What you would like to see in a Game

[Konekodemon]

This is to talk about what types of Pokemon PC games you would like to see. Games not hacks. I'd like to see a game with every region from the show and games in it. It would have a different storyline in it depending on what type of trainer you want to be and what region you start in.

Plus you can start out with any first form Pokemon you want that isn't a legendary. Speaking of legendarys, there would be an event in game for catching every legendary. Plus you can customize your character anyway you want. The name screen holds up to 20 spaces instead of 7 or 8.

The Contests play out just like on the anime instead of like the games. You take a boat to each region, instead of swimming there. And best of all no more reading text when someone talks, they talk with voices. The game would be in 3D, like the type of 3D the Gamecube and Wii games are in.

And it would have the effect that the new HeartGold/SoulSilver has where the first Pokemon in your party follows you around and you can talk to it, and all your Pokemon talk like how they talk on the anime.

And lastly an option to make more then one character, to make a character to travel around with. I'd love it if someone could make this game for me. It sounds pretty fun. But yea I know, too hard to make. I know though that there are some people out there who are very talented at this stuff.

 

[lx_theo]

Those are some good ideas there, though most seem pretty lofty and I think most people would be hesitant to take on one of the more lofty ones like especially every region, voices, and 3d, let alone everyone of them. But they are good ideas.

 

[Misty4Life]

I have to say, these ideas do sound very interesting. I've always thought that anime contests were better than game contests, and I had never even thought of being able to customize characters other than yourself. However, I'm very skeptical about the voices and starting out with any Pokemon. Starting out with any Pokemon other than a legendary would make once rare Pokemon easy to have and will let you have evolved forms ahead of time. With voices, it would take a tremendous amount of time and voice talent to pull of sound dialogue for a game, and personally I do not think it would fit well. The 3D idea is probably possible but it will take, once again, a great deal of time. Plus, well-designed 2-D can be just as satisfactory. Having every region is also possible(and I support a game attempting this) but this can be too large a goal for most. As far as having a different storyline, that's why different games are made. If a game has more than one storyline, its more than one game in itself.(If that made any sense at all XD)

But yes, these ideas are certainly pursueable. I wish luck to anyone that attempts one of these.

 

[PokemonOI]

I would just like to see something good again. Not that all the games around here are bad cause thats not true. I just miss when the majority of the game showcase was good games and new updates from good games were frequent. Nowadays you can come here and its all dry and no posts...nothing has happened.

 

[Neo-Dragon]

I want to see a game that doesn't just tack on a feature or put together mouse control for the hell of it. I want to see a game that makes a feature a key part to the gameplay experience.

Oh.... and....

I was looking at PokemonOI's post and I agree.
The worst thing that happened to this community was when the younger generation (I don't mean in age, I mean members who joined in around 2008) came to the section.
They posted in no ones else's thread but their own. Could be to help their ego, could be just because of lack of being online here at pokecommunity (I doubt that second one).
But that worked as a double edged sword, and the people who I grew up developing with- me included actually- got a bit of a ego too. Because the newer (that's a better them then younger lol) generation were making games that just couldn't get to the level we were already on, we only posted in our own threads.
So everyones thread just fell flat really and the sense of community kinda faded.

I find it hard to think when some members (a small amount, but you know who you are) actually went into another game thread and offered help or advice rather then just view the thread (I see you looking at the thread in the active user list) and take 2 minutes out of your internet life to leave a comment.

 

[mugenhavok]

people being:decapitated,disembowled and other gorey stuff as like finishing moves

 

[~JV~]

Well, actually, I don't really like 90% of the games in the showcase actually, oh god... the best era for me here was Christmas 2008, this community was bustling with awesome developpers and amazing criticizers ^^. Well, I agree with Neo about the post thing, my thread for example is dying out =/, actually, the only game that really gets a fairly large amount of posts everyday is Malachite somehow ^^. We should stop just talking (posting) and do something to change that.

 

[Neo-Dragon]

I don't think 90% of the games are bad. I love some of the games here, and love the developers. It's just a shame they never leave a comment on other games and help support other games too. It takes 2 minutes to make a post. If anyone wants your own game to do well it terms of support, you could try win people over and be nice and help out your fellow developers with some kind words. As I'm sure every developer here knows, it can make your day to see some nice posts.

 

[Birdybot]

I wish they would invent virtual reality which doesn't hurt your eyes or anything. A virtual reality Pokémon game would be sweeeeeet.

 

[T3h Kaiser]

I don't think 90% of the games are bad. I love some of the games here, and love the developers. It's just a shame they never leave a comment on other games and help support other games too. It takes 2 minutes to make a post. If anyone wants your own game to do well it terms of support, you could try win people over and be nice and help out your fellow developers with some kind words. As I'm sure every developer here knows, it can make your day to see some nice posts.

I can agree with this. It seems to me like the only threads that garner alot of activity are the ones with projects that aren't thought out all the way, or are just simply bad ideas; you know the ones I speak of, I'm sure. The only exceptions to this are the projects that have existed for several months, and have built their own following.

I've only gotten two replies in my own thread, but I still try to support other projects and offer my advice. In my mind, that's really the only way we'll see quality products emerge from fan game development communities. Ideas need to be circulated better, otherwise the whole community will stagnate.

 

[Alistair]

Here are the three things that I look for in a game: Thought, Effort, and Quality. I know, I might say alot about the official games, but these are some points I believe to be valid.

Thought - I want to see the developer post a decently fleshed out storyline. It can be a bit cliché, as everything anyone tries now is, but it can't be an exact copy of the official games. The story also has to be at least somewhat engaging, as to drive the players to continue on. This includes text, too. In-game characters also need to be balanced. There should always be a balance of characters that aren't liked, and characters that are loved, even if it includes characters that were already in a Pokémon game. The difficulty curve is another thing that requires thought. In the official games, the curve is perfectly balanced, so long as you actually battle. Fangames should have the same amount of thought put into them when deciding on wild Pokémon levels and trainers' Pokémon levels. Thought should also be paid attention to when making the world of the fangame. If you take a look at the official games, there are very little dead-ends and straight-away routes in the world. I have noticed that many people like to use these things, and it really only promotes backtracking, something that many players (including myself) hate. Mapping is another thing that requires a lot of thought that many people never take into consideration. The Pokémon world is meant to be open and free, without restricting the player's movement or making it look like the scenery was vomitted onto the map. Playability should come first.

Effort - The developer should at least try as hard as possible to make his/her game. If someone makes a suggestion for a change that could better the gameplay, try it out. If you don't like it, come to a compromise. Also, developers should ad least try to make a solution for themselves rather than relying on others from the get-go. I understand that everyone isn't capable of doing everything, but developers should at least try to come up with a solution of their own. If someone cannot make up their own solution, then ask. Developers can also help themselves by posting in other people's topics. They can reflect on their own work and wee wht they can do to make it better.

Quality - Games should follow a specific style and stick with it. While I understand that the limiting factor here is the availablility of resources, or lack thereof, developers chould at least try to keep the style consistant. Many a fangame I have noticed has an extreme variable graphics quality. Overworld sprites and menu sprites should be consistant. I am not going to point out anyone in particular, but some fangames that use Fakemon over the years have had a varying quality in regards to the Fakemon. If one doesn't fit, make it fit. Don't just throw it in there and say "Ehh... that's fine." Fakemon can be great, but only if they're done correctly. If a developer is trying to put in a new feature, and it's not coming along too well, don't post about it or get some help.

Here are some additional things I'd like to say. For your thread, post count doesn't matter. It's the quality of the posts that really should help. I've noticed that in big threads, especially in the Raptor thread, post quality is really low. It really helps no one but the ego of the developer. Also, making fangames should be about fun or done as a hobby, but if you want to get anywhere, at least try. Using the Essentials starterkit and the map editor in RPG Maker does not make a good game.

Just my 2 cents. I can really relate to what Neo-Dragon is saying about the community, though. Even though my registration date says March 24, 2005, I was a member long before that (though I was a lurker and lost my username and password), and I have seen the community change over the years. He is right on the nose when he says that around 2008 is when things declined. People just aren't really helping eachother out anymore, unless they can have their name thrown onto a credits list or whatever. I remember PMing the ex-mod DarkMage31 with some stuff that I needed help with when I had my old account, and he was very quick to help me. I mainly asked his opinion for things, but he still helped out. Now, I realize that he was a mod, but normal members should help out the same way, regardless of rank or position. Posting in another member's thread with your thoughts on the game is not only common courtesy, but also a way to tell people how they can improve.

Oops, added 2 more cents. Considering the length of this post, I think I'm actually up to five. >.<

 

[~JV~]

I never said I think they are bad, I just don't sympathise and know the developpers like I did before, by that time, I known everyone and used to exchange ideas and favors with them all the time. I used to receive a lot of vms and pms everyday, now, since I don't know anyone and the ones I know look like they are hiding behind a rock, I just don't have any new vms etc. Thats what I wanted to say.

Alistair: You have a really good point of view there, I totally agree with you, mainly in the quality bit ;].

 

[PokemonOI]

I want to see a game that doesn't just tack on a feature or put together mouse control for the hell of it. I want to see a game that makes a feature a key part to the gameplay experience.

Oh.... and....

I was looking at PokemonOI's post and I agree.
The worst thing that happened to this community was when the younger generation (I don't mean in age, I mean members who joined in around 2008) came to the section.
They posted in no ones else's thread but their own. Could be to help their ego, could be just because of lack of being online here at pokecommunity (I doubt that second one).
But that worked as a double edged sword, and the people who I grew up developing with- me included actually- got a bit of a ego too. Because the newer (that's a better them then younger lol) generation were making games that just couldn't get to the level we were already on, we only posted in our own threads.
So everyones thread just fell flat really and the sense of community kinda faded.

I find it hard to think when some members (a small amount, but you know who you are) actually went into another game thread and offered help or advice rather then just view the thread (I see you looking at the thread in the active user list) and take 2 minutes out of your internet life to leave a comment.

Here what I think about this, and I also have a question. First off do I fit in to this 2008 category? I came around that time and I think the things around here were kinda swell, but maybe cause thats all I've known. Second I wont lie I may fit in the category of not posting much in other threads. but nowadays it seems like its the only way to not be the talk around here. you can try and help someone and they'll yes SPAM or just spazz on you for trying to help. I could post outside of malachite more often no doubt.

Well, actually, I don't really like 90% of the games in the showcase actually, oh god... the best era for me here was Christmas 2008, this community was bustling with awesome developpers and amazing criticizers ^^. Well, I agree with Neo about the post thing, my thread for example is dying out =/, actually, the only game that really gets a fairly large amount of posts everyday is Malachite somehow ^^. We should stop just talking (posting) and do something to change that.

I agree, no disrespect to newer games in the showcase, but lately games that seem as if they should be in the PSIS are appearing in the GS. Also malachite isnt the only game that gets posts Raptor does too...Kinda y people even come here lol The only way I manage to squeeze out a few posts is by updating my thread and even then if its not a massive update there will be few posts.

I don't think 90% of the games are bad. I love some of the games here, and love the developers. It's just a shame they never leave a comment on other games and help support other games too. It takes 2 minutes to make a post. If anyone wants your own game to do well it terms of support, you could try win people over and be nice and help out your fellow developers with some kind words. As I'm sure every developer here knows, it can make your day to see some nice posts.

Yes, but does nice posts effect the quality of the game? that seems to be an issue aswell. Good games are being over shadowed by not so good ones. Its like being a "New" game is in.

 

[Freak A]

well the
QS here is wht you would like to see in a game and not "post wht ever you hate about new fangames" i think there is a post already for tht

 

[Neo-Dragon]

PokemonOI, yeah you fall into that group. If you liked the community in mid 09, you would of loved it around late 2006-mid 2007 (and earlier).
I'm not putting a spotlight on just you and blaming solely you, but members that joined around your time and later just don't post outside their thread- if rarely more then 2 posts per week outside it lol. I believe you even said yourself you should post outside your thread more often. It's just something that kind of became the norm for the section.
And yeah nice posts matter a lot to a game, I know for a fact that if I didn't get them I would of gave up on Protectors at least twice now, before each major revamp.

FreakA is kinda right - there is already a thread for what annoys you about fan games but it's nice to see members open up and post there thoughts- as it's rarely happening ha. Really though. We are answering that question- both Alistar and myself in my first post pretty much summed up what everyone wants in a fan game.

 

[Freak A]

I post outside my thread but my posts are usually in other sections of the community like the "Other Trivia" and other stuff.

O and i some times post on games i like.

Like i post on malachite,blue crome and most of all raptor.

but actually in this i must say tht wht i like about fan games is creativity both in story and in maps. That is actually the sole purpose im working for any other game because most games which have me as a team member or in their credits are usually using some of my stories or maps.

 

[Maruno]

I like to see interesting things in games. They don't necessarily have to be big things, like a new mystical legendary you're inevitably going to meet and capture. Small things are just as good, like a "Caught in Viridian Forest" comment in a Pokémon's summary screen, or a new kind of Poké Ball or a new style of side quest (like the "show me a big Feebas" one in the third Generation, I think it was). How about new Pokédex entries?

I also like games that pander more to me than to the main audience of the franchise. That is, let it grow up a bit. I don't mean put violence and sex in all over the place; just make it a little more mature. Being less pushy about the plot, I think, is another good thing that can manage this. Let the player do their own gaming, and don't tell them to go to Silph Co and defeat Team Rocket and then go to Saffron City and... Subtle hints are fine, but sublte is not a character saying, "Hey, I suddenly heard that Generictown is being attacked by Team Nasty! Someone should stop them! Hint hint."

Along the same lines is to not explain the plot too much. Let things happen without the player noticing (like the Lake Trio being caught off-screen). It's very unrealistic to have the player witness first hand every major and minor event in the world.

Also along the same lines, how about being different? I don't care how good they look, I'm not going to play a direct remake of an existing game, especially if absolutely nothing is different (same map layout and dialogue and everything). Everyone has their own spin on the Pokéworld, so why not show it? If you don't think legendary pokémon are literal gods, then bring that across in your game. Yes, the official games sold big time, but something that plays exactly like one of them isn't going to be as interesting.

Some surprises would be nice, too. Don't reveal every single feature and plot twist of your game in its thread, because then there's nothing to look forward to.

I suppose the most important thing I'd like to see in a game is it being finished. But that's just me being picky.

 

[zirico]

I don't really post must in the Game Developmet thread, although it was Arcane's PTLW that brought me here, I do however remember what it was like even as early as early 2009 when the threads of Protectors, TLW, Raptor and Amethyst etc. were booming and growing every day. Now every time I check out the Games showcase I see that the last posts were yesterday, and even when I look at the threads, they're the same people posting on each one. There is also less updates and less progress being made on games atm.

There also seems to be less enthusiasm and exitement around here from when I first started coming here in mid 08.
I don't know if my observations are correct, because like I said I don't spend much time around this section. Things do seem to have got a bit stale around here recently though.

 

[DestinyBender]

Yesh, when I bought my first Pokémon game, I thought you could actually hear the cries from the anime. How dumb.

And, I like the ideas of the 3D. It would be cool.

But the voices.. i dont know. That could take at least 1 year to get all voices, with JAP versions as well. I don't really like that idea, but it would seem mandatory if the game wanted to be more enjoyable.