1.0 What is Klik?

  1.1 The meaning of Klik
  1.2 Who is Klik for?
  1.3 Where/How can I get Klik?

2.0 Before you start

  2.1 KNP, TGF, MMF, Or Jamagic?
  2.2 Getting your ideas together
  2.3 Write the story
  2.4 Bing!
 
3.0 Getting Started

    3.1 Where do I start?
    3.2 Graphics
    3.3 Coding

4.0 Keep Going

    4.1 Level Design
    4.2 Sound
    4.3 Very FINE!
    4.4 Now what?
    4.5 Almost there
    4.6 Make it better

5.0 Finishing up

  5.1 Testing 123
  5.2 Testing Group
  5.3 Touch it up
  5.4 Release
 

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Forward
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 If your reading this FAQ that is because you have questions about Klik. In this FAQ I will do my personal best to get you creating games that are fun to play.  The key word is FUN. This is an FAQ not a tutorial; therefore, I will not be teaching you how to use the event editor, sprite editor, or extensions. I will mostly talk about concepts. You can read right through, or skip to the area you need help with most.
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1.0 What is Klik?
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 In this section we will talk all about Klik, and answer the questions: What Does Klik Mean? Who is Klik for?
Where/How can I get Klik?

If you feel you are familiar enough with all of these topics skip to " 2.0 before you start "
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1.1 The meaning of Klik

 Klik is a word used in reference to Clickteam products (more on Click team later). These Products are used to create applications or games without learning to program; however, that is not to say you won't need to learn anything. These software titles are commonly used to create games, that is probably why you’re reading this. Unfortunately I will not be giving instruction on making applications, but some principals may still apply.
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1.2 Who is Klik for?

 Klik is for anyone willing to PAY for and learn how to use it.
If you've ever wanted to make a 2D game Klik is for you. Although Klik products are not limitless, they are powerful enough that you certanly won't feel constrained--provided you make the right selection.
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1.3 Where/How can I get Klik?

 You can buy Klik products from Clickteam.com. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT ask for free copies of Klik software. There are affordable options, and copying this software by way of download, Burning onto a disc, or any other means is strictly prohibited by law. More Purchase and legal information is available at Clickteam.com.
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Now that you know what Klik is, you're almost ready to start. But before you do read 2.0 before you start.

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2.0 Before you start
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 In this section I will explain whether to buy KNP, TGF or MMF, how to get your ideas together, write the story and add a little Bing!

If you feel you are familiar enough with all of these topics skip to " 3.0 getting started " Don't Skip Bing!
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2.1 KNP, TGF, MMF, Or Jamagic?

 So, you know you want to get into Kliking, but what should you choose?
Klik 'N Play, The Games Factory, Multimedia Fusion or Jamagic?

Klik 'N Play (KNP)
Well clickteam kinda took care of the first choice; KNP is no longer available. If you’re not really sure what you’re getting into and can still find a someone selling it, you could pick it up. However It's limitations (No Scrolling or 3D) make it kinda worthless.

The Games Factory (TGF)

TGF is the best Bang for your buck, at $29 or $49 Pro it's a great deal. TGF Is powerful enough to make Side scrolling Platformers, or free scrolling games but no 3d support. If your beginning and not sure if you want to invest in something too expensive, Try TGF. Demo available at Clickteam.com.

Multimedia Fusion 1.5 (MMF)

This is the most popular Klik title, and it's the most powerful besides Jamagic. MMF Lets you make huge games with scrolling and limited 3D. The wide variety of extensions makes it even more powerful. If you’re serious about making game, you want lots of features, and no programming GET MMF! $99 or $299 pro. Demo available at Clickteam.com.

Jamagic

If NEED 3D and don't mind programming pick up Jamagic. $99.
 

All listed prices USD. Go to Clickteam.com for more info and pricing in other currencies.
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2.2 Getting your ideas together
 
 Although it's not a popular way of doing things in the kilk community, the best way to start is get a notebook and write down basic ideas, concept sketches, innovative ideas, and whatever else you can think of. This comes in handy later because you can also use it to keep track of what Flags and Global Values you have already used.
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2.3 Write the story

 If your making a game with a storyline (recommended) write out as much as you can stand to in a notebook. Write the plot, dialogs, descriptions of how characters act and look. Write how rooms look everything you can think of, the more the better.
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2.4 Bing!

 You’re probably wondering what Bing is; it's just a word I used to make this section stand out. I wanted Bing! to stand out because this is one of the most important things to remember. Now, how can you put some Bing! in your game? Just think about all the times you played a game and thought it would be 10 times better if you could do this, or there should be a game like this. Think about what you'd like to see in games, what the other games are missing. If your game has what other games don't, it will stand out, and you will have a better game because of that. If your game is original, mote people will want to play it!
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O.K. Now that you've picked your software, got your ideas together, wrote the story, and added a little Bing! It's time to get started with 3.0 Getting started.

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3.0 Getting started
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All of the preparations are complete, so it's time to Get started. In getting started we'll be talking all about where and how to start.
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3.1 Where to start
 
 You have all the details done and you're ready to start, but where do you start? Well usually you start with the main character because that is what the whole game is about. But suppose it's a RTS (Real-time strategy) or puzzle game, in that case I suggest you start with character models. A character model is a simple blank character with minimalist shading; some call it a "Blank" or "Dummy" character but it's all the same. After you've completed a character, it's time to assign a movement. Your first game should be simple, don't try to make a complex fighter or RTS. Most people still can't. Try something simple, like a platformer, adventure, 2D shooter or something completely unique.
After you have some sprites, (Graphics) you'll want to use the step through editor and mess around until something happens. Then you'll need to tell the step through editor what to do. If you want more control you should use the event editor since that's what you'll ultimately be using anyway.
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3.2 Graphics

 The first thing you'll probably notice in your game is that you're not happy with how the graphics turned out, that's just how it is. Now here's your choice, you can work on the graphics, check out sprite tutorials and maybe even take a class at a community college, or make the game so fun people won't care what the game looks like. In my opinion you should take the latter, and that's because I would like to see more games that are fun to play not to look at. However some people are artistically inclined, those of you who are should use your gifts and also try but keep it fun. And I’ll say it one more time just in case you weren't paying attention, MAKE YOUR GAME FUN, EVEN IF THE GRAPHICS AREN'T TOP NOTCH!!!
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3.3 Coding
 I'm not going to teach you how to code--I already said that. But I will say this, put your events in groups, comment on things that might confuse you later, and when something just won't work, go over EVERY line of code.
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You've started don't stop now! Read 4.0 Keep going.
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4.0 Keep going
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 In this Section I'll keep talking about the creation process, and help you to keep going with level design, sound, a very fine tip, help you get help and more! If you're already putting on the finishing touches skip to "5.0 finishing up" but check out that fine tip and make it better first!
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4.1 Level design
 
 If you want a good game you'll need good levels and here's well you’ll get a few tips on just that.

1. Don't use gradient Backgrounds.
2. Stuff the levels full of props, to make seem less empty and make'em kinda dark so they look like backdrops.
3. Zoom out and see how everything looks.
4. Don’t make it too simple, and doors, locked doors, ladders holes stairs, dead-ends, and hidden power-ups. Sounds better already doesn’t it?
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4.2 Sound

 Sound is the most neglected; in fact, you could make an O.K. game with no sound, and no one would care. However if you add sound your game will have more depth. KNP TGF MMF and I think Jamagic all have sounds you can add, but if you can make your own high quality sounds it will be more professional.
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4.3 Very FINE

 THIS IS A GREAT TIP EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW. If you go to an objects properties under collision, you'll see something called fine collision detection. This means it detects collisions only when colored pixels collide. It sounds good but this feature come at a cost, and that cost is SPEED. If you disable detection, on an object it will not move faster. What this will do is keep your game from getting bogged down and slow. Now this too has its price, the aforementioned object will collide when the transparent pixels hit something--which isn't so bad if you crop the frames. Try it out! PLEASE!!!
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4.4 Now what?

 You've tried everything, but you can't figure out what's wrong. If you need help with coding go to the code-it board at The Daily Click. www.create-games.com
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4.5 Almost there

 You’re getting close to the finish post a demo and see what people think.
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4.6 Make it better

 Do you want to make your game better? Try these tips:

1. Don't use form buttons
2. Don't use gradients, unless you MUST
3. Ask your friends what your game lacks, then add it
4. If you're making an adventure game or RPG give the sprites 8 directions of animation--If you can.
5. Change fonts on counters. Drawing your own is even better
6. Check hot spots in animation
7. Check all grammar and spelling
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GREAT! Now your game is even better, all there is left to do is finish up. So read 5.0 Finishing up!
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5.0 Finishing up
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 You've come a long way now it's time to finish up. If you've already finished up skip to "6.0 so, you've already finished your game but you're read this dumb FAQ anyway." Just kidding :)
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5.1 Testing 123

 You're almost done, but you still have some bugs to work out. You should play the WHOLE game, and do EVERYTHING. TRY to make your game mess up, then find out why it did and fix it.
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5.2 Group test

 Now that you've fixed all the bugs you could find, give the game to a couple friends and ask them to bug test it for you.
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5.3 Touch it up

 You're almost finished, but first ask remember those friends that tested the game? Ask them what you could do to make your game better, then DO IT!
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5.4 Release Don't forget to add a read me file; people want some instructions, even if they're in the game. And you're done! Now just build, compress, upload, and submit to The Daily Click!
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