It seems I have the habit of making games that are not all that fun to play. First I made Elementary Kanji, a learning program rather than a game. Next, I worked on Learning the Kana, another learning tool, though this time it was better disguised as a game. Now, working on my puzzle game Home Base, I am starting to wonder what exactly I am trying to accomplish with Game Maker. The game seems to be extremely hard for most people who try it, and it seems that it is more of a chore for them rather than a challenge. Once Home Base is done, I am going to change my focus. I want to make a game that is more fun to play than it is to look at. Trouble is coming up with an original idea that would be just as fun for me to make as it would be to play.

Fortunately, I have the inverse of your problem ;) I can think of a ZILLION games that are fun to play, and plan them out from beginning to end... but programming the rubbish is what I need to focus on doing. Hehe.

I tend to make things that I enjoy playing and don't worry what everyone else thinks. I don't tend to make games for other people, I do it for myself. If they like them aswell, I guess that's a bonus  :D

That's where an economic theory comes in. Excellent execution but not so fun ideas + Fun ideas but not so good execution = Excellent execution with fun ideas. Accumulatie. You both could work together. =)

I'm with ChevyRay. Lots of cool, original ideas. Poor execution. Horrible polish. :'(

I found your Japanese tools very useful though. They really helped me to revise some Jap in a very pleasant environment. ;)

Of course, taking a new direction is usually a good idea. It broadens the range of your experiences. Before now, I had the knack of getting into massive-scale projects, most of which end up abandoned or freeze-dried.

Yeah that's what tends to happen with massive ambitous projects. Well the one's I've been involved with anyway  ::) Apart from sol, I actually can't wait to get working on it again. Which is a bit of a suprise! I personally don't tend to enjoy puzzle games as much as all the other action/fast paced kinda stuff. I'm sure you'll stumble across something you enjoy making and is alot of fun to play  :)

My bad habit is simply not finishing my games. I usually just run out of momentum, y'know?

(And Deadheat, I agree. I wouldn't have spent months creating my puzzle game if I wanted it to be a game everyone loved.)

I'm going to have to agree that Home Base is indeed quite hard, but that's not necessairely a bad thing. I think Pondwater has a good idea, you could team up with ChevyRay.

I'd be game for that, though unless I waited until my current project was completed (let's just say not soon...), it'd simply involve working around it. It's nice to work on another project anyhow, because the switching back-and-forth keeps you getting bored of just one.

When it comes down to it though, I'm always able to help with the initial design phase of a game; so if it's simply the foresight and planning that has you stumped, then maybe someone like I could be your key to executing this goal.