Organizing your tasks

[CallMeKerrigan]

This is probably a really simple question, but I'm having a lot of trouble with it. How do you decide what you're going to work on next in your game? This is a problem I have when I don't really have a deadline.

I have all of my ideas mapped out in my head and I know exactly hpw to transition between each scene, map, and moment in my game. However, when I open my computer to work I feel extremely overwhelmed and draw a large blank on what I want to do next.

I have most of my database completed and a lot of the beginning maps and cutscenes, but everything I want to do is in my head and I don't know how to translate that to paper, much less the engine.

I know my problem is not breaking my idea up into seperate tasks, so I was wondering how everyone else did it? I know for some people winging it probably works, but I don't think it's working for me haha.

 

[TCRegan]

Write it down. Seriously make yourself a to do list. Start with characters, what type of class you want them to be, what sort of spells/weapons/armor you'll need to create for them (and consequently any items/states, etc you'll need). List of important NPCs and bosses, locations, etc. Then make a step-by-step sort of flow chart. Something simple like:

• Character wakes up in bed
• Character ascertains first task/main quest
• Main quest 1 leads to xyz

And so on. Take the ideas you have in your head and flesh them out where you can see it. Kind of like how movie-makers storyboard their scenes before they shoot them, or stage actors practice blocking before they do their rehearsals.

Then just realize that you're gonna have to play test over and over and over and over until you get sick of it before you get it juuuuuust right. But it'll be worth it in the end!

Also, I totally understand what you mean by feeling overwhelmed when you have no deadline. When you have all the freedom to get it done whenever, some reason if just feels harder to stick to it. If it helps, I'd be happy to poke at you once a week to ask about your progress!

 

[Titris Thrawns]

I was winging my big project and ran into the same situation. Lots of time burnt with me spacing out or worrying that if I did X then I would need to change Y,Z and probably ABC. When I did get work done, it was focusing on one specific goal post. Sometimes I get side-tracked, but having a goal to focus on moves me forward.

I second TCRegan; write it down. I spaced for a week trying to write, map & create the next story sequence for my project. My sister said I should just write down the dialogue and THEN start putting it into RPG maker. Knocked it out the next day and felt like a champ. Writing the dialogue down acted as a flow chart for when I started inputting & editing them into the RPG maker text boxes. So instead of me focusing on writing, mapping, actor movement, etc. all at the same time, I had the major thinking part done.

If it is hard for you to get ideas on paper, I'd recommend practicing! Like note-taking or using the RPG maker system, it's a skill that can improve with practice. In an odd way, it's like talking to yourself about the ideas you have. You write it down, read it back to yourself and then determine if that is what you want or if it sounds correct. Sometimes you just need notes that you understand to focus you on the next project objective and remind you of that cool idea you had during lunch. Another potential use of note-taking is you do not lose those ideas or changes you had planned if life events come up. I started a practice of creating a change log everyday I make major changes to my project. This way I have a paper trail of what I've done, and if life forces me to drop the project for a week or so, when I return I can reorient myself to where I was.

Anywho, I Hope you find a style that helps you in your creations!