How to make a Game?

[Mistery]

No, I haven't used real images or photos (well just the first time when I was playing around with it).
At the beginning I have just used Paint to create my images. So you can use Paint or GIMP of course to start out.
Later I have switched over to 3D images. Google Sketchup is the most easy to use from the group of the 3D software, and you can do a lot with the free version There are also a lot of models for Google SketchUp that you can download and directly insert into your project.
You can also use Terragen (free version) for creating landscapes, it's also rather easy ot use.
And I'm also using 3D modeler software - most of such software is not free (many of them are even really expensive), and is not easy to use (you need many weeks or even months to learn them). But you can also find free ones if you look around on the internet (e.g. Anim8tor, Wings 3D, Art of Illusion, or Maplet).

To create my games, I prepare my images with other software, and then import them into my project in Adventure Maker. You can also import sounds, add videos and flash movies.
With the free version of Adventure Maker, you can already create quite nice games. For example Hidden Jewels by bmatt was made with the free version (although compiled later to an .exe file with the full version): http://gamershood.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8965
The limitation of the free version is that you cannot use additional scripting; the 3rd person plugin; the Panoramic plugin; and that you can only compile your game to an .am1 file (to play it, your players have to install the free version of Adventure Maker, too). With the full version you can use all the features, and also create an .exe file that will run on all pc's that meet the system requirements without the need of installing Adventure Maker itself.

To create small Flash videos, I either use Moho or ToonBoom Studio, but again, these are not free.
However, you can create videos also with Movie Maker, that usually comes with your Windows. Also the free version of Google SketchUp is able to create videos.
Maybe there is some free software to create small flash movies, but I don't know of any.
Just note that video files get pretty big (some MB for just a short video), whereas flash files are small.

You can take a look at this thread, too (with links to the mentioned free software and more):

http://gamershood.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1589

[~*Mercedes*~]

Oh okay....so..You use 3D images and you use Google sketch up..Might make it a bit easier if you don't know how to draw ..in paint.,,or otherwise..

The picture of tables and chairs lets say in Insane Escape..which is what I'm downloading now..and can't wait to play...yayy... Google sketch up..it has images like that that you can import.?

As for importing sound or videos.. or flash movies.. in the games..I'm confused as to how to do that..Do you have to use flash? Or are you speaking of it just if you want to put a movie file or clip? Sorry if this is a dumb question..

From the games I've played that we're yours..which is Gfardto, Nieghbors House Triliogy and Save the Earth and Water quest. Where in any one of these games....did flash movie come in or video or movie file come in .. play a part.? I thought flash was just for online gaming:: Perhaps if you could show me a part where you used it..I would understand it better..if this is possible of course..

Oh and i watched one of the tutorial you have on Adventure player does it also tell you what to do once u are done with images.....You have made hotspots..now what..how does it come together..? I'll watch the whole thing, if I knew it was a step by step to make one..or at least finish one after you have imported images..Does such a tutorial exist on this. Basically how to import images, play with images..then put it together and hit finish or play..? Or at this time would you say that now that i know where images come from i should watch it.? I have dial up so i ask before hand..thx again.

Also zooming in on objects and arrows at the side of the screen to go from frame to frame..are these options in the free Adventureplayer..? What would you call this. I'm hoping that this isn't the panoramic plug in.lol

I will put in order from what I have learned so far today; To make a downloadable game.

1. Download Adventure player.

2. Google sketch up. If you want nicer graphics... if you want object to appear 3 dimentional ..Also for creating movie video clips.

3.Terregan for creating landscapes if you want to make a game with landscapes.

So at this time would you say that with these software i can make a game.? Or attempt at one..lol Start here more or less.

Also,Mystery, I'm going to play Hidden jewels game tomorrow and maybe then most of these will be answered. From what you said, Hidden Jewel was created with the freeware version of Adventure player. So I'll post back here and no doubt have more questions.lol..probably wishing you hadn't answered this post.....again, ...many thanks for all of your patience and help..



P.S.

Funny you should mention Hidden Jewels..i have Bmatt's page loaded ..got it from your website about three hours ago..and is the next one i'm playing..what a coincidence..lol.

Also, if you want...you can answer the questions right in my post under questions in another colour...if I made a mistake ..or add to it.. If you want that is..

I apologize if any of these questions are redundant in anyway..

[Mistery]

Yes, indeed. I can't draw, and therefore I rely on software that makes the images for me (well, in fact I'm making them, but not with my hands).

The screens of Insane Escape have been entirely made with Google SketchUp.
Yes, there is a model library from where you can download images into your project.
Look around in the library here: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

For the videos and flash files:
You need to prepare them with another software.
Then you just check a box in your Adventure Maker project to play a video / play a flash file (on a certain frame, or in a certain hotspot), and then just need to select that file on your pc and it imports it automatically.

Flash files are for example used in GFARDTO's Revenge:
- the scene when the ship crosses the sea, and travels to Renegade's Island.
- the end scene animation.

Also flash for the puzzle in Insane Escape:
- the "TV" that shows the correct sequence of the dots in the second room.

Video was used in Save The Earth - that part where you got an error message for some reason.

The Help Document contains everything you need to know to start with Adventure Maker, it has also step-by-step tutorials for beginners. This Help Document is part of the software, so that you won't need to go online to look at it.

http://www.adventuremaker.com/help/contents.htm

Additionally, I have also made an illustrated online tutorial for beginners:

http://gamershood.com/forum/showpost.php?p=564738&postcount=6

I would say, download Adventure Maker, look at the Help Document, and play around with the available demo images and icons. Some of your questions might be answered by that.

Sure, you can move around on the screens by using arrows to click on - this is of course part of the free version.
But of course, if you want to have the effect of zooming in, you need to create 2 different images: the distant one, and the near one.

Well, to start out, you can also use Paint for example if you're good with drawing.

Although Google Sketchup is rather easy to use, you still need a few hours to learn it. The interactive tutorials that are included are good, and I would recommend you to go through them to get a basic idea. But you can create good image with it.
Well, I don't know if you need Terragen at this moment. It depends what kind of game you want to make.

I would rather recommend you to first download Adventure Maker, and get to know it a bit. Then think about a storyline, this will give you an idea what kind of background images you will need. If you plan to create not only interiors, but also need landscapes, you can still download Terragen.

Generally, don't overstrain yourself with your first game - otherwise you will get frustrated. Make first a simple game, maybe you will post it, or maybe it will just stay on your computer as your first test project. From this first project you will learn a lot, and then you can try to make it better in every game.

[~*Mercedes*~]

Thank you so much for you responses..they were was both helpful and very encouraging.

I have to do some reading and inform myself some more..then i'll post back if thats ok later on..


I'm off to escape now..~~

[~*Mercedes*~]

I have another question...surprise surprise..

Ok, so to create any movement in a game..do i have to have flash to do that..?..I've read all of the faq's on adventure maker...but failed to see this..here are some examples..

When you press a button..so it goes up and down..<<Is this a "flash" action? Are the following flash actions.?


Couch cushions lifting? when u click it

To use an item say a knife on the couch..to see it tear..?

Click a picture and have it fall to the ground.

Turn a page in a book...say by dragging it..or by clicking it..

Have a window open..and close and open and close..

Buttons on a box so that when u press them they go in..and back out when u click another bar.. say on the side of the same box.

To be able to slide a panel..like say in Renegade games..


I'm just wondering if all of these can only be done with Flash..or can you use Adventure maker or if there is anything other than flash for these actions to happen.many thanks Mystery..! It's not a huge issue...just wondering how it worked and if you knew.

Thanks again..!

Also for pictures ..graphics..ive tried to use gimp and I'm horrible with it.. there are so many functions..i have no clue where to start..can't even make a ball....i know i'm sad..lol.

Would love a software that i can work with graphics..make my own stuff. Does the google sketch up, I see its similar to other software where you make your own images, does it have a good step by step tutorial..I've use picture editing software but they were with my own pictures..never drew anything in my life..well not on here..I'm only asking of this for future reference..only cause I didn't see a gallery of pictures for Adventure Maker..

I will take you advice and work with AdventureMaker first and get used to it..just thought I'd ask of this while I thought of it. Does Adventure maker have an art gallery of Rooms..Like in your tutorial, as an example, the hallway with door, is that something in the gallery.? I gather you make your images..then import them..which is where I'm kinda lost. but willing to learn. I've looked at the gallery from googlesketch up..but can i download an image without having the actual software..like clip art..I work with office applications and I use clip art alot.When i download the clipart it imbeds itself into the document automatically ..wondering if this is the same thing.?


I've went through the whole online tutorial, all pages on Adventure Maker..Mostly every link provided to make a game Links that showed you how to work with it..I've read sooo much I've almost given myself a migraine..lol but these were questions i have in addition.

[ottyk]

animations like that can be made with a lot of stuff.
i dont know any for sure but im sure someone else will know
i've had a play around with AM and im not sure it actually does animations.
(the free version anyway)
oh well, good luck

[~*Mercedes*~]

Thank you..! very much..

I've asked many questions..I've even edited my post to add more...poor Mistery..I'm an information junkie I can't help it..I can always refer back to these later too for future reference..as well as others i guess..


Thanks Mistery!! OMG.. I've been spelling your name with a Y..sorry about that.

[Mistery]

You can't do real animations with Adventure Maker itself. But you can import and play animations on frames or within hotspots.

But for the simulation of movements, there are much easier solutions: either by using two hotspots, or two frames.
E.g. picture is on the wall, when player clicks it, it "disappears" from the wall, and "appears" on the floor. So there is no shown movement of falling down, but you simulate in an easy manner that the picture falls down. Same for lifting of cushions, moving stools out of the way, opening windows, drawers etc.
You can do such things easily, and it's not necessary to add any videos or flash files. And they are enough for a room escape or point and click game.
Don't think about videos and flash right now, they are not necessary to make a game, they are additional possibilities, I haven't used them for my first games at all. You can come back to this topic at a later time

In Adventure Maker you can't slide panels by dragging them. The only thing you can drag, are items.

No, there is no image gallery of Adventure Maker. However, you can find on the internet free images that are not copyrighted (pay attention to only use material that is really free to use). There are even small libraries of photos that users upload for free use. It needs some googling to find them however.
Additionally you can find some links in the Adventure Maker forums:

http://www.adventuremaker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1262

You cannot download Google SketchUp models without having the software itself. These are not images, but 3D models with the specific file extension for Google SketchUp, and can only be used with it.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Google SketchUp comes with interactive tutorials that are good, and that you should follow. It is shown step-by-step what you can do, and you can try out these steps within the tutorial.

I would still recommend you not to read too much theory, but to download Adventure Maker, and start to play around with it. Take a look at the simple demo game (included in Adventure Maker) that is made without programming, follow the tutorials from the Help Document to make 2-3 demo games for yourself. After that you'll have a basic idea how to do things

[Lilliputt]

Well, I have made something... uh... that if you are REALLY nice you can call it animations () using Adventure Maker. It requires a LOT of patience and a LOT of pictures. You make a pic of a rat for example it the left side of the game screen, then you make a new picture with the rat a little bit more to the right and so on. Then you set the frames to change from one to the other using the timer. Voila you have a little (slightly clumsy perhaps) animation

[~*Mercedes*~]

Which game did you make...I'd like to play it..! is it here..?

[~*Mercedes*~]

Won't install

Mistery...it won't let me install the program...when i go to double click it on my desktop...it says..

"Set up files are corrupted..please obtain a new copy of the program"..

Should i have chose run instead of save?..man this sucks.. really wanted to play around with that today..sigh

[Mistery]

When you get a message about corrupted files, it usually means that the download was not successful (sth might be missing)

[~*Mercedes*~]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly..

Here's a question...when i go to the site there are five places to download from..mirrors...which one would you recomment...i wish they had their own download ..like not a mirror ..

And would u recommend run instead of save..?

[Lilliputt]

Which game did you make...I'd like to play it..! is it here..?

I made 2 games: Tilly in Trouble and Escape the Pizza Monster Both are here, yes.

I am sorry you are having trouble installing AM I hope you will get it working soon Mercedes

[~*Mercedes*~]

Oh your so sweet...I found you game last night..I went through all of your 3900 posts..lol..no just kidding..but i found it..Escape from the pizza monster and i played...left a comment as well..I just loved it..I would add it to my signature but im at my limit for characters..

And thank you..ive asked a question at thier forum too...I'm really anxious to play with this..I'm now downloading it from another mirror site..but in firefox..might make a difference, cause I.E. is safe and i have it set up to not accept downloads fomr non publishers..so its possible that while it stopped it last night..and i resumed it..by clicking the bar up top...it may not have downloaded properly...

Really hope this idea works..shame they only have mirror sites..as opposed to their own and having mirror sites in addition...

WEll all i can do is wait on the edge of my seat here for the next 35 min or so..