What do you think looks better

[Dragon324 16]

So I was thinking for the intro to my game adding in some screenshots to go along with the intro that obviously introduces the game to the player. So far my trailer and of course the game has been done with shots of game play. So my question is should I continue using rpg maker and just take screenshots of some scenes or should I look for pictures on the internet?

Edited May 25, 2011 by Dragon324

[FranklinX 37]

Use a video for a game intro. It will make the player more interested.

[Chief 30]

youre asking if you should use your own game in your trailer, or use other peoples games in your trailer? I hope thats not what youre asking..

[Jon Bon 43]

youre asking if you should use your own game in your trailer, or use other peoples games in your trailer? I hope thats not what youre asking..

 

Agreed. Only use media taken directly from your game for the intro. I highly doubt you will find any images that suit your game better then actual game play footage.

When you say intro to your game, do you mean before or after a player selects 'new game'?

 

If it is for before 'new game' is selected then I suggest creating a combination scene from your other already existing scenes.

Think back to playing other RPGs, most have a scene that plays at the title screen which will show different in game footage of story events.

I think you should do the same, Copy your scenes to a new map folder called 'intro' etc. then edit the scenes accordingly, linking them together and adding fades between etc. Alternately you could add a variable to make your current scenes have the intro information.

Score this 'intro scene' with a choice in music that is short and escalates the beat quickly. As the beat escalates increase the frequency in which the scenes change.

When the songs beat stops increasing and the last few notes play, have your title screen fade in. (Add drum roll, if song doesn't have a conclusion)

This is obviously 'cliche' as far as game intros go, but has always been my favorite type, and I still to this day wait at the 'new game' screen to see it on every game I play.

[Dragon324 16]

The intro for a trailer does sound like a good idea for before the new game selection. Let me rephrase what I was asking about. After you hit the new game button, my game pops up with a tutorial selection where you can or can not read the tutorial. After that it goes through the background information that I posted on the website. I was thinking during this time I could have screenshots appear like a little slide show for the background info. I was wondering if I should find screenshots over the internet for it, though I think now I might just make some screenshots not related to the game in rmxp and use those; or would a little trailer still be better?

[Jon Bon 43]

The intro for a trailer does sound like a good idea for before the new game selection. Let me rephrase what I was asking about. After you hit the new game button, my game pops up with a tutorial selection where you can or can not read the tutorial. After that it goes through the background information that I posted on the website. I was thinking during this time I could have screenshots appear like a little slide show for the background info. I was wondering if I should find screenshots over the internet for it, though I think now I might just make some screenshots not related to the game in rmxp and use those; or would a little trailer still be better?

 

I am not sure what 'background information' is specifically. Like what exactly are you telling the character that earlier in the game? In my experience it is always best to have a player learn the intro by playing, rather then reading or doing a tutorial. The best way to achieve this is during your intro/prologue have the character play through and make sure to include everything you wish to teach them, have one battle, a boss fight, item gain, and any game dynamics you wish to show.

 

If you are talking about background information in the sense as story background, as I said I believe the player should either play through this part to learn how to play the game, sort of a forced unbeknownst tutorial. Alternately, you could explain the background story to the land/area/region in text to be read on the screen, then have the next parts acted out by characters.

 

I can't tell you the number of store bought rpgs I have shut off because 45minutes into the game I haven't fought one battle or done anything cool. Be very careful not to flood the player with too much non controlled content early on. The more interactivity the better, most people will play the game to play, not to watch.

[Dragon324 16]

I am not sure what 'background information' is specifically. Like what exactly are you telling the character that earlier in the game? In my experience it is always best to have a player learn the intro by playing, rather then reading or doing a tutorial. The best way to achieve this is during your intro/prologue have the character play through and make sure to include everything you wish to teach them, have one battle, a boss fight, item gain, and any game dynamics you wish to show.

 

If you are talking about background information in the sense as story background, as I said I believe the player should either play through this part to learn how to play the game, sort of a forced unbeknownst tutorial. Alternately, you could explain the background story to the land/area/region in text to be read on the screen, then have the next parts acted out by characters.

 

I can't tell you the number of store bought rpgs I have shut off because 45minutes into the game I haven't fought one battle or done anything cool. Be very careful not to flood the player with too much non controlled content early on. The more interactivity the better, most people will play the game to play, not to watch.

Reads this lol http://www.rmxpunlimited.net/forums/topic/6304-warriors-a-kingdom-divided/ or skim it the part that says background is what I'm talking about its kinda of like a history lesson I guess you could say. Its basically setting what used to happen and why what is happening now happening ( if that made any sense lol). Don't worry I know what you mean and if I add video or screens it would not be very long like maybe 5 mins at max. The reason I dont want the player to play this is because it has diff characters and setting ect. than what is happening is present times. Without any videos or screens right now you get to you first fight around 8 ish mins. So do you still think its a good idea to have them play it? I could but that would probably make the demo a whole hour long instead of 45 mins which dont really bother me much. Lastly I see all these games that have like developed by and all that before the title screen, how do I do that? Also how can I have a trailer play after the player sits long enough on the title screen?

Thanks

[Jon Bon 43]

Reads this lol http://www.rmxpunlim...ingdom-divided/ or skim it the part that says background is what I'm talking about its kinda of like a history lesson I guess you could say. Its basically setting what used to happen and why what is happening now happening ( if that made any sense lol). Don't worry I know what you mean and if I add video or screens it would not be very long like maybe 5 mins at max. The reason I dont want the player to play this is because it has diff characters and setting ect. than what is happening is present times. Without any videos or screens right now you get to you first fight around 8 ish mins. So do you still think its a good idea to have them play it? I could but that would probably make the demo a whole hour long instead of 45 mins which dont really bother me much. Lastly I see all these games that have like developed by and all that before the title screen, how do I do that? Also how can I have a trailer play after the player sits long enough on the title screen?

Thanks

 

I understand your question fully now.

I agree, this scene is definitely better seen rather then played.

Definitely use pictures from your game.

I think you could do it one of two main ways.

1. One still picture while the block of text slowly scrolls up and is read by the player.

2. Break the story into descriptive sentences, and make a scene for each sentence(s).

The scenes for each sentence wouldn't have to be events moving around, you could simply make a map to describe the scene, then have the view pan up while the text appears.(similar to the intro in ff6)

 

Just my opinions, but from what you have described so far, it sounds like it is going to be done very well no matter how ya do it.

 

As far as the last part, I am still not 100% sure on how to get intros before new game or while the player waits. From what I understand it is a simple scripting process, I have yet to inquire about it.

[Dragon324 16]

I understand your question fully now.

I agree, this scene is definitely better seen rather then played.

Definitely use pictures from your game.

I think you could do it one of two main ways.

1. One still picture while the block of text slowly scrolls up and is read by the player.

2. Break the story into descriptive sentences, and make a scene for each sentence(s).

The scenes for each sentence wouldn't have to be events moving around, you could simply make a map to describe the scene, then have the view pan up while the text appears.(similar to the intro in ff6)

 

Just my opinions, but from what you have described so far, it sounds like it is going to be done very well no matter how ya do it.

 

As far as the last part, I am still not 100% sure on how to get intros before new game or while the player waits. From what I understand it is a simple scripting process, I have yet to inquire about it.

Yea I had originally thought of doing it like the the number 2 option. But what you described under sounds even better than what I had originally planed, using maps and a top side view instead of screenshot events thanks man. I'm excited to start working on this now :P As it stands now hoping to have a new demo ready by Monday.

 

Also ya I asked someone to make the 1 script (Just waiting for a response) and I found the other 1.

[Jon Bon 43]

As it stands now hoping to have a new demo ready by Monday.

 

Also ya I asked someone to make the 1 script (Just waiting for a response) and I found the other 1.

 

Awesome, if you remember toss me a message or wall post etc, when your demo goes up in case I forget, totally want to check it out.

 

If possible would I be able to use and credit the script you are having made? Would you also be able to link to the other script you found. Much appreciated.

[Dragon324 16]

Awesome, if you remember toss me a message or wall post etc, when your demo goes up in case I forget, totally want to check it out.

 

If possible would I be able to use and credit the script you are having made? Would you also be able to link to the other script you found. Much appreciated.

Yea I'll let you know when it is up. Also here is the one that makes a map or any number of maps come before the title screen http://www.rpgmakers.net/showthread.php?tid=11.

[Jon Bon 43]

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Yea I'll let you know when it is up. Also here is the one that makes a map or any number of maps come before the title screen http://www.rpgmakers...ead.php?tid=11.

 

Excellent, I look forward to checking your game out.

 

I looked into the linked script, looks like exactly what we were discussing.

Did you happen to look at the very bottom of the page though?

There was a link to another script, made by ForeverZero (who is known for excellent scripts imo), it is called Advanced Title Screen.

Link here http://www.rpgmakers.net/showthread.php?tid=95

 

I am 99% sure that both those scripts are not compatible with each other, but I was thinking if you are having a script made that is similar to ForeverZero's maybe you could get the person making your script to simply look at both those and either combine them into one, or make them compatible.

Both those users are still active, so they both are able to speak to get help etc. The guy who made the first script even said to contact him if there are compatibility issues and he would fix etc.

 

Just a thought.

Thanks again mate, either way it is one more thing checked off my list to look into ha ha, cheers.