Is playing RPG Maker games a requisite to making them?

[Lunarea]

Regarding not having time to play...

I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us are in that very position. Between jobs, bills, family, schoolwork, our own games and life in general, time is a very precious commodity. A lot of us struggle with finding time to even do all the important stuff, let alone finding time to sit down and play a game or 10. So, it's perfectly understandable and valid to say that you lack time.

However... If we all start thinking we're too busy to interact, to give back and to be a part of the community, there isn't going to be much of a community left. So, I think it's important to make time for others. It doesn't have to be a daily thing or even something you sacrifice a significant chunk of time for. But it should be something you see as important enough to put a little time and effort into. And if you treat it as something important, it becomes easier to set time aside for it.

If the concept of playing a bunch of random games still sounds like a chore, then try to find ways to make it more interesting or more fun. Play games created by people you like/respect/admire, or games created by people who have given you feedback on your project. Play games created for competitions or events. Play games that are recommended by other players, or play games that have awesome presentation. Or challenge yourself to play the first 10 minutes of 5 randomly-selected games - use an egg-timer and see which one/s you wanted to continue to play, then review those. Develop your own rating system and streamline giving feedback. Start a "Play Challenge" group with friends/fellow devs where you all play the same project once per week.

Just my 2 cents, anyway.

 

[bgillisp]

Personally, what I try to do is slot aside about 1 hour a week to play an RPG Maker game. This usually is me testing one of the (many) early projects on the boards, but sometimes its a commercial game made in RPG Maker too. If I am burnt out on my project or just need time for ideas to stew, it may turn into more than 1 hour, but this way I make a small dent into the (many) games at least.

 

[Zeriab]

Requisite: No

Good idea: Yes

Balance among other improvement vectors. Remember the trade-offs are based on imperfect knowledge.

*hugs*

 - Zeriab

 

[amerk]

May not be required, but I have played and enjoyed quite a number of RM games, even more so than some of my old console rpg's.