Okay im rather new so please help?

[DestinedxHope]

I have been using RPGMaker XP for about 5 days. Ive made a very small game but its a little cruddy. I can use basic and some difficulty varibles but i just wondered if you guys could list a few things that could raise my game's potential a little bit.. Any tips info or guidence will be much apreciated=]
Thanks.

 

[Unka Josh]

You've given us quite a challenge, here-- we don't know anything about your game.

However, in the spirit of trying:

Good characterization.  Make your characters original and interesting.  Make the heroes people we can sympathize with, and make us feel like they've earned their triumphs-- characters who always kick ass without ever being uncertain are dull.  Make us care if they live or die.

Give your villains motives, too-- it'll make them more interesting.
 
Have your characters develop over the course of the game-- not just in power level, but in personality.  Give them character arcs. 

Original game mechanics are always worthwhile.  So is quality original artwork.

Multiple endings aren't necessary, but they can jazz up a game.

 

[LLawliet]

Also I'd like to add when devolping villians try and make their motive's somthing more original to instead of them just being a bad ass looking to destroy the world, try somthign more like the villian is actually out to defend the world, Its just his methods are the wrong way. Also just becuase you have a good story you also want to have good dialogue, try and give every character remberable personalties somthing original about them like maybe one of them has ossesion with frogs or somthing which you could actually use this obsession for alot of comical and also compasionate seens, im not gonna get into i know it sounds stupid but its possible:P . I really dont know anything about your game so I cnat really halp you but if you have any questions im mor eof a writer than a designer and ill be glad to help you. Also I do relize these things have been mentioned but I just thought I would touch base more on each and also I cant stress it enough make sure the mapping is good, if you want somthing to be remeberable make sure you put pride and soul into it, because an rpg isn't somthing you just make to be like "wooo i made a game" you want it to be somthing you can say "I made a story and swayed my audiences feelings and most importantly I truly couldnt be happier with what i made". Alot of people make one big mistake and they put there games out to fast regardless of their feelings so if your not happy with it dont push the project faster
just to make deadline because If your not impressed it's most likely that the feelings are gonna be mutual for the people playing. Anyways I hope I could help and if you need anyone to have a creative brainstorm for story idea's just PM me and ill be glad to help.

 

[DestinedxHope]

Wow thanks guys. Ok the reasson i didn't state the game i am currently desgining is due to i wasn't sure to take it or scrap it. Im gonna start a new game called

Destined Hope.
The basics are:
Two empires are constently battling each other because they think the other is wrong in its lifestyle. The dragon empire's  are trying to keep the Light Crystal and Dark Crystal apart due to the last time they where both combined it rained fire for a thousand years on there home nation, Meanwhile the Yaku empire seek to obtain the crystals and they beleive with the crystals so they can destroy them and stop the madness they cause.


You follow Jet who is the daughter of a blacksmith in the town of Tilk. Tilk is not a biased town that does not belive in the Yaku or Dragon empire's ways. Your first scene is when you are in the forest with your father. He is collecting fruit and talking away like normal. He gives jet the fruit and tells her that she must go and give it to her brother (Yang) As he is sick. Jet wanders off but when you arive at Tilk you see fires and bodies scatered around. Rushing home you find yang killed by the hands of some mysterious black armoured soldiers.

Thats all i can say so far but if you think the idea is good please tell me. If not ill just bin it =]

 

[dadevvtsvre]

Well, it sounds very cliche right now. The whole "two empires at war" thing has been done to death, as well as the crystal thing. The "son/daughter of a blacksmith/farmer" is also very reused, as is the "leave the village, come back, destroyed" plot. That doesn't mean you should scrap the story all together, though. My advice is to read around this site and other sites, perhaps finding a tutorial on how to make good RPG plots. Once you think you have a good plot that people would like, post a detailed thread in Concept Development and the folks here would be glad to help develop the story and plot. After you think you have it nailed down, start on your game.

 

[JoshieBoy]

1. Dont use the default battle system.

2. Dont give your game a name that has already been used or a sequel to and existing game especially if its your first game.(i.e. Tales of the abyss 2!!)

3. Don't think that just because you are a n00b, you can make a crappy game, try to compete with the people who have made 20 or 30 games. You are the future of the rpg maker community.

4.Don't slack on ruby scripting. Modify a script or 2.

5.Don't be afraid to P.M. somebody for help. You would be suprised how n00b friendly this community is. (plus, it will sometimes get your question answered quicker!)

 

[candle]

Also, work on mapping.  I can't tell you how many times I've encountered a game I thought would be interesting but couldn't stand playing due to poor mapping or level design.  We have a mapping improvement thread for a reason.  Use it.

 

[InvaderNick14]

A few cool tricks to try out are:
1.Give the player the choice to what he looks like, name, ect.
2.Try out stuff like moving torches, pit falls, and traps.
3. use tricks like having a certin skill, or form, or spell, or something to get through areas.
4. Puzzles you can't have a game with no puzzles.
5.Make sure you map good.
6. And finally don't have randomness like I did when I started, Have a good storyline

Good luck.