DESPAIN'S PROFILE

I hate the title screens that are just pictures with text with effects on them. These kinds of screens come from the ancient "titlescreen" resource images from the old resource sites. There'd be a selection of cool-looking images, and people would just throw the title of their game onto the coolest one.

One of my favorite title screens that I've madeâ€"a long time agoâ€"was this one:



Sure, I grabbed a random image, but it wasn't just a "titlescreen" image with text over it. I found an imageâ€"one that wasn't made to be used as an RPG Maker Game titleâ€"and cropped and resized it for use here. I changed the colors a bit, and then I made sure to add some life to the text. Not only did it tae forever to pick out the right font, but the positionin and the colors took work, too. It isn't just the title of the game slapped on, there's personality to the letters and the way things are organized.

Beyond that, though, are the little effectsâ€"like the subtle wirey things that link together the options. These kinds of effects work in a way that personalize the title screen and attach it to the gameâ€"creating an effect that makes the title unique to the game rather than just text on an image.

Here's a recent one:



I sure as hell didn't draw the background, but it was originally very differently-colored. I chose a color scheme that set the mood I wantedâ€"in photoshopâ€"and I created the text and everything to make it feel like a polished single image.

Of course, these aren't for RMK2/3 games. They wouldn't fit with that style at all. But I think that the same principles should definitely applyâ€"the title has to seem like it was made specifically for the game, and its worth taking the time to make sure that it was.

I think that one of the most important things in dungeon design comes down to consistency. If your dungeon has a theme, stick to it. Earlier puzzles should be repeated later on in a larger and more complicated scale. Not only does this make it easier for you, the designer, but it adds a natural learning curve to the game and makes it feel tighter and more cohesive. It also adds FLAVOR. :)

If you're not too confident in terms of puzzles or challenges, an alternative route is to really weave the story into the dungeon. It's certainly not a replacement, and puzzles should still be incorporated, but if you're able to keep the player involved and as long as he doesn't forget why the dungeon is relevant, then it won't feel like a chore.

For example, one of the major themes of a dungeon in an older project of mine was that it told a story through hieroglyphs on the walls. The story was a parallel to things that were going on in the overall story (yay), but more importantly, the dungeon was designed around this story, and the player would stumble across pieces of the story that were out of place. It certainly wasn't a typical puzzle, but it presented something for the player to do beyond exploring rooms and fighting baddies.

ACTION GAME MAKER

On its blog, Enterbrain has announced its newest game-making program. And the best part? It's not another fucking RPG Maker!
Make platformers, action-RPGs, shmups and more!
Japanese release date: December 12, 2008

Games can be ported to Xbox Live!

Announcement is here: click
AGM Page is here: click
English hype page: http://actiongamemaker.com







Let us pray for an English release (or a good illegal translation).

what how many potato chips. unless it was like a full bag or something i cannot see how it was a fulfulling diner

Please please please do not do this.