RTP-made games vs Games with Custom Assets - Fight!

[kartersaint]

Remember that you can use any engine for the contest, so this will be kind of a not doable thing

(When other engines are disallowed) It would be really interesting if the contest forced to use only RTP assets along with DLC. Custom resources? Never allowed (Even in the resource from the script).

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

It will be better to restrict the DLCs too, since if they're included then somebody who has a lot more money than another will have access to the DLC while the other person won't... an what if I'm a scripter? I can't use my own scripts? 0.0

You should be allowed to use your own scripts since that is a skill, while DLCs are not...

 

[kartersaint]

It would have been seen as a marketing campaign and they are trying to force people to buy DLCs

Indeed. But what if they discounted those DLCs like crazy. LoL

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

then it just makes it more obvious that it's a marketing thing

 

[kartersaint]

It will be better to restrict the DLCs too, since if they're included then somebody who has a lot more money than another will have access to the DLC while the other person won't... an what if I'm a scripter? I can't use my own scripts? 0.0

(When other engines are disallowed) It would be really interesting if the contest forced to use only RTP assets along with DLC. Custom resources? Never allowed (Even in the resource from the script). But every script is possible limited on no custom graphics such as if the script is about the light, then it's impossible to use custom light graphic but possible to modify one of flame in the RTP to fit with the script.

Edit: Anyway, I'm surprised people concern my post more than my thought. 0_0

 

[Clord]

RTP only contest would probably be somewhat interesting but not one I would like to really take a part of as contestant.

 

[Galenmereth]

It's simple really. Just look at RTP Haters Killer: The Game: 

 

[Ratty524]

RTP only contest would probably be somewhat interesting but not one I would like to really take a part of as contestant.

Wasn't this already done with that RM Anniversary contest held a while back?

It's simple really. Just look at RTP Haters Killer: The Game: 

So it's the RTP with lighting effects. It definitely looks nice, but I'm still not seeing a game with an identity of its own. That's really the only reason why I am somewhat reluctant to try fully RTP games. I want to play something that I can remember, both from a gameplay and visual standpoint.

 

[Dalph]

So it's the RTP with lighting effects. It definitely looks nice, but I'm still not seeing a game with an identity of its own.

*rolls eyes*

-

I hate being Captain Obvious here (also this has already been discussed in that useless rm hate thread) but graphics is really one of the last things that should matter in a videogame.

Said this, an RTP game has exactly the same chances to win the contest that a custom game has...that's for sure.

Execution guys...EXECUTION is the right word here, execution is what matters in game development (gameplay and immersion like Archeia said).

Graphic is very important yes, but it's not everything like most people think.

 

[Clord]

Said this, an RTP game has exactly the same chances to win the contest that a custom game has...that's for sure.

I'm sorry, but what?


Oh well, I will be quite impressed if game with no custom scripts and by only using RTP wins more than 10 dollar store credits prize.

 

[Galenmereth]

So it's the RTP with lighting effects. It definitely looks nice, but I'm still not seeing a game with an identity of its own. That's really the only reason why I am somewhat reluctant to try fully RTP games. I want to play something that I can remember, both from a gameplay and visual standpoint.

That is a valid point, it really is. But then again, I don't remember the identity of most of the modern era shooters I've played. The problem with custom graphics is that the amount of work required to make truly good and recognizable visuals with staying power means pouring hundreds of hours into it. I've worked on this myself: check out Shinyshards in my signature, a work in progress. Those visuals are extremely simple semi-8bit visuals, but I probably spent around sixty hours tweaking them to get them to that point. And I'm not completely happy with them, and that's just one "tileset"; I need at least six more for the game. In the end, will it make you remember my game more than the platforming controls, the physics and the sound fx / music?

Again, you have a valid point there, and I certainly understand people who are sceptical towards the RTP resources--especially if they've been burned before

 

[Dalph]

I'm sorry, but what?

Oh well, I will be quite impressed if game with no custom scripts and by only using RTP wins more than 10 dollar store credits prize.

Who said I'm talking about scripts here? I'm talking about RTP graphics man.

 

[Alkorri]

So so far the main things I took from this discussion: Execution and Immersion is everything, graphics are not as essential. (Not very catchy, but I think that's the gist)

 

[Clord]

Who said I'm talking about scripts here? I'm talking about RTP graphics man.

I see, our viewpoint what we consider custom is different. No problem there.
Anyway, I would be impressed if RTP only would take top position, assuming somehow custom graphics don't help one's chances. Basically professionally made parallax map would have no better impression to judges than normal one. RTP graphics they have seen over and over would affect them none. This means those who have spent thousands of dollars have no advantage even if their skills are good in other areas that they do themselves for their contest entry, while what they spent for is being made.


Such hypothesis hardly holds water but it would be still interesting to have contest where such things were not allowed.

 

[Galenmereth]

 RTP graphics they have seen over and over would affect them none. This means those who have spent thousands of dollars have no advantage even if their skills are good in other areas that they do themselves for their contest entry, while what they spent for is being made.

Like they say in the contest guidelines themselves: art is 1/3 of the overall point scoring, but it's not an "you pass/you fail" scenario. I fully expect not to score fully on visuals for my game due to using the RTP almost exclusively, but presentation of the RTP ought to count for something

 

[Clord]

Like they say in the contest guidelines themselves: art is 1/3 of the overall point scoring, but it's not an "you pass/you fail" scenario. I fully expect not to score fully on visuals for my game due to using the RTP almost exclusively, but presentation of the RTP ought to count for something

Yeah but I felt like pointing out that graphics are part of the scoring. Contest entry that wins the top prize needs to score highest avg overall in all three categories.

 

[Sharm]

Graphics =/= Aesthetics. Although pretty graphics are aesthetically pleasing they are not necessary to obtain it. The most important thing is that your graphics are supporting your narrative. Now, I don't think a game that relies too heavily on the RTP is going to do as well as something more original but that's not because of the RTP itself. I just happen to think that people who are good at making things aesthetically pleasing are more likely to do their own thing.

 

[Galenmereth]

I just happen to think that people who are good at making things aesthetically pleasing are more likely to do their own thing.

That is true for me, but when it comes to the games I want to make, it isn't realistic to make the kind of visuals I need for a lot of my projects by myself. I can do it, but I can't spend three years making a simple game... So I came to RPG Maker not because I can't do the art myself, or commission custom art--but because I had ideas that I wanted done by myself within reasonable timeframes. The RTP is actually what got me to use Ace, not the other way around. It was the paintbrush and the canvas I needed to paint a few pictures I had in mind

 

[Clord]

I think we know distinction between "aesthetics" and "screenshot that tries to look pretty."


If we talk about aesthetics instead of purely of graphical fidelity, then Beat Hazard and Symphony are both good examples.

 

[Ratty524]

That is a valid point, it really is. But then again, I don't remember the identity of most of the modern era shooters I've played. The problem with custom graphics is that the amount of work required to make truly good and recognizable visuals with staying power means pouring hundreds of hours into it. I've worked on this myself: check out Shinyshards in my signature, a work in progress. Those visuals are extremely simple semi-8bit visuals, but I probably spent around sixty hours tweaking them to get them to that point. And I'm not completely happy with them, and that's just one "tileset"; I need at least six more for the game. In the end, will it make you remember my game more than the platforming controls, the physics and the sound fx / music?

Again, you have a valid point there, and I certainly understand people who are sceptical towards the RTP resources--especially if they've been burned before

A lot of modern era shooters use similar color tones, environmental settings, and gameplay. Heck, remember all those WW2 games churned out around the early 21st century? That is why they aren't particularly memorable, the key point being that they are offering nothing new to the market

I also fully understand the extensive effort required for making custom resources. It's an arduous process and in the end, it's still the gameplay that matters most. I want to apologize in that I never intended to outright discourage anyone from using the RTP, it's just that when I see a game made with original material that's at least on a superficial level, I feel like I'm peering right into that creator's mind, with the look of the game better reflecting how that creative individual thinks. Think of it as like looking at a work of art in a gallery. That kind of gets taken away a little bit (I've actually been impressed with some RTP-filled projects, even some that combine both RTP and custom assets) when a developer uses the RTP, because with those cutsey, squished character sets and forward-facing face maker graphics, it feels like an idea for a game that isn't unique to the individual creator. For the most part, it's a personal preference of mine that actually hasn't stopped me from enjoying some of the well-made games made throughout the RM community.

It's also more of a pet-peeve I have with commercial projects moreso than the general freeware. I can't tell you how many times I felt like banging my head against my desk after seeing someone put a price tag on an RPG Maker game that looks comparable to the noob games that constantly get shat out on the freeware side. It might be because I'm really stingy about the games I purchase, but you REALLY have to make your project stand out in order for me to give you my money.