How To Fail At Making An RPG

Summary

This humorous video explores the pitfalls of game development by outlining how to create a failed RPG. It emphasizes poor world-building, generic mechanics, and meaningless player choices while mocking common tropes in the genre. The narrator highlights the absurdity of grinding for XP and using obscure stat names, all while encouraging a lack of creativity and depth. Ultimately, the video serves as a satirical guide to failing spectacularly in game design, inviting viewers to laugh at the mistakes that can lead to an uninspired gaming experience.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Takeaway 1: The best way to fail at game development is to never try; attempting guarantees some level of failure.
• 🌍 Takeaway 2: Focus on creating a generic environment with poor world-building, ignoring depth and logic.
• 📜 Takeaway 3: Rehash old RPG mechanics instead of innovating; make a game that feels like a re-skinned version of others.
• 🔄 Takeaway 4: Use a nonsensical leveling system based on arbitrary XP gains that detracts from meaningful player engagement.
• 🐢 Takeaway 5: Emphasize grinding; make players kill a large number of weak enemies to level up, leading to tedious gameplay.
• 📉 Takeaway 6: Use confusing terminology for stats (e.g., 'ferocity' instead of 'agility') to make the game seem more sophisticated.
• 🚫 Takeaway 7: Provide no meaningful player choices, ensuring all paths lead to the same outcome and diminishing player agency.
• 🤖 Takeaway 8: Crafting systems should be unengaging; avoid creating unique shareable experiences that would entice players to return.
• 🎭 Takeaway 9: Design your game in such a way that players feel like they are experiencing something unique, even when they aren't.
• 🔚 Takeaway 10: Embrace the idea that successful game design requires thoughtful planning and innovation, which should be avoided for failure.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script about failing in game development?

The script argues that the best way to fail at game development is to avoid trying at all, but if one does try, there are specific ways to ensure failure, particularly in RPG design.

What advice does the script give regarding world-building in RPGs?

The script suggests providing a generic environment with poor world-building, emphasizing that logical consistency and depth are unnecessary for a failed RPG.

How does the script suggest handling game mechanics in an RPG?

It advises ignoring unique mechanics and instead using generic ones that have been present in RPGs for decades, just re-skinned to fit a new epic story.

What does the script say about the progression system in RPGs?

The script recommends using a generic experience points system that rewards players simply for playing, rather than encouraging meaningful accomplishments or exploration.

What kind of player experience does the script promote for a failed RPG?

It promotes a grinding experience where players must repeatedly farm enemies for minimal progress, detracting from enjoyment and immersion.

How should stats be named according to the script's recommendations?

Stats should be given non-intuitive names, using a thesaurus to make them seem cooler, thus confusing players rather than providing clarity.

What is the suggested approach to player choices in RPGs?

The script advises against giving players meaningful options that affect gameplay, promoting a linear experience where outcomes remain the same regardless of player choice.

What is the impact of crafting unique experiences in RPGs as mentioned in the script?

The script notes that crafting unique, shareable experiences could spark player interest and replayability, which is something a successful game developer would aim for, but should be avoided to ensure failure.

What does the script say about the importance of player feedback and ideas?

At the end of the script, the creator invites viewers to share ideas for future videos, indicating that audience engagement is valued, but it’s not aligned with the advice on how to fail.

What is the overall tone of the script?

The tone is sarcastic and humorous, using exaggerated advice to illustrate how to fail in game development while highlighting common pitfalls in RPG design.