The purpose of Fan Games

[voh]

I seem to have been scanning rather than reading again. My apologies!

[Redwall]

The fact that you're making a Diagnosis Murder game more than makes up for it IMO.

I would say something about fan games but it wouldn't be anything new.

[Snarky]

People should make exactly whatever games they want to make. If that's a ever-so-slightly-spruced-up version of Monkey Island, that's fine. If it's a pixel-by-pixel identical remake of Lure of the Temptress, be my guest.

Some people build Star Wars space ships out of Lego. Some remake old adventure games. They're not hurting anyone. Whatever floats your boat.

So let's have a thread that asks about "The purpose of threads that criticize people who make fan games."

[Kinoko]

I think they're fine, but I must admit, I don't understand the point of the Grim Fandango remake. Not that I think it's pointless... I mean it - I don't understand. I couldn't find anything in the thread that really said why they were doing it. It looks the same to me, what's being changed?

Other than that little bundle of thoughts, I don't care what people do. As long as, if they do make a fan game, they don't go around talking it up too much like it's something official. Don't try to make an internet blockbuster, because you'll nver, ever satisfy all the fans.

[Nikolas]

So let's have a thread that asks about "The purpose of threads that criticize people who make fan games."

I sure hope that everybody will do whatever they please, dispite this thread.

[Ali]

I've always been niggled by the idea of a fangame. I thought this was because I preferred wholly original games. Having thought about it, part of the reason I'm enjoying making a pirate-themed game is that it is familiar.

So, originality isn't that high on my list of priorities, but I do doubt whether it is possible to improve on many games. Updating games from EGA to VGA is a nice idea, but changing the interface on Grim Fandango doesn't really seem like a step forward.

What the very good-looking Grim Fandango remake shows is that a new game using the 3D plugin would be amazing.

[The Inquisitive Stranger]

Finally, a discussion on fan games where people actually properly define fan games! (unlike, say, this one...)

My opinion: sure, people can make fan games if they want to (and can avoid lawsuits); however, that doesn't mean I'll be all that interested in playing them.

[scourge]

Those MI1 sprites I made: They were solely for practice, i don't intend to make a MI remake. Just to get that clear.

I don't think MI1 and MI2 really needs remakes, they were both perfect in my opinion.  Trying to make a MI1 in CMI style might be nice especially for those who enjoyed CMI's style more, but there ain't many Bill Tiller's around unfortunately so most such attemps will fall short.

I don't have problems with remakes (i'm actually doing one myself of another AGS game only to practice, i probably won't release it less i be shot on sight) if it's for practice or something like that. 

[Grundislav]

The one thing that confuses me is the idea of making a remake "for practice."Ã,  Why not just create something original?Ã,  I guess I can understand the excitement of getting AGS and wanting to make a game quickly, just ripping sprites and backgrounds from games that have already been made (I'm somewhat guilty of doing this myself).  But really, you can just download AGS, rip some sprites of Guybrush walking, put him in the Melee Island town square, and have him walk around in your game for your own amusement until the novelty wears off.  Then, once you've got the adrenaline going and are into the idea of making a game, come up with something yourself. 

You don't have to be original, I mean there really is no "original" anymore.  Every adventure game is either about pirates, or a western, or the paranormal, or a murder mystery, or some mixture of those.  Most of the popular AGS games aren't 100% original in that sense.  However, if you can think of something different it doesn't matter, as long as you aren't just taking a game we've all played before and make an exact copy that isn't going to be as good as the original (with the notable exception of taking a game that wasn't very good to begin with and making it better, a la KQ2VGA).  But it seems everyone wants to remake good games that don't need to be remade.  It's like films that were good to begin with being remade, like that awful shot-for-shot remake of Psycho they did a few years back.  If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Anyhow, I've been ranting for a while, but my main point is, if you're actually going to put the time and effort into making an actual game, why sit there and spend your time ripping sprites and backgrounds and what have you, when you can just dedicate the same amount of time to doing something on your own?

[scourge]

It's ironic you should replyÃ, 

What do you mean by ripping (stealing character designs ... well the entire game really?) I have made a game and am also working on three original projects and have released one gamand another small almost game. I am solely doing it for practice and as a side project (a week or two's work) and learning a bit more in the process. Remake are fangames and that's one reason also, i try to give it a different take (how i see some things happening unexaplained) It's all really for fun:)

I agree if you take the time to do the work, why not make an original project! Very fair point and i aggree completely.

[LimpingFish]

I have yet to see a Fan Game made from scratch(that isn't to say one doesn't exist, so point it out to me if one does ).

It seems people decide to make Fan Games because the idea comes with a resource pool of graphics and music to hand, thus cutting development time shenanigans.

Games with recycled graphics don't appeal to me. Dunno why...

[Redwall]

Depending on what you mean by "from scratch"...

http://www.barnettcollege.com
http://www.amberfisharts.com

[Kweepa]

He said "made from scratch" not "making from scratch". Big difference!

[Timosity]

I think the purpose of Fan games, remaking old classics, etc is really good practice to see how the AGS engine works.

It can be a good tool for problem solving and working out how to program something to work in a very specific way.

It also helps you to try and work out all the different possibilities and outcomes, so it stimulates your mind.

It also puts you in a position of going through the same (or similar) process of the original makers of the game, just thinking 17 years ago Al Lowe was up against that same problem or situation.

As a lot of people here are nostalgic players of Sierra and Lucas Arts games, it can be just fun to do.

Some people might pull cars apart and put them back together for fun, it's much the same thing.


As some people may be aware I have been remaking LSL3, no new graphics, pretty much like the LSL2 that redruM made. It has been a really good exercise, and when its finished I may not even release it. (it was about 90% complete in dec 2003)


People do things in life for different reasons, some people may want to remake a classic to gain some sort of following or popularity, some people may want to see if they can do it, some people may not have any ideas for their own project and it may be a good stepping stone.


There is a place for it, some people like to play them, some people don't, so if you don't, why worry or complain about people who remake games, or make fan games, how does it effect you anyway?

Also in a few old games, especially sierra games, there are some issues running games with the fast machines these days. I can't finish the VGA version of Quest for Glory 1 on my current machine, even using programs to try and slow down the timing (moslo etc don't work anymore as machines are even faster now) In LSL3 you may have to lift the weights 100's of times each to get passed. So converting a game with AGS can get rid of these problems.

also the issue of the text parser, some people like it, other people won't play a game because of it, so converting a game into point & click may allow someone that never played the game to maybe give it a go.

[Nikolas]

I think that what you say, Timosity, makes absolute sense.

I salute you for your reasoning. And I think that you shed light to things I had not thought of before...

Also I respect everyones decision, no matter what.

[biothlebop]

I just realized that the fan remakes I've seen were mostly sequels / exackt remakes. Where is the Bizarro-Secret of Monkey Island? I could have just missed it as well.

[Helm]

I can't finish the VGA version of Quest for Glory 1 on my current machine,

why would you bother playing that awful thing?

[Ali]

I completed QFG1 yesterday, luckily my computer is just slow enough for it to be possible. I agree though that compatiblity is a valid reson for remakes.