What makes you download a project?
- Thread starter Xilef
- Start date
Icedmetal57
Member
Saving images as pngs would definitely save space for them, thus reducing your 100 mb project down to 20 mb at least.Ynlraey":338g008x said:
But for me, what gets me to download a project is probably the features, originality in features/mapping/screen shots and how good the mapping and screen shots look. I don't care too much if it's RTP, as long as they look good. But what gets me playing it again is how good they pull these off.
, unless they use BMP for other stuff then ._.I don't go into too much project threads recently as they always seem to be the same few games. Currently I'd have to read hype for a certain game to even show an interest. I find whilst I am actually making games I am more interested in RMXP as whole, both playing and creating. When I'm not interested in creating I'm not interested in playing either.
Fireworksinc
Member
I play games similar to my own game to become aware of the competition/get (not steal) ideas.
- If it uses good mapping and non RTP
- If it has good battles
- If it has an awesome story
- If it is a little like Chrono Trigger
- If it is an Rm2k(3) project made with RTP but purely for humor (Final Fallacy, Legendary Adventure, cRaZy_GuY's Journey)
- If it has such awesome music that it makes me cry (Like Yasunori Mitsuda's music)
- If it is a Chrono Trigger/Cross fangame. That's always a standard download, even if it is crappy. I just need to check that out.
- If it has good battles
- If it has an awesome story
- If it is a little like Chrono Trigger
- If it is an Rm2k(3) project made with RTP but purely for humor (Final Fallacy, Legendary Adventure, cRaZy_GuY's Journey)
- If it has such awesome music that it makes me cry (Like Yasunori Mitsuda's music)
- If it is a Chrono Trigger/Cross fangame. That's always a standard download, even if it is crappy. I just need to check that out.
Crystalgate
Member
Usually what draws me are the characters. If the background description is long, I tend to skip over to the characters first. If I like what I see there, I'll go back and read the long (and frankly, usually boring) background story. If not, I move on to whatever's next on the list. Even if the background isn't to long, any hype the background may set will vanish if the characters seem bland.
While good characters are usually what sells me, that's not always the case. I'll get hyped as long as I see this "hey, the creator actually has a good idea" going for it. As a rule, this means I think the creator has done something better than most commercial RPGs does.
Graphics alone has very little effect on me. I have dismissed projects that have beautiful and unique tile sets on a fly while downloading projects that uses the RTP. However, bad mapping will turn me away.
The battle system and the feature list also means very little by itself. If I see feature X listed, I will ask myself what that feature is supposed to accomplish, unless is a small enhancement feature such as a Chrono Trigger menu system in which I will file it as "nice, but not really important." I will however get exited if I get the feeling that the author has a good plan for the feature and will make a good use out of it.
Edit: Sometimes I download a project not because I think it will be fun to play it, but because I think it will be fun to give feedback. In that case however, I'm not planning to play the finished product unless it drastically improves.
While good characters are usually what sells me, that's not always the case. I'll get hyped as long as I see this "hey, the creator actually has a good idea" going for it. As a rule, this means I think the creator has done something better than most commercial RPGs does.
Graphics alone has very little effect on me. I have dismissed projects that have beautiful and unique tile sets on a fly while downloading projects that uses the RTP. However, bad mapping will turn me away.
The battle system and the feature list also means very little by itself. If I see feature X listed, I will ask myself what that feature is supposed to accomplish, unless is a small enhancement feature such as a Chrono Trigger menu system in which I will file it as "nice, but not really important." I will however get exited if I get the feeling that the author has a good plan for the feature and will make a good use out of it.
Edit: Sometimes I download a project not because I think it will be fun to play it, but because I think it will be fun to give feedback. In that case however, I'm not planning to play the finished product unless it drastically improves.
I will only download a project that has very good rep. I have Dial-Up internet so I tend to shy away from 10mb+ lol.
I mainly use these 'good' projects as examples on how to create a game. They offer great insite on how a game is set up, how the player gains XP, the battle system, events, etc...
Personally, I LOVE the RTP. If someone is not good at creating graphics, or doesen't feel like waiting ages on custom graphics then theres no problem with the RTP. Great beginners tool in my opinion...
I mainly use these 'good' projects as examples on how to create a game. They offer great insite on how a game is set up, how the player gains XP, the battle system, events, etc...
Personally, I LOVE the RTP. If someone is not good at creating graphics, or doesen't feel like waiting ages on custom graphics then theres no problem with the RTP. Great beginners tool in my opinion...
Perihelion
Sponsor
0. If someone I know and have a good opinion of is making the game, I'm much more likely to pay attention. This isn't necessary, but it helps a lot. I mean, I don't really even go into PD anymore unless I know someone in the IRC channel is making a game or I see a link in the sig of someone I like.
1. The thread has to not look like shit. Bad grammar, poor formatting, etc. make me leave immediately. If your presentation is good, I'm much more likely to stick around to see what your game is actually about.
2. Good screenshots. RTP is an instant turn-off, but if it's used well and doesn't look exactly like every other horrible RM game out there, I might stick around. In addition to poor mapping and etc., if your screenshots display horrible dialogue, loads of amateurish Photoshop gunk, or LARGE ANIME PICTURES, I'm gone. More than anything, I can't stand bad writing, but if your graphics suck, it probably all does.
3. Originality. If you pass the first two tests, I'll take a look at your premise. I don't read long plot descriptions, and I certainly don't read essays on the entire backstory of your world, but your project needs to not be generic fantasy trash. I also like to glance over the characters and see if you're using a bunch of archetypes. Basically, if your writing is shit, I'm gone.
4. Gameplay. I like project threads that make it clear that you have cool mechanics, good dungeons, whatever, and moreover that you're making it work. A list of features isn't impressive (and in fact turns me off because it looks like you're loading every script you can find into your game regardless of whether it's relevant); you somehow making it clear that whatever features you have work together and make your game fun to play is. If you can do that and meet the above requirements, I'm sold.
Basically, the key is to make a game that doesn't suck and have a project thread that makes this clear. There's no way to get around needing a good game: glitter doesn't make shit stink less. But that said, there are some things you can do to make your thread more eye-catching, which I believe Volrath wrote an article about once. I recommend that, and I have two tips myself: 1. have a positive reputation around the forums and 2. make your thread focus on what's special about your game, making sure it shows off all the good design and demonstrates how your gameplay/story/whatever is special, preferably with lots of shiny images. And I mean images that relate to the game, not section headings with Photoshop filters applied.
1. The thread has to not look like shit. Bad grammar, poor formatting, etc. make me leave immediately. If your presentation is good, I'm much more likely to stick around to see what your game is actually about.
2. Good screenshots. RTP is an instant turn-off, but if it's used well and doesn't look exactly like every other horrible RM game out there, I might stick around. In addition to poor mapping and etc., if your screenshots display horrible dialogue, loads of amateurish Photoshop gunk, or LARGE ANIME PICTURES, I'm gone. More than anything, I can't stand bad writing, but if your graphics suck, it probably all does.
3. Originality. If you pass the first two tests, I'll take a look at your premise. I don't read long plot descriptions, and I certainly don't read essays on the entire backstory of your world, but your project needs to not be generic fantasy trash. I also like to glance over the characters and see if you're using a bunch of archetypes. Basically, if your writing is shit, I'm gone.
4. Gameplay. I like project threads that make it clear that you have cool mechanics, good dungeons, whatever, and moreover that you're making it work. A list of features isn't impressive (and in fact turns me off because it looks like you're loading every script you can find into your game regardless of whether it's relevant); you somehow making it clear that whatever features you have work together and make your game fun to play is. If you can do that and meet the above requirements, I'm sold.
Basically, the key is to make a game that doesn't suck and have a project thread that makes this clear. There's no way to get around needing a good game: glitter doesn't make shit stink less. But that said, there are some things you can do to make your thread more eye-catching, which I believe Volrath wrote an article about once. I recommend that, and I have two tips myself: 1. have a positive reputation around the forums and 2. make your thread focus on what's special about your game, making sure it shows off all the good design and demonstrates how your gameplay/story/whatever is special, preferably with lots of shiny images. And I mean images that relate to the game, not section headings with Photoshop filters applied.
Dissonance
Member
vgvgf":1der0ai3 said:
b-b-b-but vgvgf, my game will be more than 50mb. D: