FAN MASTERS PART 3- POKEMON

Interviewees:
SaitenHazard
TheRexion
Adon237

Welcome to the third issue of Fan Master!

Pokehaters, you can go pikapuke elsewhere, because this week we’re set to discover what goes into creating a Pokemon fangame and just what makes this particular franchise so difficult to emulate. It should be noted that none of these games have been completed yet, and are all still in active development.

Allow me to introduce SaitenHazard (Towsif Khan’s Pokemon Battle Flo), TheRexion (Pokemon Trinity), and Adon237 (Pokemon Mica).

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So, why a fan game? And why Pokemon?

SaitenHazard: Why a fan game: No particular reason. Love making games. Want to make original games. Originality does not always have to be completely made from scratch thought; it can be inspired from others work.

Why Pokémon: Dillogical (dill means heart in Hindi) reasons: A part of my childhood was all about Pokémon, the anime, the games, the cards and even stickers. While other kids had imaginary friends, I had imaginary Pokémon, recreating those real time battles of the anime with my own flavor. And I often felt that a great Pokémon spin off game would be one that would let me play out my imagination, and I knew for sure that I am not the only one who felt like that. Since no one else was making it I took matters into my own hand. By the way, I was right about other people wanting something like this too.

Logical reasons: The sprites are already out there, the tiles are already out there, the characters, stats, move and etc. are already there. I could use a similar system to make a completely original game, but as all the resources for Pokémon are already out there it decreases the work load a lot.

TheRexion: I chose to make a fan game on the spur of the moment. I felt like doing something many people could easily relate to, so it seemed the obvious choice. As for Pokemon... it is probably the closest thing to my soul in terms of childhood experiences. I saw that most Pokemon fan games were either abandoned, or they just ended up dying on their own--especially the good ones. I would watch them and grow incredibly excited at their progress... only for them to die, which crushed me. I wanted to end that cycle of disappointment.

Adon237: A fan game I believe is made by die hard fans to emulate a series they know and love, a series they may have a lot of passion for. Plus, trying to create something similar to Pokemon while being original is often very difficult and never really becomes a successful emulation. I have been playing with Pokemon since I was 7, and much of my early childhood revolved around it.


Can you (briefly) describe your game for us?

SaitenHazard: The battle takes place right on the over world. Predetermined sequence of the battle will take place, the game will pause, and you will be asked to choose from a few options to guide your Pokémon, then rinse, wash and repeat until the battle ends. The gameplay is pretty similar to another game on the site called ‘Choice!’ I believe, but I swear that I played that game long after I completed my one.


Title screen from TKPBF.

TheRexion: Pokemon Trinity a project in which real happenings are mixed with the Pokemon world (which works better than most might imagine). A simple, yet interesting storyline mixed with the fantastical world of Pokemon where trainers don't just go out into the world at young ages just for the heck of it!


Title screen from PT.

Adon237: Pokemon Mica is a fan game made to emulate the style of Pokemon games, particularly the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald era of the games. While the game mechanics will be similar to those games, there are new Pokemon added to the game. My main idea of the game was to have a story from the "team rocket" side of the game.


Title screen from PM.

There isn’t a single completed traditional Pokemon fangame thus far on this site. Can you speak to why that may be? Are these games extra difficult to emulate?

SaitenHazard: These games are not extra difficult to emulate. Some codes (for example the catching system) might be a bit difficult to make but there are a few near perfect starter kits out there. The problem is the sheer amount of work. In a traditional rpg the player uses predetermined characters, created by the developers, no biggy. But in Pokémon the player gets to choose out of hundreds of characters to use, and the developers have set level up moves, back sprites and etc. for each of those hundreds of Pokémon.

TheRexion: It is always the simpler concepts that are the hardest to wrap an entire project around. Er... that is to say everything has to be mixed with perfect amounts of this or that in order to make a fan game complete. This aspect is what tends to throw people off, as it gets harder and harder to cope with the numerous things a traditional Pokemon game calls for, while also keeping their own original spices in it without diluting the formula altogether. These games aren't hard to emulate or reproduce, they're just filled with challenges that might keep those less... bold, away.

Adon237: That isn't surprising. I believe that most of the games on this site that are PokeFan games are made in the WRONG engine. I can speak the same of my game. RPG Maker is very difficult to develop Pokemon games in, and the existing Developer Kits are very difficult to use and are still buggy. I believe that the lack of resources and an effective Pokemon game development engine or one that is competent of doing the same is the main cause of the lack of finished PokeFan games. Pokemon games are difficult to emulate, because it is very hard trying to create a genuine Pokemon feel to your game, even if you are putting your own spin on things.




Gameplay pic from TKPBF.

What are the major advantages and disadvantages, in your opinion, of working within the frameworks of a work that isn’t entirely your own?

SaitenHazard: Advantages:
As I mentioned in the first answer, the work load decreases a lot since all the details and resources are already there.

Disadvantages:
Expectations. When you are using someone else’s work then everyone would expect your game to be up to the mark of the original, especially if the original work was any good. Didn’t find any haters for my work yet but when I released the game I was pretty concerned about that.

Copyright Issues. Although I mentioned that I do not own Pokémon in any way, sometimes that’s not enough. Wouldn’t want any official personnel getting pissed off and shutting down my game.

TheRexion: The main advantage, and the only thing that really makes it worth it, is making the fan game your own. Being able to throw your spin on a game in a way that you wish it was originally. There are so many perspectives and flaws when it comes to any specific type of game genre that, for each individual person, there is always something specific they wish was changed or added about a game; the fact that they can re-create it and add it themselves is amazing in itself! But that is where the problems come in.

The disadvantage of working within the confines of a world that already has people, already has a storyline, already contains a plethora of set standards that make the game... unique, is pleasing the die-hard fans that the series thrives around. One cannot simply do whatever they want and expect it to be this amazing game that everyone will love because another person with a different perspective may look at it and be completely against the author even daring to compare it to the original game(s) to begin with. Everything has to be either done in exactly the same way, or in a similar way that makes sense given the context. This seems easy when conceptualizing things, but can grow into a rather long an arduous process as more and more things come into play. This sometimes isn't viewed as a bad thing, but if done improperly can result in wasted time and effort.

Adon237: There is perhaps some shame factor in working on something that isn't of your own creation. People don't really view your work as an original piece, but that is just because it isn't completely your own original creation. This further motivates some to add original things to their games, and often take it to wrong turns. Not to mention that emulating the games feel is difficult enough already.

There are some advantages to it though. Working in a non-original framework definitely gives you a clear cut path on things that you can do, and you can cut down on originality effort, making game development some what easier.



Gameplay screen from PT.

What is your favorite Pokemon and why? And for that matter, what is your favorite Pokemon game?

SaitenHazard: Favorite Pokémon: don’t have one. I simply train whatever I feel like training at the moment.

Favorite game: the 2nd generation games and their remakes. The remakes specially, when your Pokémon follows you around there’s something so ‘real’ about them.

TheRexion: My favorite Pokemon would absolutely have to be Arcanine. He is just... absolutely amazing. From the time I first saw him in the Pokemon series to now, he is just a majestic beast that enraptures my very soul, so to speak. But I digress, hahah. As for favorite Pokemon game? Definitely Pokemon Silver. Because Lugia. 'Nuff said.

Adon237: My favorite Pokemon is Lapras. It is the coolest looking Pokemon, and it looked like some sea dinosaur. I love dinosaurs. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire was my favorite Pokemon game, not a fan of the newer ones, plus this is the one I played the most.


Gameplay screen from PM.

What advice do you have for other creators who are trying to make their own fan games?

SaitenHazard: Advices for making a game and making a fan game are all the same. Use your best friend, the internet, and you will find many advices, and don’t ignore any advice. When I started out I used to read a lot about how to make a good game, and often I used to ignore some of the advices, for example the ‘make a to-do list’ advice, but boy did all of those advices come in handy. So just listen to these people, they know what they are talking about.

TheRexion: I encourage your creativity to the fullest. I want you to make the game you've always dreamed of, but don't forget the little things that make the game its own game--the features that warrant a fan game in the first place! Don't forget the roots, as this may bring you (and your want to complete the game) rolling down a neverending downwards slope that you haven't the willpower to get off of. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Adon237: MAKE A PLAN! A planning document, it needs to have detail! Don't just wake up one morning, say "I am going to make a Pokemon game!", and then jump into RPG Maker and go. Pokemon games can go very chaotic quickly if you don't have a plan and outline for things like your story, maps, trainer battles, etc. If you truly wish to emulate your favorite games, at least do them the honor of making your fan game good!



Battle screen from PT.

Any plans on making a sequel to your own fangame?

SaitenHazard: Yes as a matter of fact. I plan on starting a sequel as soon as my exams end; this time around there will be a complete status screen, 3 Pokémon to switch around and what not.

And after that I am hoping to make a complete game for the battle flo, with a story, journey, exploration and what not. So wish me luck, and if anybody wants to help me out just pm me. I am going to use all the help I can get.

TheRexion: Actually, yes! I've planned out how this one will end in such a way that the beginnings of a sequel seem to be exploding out of my brain! I may even program it from scratch (though I really don't want to, hahah)!

Adon237: No, I personally don't believe fangames need sequels.



Battle screen from PM.

Any final thoughts?

SaitenHazard: Final thoughts: Thanks sbester. I read a few of your articles before and they are a great read. Back then I thought that one day this guy is going to write an article about me, didn’t think that day would come so soon. Something very prestigious about getting this opportunity and so thanks. All the readers wish me luck that someday, I get to make games as a professional. And my prayers are with you too, and thanks for reading.

TheRexion: The last thing I would like to say to anyone is: making games isn't just about the ending (because that would obviously be the most important when it comes to people playing it), but it's about the journey. This may seem incredibly cliche, but it's significant in its own right and very true. Have fun, please! If making your game just becomes painful or a hassle, take a break, live a little, and then come back. See if this is really something you want to do. If it is, you'll definitely come back to it, but if it isn't, it'll be left alone and forgotten. Everyone should at least try to make a game even just once in their lives, because that, I feel, is what breeds the best in people. Only by trying can you accomplish whatever it is you desire.

Adon237: No, that pretty much sums up my thoughts. I wish you all luck in your gam mak!

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I took the week off interviewing for newer articles, but hopefully it won't set me back in the coming weeks. Anyways, hope you all enjoyed!