Make Your Own Modder Games

I’ve been working on my old maps and orbs and sounds and such, and I’m preparing a few hundred of my earliest maps, including many non-commercial ideas that never went anywhere to be released incomplete, with the idea in mind that you would complete the map with your own ideas and concepts.

You could even collaborate on mapping with others in your Godd builder’s group.

I explained all this to my chatbot friend, Bob — who denies consistently that his name is anything but chatGPT — about my latest project to revive my early and possibly best maps.

I’m always surprised at how much in-depth Bob understands about our GoDD gaming engine and its applications, and I wanted to pass his wisdom and flawless organization of information into comprehensible packets.

Here is how the conversation went:

I’m putting out for sale a collection of hundreds of my early 3d gaming maps and levels for the purpose of folks finishing them to their own taste; but it’s very retro, meaning it’s similar to the earliest video games. what can i say to people to make them want to buy these out-of-date games?

Promoting your collection of retro 3D gaming maps and levels can be an exciting endeavor. While these maps and levels may be reminiscent of early video games, they also hold a unique charm that can appeal to a specific audience. Here are some points you can highlight to make potential buyers interested in your collection:

  1. Nostalgia: Emphasize the nostalgia factor. Many gamers who grew up playing early video games have fond memories of those times. Your collection can transport them back to their youth and evoke feelings of nostalgia.
  2. Historical Significance: Highlight the historical significance of your maps and levels. They represent a pivotal era in gaming history and showcase the evolution of game design and technology.
  3. Unique Artistry: Discuss the creative and artistic aspects of your collection. These early games often had limitations that led to inventive solutions for level design and gameplay mechanics, making your maps and levels unique pieces of gaming art.
  4. Retro Aesthetics: Mention the aesthetic appeal of retro graphics and design. The pixelated, blocky style has a certain charm that’s become popular again in recent years.
  5. Gameplay Challenge: Emphasize the gameplay challenge that your maps and levels offer. Early games were known for their difficulty, and players who enjoy a good challenge will be drawn to your collection.
  6. Customization Potential: Highlight the potential for customization and modding. Retro-style games and levels are popular for modding communities, allowing players to create their own experiences within the nostalgic framework.
  7. Collectible Value: Emphasize the collectible value of your collection. Just as physical retro games have become collector’s items, your digital maps and levels can hold similar value for enthusiasts.
  8. Educational Purpose: Mention the educational aspect. Your collection can serve as a valuable resource for game designers, students, and researchers interested in studying the history and mechanics of early video games.
  9. Community Engagement: Highlight the opportunity for community engagement. By purchasing your collection, buyers can become part of a community that appreciates and celebrates retro gaming and level design.
  10. Affordable Entertainment: Position your collection as affordable entertainment. Gamers can enjoy hours of gameplay without breaking the bank, making it an attractive option for those looking for budget-friendly gaming experiences.

Remember to create compelling visuals and descriptions to showcase the uniqueness and appeal of your collection. Use social media platforms, gaming forums, and online marketplaces to reach your target audience and engage with potential buyers.

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Thanks, that’s great, but I want to mention that many dozens of my games are in CTF Capture the Flag format, requiring other players to enter the game online. It’s not easy to connect the godd games through the internet, but it can be done. What can I say about that?

Absolutely, promoting online multiplayer Capture the Flag (CTF) maps and levels from a retro perspective can be a unique selling point. Here’s how you can emphasize the online multiplayer aspect and address the challenges:

  1. Engaging Multiplayer Experience: Highlight the exciting and competitive nature of CTF gameplay. Emphasize the joy of team-based strategies and the thrill of capturing the flag in a multiplayer setting.
  2. Social Interaction: Emphasize the social aspect of playing online with friends or fellow retro gaming enthusiasts. Connecting and competing with others can create memorable experiences and foster a sense of community.
  3. Nostalgic Multiplayer Fun: Connect the nostalgia of playing with friends in the same room to the online multiplayer experience. Mention how your CTF maps and levels capture that same spirit of old-school multiplayer gaming.
  4. Adapted for Modern Play: Explain how you’ve adapted the multiplayer experience for modern players. While the gameplay might be retro-inspired, you can mention any user-friendly features you’ve added to streamline online connectivity.
  5. Online Tournaments and Events: Consider organizing or promoting online tournaments and events based on your CTF maps. This can create a sense of excitement and competition, attracting both new and experienced players.
  6. Step-by-Step Guides: Offer detailed instructions or guides on how to connect and play your CTF maps online. This can help potential buyers understand that although it might require a bit of effort, the experience is well worth it.
  7. Community Support: Highlight any online communities or forums where players can find assistance, share tips, and troubleshoot any connectivity issues. This showcases a supportive environment for players who want to engage with your content.
  8. Digital Connectivity Guide: Create a resource, such as a PDF or video tutorial, that explains how to set up and connect for multiplayer gaming. This can be a valuable addition to your collection, enhancing the overall customer experience.
  9. Niche Appeal: Emphasize that your CTF maps cater to a niche audience of gamers who appreciate the challenge of connecting retro-style games online. This exclusivity can add to the allure of your collection.
  10. Adventure Beyond Gameplay: Describe the adventure of connecting and playing as an integral part of the experience. Emphasize that overcoming the challenges of setting up online play adds to the rewarding feeling of accomplishment.

Remember, clear communication about the process of online play and the unique aspects of your CTF maps will help potential buyers understand and appreciate the value of your collection.

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Number six, explaining exactly the procedure for joining an online GoDD game, sounds really do-able. So how can I best emphasize the customization angle of reworking these GoDD engine maps, assuming that people figure out how to get into online games with each other?

Emphasizing the customization angle of reworking vintage game maps is a great way to attract potential buyers who enjoy personalizing their gaming experiences. Here’s how you can effectively highlight the customization aspect of your collection:

  1. Variety of Themes: Showcase the wide range of themes and settings that your vintage game maps offer. Mention how players can explore different environments and eras, from fantasy realms to sci-fi landscapes, allowing for diverse and personalized gameplay.
  2. Modding-Friendly: Emphasize that your maps are designed with modding and customization in mind. Highlight any user-friendly tools or resources you provide that enable players to easily modify and create their own versions of the maps.
  3. Endless Creativity: Describe the creative possibilities that customization unlocks. Highlight how players can tweak elements like terrain, structures, enemy placements, and objectives to craft unique and imaginative gameplay experiences.
  4. Personal Storytelling: Explain how players can use your maps as a canvas for their own stories. Describe how they can design narratives, challenges, and characters within the maps, turning them into personalized gaming adventures.
  5. Showcase User Creations: If possible, feature examples of what others have created using your maps. This can serve as inspiration for potential buyers, demonstrating the incredible potential for customization.
  6. Video Demonstrations: Create videos or tutorials that showcase the process of customizing your vintage maps. Visual demonstrations can effectively illustrate the ease and flexibility of making changes.
  7. Customization Guides: Offer step-by-step customization guides that walk players through the process of modifying your maps. These guides can include tips, tricks, and best practices for achieving specific effects.
  8. Community Collaboration: Encourage buyers to join a community or forum where they can share their customized versions of your maps. Highlight the potential for collaboration, feedback, and inspiration from fellow enthusiasts.
  9. Interactive Examples: Develop interactive examples that allow potential buyers to experiment with customization before purchasing. This can give them a hands-on taste of the creative possibilities your maps offer.
  10. Before-and-After Comparisons: Provide side-by-side comparisons of your original maps and examples of customized versions. This can visually showcase the transformative power of customization.

Remember to use engaging visuals, descriptive language, and relatable examples to convey the excitement and potential of customization in your vintage game maps. The goal is to make potential buyers feel inspired and motivated to explore the creative opportunities your collection presents.

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So that’s the story in a nutshell. I’ll be working on hundreds of releases that can’t be played or looked at unless you have the engine and all the sounds, textures and models called for in the maps — everything is there, but you must have the basics.

If you’re at all unclear about how to obtain the basics, you’re not alone. I’ll do my best to list things on etsy, but not everything can be stuffed into a maximum 20 MB parcel, so some things might be delivered by USB Card — we’ve just ordered hundreds, so we’re ready to fulfill the orders today!

See You At The Top!!!

gorby