When I was a kid, I wanted to be a video game designer. I even went as far as to create binders full of game concepts, like powerups, enemies and maps. I actually drew out the maps, added secrets and notes throughout my game. Well, that dream of mine can finally come true in later this year when the NESmaker is released!
NESmaker is kit that includes both the software for designing your own games (no programming knowledge required) and the hardware you need to flash your game ROM onto a real NES cartridge. The product is currently on Kickstarter, with three weeks remaining, a fully-funded project and its nearly reached the final stretch goal.
So how does it work?
NESmaker began as a set of software tools used by retro game developer The New 8-bit Heroes, when they decided to make the tools available for anyone who wants to develop and create their own NES games. The project is currently on Kickstarter and has acheived a lot of success, easily blowing past the $32,000 goal. Stretch goals for 'modules' used to create different genres of games have all been achieved, which include adventure, platformer, RPG, brawler and shooter. You can even combine modules to create a game that's part RPG and part shooter if that's what your vision requires!
The Kickstarter offers several bundles. The basic version ($36) includes just the software used to create your game, and additional tools can be purchased individually later. For a pledge of $88 or more, you will get the NESmaker Toolkit that includes the NESmaker software, the ROM flasher for moving your game onto a cartridge, and a re-flashable NES cartridge that you can put your brand new game on and play on a real NES console! Higher tiers are also available for more exclusive perks.
With three weeks to go, the final stretch goal is only about $1,500 short. This last stretch goal will add a sound effect and music creation toolset into the game development software, so you don't have to create music and sounds in another program and import them into your game.
One drawback is that I get the sense that the games you develop with this software will be somewhat limited to the pre-designed genre modules included in the software, though as we learn more about the tools this may be a minor issue.
The toolkit gives you the rights to publish your game creations and sell them however you want, granted that you're not using copyrighted material or assets lifted from other NES games. Resources will be available to help you acquire blank cartridges so you can unleash your new game on the world!
A Dream Come True
I will absolutely be getting in on this Kickstarter. I've wanted to build my own NES games since I was a kid and the NESmaker Toolkit gives me that opportunity. I just wish I had more time to dedicate to it. Perhaps I'll have to cut back on my new and retro gaming and use that time to design my own game for a change!
What do you think? Would you ever try to design your own game? Does this product appeal to you at all? Let's discuss!
Images source: NESmaker Kickstarter Video