PATTEN: Let’s do this — time to make your RPG

So far the installments in this little create-your-own-computer-RPG series have been about designing and planning. What makes a good monster? How does your world work?

This final post will be about tools. And honestly, it’s the least important.

Here’s my warning before you get wrapped up in what system to use:

The heart and soul of your game should be the content. If you’re writing a great novel, you are less worried about whether you’re using Microsoft Word or LibreOffice and are more focused on the story itself.

At the same time, it’s pretty hard to write that masterpiece without knowing the basics of your word processor.

In other words, choose whatever tools let you focus on and accomplish what’s most important.

I have compiled a short list of some resources that can get you on your way. These tools aren’t quite as easy to master as a word processor, but all of them are accessible to beginners and free or affordable.

Art

OpenGameArt.org

If you’re not into creating your own art, you will want to spend some time here. The art is free, but make sure you know which licenses and conditions they can be used under. In fact, make sure you know what you can and cannot do with any resource you use to create your game!

Game-icons.net

You probably won’t make an entire game out of these symbols, but they can help you with supplementary art like menu items and dialogue boxes.

Piskel

As far as I can tell, the best free application for creating two-dimensional art. You can download it or create the art in your browser.

Blender

Also free, Blender’s specialty is creating three-dimensional art, but you can also make 2D creations. It has a learning curve, especially if you have never worked with 3D before, but it’s worth the time investment. Bonus: It comes with its own game engine.

RPG-specific game creation software

RPGMaker

“With RPG Maker, those dreams (of making a game) can become a reality, even if you know nothing about game programming! All it takes is a combination of your imagination and dedication, and our software,” the site boasts.

You can, actually, program in RPG Maker, and probably should if you want a game that’s not cookie cutter. But you can learn as you go.

RPG Maker comes in a variety of versions, and at first glance the only difference between them is price ($20 to $80). You can find a comparison of some of the versions here and here. The big drawback: It’s for Windows only.

Special coupon codes appear from time to time. As of this writing, “twitter” will give you a few bucks off. You’re welcome.

The Official Hamster Republic Role Playing Game Creation Engine

The biggest pro here is the price. You make zero easy payments of nada.

The user interface leaves something to be desired, but “O.H.R.RPG.C.E.” is well worth a look. Its Wikipedia page is a good starting point for the background, ideas and community behind the engine with the weird name.

Adventure Creation Kit

A “toolkit for making old-school, 2D CRPGs,” it has its roots in the 1980s and 1990s and emphasizes the creation of early “Ultima”-likes. This means you may find getting your games to run on modern platforms will be tricky (but doable). On the other hand, you’re also going to be working with something that should be stable and time-tested.

Solaris

For creating action RPGs. If you wanted to create a game like old-school “Zelda,” this is your engine. In fact, it’s geared to creating “Zelda” clones, but you can use it for games that have nothing to do with Hyrule. Most of the documentation is in video format.

General engines

It is worth the extra effort to learn these engines if you want to make more than RPGs only.

Unity

In addition to its great interface, it has a strong community and is well documented. Many game developers choose Unity to get started.

Gamemaker: Studio

From its website: “We have done everything possible to streamline the development process and give you all the resources you need to get started, meaning there are no limits to what you can achieve.”

Construct Classic

This is an odd duck. Scirra sells and supports its Construct 2 engine, but it still hosts the old version, Construct Classic, on a dusty corner of its website. Classic is community supported now, and it’s free. (Windows only.)

Godot

It’s free, it’s powerful and it’s not a huge download. It takes some getting used to, though. I found these tutorials helpful.

Another way to make your game

LÖVE

This is not a game engine but a framework. This means you’re going to have to code more than in the resources above, but guess what? It’s not as bad as it sounds. And if you were able to pass that high school algebra class, you can probably learn LÖVE’s language, Lua. Use this tutorial to see if all you need is LÖVE.

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One last thought: It’s going to be hard work no matter what you use! Nothing will write your game for you. Explore these tools and make sure you choose the ones that let your imagination shine through best.

Good luck with your game!