Smart Art

I have finally finished my second game, a RPG version of the PS1 version of Metal Gear Solid. It was quite hard to focus on (as I mentioned in my previous post) but I finally got there. 

The game was a little short. If you knew what you were doing you could get through in about ten minutes.For the length of the development time against the length of the game time, I was a little disappointed. However looking at it objectively with the relatively small game world and the creation of tile sets the development time would be more economical with a larger game world. 

The game is complete though and I was relatively happy with the quality of the work.

Onto the next project!

I have a game about pirates in the pipeline and I have written a draft of the script and really gone to town on character development. I want to leave this game until I can do the concept justice. So I have a small project to do about a little boy lost in a mythical land. Original I know!

The big difference with this game was the art style. Instead of "realistic" graphics I have decided to do the graphics based on sketches in a book. Think the map in Lord Of The Rings. This minimalist style will fit in with my minimal skill level. Hopefully this will work and not look too confusing.

Back to the drawing board!

Hocus Focus!

I am currently finishing off my second project with RPG Maker VX Ace. It is a RPG version of Metal Gear Solid. I have endeavoured to do the graphics in the game myself instead of relying on the standard tile sets and graphics.

This lead me to my first problem as I have had to learn how to use the open source image editing program GIMP to do the graphics as Paint (which I am most familiar with) does not support layers. After I had learnt how to use it, it was plain sailing.

I have cheated a little and used the concept art of the enemy troopers instead of drawing them myself. But the backgrounds and tile sets were all created by me.

While knee deep in learning the intricacies of RPG Maker VX Ace and Gimp I am hitting a small issue. I am finding it hard to focus on one game at a time.

I seem to have loads of ideas for a game and really develop them into workable concepts but I get easily side tracked with new ideas. The problem being that I would rather do the more creative stuff than fiddle around fine tweaking technical issues. 

I'm not a finisher. I have alot of good ideas but very little follow through. My teacher told me this when I was seven so it must be true. I am determined to do this though. Perhaps setting goals and milestone might get me to be more productive.

I have decided not to start anything new until I have finished my current project absolutely 100%. I need to stick to this rule or I'll end up with a stack of half-finished projects.