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Radnen
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I like to make video games, especially action RPG's.
I make games slowly. Call me slow. But quality is always better than quantity!
Moo.
I make games slowly. Call me slow. But quality is always better than quantity!
Moo.
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Game Drive Week 08
I shifted gears to another game, which I believe is far better and easier on both time energy and effort. I may make this the game drive game, because it's looking pretty cool right now.
Are savestates cheating?
I think exploitation is a better word than cheating. And if you are not modifying hex-code then you are not exploiting anything.
Therefore, there's nothing wrong with savestates (just RAM-dumping). Plus how can this be defined in terms of "wrong"? Wrong as opposed to what?
As a game designer (who works with code) I can argue and say you can't really define games in terms of rules to follow. There would be too many of them: every switch, if-statement, and loop defines a behavior. A violation of that behavior would be considered the closest thing to cheating, and savestates definitely do not do this - at all, not one single bit.
Even if you use savestates to get better randomized loot or stave off your repair hammer (like how it can be done in Oblivion) is not cheating, keep in mind the randomization had absolutely nothing to do with the savestate, ergo fate is the verdict here, not the savestate.
To get into some technical stuff: A basic random number generator works by collecting garbage data stored in your memory. Reloading savestates will muck with this garbage data, as it dumps the previous memory right back into the RAM, and allocates a new portion for "heap" and "stack" space. Therefore, reloading a savestate can muck with these values and change the outcome of the randomizer by making things more random. This will probably hurt your chances of getting a predictable leniency. Good randomizers are seeded with clock/other values instead, but I'm not certain your emulator knows this, it depends on how it emulates random values (IE: what the emulated console used, that it tries to emulate).
Therefore, there's nothing wrong with savestates (just RAM-dumping). Plus how can this be defined in terms of "wrong"? Wrong as opposed to what?
As a game designer (who works with code) I can argue and say you can't really define games in terms of rules to follow. There would be too many of them: every switch, if-statement, and loop defines a behavior. A violation of that behavior would be considered the closest thing to cheating, and savestates definitely do not do this - at all, not one single bit.
Even if you use savestates to get better randomized loot or stave off your repair hammer (like how it can be done in Oblivion) is not cheating, keep in mind the randomization had absolutely nothing to do with the savestate, ergo fate is the verdict here, not the savestate.
To get into some technical stuff: A basic random number generator works by collecting garbage data stored in your memory. Reloading savestates will muck with this garbage data, as it dumps the previous memory right back into the RAM, and allocates a new portion for "heap" and "stack" space. Therefore, reloading a savestate can muck with these values and change the outcome of the randomizer by making things more random. This will probably hurt your chances of getting a predictable leniency. Good randomizers are seeded with clock/other values instead, but I'm not certain your emulator knows this, it depends on how it emulates random values (IE: what the emulated console used, that it tries to emulate).
cause of diminished interest in game creation
I have found that productivity has risen on this site (by a smidgen), due to a wild-ass general assumption. The assumption being:
If you set a deadline, you get shit done.
Some people have set deadlines for Christmas, and well, by working towards the deadline you get stuff done and the game comes together. Question is, what happens after that deadline? Some people will say 'nuff's nuff and stop while others just go back to the nomadic approach of no deadlines.
Also it is to note that most schools and some employers take breaks during Christmas time, lending more time towards personal endeavors.
I think a forced habit of meeting deadlines helps. But not an enforced habit. (Of course, loosen up the deadlines when school starts again).
If you set a deadline, you get shit done.
Some people have set deadlines for Christmas, and well, by working towards the deadline you get stuff done and the game comes together. Question is, what happens after that deadline? Some people will say 'nuff's nuff and stop while others just go back to the nomadic approach of no deadlines.
Also it is to note that most schools and some employers take breaks during Christmas time, lending more time towards personal endeavors.
I think a forced habit of meeting deadlines helps. But not an enforced habit. (Of course, loosen up the deadlines when school starts again).
Video Game Sound Effects
author=heisenman
Sound effects resources are possibly the least common resource to find.
I would agree with you that is until I found this: SFXR
Procedurally generate any sound you wish. The be all and end all (for most sounds). There are some sounds it can't do, these are generally highly unique sounds anyways.
cause of diminished interest in game creation
author=Strangeluv
I'm pretty sure it's overall lack of motivation and encouragement. Most people don't work on their games to the point of burnout.
That is what burnout is, lack of motivation and/or encouragement. It's not necessarily working as hard as you can even though it is a likely cause, rather it is that what you think you are working on has no purpose or amounts to little, even if it does (to everyone else interested).
Anyways, the proof is in all of those awesome games we want to see completed but fall victim to this. Teams really do help and those games that do make it to completion usually have some kind of team backing it. The cause for team based projects failing is not burnout but something else (mismanagement, communication, etc. are other symptoms).
As with all types of syndromes the effects can be minor or acute, most people in the game creation field will probably fall victim to minor effects while those who are more serious (all original art, music, story, code) will crash harder and are thus less likely to recover and get back on track.
cause of diminished interest in game creation
author=Feldschlacht IV
That'll absolutely cure you. You don't need no goddamn counselor for a form of creative writing block.
I have not even mentioned writers block. I'm also not here to have a bias either for or against psychology, I am merely giving rise to a situation many game makers have found to be an issue and suggested a solution.
Feld, didn't you advocate for a better RMN? So stop using the words "godamn" and having such strong opinions; it's terribly degrading. I mean it.
cause of diminished interest in game creation
author=Corfaisus
Tragically, this advice comes too late for many of us, resulting in the many once-promising-now-canceled games spread through the internet.
Don't be so pessimistic! I'm hoping future creators will take heed. :D
author=Feldschlacht IV
I think the easiest way to break out of this is almost how you approach a math problem you can't solve; do something else entirely. Watch a movie, chill with friends, get something to eat, read a book, study for class, get laid, play video games, get a job, whatever. Anything to reset your head.
The problem is that that's great at preventing it but once you have it, I don't think that'll "cure" you. A counselor or some other kind of intra-personal motivator may need to take a step into your life.
cause of diminished interest in game creation
author=WolfCoder:D
I love how you cite Wikipedia
Edit: obligatory infallible Wikipedia argument: "There is nothing wrong with Wikipedia. Information inaccuracy has preculded editors and authors the world over. Get used to it."
Game Drive Week 07
I'll be the odd one and say I'm using Sphere in my game. It's the only engine that I know of that can make a decent SoM-styled Action RPG. It's definitely not easy I have over 10,000 lines of code written.
Anyways, yeah, something that's - at least - not enterbrain. :D No offense, but it is kinda weird that the question is "what engine will you use" and they all happen to be in the same family! :/ (hey I'm weird like that, no hard feelings okay?)
Anyways, yeah, something that's - at least - not enterbrain. :D No offense, but it is kinda weird that the question is "what engine will you use" and they all happen to be in the same family! :/ (hey I'm weird like that, no hard feelings okay?)
cause of diminished interest in game creation
It's a syndrome called Burnout. It applies to many types of work, and hobbies. Game creation for many will include the necessary requirements for this syndrome to take place. Generally it's caused by long bouts of work and your mind building up this weird notion that the work you have been doing is either "mindless" or "pointless" and therefore you believe there should be no more motivation in it.
To quote the phases of burnout:
There is no easy way to relieve the syndrome but a good long break and reduction of your stress levels. A counselor would be a great help in getting back on track or group therapy.
I have personally try to prevent this by not working like a badger for long bouts of time and work at small bits here and there on my game.
You know what... All those great games with neat graphics and music that we all want finished someday fall victim to this. If those game creators stopped and slowed down rather than try to *prove themselves*, they would have had a better chance at succeeding in the long run.
This is like a warning to anyone who is currently creating their game like mad. Slow down and don't suffer from this syndrome! Thank you.
To quote the phases of burnout:
- A compulsion to prove oneself
- Working harder
- Neglecting one's own needs
- Displacement of conflicts (the person does not realize the root cause of the distress)
- Revision of values (friends or hobbies are completely dismissed)
- Denial of emerging problems (cynicism and aggression become apparent)
- Withdrawal (reducing social contacts to a minimum, becoming walled off; alcohol or other substance abuse may occur)
- Behavioral changes become obvious to others
- Depersonalization (life becomes a series of mechanical functions)
- Inner emptiness
- Depression
- Burnout syndrome
There is no easy way to relieve the syndrome but a good long break and reduction of your stress levels. A counselor would be a great help in getting back on track or group therapy.
I have personally try to prevent this by not working like a badger for long bouts of time and work at small bits here and there on my game.
You know what... All those great games with neat graphics and music that we all want finished someday fall victim to this. If those game creators stopped and slowed down rather than try to *prove themselves*, they would have had a better chance at succeeding in the long run.
This is like a warning to anyone who is currently creating their game like mad. Slow down and don't suffer from this syndrome! Thank you.
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