.:: Making An Adventure Game ::.

This tutorial was originally written for the AGD Zine.

When M0DS first announced that he was looking for some things for the new Zine, and after DG's speech on bringing the community together, I thought I would do something for the Zine to help the community.
This isn't telling you what you have to do in order to make a successful game, but more like a piece of advice to let the creative juices in your head start flowing.
I will tell you some good ways of planning out a game, and how to get your plot just right.

Part 1 - I need a storyline

Before you start to panic about scripting, graphics and any other things you need to first think out your plot. Some people say this is the hardest part of making a game, as everyone tries to make a game they like, but will impress everyone else.
Before you begin to go into detail with your plot, think out a rough idea, possibly the genre, and the time setting. Choose one, which you like, and not one, which you might feel uncomfortable with. Remember this is your game, not anyone else's.
Here is a list of some possible genres and time settings, and mixes that work well.

Adventure - Present
Action - Future
Mystery - Past/Present
Horror - Past/Present
Comedy - All
Insane - Present/Future
Erotic - Present/Future

Past - Anything before the present day. Most games seem to be set in medieval times, or late 1800's.

Present - This is anything, which is going on right here, right now (2002). Most games tend to be comedy or mystery, but with a slight hint of the future.

Future - Games set in the future usually include robots, space and gadgets. It shows what will be and will happen.

The next thing we need to do once the above has been decided is to decide where we will be setting the game.
Games can have multiple settings, and can start off in a city and end up in a rainforest. Some games tend to stick to one setting, like a city, where everything goes on.

Choose what you want, you should know the basic storyline so choosing a setting which you think will work best should be relatively easy.

By now your game should be looking almost ready to start developing plot line, but before we can do that you need characters.
Begin by sketching about 5 or 6 main characters. Main characters are characters, which show up frequently in the game, or have some meaning to the plot with them. Once you have sketched them right up a profile for them. You can use this one, as a guide if you think it will help, it is taken from my new game 'Point Blank'.

Name: 17
Age: NA
Type: Robot
Likes: Adventure and parties
Dislikes: Work, Danger and sheep.
Mood: Happy, humorous and witty
Position: Player Character

We have our genre, time period, setting and main characters; we are now ready to begin developing our plot. Go back to an original concept idea for the game. Look at it and think about the plot line. Don't decide a final plot line at this stage, because it might not seem good later on. Spend half an hour to an hour deciding your storyline. Some ways, which can help you, include:
· Discuss the plot with a trusty friend. Ask them to spot any glitches in your plot, which might not work. Ask them questions about the settings and characters.
· Make sketches of scenes as you are producing a storyline. It can be a fully drawn storyboard, or the occasional sketch. These don't have to be works of art, just images that you can relate to.
· Tell the final storyboard to another friend, get their opinion, it will count even if you disagree, it might help you change your mind.

Well, now we should have a nice story, keep it secret, don't let anyone know the story line, it keeps everyone in suspense. Leave short messages, like the game title, and a mysterious plot hint.
Sometimes you may want a game to remain a complete secret or tell everyone your plot straight away, it's up to you.

The next step is to design and create graphics.

Look out in the next Zine, for some tips on creating effective backgrounds and characters, and what software to use.

.:: Links ::.

AGS General Forum

AGS Technical Forum

Kafka's Koffee

Screen 7

AGD Zine

MAGS Official Website

Swapitshop