Working on too many games?
Author: | Weston L
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Submitted: | 21st March, 2003
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Views: | 5590
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[Introduction - You can skip this paragraph if you want]
Im guessing the type of person that has a great idea for a game and then starts making it, and then the next week or month or so you're walking to school or work and you think "Wow, I have another really good idea." When you get home you sit at your computer and you start making another game. Now, you have two games you're woking on. You think "It's okay, I only have two games going on at once. Plus, It will keep me busy." Well, the next month or so passes and you're still trying to work on the two games and then you have another idea comes to you, and a while later, another idea. Well, you know what happens next...you have too many projects! I am like this. I right now have five major games I'm working on, and that's why I decided to write this article about how to stay devoted to making your game.
I. Never abandon a good idea
No matter how many projcts you are working on, you shouldn't just forget about a good idea. Keep a notebook of all your game ideas and write them down right as they come to you. You might want to even sketch a character or a thumbnail for a level. You might want to even plan out your game or parts of your game in advance. This makes it easier when it comes time for you to start making the game on the computer.
II. The power of patience
Sometimes all you need is patience with the game you are working on. I know as programmer you often come across bugs. Just be patient and try to fix the bug without giving up on the entire game. The satisfaction of fixing it is often enough to keep you going.
III. Building your game in phases
From my experience, making graphics and animations is often the most time consuming in programming. So, when you start out designing your level, use simple symbols (like a stick figure) or blocks to represent the different objects in the game. Be sure to include all the animation sets you will want to use, because these are part of the programming. Design just one level without programming before you start designing the next, just incase you decide to take out a key element of the game.
Next phase is to put in the code of the game. Remember what to do if you come across a bug. Put in the sounds last because this also is time consuming if you're really picky or like to create your own music/sounds.
Remember those symbols and blocks you made? Well, now is the time to fill them in with your actual graphics. And before you know it, you will be done with your game and ready to make the next.
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Weston L
Registered 16/12/2002
Points 1603
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