Why go to College to make games when you have tools like these?

You could spend four years of your life in college learning a trade that ,like many, in the computer sector changes and updates yearly if not monthly. So yes you could learn the basics but in truth if you don't continue you to learn after your education your skills will become null and void, well College doesn't guarantee a job in the game industry anyway. Until now everyone had to work their way in and teach themselves. So I invite you to do the same. Here are a few programs you can download and buy to help you learn the basics and advanced sections of game/level design! I hope these tools will help you as much as they helped me.

RPG maker (VX)

This program will cost you some money but in the long run its really worth it. I feel safe to say many if not all computers can run this program and there are a great deal of help forums on the Internet where you can get answers for any question you might have. You may import any sprite you can find and even make your own. With this program you can design an entire story driven RPG, you can even request and share completed games and resources. This program will allow you to design an entire story driven RPG.

Cons:
-It's not free and if you want others to enjoy your game they have to download a program to load your project file.
-Even with help the battle system could have more options.

Game Maker 8 (YoYo games)
This program , like RPG maker, costs money ( the "pro" edition will run you $25) but if you want to just get a feel for the program you can always download the trail version and see if it's what your looking for. This program takes tasks and scripts and makes them building blocks that just need to be placed in the correct sequence of code to preform its correct function. This is most popular in game programs for the public and again there is an option to write your own code and import it into the game.

Cons:
-You wont be making the next blockbuster with this program.
-The trial version is very limited in what you can do once you figure out the basics.

Warioware D.I.Y (Nintendo DS, Wii)

The Big N is sick of making games for you so now it's your turn. This new title in the micro games series is a step in the right direction for fans and indie developers mainly because it gives you a near endless amount of tools to not only make a little game but control the music and scripting of it. There is something for everyone here...whether you are really into making just music or drawing your own sprites this title gives you all that and allows you to package and send your games to other DS and Wii users. This is of course a retail game and one of the more expensive "game makers" but its the charm and easy access that might get most to over look the price and limitations.

Cons:
-you have to have a DS to play and a Wii to download the extra distribution channel.
-You can't really make a full game its mainly 5-10 second mini games.
-No matter how you make it most of the games will end with touch this to win...but again if you have a DS and some extra cash this should be your next DS purchase.

There are also many other programs out there that all offer different things. I didn't list them mainly because I haven't used them but I know Unreal 3 would be the best for modding and even Never Winter Nights if you can run it. both are not expensive anymore and can even be bought and downloaded from your computer. I recommend checking those out as well as the ones I have listed. Good luck and happy creating!

April 15, 2010

Why does the Wii sleep alone at night?

This isn't a hard question to answer for most but all fanboy flame wars aside, why was the Wii such a hot seller if roughly 75% of the software being released was [below] passable to the game community? Why have sales continued to surpass the other two leading game hardware companies such as Microsoft and Sony. It seems to be a combination of things that are going on behind the Marketing over at the house that Nintendo Built. It's no hidden fact that the Wii could barely be duct-taped together fast enough( Sorry I set it up for that) to get out of the factory and into your home, living room or bathroom (that would be tricky to play...) but still as soon as they came into the store they were eaten up like a fat man at a Chinese Buffet. So let's be serious now, The Wii is a fresh new take on gaming and had its fun in the first year with games like Red Steal and the Wii-version of Zelda TLP but these games weren't perfect control wise and left the player more excited for the potential the next wave of games would bring but instead of doing just that the game well dried up and suddenly the Wii was still hard to find but the software was spilling out of the flood gates full of Herpes and Aids which forced many players to abandon their Wii's for risk of getting a shovelware STD. So this is where we are now at the Nintendo "river" or pipeline (whatever works for you) and its a quickly flowing stream of games (water...) but in that flowing river of games lurk the Leechware* waiting to suck you dry of your now very hard to earn money forcing you to put old Wii out to green pastures and turn toward the other systems but some of us (myself included) have hope that Nintendo can still clean up the mess other companies have left at it's house after what started as a fun party and get ready to start playing with the big boys and releasing Fresh water software that pushes the system and the control mechanic to a level that makes Wii fun again..sadly until then I will play No more Heroes and Mario Kart and hope....just hope....

April 17, 2009

RPG Maker VX

I have been to Bulgaria to see the love of my life and it opened up a few things inside me about what's important and really it's being happy, but we all know that is not as easy as it once was but that got me thinking will people 20 years from now claim the same thing? That it was always so much better before? And in doing so claim to stop pissing and moaning and start living for the time we have. I will make my own games cause clearly my talent is yet to be taken advantage of, so screw it. You want something done go and do it yourslef and maybe that's all it takes to get noticed. (oh and yeah I walked to the mountain from where I was standing)

I have traveled far and long to find myself back where I started but do not fret my followers I have a demo from the world of (insert place) and think you could be it's savior! dare you try it?

PLAY DEMO (comming soon)

November 14, 2008