New MMO FPS RTS ..all in one..
by John Stinson · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 05/05/2008 (4:57 pm) · 11 replies
So let's just get in and tell you how it is.
The story is that WW3 has decimated most of earth due to nuclear attacks.
Seeing as there is no longer enough space to hold the population, the newly formed earth government sends out seed colony ships to various parts in the solar system.
Most fail, cept for one, Mars. After a few decades, tension rises and basically its an American revolution between Earth and her first colony. Thats the plot anyways.
I was thinking, not sure if this is something new or what not, but the players start low on either side.
As they rank up to a point, you can go two routes.
1) Continue being a soldier and rank up to be heavy damage dealers and low leadership roles ( squads, platoons, etc...)
or
2) Go for a more strategy role. Basically, these people run the war behind the scenes with real time updates. They don't do as much damage as 1 but like I said, probably are the most important people in the game.
Certain rules will apply for people in 1 so you dont have people that just screw everything up and one side.
The battles would be large, server allowing, 150+ on each side.
Before I say anymore, I'd like to know if this has any potential. Basically, the players are mostly in control with the admins making sure nothing goes wrong (they'll play the side of the government, while players are in control of the military)
The story is that WW3 has decimated most of earth due to nuclear attacks.
Seeing as there is no longer enough space to hold the population, the newly formed earth government sends out seed colony ships to various parts in the solar system.
Most fail, cept for one, Mars. After a few decades, tension rises and basically its an American revolution between Earth and her first colony. Thats the plot anyways.
I was thinking, not sure if this is something new or what not, but the players start low on either side.
As they rank up to a point, you can go two routes.
1) Continue being a soldier and rank up to be heavy damage dealers and low leadership roles ( squads, platoons, etc...)
or
2) Go for a more strategy role. Basically, these people run the war behind the scenes with real time updates. They don't do as much damage as 1 but like I said, probably are the most important people in the game.
Certain rules will apply for people in 1 so you dont have people that just screw everything up and one side.
The battles would be large, server allowing, 150+ on each side.
Before I say anymore, I'd like to know if this has any potential. Basically, the players are mostly in control with the admins making sure nothing goes wrong (they'll play the side of the government, while players are in control of the military)
About the author
#2
As Ted said though, it would be extremely hard to do, and I think the computer running the server would have to be a "beast" to say the least assuming the RTS players would control computer allies. But yea, it would be very entertaining if you could pull it off.
05/06/2008 (3:29 am)
I came up with an outline for a game like this when I was in school. Basically it is possible and I think would be entertaining as it gives two forms of gameplay and therefore could extend the "shelf-life" of the game for someone.As Ted said though, it would be extremely hard to do, and I think the computer running the server would have to be a "beast" to say the least assuming the RTS players would control computer allies. But yea, it would be very entertaining if you could pull it off.
#3
I know exactly what you mean by hard but I'd rather do something difficult and work thru it then do something easy that isn't very challenging.
05/06/2008 (8:18 am)
Hmm... the RTS players would control the lower level guys who haven't made it to the choice (see my first) and the ones that went down path 1, so no computer allies, just all humans baby!I know exactly what you mean by hard but I'd rather do something difficult and work thru it then do something easy that isn't very challenging.
#5
05/06/2008 (9:38 am)
Not only is it possible, it's been done, check out Savage/Savage 2. Different plot genre, but the concept is there and proven. 
#6
You could implement something rather simple, like a commander map, where you can drop supplies (health, ammo, powerups?) via aircraft to certain coordinates (that #1 sent you), or have an aerial strike sent somewhere that #1 can't get by on their own. You could also have the ability to look through your soldier helmets, since staring at a commander map all game long would probably get boring fast. Just some thoughts.
Trust me, doing something "easy" often ends up being very, very challenging.
05/06/2008 (9:42 am)
So what role does the #2 actually play? You could implement something rather simple, like a commander map, where you can drop supplies (health, ammo, powerups?) via aircraft to certain coordinates (that #1 sent you), or have an aerial strike sent somewhere that #1 can't get by on their own. You could also have the ability to look through your soldier helmets, since staring at a commander map all game long would probably get boring fast. Just some thoughts.
Quote:I know exactly what you mean by hard but I'd rather do something difficult and work thru it then do something easy that isn't very challenging.
Trust me, doing something "easy" often ends up being very, very challenging.
#7
Basically, the 2's bark out orders from the command posts as their army attacks the enemies base and defends theirs. Once the base is destroyed, no more spawns in the area therefore it becomes easy to move foward and capture the cities.
Another idea, the planets will have a few cities each. They produce money based off of different things (mood, population, etc..). So, this is a military game. So one is expected to have tanks or other vehicles. However, those things actually cost money that the #2's will have to buy. So when Earth forces go and try to invade a Mars city or something, you'll only have the tanks you sent unless you have more sent later.
In a nutshell, no infinite respawning vehicles, once they are destroyed, they are gone until reinforcments or your side loses. Other things may cost money depending on if I like it (ammo, but that might be difficult)
btw... thanks for all the comments, really really appreciate it :)
05/06/2008 (10:34 am)
One of the classes in the game will allow for the #2's to get Real Time data sent to them. They won't be able to see the entire field, like the other sides area, unless that certain class goes there and maintains visual or you put something in the air (UAV) to collect the data for the 2's to use.Basically, the 2's bark out orders from the command posts as their army attacks the enemies base and defends theirs. Once the base is destroyed, no more spawns in the area therefore it becomes easy to move foward and capture the cities.
Another idea, the planets will have a few cities each. They produce money based off of different things (mood, population, etc..). So, this is a military game. So one is expected to have tanks or other vehicles. However, those things actually cost money that the #2's will have to buy. So when Earth forces go and try to invade a Mars city or something, you'll only have the tanks you sent unless you have more sent later.
In a nutshell, no infinite respawning vehicles, once they are destroyed, they are gone until reinforcments or your side loses. Other things may cost money depending on if I like it (ammo, but that might be difficult)
btw... thanks for all the comments, really really appreciate it :)
#8
05/07/2008 (1:07 pm)
Hmm... anything else you guys want to add?
#9
Anyway, if you are designing a game like this, than it might do you some good to see the things that people have already done working with similar ideas. I had hoped that Planetside would have been a bit more like what you describe. Maybe you can finally fill the void that has been missing for so long in MMO gaming!
05/09/2008 (12:47 pm)
Have you taken a look at World War 2 Online? (Now called Battleground Europe). In a way, they have a game that is very much like this, set in World War 2. It is missing the RTS element, but it does have a cadre of vetran players on either side that make up a High Command structure that do things like allocate production for units and vehicles during the RDP cycles and whatnot behind the scenes. There is a fixed amount of equipment availaible to each side during each RDP cycle, etc. The game itself is an MMO FPS. I have played it on and off for several years now and I find the it can be a lot of fun and quite satisfying once you are over the (admittedly rather steep) learning curve.Anyway, if you are designing a game like this, than it might do you some good to see the things that people have already done working with similar ideas. I had hoped that Planetside would have been a bit more like what you describe. Maybe you can finally fill the void that has been missing for so long in MMO gaming!
#10
Thanks.
But would you play a game in which you were limited such as this?
05/09/2008 (4:20 pm)
Yeah, probably would be the best idea.Thanks.
But would you play a game in which you were limited such as this?
#11
07/20/2008 (2:12 pm)
Ever heard of savage? 
Torque Owner Ted Lilljegren