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RPG Maker

Started by Lode Nov 19, 2004 at 10:11 AM 7 replies 700+ views

Original Post

278

Nov 19, 2004 at 10:11 AM

I have this plan to try to make an RPG maker. Of course I'll give it another name than "RPG Maker" because that already exists. Also note that I don't have RPG Maker and have never actually used/installed anything like that so I'll probably be making one without any influences of existing rpg makers. It'll be 2D, and use SDL + OpenGL for the graphics. Before I start wasting my time on this project some questions: Do you think I'll get sued because the concept of an rpg maker is patented? Do you think people would like an rpg maker? Do you think I'll be able to finish the project without getting tired of it? :) May it be possible to earn some money from it? Do there exist nice and totally free tilesets? I know there are tons of chipsets for rpg maker around but I'm not sure if those are legal or not.

Rob Loach

219

Rob Loach

Nov 19, 2004 at 10:33 AM

Quote:
Original post by Lode
Do you think I'll get sued because the concept of an rpg maker is patented?

Nope.

Quote:
Original post by Lode
Do you think people would like an rpg maker?

There are millions already out there. If you actually plan to sell it, you'll be SOL.

Quote:
Original post by Lode
Do you think I'll be able to finish the project without getting tired of it? :)

That depends on your determination, focus and patients.

Quote:
Original post by Lode
May it be possible to earn some money from it?

I doubt it. There are millions of free ones out there.

Quote:
Original post by Lode
Do there exist nice and totally free tilesets?

Look up "RPG Maker Tilesets" on Google and you'll find millions. You can use them as much as you want.

Benjamin Heath

157

Benjamin Heath

Nov 19, 2004 at 10:33 AM

Quote:
Original post by Lode
I have this plan to try to make an RPG maker. Of course I'll give it another name than "RPG Maker" because that already exists. Also note that I don't have RPG Maker and have never actually used/installed anything like that so I'll probably be making one without any influences of existing rpg makers. It'll be 2D, and use SDL + OpenGL for the graphics.

Before I start wasting my time on this project some questions:

Do you think I'll get sued because the concept of an rpg maker is patented?

Do you think people would like an rpg maker?

Do you think I'll be able to finish the project without getting tired of it? :)

May it be possible to earn some money from it?

Do there exist nice and totally free tilesets? I know there are tons of chipsets for rpg maker around but I'm not sure if those are legal or not.

Patented? No, there are many programs like that available.

Will you make money from it? A definite answer is "not yet." I will tell you that, in all likelihood, I will not buy a program like this. [And as Rob pointed out, most people wouldn't, and there is a surplus of these programs available.]

Can you finish it? Perhaps, but these programs are never really finished. Their development continues for years until the developers quit. Will you implement the most basic features? Well you sure can, anyway. ;)

Hope it goes well for you.
Agape. Ben.

I Like Bread

Nov 19, 2004 at 11:35 AM

I think the only way you could make your RPG Maker unique is by making it 3D, and having more realistic models than those tore-up ugly SD shits from the PS2 version that's out now.

coldacid

170

coldacid

Nov 19, 2004 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Original post by I Like Bread
I think the only way you could make your RPG Maker unique is by making it 3D, and having more realistic models than those tore-up ugly SD shits from the PS2 version that's out now.

CONCLUSION: Buy NWN and learn to use the toolset. [grin]

George2

Nov 19, 2004 at 12:10 PM

Who needs an RPG maker, you should make a hockey game maker ... (you'l be certain of one customer)

Lode

Author

278

Lode

Nov 19, 2004 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Original post by George2
Who needs an RPG maker, you should make a hockey game maker ... (you'l be certain of one customer)

LOL!

Quote:
Original post by I Like Bread
I think the only way you could make your RPG Maker unique is by making it 3D, and having more realistic models than those tore-up ugly SD shits from the PS2 version that's out now.

Making the game engine 3D is possible, since I use OpenGL anyway.

Getting the 3D models, having the much more complex levels, and having it look like a MODERN 3D engine is another thing tho and not something I feel like starting on.

I keep it at a nice 2D engine that supports 2D tilesets and animated characters, and a rich scripting engine to allow good gameplay :)

kSquared

192

kSquared

Nov 19, 2004 at 12:27 PM

Quote:
Do you think I'll get sued because the concept of an rpg maker is patented?

You can't patent an idea; the idea of "an RPG maker" is not patentable. However, if you copied someone else outside the bounds of fair use, you could be sued for trademark infringement if "RPG Maker" is a trademarked name.

Quote:
Do you think people would like an rpg maker?

There's a market for everything.

Quote:
Do you think I'll be able to finish the project without getting tired of it? :)

You'd better be committed and dedicated.

Quote:
May it be possible to earn some money from it?

Yes, but if you intend to use it commercially, take care to note which tools and software you use. Many come with licenses that prohibit you from using things you make with them for commercial purposes.

Quote:
Do there exist nice and totally free tilesets? I know there are tons of chipsets for rpg maker around but I'm not sure if those are legal or not.

I believe that, in the latest iteration, anything you use in RPG Maker for use in RPG Maker must be freely distributable. Commercially, I don't know off the top of my head.

Pxtl

Nov 19, 2004 at 12:50 PM

Quote:
Original post by Lode
Quote:
Original post by George2
Who needs an RPG maker, you should make a hockey game maker ... (you'l be certain of one customer)

LOL!

Quote:
Original post by I Like Bread
I think the only way you could make your RPG Maker unique is by making it 3D, and having more realistic models than those tore-up ugly SD shits from the PS2 version that's out now.

Making the game engine 3D is possible, since I use OpenGL anyway.

Getting the 3D models, having the much more complex levels, and having it look like a MODERN 3D engine is another thing tho and not something I feel like starting on.

I keep it at a nice 2D engine that supports 2D tilesets and animated characters, and a rich scripting engine to allow good gameplay :)

Here's something that could make it different - fork the map code from Cube or a similar landscape-based engine. Use sprites for graphics, and landscape for terrain, a la Xenogears. Could have fun with cameras, the content would still be user editable (no 3d modelling), and you'd have something to set your product aside (3d world geometry).

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