I know in the past I've been kind of harsh about using things like Game Maker, RPG Maker, etc, but here's an explanation of two things: 1) why I thought like I did, and 2) why I dont think that way anymore.
The reason I looked down on the simple game-design tools, such as Game Maker, RPG Toolkit, RPG Maker, Game Editor, etc. is because I always felt that I had to prove myself, and I tried to make myself look better by being harsher on games created with simple game design tools, when, in fact, these tools are legitimate, decent tools that, when put in the right hands, can be used to make really great games. I lost sight of actually having fun playing games, and started becomming biased towards games because of what they were made with, to the point where I almost completely refused to play any game that was made with a simpler development tool.
Recently, however, I've come to realize that I dont have to prove myself to anybody. I dont give two shits what people think of my opinions on anything else, why should I care shits what they think about me as a game designer? And I came to some realizations that I should've made a long time ago. Now, this doesnt mean I'm going to hold back when I think a game sucks, but I wont be as biased based on what the game was created with anymore. I've decided to start working more on game design for game design's sake recently, rather than going out and working on code & such. I figure I can wait to further my knowledge of C++ until after I take my MOS in California after I get out've boot camp...
ANYWAYS, if you're wondering why I put this in development talk, let me give people who feel as I did something to think about: Dont lose sight of what we do this for. We design games for fun, and many people find fun in their own ways. I personally find fun in challenging myself in one way or another, but I've also come to realize that my challenging myself isn't getting me anywhere, as I haven't completed much in terms of game design recently. Pay attention to games for the sake of them being games, not for what they would offer you in challenge. Games are games. They're there for entertainment, not to show who's better than who at what.
Now, there is still one thing I dislike, however: people requesting engines for every part of their game. I can understand how irritating it can get when you want a particular feature in your game that you cant figure out. But dont ask people for engines. Ask them for ideas on how it can be done. If another's released an example or an engine, make your own, and use what the other person made as a guide for how to create your own. Dont make an abomination of sewn-together parts from 1500 other sources, make your own code & systems, that way when something needs changed, or there's a bug found, you can easily just find where in your code it is, and you can personally understand all of the code in your game. Not just where it is, but what it does, where it is, why it does what it does, and all the nitty-gritty details like that.
Anyways, if you read the entire rant, feel free to comment. If you just skimmed, eh, I can understand. Whatever. MiNalien out.
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Topic: Message about Easy Game Designer Programs (ie: Game Maker, RPG Maker) (Read 2154 times)