How to Create Your Own RPG Website

Witcher Screenshot

Creating your own RPG website can help you get publicity for your RPG, and give users a place to find information. Even if you are not an experienced Web developer, you can still make an effective website. All you need is the correct tools, an imaginative mind and a little determination.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop 6+ or the GIMP (see Resources below) Dreamweaver (see Resources below)

Instructions

Creating the Template

1. Open Photoshop or the GIMP and create an image with a width of 1024 pixels and a height of at least 768 pixels.

2. Use the "Paint Bucket" tool to fill the background with a color of your choice. Then, use the "Texturizer" tool to apply a texture to this background. You can find the Texturizer in the "Filters" section of the File menu.

3. Use the "Rectangle" tool or the "Rounded rectangle" tool to begin to create bars for menu items. After you have made them the right size, right click on their layer and select "Blending Options." Here you can bevel the bars, create drop shadows and access many other design options.

4. Use the "Text" tool to create a navigation bar for your template. Apply blending options to this text for design purposes.

5. 

   Place your RPG logo at the top of the layout, and a copyright bar at the bottom.

6. Once you are finished with the template, save it as a .jpg file in your website folder.

Creating the Website

1. 

   Open Dreamweaver and create a new HTML page. Create a layer (this option is found in the File menu) and place your template image within it.

2. Align your template to the top corner of the page and match the background color of the page, to match the background color of your template.

3. 

   Use the rectangle-, polygon- and circle-looking tools at the bottom left corner of the window to add hot spots over your navigation links. Link these hot spots to the names of the other pages in your website. Save this page as template .html.

4. Use this template to make all the other pages in your website. Add content like text and images to the bars on the pages.

Tips & Warnings

• The more time you take designing your page's template, the more professional it will look.

• Always use your own work when making publishable content.

Resources

• Adobe Photoshop CS4 (Professional Image Editing Software)
• The GIMP (Freeware Image Editing Software)
• Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 (Professional Web Design Software)