[Mandrake]

I've heard that before. I dunno, i just get sick of people complaining about stagnation and etc....it's like complaining all jump and runs involve running and jumping. Who cares about innovation? We are here to create. To breathe life into microchips with binary breath. I say create, dream, design, but don't focus on things like pointless aberration. I'm just gettting sick of arguements (from jaded gamers) starting with the phrase "well the one thing I hate about console RPG's" or "The modern RPG is becoming stagnant because".

Does it matter? Why not just build? why does everything have to be originality and innovation and diffrent? It seems to me people are trying to hard to change the world. Real innovation comes from exploration of a concept and imaganation. People don't just think "well this is what i hate about x games, I'm going to make them better by doing this", and then all fo a sudden they create the greatest game in existance. Sometimes, games (and genres) work because fo the flaws inherit in them. A certain wabi sabi so to speak.

Just become inspired and then use that insparation to create something. If it turns out unique and diffrent, let it. If it turns out to be more of the same, let it. But whatever it is, don't comrpomise your ideas for the sake of innovation. Let innovation happen.

[Bjorn]

I mostly agree with Mandrake here, though in a little less aggressive sense. If you start feeling all RPGs are the same, start thinking about the differences between each RPG and why you liked some and disliked others. That last stuff is much more usefull to yourself and to others, than it is to sum up the similarities and your annoyances about that.

[DarkDread]

well, all I have to add to this is, I make games for one person, and one person only. Myself... and since nobody is paying me to make them, then obviously, I don't owe anyone anything. Really, sometimes I wonder why I bothered to release some games in the first place... some people just like to complain, go figure. Feh... I think half the reason why I lost any of the fun factor involved in deving was because I started to think about what others wanted in a game, and tried coding one for them... when all along, I should've still been just making it for myself... oh well.

As for egos... I can't think of a single person in this scene who has one... desevered or not... least of all myself, heh.
_________________
"Goth is a way for ugly people to be interesting."

[Ninkazu]

Matt, you have the biggest ego here. You don't care about anyone. If you made the games for yourself, why DID you release them? Just to wait for comments you didn't want in the first place? And what about the people that helped you? Do they not get any credit or gratitude from the person asking of their work for his and only his enjoyment?

Seriously.... you're not a good person.

[Nodtveidt]

Matt...you have always been one for glory. You've always considered your ideals above and beyond those of others, and have failed many times to get things right. You've had a couple of successes, and you tried very hard to ride those waves forever, and when it didn't happen, you just gave up. That's why you closed up Darkness Ethereal...the glory train stopped dead in its tracks. You always used to ask people what they wanted to see in the games that you put out, not to improve the games but to kiss the ass of the public. Actually the idea of asking the public what they want to see in a game is a good thing...if it's asked for the right reasons. I asked the public what they wanted to see in Neutopia III because the game has a lot of history and I want to keep it true to its roots, so die-hard Neutopia fans would finally have that long-awaited sequel. Not because I am a glory hog. I will admit that yes, I do bask in the glory of my repeated successes. But then I follow them up with another score. You, and people like you, do one thing and try to milk it for all it's worth for as long as it's worth. That's why you came out with that ridiculous idea for Mysterious Song DX. Mysterious Song was one of your successes, so you pulled a Walt Disney and tried to milk it further. You would have been better off using that great engine for a totally new game.

Now on to other subjects. The point behind creating an RPG isn't about innovation or breaking the molds. The point is to create something that is fun to play. Most players aren't going to care if your game plays like FF3 as long as it's fun. There are a lot of factors that combine to create this overall fun factor- an involving storyline, interesting characters, smooth gameplay, mood-setting musical score, and beautiful graphics. Intentionally trying to break the mold can create a disorganized game that plays like hell. It can also lead to new subgenres and new formats of hybrid-genre RPGs.

I do agree that you should create games for yourself. However, there's more to it than that...it's simply not that easy. You HAVE to take the opinions of your gamers into consideration, because they're the ones who are going to be playing the games in the first place. Unless you're only doing it for the experience...in that case, do it for you...but learn from your audience. Your next venture in RPG development will show that you paid attention to your audience. Eventually, you find your own little niche, and you too will have a string of successes. On that note...it's a GOOD thing to be insulted by the audience...it shows you that people know who you are. You've arrived. But then is the time to show them that you know what you're doing...you deliver the best work you've ever done and it blows the nonbelievers out of their seats.

Finally, and this is more of a personal side-note...I don't care who likes me, praises me, hates me, dislikes me, or anything else like that. I only care that people enjoy the work I do. I do what I do for the players, not for myself. They talk, I listen. That's the way it's always been with me, and that's the reason I am where I am now in my developmental process. Criticize my work...I will improve it and change your mind. Praise my work...I will deliver more of the same. My goal is to entertain the players. Period. End of story.

With all that said...I will go now :) Peace out

-nek

[Ninkazu]

Very well spoken, Nek. I will follow in your ideals once I manage to finally finish a game. I really hope I'll pull myself out of this slump and start working again so I can entertain more people and build a better name for myself.

[XMark]

yes, and a good way to start building a better name is to not do it by putting down other peoples' names. Keep it cool in here, guys.
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

[Ninkazu]

Sorry, it's just I really really really reallly dislike DD because of his egotistical personality.

I won't say anything more to put down another person.

[Mandrake]

Oh god, you guys are only whining because DE was shut down and DD is disapearing again. Of all the tiem i've known DD, not once has he had an ego problem. Big deal if he started some projectes and never finished them. So what? Big deal if he's taking off because he's sick of...well...shit like this. Give the guy a fucking break. I'm sick of all this jealouos bullshit.

Xmark's right, chill out.

[Nodtveidt]

XMark, I was personally not putting Matt down. I was simply speaking the truth as I see it, and as many others see it. It is no mystery that once you've had a taste of success, it goes to your head. It happened to me, so I have first-hand experience on the subject and I know how to spot it in others. But if you feel like being the opressor of free thought, take whatever means necessary to censor people. I'm not saying that Matt (DarkDread) has never been a good person. I'm saying that his ego got in the way of him doing anything decent past his very few successes. It's what turns a hopeful developer into a has-been.

-nek

PS: Mandrake, YOU need to chill out, you're the one exploding with obscenities. Everyone has the right to their own opinions. Last time I checked, this was a free country.

[Mandrake]

yeah, but this isn't a free message board, kapeesh? it's a totaltarian state with one owner who has been nice enough to let people do as they please on this board. But I think you slandering people who are in this and other communities is just plain silly.

As of now, I'm taking off for a break from the community. I was going to tell you guys this earlier....but It's sad. Anyway, XMark, Tenshi, et others, I'm still working on that (ahem, cough cough) project i emailed you guys about. But I'm dropping off the face of the scene. So if you want to contact me, email me (or if your on the esperanto board, just post/pm me there).

My back hurts. My head hurts. I'm tired in worn down sense. To quote bilbo, I'm like butter spread thin over too many peices of bread.

Well, talk to you cats in a few months when I'll hopefully be feeling better and feel like hanging out here again. Also, indie-rpg.net hosted people, I'm keeping all this up and paying for it still, even though I'm disapearing. Ciao.

[Nodtveidt]

How many times do I have to say I wasn't insulting anyone? Christ.

Well, have a good break, rest up and get healthy. Being in pain sucks! I've had lumbar malignment and nerve root compression since childbirth so I'm no stranger to back pain either. Hope everything goes alright for you.

Peace
-nek

[XMark]

Here is my summary of this thread:

You've got an ego problem!

No, You've got an ego problem!

What are you talking about? I've got an ego problem? You're the one with an ego problem!

No, you've got an ego problem! Don't deny it!

He's got an ego problem!

Who's got an ego problem!

She's got an ego problem!

I've got an ego problem!

It's got an ego problem!

What's got an ego problem!

Ego's got an ego problem!

Ego ego ego!

Leggo my ego!

There's a difference between cencorship and stopping what has just turned into people baselessly accusing each of having ego problems. I gave you guys a chance to turn this thread around but it's just degenerated into monkeys flinging poo at each other. Locked, and I'm not listening to any complaints.
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!