Iterative and Creative!

So I finally got to use my university degree for something! I have used structured development and iterative design while developing my current game. I would finish a section and would later go back and refine it and generally ironing out any bugs. This has been really good as I am currently learning how to use RPG Maker VX Ace and GIMP so each iteration of a level sees a significant improvement.

I have learnt to use little tricks with the game engine such as objects and scenery appearing in the foreground. The work I’m producing is of a much higher standard now. I’m glad I kept the old games that I have made so I can compare my work!

I have finally thought of a name “Sorrow Moor”. It is meant to convey a sense of loss and abandonment for the main character and is the name of the mystical realm the game takes place in.

I have been listening to a lot of game design podcasts. These have been a big help in understanding good game design. I listen to Lostcast which is a product of Lost Decade Games. Although it focuses on HTML 5 they do talk about general game design and techniques which I am most interested in.

I have also been listening to The Game Developer’s Radio which is a bit more about general game design and quite good as each podcast focuses on more or less one subject at a time so you can pick out what you want.

Lost Decade Games:

www.lostdecadegames.com

The Game Developer’s Radio:

www.gamedevradio.net

Talent 0 Perseverance 1

I can't code. I can't do graphics. I can't make a decent tune leap out of my speakers.
As you can probably tell the game development process is quite hard going.
But gosh darn it I'm going to finish it.
I've been messing around with tile-sets to create my game world in RPG Maker VX Ace and it is very confusing and fiddly but I've almost got there. Doing everything monochrome is taking time but is quicker than doing full colour sprites and tile-sets.
The monochrome minimalist style has it's own problems however as it all has to be very crisp and clean or it gets confusing on screen when all the action is happening.
I will try writing and using scripts but I think that will wait to another game as I want to get my current project code-named "Blackout" done and sorted without getting bogged down. I feel the game works perfectly fine without any fancy stuff and any more would be gilding the lily.
Also with the sound I was going to go for a few twinkly piano bits rather than a full blown score. I definitely wanted sound as this is something I need to get my head round in future.
I'm seeing this as a learning curve rather than a problem and I have learnt alot of techniques and  short-cuts that have really helped speed things along.
I've realised how big a task making a game is but I'm digging in. I definitely want to get it completed and out.
Go Team Perseverance! Yay!