Chronicle #1 - Production Begins!

Arwym · Last edited by Arwym on Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hello there!

First of all, thank you for taking to time to look at this journal entry. I am new to OHR and its community, so Tale of One is my first project. And to be more precise, I found about this engine just about two days ago, while I was browsing the FreeBASIC games directory. I like FB, programming, and indie game development. I am always involved in many different hobbies and activities.
Right now, I am helping in the development of SilverQuest, a retro-style, 2D oRPG (Online Roleplaying Game) developed with an engine derived from Mirage Source. We're currently working on a new version, and we got someone who will be programming a better engine for our project, since the current one is keeping us very limited. But I won't go into the details of this. This is not what I'm supposed to be writing about, anyway.

For years, I've been involved in communities dedicated to indie game development and different game development engines, such as the RPG Maker series. I wanted to bring these as an example of why OHR got my interest. There is a great number of RM communities, that's true. And there are many different project threads in each of these forums. However, many of those projects will never get to the demo stage, and those that do, will hardly get past it. It is often said that the game development aspect of the RM community has slowly been dying in activity during the last few years. And I have to agree. Yes. There are new members coming all the time, but the majority will never finish a game because they are just not willing to put the sufficient dedication that is required to finish a game project. This community seems to be more active in that aspect, but I could be wrong. There are so many demos (not necessarily good, but still demos) out there, and a sort of atmosphere that makes me think that this is so. But like I said, I could be wrong. Either way, I am going to find out sooner or later. And be that true or false, I want to give OHR and its community a shot.

Because every time I've intended to finish a game project I end up complicating things (I am a perfectionist, something that is often more bad than good), I thought that it'd be good to start with something simple. Looking at this engine, I think it's perfect for this purpose. I want to make my first complete game with OHRRPGCE. This engine seems like something I'll have fun working with.

For Tale of One, I came up with this basic story about two men who escape slavery. One of them is our hero, who is searching for his older sister, his only family, since he strongly believes that she is still alive. They were separated the day he was sold to his first master, and never heard of her again. Now that he is "free", he'll try to find his sister, a place in the world, and the right to be free. Along the way, he and his companion will meet many different characters who will either aid them in their journey, or stand against their goals. And there is the chance of getting involved in an even greater quest that could affect the lives of thousands, perhaps millions, of other people.
Yes, it does sound clichÃ©. But I believe that it's not uniqueness what makes a story good. Instead, it's the way in which the story is executed. I think I will always enjoy more what happens between the beginning and the end of a story. It's not how we are born, or how we die, but how we live.

In the next chronicle, I'll write about the different aspects of the game in more detail: overview, storyline, gameplay, visuals, sounds and music.
I'll start learning to compose music tonight. The creation of graphics and game content will not begin until until October, because I have to finish the tasks I have assigned for SilverQuest's next big update.

Last night I wrote a much better entry for this, explaining a bunch of things about the project. And just when I had finished writing it and was about to click on the 'submit' button, the laptop's energy ran out. For some odd reason I don't know yet, I was unable to resume the "session", even when I plugged the machine for electricity. I lost everything. No, no, no...

I hope you have at least enjoyed reading this, and if the project gets your interest, I'll be glad to know about it. So if you got something to say, please leave a reply or send me a message. The more interest I can attract to this project, the more motivation I'll have to finish it.

Well, see you next time, when I'll hopefully have some progress to show you.

Thank you!

JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

Sounds like a plan. Do you have any screenshots to share?

Arwym · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

Aw, I wish! Crying

But I started this project yesterday. I haven't even planned a third of it. I think I'll try re-writing that long entry I had yesterday, so that you can have an idea of what this game's about.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to reply, heheh. Happy

Arwym · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

Double-posting only with the purpose of informing that the first post has been re-written.

Thank you. ^_^

JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

The plot you've chosen definitely sounds like a clichÃ©d archetype. I'm not going to discourage you from using it, as I agree to an extent that originality isn't everything, but you should really strive to have your game offer something unique. Every story, especially when dealing with this kind of typical setting, needs to have something interested that sets it apart. I've read plenty of stories about escaped slaves finding freedom, and certainly have played games about them. Seiken Densetsu 1 comes to mind. (on that note, I don't think I've ever played a game about an American slave) If your game doesn't offer anything besides "an RPG about some escaped slaves who meet some friends along the way to saving the world," I don't see much reason in playing it. You seem pretty intelligent; I'm sure you'll come up with something, just please come up with something. It could be something as simple as the main character's only friend being a dog who stays with him to the end (and has unique equipment to purchase), just as an example.

Uh, on another note. Don't tread into the world of music composition so lightly. It's pretty difficult to learn how to do it well unless you just have some intuitive talent. Again, not discouraging you from trying, but expect it to be an uphill climb. Often, it's better to just rip music unless you're expecting to actually sell your game. In either case, having a composer help you out isn't a bad idea either, but it can be hard to work with one.

Arwym · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:14 am Post subject:

Oh yes, I know what you mean. Indeed, that is just an overview of the story, and there definitely is more than just the story of a man seeking freedom. I think what would make this story interesting is precisely the characters, their conflicts, and the interaction between each of them.

For this being my first game, I didn't want to go with something big, because then I'd never finish it. I still don't know how far I can go modifying this game's battle system, but I've read the plotscripting tutorial and studied many of the commands already, and there's much that can be done with this engine, if it's utilized creatively. Hopefully I can bring something unique with this game, may it be the characters, or some aspects of the gameplay. I promised to myself that I wouldn't try to complicate things; so for now, I'll keep them simple and focus on the basics. And when I've become comfortable with this engine's features and familiar with the scripting language, and when I have a fair amount of graphics and music, it is then that I'll dare to make things more complicated. If I try to do that now, the game will never get past the planning and organization stages.

As for music, I have to agree with you again. I've attempted to learn composing some simple music with different software (especially TaBit) before, and it's been hard. But not because I couldn't deal with the programs, but because I would not be satisfied with the results of my practice, and I would give up before trying a second time. I found a program for MIDI music recording and composing, and a few tutorials. I'll give them a chance, and if it seems like this is going to be too hard for me, then I'll see if any of my friends can help me. I do know some composers, but I prefer not to bother them, since they have their own projects to worry about. Let's see what happens.

If I were not such a perfectionist, this would be easier. But for better or worse, this is how I am. I'll try to use it to my advantage, though.

Again, thank you for your time, and your feedback. Happy

JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

It's a very good idea to keep the game short, especially if it's your first. Most beginners make the mistake of jumping into a huge project they have no hope of finishing.

Moogle1 · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:08 am Post subject:

To be fair, it's not unheard of for them to finish it (Walthros), but you might be better off if you benched your big project to try out a small, non-perfectionist one first.
_________________

Slime Salad :: Independent Game Design

Arwym · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Yup! That's true. But what I mean by "I am a perfectionist" is that the game may be short, but it can still be a good game. It can be a practice game, but I'll still want to make it as good as I can within my limits. And maybe when the game is finished, or almost finished, I could try to improve it some more in a later version. I always prefer to push myself to the limits when I am serious about something. I like to do my best. Nothing is perfect, but it can be good enough, and maybe a little more than that. I want this game to be just good enough to be enjoyed, and maybe stand out from most other games in here. Not that I think I am better, and I am not expecting anything (rather, I should expect the game to be considered bad, before getting disappointed).

This is the simplest of the game ideas I had in mind. I tend to think too much about each story and develop it to such depth that it would take me years to implement it into a project such as a game and hope that it's done well. That's why I'll try to focus on a demo, rather than the whole game, until I have enough experience. Happy