Dungeon Crawler: The Intro





Having played a whole lot of hack 'n slash and action RPG games in my time, I thought it'd be fun to try to make one. I've done some bits and pieces before, but all of the newer game-making engines make it a lot easier, especially when it's just you and not an entire production team.

A while ago I picked my poison of choice, the Unity engine, and got started on a sort of dungeon crawler action hybrid (see above). It's been fun, educational, and yes, frustrating more than once. I'm enjoying the journey, and we'll see where it all leads to.

Recent world events (coronavirus, but I'm healthy so don't worry) have definitely put paid to the idea of discussing either this game or completely different games people might have ideas for in person though, so I'm finally getting around to making this blog.

This is going to be a constantly evolving project, as even though some of the details are already laid down, there are plenty that are still taking form. My plan is to post my progress, thoughts, musings, brilliant successes, plus the occasional horrible failure and "what was I thinking?" up here as I go.

I'm hoping to make this a general place for all the people I know who love to play games, of whatever kind, to chat among themselves.  I'm also hoping that some of the many game-playing, deeply analytical, and art/design-inclined people I know will feel like contributing comments and suggestions about my evolving game, specifically. ;)

I'd be really interested to hear game ideas from people along with general feedback about everything along the way. One of my first posts will be looking for people's gaming loves, hates, and wishes, so feel free to let it all out!

And if you've secretly been wanting to make a simple game of your own, and want to talk to someone else about it, now's your chance! Would be very happy to have that discussion, as might others. I'll make a post for it soon.

So if you're stuck at home, twiddling your thumbs a bit too much while waiting for all of the current events to pass, come in and have a chat about something game related, whatever that may be!

Comments

  1. DanApril 24, 2020 at 4:44 AM

    My questions are all provoked by that image. Who or what is that creature, where is it standing, and why are we there to see it? I guess I'm always drawn into the story behind a game. Having said that, I've not played any computer games in a long time. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JulianMay 10, 2020 at 12:22 AM

      Sorry for taking so long to reply to this! (Refer PM I just sent you.)

      These are all very good questions, and are similar to a lot of the questions I've been asking myself!

      I'm kind of torn between wanting to have some level of story telling, but at the same time realising just exactly how much work that'd involve, no matter how basic the "story" might be.

      Every time I think of this I'm reminded of one of my favourite computer RPGs; Wizardry 7, Crusaders of the Dark Savant. It was a turn based one where you had the usual party of characters in a mostly fantasy world and you travelled to all kinds of places, including dungeons of course.

      It had a story, but the thing that sticks most in my mind is the way it would occasionally bring up small amounts of description when you entered certain areas. They were short, but just enough to conjure all sorts of imagery and feelings that you could then lay over what you were seeing and doing. The graphics were nice for the time, but absolutely nothing like what we've got today.

      I really like that blend and I'm so tempted to try doing it. At the same time, I'm just not sure who would want to play that sort of game today. Maybe that doesn't matter though, as this game may never even see the light of day in the end. ;)

      Perhaps we can talk about possible stories about some time. ;) (I'd actually be interested to!)

      Delete
    2. JulianMay 10, 2020 at 12:26 AM

      Actually, that reminds me of something else. When game graphics were really basic, you got to imagine a whole layer of extra detail that you weren't being shown. Then there was what felt like an awkward period of a few years where graphics got to the point that they were good enough to show you a lot more, but felt somewhat sterile at the same time. You couldn't imagine as much as you used to, and what was actually there just didn't have enough feel.

      That was the way it made me feel, anyway.

      Delete
    3. DanMay 10, 2020 at 12:42 AM

      I guess it would be similar to a tabletop RPG. Detailed and set plot might not be possible, but basic back-story and some motives for both players and non-players is very useful. Also, maybe a sense of the style or atmosphere being emulated.

      Delete
    4. JulianMay 11, 2020 at 3:11 AM

      That sounds about right! Well, except for having non-players that is. ;) Although now that you mention it I've had a fragmented idea or two...

      Delete

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