Game Makin'
by DualX · 02/09/2008 (5:03 pm) · 2 comments
Where to begin...
Well, this is my first blog. I've been wanting to write down something in this section for a little while now, but have just been bogged down with other stuff as of late. I haven't exactly found my place in terms of where I would be in the development team, but I have been told that I would make a great Game Designer/Project Lead. Just recently, I was able to get my hands on some books and stuff to learn the Torque Game Engine because I've been really interested in learning how to program gameplay. We'll see how that goes...
Just like most of you here, I've been trying to create my own game. I have a few problems in obtaining that goal however and with that I will explain my story up until now.
The Beginning
The first (original) game that I started to work on was supposed to be a 2D side-scrolling shooter, along the same lines of the game Soldat. Now since this was the first time I've ever lead a project, and even though I had a few friends that were interested in help out I just didn't have the capabilities to program the game nor could I get anyone.
I was only left with the ideas that I came up with ideas that I jotted down whenever they came to me. This was back when I was around the same time I started working on other fangames and went in as a sprite artist.
Unfortunately, this project hardly got anywhere and I was forced to leave it behind.
The Ambitious Project
Later on that same year I found myself looking at the engine that would hopefully bring my dreams to life, the Torque Game Engine. I paid for it and messed around with in the tools a little bit just to see how it handled, and with that I had the idea of bringing my previous title back and redoing it entirely in 3D.
Nows recruiting time. I gather up my previous team, and a few more that I needed to actually get somewhere. I get my team going where I want, and then I start working on ideas and documentation.
My project fails YET AGAIN. But I know now why it did. One, NEVER NEVER NEVER plan out a game much bigger than what you are capable of. This project was clearly out of reach, I just didn't see it at the time. And two, make sure you have a group that's ready and willing to take on the tasks you ask of them. Because of this, I had some really important people leave out and I had to shutdown the project.
I was really upset because this was something I've been wanting to do for quite some time, and to just see that dream fade right in front of your face so fast is just heart-breaking.
The Future
Even though that project was dead, I still haven't stopped working on it. Jotting down ideas and whatnot isn't too bad, and because I've had so much time to put into how the game will play out, the project is becoming to be so much better than I would have even imagined. Too bad it's all only on paper. D=
This is now my plan. I've decided to work on something smaller, more easily obtainable as my first real project. And with that in mind, I've also came up with another game to follow before I even decide if I'm even close to being ready to achieve that of which is my 'dream game.'
Things are going much smoother now, but the heart of the project still depends on me. I have to learn how to use TGE in order to get this working otherwise it won't work. I can't depend on anyone else in this department anymore. If you want anything done, you have to do it yourself. Remember that.
First Project
I guess I should give you guys some insight as to what I have planned for my first project. What I have decided to go with, that should be simple enough, is to create a top-down scrolling space shooter similar to games like Ray Storm and Ikaruga.
The game is going to have a fully-fledged story and feature up to a possible three different playable ships that have their own attacks and play style. Don't have a name for the project yet, but I'm sure that will come to me soon.
That is all that I am able to give at the moment as I still have to learn how to rig such a thing and then go from there. Thanks for reading, I hope this wasn't too long.
Well, this is my first blog. I've been wanting to write down something in this section for a little while now, but have just been bogged down with other stuff as of late. I haven't exactly found my place in terms of where I would be in the development team, but I have been told that I would make a great Game Designer/Project Lead. Just recently, I was able to get my hands on some books and stuff to learn the Torque Game Engine because I've been really interested in learning how to program gameplay. We'll see how that goes...
Just like most of you here, I've been trying to create my own game. I have a few problems in obtaining that goal however and with that I will explain my story up until now.
The Beginning
The first (original) game that I started to work on was supposed to be a 2D side-scrolling shooter, along the same lines of the game Soldat. Now since this was the first time I've ever lead a project, and even though I had a few friends that were interested in help out I just didn't have the capabilities to program the game nor could I get anyone.
I was only left with the ideas that I came up with ideas that I jotted down whenever they came to me. This was back when I was around the same time I started working on other fangames and went in as a sprite artist.
Unfortunately, this project hardly got anywhere and I was forced to leave it behind.
The Ambitious Project
Later on that same year I found myself looking at the engine that would hopefully bring my dreams to life, the Torque Game Engine. I paid for it and messed around with in the tools a little bit just to see how it handled, and with that I had the idea of bringing my previous title back and redoing it entirely in 3D.
Nows recruiting time. I gather up my previous team, and a few more that I needed to actually get somewhere. I get my team going where I want, and then I start working on ideas and documentation.
My project fails YET AGAIN. But I know now why it did. One, NEVER NEVER NEVER plan out a game much bigger than what you are capable of. This project was clearly out of reach, I just didn't see it at the time. And two, make sure you have a group that's ready and willing to take on the tasks you ask of them. Because of this, I had some really important people leave out and I had to shutdown the project.
I was really upset because this was something I've been wanting to do for quite some time, and to just see that dream fade right in front of your face so fast is just heart-breaking.
The Future
Even though that project was dead, I still haven't stopped working on it. Jotting down ideas and whatnot isn't too bad, and because I've had so much time to put into how the game will play out, the project is becoming to be so much better than I would have even imagined. Too bad it's all only on paper. D=
This is now my plan. I've decided to work on something smaller, more easily obtainable as my first real project. And with that in mind, I've also came up with another game to follow before I even decide if I'm even close to being ready to achieve that of which is my 'dream game.'
Things are going much smoother now, but the heart of the project still depends on me. I have to learn how to use TGE in order to get this working otherwise it won't work. I can't depend on anyone else in this department anymore. If you want anything done, you have to do it yourself. Remember that.
First Project
I guess I should give you guys some insight as to what I have planned for my first project. What I have decided to go with, that should be simple enough, is to create a top-down scrolling space shooter similar to games like Ray Storm and Ikaruga.
The game is going to have a fully-fledged story and feature up to a possible three different playable ships that have their own attacks and play style. Don't have a name for the project yet, but I'm sure that will come to me soon.
That is all that I am able to give at the moment as I still have to learn how to rig such a thing and then go from there. Thanks for reading, I hope this wasn't too long.
Torque 3D Owner Maxim Lyulyukin aka "Robomaniac"
and i am too likes Ray Crisis/Storm, Ikaruga, Tyrian games
try to make prototype and you will know what you want... :)
there is many resources, even here on GG how to make such simple things..