Game Making: Start By Healing the Player

The meta-game concept in "Under the Legend" originally developed by Chen Xu opened up a new idea for many game designers in the industry.

And after that, the independent game circle also broke out a wave of meta-games.

The second time was when "Killing Kitchen" and "Jelly Bean Man" were launched. The cooperation and variety show style also inspired many game designers.

But the "Dark Souls" and "Two Walks" after that, although they also inspired many designers.

That's the lack of good two-player co-op games, and players' acceptance of **** games is higher than expected.

But for the gameplay and settings of the game itself, for many game designers, there is basically no reference.

Because this is an improvement brought about by comprehensive quality, at the same time, many small factories and independent game designer teams cannot bear the cost risk at all.

And now the emergence of "Don't Starve", as well as the so-called sandbox game type of "Don't Starve", has made many game designers feel bright.

Although so far, all game designers have not understood the core concepts of "Don't Starve" and the concept of sandbox games.

For example, the success of "Don't Starve" is in the gameplay of survival, or in the gameplay of collection and construction in the game, or other invisible reasons.

But it's undeniable that Don't Starve this type of game is completely tryable.

Because it has one of the most basic elements, that is, "Don't Starve" is not a big-budget production.

From the art resources of Don't Starve, as well as the scale of the finished product, this is obviously a standard indie team game.

And small-scale production, which means that the cost of trial and error is small.

Moreover, from the perspective of the overall external framework, for many designers, it is far easier to replicate the success of "Don't Starve" than "Dark Souls".

Because the theme of the game "Don't Starve" is very clear, that is, by simulating a sandbox world with rich content, and then allowing players to better survive in this world.

The only problem is how to do this in other sandbox games.

On a certain forum in the industry, many well-known independent game designers, as well as some designers from second- and third-tier manufacturers, are discussing the advantages, disadvantages and directions of "Don't Starve".

"It feels like sandbox games are a very promising direction!"

"The Nebula game platform feels like it's on the rise. According to the currently announced sales, the sales in the first month will probably be around 4 million, and this is only the sales of Nebula games on a single platform!"

"Don't talk about the Nebula game platform. It has nothing to do with us at all. Let's talk about the sandbox gameplay of Don't Starve."

"Actually, I feel that "Famine" is a relatively clear direction, that is, a clear goal with rich elements, think about the main theme of "Famine" is survival, and all the designs are centered around 'survival' This is the goal, so I think a sandbox game should be a relatively large map, with a core theme of gameplay, but without restricting players."

"Yes, replacing survival with other things is actually completely feasible. For example, setting the theme of the game is treasure hunting, and there are various tombs in the game world, and we do not restrict the direction players can explore the tombs. Add some randomness and it feels like a sandbox."

"Yes, the technology tree in Don't Starve can be completely banned by the skill tree, such as treasure hunting sandbox games. Every time a player finds a new treasure, they can use the treasure obtained to associate with the skill tree to learn new ones. Skill."

In the forum, game designers from all walks of life are discussing what is the focus of sandbox games.

Every designer has their own corresponding ideas.

……………………

In the rest area of ​​Nebula Games, Ruan Ningxue was also playing "Famine". Behind her, Yang Xin and others were watching.

In this archive, Ruan Ningxue has successfully lived for more than 60 days, and the season is summer.

"Xiaoxue, your base should be the largest in the company!"

"That's right, how long have you been mad, Sister Xue?"

The people standing behind Ruan Ningxue said.

Various traps, as well as framed pig houses, and boxes to store supplies.

Crops such as berry bushes planted in rows are even more numerous.

There are also numerous dogtooth traps placed at the entrance to the home.

The entire home was surrounded by grass walls.

"Neither!" Ruan Ningxue's face was full of smiles.

While chatting with Yang Xin and the others, Ruan Ningxue was also checking her dog's tooth trap.

Because the hounds are about to attack her.

But how can this be done? She has so many dogtooth traps.

But when the hound group appeared and saw a few red figures, Ruan Ningxue's expression changed: "Damn, I forgot to refill the fire extinguisher!"

"What's the matter? Didn't all the hounds be killed?" Yang Xin was in charge of the plot mode. She didn't know the characteristics of monsters, and she herself hadn't lived in the game for 20 days, so she saw Ruan Ningxue's Behaving strangely.

But the next moment she understood.

After the death of the red hound, a flame appeared on the spot.

Then, in Ruan Ningxue's gray expression, the fire began to spread.

Pig houses, berry bushes, saplings...until the fire devoured two-thirds of the base.

All kinds of burning buildings, the fiery flames, looking horizontally and vertically, showed the word despair.

Yang Xin and everyone standing behind also shook their heads with emotion.

And this tragic situation, in fact, this is what most players have encountered in "Famine".

It's okay to die because of some accidents. After all, it's a hundred deaths. What's really tragic is that due to some accidents, his base has been wiped out.

In this case, the full expression of what is called life is better than death.

"Stop playing, I'm tired..." Looking at the burning picture on the screen, Ruan Ningxue silently used AIT+F4 to quit the game.

"This game is always full of surprises, just like life." Chen Xu, who had just arrived in the rest area to take a break, also saw the whole process of Ruan Ningxue's mental breakdown, and couldn't help but say with a smile.

A very philosophical sentence, but all the people present rolled their eyes.

"By the way, Mr. Chen, recently, many game designers in the industry are discussing our "Don't Starve" and the topic of sandbox games. I feel that there will be a large number of sandbox games blowout in the future!" What did Qin Yi think of? , said to Chen Xu.

"I've been paying attention, but their focus is a little off." Chen Xu nodded, but shook his head again.

"The point is crooked?" Hearing Chen Xu's words, everyone showed curious expressions.

"What do you think is the core point of sandbox games?" Chen Xu asked.

"Survival and freedom?"

"No, it feels like collecting and surviving should be equally important."

People were discussing with each other.

However, Chen Xu didn't wait for them to summarize, and continued to answer: "Creation! This is the core of sandbox games."

"Creativity leads to exploration, which is the core gameplay of sandbox games. Simply put, it allows players to use the materials provided by the game to create what they want, and then use the things they create to explore a wider world. "Chen Xu looked at the crowd and said.

The current discussion in the game industry, from the perspective of Chen Xu's previous life, is actually justified, but it is not completely correct.

On the contrary, it is more inclined to part of the two elements of box garden games and open world games. As for sandbox games, although "Don't Starve" gives players a strong goal of survival, its core concept does revolve around the creation of survival.

Survival is just a strong goal to keep players from getting lost.

Listening to Chen Xu's words, everyone seemed to understand a little but not completely.

"When the next game is developed, you will understand what I mean." Chen Xu smiled.

next game?

The crowd is excited.

"Mr. Chen, is it so fast?" Ruan Ningxue and Yang Xin were shocked.

After all, "Don't Starve" has only been online for less than two weeks!

"Compared to "Don't Starve", the new game cycle will be longer. In the first few months of our work, we will focus on new games. Of course, we are just telling you now. Everyone's main work is to operate the MOD of Don't Starve and develop the follow-up DLC at the same time." Chen Xu said.