So i am making a massive RPG game, this is my first game and i think its coming along rather well with no training and teaching myself, im about 3 weeks into construct 2.
I have created a game that has Multiple styles of games, multiple characters that can be changed mid level, or in the players house, and lots of great pretty complicated features, but there is a problem when testing the game on browser with mobile device.
On Pc it allows me to use local storage to save game state if the user is not logged into my parse network, and it works great, but on mobile devices, when i go to my google drive hosted game, it does not do anything when i hit save or load, and also the fullscreen button does not work. Is this normal behavior? And will saves work once i export using cordova? Iv already successfully created, and signed an app version that was playable but i didnt think at the time to check the save function.
Anyways, Id be happy to explain more about my game and some of the pretty ?advanced? features im trying to use. The gist is you are a single avatar that is on a journey through different game styles. The player owns a home where we start the game each load up, and he has an "Arcade Room" where new arcade machines are unlocked with new game styles and levels as we progress. The player also collects "outfits" with power up characteristics that can be switched into while in the players home, or via in level menu during any arcade game.
All of that is working pretty flawless, i have a very nicely organized project with great comments, sort of building a tutorial from the start as i was lucky enough to recognize the value in that right away. It demonstrates using multi layered menu's, having unlockable characters and levels, i also have a drag and drop feature for players to buy items and decorate their homes. There is also peer to peer multi player levels that are platform style shooting matchets, one on one, team deathmatch, and king of the hill.
Each arcade features a unique game style, anything from angry birds, to classic pacman style games, but with a twist! Each level is a mesh up of two game styles, and merges parodies of classic game worlds and characters in each. For instance one level is a platformer, reminiscent of sonic, but has "Pong" balls that will ocassionally drop across the screen the player must avoid, or angry birds style gameplay, with a twist of a "Whack a mole" factor where a random enemy could pop up any minute and the player has to click or touch it before it takes hitpoints.
There are also tons of easter eggs, secret areas, and some old school cheat codes implemented!
Im doing really well figuring out Construct2 and this is the first game of any kind i have designed on any software or anything ever. Like i said, its all running very flawless mechanics wise, and i just brought in a professional graphic design artist to create assets for me. The system seems to handle the game pretty well on PC browsers, and even on my phone besides the save issue, the game runs smooth and all mechanics, unlocks, ect work as intended.
It has been an awesome experience learning and having an idea, watching it come to life, working through the bugs and things to make it how i envision it. I can see great potential in this game, and with our storyline ideas and things we are looking to do, like full on video cutscenes, i think i could have a great first game launch.
Some of my concerns though are as follows, and hopefully some of you can help me address them, or point me in the right direction and tell me if its possible.
For one, Online saves, I am rather new at all of this programming stuff, but im a VERY fast learner and all self taught. I learned how to properly use phonegap, export with cordova, to keystores, ect in one day, with absolutely no prior experience, so if something is possible, i know i can figure it out. So heres the needs/questions...
Are online saves for entire game states, similar to local storage possible? Iv seen mention of Json strings everywhere, and to be honest, iv NEVER dealt with them, but like i said i can learn very fast. I actually figured out how to include REX_Rainbow's parse authentication and made it so i am able to create an account, see my users data log into parse dashboard, and even save the body to slot "MySaveGame" and see the string show up under (Body) in parse dashboard, but from there im lost as to how i can call back the data and make the game load it when asked to.
If i could figure out online saving it would be a HUGE weight off my shoulder and great motivation to push forward with my project.
One of the other concerns is monetization and IAP. I have seen its pretty hard to do, but i just need some solid confirmation that there is a way to use IAP and Admobs with the game for the App versions.
If anyone is interested in hearing more about my project, or possibly helping me to work on it, please PM me here for my email address or information.
Im also looking to sell the project as a great template/tutorial when all is said and done, iv taken alot of time to break things down and put comments as to why i did things and how, and gave a great setup for anyone to do things like unlocks of levels, characters, menus, implementing great event sheets for controlling universal controls, character active sheets, and tons more. Im sure by time its done, it will be a prime example of a great project using Construct2, and hopefully a great success story of how long time dreamers and game lovers can truly be capable of making something great and having limitless potential with creativity, using platforms like this.
Looking forward to being a part of the community, and learning all the great ins and out of this wonderful software. Prior to this, i had been developing apps for small businesses using Andromo, and that started just a few months ago, now iv already moved onto android studio and raw coding java/css/html. Iv gone from not even thinking of apps/games to 10months or less later, owning my own Social media marketing and application development (and now game development??) company.
Hopefully some of you can see my potential, and help me work through the little quirks im facing, so i can produce this amazing game thats coming together.
P.S. Is the construct2 platform very limited in performace or anything? As i continue building assets, sheets, layouts, global variables, etc, will the game begin to lag or perform poorly? Its already a pretty complicated game, with TONS of even sheets and iv lost track of events and actions(does anywhere track/show that?) and i havnt noticed any performance issues, but itd be a shame to get 3/4 into my vision of a final game to find out its too much to handle.
Thanks in advance for any help or advice
Stephen Newell
Fanguide Marketing
*Coming Soon*
The Great Arcade Adventure
featuring-"Fanguide Freddy"