
Meme Match
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Skirmish

norman784

101

May 31, 2012 02:14 PM

I'll recomend you to search an game engine for this kind of game, maybe you can do parts of the game and then when all its finished join together. What i think you need to do its:

- Quest system
- Isometric map (in my opinion it will be much easier to do with a 3d engine rater than a 2d engine, just put the camera in the angle you want and wala)
- Character movement / action
- Inventory system
- IA system
- Path finding
- Scenario transitions

Its not a complete list but its a start, maybe some of this "modules" you can find for certain engines so you really focus on the important part of the game, such as the story and user experience.

Unity3D its a great choice, simply because have a great community, resources and you can program with javascript, c# or boo.

ChizFreak

106

Author

May 31, 2012 05:38 PM

Thanks all for the info! I will aim lower for my first game, you're right, it seems complicated.

I think I will start to learn C#, but I need some info before to be sure. I see most of you say Unity3D it's a good game engine, and last comment said you can use C# in it too right? I see it's free also, awesome!

So basicaly, here is a work order, please tell me if I'm missing something:

Learn language C#. (can someone give me a good guide?)
Learn how to correctly use C# in Unity3D.
Program the basics things of my game.
Create the sprites my game it's gonna use, for characters and all that, can someone tell me how I can do this? Unity3D can do this? Or it only uses sprites? Need big help on this one.
Implement the sprites in my game using Unity3D.
Develop my game further.
Record music and sounds effects.
Implement music and sounds effects. Need help on this one. Can Unity3D do this? Or I need another program to implement the sound?
Fix any bugs, improve the game as I see fit.
Polish the game.
Play it.

What do you guys think about this? Please tell me if I'm missing something, also in the points I marked I need help with what program should I use, and how to's.

Want to create a game, don't know where to start

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)][/quote][/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]You do realize that Diablo 2 had a team of dozens and a multimillion dollar budget, right?[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Aim small, much much smaller than Diablo2 to start.[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Like say... Zork.[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]EDIT:[/background][/font][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Game Developer Magazines Diablo 2 post mortem is online. That "not too complicated" game took 40 people 3 years to make![/background][/font]

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Want to create a game, don't know where to start

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)][/quote][/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]You do realize that Diablo 2 had a team of dozens and a multimillion dollar budget, right?[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Aim small, much much smaller than Diablo2 to start.[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Like say... Zork.[/background][/font]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]EDIT:[/background][/font][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]

[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Game Developer Magazines Diablo 2 post mortem is online. That "not too complicated" game took 40 people 3 years to make![/background][/font]

This topic is closed to new replies.

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