Samurai/Fantasy RGP/MMO
by R.W. · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 05/31/2007 (3:57 pm) · 23 replies
I wanted to see if anyone out there would find this RPG idea to have any appeal in todays market
Suggested Title: Oni Wars
Background Story: Set in 16th century Japan, the country is locked in a gruesome civil war as powerful Daimyo's (warlords) fight one another in an effort to become the Emperor's rightful Shogun. Taking opportunity of this chaotic environment, the Oni King of the Underworld has opened up the gates of Hell and unleashed a powerful army of Oni and undead souls to help unseat the Emperor from his throne and claim it for him self. The Shinto Priests and Buddhist Monks of Japan have summoned the celestial and natural forces to help aid the Emperor in this time of need.
Races
Human- Standard human variety of Japanese men and women.
Oni - Not all Oni are evil, these are the good Oni that were entrusted to guard the Gates of Hell.
Kitsune- Fox dieties, that can take on the form of humans although they can't seem to hide their ears or tails
Kappa - little green amphibian like creatures that have turtle shells and beaked mouths.
Tengu - Yamabushi Tengu have red skin and long noses Karasu Tengu are crow humanoids
Tanuki - Stocky racoon like humanoid that have a love for sake (think dwarves).
Classes
Amored Samurai- your defensive tank class, that can take a punch and know how to dish one back
Unarmored Samurai- offensive samurai, won't be good at taking damage, but very efficient at dishing it out
Marksman- Your ranged physical damage class, expert at pulling, can have a pet out to taunt.
Priests- Buddhist and Shinto school, can heal, revive, remove ailments, and cast holy attack spells.
Kabuki Warrior- Male only class wearing crazy makeup and wigs, use yells to buff team, cast HoTs, can wear body armor but not hemets, are a defensive class (paladin like)
Geisha-Female only class, use musical instruments to buff, cast HoTs, and are a lil more offensive relying on poison attacks, but not as efficient as other offense classes (bard like)
Oni Warrior- the only class available to Oni's they use heavy blunt weapons and ball chains, rely on growls and rage, to buff themselves and debuff enemies, they only wear cloth armor.
Martial Arts- 3 schools to choose from, KungFu/Jujitsu/Weapon, are a balanced class that can take on defense or offense depending on powers.
Sorceror- 4 elemental magics contain powers that can be used for offense, defense, and control, Kitsune (fire), Kappa (water), Tengu (wind), Tanuki (earth)
Noh Performer- human only class that uses supernatural masks to summon Oni and the undead creatures, is adept in shadow magic, casts DoT's and curses.
Ninjas- stealth rogue class, uses close range ambush attacks, has a few ranged attacks used mainly for runners
Powers
You will begin the game with 2 simple powers on your action bar, the rest will drop randomly as loot and will accumulate in your skill/spell book. Some powers will only be found in certain zones, others will only be taught by secret wandering masters. Rare powers will have a higher percentage to drop from epic quest chains, but can drop from casual quest lines at a much lower percentage rate. Some powers will only work with certain weapons being equipped.
continued....
Suggested Title: Oni Wars
Background Story: Set in 16th century Japan, the country is locked in a gruesome civil war as powerful Daimyo's (warlords) fight one another in an effort to become the Emperor's rightful Shogun. Taking opportunity of this chaotic environment, the Oni King of the Underworld has opened up the gates of Hell and unleashed a powerful army of Oni and undead souls to help unseat the Emperor from his throne and claim it for him self. The Shinto Priests and Buddhist Monks of Japan have summoned the celestial and natural forces to help aid the Emperor in this time of need.
Races
Human- Standard human variety of Japanese men and women.
Oni - Not all Oni are evil, these are the good Oni that were entrusted to guard the Gates of Hell.
Kitsune- Fox dieties, that can take on the form of humans although they can't seem to hide their ears or tails
Kappa - little green amphibian like creatures that have turtle shells and beaked mouths.
Tengu - Yamabushi Tengu have red skin and long noses Karasu Tengu are crow humanoids
Tanuki - Stocky racoon like humanoid that have a love for sake (think dwarves).
Classes
Amored Samurai- your defensive tank class, that can take a punch and know how to dish one back
Unarmored Samurai- offensive samurai, won't be good at taking damage, but very efficient at dishing it out
Marksman- Your ranged physical damage class, expert at pulling, can have a pet out to taunt.
Priests- Buddhist and Shinto school, can heal, revive, remove ailments, and cast holy attack spells.
Kabuki Warrior- Male only class wearing crazy makeup and wigs, use yells to buff team, cast HoTs, can wear body armor but not hemets, are a defensive class (paladin like)
Geisha-Female only class, use musical instruments to buff, cast HoTs, and are a lil more offensive relying on poison attacks, but not as efficient as other offense classes (bard like)
Oni Warrior- the only class available to Oni's they use heavy blunt weapons and ball chains, rely on growls and rage, to buff themselves and debuff enemies, they only wear cloth armor.
Martial Arts- 3 schools to choose from, KungFu/Jujitsu/Weapon, are a balanced class that can take on defense or offense depending on powers.
Sorceror- 4 elemental magics contain powers that can be used for offense, defense, and control, Kitsune (fire), Kappa (water), Tengu (wind), Tanuki (earth)
Noh Performer- human only class that uses supernatural masks to summon Oni and the undead creatures, is adept in shadow magic, casts DoT's and curses.
Ninjas- stealth rogue class, uses close range ambush attacks, has a few ranged attacks used mainly for runners
Powers
You will begin the game with 2 simple powers on your action bar, the rest will drop randomly as loot and will accumulate in your skill/spell book. Some powers will only be found in certain zones, others will only be taught by secret wandering masters. Rare powers will have a higher percentage to drop from epic quest chains, but can drop from casual quest lines at a much lower percentage rate. Some powers will only work with certain weapons being equipped.
continued....
#2
PVP
Some provinces will contain a Castle, when clans (guilds) form they must choose one of the games Daimyo's to swear allegiance to. When the gates of the castle are open for PVP, clans can engage in battles to help earn points for their Daimyo. When a Daimyo is claimed to be the victor in that province, all the guards will bear his crest and colors, and all clans under that Daimyo will gain province buffs. These could include stat buffs and xp gain increases, clans will also gain access to the Castle's town for the duration of rule, and have access to special goods.
Players can also engage in one on one PVP to gain personal honor and possibly receive discounts on merchant goods.
I envision this game as being a good MMO contendor, but could also see it morphed into a platform RPG with multiplayer elements. The ideal graphics I have in mind would borrow heavily from Japanese woodblock prints, which have a very hand drawn comic like appearance. 3D would be the first choice, but 2D could be considered provided it can create the sought after look.
Any feed back is welcome :D
05/31/2007 (3:59 pm)
Continued from above...PVP
Some provinces will contain a Castle, when clans (guilds) form they must choose one of the games Daimyo's to swear allegiance to. When the gates of the castle are open for PVP, clans can engage in battles to help earn points for their Daimyo. When a Daimyo is claimed to be the victor in that province, all the guards will bear his crest and colors, and all clans under that Daimyo will gain province buffs. These could include stat buffs and xp gain increases, clans will also gain access to the Castle's town for the duration of rule, and have access to special goods.
Players can also engage in one on one PVP to gain personal honor and possibly receive discounts on merchant goods.
I envision this game as being a good MMO contendor, but could also see it morphed into a platform RPG with multiplayer elements. The ideal graphics I have in mind would borrow heavily from Japanese woodblock prints, which have a very hand drawn comic like appearance. 3D would be the first choice, but 2D could be considered provided it can create the sought after look.
Any feed back is welcome :D
#3
Oh, and maybe add monk and sohei classes? Oh, and just so ya know, Kung Fu refers to Chinese Martial Arts, not Japanese. I would almost suggest that instead of "Kung Fu" and "Jujitsu" styles of martial arts, that you would have "Hard" and "Soft" styles of martial arts. But, of course, do whatever you would like!
Anyways, looks good - I hope you can complete it (if you do, my normally anti-mmo attitude might convert for atleast a few moments to try it out, if only for the setting).
-Okashira
06/11/2007 (7:40 am)
Glad to see more feudal Japan non-crappy-Dynasty Warriors-style games! Oh, and maybe add monk and sohei classes? Oh, and just so ya know, Kung Fu refers to Chinese Martial Arts, not Japanese. I would almost suggest that instead of "Kung Fu" and "Jujitsu" styles of martial arts, that you would have "Hard" and "Soft" styles of martial arts. But, of course, do whatever you would like!
Anyways, looks good - I hope you can complete it (if you do, my normally anti-mmo attitude might convert for atleast a few moments to try it out, if only for the setting).
-Okashira
#5
06/20/2007 (7:33 am)
/Please/ do not make it WoW-style ;). Looks like you're on to something good, but it'll take a good team to get it finished. Good luck!
#7
"From the same source, it is recorded that in the Yuan dynasty , in the year 1312 A.D., the monk Da Zhi came to the Shaolin Temple from Japan. After he studied Shaolin martial arts (barehands and staff) for nearly 13 years (1324 A.D.), he returned to Japan and spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese martial arts society. Later, in 1335 A.D. another Buddhist monk named Shao Yuan came to Shaolin from Japan. He mastered calligraphy, painting, Chan theory (i.e., Ren), and Shaolin Gongfu during his stay. He returned to Japan in 1347 A.D., and was considered and regarded a "Country Spirit" by the Japanese people. This confirms that Shaolin martial techniques were imported into Japan for at least seven hundred years."
But I agree that the martial arts class is pretty broad and vague atm...I was planning to include Kung Fu so that it would have a broader appeal to some of the Chinese market, which often like to distinguish themselves from all things Japanese. If you've watched alot of Samurai flicks, you'll sometimes come across Samurai fighting Kung Fu monks (Shogun's Ninja is one that comes to mind), so it's not too far fetched an idea to see Kung Fu being practiced in 15th century Japan by Chinese immigrants.
I was also planning to incorporate Sohei monks into the Buddhist priest class, perhaps as that classes offensive style, where as Shinto priest's offensive skills would involve summoning spirits and magic. Now this is all just an idea right now, that I've at least written down on paper...although I do plan to get in on some night classes in Game Design which luckily are offered a couple blocks down from where I live. The course does involve creating a prototype level, so perhaps I can pitch this idea like crazy :D. Of course if any experienced designers out there are interested with my idea I would always be willing to make some sacrifices to help get a working prototye made.
06/24/2007 (11:11 am)
It's good to see a couple People interested in this period :D. And I do understand Kung Fu's origin is Chinese, but it did enter Japan in the 1300's and was practiced, although the Japanese do have a way of often making things their own..."From the same source, it is recorded that in the Yuan dynasty , in the year 1312 A.D., the monk Da Zhi came to the Shaolin Temple from Japan. After he studied Shaolin martial arts (barehands and staff) for nearly 13 years (1324 A.D.), he returned to Japan and spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese martial arts society. Later, in 1335 A.D. another Buddhist monk named Shao Yuan came to Shaolin from Japan. He mastered calligraphy, painting, Chan theory (i.e., Ren), and Shaolin Gongfu during his stay. He returned to Japan in 1347 A.D., and was considered and regarded a "Country Spirit" by the Japanese people. This confirms that Shaolin martial techniques were imported into Japan for at least seven hundred years."
But I agree that the martial arts class is pretty broad and vague atm...I was planning to include Kung Fu so that it would have a broader appeal to some of the Chinese market, which often like to distinguish themselves from all things Japanese. If you've watched alot of Samurai flicks, you'll sometimes come across Samurai fighting Kung Fu monks (Shogun's Ninja is one that comes to mind), so it's not too far fetched an idea to see Kung Fu being practiced in 15th century Japan by Chinese immigrants.
I was also planning to incorporate Sohei monks into the Buddhist priest class, perhaps as that classes offensive style, where as Shinto priest's offensive skills would involve summoning spirits and magic. Now this is all just an idea right now, that I've at least written down on paper...although I do plan to get in on some night classes in Game Design which luckily are offered a couple blocks down from where I live. The course does involve creating a prototype level, so perhaps I can pitch this idea like crazy :D. Of course if any experienced designers out there are interested with my idea I would always be willing to make some sacrifices to help get a working prototye made.
#9
I want to offer help, but I don't really know where I could fit in at the moment.
07/06/2007 (10:21 am)
This is great, I would love to see it continue.I want to offer help, but I don't really know where I could fit in at the moment.
#10
Instead of using the standard roll-watch-and-hope-for-the-best system, it uses a logorithmic formula to set the pace of a fight with players choosing their techniques to best capitalize on it. A player getting beaten back into a corner has techniques available to them that will turn the tide of the fight while a player relying on big numbers will likely fall (since there are no big numbers). The numbers work in a hard/soft fashion where a player who can recognize the same maneuver over and over again can easily work around it.
Instead of trying to roll extreme numbers (very high or very low), the player that can keep their game closest to the middle will likely prevail. Since most dice systems reward rolling at the higher ends of the spectrum, a player who can modify their rolls to fall in the middle of the spectrum has to use strategy, adding or subtracting just enough to gain and maintain a tactical advantage, causing their opponent to waste energy.
I can give you all the numbers if you're interested.
07/06/2007 (11:00 pm)
Actually, I have a combat system for a samurai RPG. It's yours if you want it.Instead of using the standard roll-watch-and-hope-for-the-best system, it uses a logorithmic formula to set the pace of a fight with players choosing their techniques to best capitalize on it. A player getting beaten back into a corner has techniques available to them that will turn the tide of the fight while a player relying on big numbers will likely fall (since there are no big numbers). The numbers work in a hard/soft fashion where a player who can recognize the same maneuver over and over again can easily work around it.
Instead of trying to roll extreme numbers (very high or very low), the player that can keep their game closest to the middle will likely prevail. Since most dice systems reward rolling at the higher ends of the spectrum, a player who can modify their rolls to fall in the middle of the spectrum has to use strategy, adding or subtracting just enough to gain and maintain a tactical advantage, causing their opponent to waste energy.
I can give you all the numbers if you're interested.
#11
F. Scott- that sounds very interesting and I could see that combat system possibly working well with what I have in mind. I would also like to get rid of the monotony you find in many other RPG games, where everyone ends up relying on a few powers. I like the idea that using one power over and over will diminish the return, seems logical that an opponent would learn how to block it more effectively. Too bad I'm not at a point yet where I can implement anything, as I'm still at the drawing board, but you can send anything you want to oniwars@yahoo.com. I'm all for sharing of ideas and talents and if something does materialize everyone that has any input is part of the development team no matter where in the world you are.
I still need to learn more about the Japanese culture and mythology, so if any of you guys know any good sources on the web, movies, or anime feel free to share them on this thread. I'm trying to find examples of different Oni atm, so I can get some potential villains sketched out.
07/08/2007 (3:23 pm)
Xmadole- I don't have any website atm per se, but I'm going to work on getting some concept art on the web and possibly work on the artistic feel of the game in a 2D and 3D environment. I'm more of an art guy myself and not very technical yet =/. This might take a bit of time but as soon as I get something up and going I'll definitely share it here.F. Scott- that sounds very interesting and I could see that combat system possibly working well with what I have in mind. I would also like to get rid of the monotony you find in many other RPG games, where everyone ends up relying on a few powers. I like the idea that using one power over and over will diminish the return, seems logical that an opponent would learn how to block it more effectively. Too bad I'm not at a point yet where I can implement anything, as I'm still at the drawing board, but you can send anything you want to oniwars@yahoo.com. I'm all for sharing of ideas and talents and if something does materialize everyone that has any input is part of the development team no matter where in the world you are.
I still need to learn more about the Japanese culture and mythology, so if any of you guys know any good sources on the web, movies, or anime feel free to share them on this thread. I'm trying to find examples of different Oni atm, so I can get some potential villains sketched out.
#12
07/08/2007 (5:26 pm)
As for the combat system, I'd like to see a game where instead of it being seemingly random hits, it would actually determine if it's a hit or not if the sword touches the bounding box of the player. That would make large battles a lot of fun.
#13
07/09/2007 (12:58 am)
Maxwell, that is pure genius :). Combine that with a TES-style system to swing or block differently when combined with movement keys, and you have a pretty strong combat system already.
#14
07/15/2007 (5:01 pm)
I put together a quick myspace account for oniwars, www.myspace.com/oniwars, feel free to add me to your friends list if you're interested in keeping track, or helping out.
#15
Hope it go's really well ^_\\
07/24/2007 (8:33 am)
R.W, how much Ultima Online have you played? Alot of features that would work very well in your world.Hope it go's really well ^_\\
#16
07/30/2007 (6:49 pm)
I kinda entered the MMO scene a little late, so I missed out on the UO craze :P. Maybe I'll read up on some of its features sometime. I'm currently in the process of getting a more official site going, I've at least got something basic atmwww.oniwars.com, as well as a pretty basic forum page. I'll be putting more work into it here in the coming weeks so keep it bookmarked :) 
#17
Sounds like a great game you might have going here. Keep it up.
08/02/2007 (6:49 pm)
I was going to make a similar MMO game, very small scope. Basically it was going to be Samuraii vs Oni. I made this guy as a basemesh for it, tested, but never got anywhere with the project. www.game-ready.com/pro_11024.htmlSounds like a great game you might have going here. Keep it up.
#18
Your classes are very well chosen and I see you have everything well thought out. I hope you succeed in this project.
08/03/2007 (1:06 pm)
This looks extremely promising. I've always wanted to play/develop an MMORPG based on Feudal Japan, either around the times of the Onin War or shortly after, during the Sengoku Jidai.Your classes are very well chosen and I see you have everything well thought out. I hope you succeed in this project.
#19
Onimusha is actually a game about feudal Japan where the Oni have invaded, so it's pretty much in the same direction as your idea, and the first game of the series has very good historical feedback.
Devil May Cry is in the present ages but there are still onis in the game. And Yuyu Hakusho, even though it's more action comedy like, it talks a lot about demons and the underworld and stuff like that !!!!!!
I find the idea really good, mainly because I really like Japan related stuff.
For MMO ideas, I would go to www.darkageofcamelot.com . It's an online game, it's gotten really big over the past years, it has an excelent PvP system.
If you'd like more opinios send an e-mail to me rafabertin@hotmail.com
You have a really great idea !!!! Hope you can make it happen, if I can help in any way just send an e-mail !!!
09/06/2007 (1:23 pm)
R.W. if you want ideas for Oni's I would sujest playing Onimusha, Devil May Cry, maybe watching Yu Yu Hakusho for ideas.Onimusha is actually a game about feudal Japan where the Oni have invaded, so it's pretty much in the same direction as your idea, and the first game of the series has very good historical feedback.
Devil May Cry is in the present ages but there are still onis in the game. And Yuyu Hakusho, even though it's more action comedy like, it talks a lot about demons and the underworld and stuff like that !!!!!!
I find the idea really good, mainly because I really like Japan related stuff.
For MMO ideas, I would go to www.darkageofcamelot.com . It's an online game, it's gotten really big over the past years, it has an excelent PvP system.
If you'd like more opinios send an e-mail to me rafabertin@hotmail.com
You have a really great idea !!!! Hope you can make it happen, if I can help in any way just send an e-mail !!!
#20
Well I pretty much have the main story down and you are going to definitely find lots of uglies from Japanese Mythos including Akuma, Oni, and Ashuras, as well as other renegade factions based on Japanese mythological ghosts and zombie like critters. I've always been somewhat of a history buff so you'll definitely have some well known Shogun's, Samurai, Ronin, and Ninja relative to the "Sengoku Jidai" era in the game, even the "Gaijin" will play their part in world. Also expect to see lots of creatures from Shinto/Buddhism running amok. The story is going to be pretty chaotic, everyone will have their own agenda, plenty of backstabbing and unhealthy alliances will make for a good story :D Right now probably the hardest part has been on deciding on names for the Demon/Oni factions but I've pretty much got what I could from buddhism/hinduism sources, while the catholic factions in games story will apply their own well known christian names to describe some. Once I get it all nice and pretty looking, I'll be sure to post up a version of the most current background story on the main site.
Production wise, as of right now I've got some concept artists making good progress on character designs, which I'm somewhat keeping internal here at the early stages, but once I post some for display, I'll definitely announce it here :)
09/12/2007 (8:35 pm)
Thanks for the suggestions and feedback, Well I pretty much have the main story down and you are going to definitely find lots of uglies from Japanese Mythos including Akuma, Oni, and Ashuras, as well as other renegade factions based on Japanese mythological ghosts and zombie like critters. I've always been somewhat of a history buff so you'll definitely have some well known Shogun's, Samurai, Ronin, and Ninja relative to the "Sengoku Jidai" era in the game, even the "Gaijin" will play their part in world. Also expect to see lots of creatures from Shinto/Buddhism running amok. The story is going to be pretty chaotic, everyone will have their own agenda, plenty of backstabbing and unhealthy alliances will make for a good story :D Right now probably the hardest part has been on deciding on names for the Demon/Oni factions but I've pretty much got what I could from buddhism/hinduism sources, while the catholic factions in games story will apply their own well known christian names to describe some. Once I get it all nice and pretty looking, I'll be sure to post up a version of the most current background story on the main site.
Production wise, as of right now I've got some concept artists making good progress on character designs, which I'm somewhat keeping internal here at the early stages, but once I post some for display, I'll definitely announce it here :)
R.W.
Japan divided up by the provinces of that time in history. Each province will be a zone whose roads leading out will be guarded to keep you from going to the next province if you do not meet the level requirement. Each province can contain a number of towns that will be instanced into. Outside and in the open the province could contain cave, forest, mine, mountain pass entrances that could serve as quest instanced entrances. You may find World Monsters randomly crop up on world zones i.e. Giant Centipedes/Godzilla Rip-offs.
Towns
Towns will be buzzing with activity, and contain a number of non playable characters, some may only appear at certain times of day. Towns will serve as the main hubs to finding quests both casual and epic. Each town will also contain all the essential wares and facilities a player will need to use throughout his travels and adventures.
* Bars (purchase drinks that give temporary melee buffs)
* Food vendors (purchase food to help with fatigue)
* Game parlor (pay into a pot and play to win, may have a card game or game piece element where players can use pieces or cards they find as drops to use in parlor games.)
* Armor/weapon smiths (upgrade weapon stats/change/craft weapon)
* Tailor shops (upgrade cloth stats/change/craft cloth armor)
* Alchemist (purchase health/mana pots and caster buffs)
* Inns (gain xp when you log out in one, may be a daily fee attached)
* Bathhouse (gain buffs/cleanse off any ailments/change hairstyle and or makeup)
* Auction House/Possible Bank or Merchant Storages
Towns are all instanced, as is the outside world, each zone could have a possible population cap. Guards will guard entrances to a town. Entrance to towns may depend on level and or possible reputation with a faction.