   Visual Game creation
  Hey guys, I wrote up a piece about my thoughts on game creation. Take a look:http://bytemonster.tumblr.com/post/916498657/visual-video-game-creation   
  You seem to assume that programming stifles creativity. Perhaps this is true for some, but certainly not for all. You also say that 'the industry' needs to innovate in tools that enable non-programmers to create games, but I see no compelling arguments to back that up. What's in it for them (and who exactly do you mean with 'the industry')?Also, it seems you've overlooked the proverbial elephant in the room: Flash. The vast majority of Flash games is of rather poor quality (tools do not make up for lack of skill or experience), but there are some interesting games out there, and it does allow many to express their creativity (and many more to show their lack of creativity, heh).In the end, video games are simply harder to create than home-made movies, music and pictures. But that's mainly because they're much more complex, not because the tools are lacking. You'll need to specify behavior somehow, and a scripting language is a natural choice for that. This could perhaps further be visualized (several editors do provide some form of visual scripting), but that's only form. The underlying process is the same. Once you're defining rules, you're programming.I think it'd be more interesting if you had written down your expectations of such a non-programmers tool. Right now, I don't see what actual problem it would solve. That is, I'm not convinced that we need to enable non-programmers to create games. I'd argue that someone who really wants to should invest some time learning a scripting language (Actionscript, Lua, Python, etc.), or he can start modifying an existing game, or perhaps he'll find a programmer to team up with.   ;  I have to agree with Captain P. Your arguments are specious, and, frankly, come across more as sour grapes, than as a valid observation.I do, however, understand (and empathize with) your desire to express yourself and want easier-to-use tools to do that.But, creators of games have made them artforms for the very reason that they know how to combine ideas with code. Rembrandt created masterpieces of art not because he had brushes and paint, but because he was able to use his knowledge and experience of light and colors with his ability to use those brushes and paint to express his ideas.Your argument sounds a bit like: "I have some ideas and want to make a really good picture. I don't want to learn how to use brushes or paint or canvas. I want to write some ideas on a piece of paper, throw it a box, shake the box and pull out a masterpiece."Even given a do-it-all-with-just-ideas application, those who're willing to go to more effort will create games that that application can't touch.   ;to record a CD you need to learn to play an instrument (although listening to lots of bands you wouldnt think so :D )...and that isn't something that comes easy at all. And even when you've achieved your level on the instrument you'll have to work incredibly hard to write the songs, arrange, record, and mix (you or whoever is going to do this for you)... recording your "performance" on guitar hero doesn't count.to make a movie the same procedure applies, no, recording yourself on the bicycle in the garden and edit it in movie maker is not making a movie. A real movie, a movie that people will pay money to go and watch will take an incredible amount of talented people, tools, hard work and resource to make.i don't understand why you think it should be any different for game making. computer games are programs, to write programs you need to use programming language as simple as that. Once the average-joe will be able to do his own game, would there be a game industry in the first place?Art isn't just about ideas and talent, it is also about hard work to make it accessible... think about a novel writer, do you think a 500 pages bestseller gets written by a "gimp"-like software where you input ur characters' details and behaviours?Perhaps the only exception would be modern painting.. but I am not into that sort of things, so I am happy no game developer can make a red line on the screen and call it art.;  You guys are right in many ways, although as much as programming is way better than gamemaker, I think that we still need some tools in order to get people who are intimidated by programming (especially math for me), so that they can get a jump start to learn what making a game is about.   ;Quote:...so that they can get a jump start to learn what making a game is about.Then MOD something. Depending on the complexity of what you are aiming for, there are many games out there that let you just jump into the fray by modifying variables, triggers, and art. All the behaviors, engine, and base assets are right there to use.   There are very few new games out there, and most the differences are in story, art, and the occasional gimmick mechanic. Thats why engines like unreal sell so well in the game industry, since the "generic FPS" has a very set core to it most the time.Want to do something cool with an RTS? make maps in Warcraft3 or Starcraft2. Their editor is very powerful.Want to do something cool in an fps? mod quake, unreal, crysis. Alien swarm just came out on steam recently, and it started as a mod of unreal.I'd like to know what you are considering as your "cool idea". At least 50% of the ideas posted in this forum revolve around a classic "i want X but with Y", and many times that means just making a mod.   ;Quote:Original post by danlthemanlYou guys are right in many ways, although as much as programming is way better than gamemaker, I think that we still need some tools in order to get people who are intimidated by programming (especially math for me), so that they can get a jump start to learn what making a game is about.That's more or less where your argument fell flat for me: why should people like that be able to create games? I'm not saying I don't want you to, but you make it sound like it's some universal right or something...Either way, most programming I do isn't all that math-heavy, and as I said, there are various languages and toolsets available that are pretty easy to learn and use. But I actually started out by modding existing games, specifically Half-Life. I wasn't a programmer back then, I just created levels and models, but it did teach me a lot about game-development. So I think that what you're looking for already exists, just not in the specific form that you have in mind.So if you want to get creative, go try some stuff. There's not going to be a perfect tool. Use what you've got. :)   