This is my game.

[chasingxsafety_]

I don't even know how to explain this.
For like, 5 years now I had this game idea in mind. It's a fairly long storyline and it's by far the best thing I've ever thought up. I really intend on making this a playable game in the future, not only on RPG Maker but if I'm successful enough to become an actual video game designer, on systems.
Theres some big problems though. I'm a really big beginner at RPG Maker, I can barely map (It all looks the same), and can't even make sprites (I know what they look like, but transferring them from my head to paper/MS Paint, is just way too much for me). The more and more devoted I get to brining this to life the more I realize that I can't do it.
The mechanics of RPG Maker, such as event editing and other such things, I'm okay with. I've got decently far... Well, at least 5 minutes in a game -_-. The majority of that was event processing, if that helps you understand what I'm trying to say.
All in all, I just don't think I can do this. I look at it sometimes and just say "Well, it doesn't seem too hard..." But when I actually try, I fail so epically.

tl;dr I have an amazing storyline in my head and I suck at making it. Looking for some help or at least some tips on how to become a better character designer/mapper

By the way, I'm using RPG Maker 2k3. I like it's battle system the most. :D

[Moosetroop11]

Well my advice would be to make a 'test game' with a simple plot where you concentrate on getting everything done, and then, as you encounter problems, you can ask us about them. Whenever you need a sprite for it, try making it... it doesn't matter if it's rubbish, because it's a test game. By the end, though, you'll have a lot of skills that you don't have now.

[aboutasoandthis]

I don't think you should focus on the graphics at all. If you have a really great storyline, just make a game with the basic features. After you finish it, you could release an updated version with better graphics and mapping.

[ZeroKirbyX]

I'm in the exact same boat. Hopefully you do more than me, which is nothing.

[DragonBlaze]

Graphics shouldn't be a big deal, we have thousands of premade graphics here at charas in the complete resource section. Besides that, we have a great character generator. If you still can't get the character you want, get one that looks close to it and just make a few edits to it. Making small edits is a lot easier than making an entire sprite from scratch.

For maps, don't really worry about it, they don't need to be perfect, or that good. It just takes a lot of practice to make a good map. The more you map, the better you get, don't get bummed out that you can't make great maps, just make maps, and they'll get better.

Don't try to make a great game, just make a game, get a feel for the system, and then work from there.

[Prpl_Mage]

I don't know what kinds of features your adding that stalls your progress with the events but I do know that those features is what makes people quit.

Patience usually breaks when they have to go through repeative coding. Especially if something ain't working.
And that's the thing, that people are usually trying too hard to make a cool game when they doesn't really have any experience.

As for maps, I know Meiscool made a tutorial around here, it's a great help; lots' of tips that are rather common although you don't think about it that often.
But every map goes as long as it doesn't have a lot of square-ish forests or mountains.

As for sprites, well. It's never easy to make something like a human into a 32bit sprite with merely 3 sprites per pose.
Training would be the best alternative here. And then take DB's advice to use an existing sprite as a base and then begin to edit it to build your own character. It saves you time and trouble.
(Also try to mix a lot, copy paste to create some variety on the character's appearence.)

Good luck!

[Hirochi-Zangus]

Just like what they said, you need to get a feel for the system and learn how to use it and the best way to do that is by practicing. I've only used RPG 2k3 for 3 years now and I've gotten better with practice. And for the graphics, just concentrate on the story then worry about the graphics because that's something you can fix. Trying to fix a story because of this or that is hard, believe me. Also, if you get a feel for Switches and Variables early on when your learning RPG maker then that's going to increase your experience with the system because most of the game is based on Switches and Variable (the ones I've played, I don't know if you can make a game without them!). If you get used to these main things, then you can worry about details in your game.