If you were like me, you dreamed of creating your very own video game. Also, if you were like me, you had a stash of Victoria’s Secret catalogs underneath your stack of Highlights magazines you stole from the dentist. (Ahem.)
As a youngster, Super Mario Bros. 2 on the original NES just didn’t seem right. Why was Mario in a weird dreamland? Why were frowny faces popping out of vases and where the hell was Bowser? We all found out Super Mario Bros. 2 was actually a redesign of a Japanese game called Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic. But hell, during the gameplay, I thought of designing a better SMB2 and later on, a slew of games I could release onto the American market where I would become a giglo and have Madonna gyrate for me. (This was 1993, mind you.)
It was nearly impossible for me to design a game back then. The at-home tools were non-existent and, well, I didn’t really have the gumption. But today’s players can easily make video games to their hearts content.
Here is how you do it. Think of what kind of game you’re wanting to make. Will it be a side-scroller? A fighting game? An RPG? Write that stuff down and think of the pros and cons to each. A mind map application can also help here. Since we humans don’t think in a linear fashion, a mind map may be easier to capture your ideas. If you want to make a video game centered around fighting, you’re in luck. Make up a tournament held in a faraway place…like the clouds or Utah and be done with it. That’s all you need. If you looking to make a ’80s-era side-scroller, have the bad guys capture A) a girlfriend B) a princess or if you’re progressive C) a gay boyfriend. Think of it! You could be the video game maker with a gay boyfriend. You’re a pioneer.
Make another mind map or flip to the next page. Now you need to develop the story further and include main characters along with heavy scripting. Let’s say the game revolves around a lady of the night named Lana, played be Rebecca De Mornay, stealing your mom’s Faberge egg after you can’t pay for a fun-filled night of poke-poke. What will the ho-bag say?
Ho-bag: You can’t pay me? Ok, no problem. Go to the bank and cash in your grandma’s saving bonds. While you’re gone, I’ll steal this egg.
During this scene the young high school boy (played by Tom Cruise) will be shocked with fear. The game action will have Tom and his BFF traveling to a hotel to get the egg back, but instead the ho-bag (still played by Rebecca De Mornay) will jump into your ride and a pimp will chase you.
Or you can write whatever you want. You’re story, your ideas.
Your goal is to make video games and making video games is what you are going to do. Now that you have your story laid out, along with the lines and voice-work (you may need to hire somebody or have your goony friends do it), determine which console you are going to make your video game for. Xbox 360? Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii? If you’re a hipster, maybe a hombrew for the Sega Dreamcast?
Forget it. Don’t waste your time there. Go for a PC launch. If you’re just beginning in the exciting world of video game design, the PC platform will be the easiest to make video games for. Plus, you won’t get phased out as fast with updates as you will with the consoles.
Decide on which console you’re going to distribute your game. After you finish writing your game, you’re ready to start bringing it to life. Of the current gaming consoles, the PC is the easiest platform for beginning game designers. It doesn’t phase out like next-generation consoles, and it’s not too difficult finding game design software.
Here’s the fun stuff: designing your game. Get Genesis 3D or Reality Factory. They are the leaders in the video game creation industry. They’re free. If you have not listened to me at all and want to make video games for the Xbox 360 (you cad), then you’ll need XNA Game Studio Express. All these programs are free. Interested in the Wii? Go with WiiWare.. Unlike the earlier apps, this bad boy costs around $2000. However, if you created a great game and you’re looking to run a business around it, you stand a great chance with Wiiware because you could potentially sell it on the Wii Shop Channel.
That’s it! Get to it!
August 16, 2010
