As mentioned at the end of the previous entry, the next step forward is working to recreate the systems that will be essential for creating a JRPG. The question is, what are those systems and what are their dependencies? From doing a little bit of research, here's my starting list. I am sure that I am likely missing some, but we can figure that out as we make progress.
Save System
Exploration/Navigation System
Combat System
Inventory System
Programming:
Main Menu
New Game
Character Creation
Load Game
Overworld
Navigable Map that moves with player
Towns
Environmental Assets (EG: forests cover player sprite)
Terrain impediments (water, walls, etc)
Random Encounter
Pause Menu
Equipment
Armour/Weapon Split?
Equip/Unequip
Items
Use
Magic?
Use
Status
Layout?
Towns
Shops
Purchase
Sell
Equip Items
Interact with NPCs
Dialogue
Quests
NPC movement
Item Obtainment
Save Point/Inn
Resurrection Building
Dungeons
Random Encounters
Boss
Quest progression
Combat Screens
Players
Targeting
Action Selection
Enemies
Targeting
EXP Gain
Level Up
Death
Art:
Character Assets
Enemy Assets
Environment Assets
Equipment/Items
Sound:
Menu Interactions
Combat Interactions
Overworld Music
Town Music
Dungeon Music
Battle Music
Boss Music
There's a LOT to do, and not much time to do it in. That brings is to timelines and deadlines.
While I plan to keep working on this game until it is entirely completed and is a JRPG worthy of the title and a full gameplay experience, it's unlikely that everything will get completed in time for the submission deadline of August 26th, 2024 for the Master's Final Project. From the date of writing, there are 6 full weeks until completion. So, let's assign some tasks for each week, working off of the dependencies for each task. To help ensure we are making the tools correctly, as mentioned in the previous post, we will be doing this through what I cam calling Project Cornelia: recreating the opening area of Final Fantasy 1. Since it gives us something to compare to, it will allow us to know if our tools are working as we make them.
Week 1: July 14th - 20th
Navigable Map
Accessible Town/Dungeon Maps
Environment Assets Interactions
Week 2: July 21st - 27th
NPC Interaction
Pause Menu
Week 3: July 28th - August 3rd
Shops
Resurrection Building
Save Point/Inn
Save system
Week 4: August 4th - 10th
Combat System
Targeting/Action Selection
EXP
Death
Random Encounters
Boss Encounter
Week 5: August 11th - 17th
Start Screen
Week 6: August 18th - 24th
Custom Art and Sound Assets
Of course, this schedule is entirely liable to change. I fully expect some things will take longer than expected, and others will get shifted around as I figure various elements out. But this, at least, gives me a rough template to aim for to see if I am on track to complete the project on time.
So, for now I shall wish myself good luck, and see you all on July 19th or 20th for the dev log of the first week of development!
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