Creating a Small RPG in 1-2 Months: Learning from Classic Game Design Constraints
By
ibobev
6mo ago· 17 min readen
100/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Score100Typehow-toSentimentpositive
Summary
The article details the author's journey of creating a small RPG game within 1-2 months by studying classic RPGs like Dragon Quest for scoping inspiration. The author explains how technical limitations of 1980s games forced developers to create compelling experiences with limited resources, and applies these lessons to modern game development. The piece serves as a practical guide for aspiring game developers who want to create RPGs without committing to massive multi-year projects.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledI've always wanted to try my hand making an RPG but always assumed it would take too much time.
I decided to look into older RPGs as I had a hunch they could teach me a lot about scoping because back in the 80s, games were small because of technical limitations.
A game that particularly caught my attention was the first Dragon Quest. This game was very important because it popularized the RPG genre in Japan by simplifying the form.
I’ve always wanted to try my hand making an RPG but always assumed it would take too much time.
