Cloaked Games
Member
Hello, I am currently working on a Zelda-inspired Adventure RPG game, called "The Last Librarian". The struggle of actually finishing a game has always been difficult to me (especially because it's always been a hobby for me, and finding the time or motivation among my otherwise busy schedule is hard.) However, that's sort of an excuse. At this point, I am entering college to go into Computer Science, with the specific intention of becoming a game designer/programmer. As such, I would very much like to actually finish, and publish this current game, including all of the art, sound and music that goes with it.
Technically, it would be best to finish this by the end of the summer, as I'm very skeptical about whether I'll convince myself to work on it during my freshman year in college. Seems unlikely. This is a very complicated project, I admit that it may be too much, but it's the kind of game I love to play and the kind I'm going to make, whether I finish it or not.
However, I have some plans for hopefully increasing the chance that I do finish it. (Some my own ideas, a lot incorporating advice from article or videos I used for research). I want to share them here, and then ask for advice, either on my ideas for my design process, or for additional ideas that I could use to ensure that my project ends up a real game.
Design Methods and Project Workflow:
EDIT: Add to that a Nintendo Switch release. Though upon research of this, the process for getting a Switch game approved is insane, and without a previous portfolio, it might not even be possible.
Technically, it would be best to finish this by the end of the summer, as I'm very skeptical about whether I'll convince myself to work on it during my freshman year in college. Seems unlikely. This is a very complicated project, I admit that it may be too much, but it's the kind of game I love to play and the kind I'm going to make, whether I finish it or not.
However, I have some plans for hopefully increasing the chance that I do finish it. (Some my own ideas, a lot incorporating advice from article or videos I used for research). I want to share them here, and then ask for advice, either on my ideas for my design process, or for additional ideas that I could use to ensure that my project ends up a real game.
Design Methods and Project Workflow:
- Minimum Viable Project: I am developing this game starting with the core mechanics, and the final boss. Then I have the beginning, the mechanics, and the end of the project, and I just have to do level design and put all of the items (which are already done being programmed) into their proper places. This has an extra benefit of allowing me to test the core mechanics right at the beginning.
- Programmer Art: Often, I was held back by trying to incorporate the art. No more, I hate art. I'm going to just throw in programmer art everywhere I can conceive of the need (including every animation), so I can just program in peace. I will keep a careful list, so that when I have a complete produce, I can hire an artist, or set up a rev-share (since I have a product already, I just need the art, it's a way better investment). The art can be done while I'm in college, since that's not my part of it.
- Individual Areas: This game is open world (to an extent). However, each area is a separate section, with few, specific entries. That way, I can finish one area at a time completely, and extra places will just be left un-used unless I have time for them. I was also considering building all of the over-arching terrain (separating boundaries like mountains) first, then I can go through and just fill it in with content. That way, I could perhaps get some content in every area, and add content density as I have time. I'm not sure about this though.
- Flexible Code: In a way, this is just good coding practice (to the best of my ability). As much as possible, I'm trying to organize the code in my project as neatly and efficiently as possible. Allowing for myself to quickly add new types of enemies, add items, create dialogue, etc. I'm building systems that will easily scale for adding new content.
EDIT: Add to that a Nintendo Switch release. Though upon research of this, the process for getting a Switch game approved is insane, and without a previous portfolio, it might not even be possible.
Last edited: