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Story Development

A topic by Sirion created Feb 18, 2024 Views: 698 Replies: 8
Viewing posts 1 to 5

Hi All, 


Like many other people on here I'd like to make my first game. I don't have any experience with any of this. I started 2 different projects in RPG Maker but never finished.

On this 3rd attempt, I'm trying to keep it simple and not be too ambitious. I'm focusing on the story first, trying to flesh it out and work from there. I want to keep it linear so it doesn't become too overwhelming as I'm working alone. 

The problem is, as I write the story I keep coming up with branching path ideas. I guess I'm worried people won't find it interesting if it's too linear. I want to encourage a little bit of exploration. That way the player feels a sense of reward for looking around a little bit. An extra piece of story that you wouldn't normally see if you rush through.

I guess my question is this. How do I reign myself in from getting too ambitious?

Personally, when writing a story I have a clear idea of the beginning and the end. Then I write the shortest possible way the story can go from the established point A to point B with a minimal cast of characters because this way at least I have finished the product even if I get tired of it later on. When I have the basic bare-bones game I expand it little by little, because you can always add things in the middle and be as ambitious as you like.

I find the A to point B Helpful. 

For a few years now, I've had multiple ideas. The first two games I was trying to make took place in the same world. 

I'm thinking the simpler the better in my case. Nothing too intricate (I'd like to but I'm just not at that skill level yet)

Even with RPG Maker, I pretty much know the basics at best. So I just need to keep it everything simple and fun. 

Thank you for the feedback!

You need to make a strict decision and be confident about your story. Do you want linear story or branching story? choose one but remember that each choice has consequences.

Since you haven't finished any RPG projects, I highly suggest to choose linear story and make the game with it.

Linear story makes the most sense to me too. I guess I'm better off writing out all the different ideas that crop up and then pick the one that fits the best.


I'll try that.


Thank you!

Try restricting yourself to only 2 or 3 decisions that will affect the story line.  It's important to understand the development cost of each decision - doubling the size of the project vs adding a short scene that'll influence a later scene (or even not do anything other than be a part of the experience).

That's great advice too! What I've decided to do for my first project is fairly simply. i would love to do a branching path, but I think I'll do optional questions. Add in some some things that have more lore. The player isn't required to do them, but it'll be there if players explore. 

I just get excited thinking about the different possibilities and ideas. 

(+1)

my story suddenly appear while im working on my games completely without making any plans i know its not common to do so and maybe my games are not the story killers like rpgmaker games but for (old-school) fps games i came up with pretty interesting stuff lol but everyone will have a different opionion on my way of working and stories :)

I've been trying to just develop a rhythm. I like to write out the plot once a week. It helps me figure what I like and what I need to change. Keeps it fresh in my mind too and helps me develop and flesh out things. It's like a living breathing entity that's evolving over time.