failed game projects?

[9tkitsune]

(moving this here, since I think it doesn't fit in the Project Development section after all, it wouldn't fit the requirements) v

Hello, I'm new here. Nice to meet you all ( Is there an introduction threat ? If so, I must have missed it, I'm very sorry ).

I love to see all your game projects, it's always nice to see committed and passionate game developers that just love what they do.

I'm currently not working on any game, but I thought I might share some impressions of my last game project, which i did all the assets and game design for. I may not be very good at mapping - but then again I went for a more simple retro feel in regards to maps anyway. 

As you see it's a game in isometric view. I decided to try this out since I for once wanted to try a sidestep from the usual RPGmaker top-down view. It also allowed me to complete more and larger sprites since I only had to pixel them from 2 perspectives (iso front and iso back) instead of 3 ( North, South, East )

The game itself is/ was supposed to be an RPG, a multiplayer online RPG at that. Even though there is a rich lore and dramatic main story (and a title) to this, I spare you the details at this point since -let's face it- the game may never come to be after all. ( The reason for this is that our coder / programmer started coding less and less, and gave up on the project half way through. )

It's a shame, since now I have made all these sprites and text materiel over the course of well over a year - a LOT of project related sprites - and nowhere to use them. I am even thinking about recycling them for another project some day. 

If I found a way to make RMXP or VXAce support isometric view maybe a game could be made. If there was a TRPG maker, an attempt at making this a TRPG could be done. But I don't know. 

Hey, what would you do if you were me? : ) Any suggestions, Ideas? ( but something cheerful, come on... blood, sweat and tears was invested in this x_x  )

 

[Matseb2611]

The project looks really good and I can tell you've put a tonne of time and effort into it. My suggestion would be to find another scripter. Don't let this project die. It could turn to something great one day.

 

[EternalShadow]

I'd drop the mmo aspect and make it single-player, then get another coder. You could apply it to Ace by using a combination of scripts that move the player along diagonals instead of up and down when the arrow keys are pressed, and make the maps in photoshop. The whole thing would be better suited to MV at least, though.

 

[Chiakscare]

Very beautiful; a genuine Disgaea-ey feel; I can't help but think how well this could suit a Harvest Moon style or other life simulator game.

It's possible to keep that view with scripting; find yourself an experienced Ruby coder (or Java if you plan on moving to MV).

You can also find an Introductions section at the bottom of the main page; I'm in full agreement with you staying with your game idea(s), You've got great artwork and could consider doing some RPGMaker resources for others.

 

[cabfe]

Very beautiful; a genuine Disgaea-ey feel; I can't help but think how well this could suit a Harvest Moon style or other life simulator game.

It's possible to keep that view with scripting; find yourself an experienced Ruby coder (or Java Javascript if you plan on moving to MV).

You can also find an Introductions section at the bottom of the main page; I'm in full agreement with you staying with your game idea(s), You've got great artwork and could consider doing some RPGMaker resources for others.

Just to be precise. If you hire a java programmer for MV, you'll both be embarrassed.

 

[Archeia]

Drop the MMO and just make it single player. Then use MV to save yourself some performance headache. (This is personal opinion)

 

[Lantiz]

GubiD's has this isometric thing, maybe you like it...

http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/16085-gubids-tactical-battle-system-v24-for-ace/

 

[Scythuz]

Keep going but tone down the more ambitious parts to make the project more finish-able.  I would really urge you not to abandon this as it looks like it has a lot of promise!

 

[Sharm]

That is very nice!  I've always wished RM would support iso for the same reason you chose it.  Lots of directions, less work to make.  If it were me I'd make sure it had plenty of generic tiles and turn it into a graphics pack to sell.  I'd probably wait for MV to come out first before selling it, simply because the chances are good that you could get/make a plugin that allows you to import maps made with TileD.  For me, making art packs is a lot of fun, I'm more interested in seeing my art used then making a game.

For you though, it seems like making a game is part of the draw.  You should most definitely find a way to use it again either in a new project or a revised version of the existing one.  I agree with the other suggestions, remove the MMO aspect and make it single player.  In all the indie game making places I've hung out at, MMO has almost become a code for "beginner project, destined to fail spectacularly".  There are lots of reasons for this, one of which is that it's a bigger project than people think it is (which is why your coder burned out) and another is that almost all MMO's lose money and don't make any.  The ones that do make it are all AAA productions and even among the AAA creators it's rare.

I agree with Archeia, waiting for the next RM to come out seems like a really good idea.  The new one won't have any hidden classes so with scripting it'll be possible to do all sorts of things that would be normally difficult if you used Ace.  In the mean time, just keep plugging away at making stuff for the game.  You can never go wrong with making more monsters to fight.

 

[Hudell]

Very nice artwork indeed.

Makes me want to work on a game like that someday.

 

[Ramiro]

Drop the MMO and just make it single player. Then use MV to save yourself some performance headache. (This is personal opinion)

Two things from here:

  - Confirmed than mv runs faster (?

  - Yes, drop the MMO idea for the first project, MMO is far to complex to make.

GubiD's has this isometric thing, maybe you like it...

http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/16085-gubids-tactical-battle-system-v24-for-ace/

Yup gubid support all the features here

 

[nio kasgami]

for the Iso mapping....

I had confirmation Galentmereth will make a iso engine for MV : D  

he just wait to see the structure of MV

 

[Banquo]

@nio kasgami:

This is truly splendid news! Can' wait!

 

[9tkitsune]

Hello! Wow, so much helpful feedback at once, that's so nice you guys.

In such a short time, too. Couldn't even send an anwer before now since if you're new, you have to wait 24 hours before making a new post or so.

Anyway - thank you for sharing your first impression and thoughts about this, based on my screenshots, mockups and the short description.

The advice to drop the multiplayer aspect might be the most reasonable thing to do – on the oher hand, in such case I must have not only a great storyline, but also touching character scenes / convincing character development, dramatic personal fates and all in all stuff that makes the player relate and care for the protagonist(s). I'm not sure if I'm any good at that (at least, not as good as others) , 'guess that part is not my forte.

I can deliver rather large world settings and lore, but when it comes to personal details.. meh XP ( That's something a MMO makes less troublesome )

I heard about the new RPMmaker that is coming out and thought it looked pretty progressive, too. Still surprised so many of you recommend to me to rebuild the game on that specific maker. But the thought is tempting and motivating, considering what the new maker can/would do...

Hotfirelegend>>
That's a nice idea really. Yes, I was wondering about how to do with the iso maps... can they really be implemented after they were pre build in photoshop? Sounds mazing, I have to read into that...
Chiakster>>
Aww Harvest Moon, thanks! I have already pixelled some kind of alpaca a while ago if that helps.. : D

 
I will keep the thought in mind.
Cabfe>>
But every worker likes/needs a cup of Java coffee. : )
Sharm>>
Ooh... I can see that being fun and satisfying on its own. I still offer my services as pixel slave from time to time, too. I've never put together packs for everyone to buy though, but that is a thing I wanted to offer at least once : ) A really nice art pack for people to build their games with.
But true, there can never be enough iso creatures. 

  nio kasgamihttp://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/user/14962-nio-kasgami/>>
Wow, valuable Information indeed o.o this Galentmereth person must be really into that iso coding stuff, and the community. : o

 

[Archeia]

Just curiousity, are you Nebelstern?

since I saw Aquamary-look alike

 

[Ralpf]

I would buy those resources if offered in a pack in a heartbeat. It looks awesome.

 

[nio kasgami]

hahaha Galenmereth is the one who won a price in IGMC with is game "The vendor"

he is pretty skillfull and have several years of practice in coding.

Also yes he contribute really usefull core script for our game and script like "Ease Sprite " who rewrite the sprite class for permit better control on the process

 

[metronome]

Whoa.......your drawing skill is really......good!

 

[9tkitsune]

Just curiousity, are you Nebelstern?

since I saw Aquamary-look alike

You know miss Aquamar'yann~~~!   I'm honoured. ^^

metronome>>Thanks! Yours too! : D

 

[EternalShadow]

The method for implementing photoshopped maps is Parralaxing, but MV will make layering easier

Trust me as a web developer when I say the difficulties regarding the technical aspects of an MMO far outweigh what effort you'll have to put in for a good story! You'll need to consider latency, ping, download speeds, bandwidths, internet caps, upload speed, server storage soace, databases, hackers, viruses, bugs, dofferent hardware and requirements, multiple languages, a userbase and community, a multitude of events and so on.

Just pick up a pen and a small notebook and start writing out plot details instead!

People don't even tend to join random MMOs - and should they, they may not stay for more than a few months and then that'd be all your effort wasted!