Different game designs
by Lloyd Willis · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 04/14/2004 (3:15 pm) · 4 replies
This is my first post here at GG. Utter newbie to GG and indie development. I've ordered C++ v 7.1 from Amazon and am waiting for it to arive. I have Dev C++ but after reading through the forums about compilers and reading the GG recommendation, I decided to get a new compiler. (I have v 6.0, but it's a "dumbed-down" edition that came with a programming book.)
I saw a game web site with what seems to me to be a completely different approach to multi-player online games. It's called Second Life and looks .. I don't know what the right adjective should be. Players pay per month, get an avatar and certain abilities, but pay extra (if I understood correctly) to gain additional game things. Examples: the ability to build a store, sell in-game items, build a house, etc, all using an in-game scripting and 3d object building tool. Of course, it requires minimum 800 GhZ CPU and cable/DSL bandwidth to play, as well as the usual high-rated video card.
But, I mention it because it seems to be a different approach to game design. Not only the usual hype and advertising about "players' actions permanently change the world", but it seems to be literally true in this case. The emphasis is on social interaction and like that, rather than combat or dungeon crawling. Has anyone else seen it? I'm going to check it out more thoroughly this evening. What do you think of the different idea they're implementing or at least trying to implement?
HuaMoo
I saw a game web site with what seems to me to be a completely different approach to multi-player online games. It's called Second Life and looks .. I don't know what the right adjective should be. Players pay per month, get an avatar and certain abilities, but pay extra (if I understood correctly) to gain additional game things. Examples: the ability to build a store, sell in-game items, build a house, etc, all using an in-game scripting and 3d object building tool. Of course, it requires minimum 800 GhZ CPU and cable/DSL bandwidth to play, as well as the usual high-rated video card.
But, I mention it because it seems to be a different approach to game design. Not only the usual hype and advertising about "players' actions permanently change the world", but it seems to be literally true in this case. The emphasis is on social interaction and like that, rather than combat or dungeon crawling. Has anyone else seen it? I'm going to check it out more thoroughly this evening. What do you think of the different idea they're implementing or at least trying to implement?
HuaMoo
#2
04/15/2004 (1:45 pm)
Well, it's not a new niche really, IMO. While shadowbane was the first, and arguably not that well done regarding city development, Horizons also has very focused building/asset development. I think that you'll see much more in the realm of "affecting the world through city development" as games come out...I know that it is a very large component of our design.
#3
Apps like this have existed way longer than those modern MMOs, think back to "the Palace" - essentially a 2D version of what second life is, but with a less effective business plan.
Second Life costs $10 (one time fee) for people to play, but then you have to pay monthly to own land, which allows you to make permanent structures and so forth. You can pay more for more space or better location.
Reminds me of the way the metaverse was setup in Snow Crash.
04/16/2004 (4:44 pm)
The difference between Second Life and games like Shadowbane and Horizons is that second life is more of a chat client than a game. Its incredibly simple modelling and scripting are what make it interesting - users can create whatever they want without being limited to a pre-chosen theme or game/stats structure as in an MMO.Apps like this have existed way longer than those modern MMOs, think back to "the Palace" - essentially a 2D version of what second life is, but with a less effective business plan.
Second Life costs $10 (one time fee) for people to play, but then you have to pay monthly to own land, which allows you to make permanent structures and so forth. You can pay more for more space or better location.
Reminds me of the way the metaverse was setup in Snow Crash.
#4
04/17/2004 (2:59 pm)
The Second Life model is intriguing. Now seven generations later, what do we have? The answer appears to be a paradigm in consciouness. Is anyone interested in focusing on the Spiritual in an on-line community? I am looking for a great team with a similar focus. 
Associate Kyle Carter