Thoughts On Homebrews

[+batari]

OK. With it being pointed out that there is obviously a distinct difference between game design and game programming, why does there seem to be no collaboration between the designers and the programmers when it comes to homebrews? Seems rather unfortunate. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the fence. Why not work together to create a masterpiece? Surely this must make sense to someone..

Homebrew programmers working with other people...? As a "team"? What a strange and off-putting concept...

Both of you should post your ideas. Then we'll all tell you why they aren't possible No offense, but half of the ideas here are completely impossible, and most of the other half are not well thought out. And it seems that a substantial portion of the ideas I've seen involve trademarked properties with no consideration for licensing.

 

Back to the subject - I'd really like to see more original titles. I am not saying nobody should post ideas, just that you shouldn't be put off by us saying that your ideas are ill-conceived. If you learn from what homebrewers are saying instead of getting offended, you may figure out something that will actually work.

 

If not original titles, I'd like to see more posts like, "Idea: [insert obscure arcade game here]."

[Pixelboy]

Both of you should post your ideas. Then we'll all tell you why they aren't possible

Yeah, I still remember my Super Mario Bros 2600 mockup that got shot down in short order. My Zaxxon mockup had some success though, in terms of the discussions it helped spark...

 

No offense, but half of the ideas here are completely impossible, and most of the other half are not well thought out.

You'll never again see me post any idea for a 2600 game, for those very reasons. It's hard to defend a game idea when you don't have a good handle on the hardware's capabilities and limits. I'll stick to the ColecoVision, thank you very much.

 

And it seems that a substantial portion of the ideas I've seen involve trademarked properties with no consideration for licensing.

Very true. But what kind of interest can anyone muster up with a completely new creation? Today, even the best creative efforts usually tend to come off as derivatives of some existing commercial game, or at the very least as belonging to a certain gaming genre.

 

Back to the subject - I'd really like to see more original titles. I am not saying nobody should post ideas, just that you shouldn't be put off by us saying that your ideas are ill-conceived. If you learn from what homebrewers are saying instead of getting offended, you may figure out something that will actually work.

Or get genuinely discouraged at all the things the 2600 can't do.

 

If not original titles, I'd like to see more posts like, "Idea: [insert obscure arcade game here]."

I'm not touching that with a ten-foot pole.

[birdie3]

Both of you should post your ideas. Then we'll all tell you why they aren't possible No offense, but half of the ideas here are completely impossible, and most of the other half are not well thought out. And it seems that a substantial portion of the ideas I've seen involve trademarked properties with no consideration for licensing.

 

Back to the subject - I'd really like to see more original titles. I am not saying nobody should post ideas, just that you shouldn't be put off by us saying that your ideas are ill-conceived. If you learn from what homebrewers are saying instead of getting offended, you may figure out something that will actually work.

 

If not original titles, I'd like to see more posts like, "Idea: [insert obscure arcade game here]."

 

No offense taken here. This is a good point that seemed to have been articulated rather passionately. Perhaps someday a gifted "ideas/designer" type of person will learn how to program. In the meantime, it would be nice to see a true visual artist collaborate with a programmer to design a respectable and original new game.

[Cybergoth]

In the meantime, it would be nice to see a true visual artist collaborate with a programmer to design a respectable and original new game.

 

Reindeer Rescue.

[mos6507]

Remember the alternate Rubik's Cube with the 3D perspective? If people hadn't realized it had been done, and someone posted a screenshot of this as a "game idea" he would immediately get shot down with "it can't be done". So I think people are a little harsh when guys post their mockup game ideas.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Remember the alternate Rubik's Cube with the 3D perspective? If people hadn't realized it had been done, and someone posted a screenshot of this as a "game idea" he would immediately get shot down with "it can't be done".

Nah, RC 3D was different.

 

We programmers where wondering if and how the graphics are possible. First there was doubt and then there was challenge.

 

So I think people are a little harsh when guys post their mockup game ideas.

It get's pretty frustrating and annoying over the time, when you have to explain the same stuff over and over again. I would expect at least some basic research first. E.g. a coarse understanding of the limitations, comparing the concept with existing games etc. Or ist that too much asking for?