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- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Hello, Scratcher! Thank you for taking the time to read my topic! 
Personally, I really enjoy platformers. I love creating and playing them. But I often get annoyed when I play a new platformer and all I see is a repeat of this trend:
Level 1: reach the other side, no obstacles whatsoever
Level 2: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava
Level 3: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava (whichever one Level 2 wasn't)
Level 4/5: more lava/walls to jump over
Level 6/7: bouncy platform that launches player over huge red rectangle (PEOPLE, LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT!!!)
Level 8 - END: basically just a ton of walls, lava, and floating red rectangles to avoid
Now, I'm not judging anyone or saying that anybody's platformer is bad because it follows that trend. What I AM saying, though, is that truly high quality platformers are far, FAR more unique than that!
If you're trying to create a GREAT platformer, and it's turning out like that, don't panic. Read to the end of my topic to see how you can make your game a lot better.
1. Think about the theme that your platformer is centered around. Try to make an interesting backstory to your platformer, or maybe give the player a special ability (a common theme with the ability is to make the player able to flip gravity). Maybe the player has to escape from an alternate universe. Perhaps they have the ability to temporarily move without being subject to time. Don't just make it “the player has to reach this place at all costs and you must help him get there.” - Credit to Muellly In general, try to deviate away from cliches. There are endless possibilities!
2. Try to make the levels unique. Think of something that nobody's ever used before in a platformer. Don't just leave your platformer with three generic platform types (normal, death, bouncy), try and experiment with any idea you can think of! Some great platformers I've seen have, in addition to the ordinary three platforms: portals, conveyor belts that move the player in one direction, water to swim in, sticky colors that don't let the player jump (or make the player sink downwards very slowly), levers and buttons to interact with the levels, keys to unlock doors, even pushable blocks! And that's not even including all the possibilities with enemy AIs. You can even try to come up with a totally new idea! Speaking of that, I just had the idea of a substance that slows down all the time around you, making enemies move slowly but lets you move at normal speed.
3. Once you've had your idea, devote yourself into making it amazing! Make sure that the programming is smooth and works well. Take time designing the graphics so that they look perfect. Choose an art style that you think fits with the game. (A tip: the vector editor works well if you want smooth, organic shapes, while the bitmap editor can be used for pixel art. You could even make your game 100% pen, meaning that it's drawn out completely on the screen!
) I advise you against choosing the default, generic colors, like eye-straining bright green, glaring red, so-light-it's-hard-to-see yellow, etc. Instead, try using the color picker to carefully craft your own, nicely blended colors. They will look nicer when they are put together in your final game. Also, try to make some of your graphics look more normal, like possibly replacing that ugly blob of pink with a more realistic looking trampoline, or adding background “supports” to a floating platform. - Credit to @XCat A final suggestion - maybe get rid of the unoriginal circle or square and replace it with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing. - Credit to @XCat
4. Pay attention to small details. Sometimes, small details can mean a world of change. I personally find pen platformers very nice because the platforms can be positioned extremely accurately. When you have a lot of small, identical platforms, try to space them an equal distance apart, it will make your platformer look cleaner and more professional. Also, a lot of platformers I've viewed tend to have floating lava. Here's the thing: LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but still. If you need a floating obstacle, try to instead make it something more creative like a spike, or a hovering enemy, or even the heat coming off of a patch of lava on the ground. Also, make sure that your obstacles are aligned well with the ground; a lot of platformers are kind of sloppy that way, sometimes with lava sticking up out of the ground or something like that. - Credit to Cub56 Little things like that can really go a long way to making your platformer better.
5. Lastly, remember that, just like everything else, creating platformers will take a while to master. Everything has a learning curve. You can't just start playing the piano and except to become Mozart. Likewise, don't expect to be coding complex platformers like griffpatch's Scratchnapped within your first hour on Scratch (unless you've been creating platformers in another programming language for a REALLY long time). Like they all say, practice makes perfect! Keep on coding, and one day, you'll become great at it!
That's all I have to say for now. If you read this whole thing, please leave a suggestion on how to improve my advice. Scratch on!
P.S. I'm really not sure if this belongs in the Project Ideas forum or the Help With Scripts forum. I'm putting it in Project Ideas for now.
Personally, I really enjoy platformers. I love creating and playing them. But I often get annoyed when I play a new platformer and all I see is a repeat of this trend:
Level 1: reach the other side, no obstacles whatsoever
Level 2: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava
Level 3: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava (whichever one Level 2 wasn't)
Level 4/5: more lava/walls to jump over
Level 6/7: bouncy platform that launches player over huge red rectangle (PEOPLE, LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT!!!)
Level 8 - END: basically just a ton of walls, lava, and floating red rectangles to avoid
Now, I'm not judging anyone or saying that anybody's platformer is bad because it follows that trend. What I AM saying, though, is that truly high quality platformers are far, FAR more unique than that!
If you're trying to create a GREAT platformer, and it's turning out like that, don't panic. Read to the end of my topic to see how you can make your game a lot better.
1. Think about the theme that your platformer is centered around. Try to make an interesting backstory to your platformer, or maybe give the player a special ability (a common theme with the ability is to make the player able to flip gravity). Maybe the player has to escape from an alternate universe. Perhaps they have the ability to temporarily move without being subject to time. Don't just make it “the player has to reach this place at all costs and you must help him get there.” - Credit to Muellly In general, try to deviate away from cliches. There are endless possibilities!
2. Try to make the levels unique. Think of something that nobody's ever used before in a platformer. Don't just leave your platformer with three generic platform types (normal, death, bouncy), try and experiment with any idea you can think of! Some great platformers I've seen have, in addition to the ordinary three platforms: portals, conveyor belts that move the player in one direction, water to swim in, sticky colors that don't let the player jump (or make the player sink downwards very slowly), levers and buttons to interact with the levels, keys to unlock doors, even pushable blocks! And that's not even including all the possibilities with enemy AIs. You can even try to come up with a totally new idea! Speaking of that, I just had the idea of a substance that slows down all the time around you, making enemies move slowly but lets you move at normal speed.
3. Once you've had your idea, devote yourself into making it amazing! Make sure that the programming is smooth and works well. Take time designing the graphics so that they look perfect. Choose an art style that you think fits with the game. (A tip: the vector editor works well if you want smooth, organic shapes, while the bitmap editor can be used for pixel art. You could even make your game 100% pen, meaning that it's drawn out completely on the screen!
) I advise you against choosing the default, generic colors, like eye-straining bright green, glaring red, so-light-it's-hard-to-see yellow, etc. Instead, try using the color picker to carefully craft your own, nicely blended colors. They will look nicer when they are put together in your final game. Also, try to make some of your graphics look more normal, like possibly replacing that ugly blob of pink with a more realistic looking trampoline, or adding background “supports” to a floating platform. - Credit to @XCat A final suggestion - maybe get rid of the unoriginal circle or square and replace it with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing. - Credit to @XCat4. Pay attention to small details. Sometimes, small details can mean a world of change. I personally find pen platformers very nice because the platforms can be positioned extremely accurately. When you have a lot of small, identical platforms, try to space them an equal distance apart, it will make your platformer look cleaner and more professional. Also, a lot of platformers I've viewed tend to have floating lava. Here's the thing: LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but still. If you need a floating obstacle, try to instead make it something more creative like a spike, or a hovering enemy, or even the heat coming off of a patch of lava on the ground. Also, make sure that your obstacles are aligned well with the ground; a lot of platformers are kind of sloppy that way, sometimes with lava sticking up out of the ground or something like that. - Credit to Cub56 Little things like that can really go a long way to making your platformer better.
5. Lastly, remember that, just like everything else, creating platformers will take a while to master. Everything has a learning curve. You can't just start playing the piano and except to become Mozart. Likewise, don't expect to be coding complex platformers like griffpatch's Scratchnapped within your first hour on Scratch (unless you've been creating platformers in another programming language for a REALLY long time). Like they all say, practice makes perfect! Keep on coding, and one day, you'll become great at it!
That's all I have to say for now. If you read this whole thing, please leave a suggestion on how to improve my advice. Scratch on!
P.S. I'm really not sure if this belongs in the Project Ideas forum or the Help With Scripts forum. I'm putting it in Project Ideas for now.
Last edited by -ShadowOfTheFuture- (March 4, 2018 16:23:50)
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- muellly
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
This is a pretty good guide to making better platformers. Something I've noticed that is done a lot with platformers stories is that the entire plot is get from point A to B then you win. I really feel that it would make platformers better if they had some of the plot in the middle.
I would greatly appreciate if you were to check of this game I spent months that includes plot and bosses here https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/97452006/ ………………………………………Want a detailed review or idea?
I'm a major fan of Pokemon, Undertale and the Pija and Toast series.
I am doing a shiny scramble of pokemon Pearl. I'm 7 chapters in and on my way to the 2nd gym.
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
This is a pretty good guide to making better platformers. Something I've noticed that is done a lot with platformers stories is that the entire plot is get from point A to B then you win. I really feel that it would make platformers better if they had some of the plot in the middle.
Thank you! I'll add that last part
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- whyhellothere1
-
Scratcher
29 posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Level 1: reach the other side, no obstacles whatsoever
Level 2: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava
Level 3: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava (whichever one Level 2 wasn't)
Level 4/5: more lava/walls to jump over
Level 6/7: bouncy platform that launches player over huge red rectangle (PEOPLE, LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT!!!)
Level 8 - END: basically just a ton of walls, lava, and floating red rectangles to avoid
There's a game called Give Up that follows this exact format. It's just spread over 40 levels. It's made by a notorious creator, but not on Scratch, and when I read this list that game came to mind.
- TheUltimatum
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
A platformer where the “lava” spreads would be interesting. Otherwise good iTopic!
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- YubNubEwok
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Hello! I'mYubNubEwok!
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
;
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
<Insert uncreative signature here>
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- YubNubEwok
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Really?! This is really good and it should be so that it can help others create good platformers.Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
Hello! I'mYubNubEwok!
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
;
- TheUltimatum
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
This isn't really sticky material but it's great for an iTopic. :0Really?! This is really good and it should be so that it can help others create good platformers.Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
- YubNubEwok
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Hm…. Yeah, itopic might work better.This isn't really sticky material but it's great for an iTopic. :0Really?! This is really good and it should be so that it can help others create good platformers.Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
Hello! I'mYubNubEwok!
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
YubNubEwok | Star Wars Nerd | Marvel Fan | Hunger Games Fan | #1 Wisconsin cheese Fan | Female | Christian | Webkinz user/collector | 2000+ posts | Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23 |
-Stuff to check out-
TheJediMasters
Ⓒⓡⓔⓐⓣⓘⓥⓔ Bᴜᴍᴘs
Right now I challenge you to: go to my profile, follow me, and check out my featured project (it's important!)
;
- fphiladelphia
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
I think this is a good topic, but I think it would have to talk about more than just platforms to be a stickyReally?! This is really good and it should be so that it can help others create good platformers.Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
I'm back…..yay!
not really tho
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
I think this is a good topic, but I think it would have to talk about more than just platforms to be a stickyReally?! This is really good and it should be so that it can help others create good platformers.Great guide! Let me get my glue…
P.s, this is the right forum because you sort of giving project ideas.
Honestly, I don't think this would get stickied
Yeah, that's why I don't think this would get stickied.
Curse you, 60-second rule…
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- -ShadowOfTheFuture-
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
bump
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“Though the seasons come and go, and sunshine turns to snow, we will always have tomorrow up ahead.”
- Wahsp
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
[GUIDE] - Advice on Creating Quality Platformers
Awesome! I recently made a guide on platformers as well. Scratchers need to realize that it's okay to not follow trends, especially when it's easier to just:
Level 1: reach the other side, no obstacles whatsoever
Level 2: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava
Level 3: walljump over a high wall, or jump over a puddle of lava (whichever one Level 2 wasn't)
Level 4/5: more lava/walls to jump over
Level 6/7: bouncy platform that launches player over huge red rectangle (PEOPLE, LAVA DOESN'T FLOAT!!!)
Level 8 - END: basically just a ton of walls, lava, and floating red rectangles to avoid
I am Wahsp
______________________________________________________
Formerly pretty active on the forums, probably mostly retired now…
If you see one of my posts send me a hello!
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