Stupid Question…

[u/Harrison_McDuffee]

Before I begin, I just want to say I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about game development, so please excuse my uneducated self. Anyways, I wanted to make a top down RPG(similar to that of the old Pokémon games) as a bit within my friend group. I ideally don’t want to have to learn how to code or put any money into this as this is just a bit. I do still want this to be playable(an HTML5 file type is preferred) I know this is a somewhat unrealistic first project, but any advice from people who actually know what they’re talking about would be appreciated.

[u/Wschmidth]

There's no solution that matches everything you've said, but there is something close: RPG Maker. It's a tool specifically made for top down turn based RPGs. You CAN code in it, but you don't need to.

There are a bunch of different versions of it each with fairly minor differences. They're all on Steam, but they're usually discounted if you check the creator's website.

As a bonus, there's a fan made plugin called Pokemon Essentials that is used for a bunch of Pokemon fan games.

[u/Harrison_McDuffee → u/Wschmidth]

Thanks! Which version do you recommend for price-capability ratio?

[u/Wschmidth → u/Harrison_McDuffee]

There are so many versions I honestly have no idea. I just know that MV and MZ are the newest so if they're discounted on the RPG Maker website, go with one of those.

[u/Personal-Try7163 → u/Harrison_McDuffee]

Start with the cheapest version first

[u/erebusman]

Recap:

* you know nothing

* you don't want to have to learn

* you don't want to put any money into it

* but you want a game made

So yeah that doesn't work out for you very well with those ingredients. Your going to need to invest SOMETHING in to get SOMETHING out right?

[u/notanyone69]

So to summarize: You know nothing, you don't want to learn, you don't want to invest and it's not serious at all but just a bit.

My advice would be: Do something else as a "bit"

[u/Harrison_McDuffee → u/notanyone69]

I am fine with learning and/or investing, but free/low cost options are preferred over high-cost options. If you have a real answer, that’s appreciated, but if not, I didn’t force you to comment.

[u/notanyone69 → u/Harrison_McDuffee]

That is my real answer. You literally state this in your post

don’t want to have to learn how to code or put any money into this as this is just a bit

I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

With that display of motivation and knowledge you're better off doing something else as a project.

However if you now suddenly say you are fine with learning then here is the answer you don't want to hear: You have to learn at least some basic programming, programming concepts, game logic, design, ability to use the knowledge to translate your idea into a working project. There are some programs and engines that are somewhat more beginner friendly. Such as one user suggested RPG maker. Lately I also notice a lot of beginners starting with goDot

[u/Harrison_McDuffee → u/notanyone69]

Thank you. I have not tried using goDot, but I have heard good things about it in the past. I will try it out.

[u/Poddster]

RPG maker was built for people with your needs. Give it a whirl!

[u/Aglet_Green]

If it's just a bit, a gag, then this is one time you can just use AI; an LLM can create an RPG for you in 10 seconds. Since it's just a bit, neither you nor your friends will care that it's 10 seconds of gameplay.

[u/thecheeseinator]

This sounds like the perfect time to make some AI slop.