RPG Starter Kit Community Project
by Maximillian Brewer · 02/24/2009 (1:24 am) · 9 comments
To start off, I should introduce myself:
"Hi! My name is Max Brewer and am a user of TGE 1.5.2. I am 14 years old, but am a dedicated TGE user, and have already made 2 Fantasy/FPS games with TGE"
So, what's the idea about the Kit?
The idea is that as a community, we can come together and make a RPG Starter Kit to be availible for free to TGE users!
What should we include in the kit?
I have read a bit about RPG kits, and what not to have, and what to have, and so here is a draft list of things to include:
- A Melee Combat System (some resources on this)
- A GUI Inventory System
- An appropiate camera view (Advanced Camera System could be used)
- A dialogue system -> RPG Dialogue System, except with a redone GUI, similar to the Yack Pack's GUI
- An NPC editor/marker system -> AI Marker Editor Resource, Improved AI Guard Unit and Friendly AI Marker
- A spells/magic system (there is a resource on this i think)
- A level up system
And that's about it. This is the basics of what nearly all RPG's have in them, and it would be good to make it easy to uninstall certain parts that aren't necersary (becasue all RPG's are different)
There is soo much to be done!
Yes there is, but alot of these things/systems have resources for them, and they will only need minor editing to make them usable for an RPG.
Also, if enough people are interested, then we can divide the work into groups of speciallity:
- Artists
- Programmers
- Engine Modifiers
- Rersource/Data finders -> look for resources that could be used/edited
- etc.
How will this be managed?
I will set up a website with forums and blogs, to keep all informed, with GG.com blog updates, and a mail list aswell to notify when something new happens!
What will actualy be in the final release...in terms of models
Hopefull the kit will include a simple demo mission (like in the FPS and Racing Starter Kits) and so it have some buildings that have been either donated, or made by some artists that decide to join the project! Also, I am a pretty good .dif artist and have a huge library of realistic/detailed textures, so that any buildings made will be passed through to me to texture and export...this is to make the Kit as professional as poosible
Well I hope that my idea is well thought of, and it gets good response.
From Max Brewer
------------------------------------------------------
RPG Starter Kit Dev Blogs
1) Starting the project
2) Quick Update
"Hi! My name is Max Brewer and am a user of TGE 1.5.2. I am 14 years old, but am a dedicated TGE user, and have already made 2 Fantasy/FPS games with TGE"
So, what's the idea about the Kit?
The idea is that as a community, we can come together and make a RPG Starter Kit to be availible for free to TGE users!
What should we include in the kit?
I have read a bit about RPG kits, and what not to have, and what to have, and so here is a draft list of things to include:
- A Melee Combat System (some resources on this)
- A GUI Inventory System
- An appropiate camera view (Advanced Camera System could be used)
- A dialogue system -> RPG Dialogue System, except with a redone GUI, similar to the Yack Pack's GUI
- An NPC editor/marker system -> AI Marker Editor Resource, Improved AI Guard Unit and Friendly AI Marker
- A spells/magic system (there is a resource on this i think)
- A level up system
And that's about it. This is the basics of what nearly all RPG's have in them, and it would be good to make it easy to uninstall certain parts that aren't necersary (becasue all RPG's are different)
There is soo much to be done!
Yes there is, but alot of these things/systems have resources for them, and they will only need minor editing to make them usable for an RPG.
Also, if enough people are interested, then we can divide the work into groups of speciallity:
- Artists
- Programmers
- Engine Modifiers
- Rersource/Data finders -> look for resources that could be used/edited
- etc.
How will this be managed?
I will set up a website with forums and blogs, to keep all informed, with GG.com blog updates, and a mail list aswell to notify when something new happens!
What will actualy be in the final release...in terms of models
Hopefull the kit will include a simple demo mission (like in the FPS and Racing Starter Kits) and so it have some buildings that have been either donated, or made by some artists that decide to join the project! Also, I am a pretty good .dif artist and have a huge library of realistic/detailed textures, so that any buildings made will be passed through to me to texture and export...this is to make the Kit as professional as poosible
Well I hope that my idea is well thought of, and it gets good response.
From Max Brewer
------------------------------------------------------
RPG Starter Kit Dev Blogs
1) Starting the project
2) Quick Update
#2
02/24/2009 (3:27 pm)
and if you have a setting, i would be happy to donate some quicky Interiors to wander around with. Need a list though. 
#3
My suggestion is to draw up a list of functions/features ... maybe get the community input in this but tie it to a deadline ... say like 1 week or 2 weeks.
Call this list feature group 1. Then as a core team (i.e. select a core team or steering committee) prioritise this list from 1 to x (where 1 is the highest and x is the last item).
Finally decide on a core set of 10 or 20 features and decide to make this the first release of the kit move the rest of the items to the top of feature group 2 list ... then manage the project from there on.
Any new features get added t0 feature group 2 ... when you are done with feature group 1 move on to group 2 and start group 3. Unfortunately you will never make everyone happy at the start ... but if you continue to enhance and add to the kit everyone will get what they want in the end.
If you are going to do this, get access to a Source Code repository, and maybe Overlord Online, and definitely a Forum and Wiki. I can help you out with hosting all of these.
The most important thing it to nominate or democratically vote in a Team Leader ... there has to be one person who has the final Veto right to say yes or no. Committees work well to steer the team in a right direction ... but one person in the committee needs the final Veto right if it ever comes down to that.
Too many team projects get bogged down in trying to do everything all at once for everybody. Make clear deadlines ... make clear lists ... and this project will work.
02/25/2009 (1:56 am)
Good idea ... as stated by Morrock ... the problem is that everybody wants different things from a starter kit and eventually the kit becomes a huge list of overwhelming features that no one is ever able to handle.My suggestion is to draw up a list of functions/features ... maybe get the community input in this but tie it to a deadline ... say like 1 week or 2 weeks.
Call this list feature group 1. Then as a core team (i.e. select a core team or steering committee) prioritise this list from 1 to x (where 1 is the highest and x is the last item).
Finally decide on a core set of 10 or 20 features and decide to make this the first release of the kit move the rest of the items to the top of feature group 2 list ... then manage the project from there on.
Any new features get added t0 feature group 2 ... when you are done with feature group 1 move on to group 2 and start group 3. Unfortunately you will never make everyone happy at the start ... but if you continue to enhance and add to the kit everyone will get what they want in the end.
If you are going to do this, get access to a Source Code repository, and maybe Overlord Online, and definitely a Forum and Wiki. I can help you out with hosting all of these.
The most important thing it to nominate or democratically vote in a Team Leader ... there has to be one person who has the final Veto right to say yes or no. Committees work well to steer the team in a right direction ... but one person in the committee needs the final Veto right if it ever comes down to that.
Too many team projects get bogged down in trying to do everything all at once for everybody. Make clear deadlines ... make clear lists ... and this project will work.
#4
@ Edward: some interiors would be great, in .map format (so i ca texture them)
@ Quinton: Great idea about the whole "clear list with deadlines" I know that you are pretty good when it comes to this stuff :)
@ All: I will be setting up a wiki/website probably tomorrow and will post back here when it is running! It will have:
- An info page (basically what is stated above in this blog)
- A Members page with info about each of you
- A page of "thing to do..." in prioritised lists (like Quiton suggested)
- and; A members only forums area, with usernames and passwords each :)
From Max
Ps. it would be good if you could all contact me at macz_202<at>hotmail<dot>com so i have your email and can contact you about the site!
02/25/2009 (2:56 am)
@ Morrock: It's great to see enthusiasim! And it would be great for you to help :)@ Edward: some interiors would be great, in .map format (so i ca texture them)
@ Quinton: Great idea about the whole "clear list with deadlines" I know that you are pretty good when it comes to this stuff :)
@ All: I will be setting up a wiki/website probably tomorrow and will post back here when it is running! It will have:
- An info page (basically what is stated above in this blog)
- A Members page with info about each of you
- A page of "thing to do..." in prioritised lists (like Quiton suggested)
- and; A members only forums area, with usernames and passwords each :)
From Max
Ps. it would be good if you could all contact me at macz_202<at>hotmail<dot>com so i have your email and can contact you about the site!
#5
02/25/2009 (7:35 am)
I applaud you effort but honestly why would you make the kit using TGE when even GG says it will no longer be developed? 
#6
Edit: Guess you actually need my e-mail address. cheapdevotion (at) gmail
02/25/2009 (8:23 am)
@Max - A few months back, I started a system like this that includes a number of the things you are looking for. Since I am no longer using Torque products, I would love to give all of my source + assets to the community. Shoot me an e-mail and we will discuss further.Edit: Guess you actually need my e-mail address. cheapdevotion (at) gmail
#7
I have made a website for this project at rpgstarterkit.webs.com
From Max
PS i will be starting some buildings (church)
02/26/2009 (12:21 am)
Hi all!I have made a website for this project at rpgstarterkit.webs.com
From Max
PS i will be starting some buildings (church)
#8
I was already planning on making it a resource. I'm thinking I could still put it out as a resource, and we could use that for the starter rpg. I think it would be a good idea to have a more modular kit. So if someone needs NPC's for their game, they can take that, or a spell system, an inventory, or maybe the whole thing.
02/26/2009 (2:19 pm)
I can handle the Spells/Magic system (I like my current system a lot more than Gareth Fouche's -- Though his is great-- I've also created editors that work with my spell system).I was already planning on making it a resource. I'm thinking I could still put it out as a resource, and we could use that for the starter rpg. I think it would be a good idea to have a more modular kit. So if someone needs NPC's for their game, they can take that, or a spell system, an inventory, or maybe the whole thing.
#9
@ Morrock: So, have you done this Magic System you are talking about??? Because if so, i think we should set up our kit website to have instructions on how to do the certain things that will be in the kit, so all of us can update our rpgStarterKit on our own computers, or i as each of us complete the tasks, you can send the files to me, with simple instructions, and then once the kit is completed or at a point where we can release it, i will tell you all (via mailing list) and you can all download it :)
The choice is yours :)
From Max
Ps. I have made some sample building models in constructor which we can include in the Kit :) (which have some pix on rpgstarterkit.webs.com)
02/26/2009 (9:25 pm)
@ All: I think that anyone wanting to help with this should head over to rpgstarterkit.webs.com and sign up for a members acount on our site, and we can have blogs and articles on the site, aswell as mail to keep you informed, or ask you a question :)@ Morrock: So, have you done this Magic System you are talking about??? Because if so, i think we should set up our kit website to have instructions on how to do the certain things that will be in the kit, so all of us can update our rpgStarterKit on our own computers, or i as each of us complete the tasks, you can send the files to me, with simple instructions, and then once the kit is completed or at a point where we can release it, i will tell you all (via mailing list) and you can all download it :)
The choice is yours :)
From Max
Ps. I have made some sample building models in constructor which we can include in the Kit :) (which have some pix on rpgstarterkit.webs.com)
Torque 3D Owner Morrock
I can do both Engine coding and scripting. I'm already working on a larger game project, but the idea of this sounds very similar to the type of game-play it has (a real-time RPG system, similar to WoW and Oblivion), and that would only make it easier to port some of my code/ideas into this. You can reach me at neilgoldman305 <AT> gmail.com