Hello. I've been avidly working on a design document for an RPG project that I'm doing by myself in my spare time. I realize it will take forever to finish, if I ever finish, since I'm doing it alone, but I simply do it for the experience, and the fact I love RPGs. I just had some comments and questions: I am working on a 3D RPG similar to FF7 and Breath of Fire 3, however I'm incorporating point-and-click movement instead. I have been browsing the forums for some ideas and possible inspiring resources that can help me with my game, but it seems all I see are MMORPGs. Is that the big thing now? In a way it's a bit discouraging for me, since it would be hard to ask for help and advice with things in my game because people may think I'm doing an MMORPG. But in a way, it's nice to be 'original' for a change :D (though, I'm not saying I'm the only one around here that's making a game like this) Anyway, I would like som advice on an ideal 3D game engine I should consider using. I'm an intermediate-level game programmer in c++, and I've worked with Blitz3D, but I didn't realize the different programs out there! I would like to learn new engines and languages! Some programs I was considering included: 3D Game Studio Blitz3D Panda3D Truevision 3D I realize there are probably much better ones out there, and that's why I'm posting here -- to find out what engine would best suit my needs to create a FF7-style point-and-click turn-based RPG. I would like to use an engine that's user-friendly and has a somewhat-fast learning curve, if possible, but can still do what I need it to do. Modelling! I was debating between Milkshape3D and Blender, however if there are better ones that may be easy to learn, then I'm all for that. Can someone also direct me to some links in the forums that discuss how to model human figures for videogames in 3D? I'm still a beginner at it, and I really want to learn. Thank you for all the help you can give me!

You'll probably find that Irrlicht and OGRE are most often recommended as engines by many people, but I have neither experience with them nor with FF7, so I can't comment on whether they'll fit your needs - though most 3D engines are general enough to allow for a wide variety of games. There's also the Nebula Device. In the end, do some opportunity shopping after first coming up with a list of features you want and comparing that to the enabled features in those engines, and the state of documentation, examples, and community support.

I use Milkshape for all my modelling, but I am a programmer and not a modeller. I find Milkshape to be sufficient for my needs, and like its simple interface. Blender seems like a nightmare to navigate, although I'm sure with some patience and constant use it can become very powerful.

Thank you so much for the fast reply! :D

I'll check out Irrlicht, Nebula and OGRE. I've actually heard of OGRE, but I didn't know much about that engine.

And FF7 is a game (Final Fantasy 7). It's basically a turn-based RPG in 3D

Torque is another engine to consider. Not being a programmer, I can't tell you what's better than what, but Torque has an active community and lots of content packs for sale. (Me personally, when I was attempting to make an RPG I found getting good free 3D art to be next to impossible, so I hope you have a budget of some sort, and if not maybe you should consider going 2D instead.)

I just gotta say, it's a breath of fresh air to see someone working on a non mmo. :D

Quote:

Original post by sunandshadow Torque is another engine to consider. Not being a programmer, I can't tell you what's better than what, but Torque has an active community and lots of content packs for sale. (Me personally, when I was attempting to make an RPG I found getting good free 3D art to be next to impossible, so I hope you have a budget of some sort, and if not maybe you should consider going 2D instead.)

Well I actually messed with a demo of the Torque engine, but some of the working interface was a bit confusing to understand. I'm hoping I don't have to go around and commission someone to do models -- I want to try and do all the aspects of the game myself (I do Illustration and art also), so that's why I wanted to learn how to do 3D low-poly modelling. I'm not really on any 'budget,' however, if I have to end up buying a game engine program, I want to make sure it will suit my needs and whatnot.

The only 2D RPGs I've worked with were the ones using RPG Maker 2k3/XP and Gamemaker. I have a few finished games from that, but nothing really I would want to put in my portfolio, since the programs were mainly WYSIWYG and not actual coding.

Dancin_Fool: I can't believe how many MMO attempts I've seen everywhere! I don't see what's the big hype about making MMO games...

Yeah I don't get the hype. They take way more engineering, way more assets, way more money.

Give me a classic FF style RPG with an over the top story any day of the week.

I think everyone wants to make MMOs because that's what a lot of us play every day. But I think that despite how many MMO projects people want to start, they are almost all stupid ideas.

Quote:

I think everyone wants to make MMOs because that's what a lot of us play every day. But I think that despite how many MMO projects people want to start, they are almost all stupid ideas.

Quoted for emphasis.

If you are doing this simply for the experience then I suggest that you write your own engine. I realise this will take a time but you'll learn a lot.

I've used many engines, it all depends on what your RPG will contain, really your best bet is for you to try examples that the engine has created then make your decision.

I believe Irrlicht and OGRE are very good engines but can be overkill depending on the project, if your more of an artist then have alook at perhaps realmcrafter (BlitzBasic3D) which will make things alot easier.

goto devmaster.net they have a HUGE database of different engines! experiment!

my preference would be Truevision3d, purely because I have seen what other people are doing, especially 6.5 (major upgrade)