Hello all! (yes I'm a noob)

[simontyler9]

Hello I'm used to forums and I'm just hoping this one doesn't get closed too soon.

Me and my friend have a very good idea about a medium length/full length game and really we have absolutely no idea how to make a AGS game.

So seen so I'm new to these forums (but I've been playing point 'n click/adventre games since I could use a computer) I was hoping someone could direct me to a manual or something to create a game.

I was hoping along the lines of graphics like 'Just another Point 'n Click game'
(How long would that take?)

Anywho I probably won't get to make a AGS game because by the looks very very very very hard to make but any help or reasurance would be great

P.S I hope this is the place to post this

[esper]

This isn't the best place to post this, I don't think. Howver, I'll talk to you until a mod moves or locks it.

First off, you say you want graphics like in "NaPaCA..." and ask how long that will take. You do know that you have to make all your own graphics, right? The level of graphics in your game is completely dependant on how well and how fast you can make them yourself (fast isn't always the best option, mind you). You may very well like to read the manual, too, because it is written in the form of a tutorial, and will guide you through making a simple game.

Unfortunately, most of the other tutes are offline. Eric, if you're reading this, I haven't been able to get on KK for a week now...

I'm not sure why you say it looks "really hard..." AGS is onje of the easiest things to use, ever, period, end of sentence, put that in your pipe and smoke it. It's easier than breathing. I suppose you opened it up and looked at all the crazy toggle buttons and were like, "well, crap, forget this." It's actually so easy that I taught a 12-year-old how to use it, not to mention quite a few of the people on these forums are pretty young. If you can't use AGS, the only explanation is that you play too much XBox.

These forums are a great place to find help. Just make sure you post appropriately. Go through the tute, draw up your graphics, try to make a game, and ask here if you run into something you absolutely cannot figure out. That's my advice, for what it's worth. And, well, my advice is actually worth quite a bit...

[Gilbert]

Unfortunately, most of the other tutes are offline. Eric, if you're reading this, I haven't been able to get on KK for a week now...

Really ?

[esper]

Well, it's back up now. I tried three times this week to check out some of the spriting tutes. Oh, well.

At least I know what a signature is, Gil!

[simontyler9]

Thanks esper.

I hope the tut helps but I truley doubt I'll make a good one but you still haven't answered 'how long would it take question'.

Say I wanted to make a medium length game, with graphics similar to those of..lets say...Leisure Suit Larry 2! How long would it take?

And I know you think it is easy but seriously I can't even work out scenario editors in RTS games (Age of Empires 3 to be more specific)

I'm gonna check out the tut now.

Where should I post this in future refrences?

[ManicMatt]

I'm no moderator, but i think general discussion would have been fine to post this in.

Everyone's game takes a different amount of time to make, so there is no clear answer. It depends on how much you put into it. I also don't want to give you an estimate, because it may put you off making a game! Have a look at the made in one hour games in the completed games thread for a gist.

[esper]

Yeah, I actually did answer the question... It depends on how long it takes you to draw the sprites. Your artistic ability is the question here. When I made my game (ESPER: The Town on the Edge of Darkness) it took me a month to make all the sprites, and then, once I was done, I banged out the game in a week, working just an hour or two every other day. And my game is a little complex, even though it's beatable in ten minutes.

If you can draw graphics like NAPACA or LSL, go for it. Once you have them made, the game will be a drop in a bucket. And about RTS engines... I could never figure them out myself. Besides, they never come with tutes, and CJ has been so good as to provide us with a step-by-step tute on how to do just about everything the beginning game maker will need.

I strongly suggest you make a crap game to follow along with the tute, then make another crap game without the tute just to see if you got everything. I wish I had done that... I was pleased with the end result of my game, but it would have been a hundred times better if I hadn't made it my very first venture into the AGS realm.

[Ashen]

Just to re-iterate what's already been said:

There's really no way we can say "That game will take you X hours of work". There are some really good games knocked out in less than a week, and some that're still in production after years. It all depends on YOU, and how quickly you can sprite/make backgrounds/write code.

You want a manual? Try the one that comes with the program (F1 to open, and it's also available online). There's a basic 'Getting Started' tutorial in there. Beyond that - if you're sure you question isn't answered in there - there's the forums.

Don't be too eager to jump in at the deep end. Make a few crappy one room games to get used to AGS - it really is easy to use once you get the hang of it. Don't feel you have to release these games though - make 'em, learn from 'em, then bury them deep and Wow the community with an accomplished first game.

And I think ManicMatt's right - General Discussion would be the proper place for this.

[Pumaman]

Indeed, how long a game takes to make depends purely on what sort of length, complexity and quality you're after.

There are some short games that have been made in a week (some in an hour ), and at the other extreme there are games like the Quest For Glory II remake which have taken 2 years so far and are still going.

Don't be too eager to jump in at the deep end. Make a few crappy one room games to get used to AGS - it really is easy to use once you get the hang of it. Don't fell you have to release these games though - make 'em, learn from 'em, then bury them deep and Wow the community with an accomplished first game.

Exactly. Make a very simple game, that'll give you a good idea of what's invovled in the process.

[simontyler9]

So..umm...do I HAVE to draw then?

because to tell you the honest truth I'm no artist. But if i have to I may as well.

[esper]

I'm sorry... I don't think I understand you.

You were of the opinion that AGS was going to create your graphics to your specifications?

I mean, you don't have to DRAW... You could always gank sprites off something else, or take photographs, or take photographs and draw over them, or get someone else to draw for you...

But, I'm interested now... How did you think you were going to get your graphics?

[simontyler9]

Thats the thing I DON'T KNOW!

I have a perfect picture and everything in my head for a game but I just don't know!

It's all too confusing I just want to make a pixel adventure game like Zak McKracken, Leisure Suit Larry and Larry Vales!

My friend said he knows someone who could teach us face to face so maybe I could learn off him and make my game.

[Haddas]

Face to face sounds like a great opportunity to learn. One way of going is to otart out with simple graphics, comnplete your game, and then start ugrading your old arwork.mind you that can take some time. But think of it this way. every sprite you complete will be a step towards finishing the game

[Domino]

Just find any decent drawing program and mess around with it. Practice drawing with the mouse (or tablet) and keep trying and trying. Even if you don't have any artistic skills, just practice. Believe in yourself.  Try producing a small room and show it in the critics lounge. Their will be people there to assist and help you to improve.

I think everybody has an artistic side to them. It just takes time to bring it out.