6 replies to this topic

[TheShatner]

Greetings, Game Maker community!
Here's the thing: I want to make an old-fashioned turn-based strategy game. The map could be basically a 2D flat thingy with 3D objects (like mountains, trees and whatnot) "attached" to the map. The units would be in 3D as well. To help you figure what I want to make, think Civilization IV with more "moveable" units.
From what I've researched online, it seems to be possible... However I want to make a moddable game: the player would be able to make new maps, new eye-candy objects, and even new civilizations and units and play with them. Is it possible to Game Maker pick up data from, say, a folder with the models and scripts for a new civilization and add them to the game, or playing on a map located in a certain folder?
I've looked for tutorials around the internet and Game Maker forum, but all I found was dated instructions to make Game Maker search for a txt file outside the game (which could not contain new models and scripts).

[TsukaYuriko]

Yes, all of this is possible. However, if you are new to GM, you won't be making that game anytime soon. You first need to learn the basics of programming simple games before you can even think about making a strategy game that isn't moddable. Once you've collected two or three years of experience, assuming you learn at a standard speed, you might be able to make this game and finish after around one or two years if you want it to be good. But for now, making this game is completely out of your range.

[TheShatner]

Thanks, TsukaYuriko. It seems that it's going to be an interesting challenge...

[vidokas]

little bit offtopic maybe.
but for new user i give you advice.
start writing document about your dream game.(items, skills, story...)
but not start making it. because some thigs looks very complex at first look, but in other way they are very easy(talking about programing)
and start learning and making simple games. after 1-3 years u will be good at game maker, and u will have very big document about your dream game with bunch of interesting ideas.

[sisyphus]

Greetings, Game Maker community!
Here's the thing: I want to make an old-fashioned turn-based strategy game. The map could be basically a 2D flat thingy with 3D objects (like mountains, trees and whatnot) "attached" to the map. The units would be in 3D as well. To help you figure what I want to make, think Civilization IV with more "moveable" units.
From what I've researched online, it seems to be possible... However I want to make a moddable game: the player would be able to make new maps, new eye-candy objects, and even new civilizations and units and play with them. Is it possible to Game Maker pick up data from, say, a folder with the models and scripts for a new civilization and add them to the game, or playing on a map located in a certain folder?
I've looked for tutorials around the internet and Game Maker forum, but all I found was dated instructions to make Game Maker search for a txt file outside the game (which could not contain new models and scripts).

It certainly is possible in fact i've been working on one over the past couple years! And Civilization IV was one of my biggest inspirations aswell. I used the same method of making units in 3d models and converting them to animated gif files to use on the map.
But the project became alot more work than I at first thought, so my word of advice is to channel your passion into making something more achievable in the short term to build up your knowledge and confidence in making games.

[TheShatner]

First of all, I couldn't help but notice that this community is actually pretty active and willing to help. It's almost like Good Guy Greg was one of the moderators...

little bit offtopic maybe.
but for new user i give you advice.
start writing document about your dream game.(items, skills, story...)
but not start making it. because some thigs looks very complex at first look, but in other way they are very easy(talking about programing)
and start learning and making simple games. after 1-3 years u will be good at game maker, and u will have very big document about your dream game with bunch of interesting ideas.

Thanks, vidokas. I'm already doing this, since I plan to kickstart the project on my vacation (which is coming soon ) I already have some experience as a programmer and game designer, so this part shouldn't be such a big deal. But indeed, some of the simplest concepts seem harder to implement than the most complex ones... Maybe I need to read more tutorials.

It certainly is possible in fact i've been working on one over the past couple years! And Civilization IV was one of my biggest inspirations aswell. I used the same method of making units in 3d models and converting them to animated gif files to use on the map.
But the project became alot more work than I at first thought, so my word of advice is to channel your passion into making something more achievable in the short term to build up your knowledge and confidence in making games.

Well, sisyphus... Civ IV is raw awesomeness, but my intentions are a lot less pretentious than that... And since I will be making this game only on my free time, it may take a while and I am not worried about getting disappointed at the long time it will take. I know it will be a VERY long time until I will publish this thing. But make sure we know when your project is coming up!

BTW, sorry about the off-topicness. Rookie stuff...

[sisyphus]

It certainly is possible in fact i've been working on one over the past couple years! And Civilization IV was one of my biggest inspirations aswell. I used the same method of making units in 3d models and converting them to animated gif files to use on the map.
But the project became alot more work than I at first thought, so my word of advice is to channel your passion into making something more achievable in the short term to build up your knowledge and confidence in making games.

Well, sisyphus... Civ IV is raw awesomeness, but my intentions are a lot less pretentious than that... And since I will be making this game only on my free time, it may take a while and I am not worried about getting disappointed at the long time it will take. I know it will be a VERY long time until I will publish this thing. But make sure we know when your project is coming up!

BTW, sorry about the off-topicness. Rookie stuff...

Looks like you got the right attitude to do it btw I am happy to give tips on programming problems you may encounter developing this - as you say some of the simplest concepts can be the most complex ones! There are few strategy games made in Game Maker (relative to the barrage of platformers anyway ) so I would like to encourage other strategy projects as much as I can!
Working on Chickens vs Farmers is taking most of my time atm (this is a turn based strategy game btw, but not like Civilization, its more akin to Worms Armaggedon). Hopefully I can get a team together to build my current Civ-clone engine into a fully playable game.