Airjoe wrote:
Take a game like Zeta or GoA? Then you have a problem.
Zeta was awesome. Practically the foundation of BYOND. It's the rips that ruined the good name.
I think Zeta presents a lot of positive nostalgia for the majority of byond players from that era. In hindsight though, that game had very, very simple features and programming and the game design for the game is a stubborn remnant of bad practice that has surfaced in the majority of anime games; namely the repetative pbag training system.
I loved playing DBZeta back in the day, but it wasnt a role model by any means on how to program or how to make a game.
But there are also other reasons. Many people, like said, are unaware of this being a community. To be honest, I have been on here for about.. 4 years? And just recently learned of such a community.
Most individuals initially come on here to play free games. Then, as time goes on, they become bored and/or believe the games suck. Many may decide, "I want to create my own game". I have seen this happen alot..In fact, I know many of my friends who followed this exact pattern.
What ended up happening? They found some resources.. But in the end, decided it was too difficult. Perhaps.. Because they were lazy. But I tend to think its because the "availability" to learn DM is difficult.
Granted..I do not find it difficult. Although, when it comes to people who have no experience in coding, icons, etc.. Some of the resources given, arent enough.
My belief, is the solution for more original games in byond, is somehow making the community noticed. Besides this, if the community is seen as friendly and helpful, people may feel inclined to stay.
I may be rambling, but I do not know how I would have gotten good in Java if I did not have a teacher initially. I did teach myself most of the time, but help is very important. Most the time, the people in my class helped eachother, this is how most of us learned. Something similar in the community would be very helpful. If there is already something like that...How many people know about it?
Hmm..thats all my tired self has to say.
Edit: Also, by no means do I think looking at a source is a good "learning" tool. Libraries, etc serve good examples I suppose. Although, Think about current math teaching practices in schools. They dont teach application or creative use; they teach how to plug-in a formula. Hmm..Sadly, thats how I perceive most new members to BYOND tackle the "coding" business.