Sandbox Tile/Voxel iOS Game Development Problems

Maddogdawson33

Hi,

I am new to GameSalad and I have gone through hours of research on how to do the following things that I wish to accomplish in my iOS game. I would like to incorporate the following features:

1. "Tiled" world generation with a number of different actors such as trees, water, dirt, rocks, etc.
2. A player inventory system
3. A build/destroy individual "tiles" with other stuff such as time to "break" it and stuff along those lines. The player should be able to break/place "tiles/blocks" within the world as well.
4.A crafting system with obtained items with the inventory
5. Weather system w/seasons if possible
6. Day/ night cycle (with a sun and moon)
7. Multiplayer over wifi/bluetooth. (an extreme stretch )

I would love the help. I would even call myself desperate now. I have had this idea for years and i finally want to prove to myself that I can accomplish a project as up scale as this with a little help. If you have any questions, comments, answers than please, please post it. Thanks in advance! Hope to hear from somebody.

P.S If you don't think it is possible with this program than please send some suggestions including other software I may be able to use.

The_Gamesalad_Guru

Turn based multiplayer is coming but will be pro only but the rest is doable but being new I'd say you need way more experience in GS of learning.

Armelline

I would say everything you mention except the multiplayer would be perfectly possible right now with GameSalad, but you'll have quite a task ahead of you These aren't things that you can just leap into, though - what advice you get given would really depend on your current experience and skill set.

If you know what conditions and variable (or rules and attributes) are, and have a basic understanding of the logic behind the rules you'll need to implement, then you should have no trouble making your project as long as you take it one step at a time and don't try to do it all at once. If you're completely new to GameSalad and/or game design then it'd be worth you working through some tutorials (there's a lot of great video tutorials out there) to get a basic feel for things.

I suspect you'll not get much more specific advice until you give people a better understanding of your current abilities and have experimented and come up with specific questions related to each feature. Right now you're kinda saying "Here's an extremely general idea, how do I make it?" That's kinda like saying "How do I make a car?" Cleverer people than me would be multiple books in before they were done explaining it to you

For what it's worth I had a TON of fun learning GameSalad so far, and although I've been able to work out everything I've needed to to make my game, I've still got a ton more to learn! Working out how to do all these things is the best part!

Asobu_Games

As mentioned, all but the multiplayer would be achievable with GameSalad right now, but I definitely recommend starting with the basics and taking it one step at a time if you are new to this.

GameSalad was and is my first experience of making games and at first it was daunting. After learning the basics though you start to get a feel for game logic etc and can work out most tasks for yourself. I haven't personally tried creating most of those elements you are talking about but feel that I could work them out for myself now with a bit of concentration and trial and error.

Why not start by setting yourself the challenge to create just one element of your game. Perhaps a rising and setting sun. Or a few tiles that can be modified/destroyed. Just take it one step at a time and I'm sure you can achieve this project. Good luck and all the best mate!

Maddogdawson33

I understand what you all are saying. Thanks all three of you for responding so quickly. Could any of you suggest a starting point? Would it be better to turn this into several miniature projects or would that not help? If you guys could also send me any (or all) of the tutorials to get a hold of the program that would be nice. Thanks again.

Armelline

Perhaps start with some of the video tutorials from the cookbook? There's a getting started channel that might be just what you need.

Asobu_Games

Personally, yes I would recommend starting on a smaller project to get a feel for GameSalad and then using those skills you learned to tackle your bigger project. You could try starting with something like a very simplified version of your game idea so you would be learning relevant skills and wouldn't be starting from scratch (ie don't make a match 3 game or something which has no crossover elements)

Maddogdawson33

Okay. Thanks again. I'll look into it.