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EragonZZZZ -> The Unofficial Guide to Game Creation - Updated Recently! (8/16/2007 15:32:52)
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About: The Unofficial Guide to Game Creation
As you might have gathered from the title, this guide covers the steps you need to take to produce any sort of online, console, or PC game.
While it doesn't go into detail about every single step, many of the beginner questions such as, "How do I start?" or "How do I hire a team?" are covered.
Note that this guide is exceptionally basic, so if you have ever played any type of game you may feel I am insulting your intelligence with certain things. Just take from this guide what you can. Also, it is geared toward game creation WITHOUT helping tools (like Game Maker/RPG Maker) but I feel everyone can benefit from this.
Each step has a list of programs/things required for each step.
1 - What Every Game Needs
Required: You
Before you begin, as I'm sure you're very eager to, sit back and think: "Am I prepared to do this?" Creating a game can be a daunting task, especially for a newcomer to the world of online game production. Depending on what kind of game you are making, there are various technical requirements, but most games share three very basic things:
- Graphics - These give the player something to look at as they play. Good graphics can make a game interesting, intriguing, and much more fun. (exception: text-based games)
- Story - Almost every game has something behind it, a reason that what happens in the game...happens. This can add a whole new dimension to gameplay and get the player involved. (exception: simple games like Pong)
- Engine - No, not a 'vroom vroom' engine. The engine is the code, the programming, that drives the game and makes things happen. Sometimes this is the simplest part of the game, but often it is quite complex. You will not find any game on the market that doesn't require an engine or some sort of code. RPG makers themselves are the engine, with pre-made commands that tell the engine what to do and ways for you to modify the engine. You may not get these last few sentences; just know that your game needs programming.
If you are making the game on your own, you will need to fill in for most, if not all, aspects of these three categories. If you ARE working on your own, you may want to simplify your game (especially if it is the first one you have ever created. Let's quickly dissect one of the first and simplest games out there, Pong. If you don't know what Pong is, click here. Play for a bit, then read on.
As you can see, Pong is *very* simple. It has no storyline, so the creator didn't even need to worry about that section. All Pong has is basic graphics, and some code (the engine) that makes it run. Pong needs:
- Two squares, one for each player. These are programmed to move back and forth, one via mouse control and one with the computer's help.
- The ball, which bounces from player to player and off walls. Also programmed to do so.
- Some Pong games have score, which is tallied up..using more programming.
Now that you know what a game requires, if you still want to create one, read on!
2 - Brainstorming
Required: Pencil and paper, or some other way of writing down ideas
First, think of the basic category you want your game to fall into - shooter, RPG, text based, etc.
Then, using that as your guide...let your imagination run wild! Anything you think of that you like, write it down! Have a crazy idea for a dungeon? Or a super weapon you've always wanted to be able to blast away tanks with? Sure, why not? This is brainstorming - we can be realistic later.
After your mind has calmed down a bit, start getting rid of the REALLY impossible things, like creating the next Halo with Flash, or a Multiplayer option with an arena based inside a fully animated active volcano. Get a list of things you want in your game, and start thinking about what you'd need to do to get it in game. Yes, this includes programming. If you don't know any language/RPG Maker, still figure out basically what you would need to make this happen. Also, choose the tool you will use to make the game, like Flash or whatever, and learn how to use it. This phase may cost money if you want anything more than trial versions, unfortunately. But trials work just fine in most cases. Also figure out what you will use for the game art. Paint is *iffy* but works, and there are many free graphics options available.
Then move on to the next phase...getting yourself a team (although you may not want one, this is advised).
3 - Dev. Team! Assemble!
Required: Internet access, other, willing game designers
So...the prospect of creating a game seems too large for you to handle on your own. That's understandable. As you can imagine, breaking down the work helps a lot.
Assembling a team is rather simple. Simply make sure you have a good idea of what you want out of your game (a game plan, pun intended) and ask if people are interested.
You can do this on many different development forums; the Q & A forum here works as a start. See if any of your friends are interested; maybe you have a family member who is absolutely amazing at art. Personally, I know my mother is excellent with drawing, so I could technically use her as a resource if I wanted to.
However, you have to remember that just because you are the project lead doesn't mean your team does the work for you. All members of the team should contribute equally; actually, you as the creator of the project should contribute the most. Also, avoid signing on people for random or 'nothing' tasks, like "story conceptual" or "demo engine creation". While large games have these, yours probably doesn't need it. More people = more time spent keeping track of who needs to do what for when. Mind-blowing.
To summarize, when creating a team, remember:
- Ask people you know well and/or can contact easily
- Do your share of the work
- Assign people to useful positions so the game moves forward
Also, due to certain factors and my desire to make this guide USEFUL, the steps that follow will pretend that you are the artist, the coder, or storywriter, or whatever. This just means that for those of you who DON'T assemble teams or join them will have something to go by.
4 - Get Art Smart I: Conceptualize
Required: An art program (MS Paint will do) OR pencil/paper and a scanner
Ah, an actual step to physically create something you can use for creating a game. I'm still not using tutorial format, because this is your game, and you need to do things your own way. Messing up is how you learn. And you really can't mess up concept art.
Concept art is something that brings previous ideas you had in step 2 to life! You've probably seen many examples of concept art, and if you haven't, just read the DF design notes. Plenty of art (although some is finalized) pops up there. Ah, here's some concept art for a movie that used CGI. That's rather similar, wouldn't you say? Movie Concept Art
Now, the way I usually create concept art is I sit down at a desk and just start doodling. For those of you who want more specific instructions, here's my first tutorial-esque writings:
EragonZZZZ's Guide to Doodling (for concept art)
1. Draw a random shape. Any sort of line or squiggle will do.
2. Now, visualize. Think...can that shape be a body? An eye? A claw?
3. Extend on your visualization...make it a reality. Take the claw, add two more. Then a hand. Then an arm. And so on.
4. If you don't like something, just erase it and redraw. Experimentation is the best way to create new ideas.
5. Flesh out your creation. By now you should have some idea of what your doodle is turning into; if my doodle was a lizard, I'd start adding details like scales, possibly making the body more reptilian.
Penndragon's Detailed Guide to Sketching Concept Art
1. Brainstorm what you would like to draw, but think about the whole drawing and not just the small details or you can severely ruin the quality of your drawing.
2. Now is time for drawing. Pick up your recently sharpened pencil, sit up straight with your elbow suspended and free of movement, make certain a good eraser is within your reach, and have your medium (i.e. paper) on a flat, sturdy surface. Lightly, sketch out a stick-figure that will eventually become your drawing (this would include inanimate objects too).
3. Lightly, draw basic three-dimensional shapes on your stick-figure to give the major parts of it mass: spheres, cylinders, and cubes are good shapes to use. You should begin to see the basic outline of your final drawing.
4. Start connecting the shapes together. Begin curving sharp corners that need to be curved. Remember to apply more pressure on the pencil, but not too much. Also, you may want to start erasing unnecessary lines.
5. Start adding major details. This would include hands, muscle definition, etc.
6. Begin adding small details. This would include eyes, finger nails, etc.
7. Tilt your pencil and use the broad side of the graphite end to shade your drawing at various pressures to simulate depth, shadows, and highlights. You may want to practice shading on a sphere before applying it to your drawing.
8. Add any finishing touches. This could include erasing more unnecessary marks, darkening lines, coloring, etc.
9. Congratulations! You have just finished your drawing! Remember that this is just the beginning of your journey: you still have experiment and practice often to increase your drawing skill. Later on, you'll be able to do all of this in less steps and end up with better results
- Once you're done, SAVE THE DOODLE. It doesn't matter if you think its icky, or stupid looking. Trust me, things happen when you translate it onto the computer and shade it. Gone are those nasty erase marks; gone are those random lines you couldn't quite erase.
I have a whole wall of things to flashitize, some of it from months ago. And most of them done in math class. (this is not encouraging you to ignore teachers..but some DO help your mind wander)
- Another thing to note is that your concept art will most likely look nothing like that of J, the Hollow, Ghost, or any of those artists. If it does, kudos to you! But if it doesn't, don't be discouraged. Many of them have years of experience that you probably don't have - but very well could gain! Practice helps art. Sounds corny, but it does. I'll be posting one of my original Flash pieces vs my most recent so you can see an example. And before you get all "No wai!" with me, note that I've taken a RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) course in basic drawing: They encouraged building your own style, not getting discouraged, and most of all...practicing.
Check this link out:
Drawspace
They've got tutorials covering perspective, shading, line art...all from novice to advanced. If you want to draw, and you don't mind learning via the web, you WILL love this site. I've read multiple tutorials and they are all clear, precise and often quite helpful.
4 - Get Art Smart II: Finalize
This section will cover creating art for in-game, whether it's sprites, stationary art, backgrounds, or anything else.
Tall order. So wait patiently. :D
Enjoy, and hope my guide helps you along.
-EragonZZZZ
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