Prototyping, as well as something I need to say

Hi everyone!

Nothing like a bit of time pressure. I spoke to mum about organising some playtesters, and she went ahead and arranged around FIFTEEN of them! I’ve now got to get a prototype ready for this weekend! So, I’ve decided on a plan of attack.

RPG Maker MV comes with a library of pre-made assets, which I’m planning on using to quickly map out an area. What I’m trying to do is get the basic gameplay up and working. I can always swap out the visuals later, once the game actually works.

I’ve also got some project files from the paid asset library labelled “First Seed Material“, which has a bucket ton of interlinked sample maps that I could use and modify to create my own world. The maps themselves are incredibly detailed, so they may take some work to re-build in the 16-bit style that I’m using. I have two ways of doing it, first of which is my “Region Mapping” technique that I’ve mentioned before. The other, which I thought of tonight was saving the map as an image, then marking it up with a grid, including co-ordinates, then doing it manually by-eye. Both methods are incredibly time-consuming, but with a few all-nighters, it shouldn’t be too hard to pull off.

Now I know that this project hasn’t gone according to plan. Part of that, I will admit, is my own fault. I sometimes get distracted, and once distracted, I find it difficult to get back to what I was doing. Part of it isn’t entirely my fault, as I’ve had research and technical issues. Personally, I find research quite dull and stressful. It may be that I’m not doing it right. I’m not sure.

Another issue that I’ve been having is with my mental health. It’s not really an understatement to say that it’s been falling apart. Now this may seem personal, but I feel that I need to say this. I’ve been suffering from depression for years, but I can’t handle anti-depressants; all they serve to do is amplify my autism. Because of this, as well as the stress and fear about sorting out my uni application for next year, I’m now not sure that I’m gonna make it. I’m my own worst enemy at times. Also, I’m not sure exactly what’s being expected of me. The course I’m on is in the early stages, and there is no real precendent as to whats achievable or acceptable. I’m just guessing as to what I’m really doing. The grading criteria doesn’t help either. It’s designed to cover multiple disciplines, but because of that, I find it really difficult to understand.

I’m gonna be honest here; I’m bloody terrified of everything right now. I’m scared of not getting into uni. I’m scared of buggering up this project. I’m just scared of change.

I’m gonna get to making my prototype tomorrow, and I’ll post updates as I go. So until later!