Ever love an old game so much....
by Frederick · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 08/07/2001 (12:38 pm) · 104 replies
... that you would look into trying to build a sequel?
Despite the fact that you could never hope to land a proper liscence to use the story material (and thus, never get paid... or worse)
Some old friends keep moaning about a long past mech game and its lack of updates.
Ive got half a mind to try and do something about it, but the other half says the first half has lost its sanity :p
Bleh, Im just rambling now.
Anyone got opinions?
Despite the fact that you could never hope to land a proper liscence to use the story material (and thus, never get paid... or worse)
Some old friends keep moaning about a long past mech game and its lack of updates.
Ive got half a mind to try and do something about it, but the other half says the first half has lost its sanity :p
Bleh, Im just rambling now.
Anyone got opinions?
About the author
#2
We've tried contacting the company which owns the rights to this RPG's universe to work out a deal, but they've never responded (probably out of fear that my team would just throw out yet another butchered title).
We're moderatly hopeful that once we get a game or two out that they'll be at least willing to talk about the possiblity.
08/07/2001 (1:36 pm)
There's an RPG my team and I have thought about doing a remake of. It's had videogames based in it's universe in years past, but to be blunt, they were merely OK (if they didn't just out-right suck). The previous games all appeared to be nothing more than quickly thrown together things made for no other purpose than to cash in on an existing fan base.We've tried contacting the company which owns the rights to this RPG's universe to work out a deal, but they've never responded (probably out of fear that my team would just throw out yet another butchered title).
We're moderatly hopeful that once we get a game or two out that they'll be at least willing to talk about the possiblity.
#3
A brilliant game, however I could have gone without the FMV sequences - but this was '95-'96 after all!
The missions had real flavor, and I felt really immersed.
08/07/2001 (2:41 pm)
Terra Nova: Strike Force CentauriA brilliant game, however I could have gone without the FMV sequences - but this was '95-'96 after all!
The missions had real flavor, and I felt really immersed.
#4
there are rumors of a heavy gear 3 comming out, but nothing confirmed over the last year.
I used to play with a few teams that lived to play heavy gear1, and anticipated hg2 for over 6 months while the full version was delayed.
Graphics wise, the full version was extrememly nice (even by current standards).
but gamewise, it had a few big flaws.
and multiplayer team gaming (the most important part) was not handeled well at all.
activisions answer to all the complaints over bugs, was to announce that they will not be releasing a support patch.
My current computer cant even run it because of the fatal reaction tnt2 vid cards have against the hg2 software.
the rest is a tail of pain and suffering the likes of which would probly make you laugh, lol
so, almost as a running theme we keep bringing up the idea of doing a proper multiplayer mech game ourselves.
of course, no one there has the kinda experience it would take. much less the budget.
and considering we cant get a crack at lisence rights from acti or dp9,(the e-mails we recieved back were pretty clear) that pretty much means we also wont get reimbursed for any expenses in the long run.
assuming that we could pull it off in the first place.
Pure love of the concept VS the all american right to "getting paid"
Im not sure which one I believe in just yet.
I think Ill stew on it some more :/
08/08/2001 (11:16 am)
The game Im pondering would be a sequel to heavygear 2. there are rumors of a heavy gear 3 comming out, but nothing confirmed over the last year.
I used to play with a few teams that lived to play heavy gear1, and anticipated hg2 for over 6 months while the full version was delayed.
Graphics wise, the full version was extrememly nice (even by current standards).
but gamewise, it had a few big flaws.
and multiplayer team gaming (the most important part) was not handeled well at all.
activisions answer to all the complaints over bugs, was to announce that they will not be releasing a support patch.
My current computer cant even run it because of the fatal reaction tnt2 vid cards have against the hg2 software.
the rest is a tail of pain and suffering the likes of which would probly make you laugh, lol
so, almost as a running theme we keep bringing up the idea of doing a proper multiplayer mech game ourselves.
of course, no one there has the kinda experience it would take. much less the budget.
and considering we cant get a crack at lisence rights from acti or dp9,(the e-mails we recieved back were pretty clear) that pretty much means we also wont get reimbursed for any expenses in the long run.
assuming that we could pull it off in the first place.
Pure love of the concept VS the all american right to "getting paid"
Im not sure which one I believe in just yet.
I think Ill stew on it some more :/
#5
08/10/2001 (10:16 am)
I know exactly what you mean. Have you ever played that old Genesis strategy game called "Herzog Zwei"? I've allways wanted to see an updated version of that game.
#6
I work for create a 3d massive multiplayer version of it, but the company dynamics just weren't up to it.
You can see the aborted effort at www.edgeofextinction.com
We were talking to some guys at Infogrammes about our game, and netrek and Herzog Zwei, and they
got a big smile on their face - turns out they were fans, too, and had pitched a 3D remake of Herzog Zwei
for the Dreamcast - it didn't get the green light.
Tribes was the first modern game to capture part of the feel of Netrek (and Herzog), and hence why I
played it (like Netrek) nightly for over a year.
Ron
08/10/2001 (10:35 am)
"Herzog Zwei" was very similar to Netrek, the first real multiplayer game, IMHO. I tried to get the companyI work for create a 3d massive multiplayer version of it, but the company dynamics just weren't up to it.
You can see the aborted effort at www.edgeofextinction.com
We were talking to some guys at Infogrammes about our game, and netrek and Herzog Zwei, and they
got a big smile on their face - turns out they were fans, too, and had pitched a 3D remake of Herzog Zwei
for the Dreamcast - it didn't get the green light.
Tribes was the first modern game to capture part of the feel of Netrek (and Herzog), and hence why I
played it (like Netrek) nightly for over a year.
Ron
#7
Activision is big enough to bring very serious weight to bear on anyone messing with property they might still make money on.
However, if you are serious, contact DreamPod 9 (creators of Heavy Gear). See if they have released a contract on "Gear Krieg" or "Jovian Chronicles", their other two mecha titles. Gear Krieg in particular would be VERY cool if done ala HG2 in the V12. But if you contact them, make sure you tell them you are Amateurs without previous secess. Ask them for permission to make a Demo. Once you have a viable demo then the legalities of a full game can come into play. But make sure you have what it takes before making the sort of commitment required by buying a license. We aren't talking chump change. And any time they give out rights, they exepect results.
All that being said, the guys at Dream Pod 9 are a great bunch. Unless a lawyer has sneeked into their ranks I expect they'd let you produce an alpha on one of their unlicensed products.
08/10/2001 (12:00 pm)
Okay, doign a sequel to HeavyGear 2 would be a BAD idea. And I'll tell you why; Activision has the rights.Activision is big enough to bring very serious weight to bear on anyone messing with property they might still make money on.
However, if you are serious, contact DreamPod 9 (creators of Heavy Gear). See if they have released a contract on "Gear Krieg" or "Jovian Chronicles", their other two mecha titles. Gear Krieg in particular would be VERY cool if done ala HG2 in the V12. But if you contact them, make sure you tell them you are Amateurs without previous secess. Ask them for permission to make a Demo. Once you have a viable demo then the legalities of a full game can come into play. But make sure you have what it takes before making the sort of commitment required by buying a license. We aren't talking chump change. And any time they give out rights, they exepect results.
All that being said, the guys at Dream Pod 9 are a great bunch. Unless a lawyer has sneeked into their ranks I expect they'd let you produce an alpha on one of their unlicensed products.
#8
they are usualy cool about everything long as theres no money involved and they get the due credit.
Doing HG is a bad idea, lol
I already presume theres no money to be had in it. but theres just that bitterness of unfinished business ringing in my head.
thanks for the tip about alpha, Ill pass the idea around and see how it goes.
08/10/2001 (4:51 pm)
yea, We've dealt with DP9 before for other things. they are usualy cool about everything long as theres no money involved and they get the due credit.
Doing HG is a bad idea, lol
I already presume theres no money to be had in it. but theres just that bitterness of unfinished business ringing in my head.
thanks for the tip about alpha, Ill pass the idea around and see how it goes.
#9
For a title I think really holds promise, and the
demo is addictive, go to www.hostileencounter.com .
Its all done in assembly. These developers have been working really hard on this game.
Give them a visit, not to mention they are on the other side of the world (if you're in North America, its on the other side of the world). Let them know I sent ya, they need the support.
08/11/2001 (5:52 am)
In a totally Herzog Zwei off-branch...For a title I think really holds promise, and the
demo is addictive, go to www.hostileencounter.com .
Its all done in assembly. These developers have been working really hard on this game.
Give them a visit, not to mention they are on the other side of the world (if you're in North America, its on the other side of the world). Let them know I sent ya, they need the support.
#10
08/12/2001 (10:53 am)
Downloading the demo now. Thanks for the tip.
#11
08/13/2001 (10:23 am)
Well, Not a game, but same licence issues. I'd like to see the movie 'Desperado' made into a game.... maybe that's just me. 
#13
lol
seriously though.
Ive been talking with friends and the emotions become quite mixed. we "want" to do it, even though its hard to justify.
on one side:
1. its a title that deserved better treatment. we think its in our reach to do that.
2. there would be a slight factor of "help" from other fans.
3. no harrasing about a story, or money issues. the story is set and there is no money :p
on the other side:
1. making a game is hard enough without someone breathing down your neck.
2. the community was small to start with, theres no "saving" going on when the fans are either kids too small to understand or adults too busy to care.
3. giant robot games are pretty easy to skirt copyright on. so easy its almost not worth persuing a liscence when you can make your own setup in a weekends time.
well theres no rush for us to make decisions anyway. time is the one thing we "do" have, lol
08/13/2001 (9:13 pm)
24hour pong? WHAT A GREAT IDEA!! :Dlol
seriously though.
Ive been talking with friends and the emotions become quite mixed. we "want" to do it, even though its hard to justify.
on one side:
1. its a title that deserved better treatment. we think its in our reach to do that.
2. there would be a slight factor of "help" from other fans.
3. no harrasing about a story, or money issues. the story is set and there is no money :p
on the other side:
1. making a game is hard enough without someone breathing down your neck.
2. the community was small to start with, theres no "saving" going on when the fans are either kids too small to understand or adults too busy to care.
3. giant robot games are pretty easy to skirt copyright on. so easy its almost not worth persuing a liscence when you can make your own setup in a weekends time.
well theres no rush for us to make decisions anyway. time is the one thing we "do" have, lol
#14
There are several games I would like to see sequels to. all of them were on the c-64 originally. Has anyone played, or still owns a Commodore 64?
Mail order monsters - By the same guys that did MULE and Archon. Buy a creature modify and arm him, battle other players creatures for prize money in tournament matches. One of the first multiplayer action titles. It had deathmatch, flag tag and timed battles in the 80's
MULE - Need I say more? Most popular game of it's time on c-64, not one official sequel
Paradroid - A game where you controlled a small robot that took control of more powerful robots to clear a ship full of malfunctioning battle droids. This one would be a good shooter concept.
08/14/2001 (5:46 pm)
A sequel to Terra Nova, or a game like it would be great. Terra Nova is one of my favorite games of all time. I wonder if the Tribes designers were influenced by it? Because the feel of the two games is very similar.There are several games I would like to see sequels to. all of them were on the c-64 originally. Has anyone played, or still owns a Commodore 64?
Mail order monsters - By the same guys that did MULE and Archon. Buy a creature modify and arm him, battle other players creatures for prize money in tournament matches. One of the first multiplayer action titles. It had deathmatch, flag tag and timed battles in the 80's
MULE - Need I say more? Most popular game of it's time on c-64, not one official sequel
Paradroid - A game where you controlled a small robot that took control of more powerful robots to clear a ship full of malfunctioning battle droids. This one would be a good shooter concept.
#16
:-)
10/08/2001 (1:50 pm)
Heavy Gear wasnt a bad game, but I can think of a much better mecha game that could use a sequal....(hint hint Rick).:-)
#17
I loved that frieken game but it was limited just too damn much and too small as well. I bet a sequal to that game could be badass.
10/08/2001 (1:51 pm)
the genesis version of ShadowRun.I loved that frieken game but it was limited just too damn much and too small as well. I bet a sequal to that game could be badass.
#18
It SCREAMS to be brought into the 3rd dimension, with online muliplayer.... Oh yeah...
10/08/2001 (3:38 pm)
I know how you feel about Shadowrun. The memebers of my little team are all huge fans of the pen-n-paper RPG and both the video games based on it (the original SNES RPG and the SEGA one).It SCREAMS to be brought into the 3rd dimension, with online muliplayer.... Oh yeah...
#19
10/08/2001 (8:51 pm)
man, i'm hoping that this new one, "Duality" is pretty good, it looks like it would capture alot of the Shadowrun feel, minus the magical elements.
#20
10/08/2001 (8:57 pm)
DO any of you guys remember the game Mail Order Monsters? I think that would be a wonderful game to redo with the current technology. I also think that Archon would be great! But those are just my thoughts... I don't even remember who made them (probably Sierra) but they were fun. You could only play MOM on the Comodore 64. Wow, that was a while ago... 
Torque Owner Ailuro
Personally, I'd say go for it, the only thing you'd really loose is sanity and time, but, if you get nothing else out of it, the practice would be worthwhile.
What mech game, anyway? :)