Hello everyone,
I’ve been working on a quick “grey box” map for testing different types of game mechanics out for a isometric survival game that I’ve been slowly planning. I was just curious about how you all go about making your games. Do you start with making a story or creating/testing the mechanics first on a makeshift map? I’ve done a little research on the topic and it seems that there is really no absolute right or wrong answer. Would love to hear others opinions on this.
i start not with story or mechanics, but with the setting, and with the setting i think on potential mechanics with it.
like, medieval fantasy, can have sword fighting mechanics, can have magic, and magic can drain both your health and mana and so on.
i guess most of my games started like that. with an setting.
Hey that’s definitely a good point 
I can see how considering the setting first would be a good starting point on a new project.
I would absolutely go for mechanics and theme (setting) first, then graphics, then the story finally.
is that screenshot from project zomboid?
Hi, That’s my grey box map I’ve been playing with. I used MagicaVoxel to create those assets. I’ve been designing them in 3d then I render them as 2d PNG files in the isometric perspective
Also thanks for your opinion, It’s good hearing other’s opinions instead of just going based off of what I think is the way to do it. Your the second to mention Theme’s(setting) which is something i definitely need to been focusing on more
I don’t think there’s a right answer here as it really depends what you’re interested in and what kind of game you’re thinking of making. When i started my first game it was all about the story as id started with a platform template - bosh! There’s the game mechanics on a plate with all the usual things you’d expect from a metroidvania platformer. But now I’m more interested in creating original game mechanics and so i start there. The chances of financial reward are so slim that you’ve really got to head off in a direction that interests you.
Those graphics are amazing, by the way!
The chances of financial reward are so slim…
Very true, it amazes me how many games are released each day and most of them get barley any plays or downloads at most. I guess that’s kind of where “pre-marketing” comes into play and even still you really need to have something unique that vibe’s with your audience.
I was actually trying to do an isometric survival game once, but couldn’t be bothered drawing so much pixel art so I stopped.
i dont think there is a right or wrong answer.
think of it like this..
If you start with the story, you then have to figure out how you can interpret the story into an experience.
if you start with the gameplay, you then have to figure out how to make a story that ties into the gameplay.
theyre really the same thing…
but i have a way of doing it everyone hates: start with graphics and story first
Which makes it really immersive, and i just think thats such an incredibly important part of a game.
After all, its just what youre going for. They made terraria to be super fun. But some games are set out to change your life.
But who knows! im an artist, storyteller, and musician. Of course i started with everything that evokes the most emotion.
I understand that. I got a pretty good workflow down for myself so I can create Isometric graphics somewhat quickly depending how good(or bad!) I need them to be.
