AGDJ: Step 1, Getting The Idea
First, thanks for reading the Action Game Development Journal. This is a development journal I wish to start on helping others create and come up with new original shoot-em-up games.
Step 1: Getting The Idea
Ok, so you want to make an action game? Problem is... you don't have an idea!
Developing ideas for a game takes a lot of time and patience. Don't get frustrated! A great way to start out is doing what a lot of writers do.
Free Writing.
Free writing (also stream-of-consciousness writing) is a writing technique in which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism. - Wikipedia
So, sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil. Choose a couple of starting topics: War, Armies, Destruction... These are just examples, try coming up with your own base topics.
Now that we have our base topics, the three i'm using above. We can start free writing!
For three minutes non-stop write what ever comes to your head about those three topics. Don't worry if it's spelled wrong, unoriginal, or plain dumb. Write, write, write!
Go!
Ok, if you have done those steps you are ready to continue. Look at what you wrote. Chances are it's not a Steven King novel or anything. Just a bunch of sloppy words.
Weeding Out the Bads:
Look over your sloppy paper and re-read to yourself what you wrote. Read over it a couple of times.
Maybe theres a couple that just don't sound like they would do good. There might even be one that you think is really great, original, and creative.
Mark out the ones you think just don't work. Now look at what you have left. Try linking those ideas together.
When I tried this I got:
Grenades
Island
Guns
Explosives
Death
Enemies
Not a too-shabby list, right? Those ideas alone aren't too good at all. Let's try linking them together:
Two Armies fighting to the Death over an Island. Using Guns, Grenades, and other Explosives.
Whalla, you have a base idea! Try doing this over a couple of times until you get several ideas. Then try putting those ideas together.
And you have it! Your base game! Now you can start basing ideas off of your main idea.
The free writing technique I used for my game 'Matar Redondel'.
Posted by Magicbeast20 ((1) Recruit) on Saturday, August 22, 2009 10:27AM
- 11 comments
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Keywords:
ideas,
agdj,
journal,
development,
action,
game,
guild,
free,
writing,
magicbeast20
(Edited on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 08:01PM)
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#11 Arttu221:
Cool!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 04:17AM
#10 Ganing:
If Only BYOND Action checked their forums more though...
Saturday, September 26, 2009 07:22PM
#9 Ss4toby:
Magicbeast20 wrote:
> Ss4toby wrote:
> > So far sounds like Vietnam :p...
> >
> > Also, sounds like every other shoot'em up game!!! That's not free writing that's piracy..
>
> I didn't mean copy the exact same words I did. They were just examples.
It's fine... Atleast your trying to help people.. I'm just bustin ya chops for fun ^-^..
Sunday, August 23, 2009 08:03PM
#8 Flame Guardian:
I like the idea of free writing, although I am more on the side of Maximus_Alex2003.
When I create a game, I just think up some concepts, and ask myself some questions. Once I get a general idea of what I want to do, I think of unique ideas that you don't really see on BYOND.
Unique features is the main thing I focus on, who cares if a concept has already been done, there is always something to expand on in which the previous creators forgot!
Overall, not too bad. Looking forward to see more work.
Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:21PM
#7 Magicbeast20:
Ss4toby wrote:
> So far sounds like Vietnam :p...
>
> Also, sounds like every other shoot'em up game!!! That's not free writing that's piracy..
I didn't mean copy the exact same words I did. They were just examples.
Sunday, August 23, 2009 06:10AM
#6 Maximus_Alex2003:
Sounds repetitive and boring.
I'd rather start with the basic concept;
What era does it exist.
Is it modern? Past? Future? Or a mix?
Okay, good. Now that I got a time line I can figure out what my limits are (Rifles, Explosives, Vehicles, Technology, etc. etc.)
From there I would figure out what kind of game play do I want?
Is it blast 'em all, or like is it strategic based.
Okay, let's go with blast 'em all for example. I have my Time line, My limits, and my game play.
Now, to figure out the plot. Well, let's say it's year 2626 and a virus has taken over a super computer developed by the Government that was originally supposed to figure out the cure to cancer and diseases. Well the virus had corrupted the super computer's programming and started creating androids/robots. The robots then are either taking over the world or have already succeeded.
Okay good. So now do I want the map made so it's open spaces, close quarters, or a mix.
That pretty much makes a solid action game right there. Add multiplayer for high scores and teaming and it's playable offline and online.
Next, when it's in a stable public version and everything is pretty much added, just update the icons and add more weapons and customization and stuff.
Sunday, August 23, 2009 01:50AM
#5 Ss4toby:
So far sounds like Vietnam :p...
Also, sounds like every other shoot'em up game!!! That's not free writing that's piracy..
Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:54AM
#4 D4RK3 54B3R:
Interesting development process. :]
Saturday, August 22, 2009 04:06PM
#3 Magicbeast20:
Xuiryus wrote:
> Nice little guide you got going there, really great idea too. I know this works as I personally use it for writing.
> I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.
Thanks.
Saturday, August 22, 2009 12:34PM
#2 Xuiryus:
Nice little guide you got going there, really great idea too. I know this works as I personally use it for writing.
I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.
Saturday, August 22, 2009 12:34PM
#1 Lummox JR:
To contribute to a possible list of base ideas, here's a short list of some others people might like:
Survival
Monsters
Robots
Childhood games (tag, CTF, etc.)
Treasure hunting
Flight (air or space)
Vehicle customization
Velocity
Team play (coop and competitive aspects)
Building
Raiding (resources or destruction)
Exploring
There's quite a lot you can do here to come up with an exciting action game.
Saturday, August 22, 2009 11:00AM