Quit complaining about RPG Maker games, please.

[lore]

I see people just saying "Oh gosh, another RPG Maker game? Bet its gonna suck." and "I will never vote for an RPG Maker game" on Greenlight. Why would you think its gonna suck? Check how Pokemon did. Check how Final Fantasy did. Check how Mad Father, Ao Oni, and The Crooked Man did. And guess what? They are RPG games too. Those last three are made with now-day engines like Wolf RPG Maker and RPG Maker VX Ace. And I myself am creating one, using very unique scripts to make it seem like it's not even an RPG Maker game, just to get out of the pool of hate. So I would like to understand why there is so much hate, and why they do it. I have spent 6 months creating an 8-ending game, including many different paths and choices that effect the story. I would say it's a unique game for having so many twists on the story. And still, I have a lot of hate. Many RPG Maker games are very high-quality, and deserve more attention. Especially the ones that have a whole lot of work put into them.

[Τhe Rolling Cheese Wheel]

Since RPG maker is so easy to utilize, expect to see a sea of crap, and maybe a handfull of gems. That is where all the hate is coming from and I don't really blame them. I'm actually quite sick and tired of devs cashing in on 16 bit "retro" graphics and yet another classic Final Fantasy look a like.

It looks lazy and effortless.

If you're going to be using RPG maker, prepare yourself to get flamed if it's just another turn based RPG. If you can use RPG maker to produce a riveting masterpiece like To The Moon, prepare yourself to make bank.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Since RPG maker is so easy to utilize, expect to see a sea of crap, and maybe a handfull of gems.

This applies to pretty much all games, in all genres. A sea of crap with a handful of gems.

Also, keep in mind that many of those crappy RPG Maker games are actually free, and not commercially sold. Sure, some crappy ones are, but many are just people throwing something together for fun and putting it on the internet.

[lore]

Well, there are the people that do put in lots of hard work to make their own scripts, recreate all the textures, and only have the engine as a tile and event setter. I myself am using it and find it very interesting that these people that do put theirs up in the sea of crap don't even use custom made textures, scripts, or anything like that.

[Arcturus Asriv]

I totally empathize.

I have both Game Maker and RPG Maker and when all the Flappy Bird imitators started sprouting up on the Workshop, I felt it devalued the whole process of making games.

People start thinking that they're simple programs not to be taken seriously.

But it's really the same difference as a cheap Garage Sale Sign and a Picasso. Same tools can be used but one takes more time and talent.

Granted, they may need to make some Garage Sale Signs before they can learn to make a Picasso... but it's the ones that just do the Garage Sale Signs and scream, "look at me!" that brings the image of the art down.

[lore]

Leonardo Myst a écrit :

I totally empathize.

I have both Game Maker and RPG Maker and when all the Flappy Bird imitators started sprouting up on the Workshop, I felt it devalued the whole process of making games.

People start thinking that they're simple programs not to be taken seriously.

But it's really the same difference as a cheap Garage Sale Sign and a Picasso. Same tools can be used but one takes more time and talent.

Granted, they may need to make some Garage Sale Signs before they can learn to make a Picasso... but it's the ones that just do the Garage Sale Signs and scream, "look at me!" that brings the image of the art down.

That is a fantastic analogy, and I totally agree. There are some things that are terribly made with these engines, and then there are gems made with these titles.
Sadly, everyone knows about the terrible ones, and don't care to look at the gems, because they think that "Oh hey, it was used with a simple program, its gonna suck" When really, the engine doesn't even want you to use just the engine. They support external scripts fully, allow complete customization, and all that good stuff.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Leonardo Myst a écrit :

Granted, they may need to make some Garage Sale Signs before they can learn to make a Picasso...

Well, here's a question, though...how do you help people get through the Garage Sale Signs phase in order to get them into the phase of making Picassos?

[The Pineapple Lord]

I agree 100%,how else are we going to start game dev,you have to start from the bottom and make your way to the top.If you don't like RPG games then don't buy them,but at least give us a chance and spare us your insults.

[lore]

J-Muse a écrit :

I agree 100%,how else are we going to start game dev,you have to start from the bottom and make your way to the top.If you don't like RPG games then don't buy them,but at least give us a chance and spare us your insults.

I really want to find you and give you a cookie.

[zert]

"Especially the ones that have a whole lot of work put into them. "

wow all that work that was put into using crappy pre-made graphics.

[Marble]

My worry is that it is essentially opening the flood gates for a deluge of bad RPG maker games. They don't really even belong on Steam, you can't integrate Steamworks features or even use the overlay.

[lore]

zart a écrit :

"Especially the ones that have a whole lot of work put into them. "

wow all that work that was put into using crappy pre-made graphics.

I hope you do understand that the ones built with lots of hard work remake their tiles.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Canti a écrit :

My worry is that it is essentially opening the flood gates for a deluge of bad RPG maker games. They don't really even belong on Steam, you can't integrate Steamworks features or even use the overlay.

I disagree that Steamworks features or the overlay determine whether a game "belongs" on Steam. Steamworks features and the overlay are more like optional side benefits -- nice to have, but not necessary. Steam is, first and foremost, a digital distribution service -- a way for me to buy games digitally.