You know the feeling of wanting to create a game with that just astounding concept of how the game is going to be like and what you want to do with it.
Its all good and ready to go, you can just imagine what is going to happen, what your game is all about and are ready to surf the net looking for a game engine or build one yourself, but then it hits you as you open the 3D or 2D game engine and sit for 5 minutes telling yourself... just what am I creating?
A very common things most people do is assume they have a great idea and want to instantly dive into making a game... but it just does not happen like that at all.
Being both an artist and designer, I create art, assets and other types of material to prepare myself for the bigger games.
Whether it is 2D or 3D you are going for, the concept works entirely the same exact way, you need an idea and a plan.
Would you believe me if I mentioned the successful game I have worked on with a few members took over more than a year and a half just to get into development?
Its called The Legend of Zelda: Secret Depths of the Unicorns Lair, and it is NOT easy to work with.
You have 3D models, animations, slightly different portions for animations, music, ambient sounds, sound effects, lighting, shadowing, textures, 3D modeling to craft, enemies, items, weapons... the list goes on.
That may take around 30 seconds to say in just a few breaths but that really does seem like a lot to play around with, does it not?
That's the idea, games consist of elements that make up the game and for one to make a game happen it has to come from many people and not just you.
You may be an excellent programmer, but once the graphics, models and artistic area comes to play in your game, you are stuck with things you do not know how to deal with, thus halting your game.
There is a problem that a lot of people have, its called an idea and a concept.
How are you going to make a game work without models, art, textures and the other numerous parts of a game?
The point is to collaborate together to make a game and just trying to make one by yourself is not easy at all.
I am not being paid to make games but that will eventually change, and I usually gain dedicated people to help my games out and in the end, I gain even more experience from it.
It all starts from an idea, a concept, writing things down and letting your imagination taking you in a place where ideas flourish and creativity ensues.
You want to make a game, right?
Trust me, everyone does, but you need the right attitude, dedication, skills and the determination to build a game without expecting others to do the work for you.
To be honest, we need more original people out there who do not use fancy graphics or fake their game with graphics when the game-play can't even follow the game without the entire game literally falling apart.
To those of you trying hard in 3D, I really applaud you for the hard-work and dedication to doing such tasks.
2D games, Zelda of course for this site, is literally just re-coloring a game and re-using existing content to make your own adventure and it is tried and done, anyone can do it with the right skill and dedication.
However, 2D is so common, but what if content was never available and you had to make it all from scratch?
That means you have no skill what-so-ever other than programming.
It doesn't stop there, you need to put yourself in the place of an artist and think about your game, what it will be and how it will play out.
Don't go for the obvious things like saving the day or damsel in distress, unless you are doing testing and ai stuff that are essential skills to make a successful game.
I urge you to really think about what to make and what you want to do, in the end it is WELL worth it and it pays off.
Yeah I know, 3D is difficult but it also means a challenge.
Encouragingly, I urge you people to be more creative and make games with more meaning than a re-hash and recycled content for existing games.
If you want to make a Zelda game, be original... those are the games which stand out the most and are usually successful, plus they are fun because there is more of a "wow" factor due to you creating it
I wish you people luck!
