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[POLL] WHAT SHOULD MY FIRST GAME BE?

Poll

Which should I make first? - Results

Action RPG
3
23%
Psychological Survival Horror
6
46%
Zombie Apocalypse
4
30%

Posts

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Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, but I am certainly not new to RPG Maker.
I've been working with RPG Maker since I was about 13, I'm 20 now. But despite this, I've never made an actual game with it. I've tried in the past and I still try today, and I've always had the same problem. I can't decide what I want to make!

I've always wanted to make a fantasy action RPG, sort of like The Elder Scrolls, with lots and lots of side quests and dungeons to go in and whatnot.

But I've also always wanted to make a psychological survival horror game, similar to Silent Hill, with lots of jump scares, puzzle solving, and some enemies to fight.

AND I've also always wanted to make a zombie apocalypse game, a cross between action survival horror, and some strategy and RPG elements thrown in.

I have great ideas in mind for all three of them at the moment, and I intend to make them all eventually, but I can't pick which one to start with.

I've tried working on multiple projects before in the past, but that always leads to the same thing, I eventually get stuck and run out of ideas for one, and I can't stop thinking about it and that prevents me from focusing on the others, and I eventually just trash them all.

I know none of these ideas are original, they've all been done before, some bad, some good, but I have never done any of these myself, and I want to. So as over done as my ideas are, I still want to make my visions a reality.

I'd appreciate a vote on which of the three you think is the best idea.
slash
APATHY IS FOR COWARDS
4158
My first whim is always, "Do what you'll have fun doing!" However, after thinking on it a minute...

My suggestion would probably be psychological horror, but 99% of that is because it sounds like the smallest, most compact and direct game. The problem with the other two is that they sound very open-world. Open world stuff is great, but it's also really easy to overscope - to plan out more than you can actually do, or get carried away making and never finish - and overscoping is the number 1 reason games never get finished (and it's also tremendously common among new developers). Making a small, focused game with a specific theme (horror) is a great way to practice making and releasing a project, and you'll learn how to properly scope as you make it.

---

As a final note: Genre over-done-ness isn't a problem, IMO! RMN itself is a site centered on using a tool that specifically creates one genre of game. However, I might suggest experimenting with different parts of the gameplay and try new things, as many developers don't, and there's a lot of new life to be found when you try new things.
Thanks for your reply and input.

Yes, my idea for a Fantasy RPG or Zombie game would definitely be open world, so I should probably start with a linear one as you said.
I vote for Zombie Apocalypse. We don't have enough of those.
I vote for a linear and simplistic zombocalypse with intelligent, but few, systems.
That'd be cool.
FORGET WIDE OPEN SANDBOXES FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
OR RONALD
OR GIGYAS
Anything as long as it's short. You should at least make a game that is short and sweet. For one, it gives you confidence knowing that you've managed to complete a game - something many people never do.
Secondly, it will give you something to beat - look back at the first game and say 'I'm gonna do better than this next time!'.
Lastly, you're more likely to get feedback on a short first game than a long one. People don't have time to play a 100 hour epic, but a game that lasts about an hour? Yeah. More people to play, more likely to get feedback and that feedback can help you fuel your own level up.
Thanks for the replies guys.
So far it looks like I'm going to be starting on a survival horror game, unless the zombie apocalypse gets a few more votes. The action RPG is pretty much out. lol
SunflowerGames
The most beautiful user on RMN!
13323
I think completing your first game is really important, even if it
isn't the best or the longest.

It gives you an idea of how to use the RP. And I agree it will give you a
lot of confidence to start something new.

When you start your second game you can go for something bigger
and grander because you can always remind yourself that you
have already finished your first game. And as someone else
said you can look back on your first game and try to push yourself
to do better.

That being said I think any of these genre's can be short and to
the point. An RPG doesn't need to be grand or about saving the
world, bu it all comes doesn to what kind of story you think
you can tell the best.

Personally I'm a fan of RPGs, but I think deep down inside
you already know what kind of game fits you best.
You could combine elements from all three.

An Action RPG with psychological plot involving a scientist involved with the creation of zombies.
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