Of Serpents And Apples

I'm a big fan of python.

It's a great language that just about anyone can learn. I often recommend it as a good first language for young programmers and for designers or professionals who express a desire to learn programming.

The language is elegant and powerful, but doesn't bog down in a lot of the typical quicksand that people get stuck in when trying to get something working. So you get a lot done quickly, and that motivates you to stay with it. It's not an ideal performance language, but it's "good enough" for most non-critical tasks...like say writing a Wishful RPG in a few 20 minutes weeknight sessions before bed.

For making games, there is a great module called PyGame. It's what we're using for WishfulRPGs.

Another great thing about Python is that it runs on a mac. While I have used every type of computer under the sun, and at work am usually limited to a specific platform for the kind of development we're doing, for my personal computer I have used Apple powerbooks for ... well since they were called the Apple IIc -- the c stands for "compact".

Years ago, I had a seminal Apple buying conversation with my friend Quinn. The topic of size came up, and the best advice was given: (paraphrased) "Get the smallest Powerbook. The 13". It's more convenient to carry, so you'll take it more places, and thus use it more."

While some of the larger ones are kind of cool, it's easier and better (and cheaper) to get a large separate monitor. That said, I never need it. And again always have a large set up at work. My laptop goes with me everywhere, and I am cozy and happy tip-typing on a couch at home or a comfy chair at the coffee shop or on the train, etc.

The point is one of convenience and joy. All those little 20 minutes sessions can add up to a lot of good creative output. In game development, the key is little iterations and experiments. You'd think that the name "game" development would tip people off to the fact that the only way to be successful is to "play".

In The Beginning...

Everyone has a dream RPG they want to make.

By RPG, I don't mean a rocket-propelled grenade or a pen and paper D20 clone. I mean a classic old school dungeon grinding epic arc story with a massive overworld, interesting quests, a Homeric story, infinitely varied items, complex combat system, you get the point.

And by Everyone, I mean anyone who has ever worked in video games. Perhaps I am a little biased. Maybe it's everyone in the world who has ever PLAYED a video game. Especially from the 80's.

Alas, most of us never work on such a project. There are a few left in the Industry on the scale of large 3D world quest fests. Bethesda is releasing their latest Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Bioware is still known for huge worlds and huge stories.

And there are some amazing things that still happen on handhelds in Japan. If you move there. And speak Japanese. But there aren't a lot of places you can go to work on the latest Bard's Tale, Wizardry, Legend of Zelda, Heroes of Might & Magic, Pool of Radiance Gold Box, etc.

Still, everyone has a big plan for that huge RPG. And here's the rub, most of the stories and locales are so similar as to be hard to differentiate. A young boy, just coming of age...

In fact, if you want to see a list, here it is starting with the Sleepyhead Rule: The teenaged male lead will begin the first day of the game by oversleeping, being woken up by his mother, and being reminded that he's slept in so late he missed meeting his girlfriend.

But like a moth to a flame, the desire for singed wings brings us back.

While driving home from another late night of development, I had an idea. Knowing that I will never work on the grand Odyssey of pubescent memory, why not make something small.

How small? Perhaps small enough to finish in a weekend (not that I have weekends free), but maybe a few weeks in a row of messing about on school nights after the kids are asleep and chores are done. Maybe make each installment as a gift for someone who would appreciate a mini adventure with them at the center of it.

Thus "Wishful RPG" was begun.

Last night, I pulled down some sprite sheets, grabbed pygame, and got Link wandering around on a background. And went to sleep happy with each new idea for the next task spawning two more ideas and so on.