RMN SNEWS - ISSUE #22

Keep an open mind

...and not only just to let new ideas in, but to let old ideas fall out.

Doing unique, random, different, and ridiculous things is a good way to exercise the mind and promote new ways of thinking about the world around us. As for RMN and games in general, try playing games outside of your typical preffered genre, or try exploring new game design ideas, or experiment with a new maker or engine (even geodude is trying out Construct!).

On the flipside, try to let go of the prejudices, preconceived notions of what makes a game "good" or "fun", old affliations to cliques, and instead just try to soak in some new experiences. An open mind is comfortable with differences.

Try different music you haven't tried before. Go to an arts fair or indie art gallery. Read about a different culture on Wikipedia. Let your mind wander. Play (different) board games. Learn to write backwards. Draw with your left hand (or attempt to draw at all). Read backwards. Build things with lego. Eat new foods. Exercise. Juggle. Take a whole day without ever checking what time it is. Approach the world like an inquisitive child!

(Now go forth and translate an "experience" into a game!)





The French Connection

Creation
I thought you guys might be interested in seeing some screenshots from various projects in my community.

I've tried to show you the various styles to give you a better idea.

Oniromancie is a (the?) french RPG maker community, and Creation, a member there, is actively attempting to translate some of the games and expose us to their RM culture. It's a nice looking culture. Interested, I joined up (yes I can understand french) and intend to check out the site and the community. (I found links to two of my games there, and one for Marvel Brothel. Also, Eyes Without A Face is popular there.)

author=TFT
it's incredibly refreshing to know that there are people outside this community who actually have the desire to create a magical and inspiring atmosphere. what a delight all of these screenshots are. all of these are wonderful. creative games, spawn more creative games.

I agree. Seeing one put so much effort into a game is inspiring. And while this is all just eye-candy right now, other aspects of a game can be equally inspiring (just not so easily digested).

(Now go forth and translate an "experience" into a game!)





Due to an unexpected downtime, the Super RMN Bros. 2 event submission deadline has been extended to December 17th.

(Now go forth and make SRB2 into a game!)





Extra Credit: Are you a good Designer?

So you want to be a Game Designer? Well, do ya, punk?

Then this is an absolutely a must watch for anyone here aspiring to make any kind of game ever. It works as a good "gateway" into exploring the subject, at least. It's only 7 minutes long, so go watch it.

(Now go forth and translate what you just learned into a game!)







Who made it?
YDS, tardis and TheDigitalMonk (Team Cascade)

What is it?
Eyes Without A Face is an adaptation of the french film of the same name made for the Scary Movie contest.

Why should you care?
As alluded to earlier, this game was made by YDS in an engine she was unfamiliar with in a short amount of time, and yet has really captured an audience and shows immense polish and style. It has already been translated into french, too.






Who made it?
yusolaifdfer

What is it?
An retro-styled 2D platformer made in Gamemaker.

Why should you care?
Swirly The Game A Great Game With A Great Feeling , Smell Of 8-BIT ERA , SMB , KIRBY , METROID , MEGAMAN...







This dude actually got into the games industry! Pay heed to his words! (For example, Yorkshire pudding is great)

In his own words...

RMN HISTORY:
I started back in RPG Maker 95. A Pokemon fangame called Pikachu's Quest was the game that eventually got me into the business, and I followed with an RPG Maker 95 game called Legend of Zelda: Angels Four (based on a fanfiction I had written the summer before). I have been lounging around on a variety of RPG Making sites/communities, such as Nexus, RMD, Don's Boards, the Heresy (which eventually became GamingGroundZero), GamingW, and RpgMakerNetwork/RMN. I was an often very frequent visitor to IRC and saw many of my friends join and leave over the years. Though I am famous for making such games as a sequel to Angels Four titled NigSek: A Monster's Tail and Idunn Ymiraldor, nowadays I take a backseat in the RPG Making business, though I still do graphics for other users. I got into the games industry as a direct result of some of the work I produced for Idunn Ymiraldor, actually!

PERSONAL BLURB:
I am a 29-year-old graphic artist living in Southampton, UK. I have been working in games for nearly 7 years now, and am currently a co-founder of a Flash/iPhone/XBLA game dev studio titled Megadev. I have never worked on the big boy games consoles, though at this rate I don't think I really want to with all the issues with the industry right now. Eventually I wish to work at Pixar as an animator, but that may take some time to do!

SPARE TIME:
The one thing you learn when working in games is that your desire to play games goes down dramatically. I still do, but not as much, you understand. I also like to read, socialise with friends, go out clubbing when the opportunity arises and have recently discovered a love for karaoke. However, I still can't shuffle cards.

FAVORITE FOOD:
Ooh, tough question. Eggybread, Yorkshire puddings, bacon, freshly cooked baguettes, roasted parsnips. Pick one.

FAVORITE SAYING:
"As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation." - Humphrey Lyttelton

PET PEEVE:
People accusing me of lying when I am telling the truth. I know it's not exactly anybody's favourite thing, but for some reason it REALLY annoys me especially bad.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT:
I once managed to personally deliver a printed copy of Angels Four, my Zelda fanfiction, to none other than Shigeru Miyamoto himself. He probably threw it away after but THAT'S NOT THE POINT.