Oct 21, 2012, 12:32pm, satanic wrote:Based on my experience with mods and MBFuture
Graphics and interface:
-Why you don't on the textures before making the levels, because most of th textures showed in the previews (except on the video) where from MBP/MBA/MBU, also if you do the textures they will have the same name (or they will look white).
-Why texture goes first, because hey are part of the new taste of the mod, also if you change they with a good amount of levels, retexturing will be a pain (I experienced that many times).
-What kind of texturing? anything you want from few ones (less than 20) to the infinite, it's all your decision, but be careful making they fit, example, If I want a realistic mod... I can't come with cartoonish looking stuff, or vice versa.
-The interface is very important too, because this will be the first thing that a player will see, not too colored or too grey (you have to play with that), again be careful to make every graphic fit the whole mod theme.
Levelbuilding:
-The levelbuilding is the most important thing on the mod, because this is the taste/theme/looking of the mod and the main reason why the people will play it, example in Marble Blast Future (yes I will my mod for examples) I did the most quantity of the levels, but they where almost the same (in other words this lacks on gameplay)because the player will be bored with the same theme for all the levels, and after seeing the last level almost done, I really don't want to play it because trapdoors are very frustrating.
-Following the gameplay is the presentation/quality, good looking levels are more attractive to the public than simple looking levels, make sure to build a whole scenery for the levels, it's don't have to be the same forr all, but they need to fit with the mod to keep centered in the mod's theme, quality over quantity...maybe you already heard that, but it's the true about level-making, a mod with 50 or 60 (examples) levels that are fun to play and the overall look is good is way better than a mod with over 300 noobish levels.
-Tutorial levels aren't necesary for the mod, but mostly of the cases (what I did too)the people will focus in the last mod made, if you have new features that wheren't showed in the past, you should do a tutorial of how to use that feature, example in the last preview of your mod I noticed the Blast Power Up, making a tutorial of how to use the Blast Power Up should be fine and the player will remember for wath that bar is there instead of wondering what's that bar?, Beginner levels are the last levels on the list, because basing on the features you do the beginner levels.
Music
-Music is imortant too and for me one of the hardest parts, because every body have their own music likes and dislikes, example I like aggressive music like Black Metal and that stuff, but I didn't say to Dobrakmato (MBF music maker) add tons of song with satanic chrods and violent drums because I like it, because not all like it, be neutral and do something nice to heard and not to boring.
-Following that are the music feelings, because if I don't like the music chords or how it sounds I will it if I don't like and many other will do the same, usually be very open-minded for the music.
Other tips:
-NEVER WORK UNDER PRESSURE, that sure will kill your project,(example) if you done 4 levels and some features in the last week and this week you recently finished 1 and no features, don't worry it's still progress and many times there will be lacks of works due to school/work time and real life.
-I you are stucked with a level/code/graphic/or anything else and don't want to continue, save it, stop stressing yourself and take time to rest a little or do any other thing to clear your mind and when you think you are ready, ontinue it.
-Don't leave the project alone, that cost me Marble Blast Future and all the possible ideas for it.
I'm not shutting down your progress or destroying waht you did with this post, only giving tips to take in consideration.
I will check this topic frecuently.
Also I suggest you to read both:
Advice for aspiring mod creators <----Link
Regarding 'Permission' for mods <----Link
Best Luck for your mod.
-Beack
Umm, thanks for your advice. HR won't be dead, we swear.