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Hey guys, im a little stuck on getting started with my game, which is usually always the hardest part for me in starting a project. Im just not exactly sure where to begin. I know i should probably start on the battle engine first, but I think my main problem is that even though ive made really simple games and stuff, im just not really sure of how a structure of a game is suppose to look like. Any tips or advice is appreciated.

Dario

LordDario,

First, the idea of the game needs to be thoroughly though out. It takes some time to plan out a game that might be fun to play. Think of a story, if so be it needs a background within its purpose. Build from this story, by conceptualizing different characters, scenarios, weapons and the overall feel you are wanting the game to have.

From your post, I would suppose you were really wanting to know where to start, code-wise. However, a plan is first needed, if there is none. If you already do have a plan, please specify it, and I will be glad to be the upmost help I can be to you.

Sorry Nano, i guess i should of specified some more. I will specify what I have in mind so far and hopefully you could help me from there.

Story:
I have a pretty concrete story in mind. I don't want to get too indepth with it because its kind of long to explain, but it involves a world with various kingdoms that are ruled by seperate governments, and all these governments who never really liked each other, but were in peace agreements with each other, soon get further and further apart, and the major reason for this is that there is a very important resource which this world is going short on, and these kingdoms begin to fight over these remaining resources. I know the story might sound kind of dull but i just gave the basic concept theres a lot more too it.

Setting
A Medieval setting mixed with a futuristic setting. (I know this might sound kind of weird, but i want to keep the basic concept of knights, kings, e.t.c but at the same time need to keep some sort of a futuristic setting in order to explain the resource shortage that everyone fights for.

Characters
Im not gonna get into the story of the individual characters, but the main character is one of the highest generals of one of these kingdoms, and have other great ideas for other characters in mind.

Weapons/Battles
I know exactly what i want to do with this. This is where i really want the medieval stuff to come in. Im gonna have Hero classes such as knights/Fighters/Mages e.t.c, and corresponding weapons to those classes, and in terms of the battles itself i want it to resemble battles very similar to shining force/fire emblem type game.

World/Maps
I dont want to start with anything too large. A world map, a castle map and a town map would be a great start.

Intro
I want to start the game with a basic history backround of the world you are introduced too, then after all that it goes to present tense and into the castle of where the main character is at. Theres alot more i plan on doing after that but this post is already getting too logn so I'll just leave it at that for now .

Code
??????
Where do i begin

LordDario,

There are a few questions that need answering, first.

1. Do you wish for the game to be 2D or 3D?

2. If able, what category would you place this game into, that I may know better on where you might want to start? RPG, FPS, Shooter, etc?

3. Who or what is the main character? What are his abilites, when starting a new game? What is his goal? Is this character, from a new game, customizable?

I generally, like to start programming the game menus first, simply because it takes less time and is usually easier to program. The menus, once completed, ride as a great motivater for me to finnish the production of the game. If you are the same, what needs to be included in this menu(new game, load game, options, instructions, character customization, etc)?

To answer your questions nano...

#1 and 2. I am planning on a 2d rpg

#3. The main character is a powerful human knight who specializes in high defense and pretty good offense. In terms of looks the main character isnt customizable, although you can change his name, and in the battles you are going to be able to change his class.(from knight to holy knight,paladin,e.t.c). At the start there is no explanation as to why this main characters kingdom is under attack, so the main characters goal is to protect his kingdom by finding out what is going on, but eventually his goal changes to protecting his own family, and trying to salvage all the kingdoms.

I like the idea also of starting with the menu first. Im just confused on how i should set up the structure for the entire code. For example, should all put all game menu's in one area of code, all the map loading in another area, all the battle engine stuff/hero stats in another, User input in another? So my basic problem is ive actually never programmed a game this large, and there arent too many complete if not any rpg's that were made in dbc, so i have nothing to follow.

Thanks for taking your time to read, as always all help is always appreciated.

Dario

You will need to design a game engine, just outline the general ideas, and then break the outline down into specific tasks and finer detail.

Here is an example:


i didnt write a game terminate, but you get the idea. This is just a very general example on how you can structure your game engine.

i sort of see how the loop works nathan, the only thing i dont understand is the windows communication part of the loop. In terms of making a rpg game, would that refer to text display for npc's and events? or is that something else?

Well dark basic takes care of windows communication for you, so you dont need that part.

Oh ok so where would npc interaction/event triggers go under?