Video game where you can design your own game?
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Video game where you can design your own game?
Are there any video games out there for any home consoles where you can make your own games, or mini-games? Design your own levels and characters, stuff like that?
#2
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
I don't own a PS3, but I'm pretty sure Little Big Planet fits the bill. If you want to go older, there is always the RPG Makers 1/2 for PS1/PS2, but I'm not sure how retro or what exactly you are looking for.
#4
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm looking for something for a younger gamer. My little nephew says he wants to be a video game designer so I would like to get something that would encourage him. Right now he has a Wii and a DS but if Little Big Planet would be good I don't mind saving up for a PS3.
EDIT
Okay I just saw a youtube review. It looks like it MIGHT be a little more complicated for him, but yeah, that game looks amazing and perfect for him. Although I'm a little worried he might just want to play through the story mode and skip the level design, but still looks good.
Thanks Kedrix and Groucho!
EDIT
Okay I just saw a youtube review. It looks like it MIGHT be a little more complicated for him, but yeah, that game looks amazing and perfect for him. Although I'm a little worried he might just want to play through the story mode and skip the level design, but still looks good.
Thanks Kedrix and Groucho!
Last edited by brayzie; 12-24-12 at 03:12 PM.
#6
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
There was something put out on the Xbox Indie Marketplace by Microsoft Studios that was sort of a game programming game. Began with a "K". That's different from LPB2, which is more game-like with pre-made assets to use.
To be clear, you want LittleBigPlanet2, not the first game where you could make levels. In LBP2 you can make your own mini-games.
To be clear, you want LittleBigPlanet2, not the first game where you could make levels. In LBP2 you can make your own mini-games.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
I know you said consoles, but if you have a PC you might consider RPG Maker: http://store.steampowered.com/app/220700/
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
http://www.xblaratings.com/xblig-lis...-kodu-game-lab
As others have mentioned, it may be better for him to start with a level/map editor for an existing game. Many game developers started out making levels/maps for existing games.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_level_editors
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Better would be developing for a current platform, especially since something like the Xbox Live Indie Games developer tools are free (but for use on PC):
http://xbox.create.msdn.com/en-US/
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
OK, I've done some more searching, and have found two games that may just be the perfect fit.
Warioware: D.I.Y. for the DS:
http://www.wariowarediy.com/
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase for the Wii:
http://www.nintendo.com/sites/wiiware/diyshowcase/
Note that you need the DS game to make your own games. The Wii game isn't needed, but it lets you play the games you make on the Wii.
Reviews:
http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/...rioware_diy_ds
http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/...e_diy_showcase
Warioware: D.I.Y. for the DS:
http://www.wariowarediy.com/
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase for the Wii:
http://www.nintendo.com/sites/wiiware/diyshowcase/
Note that you need the DS game to make your own games. The Wii game isn't needed, but it lets you play the games you make on the Wii.
Reviews:
http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/...rioware_diy_ds
http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/...e_diy_showcase
#13
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm looking for something for a younger gamer. My little nephew says he wants to be a video game designer so I would like to get something that would encourage him. Right now he has a Wii and a DS but if Little Big Planet would be good I don't mind saving up for a PS3.
EDIT
Okay I just saw a youtube review. It looks like it MIGHT be a little more complicated for him, but yeah, that game looks amazing and perfect for him. Although I'm a little worried he might just want to play through the story mode and skip the level design, but still looks good.
Thanks Kedrix and Groucho!
EDIT
Okay I just saw a youtube review. It looks like it MIGHT be a little more complicated for him, but yeah, that game looks amazing and perfect for him. Although I'm a little worried he might just want to play through the story mode and skip the level design, but still looks good.
Thanks Kedrix and Groucho!
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Some Wii games with built-in level editors.
Blast Works
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blast_Works
Lego Indiana Jones 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t4YNWrMLUI
Boom Blox:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Blox#Create_mode
Elebits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elebits#Edit_Mode
Super Smash Bros Brawl:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_S...._Brawl#Stages
DS game:
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_v...struction_Zone
Blast Works
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blast_Works
Blast Works comes with a powerful editing tool that allows extensive customization to the game. Players can construct their own ships, enemies and bosses with the editor, as well create their own backgrounds.
When designing enemies, the player can manipulate projectile patterns, sound effects, movement patterns, hit boxes, and more in the Ship Editor portion of the Blast Works Editor. The player also has the option of fully customizing the ship that they play as. For example, the ship builder lets the player view their ship from many different angles, allowing them to add new pieces, such as wings or weapons, simply by adding shapes to their ship. The basic shapes can be combined to create even more complex constructs, and there are a few moving shapes the player can add to give their ship a bit more life. The player is also given full control over the size, shape, and color of any object they create. This ranges from their main ship to buildings created for custom levels and even enemy craft.
The level designer (the same tool the game's developers used to create the built-in levels that come with the game) also features powerful capabilities. The player can set the basics, such as color scheme or background, then drag and drop enemies into their custom level from either a list of pre-built enemies or custom ships previously created. The player can also set trigger events that can change the orientation of your ship, the behavior of enemy ships, or the movement of the game camera. The player can also add a number of different special effects to their level such as a Virtual Boy-like effect, which turns everything in the level to red and black, or a water effect, to make background oceans or the level itself appear underwater. After constructing a level, the player can preview it before importing it into the game
When designing enemies, the player can manipulate projectile patterns, sound effects, movement patterns, hit boxes, and more in the Ship Editor portion of the Blast Works Editor. The player also has the option of fully customizing the ship that they play as. For example, the ship builder lets the player view their ship from many different angles, allowing them to add new pieces, such as wings or weapons, simply by adding shapes to their ship. The basic shapes can be combined to create even more complex constructs, and there are a few moving shapes the player can add to give their ship a bit more life. The player is also given full control over the size, shape, and color of any object they create. This ranges from their main ship to buildings created for custom levels and even enemy craft.
The level designer (the same tool the game's developers used to create the built-in levels that come with the game) also features powerful capabilities. The player can set the basics, such as color scheme or background, then drag and drop enemies into their custom level from either a list of pre-built enemies or custom ships previously created. The player can also set trigger events that can change the orientation of your ship, the behavior of enemy ships, or the movement of the game camera. The player can also add a number of different special effects to their level such as a Virtual Boy-like effect, which turns everything in the level to red and black, or a water effect, to make background oceans or the level itself appear underwater. After constructing a level, the player can preview it before importing it into the game
Lego Indiana Jones 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t4YNWrMLUI
Boom Blox:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Blox#Create_mode
Elebits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elebits#Edit_Mode
Super Smash Bros Brawl:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_S...._Brawl#Stages
DS game:
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_v...struction_Zone
#15
Moderator
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Boom Blox level design is a lot of fun and you can post your levels and see other people's levels, too.
If you have the Wii, you could also get Excitebike on the virtual console for the course design.
Anyone remember Penguin Land for Sega Master System? You can do level creation there, too, if that's available somehow.
If you have the Wii, you could also get Excitebike on the virtual console for the course design.
Anyone remember Penguin Land for Sega Master System? You can do level creation there, too, if that's available somehow.
#16
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Video game where you can design your own game?
Thanks everyone and thanks Jay G. for the Wario recommend. I ended up going with the WarioWare game for DS, because I think that's simple enough for him starting out, and cheaper than buying a PS3.
All the other recommendations were helpful too because I want to buy some games for an older cousin I have who's also interested in video game developing but is more advanced with computers.
I want to hunt down Penguin Land just as an excuse to buy an old Master System.
All the other recommendations were helpful too because I want to buy some games for an older cousin I have who's also interested in video game developing but is more advanced with computers.
I want to hunt down Penguin Land just as an excuse to buy an old Master System.




