2D VS. 3D Game Development

#1

HEY FOLKS :scream: !! So, recently I’ve been working on a game project (secret :smiley:), and I was wondering what would be the best format/platform to develop it on. Basically, I can reveal that the game I’m focusing on creating will be a Action/RPG, with a very Open/Immersive game world (think Zelda+GTA=THIS) At first, I was feeling that producing the project in 2D would be the best, but since I do 3D modeling as well, I felt that it would be more efficient for this type of game, but now I feel like developing it in 3D might be too complex/difficult, and 2D would be easier/quicker… (Yea, I’m mixed up :rolleyes: ).

Anyway, I have some skill in 3D Modeling/Animation (3DS Max, Lightwave, Maya), 2D Drawing/Animation (PhotoShop, After Effects), Digital Sound/Music (Cubase, Acid Pro, Sonic Foundry), Game Design (3D GameStudio, Unreal Engine, ARM7) and a little knowledge of Programming (Basic, C/C++).

Now, with this above experience in mind, I’m trying to figure out the best path of producing this game. On one hand I know that making the game in 3D, will allow me to create a more dynamic, and cinematic experience. Still, 2D will give me more creativity, and make it more accessible. So… what’s your opinion :shrug: ?!

#2

Also, another important factor of this gaming project, is that I want to make it Available/Compatible for as much hardware as possible. So, I was brainstorming and figured “what if I made this game on older gaming platforms (SNES, Sega CD, WonderSwan, GBA, PlayStation, etc)”. By doing this, it would allow anyone with this hardware running (Console, or Emulator) to run this game. This mean even popular current/new systems (PC, PS2, X-Box, PPC, PSP, etc) could have this game playing on them. Although before I could even go in to this, I need to know how possible is this.

Now I know I would need sometype of SDK for these classic machines. I also would need to understand whats really required to develop for this hardware. Finally, I was wondering if its possible to acquire a lincense for these older platforms ?! So anyway… HIT ME WITH THE INFO:thumbsup: !!

#3

So does anyone know ANYBODY have any tips/info on this topic :shrug: ?!

#4

sounds like you have the wrong skills.

I wouldn’t make a game for such old platforms - not many people are using emulators…the best way would be to go the standard way and develop for windows.

the biggest problem is that you only have little knowledge in programming - and that’s the biggest part of the project. so either you take a deeper look at c++ or you have to find a programmer for your project.

if you decide to make it 3d I would start by taking a look at the game engines thread here (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=89406). pick one and get familiar with it.

#5

Thx for the info/comments IC4, think they might come in handy :slight_smile: !! So yea, I agree my skills might not be to adequate for this entire project. I’ll be the first to admit my programming skills are mediocre at best, but I’am in the progress of learning more (Studying/Majoring in CIS currently in College :deal:). Still, they are few guys/gals I know, who might be willing to help in the programming stages (and other areas) of this project.

  When it comes to desinging this game for older consoles/hardware ([b]SNES, WonderSwan, GBA, PS1, etc[/b]), is that I would like to make it playable on as many Current/Popular platforms ([b]PC, PPC, PS2, X-Box, PSP, etc[/b]) as possible. I'am especially concern about making this game playable on the new [b]PSP[/b] Handheld, because its a hot spot for anything homebrew now (and plus its fun as hell 2 play on the go :buttrock:). The main reason for all of this is that making independent game/features for popular hardware, will allow me to open up to a larger audience.

Still, if the above idea is to00 far fetch :rolleyes:, than I’m more than ready to put more focus on doing a 3D Game Project. For awhile now, I have already had the software for this. Currently for a 3D Game I will use:

*GAME ENGINE: A6 3D GameStudio:
Been playing around with this program since 2001 (still have the A4 Version). The Level/Script Editior are pretty nice (can’t say the same for the Model Editor), the extended features are cool, the Community is AWESOME, and having the freedom to either Program/Code using the simpler C-Script, or more advance C++ is icing on the cake.

*3D SOFTWARE: 3DS Max:
IMO, 3DS Max has the best UI, and best capabilities compared to other 3D Software.

*2D SOFTWARE: PhotoShop CS2 (Deep Paint):
Photoshop is vital whenever I do anything revovling around 2D Graphics. Although, when 3D texturing comes into hand, I enjoy adding Deep Paint to the mix.

*SOUND/MUSIC SOFTWARE: Sonic Foundry, & Cubase:
Both these programs come in handy when Editing/Creating Audio, and producing digital music.

So either way, I'm gonna make this game project work somehow :thumbsup: !!
#6

Hmmm. :smiley:

I agree with ditching the idea of writing the game for emulators etc and go for Windows. Also, I’d leave the 3D for another day - its a huge undertaking even for one with strong programming skills.

You have a variety of skills which will come in handy down the line, but for now I would put them aside and knuckle down to learning C++ as it is the important part of game development.

After hearing that, you’ll be a little disappointed but here is some advice to learning how to become a formidable C++ programmer…

  1. Take a year out to learn. Trust me, the effort is more than worth it.

  2. Get a book that covers the basics of the C language( I recommend sams “Teach yourself C in 21 days” as it contains primers on C++ and Java ) and slowly work your way through the book and its exercises.

  3. Write a few small programs - one or two menu apps is a good start. Keep’em simple, though!

  4. After all that, you can start to get serious( as in “know your shit”! ) with the C++ language. Hunt down “The Complete Reference C++” by Herbert Schildt and slowly work your way through that book. Cover the whole damn thing! :wise:

Once you have done all this you can then move on with full confidence to producing a game. Remember that with each concept learned, you are you are getting closer to becoming a solid C++ programmer.

I wish you the very best! :beer:

#7

Hey, Thx for the comments Boone, I really appreciate them :). It will be awhile before this project ever fully kicks off the ground, and I clearly understand it won’t be easy. I’m in the process of studying Programing threw CIS courses in College now :wise:. I actually bought the Learn C++ In 21 Days (Years ago), but I think I have it misplace somewhere (hopefully I canfind it):shrug:. Anyway, I’m prepared to take the long route in this project, to get some quality work done. I’m planning on taking Game Design at CCS (College Of Creative Studies) this Fall, and hopefully that will help my progress. Anyway, Thx again :scream: !!

#8

Here are my 2 cents,

2D games are not dead… take the gameboy for example… its still selling titles and even the new DS which supports 3d in greater detail than the previous game boys (all of them supported it it just killed them :P)

but the market is still profitable. now if you are doing this for the pc (and free) your fan base will be limited but usualy satisfied, with the level 3d games are at these days there is alot to stand up to… its not like quake 1 where all you needed was a 3d enviroment and colored models to be a cool free 3d game, you have to support advanced lighting, vast landscapes… rich enviroments. it becomes demanding and the team requirements are rather large compaired to a 2d game.

there are several engines that are open source for 2d and 3d games that can relax your load and keep things simple and efficient although most require you stay under a GPL (meaning free and open source)

the quake 2 modding community has made nice work of the quake 2 engine and one project is rather close to replicating doom3 :smiley:

ClanLib is quite nice for 2D game development an nice bunch of games have run off of it and it supports both linux and windows platforms

#9

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