Character. Goal. Obstacle.
Done.
EDIT: Actually, to give you a proper answer: the whole point of an Excuse Plot is to justify a game's gameplay. You don't set out to write an Excuse Plot - you make a functional game first, then make up some nonsense to give the game mechanics narrative context.
edited 13th Dec '15 12:15:10 PM by Tungsten74
Elementalist
Basically what had already been said. An Excuse Plot does not need to be deep and profound, it just needs to somehow fit with what you have and not have holes the size of the one that did Titanic in. So create the dungeons first, monsters are dungeon-themed in most games anyway and equipment and usables tend to be distanced from the story as well. Then get the team of characters you want to have in, think up something that fits and could vaguely be called a story, and make that work. That's it basically.
Because if what you want is not to tell a story but to make a game, then worrying about the story too much will just make it harder for you. Even in games like Skyrim you could say that it came into the world gameplay first and story second and it's supposed to be a game with an epic story and stuff.
Greetings. I am going to start using RPG Maker on my free time in order to get a hang on story telling. I started playing the First NES Dragon Warrior/Quest and I am thinking "How can I make a simple but effective story for my first project?"
And so, I am thinking of several ways to make a story. Should I write about a Dictator who enslaved the world? How about a story revolving around a Capture the Flag kind of story with the Wisdom and Power Variants of the Mac Guffins required for either side to rule the earth?
I'm not so sure of what to write right now. I need to think of something but I need to figure out what story would work with my first project. Any suggestions?