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

[MyLordRobinson]

So. Um, AAA games are made all the time with fresh, brand-new graphics that play like ****. GTA IV comes to mind.

 

[estriole]

i agree that rtp when used correctly can be good. but i also thought that custom resource that used correctly could be better.

so i guess i'm more custom resource > rtp type of guy. but i don't hate rtp either.

i just imagine indrah game which use full rtp. what if we change all resource with matching custom graphic.

it would transform the game better.

(the rtp one is already good though...).

so with rtp you can reach good / great level. but by using custom graphic you could break the boundary even more.

also by using custom resource. that give more points on dedication level instead just grabbing existing rtp.

one more thing. people nowadays tend to see the graphic first before decide to play the game. no one would prefer playing snes / ps / ps2 games rather than ps3/ps4/xboxone game. no matter how good the gameplay is. (except some hardcore / vintage lover. btw... i can assure you... older game have lots better gameplay than today's game).

in this case. what happen if that snes/ps/ps2 games is remade in ps4/xboxone with better graphic? then the game will receive better response. (to fit the illustration using rtp then replacing it with custom graphic above).

(to square-enix: please remake FFVII to PS4 please ...)

 

[hyde9318]

I have to say custom resource, mainly so that I am not out of a job... lol. But no, I do agree that while RTP graphics used correctly are better than custom graphics used wrongly any day, I would still prefer to see people use custom graphics (even when used wrong sometimes). I say this though more from a standpoint of creativity. I worry that the world is becoming less creative as more things become easy for us, so when I see someone rise above their normal comfort zone and try something different, it makes me feel good.

 

[Cadh20000]

one more thing. people nowadays tend to see the graphic first before decide to play the game. no one would prefer playing snes / ps / ps2 games rather than ps3/ps4/xboxone game. no matter how good the gameplay is. (except some hardcore / vintage lover. btw... i can assure you... older game have lots better gameplay than today's game).

I guess that puts me firmly in the "hardcore/vintage lover" category then. I like realistic graphics, but they honestly don't matter to me. I place no higher value on them than I do that of the older graphics style.

 

[estriole]

I guess that puts me firmly in the "hardcore/vintage lover" category then. I like realistic graphics, but they honestly don't matter to me. I place no higher value on them than I do that of the older graphics style.

don't worry. i also belong to that category. . *high five

what i mean... is most people nowadays... . not all people.

btw here's some funny article to cheer us up .

http://punchnerds.com/2013/12/02/ps4-vs-snes-a-comparative-review/

 

[Tiarali]

The competition is judged based on three categories:  presentation, fun factor, and playability.

You could possibly argue that presentation might be based on whether you use rtp only or custom graphics as well, but it's not mentioned specifically under that heading.  Rather, I would think it is important whether you use the tile sets you have well.  I would think that appropriately used RTP would do better than really ugly or unprofessional custom graphics.  And, of course, that's only one of the three categories; the other two aren't affected by it at all.

So: It's definitely possible for an RTP game to win because of the way the contest is being judged.  Will it?  Well, that remains to be seen.

 

[xeroborn]

I would say, in general, custom graphics are probably more interesting. 

However, I also think it is possible to get caught up in making something that looks really good, but the gameplay is not quite there.

 

[Cinnamon]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I apologise to the mods if this isn't the right place.

This is my first year with RPG Maker, and my first experience observing a contest as major as the IGMC. My question is, does anyone think a game made with mostly RTP assets can win against a dev who uses custom resources? For example, hand drawn busts, completely unique battle systems etc. 

I've been visiting game threads and it's obvious that the games using custom assets will get the majority of the community attention (and probably popular vote). This will also likely win points in the 'presentation' criteria for the judges.

Thanks to Indrah and other members, I also know simple edits of the RTP can make for beautiful maps too. I'm one of those who likes the RTP assets. But is it enough to distinguish yourself from the competition? The way I see it, a game made with mostly RTP assets, even edited, can only win if they have astounding gameplay and fun factor (the other criteria).

Anyone know of any such games winning these contests? Just wondering.

You can use RTP in such a way that it doesn't seem the same as other games. Most games either just make sloppily cookie-cutter made maps or throw extremely terrible fogs over it. With proper usage an RTP game can look just as "custom" as an actual custom game. Especially if you add just a few of your own resources.

 

[Tiarali]

I really disagree about the custom graphics thing.  There is nowhere from the rules that states that you need to 'stand out' from other games; just that your own game will be well presented.  I think, if anything, you are less likely to make a mistake if you're using the RTP.  I think how well you use the tools at your disposal is more important than what those tools are.