I was wondering if anyone out there can recommend a good flowchart or storyboard program to aid game design.
My design doc/script for the game is getting huge, and I'm having trouble organizing it. So I'm looking into some way to split up my linear design doc in a way that makes sense. To connect puzzles, characters, objects etc. with locations, but still retain the detailed descriptions (which you can't do with the good old pen and paper technique) and other notes.
Basically what I would like is a program that would allow me to build boxes for each room, link them together and then place characters, objects etc. within them. I considered building the game world in one of those text adventure creators like ADRIFT, but then realized that the compass directions made little sense in a point and click (especially as it uses a map as a central hub).
My current idea is to use Microsoft Frontpage, because it can display a diagram of how each html page is related to the others in the website layout. One page for each room, containing info on the location and any objects/characters there. But it's still not the best solution (you would have to remember which character was where, whenever you had to add anything about that person).
How do you organize your game designs when they get above a certain size?
try http://www.downloads.com (http://www.downloads.com) it has a lot of stuff Just search for it. ;) I could do with one of these programs too!
[edit]
I found This, (http://download.com.com/3000-2189-10165215.html?tag=lst-0-3), and This (http://download.com.com/3000-2192-10133822.html?tag=lst-0-4)
I could whip one up if it'd be any help. Tell me what you want it to be able to do and I'll have a go. A special AGS one!!!!11
m0ds
Yeah! Cool M0ds! Hey, you could do a special AGS font make/editor too!
I use NovelPro 2.0
I have never used a better tool.
I need to get a font tool to make an out line for the CMI font i downloaded..anyone know where to get one?
yes, www.bripro.com
I'm guessing its SCI studio, but there are so many! Which one do I download for what I want to do?? :-\
Will this work?
http://www.high-logic.com/fcp.html
I love this one.
I've got that one, but I need to create outlines, and it uses point things that me not kow how to do outlines.
Rodekill made some sort of game-writing-organizer-thingy. Quite a few people seemed to like it, but I personally haven't tried it.
Jimi: What do CMI fonts have to do with organizing adventure game writing? ???
A good flowcharting program is "SmartDraw", easy to use and crackable if ya download it. And for story design I would try out "Dramatica Pro" ...crackable also. :)
Both are top notch programs, give em a try
QuickPlot (http://download.com.com/3000-2056-10072746.html)
I remeber somone mentioning this on the ags forums, but I can't remember who... Anyway, I downloaded it and it is very useful! Try it!
QuoteI remeber somone mentioning this on the ags forums, but I can't remember who...
I guess that was me. Hey, good to see that someone out there uses it. It's a nice little tool, isn't it?
I downloaded that yesterday. Good for organisation. I recomend it!
MindManager is pretty ok. Atleast it is fast to use.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've downloaded some of the programs mentioned, and I'm looking forward to checking them out.
hey mercurycs,
i got Dramatica pro 4,....looks interesting!!!
Could you please tell me where should i put the s/n?
i canno't find any authorisation window!! ???
Thanks in advance!!!!
Danny,
when you install it it prompts for the serial, perhaps you just got an older evaluation copy. check kazaa for "dramatica pro v4" or just "Dramatica pro" and download it from there. it is an 8 meg download. too big for me to email it to ya. i use yahoo messenger and can send it to ya that way if you catch me online, my sign in name is "Farookcs"
edit:
you're welcome Danny
thanks mercurycs :)
Quote from: agsking on Sun 11/05/2003 04:48:13
QuickPlot (http://download.com.com/3000-2056-10072746.html)
I remeber somone mentioning this on the ags forums, but I can't remember who... Anyway, I downloaded it and it is very useful! Try it!
NovelPro is better ._.
This is an old thread, but my question is exactly the same as OP, so I thought I'd re-open it for some six-years-later perspective.
Plots, puzzles, characters, items, locations, etc....
What techniques do you use to stay organized while writing/designing your adventure games?
Elaborate software? Sticky notes all over your room? A well-worn notebook?
Well when I was writing my (since aborted) adventure* game I had a file with all the info on it; sketches of the whole setting (a cruise ship) and each room, with outlines of the hotspot observation responses, and a stapled wad of paper for all the little stuff i.e. possible character names, character personalities, plot outline, all my brainstorming, etc.
*Since I have only been working on non-adventure games
TreePad is always going to be a fave. Very easy to stay organized, add nodes, supports imbedded media.
Try FreeMind : http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Quote from: FauxSang on Wed 23/12/2009 06:20:39
Sticky notes all over your room?
Yep, exactly that. ;)
Well, not really, but a pile of papers for each project, containing drawings, ideas, calculations and other stuff.
Thanks, guys. I'll check out some of these solutions and see if they work with my brain.
One thing we've decided to try also is writing up a walkthrough of the game before we make it (well, we've already made about 10 rooms, but whatev). We're thinking we can use hyperlinks in the walkthrough to jump to detail pages for each room, character, etc. I'm optimistic!
If you're working with a team, I'd recommend setting up a project-specific Wiki (tons of software solutions listed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_wiki_software)).
Edit: I had some hopes for using Google Wave as a design tool, and in a few years it *will* probably have enough features to be useful in game design, but at the moment it's a bit too simplistic when it comes to document formatting and organizing.
I've used the 'walkthrough' method, and found it a really nice fall-back for all of my other 'lists' and drawings. Then all that's needed is fleshing out with the optional extras and dialogue.