Hello,



I'm making a horror point-and-click game with RPGMaker. I know, right? Another one!

I'm trying to add something a little different though. This game should be a lot shorter. Ideally ~20 minutes and no more than an hour. The game is going to be designed with re-playability in mind. So at the end of the game you get a score that is based on your time and the number of objectives you complete. On top of that, depending on the objectives completed, it will reveal a certain amount of story at the end. Right now, I'm not planning alternate endings. It will work as there are, for example, 5 objectives that go towards the ending; and for each piece, a piece of story is revealed. So you get the full story with all 5, and only some with less. So that's point 1: what do you guys think of that kind of gameplay objective?



Second of all: what makes a good scare? I see horror as 3 elements put together: jumpscares/shock (you all know what I mean); tension/suspense (that part where you really don't want to go over there D: ); and being taken out of your comfort zone (usually with good story telling and back story that makes you think "It's so creepy and weird!" D: ). I'm not doing so well at the moment. I see a good idea in other games, but then I don't want to use it because I'd feel like I'm ripping it off. So far in my game, my scares are just a monster appears and chases you, and some creepy story telling and areas. If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see in a game, then I'd love to hear it.



Third of all: PLOTS! The general premise is that you are a girl (~20ish, so not another school kid), and, after weeks of feeling like you're being stalked, you're kidnapped and kept in the basement of a mad University Lecturer who is experimenting on people. He suddenly has to dash out for a complicated sounding chemical I totally didn't just google, giving you an opportunity to escape. Now you could just run straight out the house, but that isn't enough. You need to gether evidence against him to prove what he's doing to the police, so he can be convicted for all his crimes. Also helping save other victims help improve your score, and give you hints. Also, as I stated before, more evidence improves your ending (again, not alternate endings, you just get to see more.) The most non-spoliery way I can describe this is as a cross between The Hostel, The Eye, and White Noise. Is this similar to other games you have played? Does it sound any good? Am I accidentally ripping off a game I haven't heard of? Pleaase tell me!



Let me know thoughts and ideas. When I get a little further along, I might submit some screens.





Q: "Hey, that sounds pretty cool. It would be awesome if *this* happened in your game..."

Please tell me! If I use an idea, I will credit you for it in "Special Thanks" (or something)



Q: "I can't wait to play this!"

Add me or PM me if you are really interesting in testing, or playing the completed game. I can send you a download link when it's ready.



Q: "Sounds okay, but kinda like this other thing..."

Please tell me this too. Games are always going to have similarities but I want to make a unique gaming experience too.

I'm struggling to get something working in my game.

Basically, I want the player to fall over when they die, instead of it going straight to the Game Over screen.
I'm pretty new and I don't know the options well. How can I add a death animation to the player?

Edit: This game is almost done (I think). Couple of my friends have been playing it to find bugs.
I just need to iron those out, finish my monster sprites, and create video intro/ending. Then I should have a game ready. Still estimating a few months to get the artwork done.

Thanks a lot! How do you fade? I've seen opacity changing options, but nothing that indicates a fade.

Oh I think I miss understood. I thought he meant fadeout the sprite, which I don't know how to do. But thanks for the reply.