Developing a Turn Based Strategy Game
by Jason Yarnell · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 03/16/2006 (5:01 pm) · 5 replies
Hello all,
New here and all that, so I'll start with a bit of an introduction. My name is Jason and I fancy myself a game designer of a sort. I got my start doing a Mod for Tribes called Chivalry which eventually expanded into a game company called Sojourn Development. Unfortunately, the company fell through before our first product (an MMO called Glympse) could see the light of day.
Since then I've been on hiatus from gaming outside of being a player, but I am once again forming a team under the name of Fat Kat Games. Our first project is going to be a TBS using the Torque engine so that I can get back on my feet and shakedown the team I am assembling (consisting of people who have never done this sort of thing).
I'm utilizing the ruleset from a popular tabletop game for this practice run so that I can spend more time directing the team and less time on rules design. Since it is not a "sanctioned" project, it will never see the light of day except among my team, but it's good practice nonetheless.
My main concern is the difficulty or ease of which a TBS can be developed when compared to an RTS. Is there any advice, warnings, considerations I should take into account before I set my team to work?
New here and all that, so I'll start with a bit of an introduction. My name is Jason and I fancy myself a game designer of a sort. I got my start doing a Mod for Tribes called Chivalry which eventually expanded into a game company called Sojourn Development. Unfortunately, the company fell through before our first product (an MMO called Glympse) could see the light of day.
Since then I've been on hiatus from gaming outside of being a player, but I am once again forming a team under the name of Fat Kat Games. Our first project is going to be a TBS using the Torque engine so that I can get back on my feet and shakedown the team I am assembling (consisting of people who have never done this sort of thing).
I'm utilizing the ruleset from a popular tabletop game for this practice run so that I can spend more time directing the team and less time on rules design. Since it is not a "sanctioned" project, it will never see the light of day except among my team, but it's good practice nonetheless.
My main concern is the difficulty or ease of which a TBS can be developed when compared to an RTS. Is there any advice, warnings, considerations I should take into account before I set my team to work?
About the author
#2
03/16/2006 (11:18 pm)
Do you know if there is anyone working on a TBS style game?
#3
Your post stuck out to me , because I believe I met your Dad before .. Here in Ramona, CA .. I was working on getting my degree at the time and was working with a friend of his while I was activley looking for work in Game Dev..
I have now actually been working as a designer for the last 2 years.. so I could give some feedback on your project..
First I am currious why you want to go with a TBS over an RTS?
If you want to emulate the rule set from a Tabletop battle game like Warhammer or Warmachine you could covert those rules to work in a RTS ..(i.e. Dawn of War)
still for TBS type game I would recommend getting the RTS starter kit here on GG .. either way the camera code and navigation mechanics from the kit would work for either..and provide a nice head start for your team.
The main difference between the 2 is going to be in how the AI and player mechanics are implemented.
Good Luck on your New project!!
03/25/2006 (1:43 am)
Hey Jason,Your post stuck out to me , because I believe I met your Dad before .. Here in Ramona, CA .. I was working on getting my degree at the time and was working with a friend of his while I was activley looking for work in Game Dev..
I have now actually been working as a designer for the last 2 years.. so I could give some feedback on your project..
First I am currious why you want to go with a TBS over an RTS?
If you want to emulate the rule set from a Tabletop battle game like Warhammer or Warmachine you could covert those rules to work in a RTS ..(i.e. Dawn of War)
still for TBS type game I would recommend getting the RTS starter kit here on GG .. either way the camera code and navigation mechanics from the kit would work for either..and provide a nice head start for your team.
The main difference between the 2 is going to be in how the AI and player mechanics are implemented.
Good Luck on your New project!!
#4
Then graduate through several steps into an MMO hybrid Empire Builder/FPS.
03/25/2006 (10:53 am)
Wow! Small world, that would definitely be my dad. Let me drop you an email as we've decided to step away from TBS and start with an FPS...long story in that, but it boils down to being able to utilize my design from the MMO I started making with my first game company (Sojourn Development) with fewer changes.Then graduate through several steps into an MMO hybrid Empire Builder/FPS.
#5
Then graduate through several steps into an MMO hybrid Empire Builder/FPS.
03/25/2006 (11:04 am)
Wow! Small world, that would definitely be my dad. Let me drop you an email as we've decided to step away from TBS and start with an FPS...long story in that, but it boils down to being able to utilize my design from the MMO I started making with my first game company (Sojourn Development) with fewer changes.Then graduate through several steps into an MMO hybrid Empire Builder/FPS.
Torque Owner Jason Swearingen
make sure you build in iterations
dont rewrite code unless you absolutly need to.. read the blogs by the veterans here, as they say a lot of trueisms.
and of course... good luck :)