Is TGB platformer kit worth it?
by Wicked Sunny · in Torque Game Builder · 09/17/2008 (7:08 pm) · 9 replies
I bought TGB last year with TXB and TXB platformer kit.
TXB was not running properly on my laptop due to graphic incompatibility.
I simply left TGB because I am a designer and not a programmer while TGB demanded loads of programming.
That time there was no behaviors and no TGB platformer kit and almost negligible tutorial. I remember even though I am not a programmer I myself updated the ninja tutorial.
Can anybody enlighten me, that today TGB platformer kit can be used as a template for creating games or not?
I want a game template, in which I can change and add new designs and I do not want to put my brains into programming. Will that be possible?
I just do not want to waste another 50$ buying a program which I will fail to handle in long run and I prefer working alone rather than in team.
Any suggestions?
TXB was not running properly on my laptop due to graphic incompatibility.
I simply left TGB because I am a designer and not a programmer while TGB demanded loads of programming.
That time there was no behaviors and no TGB platformer kit and almost negligible tutorial. I remember even though I am not a programmer I myself updated the ninja tutorial.
Can anybody enlighten me, that today TGB platformer kit can be used as a template for creating games or not?
I want a game template, in which I can change and add new designs and I do not want to put my brains into programming. Will that be possible?
I just do not want to waste another 50$ buying a program which I will fail to handle in long run and I prefer working alone rather than in team.
Any suggestions?
About the author
Sunny is Multi Award Winning Poet, Writer, Designer and Chef. He is the Director of PublishingGurus.com, a book publishing company.
#2
09/17/2008 (8:47 pm)
I believe the PSK is worth it. There are a lot of things that the PSK can do straight out of the box, but as James mentioned there are features that you will need to code yourself to make that game that you want. The PSK is a framework for any type of platformer, as it contains many of the typical features of the genre. 
#3
09/18/2008 (6:57 am)
Phillip when can we expect the Platform update which was announced a couple of months with the multiplayer system support? 
#5
I mean, if you're unwilling to learn how to program, or at least script, then there's little hope in you creating a game by yourself, at least not a very interesting one. If what you're after is a basic platformer game template that you fire up, change the art, then the PSK is for you.
But be warned, even the PSK has a learning curve associated with it if you want to do anything but modify the demo level, it's going to take some time and researchg.
The the animation system requires quite a bit of art to just do a straight forward replacement as well. Lots of frames included in there...
Phil is the man and has helped me out several times... You should buy his kit.
09/18/2008 (12:32 pm)
I think the PSK is well worth the money, especially if you need something to help you along the way learning torquescript.I mean, if you're unwilling to learn how to program, or at least script, then there's little hope in you creating a game by yourself, at least not a very interesting one. If what you're after is a basic platformer game template that you fire up, change the art, then the PSK is for you.
But be warned, even the PSK has a learning curve associated with it if you want to do anything but modify the demo level, it's going to take some time and researchg.
The the animation system requires quite a bit of art to just do a straight forward replacement as well. Lots of frames included in there...
Phil is the man and has helped me out several times... You should buy his kit.
#6
Basically it has been many years since I have planned to work on games, but I always get stuck at the programming part. That is not my cup of tea.
So this time if I put my time and money I need to be sure that I can do it.
I do not want to change a lot of things, simply create a basic Mario type game. I know it will still sell because of the graphics. There were many recent games which had no weapons and all, 'simple jump on the enemy kill' with great graphics and such games have sold many hundred copies.
I think my best option will be to first look for a torque programmer who can help me create a game, and then I will buy the platformer kit. With a game already created I would be able to use it like a template for next time onwards.
09/18/2008 (2:42 pm)
Thank you all for replying especially Phillip and James.Basically it has been many years since I have planned to work on games, but I always get stuck at the programming part. That is not my cup of tea.
So this time if I put my time and money I need to be sure that I can do it.
I do not want to change a lot of things, simply create a basic Mario type game. I know it will still sell because of the graphics. There were many recent games which had no weapons and all, 'simple jump on the enemy kill' with great graphics and such games have sold many hundred copies.
I think my best option will be to first look for a torque programmer who can help me create a game, and then I will buy the platformer kit. With a game already created I would be able to use it like a template for next time onwards.
#7
im waiting for the update too, but what i have with it right now, its enough for me to get me started with another project (a platformer will be my 3rd game ever!... 1st one being a shmup, 2nd one being a puzzzler).
09/21/2008 (8:04 am)
I bought it like 6 months ago, and dont regret it... it comes with some functions for platformers that i alwasy wondered how could be done, and when i saw them, i got amazed.im waiting for the update too, but what i have with it right now, its enough for me to get me started with another project (a platformer will be my 3rd game ever!... 1st one being a shmup, 2nd one being a puzzzler).
#8
You are right that a game with "simple" mechanics such as Mario can still sell, but Mario's "simplicity" is deceiving -- many, many hours of tweaking went into the coding to make sure each aspect of the game felt just right, and I'm afraid that non-programmers don't understand just how much work goes into the programming aspect of a game, particularly the spit and polish. It's very easy to get a Mario prototype up and running in a few days. Very hard to add the spit and polish that make it actually fun.
-Vern
09/24/2008 (11:50 am)
IMO, a game needs much more than great graphics to sell. Good gameplay (which requires good programming), attention to detail, great level design, good music and sound effects, etc... the complete package. Many developers get one of these aspects right, but fail on one or more of the others.You are right that a game with "simple" mechanics such as Mario can still sell, but Mario's "simplicity" is deceiving -- many, many hours of tweaking went into the coding to make sure each aspect of the game felt just right, and I'm afraid that non-programmers don't understand just how much work goes into the programming aspect of a game, particularly the spit and polish. It's very easy to get a Mario prototype up and running in a few days. Very hard to add the spit and polish that make it actually fun.
-Vern
#9
My advice: if you are confident enough that your game will succeed, hire a programmer. Save up enough money to pay him, because the good ones will not work for royalty, but will want up-front, milestone-based contract type work.
-Vern
09/24/2008 (11:52 am)
Oh, and also, there are no "game templates" included with Torque. Only demos intended to teach you how to code what you need yourself. The engine is designed for those who can code, or who can get someone who can code. It's not intended to be a "modify this example to suit your needs" package, and if you try to use it in that way, you are likely to get frustrated.My advice: if you are confident enough that your game will succeed, hire a programmer. Save up enough money to pay him, because the good ones will not work for royalty, but will want up-front, milestone-based contract type work.
-Vern
Associate James Ford
Sickhead Games