How in depth can a fan game story get?

Sup Fangame Discussion, I realy want ot get into fan game programing. I can sprite well but I no nothing about the programs one uses to create a fangame, or how to obtain these programs.
But thats not my queston.
I was wondering how long and in depth an fan game can be (stor wise).
If some one can awnser my question, maybe give me an example that would be grand.
sorry if this is the wrong place for something like this.

This post has been edited by ClownMan on May 31 2008, 01:51 PM

I say an intro cutscene to the characters and what happens and what you need to fix it. (Bowser kidnaps princess) Then throughout the game cutscenes to explain how you are now in a desert world. (Letter from the princess, after you save the king like in mario 3)

This post has been edited by Cellnkocane on May 31 2008, 01:55 PM

Is there ussaly a maximum of how many cutsenes a fangame can have?
Also how long can cutsenes be?
Sorry for all the questions

Haha no, a fangame's a fangame and as long as you don't make story zany enough to kill the whole idea then almost anything goes 8)

Rad, thats all I need to know for now. Thanks guys.

no

as long as you want but for the love of waligie make them skippable

My opinion is that the "story" doesn't REALLY have to be that deep. But if your fangame project does have a story, make sure it makes sense from beginning to end. Games with a nonsensical story plot are a major turnoff both for official games and fan games.

Now there's one thing in each game that is a definite must -- OBJECTIVE. A game isn't a game without that, no doubt.

What, I'm guessing you don't like Thingio and the Katamari games?

Sometimes, a nonsensical plot is awesome.

However, for deeper stories, it is best to keep the story on the serious side as well.

Hmm... never tried those games yes -- I do understand there are some exceptions, and there are some good ones, no doubt.

I'll probly make things start off light, and get more intense as the plot develops.

That's probably the best way to go. I tend to like where the plot starts off light, then progressively gets worse. It makes you want to play more to "see what happens next", rather than just leave you playing 20+ levels when you already know what's going to happen in the end, which is a turn-off for some people. You always want to have a motive that keeps people wanting to play the next level, whether it be just because it's fun(gameplay), the storyline(plot), or the highscore(replay).

Also, don't stray away from doing cutscenes "because you can't draw". Just use sprites instead.

And the main rule, make sure your having fun making your own fan-game, or you will end up canning it.