Inspiration for making games

JimmyShelter · Wed 28/11/2007 20:22:56

Sometimes you play a game, see a screenshot or other art, or maybe hear a song and it immediatly makes you want to make a game.

In my case I recently saw some pictures of a Dutch artist from the previous century, who drew paintings of a Dutch past that never was. A romanticized view of the 18th and 19th century.
These images really make me want to make a fantasy game. (which I don't need, because I have to many ideas as it is allready

).

I just really like the look of the buildings, and the use of colours.

I thought it would be a nice idea to start a thread, so other people can also show what inspires them.

Firestorm1 · Thu 29/11/2007 05:53:44

G'day Jimmy.

I think this is a nice idea for a thread. I hope other people can become inspired for new games that they wouldn't have thought of before without the help.

Anyway, back on topic...
Music is what inspires me. A lyric can plant an idea in my head that will eventuate into a game. Some of the music i like listening to is Pencilcase, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Three Days Grace, similar bands. The lyrics on most of these songs inspire me!
8)

Dualnames · Thu 29/11/2007 08:10:06

Actually what inspires me is about everything.. If i commented my games you'd stay with your eyes and mouth open for 10 years.

Buckethead · Thu 29/11/2007 08:46:50

I've always been a fan of Anton Piek. That's why I love the Efteling so much. That theme park is build based on his ideas.

His art makes you wish you could hire him as your background/character artist

I usually get inspired but every day's live really. I just walk with my dog or something and get ideas. I also often get good ideas when I'm in bed trying to get some sleep. That's why I always keep a blocknote nearby to write down some ideas.

Radiant · Thu 29/11/2007 10:59:52

Efteling FTW!

Hey, how can you have been Dutch all this time without me realizing it?

JD · Thu 29/11/2007 16:25:05

Used to love the Efteling when I was younger. The Fata Morgana was my favourite

But back to the subject. I get inspiration from a lot of things. Like other (ags)games. After playing Eric's 6 Day Assassin I wanted to make my own hitman-based game (and probably started one, only to quit working on it after a while). Yahtzee's 1213 got me into making a similar game; I actually put quite some work into this one. Never finished it though. And after playing World of Warcraft for a while, it inspired me to once again attempt another RPG in AGS. Which is what I'm still working on.

Not only games though. Also movies/tv shows. Whenever I watch a movie or an episode of (insert random show) I find myself thinking "how could I put this into an adventure game".

OneDollar · Fri 30/11/2007 00:39:00

Homework, coursework, exam revision... I'm always at my most creative when I should be doing something I don't want to. It's a little annoying; I'm currently writing the plot for a game in my head when I have exams approaching on subjects I know very little about, yet whenever I can justify working on the game (like finishing work for the day), I never quite feel like it. Hence why the game is still in my head and not appearing on paper.

auriond · Fri 30/11/2007 01:14:28

I just needed to say how stupendously gorgeous that first picture is. Thanks JimmyShelter - I'm going to go google for more works of Anton Piek now!

As for what inspires me to make games - I'd have to say playing someone else's games, or reading a book.

vertigoaddict · Fri 30/11/2007 01:55:50

I was told that I'm a very good storyteller. I get my inspirations in many ways:

1) Myself (own experiences, thought tracking, out of the blue, etc)

2) Music

3) Other games ( Recently they're Clock tower series, Haunting ground, Rule of Rose, Silent Hill, Seiken Densetsu 3, etc)

4) Pictures.

5) Walking in circles makes me think deeper and helps boost the chances of inspiration. I get dizzy a lot whenever I do this (thus my username vertigo addict)

Basically anything that can 'trigger' me.

First, I'd make an outline of a story and if it has potential to be a game, I'd try to make it; or at least a nice short story.

Neil Dnuma · Fri 30/11/2007 02:49:06

Those are nice paintings. Maybe a little busy for my taste. But then again, I like the works of Bruegel, and he can make busy paintings too.

It seems I can never find the time anymore, but I still have some hope to create another game some day. I guess I never learn. There are lots of unfinished stuff laying around.

I'm inspired by movies, books, art and music mostly.

JimmyShelter · Fri 30/11/2007 11:23:53

Quote from: auriond on Fri 30/11/2007 01:14:28
I just needed to say how stupendously gorgeous that first picture is. Thanks JimmyShelter - I'm going to go google for more works of Anton Piek now!

As for what inspires me to make games - I'd have to say playing someone else's games, or reading a book.

To increase the changes of finding images: search for 'Anton Pieck'. That's the correct spelling.

More Dutchmen here, than I thought...

vertigoaddict · Sat 29/12/2007 11:00:21

I just had to share this (there's a 'post an awesome video thread', but I think these just goes into the catergory of 'cool' plus it's still related to inspiration)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P-EOnTn-xPA
The game 'Parasite Eve' probably had quite a big part in inspiring me for 'Project Hecka'.

Rule of Rose probably even more (This game was banned in a few countries)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIq5L96z0Gk

And definately Clock Tower Series
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rysffqxloso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_Tower_%28PlayStation%29(I couldn't find a video)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9YgNjBk1k
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qfd86yjHmk

Haunting ground (this one is a fan music video I made, kinda lame but I had fun making it)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PpVG0QCMF18

Koudelka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LGfZdIIqsc&feature=related

Kagero and Trap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deception_series (Trusty wikipedia)

There's plenty more (of course there are) but I guess this is what comes to mind when someone asks me a question with the words inspiration and game together in it.

Play_Pretend · Sat 29/12/2007 21:36:31

My inspiration comes from an insanely uncontrollable imagination...I can't stop the ideas from burrowing out of my head. But more than anything, and I swear this is not a joke, when I'm feeling uninspired or mentally blocked, whenever I run into any problems coming up with ideas for my plots or characters, I turn to one thing and one thing alone-

The Bathroom.

Something about bathrooms just stimulates my brain, I can't explain it. Sometimes just walking in the door is enough for inspiration to suddenly strike and solve a game planning problem I was having. I really ought to install a Post-It note pad and pen right next to the sink.