Need Ideas for a Game

[Rase]

Although you would definitely want to expand on and change the core mechanics and story to make it your own, I think it would be fantastic personally to see a new game that is similar to Illusion of Gaia. Top-down adventuring with a healthy dose of good narrative, and some interesting mechanics to round out the package (in IoG's case, shape-shifting, how leveling up worked, and the abilities gained). I also think that these types of games allow for more freedom in terms of what you can fit into them, as they are not expected to be 30+ hour epics like RPG's.

However, even more realistically it would make sense to just find a fun and arcadey experience to replicate, add in some unique gameplay twist or two, some refreshing visuals and music. A Smash TV clone set in a Chuckie Cheese with ska music playing perhaps. You can work on your epic genre-redefining masterpiece once you have a secured job with a company.

EDIT: Or basically what Hsu suggested.

[Shoeberto]

Another thing I feel is important to mention about trying to make too big of a team is recruiting people online to help you - people will start out very interested, but for various reasons (conflicting schedules, creative differences, general disinterest) a lot of them will bail; I've seen this take place in countless mods and small OSS projects. So along with advising small projects it's also a good idea to work with people who you know will be dedicated - usually yourself

[The Man]

As a CS major with similar aspirations, my advice is to not try to do an epic game. Epic games take teams years to make, so as a solo or member of a small team it could possibly be biting off more than you could chew. Try coming up with some smaller, fun, arcade-type experiences. That way, you have a more straightforward objective when programming your engine or can restart/abandon as necessary with less investment.

Good call. I really, really wish someone had given me this advice ten years ago when I was actually enthusiastic about developing games so that I would actually have the patience to finish some of them. Maybe if I'd done that, my enthusiasm wouldn't even have evaporated.

[Magixion]

Everyone has given great input and I am very grateful for it all. I believe I will start out with something like Rase suggested. I am hoping to get the core gameplay and ideas down and have some playable game working as soon as possible and then I intend to expand upon that. Something like Illusion of Gaia was exactly what I was thinking as far as that goes, so it is funny that you brought it up. IoG was a huge part of my childhood (damn those vampires!). Though, the whole Smash TV type thing seems like it would be the most plausible choice of everything that has been suggested.

So, I believe I have it whittled down to either a Gradius type game or Smash TV type game. Keep in mind it's not going to just be a clone or anything, I will have unique aspects to make it my own and it really just boils down to what my personal preference is as far as those go.

I am going to have 2-3 weeks off of school and am hoping to get a solid foundation for a game set up during that time, so expect an update when I get things in order.

[Wolf Kanno]

I am also with Hsu here, about staying simple and small; unless your aspirations is just to have a well rounded portfolio. At which case it may be good for you to take different styles of gaming and program for them so you have a series of bite size demos. You don't necessarily need to have one full complete game, if you can show a varied degree of skill at programming different elements in games; I feel that would be enough to catch a developers attention.

Either way, if you want to develop the scenario I created, we can toss the ideas around and flesh it out more. If it goes anywhere, great; if not, oh well. It would be nice to have more of a scenario fleshed out to use for my own portfolio and it will be a great learning experience for all.

[Shoeberto]

So, I believe I have it whittled down to either a Gradius type game or Smash TV type game. Keep in mind it's not going to just be a clone or anything, I will have unique aspects to make it my own and it really just boils down to what my personal preference is as far as those go.

Definitely a solid plan Having a goal based on the original idea is good to have since it gives you something direct to reach for, but there's always room to expand on that base formula and make it as crazy or original as you want. A lot of critically acclaimed games that have come out recently have done that exactly; using old formulas but putting enough of a new spin to make them their own thing (Braid, Castle Crashers and Puzzle Quest are a few that come to mind)

Good luck and have fun!

[NeoTifa]

I know who you are!!!! Can I help!!!! I'm best with java, and my C++ is a little rusty, but I'll look a book over again if I can. I'm working on an RPG myself in what little time I have. I'm working out classes and stuff now (still in preplanning mode) and was working on some sprites before my compy died. <3

[Magixion]

I know who you are!!!! Can I help!!!! I'm best with java, and my C++ is a little rusty, but I'll look a book over again if I can. I'm working on an RPG myself in what little time I have. I'm working out classes and stuff now (still in preplanning mode) and was working on some sprites before my compy died. <3

I would not be against teaming up for something at all. I am looking to sharpen my skills whenever possible. So, if you want to partner up and see what comes of it, let's do it!

I will most likely just do the Gradius or Smash TV type thing in my own free time and have it be a little side project. If you are serious about creating something, though, let's get in touch and hammer out some ideas, eh?

[NeoTifa]

Hey Magixion , of course I know you! You're the one majoring in computer science and getting close to graduating with your bachelor's. December this year , if my memory serves me.
I would really love to help you out but I'm just a C# beginner so I wouldn't do you much good. But you could ask NeoTifa perhaps...she mentioned something about wanting to make a game in C# ,so...

P.S. if you know of some good C# tutorials please do tell! Good luck with your project

D'awwwwww I wub you, too fellow DICHead <3

Originally Posted by NeoTifa ^
I know who you are!!!! Can I help!!!! I'm best with java, and my C++ is a little rusty, but I'll look a book over again if I can. I'm working on an RPG myself in what little time I have. I'm working out classes and stuff now (still in preplanning mode) and was working on some sprites before my compy died. <3

I would not be against teaming up for something at all. I am looking to sharpen my skills whenever possible. So, if you want to partner up and see what comes of it, let's do it!

I will most likely just do the Gradius or Smash TV type thing in my own free time and have it be a little side project. If you are serious about creating something, though, let's get in touch and hammer out some ideas, eh?

:\ I'm a fan of a simple Zelda-like or FF1 type RPG. Simple, with tons of potential for upgrades and improvement.

I had a storyline in mind for mine, then I realized it was too similar to FF4 :\

[Magixion]

:\ I'm a fan of a simple Zelda-like or FF1 type RPG. Simple, with tons of potential for upgrades and improvement.

I had a storyline in mind for mine, then I realized it was too similar to FF4 :\

Well, that is why we have EoFF! They could supply us with ideas :P

[NeoTifa]

If you need code advice, you can click my userbar in my sig So you really want to team up? I'm flattered. Usually people think I'm retarded and tell me to go away Is there any spacific deadline, or is it a "before I die" kind of thing?

[BG-57]

I did most of the game script for FFX-3 (LNA) if you want to check out my writing (fanfics aside). I tend to favor conflicted flawed characters who are trying to rebuild their lives after severe trauma, usually through interpersonal relationships. I like characters that form makeshift families (even my villains).

I think of my tone as dark heading to light. Some examples:

My perennial favorite is a general who adopts a daughter from a country he conquors. He later befriends a ambassador from the same country who becomes like a mother to his daughter. They share a mutual attraction but are too bound by honor and duty to do anything about it. The villain appears as a necromancer who tries to precipitate a war between the countries. The twist is she claims to be the daughter's long lost mother. I've actually tried to make this using two different versions of RPG Maker.

Another one I've been working on is a demon that possesses a human and recruits all his old lackeys. The thing is, the human host softens the demon's heart so he begins to treat his followers with compassion for the first time. Naturally he also inheirits all his old enemies, including some who are good but self-righteous, and others who are even more twisted than he is. I wanted to make a Flash RPG with this one, but I may just try it as a dating sim (which is much easier to program).

EDIT: I also like designing world maps.

[NeoTifa]

Lets all work together! An open project!!!!

[Magixion]

If you need code advice, you can click my userbar in my sig So you really want to team up? I'm flattered. Usually people think I'm retarded and tell me to go away Is there any spacific deadline, or is it a "before I die" kind of thing?

I would love to team up, and as far as a deadline goes, I would imagine it is a "before I die" thing, hah. After all, we do all have our own lives and need to live those as well!

My perennial favorite is a general who adopts a daughter from a country he conquors. He later befriends a ambassador from the same country who becomes like a mother to his daughter. They share a mutual attraction but are too bound by honor and duty to do anything about it. The villain appears as a necromancer who tries to precipitate a war between the countries. The twist is she claims to be the daughter's long lost mother. I've actually tried to make this using two different versions of RPG Maker.

I love that plot already. I love my stories to be filled with conflict and to be more "human" than most RPGs are now a days (filled with only noble and righteous people except for a single villain). Seeing as how humans are greedy and selfish in nature, I am all for those types of gritty and makeshift relationships.

If you guys are really serious, let's start this up. Perhaps we could simply just do an RPG Maker type game to see how we mesh and what not? Also, check out this game if you want to see what can still be accomplished by going back to JRPG style games - Blossomsoft

That game (Eternal Eden) is an RPG Maker game that a company made and is actually selling it for $20 online and it received a -very- good review from RPGfan.com.

Anyways, back on topic, I am going to PM you guys so I can hopefully get a messenger contact email or something that can make communication a bit easier.

[Mercen-X]

When it comes to dedication, I honestly feel you can't go wrong with BG. Seems to be up for anything you can dish out.

When it comes to original artwork, BG is a great concept artist. Jirito really knows how to flesh out characters. black orb is an awesome scene and arena artist.

As for story, I liked both of those ideas there. Personally, I had been developing a story that I arrogantly deemed to be better than Kingdom Hearts...

My original plan was to make a game that combined play elements from Kingdom Hearts and the Bouncer. Aeros doesn't always travel with the same pair (with whom you can switch control a'la Rogue Galaxy) and reaching certain story-points allows you to unlock new paths (you can restart with a new character or simply walk their path without Aeros). In this way, you see many different sides to the story and only by walking these paths can you acquire items unique to them. Every character in Aeros's playthrough has an archenemy/rival.
There is a second playstyle mirroring Kingdom Hearts where you play as Michael and acquire allies very similar to the Disney Characters. However, here you can only play as Michael. In Michael's playthrough, every ally shares the same enemy and Michael has his own rival.

I was taken by the story segments in that one SaGa game featuring irreversible paths (I hated that) and wanted to incorporate such visuals.

Sorry for rambling. Just pitching ideas.