MORE STRESS SHOULD BE PUT ON CUSTOM GRAPHICS

Custom graphics are a big part of what gets people interested. I have worked so long with default RTP and discovered that no one really cares, unless you make some massive map with it. Then the massive map slows everything down and people complain.

I have looked into buying original / custom graphics, and it is $5,000 to get as many graphics as the ones that come with the default RTP of VX and XP.

Custom music is more.

Someone on a different forum reccomended I come up with 8 bit graphics to compensate.

I, like Ocean, have taken the path of making almost everything original. I'm sure you've put yourself in this position: You're introducing your RM game (with rudra graphix and squaresoft midis) to a friend. When he asks "WOW did you do all this?" what's your reply going to be? "oh well, I did everything except the graphics, music, sound effects etc" is probably it right? There were many cases where I wanted to say I did those graphics and not "I just recolored cloud's hair."

I do not have a very strict view that all games SHOULD have custom resources, but I do believe it is very damaging to the creator. If someone were to remember your game, they wouldn't really say "oh I remember it for it's music/graphics" they would just remember a story related/game mechanic. Why? because the music and graphics weren't purposely made for your game.

Otherwise, I think at least editting the graphics or mapping them in such a way to make it interesting and a bit more unique could help too.

This. There are some non custom graphic games that I can say that are memorable in a visual sense. But it's very rare that happens due to most people just taking from their favorite RM resource site. I applaud Yeaster for making the kind of game where if I look at the random screenshots, I know from the celebrity facesets and gross style that its from him. Theres also Hero's Realm that blends the regular RTP and FF4/5 graphics really well. Some effort at least is all I ask for in ripped graphix games.

Even if it uses ripped graphics, if the story is engaging and interesting, or the gameplay is exciting, or both. Games should be measured in this sense, not about how many times you've seen rudra or REFMAP.

Honestly I feel like this is some kind of pathetic handicap when writing my RM reviews. Because all I can talk about is: "DO THE RIPPED GRAPHICS BLEND WELL?" "IS THERE GOOD MUSIC CHOICE?"

Edit:

post=98201
the only important thing in a game is gameplay.

I'm tired of this overused bullshit term. It's 'game mechanics' not gameplay. And when you call it game mechanics, it doesn't sound so flashy does it? That said, many people are so high and mighty with their game mechanics that they fail to realize that games are nothing without their graphics (I dont mean if a game is 8bit I mean if a game actually had no graphics whatsoever) they are nothing without their music, they are nothing without their sound effects, they are nothing without their save the princess story.

Would Super Mario Bros be the exact same game without it's music and mushroom sound effects? Would Max Payne be the same without it's writing? Would Castlevania be the same without it's music? Would Contra be the same without its insanely oversized bosses that take half the fucking screen?

JUST A THOUGHT.

post=98250
Even if it wasn't memorable (although I'd like to hope it was), at least the player had fun.

Being memorable is very important to the fun that the player 'had'

post=98252
As someone who often plays games with the sounds and music turned off, yes, the games are still very enjoyable.

In the FPS of counterstrike, hearing the enemy's footsteps can be very crucial. Don't get me started on Guitar Hero. ): Please throw some examples of games that you have muted, chances are the developers didn't do a good job at making the music fitting or crucial to the 'experience'. Or.. well you just didn't like it.

The importance of music, graphics and sound in a game is GREATLY overrated.

No, the importance of NEW AGE QUALITY for them is. I'm not comparing PS3 games to 8bit games bro.

Sounds and graphics need only provide adequate sensory input to navigate and interpret the game world, allowing for the players to employ the rules of the game within the scope of its game mechanics. You know, playing the game. Or gameplay.

Does chess get any more fun if you are using intricately carved marble game pieces on a gold and silver board?

Video games are more than just digital counterparts to regular board games. I think you need to look at them as an adventure rather than glorified 3D chess.

You know, playing the game. Or gameplay.

game mechanics, graphics, story, music, sound effects, etc. are the gameplay (as you just defined it).

post=98252
As someone who often plays games with the sounds and music turned off, yes, the games are still very enjoyable.

Try turning the TV/monitor off next time, too.

To add a bit more to this, I feel people vastly undervalue graphics just as Darken said. The majority of RM games look like every other RM game. They might play differently, and they often do, but the games would be better if they didn't look the same.

Why can't you people realize there is a fucking middle ground here?

post=98274
I disagree. There's a reason these things are called "Games" and not "Art Gallery". While they certainly can have beautiful graphics, GAMEs are for GAMEplay, or GAME mechanics if you want.

There is also a good reason they are called videogames.

The rest of your post contradicts that one small fragment. Maybe you should clarify your stance before jumping down the throats of overs.

That has absolutely nothing to do with I said. I didn't say anything about bias nor did I elevate my position above yours.

That is, if I could firmly nail down what your position is, since your post lacked any kind of clear insight to what you think.

Maybe you should have taken more time to write that initial post than you did trying to be witty with your latest retort.

Well, A) as long as we're talking about self-contradiction . . .

post=98277
There is also a good reason they are called videogames.

post=98275
Why can't you people realize there is a fucking middle ground here?

And not that I'm saying you're wrong to think that, but if " While they certainly can have beautiful graphics, GAMEs are for GAMEplay, or GAME mechanics if you want.", and "Graphics can be a very touching part of a game, or they can be ugly as hell, but they neither make nor break the game by themselves," are contradictory, what you're said surely is.

And B), I was extremely clear in my first post. You saw what you wanted to see.