RPG Maker Community... it's time we see other people

[hmnut]

Dear RPG Maker Community,

After years of only using RPG Maker engines it's time for me to explore other engines out there.

I am not a pro on RPG Maker nor do I think I will go to another engine and somehow become a pro. This is a hobby, it will stay a hobby, but I realize I will not grow even as a hobbyist with RPG Maker, and it bothers me.

I've loved RPG Maker over the years because of it's ease of use, if I have a basic story idea I can turn it into a RPG in a matter of days if not hours. But I realize the thing RPG Maker is best at is making turn based RPGs... and that's not what I really want to make, for years I've been 'settling' for that because that's what's easy to make with RPG Maker.

Well I could always get an ABS like Alpha... well this is true, but I find pre-made ABS are so complex that they're almost their own engines and as such I can't create an idea and then add an ABS, I need to have an ABS and see what ideas I can create around it... and that's FINE. The ABS designers are doing ME the favor. But it highlights how unwilling I've been to move out of my comfort zone.

I've already started learning C# so I could jump into Unity. Coding is something I've been too scared to try or maybe just too lazy. Even trying it is far more than I've ever done before.

I realize I love talking to people about the concepts and ideas of game development, several of my top YouTube subscriptions are to game dev tutorials, I work at a school that teaches game design (I have nothing to directly with that department but) I work with some of their students and I'm always asking what are they doing, and I get excited when they share with me. I have felt the idea of "gamification" in education could be break down walls and barriers and is something I am super passionate about.

I have spent my life looking through the window of Game Development, thinking because I could never be great at it why bother, "I have RPG Maker."

I've used RPG Maker as a crutch to keep myself from learning more... well no more.

I love RPG Maker, I always will, but it's time to try new things. I'm writing this message as a warning to those in this community like me who use RPG Maker as a crutch. Don't. If you want to make RPG Maker style games make them, but don't exclusively make RPG Maker games because you're too scared or lazy to try other things.

Again I'm not even suggesting I will make 'better' games in another engine, just I can try different things there.

Happy Gaming everyone.

 

[Zeriab]

Nothing wrong with trying out and using other engines. Doesn't mean you have to abandon RPG maker to do so. I am currently making a game in Unity. I am still here.
Hmm... Abandoning RPG maker for a while may help in focusing on learning the new engine.

Experiencing and solving problems in other engines may give you a different perspective on how to approach said problems. If you ever go back to RPG maker this may turn out to also be helpful here.

Good luck and have fun

 

[orochii]

I agree, I actually think that if you want to make games as a whole you should never marry a game engine and instead (at least) try them all you can put your hands on a bit. It's always good to try stuff.

I also disagree on something that isn't even the point of the thread. You shouldn't make "RPG Maker games", not even with RPG Maker (I mean unless that's what you want). Make it your own, wherever you go.

 

[Kupotepo]

I said go for it. There are many game engines to explore like every thing else in life. We should try at least one time. The exprience is most valuable than mastery of the engine. At worst situations, you get the feeling of the software.

 

[hmnut]

Thank You for the support everyone. This is not good bye, all though I think there are limits to what RPG Maker can do, what it does, it still does better than anyone else out there. If anything I think gaining these new skills will allow me to up my game (pun?) in RPG Maker.

 

[nilm]

It's always a good idea to learn what else is out there. Even seasoned vets need to branch out occasionally to make sure they're not missing anything big.