Those IT servers...

[Kastilla]

You see those old threads back ... Years or so ago? They claim to create a better game than FeralHeart, but then, you go to their site only to see that it has been abandoned because of some drama or because it was "too hard".
To be honest, I literally laugh my tail off! It's so funny.
... Ahem.
What is your opinion on those who are willing to try to create their own IT server? Do you think they are foolish or do you think they would have a chance?
Yes, there has been successful IT servers, but why? What makes them successful?

[greenart6]

Just gonna say that I've never played on an IT Server before, and I'm not sure how making a server really works on there, but I have an idea I guess XD

But, I see lots of people claim that they're gonna make a game, and most of the time the problem is that they have no experience or idea on how to create a game whatsoever. And whenever they say they're gonna make an IT Server, all they have are ideas and a website, and that's all it will probably be.

The IT Servers (or just other games in general) that actually get finished/almost finished have dedicated people who know what they're doing, and they know how to code, make models, etc. I know a little coding and how to make simple meshes (I can make rocks and dens whoohoo), but not enough to even come close to making a game.

Since I kinda sounded pretty negative, I guess I'll just say if you want to make a game, that's perfectly fine! But, you need to be willing to learn new things and stick to it. Also, until you have some actual progress on the game itself, don't go and make a website and advertise for it everywhere.

That's my opinion on people making IT Servers, I guess.

[Kastilla]

Negativity is what I crave, opinions are even better.
Indeed you are correct, you need to be dedicated and know what you are doing.

[Wyldercat]

Ah, yes. These guys. Like Devy, I've never played on an IT server before. They seem pretty old, and like you said, most of them are abandoned/unsuccessful.

Anyway, believe me when I say this,
MAKING GAMES IS FREAKING HARD.
I typically spend a good portion of my summer in Video Game Design camp. We pretty much work with a program called Unity, which allows you to create custom 3D games. Anyway, even with all the guidance the instructors give you, it's pretty frikkin' hard. It's a LOT of programming, and character/mesh/texture/portal/map making crap. The most I could make was a giant Tarako child sausage thing chasing you around a volcano.
So imagine how hard it must be to make a massively multiplayer game with complex meshes, models and soundtracks... not to mention unique entities and npc's.

But either way, it could just be the staff, the game mechanics, and other factors. To make even the most cheesy, horrible, laggy IT server, is admirable in my eyes.

[Kastilla]

Yes, Ms. Lizard, it is quite hard.
I taught myself basic coding, but even that is quite challenging without a clear head.

[AlphaEclipse]

Most of the threads created in the other games board are W.I.P. IT servers. I believe this is due to Feral Heart being a popular animal role-playing game, so it attracts other animal-related games. I have seen some situations in which drama is the culprit because the admin/owner did not know how to control new users, let alone find more staff that would follow the rules and their instruction. Another reason on why IT servers are abandoned is because they don't have the money to host the game so it can be multiplayer and whatnot.

What is your opinion on those who are willing to try to create their own IT server? Do you think they are foolish or do you think they would have a chance?

I believe they most underestimate how difficult game-creating is. Making your own customizable game is difficult - even if the source is present - due to extra coding, making (complicated)  meshes, it's time consuming, etc. I do not think they are foolish, however I believe not everyone fully thinks it through. Although having your own game with you in control sounds fairly tempting, it may be to difficult if you do not know how to program, moderate, etc.

Yes, there has been successful IT servers, but why? What makes them successful?

I believe those who succeed at creating an IT server really put some time and effort into their work, and they understand it cannot be completed in a day. They probably have a developed staff team who knows how to moderate, enough time to work on such a project, and the dedication to get it up and operational. As long as you keep your mind to it and you put enough effort into making an IT server, I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Kastilla]

I agree with ya, Alpha.

[Vespian]

I guess I'll just say if you want to make a game, that's perfectly fine! But, you need to be willing to learn new things and stick to it. Also, until you have some actual progress on the game itself, don't go and make a website and advertise for it everywhere.

I agree with this statement. A good choice of words there, Ms. Devynex.

Allow me to board the train when I say I too haven't really played any IT servers- dedicatedly that is. FeralHeart is technically my home so whenever I join an IT server, it's like shippin' me off to a whole other planet but that's just me.
I have gotten the chance to check out a couple servers though where some good friends of mine work on administratin'/developin' the game.

That's the problem with most individuals nowadays. They claim they're gonna make a new game but in reality, the most they are able to do is come up with ideas and make a website. Then ye' see a few flock here actually and advertise their game only to say, "I need people who are experienced with making models, meshing, coding, etc." Note there's nothin' wrong with that but that's where the flaws normally originate. One cannot run a game- even administrate a game- without some experience. If it is not ye' craftin' the models, layin' out the game codin', etc then the game will turn out technically not yers since ye' did not contribute in its birth. Again, this could just be my opinion.
It takes years to make a game. It is not at all an easy process like buildin' up a role-play. Most users lose patience with the game and abandon it, but they don't take down the website 'n the like in vague hopes of havin' the chance to start it up again. Sometimes they are granted that hope but most of the time not.

Even if a game is birthed and successful, the creator(s) will then have to work on bug fixes, game updates, etc. It's never really a "okay, the game is done! Time to slack off and have fun for a while!" Those who create a game must enjoy doin' it. Not make a game just for the fame or the heck of makin' one for when/if it is successful, ye' will have many users lookin' up to ye' and are expected to keep on with what ye' originally strived for. To but it simply, it can be very stressful.

I do not see users who outspokenly claim they're goin' to make a game foolish, but I simply hope that their words are not empty and that they know what path they're saunterin' down will lead them to.

Arr, methinks that concludes my input.

[Kastilla]

Thank ya, m'sir Vespian for your input. OuO

[Nemena]

People also tend to underestimate server costs-- alongside the sheer manpower involved in creating workable 3D models. I charge well over $1k for making, mapping, texturing and rigging a high-poly model entirely from scratch-- and industry prices are generally ten times more than that. Most folk proclaiming that they're going to make a game are so young and inexperienced-- it's really not fair to expect others to freely make the game you envision without paying a penny to your artists and programmers (unless, of course, they're really invested in the subject).

I do love to see people's ideas and concepts, but they really need to have a working demo of the game, no matter how short, if they're seeking the support of donations and freebies.

In terms of IT servers, I'm not entirely sure why new ones are needed when there's plenty of established ones to try. If the person has the knowledge, and aren't completely reliant on help from strangers, then go for it! As long as they understand that they can't sit back, drop ideas, and let everyone else shoulder the brunt of the work.