So, I feel confident enough to make an attempt at a game. 16 bit action style, focusing most on game play mechanics and smooth character movements. I'm working on a simple story line for now, I'll have to figure out music since the people I know into music production don't do 16 bit very well. It'l be based on things from the modern era, but in a "outdated" style (so to say). The point of this is to ask questions. What's the best way to code/make the game in general? Is there a solid application that will be efficient to use for 16 bit style games? I aim to stick to 16 bit as close as possible- so as if the game was originally released on an SNES or something of the sort- music is 16 bit, graphics are, level size and complexity, etc. Is there an easy way to release titles on Vita without the hardware purchase? I assume here that having a completed game ready to be ported would allow for a good enough pitch for them to lend me a kit to do so. What's a good way to create pixel sprites and animations? General recommendations? Thanks guys.
To go straight into the answers: - There is no best way for anything. The best way is, doing it yourself, and try to not steal from others. For these style games, it's best to make something from scratch in Visual Studio, or similar. There are usable Templates and API available all over the Internet. - You can try PlayStation Mobile to put your game on a PS Vita. It doesn't require any (expensive) DevKit, it doesn't require you to be a business, no experience required, just a PSN Account and a Retail PS Vita. The only downside is, the lack of countries. (https://psm.playstation.net/portal/en/index.html) - As I said, find a decent API for Animations. Pixel Sprites can be done in whatever you want to use, and it's recommended to save them as .TGA files, so transparency can work within the game. - General recommendations: I'd say, first try to focus on a Concept, then do some Paper Prototyping, then create an Alpha (functions must be complete, Assets can be complete), then create a Beta (functions and Assets must be complete), and then try to put it Online. Don't start by planning a Graphic Style first, and then look what you can do with the rest of the game.
