AZNCHIPMUNK'S PROFILE

post=129365
I want to know What do you care about when it comes to RPG making, RMN, RM scene, games in general?

kentona, I addressed this in your other topic (and you didn't say anything back to me), but why do you act as if RPG design is the only thing around? I enjoy RPGs a lot but I also enjoy many other games, and I know other people around here do too. Game design isn't all about RPGs and continuing to treat your discussions as if the site only caters to RPGs (which despite the name of the site, is clear it doesn't) is close-minded.

What I care about in terms of game design:
1. Originality. I don't care about playing Final Fantasy Fangame #4178. I want to see in your games something original, that personal creativity can bring to others. Using a formula is good, but if you don't deviate from it, I have no reason to play it. I want to play your weird offbeat game about cybercops chasing monkeys through the internet. I want to play your plot-driven game about kings and vampires. Whatever the hell is it that you want to bring to us, I want to see that part of your game that goes, "this is me, this is my game, this is my style, this is how I stand out of the pack."

2. Innovation. Gameplay-wise or storytelling wise, or anything, I'd really like to see new mechanics brought into games. The generic formula of a game can be okay and all, but if it is built-on into something new and interesting, that can bring the experience onto a whole new level. Whether it is the ability to jack into computers or awesomeometers, a unique mechanic keeps me interested.

3. Writing. Good writing is very important to me. Flat boring characters will not interest me much, unless your gameplay or graphics are outstanding. I love to read (and write) well-developed stories with three-dimensional characters. Not much else to say about this, but I believe that effort needs to be applied in all areas.

4. Willingness to make mistakes. If you never mess up, you will never learn. This is a fact. Drawing your graphics the wrong way 20 times means that you have that much more practice towards drawing them the right way. In terms of game design, I can't see any skill that can't be learned. With practice, you can get good at art, or anything. Never composed a soundtrack before but want to try? Test it out, look up some tutorials or advice, give things a whirl. Most things don't really go right the first time they happen.

5. Graphics. I probably won't play your REFMAP game unless you use it really well. I probably won't play your incohesive mashup of SNES rips game either. Graphics are quite important to me, and I especially prefer original graphics. (though, RTP does look pretty good when used well, especially since it is less over-used now in comparison to Rudra and REFMAP) Sraphics and screenshots are the first thing I see when looking at your game. If they're ugly, even if you have a good plot, I will see the screenshots and probably not play your game. If your game looks like every other game I don't really feel like I have much reason to play it. Also, an important aspect of graphics is functionality. Even if your game is super pretty, if the graphics confuse me and I can't find my way around, I will get frustrated.

It is only worse if poor functionality is combined with bad graphics.

6. Atmosphere. If your game has no mood, then I am not going to be in the mood to play it. :)

7. Music. One of the most memorable aspects of my favorite games, from Golden Sun to Terranigma is the music. Pick a distinctive style of soundtracks, not a mishmash of whatever the hell you find. Of course, original is the best way to go if you have those skills, but if you are not going original, at least pick something fitting. And no, I don't want to hear FF6bossbattle.mid or the like. If you're going to use music from games, at least pick obscure stuff.

8. Effort. I put a lot of effort into all aspects of my games because I enjoy doing it a lot. If you just sort of half-ass your game and don't put effort, and I can feel that it is rushed or you just didn't really care enough, I won't like it. Some people take game design as a hobby more seriously than others, but if you want others to care about your game, you're going to have to put effort into it.

What I care about in terms of RMN (the community):
1. Feedback and Criticism. This is essentially why I post screenshots and whatnot, before a release. I always enjoy reading helpful criticism and feedback, because I want to improve however I can.

2. The members. There are a bunch of members I am friends with and talk with outside of RMN. People on IRC, people I chat with on AIM, or people who I play arcade games with until 4 in the morning. I don't really have anything against most members although personally, I do feel that the userbase could be better...

3. Hype. I want to be excited about your game. I want you to post screenshots and little tidbits of information to keep me interested. Just please, please, don't overdo it. I am horrible at hyping though. (probably because I am such a nutcase about keeping info secret)

4. The site itself. Having a place to upload and show off your game is quite handy. I really like the gameprofiles.

5. Game design discussion. I enjoy reading discussions about game design aspects. Although many times I have nothing to contribute towards some RPG mechanics, I keep an eye on the topics. In fact, I am... starting up a certain project based around this sort of thing...

6. Giving others feedback. I like writing reviews and I like to help people out in the help section if I can. One thing I feel important about giving feedback though, is making sure that games are well-rounded in their aspects. Even if a game has amazing gameplay, I will criticize the graphics if they are lacking, or vice versa. From personal experience I feel that accepting criticism on your weaker areas is the best way to improve.

7. Hilarity. Even though I don't really care much for a lot of the moronic forum stuff, I do enjoy laughing and reading a lot of your guys' silly posts. Like this topic.

What I care about in terms of the RM scene:
I don't have a specific list for this, since honestly RMN is the only bit of the RM scene I really know... =P

What I care about in terms of games in general:
I honestly don't play enough recent games to say much about this. Most of my time is spent around watching movies or playing music or taking part in a lot of extracurricular stuff.

NPC's have yet to be put in, it will definitely be livelier once the maps aren't so devoid of other life forms.

*insert 100000 word post here*

Those are some pretty slick animations you got there, SGCN.

have him chat about rpgmaker gams