Most important RPG aspect

Okay, after lurking around the forums for awhile, having decided on a rough outline for my new, (and hopefully completeable,) game, I came to realization that the vast majority of people seem to prefer a good story and deep, realistic characters to pretty much everything else.

That, I find interesting, as that is what I'm going to focus on for this game.  I'm a mediocre spriter, have no composing skills, and am about as useful in scripting as a Goldeen in Super Smash Bros.  (That is to say, not at all for those who don't play.)

So my plan was to make a game, focusing on a deep storyline, and round characters with motivations, depth, fears, and have a tendency to not do everything perfectly right on their first try at something.  They will be very human, (which is amusing, considering that none of them are human,) and hopefully be looked upon as someone that a player can identify with.

With that being said, and going to my previous inabilities, I also will (probably) not be looking for a team.  If I am suddenly required to meet certain progress quota's to keep the game on schedule, it loses its fun and I fall into obscurity for months.  *cough*

At any rate, for the initial version of the game, I will be using the overly standard battle system, RTP graphics (modified somewhat,) and other things that come basic with XP.  My question to you all, is that would any of you enjoy a game like that?  One where the story is very compelling (at least I think it is,) and the characters will draw you in until you feel like you know them as a personal friend, but the rest of the game is very basic?

I'm sure that, eventually, I will upgrade the graphics, the music, the battle system, the menu system, etc., but for now, I want to focus on the plot and development.  Should I wait until the game is done entirely before posting it, or would anyone be willing to try it, as basic as it is?

(Note that it will probably not have a playable demo for another month or so; so things may change between now and then, though I doubt it.)

So, you're asking if a game can be good and still be RTP? If that's the case, then the answer is yes. Most people really like non-RTP things, but if a game is interesting enough with RTP, it usually will be well-liked as well.

The only problem is that the game's storyline must be REALLY interesting. Also, you have to remember that there are a lot of custom systems that can be put in a game rather easily. Look around for resources and you'll see that there are a huge amount of possibilities. I have several folders on my computer that have literally thousands of spritesets that I can simply out in a game. And if I need battlers for them, I either try to make them myself or ask someone who I know will help me.

Also, if it is your first game, people will have to understand if it's basic. You're still learning, so we don't expect you to give us an extremely high quality game.

And, looking for teams isn't a good idea for a first game, as you have nothing that will make people want to help you. You're unknown, and you've never actually finished anything. So why should people help? Make your first game solo, and then see if you can get a team.


I did not intend to write that much, but I hope I've helped you at least a bit.

So, you're asking if a game can be good and still be RTP? If that's the case, then the answer is yes. Most people really like non-RTP things, but if a game is interesting enough with RTP, it usually will be well-liked as well.

Good, good.  I mean, this is merely for a first foray into the game and its world, the characters, and watching them interact.  I would prefer to focus on the events and mapmaking and characters, rather than trying to make it pretty.  Basics first, and then build from that, in my opinion.

The only problem is that the game's storyline must be REALLY interesting. Also, you have to remember that there are a lot of custom systems that can be put in a game rather easily. Look around for resources and you'll see that there are a huge amount of possibilities. I have several folders on my computer that have literally thousands of spritesets that I can simply out in a game. And if I need battlers for them, I either try to make them myself or ask someone who I know will help me.

Agreed. There are tons and tons of resources out there for use in games, from scripts to battlers and spritesheets, and so on and so forth.  But if I were to get a new sprite, I'd need a new battler for it, (assuming I'm using them,) which might not match exactly with the others.  Which brings up a whole new problem, because that is one thing that annoys me ^^; 

As for the different systems, I agree that they are out there, and can be put into the game rather easily.  However, to make them work, I'd have to find sprites for them, more than likely, which would cause a lot of unnecessary work that isn't focused on the plot or character development, and if I can't get the sprites to work or find them, then it's a great deal of wasted work.

On top of that, as I would like to (eventually) have the character sprites and battlers (if necessary) made possibly by hand, working with a spriter or some such thing, after the main, heavy portion of the game is done.  After that, a custom battle system, made for this game could be developed, as the plot and battles would be known beforehand, so some interesting ideas could be incorporated, or at least that's how I see it.

Also, if it is your first game, people will have to understand if it's basic. You're still learning, so we don't expect you to give us an extremely high quality game.

And, looking for teams isn't a good idea for a first game, as you have nothing that will make people want to help you. You're unknown, and you've never actually finished anything. So why should people help? Make your first game solo, and then see if you can get a team.

True, true.  I mean, I know my way around XP rather well, I've just never sat down to make a real game on it.  Most of my time is spent playing with events, seeing if I can make stuff work, so I prefer them vastly to scripts.  I'm not exactly a newbie when it comes to making a game...just making one that people can play : D;

Thanks for your responses. ^^ They've helped me to get a better idea for how to present this idea of mine.