Testing the waters (Game Idea)
by Brian Thompson · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 01/26/2007 (8:41 am) · 6 replies
I've had an on-again off-again relationship with game development. I've helped on a couple projects, but Im sort of hoping to develop my own game in the course of the next couple of years. There are some things I have set in stone, and other variables about the project that are a little more flexible. I would LOVE the thoughts of other developers out there, as well as some advice on what engine I should use - Torque will probably be the preferred engine on this site, but if something else would be better suited for my particular game, the comments would be most helpful.
Set in Stone:
The game is inspired by the background plot of Final Fantasy VI - its centered around a great war similar to the Magi War, in which magically augmented humans cause global catastrophe. Whether the plot occurs before, during, or after the war is in some sense not decided. It will be an RPG with a party mechanic - somewhere between 3 and 6 party members at any given time, and it will focus on character recruitment to gain different abilities.
Also, even though this game is definitively an RPG with what I hope will be an alluring storyline, I want the game to be something that someone can pick up and have fun with. I hope to include some short and simple minigames throughout too, so someone who might not have time to explore a largeish dungeon can still play in their leisure time.
Flexibility:
To be honest, I haven't decided whether it should be 2D or 3D. I also haven't decided if it should be menu-based or live-action. If it were 2D, it would most likely be a menu-based game with random encounters leading to a separate battle screen. If it were 3D, I might be more interested in live-action fighting. Even then, the fighting is going to be fairly simple, slightly more complex than Lego Star Wars. Perhaps include melee, "special attacks", unique movements for certain characters, and some simple environmental interactions.
I don't want the game to be an ambitious project. There won't be any MMO or online capabilities, hundreds of hours of exploring to cover the landscape, etc. I just want to make something fun that I would enjoy playing in my spare time.
Set in Stone:
The game is inspired by the background plot of Final Fantasy VI - its centered around a great war similar to the Magi War, in which magically augmented humans cause global catastrophe. Whether the plot occurs before, during, or after the war is in some sense not decided. It will be an RPG with a party mechanic - somewhere between 3 and 6 party members at any given time, and it will focus on character recruitment to gain different abilities.
Also, even though this game is definitively an RPG with what I hope will be an alluring storyline, I want the game to be something that someone can pick up and have fun with. I hope to include some short and simple minigames throughout too, so someone who might not have time to explore a largeish dungeon can still play in their leisure time.
Flexibility:
To be honest, I haven't decided whether it should be 2D or 3D. I also haven't decided if it should be menu-based or live-action. If it were 2D, it would most likely be a menu-based game with random encounters leading to a separate battle screen. If it were 3D, I might be more interested in live-action fighting. Even then, the fighting is going to be fairly simple, slightly more complex than Lego Star Wars. Perhaps include melee, "special attacks", unique movements for certain characters, and some simple environmental interactions.
I don't want the game to be an ambitious project. There won't be any MMO or online capabilities, hundreds of hours of exploring to cover the landscape, etc. I just want to make something fun that I would enjoy playing in my spare time.
#2
Good luck with whatever you do though.
01/26/2007 (10:00 am)
He didn't say based off Final Fantasy VI but inspired. There is a difference. As for the idea it is up to you. Both 3d and 2d have their challenges. 3d has more than I would care to talk about but does offer the visual appeal that most people want today.Good luck with whatever you do though.
#3
01/26/2007 (5:13 pm)
Indeed, the world, history, characters, and events would all be completely different from any pre-existing game. Thanks for your ideas Eric!
#4
01/26/2007 (5:27 pm)
If you're going to have mini-games, I would suggest placing them in a central location such as a home town, just unlock new ones there as the player makes progress through the game (This is also great if one of the rewards of progressing through the game is building and upgrading a house or headquarters in this home town). The other option would be to make them playable form any save point or from the menu, but I think those options are less immersive.
#5
01/27/2007 (7:00 am)
I was debating about that myself. Depending on the number of minigames, and their type, they'll either be located in a central location, or scattered about through easily accessible waypoints to various locations. 
#6
Just a thought : )
01/28/2007 (7:05 pm)
As far as mini-games go, you can always take the route of having a re-occurring game that is popular among the people of this world like a card game or a board game. I know there are other games out there that have done this type of thing but the only thing that comes to mind is Chocobo racing from FFVII. Anyway of course you could have certain places within the town where people go to play this game, like arcades or pool houses. It could even become a kind of side quest as players seek out NPCs that play this game and work there way toward the national champion or whatever you want to call it. There can also be a gambling aspect added where players could possibly win special weapons and items by risking their money.Just a thought : )
Torque Owner Barry Gallagher