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Ironically, RPG Maker on tumblr is now associated with horror instead of with, you know, RPGs.

  • accha
  • 07/27/2014 02:44 AM

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Pages: 1
slash
APATHY IS FOR COWARDS
4158
Hahaha, you contributed to that!

I wonder if horror games are usually just more realistically scoped? Consider the amount of code and art you need for RPG battles, maps, towns, etc. Even a small RPG seems difficult compared to a horror game, which only needs just enough to create an atmosphere and mood. That's just a guess, though.
Well, I only play horror and comedy games in VX Ace...
author=slashphoenix
Hahaha, you contributed to that!

I wonder if horror games are usually just more realistically scoped? Consider the amount of code and art you need for RPG battles, maps, towns, etc. Even a small RPG seems difficult compared to a horror game, which only needs just enough to create an atmosphere and mood. That's just a guess, though.


Ssh, it's "not a horror". Even if it's splashed on all the horror pages.

And yeah, that sounds about right. Just thinking about balancing stats is saddening. Most people in that crowd are probably also thinking RPGs = swords and fantasy, though there are great (and underrated) gamemakers like Gabicho making unorthodox but still pretty RPGs.

author=JJJ7
Well, I only play horror and comedy games in VX Ace...

This might explain why you're your own favorite writer in the RMN community.

Just kidding, I'm sure there are some horror and comedy games here with amazing writing =P

author=Link_2112
The horror :o


Indeed. How blasphemous!
That's because there are lots of japanophile horrors, lots of RPG maker game horrors played by PewDie and lots of crappy horror in general. Not such a surprise to me. If someone searched, they'd find enough ..

It's true, though, that good RPGs are really hard to make. And that "bad" RPGs can't compare for play quality in comparison to "bad" horror games. As long as you get scared somewhere, you've got it. And there are many who get scared easily.
Kylaila, the way you wrote that gives me the feeling that you've suffered the pain of sifting through a lot of crappy horror o_o
You have my condolences.

It's true, though, that good RPGs are really hard to make. And that "bad" RPGs can't compare for play quality in comparison to "bad" horror games. As long as you get scared somewhere, you've got it. And there are many who get scared easily.


Mm, good points here. Though I found that out recently. The hard way. Mmmmm.

I guess I'm really getting now that horror games are very specialized experiences whereas RPGs are rounded and need to excel in a variety of areas in order to be successful. Still, now that we're getting inundated with waves of horror games it's probably going to be more difficult to stand out in that genre.

Really I'm just thinking about how easy it is to appeal to the Japanophile horror (as you call them) fans with pretty anime art but lackluster concept/execution. At this point I'd compare them to SnowOwl's amazing horror games, except I haven't actually played them because the screenshots scare me and I've lost my big boy pants.

Anyway, the rambling means I should go to sleep, oops.
Don't forget they're usually short, too. So you are more likely to try them out as well. If it turns out bad, it'll only be 1-2 hours wasted.
B-but... I'm working on a horror series...
Gahhh!!!
*table flip*
*starts fire*
*throws computer in*
*weeps*


But I do agree with you guys. I haven't been into rpg making for too long, but I've been into it long enough to realise how hard traditional rpgs are to make.

Maybe it's because this genre usually has one of everything: A little of action, a pinch of romance, a dash of horror, a bit of fantasy; and wrap it all up with creativity and imagination.

That, or I'm just overthinking things.
More than that. No romance or horror or fantasy needed.

First: you can include practically anything, so you need to find a right focus that suits you and your story. RPGs can be waay longer than horror games, too.

Second: RPGs need a world or at least the idea of a world, while horror need a setting. That can be a single house.

Third: RPGs need some sort of battle, equipment and item system. Which then requires balancing and fine-tuning (gold, too, of course) and so on.

Fourth: Plot and characters are needed, thus writing them is needed. Not so in horror, at least nowhere near indepth as it can be in RPGs.
It's pretty much like writing a novel. Only much, much harder. It's more complex and broader in scope. There are far more points that you'll have to weigh in and balance with the rest. In a novel, your main handicap is the fact that you'll have to rely on the reader's imagination to visualise your world. In a game, this handicap is removed, and replaced with a hundred more. Now you'll have to deal with graphics, audio, blending, mechanics, and entertainment value; all on top of the story you made. Even shoot-em-ups have to abide to all this.
(I still don't know why I stopped writing for game making. Especially considering everything I just said.)

But I think I talked too much now...
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
Making an RPG is a lot more like making an actual game compared to horrors, that's why it takes longer.

Granted, the "horror" genre is actually quite broad and can apply to several different mediums. There are FPS games, RPGs, and even platformers that use the horror theme. I think the better term to use is "horror-themed adventure games" rather than just horror itself.

Also, f*ck those games. Almost every horror adventure I've played involves walking up to an object > examine > WOOOJUMPSCARE! > repeat. They may be easier to make but I'm just so tired of seeing the same basic formula repeated constantly. I want to see what unique gameplay ideas the developer has and actually play a game. If I wanted to listen to some epic and profound storyline, I'd pick up a book.
author=Kylaila
Fourth: Plot and characters are needed, thus writing them is needed. Not so in horror, at least nowhere near indepth as it can be in RPGs.
You can do some really cool things story wise in a horror though. The very act of having something scary that the player gets to be as afraid of as the main character is just very pleasing to me. Horror has a tendency of using really cool symbolism too~<3 So I'd argue a good horror game needs a good, indepth story but I suppose it isn't the biggest qualifier in horror.

I agree it's kind of ironic that rpgmaker isn't exactly known for RPGs though.
Melkino
solos collectors on purpose
2021
author=Ratty524
Also, f*ck those games. Almost every horror adventure I've played involves walking up to an object > examine > WOOOJUMPSCARE! > repeat. They may be easier to make but I'm just so tired of seeing the same basic formula repeated constantly.


Don't forget the generic little girl protagonists! :v
(maybe those games are trying to be the next Ib or whatever, I dunno)

Sometimes I wonder when--or if--the rpg maker horror bubble will pop, and potential players get sick and tired of walkarounds consisting of "put round object in round hole" gameplay...
slash
APATHY IS FOR COWARDS
4158
Sure, jumpscares are cheap, but they're also effective! It's not something that can be recreated by a book, and there's a difference between a jump scare in a movie and a game! The interactivity alone changes everything.

Plus, horror games can be really intense with their gameplay if they're creative. They can make you stressed and paranoid, spinning constantly, tense as hell. Horror games can range from Slender's "when's it gonna come for me" oppression to Yume Nikki's unnerving imagery to DayZ's constant fear of being caught unprepared - all could be considered horror, but each invokes a unique type of fear.
Very true. You can put just as much effort into those, but with many clones and basic principles around that simply work by themselves, it's rather rare, unfortunately.
author=Melkino
author=Ratty524
Also, f*ck those games. Almost every horror adventure I've played involves walking up to an object > examine > WOOOJUMPSCARE! > repeat. They may be easier to make but I'm just so tired of seeing the same basic formula repeated constantly.
Don't forget the generic little girl protagonists! :v


Now there are little boy protagonists too though >_o

I dunno, I think it's cool that there's a new audience getting into using RPG Maker. It's true that a lot of the games have quite a bit of overlap with other games, but there are some that seem to have potential for a lot of fresh imagery and ideas. I'll offer up Mao for your viewing since it doesn't seem to have a page here on RMN.

Considering that many new horror adventure games are made by younger game devs with little to no experience, it's not surprising that the games aren't exceptionally strong or innovative. That's just what beginners in any medium make. You can't tell me that there aren't hundreds of RPG clones floating around here, too.

What I hope is that when the boom settles, we'll have some horror game devs with more experience who are willing to try new things and branch out from where they started (which seems to be that examine object->jumpscare->stick object in hole formula you guys are talking about).

Actually what I also hope is that those devs come to rpg maker forums for help and advice rather than consulting each other round robin-style and sharing the same ideas, but.

Now, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who thought the same
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