There are many methods in which to choose what to play on RPG Maker, with so many games out there. So how do you make a decision about what to play?

Do you choose by reading a description? Looking at pictures? The user ratings on the games? An RPGMM review? Something else?

I think this'll be a fascinating talk.

Any kind of information that proves interesting.

Pictures generally draw me in. Then I look for discriptions of the game. If it catches my interest I'll play it. Reviews do help sometimes. Another thing that helps is if I know the creator, or have been following their progress threads. The name helps a lot for first impressions too. If it has a catchy name chances are I'll look into it more. Really there isn't one specific thing I look for to play. It sometimes depends on my mood.

anything uploaded to the pav, I play. thats really all there is to it.

I'm so boring.

Right now I have no Dexdrive and my RPGM2 copy isn't working so it is RPGM3 for Maxdrive.

I pretty much go with descriptions. If it seems like something that different that usually helps.

But honestly it is based on how the description fits the RPGM, like whether or not I can see how something could be implemented on it. Something like The Farm Life seems like it is meant for RPGM2, so that attracks my attention, whereas something like Whispers in the Woods seems like it is meant for RPGM3. Place these two on the respective other RPGMs and I might not be interested (although I still intend to play everything for RPGM3 at least somewhat).

I'm glad to hear that screenshots might help. I was hoping they would, that's why I always included them with my games, and offered to make them for other people.

It definitely helps me to decide on a new game to see some pictures, but to me it's always something in the description that grabs me. Sometimes it's something innovative (whether plot-wise or game mechanics-wise) that intrigues me, but I think the most important thing for me is that the description is well-written. If it's not, I don't hold out much hope that the game will be written well.

It wasn't until recently that I realized just what an impact the NAME of the game has in its success. I mean DUH...it's not that great a leap in logic, but I guess I just forgot that people might base their decision to download a game and play it or not based on the name that game has. I don't use that criteria, and that's not a judgment call...I've just played some amazing games with horrible names, and vice-versa.

Yeah. The pictures thing is good news for me: Usuru has a few different ones to go around.

I usually go with awards titles.

If I had a Game Bridge and a dozen MCs, I would be more than willing to take pics of most of the RPGM1 games here that lack..well..pics!

But oh well.

I should also note that I have been playing RPGM3 titles by people that I recognize as active in the forums at the Mag.

Speaking of that, are the awards going to be put back onto the game listings?

i only play maker 1 games though i break them down into the following: i play all games that have a legendary status, all games that score very highly at the mag, all games which look appealing through promotion or whos authors previous games ive enjoyed. i finally play some games that generally have peaked my interest or ones in which the creators have asked me to play and see how i like it. i may even play games whos descriptions look appealing or games which i think i may enjoy.

i rarely beat any maker game that i do play and some i end up not liking and only devote an hour to. to be a good designer you have to try out what others have done and see what you think of their progress. you get a good feel for the final project that you will eventually produce by analyzing others creations.