Coding remains the biggest barrier between day time dreaming video game producers and the real deal. So when products such as Super Mario Maker bridge over that barrier and let the common gamer creativity take over it usually results in something quite special.
Currently already fully funded in a mere 48 hours NESmaker is aiming to become to all-in-one solution to NES game development and all of this without the need for a single line of code being written by the user. The tool was actually developed accidentally and out of necessity; Quoting from the Kickstarter project page:
"A few years ago, while developing our NES game engine in the archaic 6502 Assembly language, our team (made up of mostly non-programmers) realized that we needed a much more efficient method for rapid prototyping and testing. Instead of digging into the assembly every time we needed to make changes, we conceptualized wysiwyg* tools for common tasks that would output, reorganize, and manipulate the underlying code; developing screens, building animations, altering AI...things like that. We recruited Josh Fallon, tool developer extraordinaire, to help realize these tools. Before we knew it, we had inadvertently created NESmaker."
NESMaker hopes to become the go to solution for aspiring NES developers by having all the required utilities needed to make a complete game presented in a user friendly graphical user interface for modern personal computers. Even better, it will support direct upload to flash cartridge which will enable you to test your creations directly on real hardware, an excellent compliment to testing games on emulators. Here are the currently implemented features:
- Design sprite graphics and color palettes that are automatically constrained to the NES limitations.
- Create assets with properties and behaviors to give developing for the NES an object-oriented feel, similar to modern tools such as GameMaker and Unity.
- Use a text editor to create text strings for NPCs or other narrative devices your game might have.
- Create 'special screens' like start screens, end screens, menus, maps, and more.
- Customize AI
- Set initialization parameters (items obtained, player strength/defense, starting screen, etc) for easy testing.
- Use the base engine to create adventure games, basic RPGs, basic platformers, basic brawlers, and several other types of games.
- Assemble with one click for testing in an emulator.
- Flash to cartridge in one click for play on actual hardware.
The current stretch goals aim to implement game genre specific modules to the existing base program, adding further functionalities that will help in making beat'em ups and shmups. What do you think about this project? Would you love to make your own NES games? Do you have any game making experience on old hardware? Are you the next 8-bit Shigeru Miyamoto? Compile and run those answers on the comments section below.
* Acronym for "What You See Is What You Get".
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 34
Er, want. Now. Ps & Qs.
NES Maker ??
What should i make from NES Style games ?
reminds me of the Shoot Em Up Construction Kit from C64
...I do not need this....I am lying to myself.
@Bunkerneath ... now you made me fell really , really old. "Seuck" isn't' a nasty word btw.
Great to see what games come out from this on original hardware
RPG Maker on Switch would be really swell.
I don't see any point pouring hours into the 3DS version considering that so few will play my game by the time I get around to completing it.
I've thought of programming a game for NES or GBC but haven't looked further into it yet. It's cool to have tools for easy creation but I'm seeking a challenge. I've heard that programming an emulator is quite fun experience as well.
How do you create sounds and music? I assume that is part of the package?
@sillygostly
I think the problem with console versions of RPG Maker is that there isn't much room to get custom content, like if you want to make a Sci-fi RPG, there wasn't much (or at all) assets for Sci-fi theme and you couldn't make/add your own or something other people created.
"Where should I start if I have absolutely ZERO coding experience?" has been a question I've pondered for quite a few years. Maybe this is the answer?
If it's available for Mac as well, I'm in.
@frogopus I wouldn't say experienced but I've been studying programming for 3+ years now,. I'm currently working as an intern in a game company. Our studies have focused on game engine programming so it's a bit more advanced than usual game programming. I've had a chance to try out programming for a gaming console as well. I would like to have a better understanding of what programming for older consoles was like.
Huh, this seems pretty interesting. Programs like this, that claim to require no coding, always do have limitations, but like, I would never take the time to learn how to make NES games from scratch, nor would I ever want to spend too much time working on an NES game in the first place (I've got too many other, more important projects). Something like this could certainly be good fun for just messing around making silly games, which is always fun. Definitely interested.
Very soon there will be an 8bitd version of Smash bros to play on snes. Some people did it using Petite computer. Should easily be done on this
That + 3D Printer for making carts (Don't be using Mario/Duck Hunt carts guys. Don't turn a dollar game into a $50 one down the line.) + whereever you buy the boards = everyone's an Indie NES Developer. XD
A good app for homebrew dev. Now everyone can make money out of the NES again. Why play it on NES when you can sell it for NES right.
This sounds cool but I recommend learning how to program if the opportunity is ever available because its fun and satisfying to see your game get built line by line,then to practice testing/debugging on it,and finally being able to play it as a finished product.
...yous guys do realize if this ever get released with the shmup module, I will retire and spend the rest of my life making Famicom shmups, right?
I’m just curious if it will also work on a Mac. I’m interested if so.
@sillygostly I'll play your game. I downloaded the rpg maker player so I'd love to try it out
@Hordak Kahn Acadamy has good Java Script lessons. After going through those Unity is free and has lessons for C# with assets to make your own games.
This would be great if it was open source and for free.
But it's not worth pledging money in my opinion.
I'm pretty sure I need this in my life. Think i just found my first Kickstarter project to back! thanks for the article NL!
This kind of seems a little too good to be true. It can't be as simple as they make it sound.
where can i get this hardware equipment for flashing games to NES cartridges? i want it now. i already have a few games that i would like to port over to the NES...
Insta buy if this happens. Brilliant idea
@Late Just remember there is no operating system or software layer or bios on the NES. You need to learn assembly specifically for the 6502, and all the quirks of the custom version the NES uses, along with the rest of the hardware.
It is really hardly even relatable to later consoles. No scripts, no engines.
@Xaessya "RPG Maker Fes" does have an entire sci-fi expansion, you know. It will just cost you a little extra.
@Tim_Vreeland Yeah, I know. That's where the challenge comes from.
Way to go Joe.
Thanks for the article, I'm now a backer and am pumped to see what folks come up with.
@Hordak If you have absolutely zero experience coding there are a few game engines that don't require coding...it appears that this is one of them.
@frogopus
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...