NationStates Jolt Archive

Inspired by the graphics vs story thread, among other things.

If you could make any game, what would you do? I'll withhold comment for now (intended to be a computer game thread, but if anyone wants to talk about board games, go ahead).

Freedom of gameplay is also very important.

Its already been made. Minesweeper, how I love you! :hail:

I'd like to see a version of Spore that was as developed as they said it was originally, where it was like a mix of Pac-Man, Civilization, Black and White, etc. Still keeping the adorable critter creator, of course.

WW1 Shooter. I'd try that. Not my Ideal game, just something I'd like to play.

WW1 Shooter. I'd try that.

Set it somewhere other than the trenches, though. That would get boring fast, I think.

Prince of Persia, with an RPG swing to it. You must go buy a new sword - to do that you must complete xyz quest. It must have the combat & movement system similar to (and improved) of PoP T2T.

I also liked the cell shader graphics of the new PoP so that can stay.

Combine a massive sandbox shooter with an RTS. True greatness it will equal.

Set it somewhere other than the trenches, though. That would get boring fast, I think.

That's why they haven't made one. You could do the Eastern Front (but do you really wanna play as a bunch of Russians getting their asses handed to them), Mesopotamia (fighting the Ottomans), Italy. Maybe something in Africa or Tsingtao (but who wants to play as Imperial Japan). Maybe you could do the Hundred Days on the Western Front.

Set it somewhere other than the trenches, though. That would get boring fast, I think.

For an interesting twist, it could be set in the United States. Some people may object to a video game where a battalion of soldiers just shoots unarmed citizens, but they don't have to play it.

For an interesting twist, it could be set in the United States. Some people may object to a video game where a battalion of soldiers just shoots unarmed citizens, but they don't have to play it.

How about a nice alternative history game instead, Hmm?

Freedom of gameplay is also very important.

I agree with this. Some direction is needed, I think, for players to feel like the game has a point, but giving a lot of freedom to the player is something I approve of. I want to feel like I'm part of a world, not just a fixed story line.

One thing I'd like to see is a combination of Strategy and RPG. The player starts out as an ordinary person in a large, open-ended world. As they explore the world, they can make connections with various players, and ultimately choose which side they join, or even build their own faction. As they bring other NPCs to their side and gain prestige and power, they are able to command more and more troops. Thus, the game can change over time from being largely an RPG to being largely a Strategy game.

The game would be very open-ended. Their would be one or two key goals every player must accomplish to win, but if they wished they could simply explore the world, or keep playing past the point of accomplishing the victory conditions.

I've been designing an rts game. So far, I've created about 8 unique factions, from a faction that fights mainly with upgradeable infantry, tanks, and upgradeable jeeps (no air force other than armed transports, but infantry can be given jet packs) to an insectoid race that used expendable winged infantry (can hijack vehicles and take over enemy factories to build vehicles and whatnot). there's even a faction that has nothing but defensive structures. It attacks by building cannons near the enemy.

I've also thought about an mmorpg that fuses the cliches medieval fantasy with modern, futuristic, and ancient themes. It would rock to play as a paladin wielding a laser-shooting broadsword in one hand and a +2 chainsaw in the other. Shield generators mounted on his arms, giving him a shield without taking away his dual-wielding. Since you can't really have a nerdy fantasy game without furries, there will be furries.

How about a nice alternative history game instead, Hmm?
Or that. I've never heard of an alternative history game; It'd be nifty to see one.

Absolutely anything? Make a computer simulation of the planet and add a Grand Theft Auto game to it. That would be sick, go anywhere on Earth, then commit crimes and kill people.

A game that involved seizing absolute power in a former democracy, while backstabbing anyone in the way.

I've been designing an rts game. So far, I've created about 8 unique factions, from a faction that fights mainly with upgradeable infantry, tanks, and upgradeable jeeps (no air force other than armed transports, but infantry can be given jet packs) to an insectoid race that used expendable winged infantry (can hijack vehicles and take over enemy factories to build vehicles and whatnot). there's even a faction that has nothing but defensive structures. It attacks by building cannons near the enemy.

I'm intrigued by this. Did you ever play the Star Wars strategy game Empire at War? I did, and I was most disappointed that they simply tried, to some extent, to force the Star Wars brand into a typical RTS format. What I mean by this, among other things, is that their idea of balance seemed to be to give each side units which were essentially identical in function, but with different paint jobs. They had a setting that could have made for a unique game, where each side had radically different forces and different types of gameplay, and they largely ignored it.

Their always seems to me to be this idea that "balance = make both sides the same." I would love to see more games where their are several factions that rather than being the same, each had a radically different set of strengths/weaknesses, and a very different style of gameplay.

I've just had an idea that should allow me to retire filthy stinking rich. Take Minesweeper...but make it 3D with proper explosions. And if you get to 999, you aren't allowed to continue with the timer stopped, your character gets blown up with a FRIGGIN' ROCKET LAUNCHER! How about this too...add an RPG element. Make the characters all part of an peacekeeping and mine-clearing team. After work, you go back to barracks, and you can win extra lives and time by impressing your fellow soldiers by acting inappropriately towards local women, but not so much that you cause a scandal that will damage the morale of the team. A clever strategy element, no? Your character can also gain a reputation by becoming a favourite with the local prostitutes (this would involve a rhythm-based button bashing mini-game). Holy Shit! Anyone got the number for Microsoft's 'Creative Genius-Hiring Department'?

Set it somewhere other than the trenches, though. That would get boring fast, I think.
Nah, it'd be great.
Spawn, climb over the trench, get killed by machine gun fire, die, respawn, climb over the trench at another point, get hit by a sniper, die, respawn, wander into a field of poisonous gas, die, respawn, step on a landmine, die, respawn, spend a couple hours trying to dig a tunnel to China with your trenching shovel until you are suddenly hit by an artillery shell, you survive but spend the rest of the game blind, deaf, dumb, and paralyzed while you lay in a hospital bed and contemplate the futility of war and nationalism.

How about a game that takes different perspectives through different methods of play? Such as going from RTS as a general to a FPS as a soldier to RPG as a civilian?

How about a game that takes different perspectives through different methods of play? Such as going from RTS as a general to a FPS as a soldier to RPG as a civilian?

Well, their's my suggestion of an RPG that allows you to play as a character in an open-ended world, but if you amass enough power, build a kingdom and army. At which point the game would become more strategic.

I'd definitely like to see more games that allows multiple, radically different types of play. That is, a truly cross-genre game. Especially an RPG/strategy/tactical combo.

Nah, it'd be great.
Spawn, climb over the trench, get killed by machine gun fire, die, respawn, climb over the trench at another point, get hit by a sniper, die, respawn, wander into a field of poisonous gas, die, respawn, step on a landmine, die, respawn, spend a couple hours trying to dig a tunnel to China with your trenching shovel until you are suddenly hit by an artillery shell, you survive but spend the rest of the game blind, deaf, dumb, and paralyzed while you lay in a hospital bed and contemplate the futility of war and nationalism.

And if you refuse to play....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2755586993_05f0123b24.jpg

RPG's for the win! Always.

RPG's for the win! Always.

Just one (http://www.dyingearth.com/).

Well, their's my suggestion of an RPG that allows you to play as a character in an open-ended world, but if you amass enough power, build a kingdom and army. At which point the game would become more strategic.

I'd definitely like to see more games that allows multiple, radically different types of play. That is, a truly cross-genre game. Especially an RPG/strategy/tactical combo.

I don't believe there is a game like that...

Or that. I've never heard of an alternative history game; It'd be nifty to see one.

*cough, *cough, C&C RED ALERT, *cough, WAR FRONT: TURNING POINT, *cough... ;)

I'd love to see a game using a true hybrid RTS/FPS engine. Where you could switch between modes and there'd be no limitations to the physics or game mechanics.

I've seen attempts at this... but Microsoft's Urban Assault was really the only one that came even close.

I'd love to be able to play something C&C-esque and then jump down to any unit and then operate it as if it were Halo 3... sure, that might mean you'd have to stick infantry into vehicles before they'd be usable... but still... I'd love to see that.

Just one (http://www.dyingearth.com/).

I'm a fan of the FF saga and of KH.

I don't believe there is a game like that...

Exactly.:( If I had the time to learn about game design and the money to take a few years off while I work on it, I'd go for it, but being a university student, I have neither.

I'm a fan of the FF saga and of KH.

The verbal frippery does not compare.

I don't believe there is a game like that...

Life?

A true sandbox Medieval MMORPG. No levels, no grinding, you can do whatever the Hell you want to do.

Life?

I don't believe that life has a Quick Save button... nor any save feature.

Inspired by seeing a Vetalia post: When is Portal 2 coming out? The idea was too cool to get just the little taste we got! :eek:

A true sandbox Medieval MMORPG. No levels, no grinding, you can do whatever the Hell you want to do.

But what if you WANTED to grind? :P

But what if you WANTED to grind? :P

Grinding is boring.

I don't believe that life has a Quick Save button... nor any save feature.

No, but amassing armies and ruling nations are greater experiences due to the advanced graphics and realistic physics engine.

But what if you WANTED to grind? :P
Then become a miller, you can grind all the wheat you want.

No, but amassing armies and ruling nations are greater experiences due to the advanced graphics and realistic physics engine.

But you have to grind so hard to get to that level!! Otherwise you're stuck on the crappy FPS level.

Then become a miller, you can grind all the wheat you want.

Exactly, I'd become a Wizard.

Exactly, I'd become a Wizard.
Been shaking your "wand" at things again? ;)

An RPG with realistic combat (Like Mass Effect, but better.) set during the times of the Roman Republic/Empire in which you can become anything from a common soldier up to a Consul/the Emperor. :p

But you have to grind so hard to get to that level!! Otherwise you're stuck on the crappy FPS level.

Ah, but the grinding is much more enjoyable; even so, one could merely marry into a high level.

Ah, but the grinding is much more enjoyable; even so, one could merely marry into a high level.Grinding is not enjoyable.

Inspired by seeing a Vetalia post: When is Portal 2 coming out? The idea was too cool to get just the little taste we got! :eek:

We approve this message.

We approve this message.

Lies!! The Cake is a Lie is a SPY!!

I agree with this. Some direction is needed, I think, for players to feel like the game has a point, but giving a lot of freedom to the player is something I approve of. I want to feel like I'm part of a world, not just a fixed story line.

One thing I'd like to see is a combination of Strategy and RPG. The player starts out as an ordinary person in a large, open-ended world. As they explore the world, they can make connections with various players, and ultimately choose which side they join, or even build their own faction. As they bring other NPCs to their side and gain prestige and power, they are able to command more and more troops. Thus, the game can change over time from being largely an RPG to being largely a Strategy game.

The game would be very open-ended. Their would be one or two key goals every player must accomplish to win, but if they wished they could simply explore the world, or keep playing past the point of accomplishing the victory conditions.
I like that idea. I also prefer open-ended game worlds where I can pretty much build my own character's story. But I'd like less emphasis on war than most games have. I'd rather have the ability to choose among, or combine in various ways, "careers" in military, trade, manufacturing, etc. All the big parts of a society.

I've just had an idea that should allow me to retire filthy stinking rich. Take Minesweeper...but make it 3D with proper explosions. And if you get to 999, you aren't allowed to continue with the timer stopped, your character gets blown up with a FRIGGIN' ROCKET LAUNCHER! How about this too...add an RPG element. Make the characters all part of an peacekeeping and mine-clearing team. After work, you go back to barracks, and you can win extra lives and time by impressing your fellow soldiers by acting inappropriately towards local women, but not so much that you cause a scandal that will damage the morale of the team. A clever strategy element, no? Your character can also gain a reputation by becoming a favourite with the local prostitutes (this would involve a rhythm-based button bashing mini-game). Holy Shit! Anyone got the number for Microsoft's 'Creative Genius-Hiring Department'?
Another brilliant idea. Dammit -- I keep hitting this green light, but nothing happens. We need to get you some funding.

Nah, it'd be great.
Spawn, climb over the trench, get killed by machine gun fire, die, respawn, climb over the trench at another point, get hit by a sniper, die, respawn, wander into a field of poisonous gas, die, respawn, step on a landmine, die, respawn, spend a couple hours trying to dig a tunnel to China with your trenching shovel until you are suddenly hit by an artillery shell, you survive but spend the rest of the game blind, deaf, dumb, and paralyzed while you lay in a hospital bed and contemplate the futility of war and nationalism.
Again! This green light gizmo must be defective.

Grinding is boring.

Grinding is not enjoyable.
And yet there are people who like it. Weird, sick, scary, but true. I don't get it either.

Inspired by seeing a Vetalia post: When is Portal 2 coming out? The idea was too cool to get just the little taste we got! :eek:I think Valve was talking about a second/third quarter 2010 release on G4.

Yeah I want a VR universe, simulated in insane and physically impossible levels of detail, in which there are many sub-games - RTS, TBS, FPS, puzzle, mystery, just eye-candy, arcades etc - and all of it is optional. Kind of like what Spore wanted to be but wasn't. Kind of like Cosmic Osmo!

And yet there are people who like it. Weird, sick, scary, but true. I don't get it either.I have to grind like hell on most games that I play (RPGs). I still don't enjoy it, no matter how much I grind.

What is this "grinding" of which you all speak?

I have to grind like hell on most games that I play (RPGs). I still don't enjoy it, no matter how much I grind.
Before I got bored with installing too-frequent buggy upgrades, I used to play an MMORPG where some other players would chide me (and I do mean "chide") for not grinding enough to make certain levels. "Why do you play this game if you're not going to work at it?", some cyber-yelled at me. I left the irony to just lie there in the road.

What is this "grinding" of which you all speak?Mindlessly killing enemies (Usually creatures of some sort) to level up your characters in the game over an insanely long amount of time. (Sometimes because you want to make the game easier, sometimes so you can beat a boss.)

Like The Fallen in The Last Remnant. It's insanely hard, even if you grind for weeks.

What is this "grinding" of which you all speak?
It's a thing strippers do.

Mindlessly killing enemies (Usually creatures of some sort) to level up your characters in the game over an insanely long amount of time. (Sometimes because you want to make the game easier, sometimes so you can beat a boss.)

I see. I'm guessing it's more common in MMORPGs than individual PC games?

I like that idea. I also prefer open-ended game worlds where I can pretty much build my own character's story. But I'd like less emphasis on war than most games have. I'd rather have the ability to choose among, or combine in various ways, "careers" in military, trade, manufacturing, etc. All the big parts of a society.

I completely agree. In my idea, a player could work as a mercenary, join the army of whatever nation they were "born" in, train as a wizard, run a business, or simply explore.

Before I got bored with installing too-frequent buggy upgrades, I used to play an MMORPG where some other players would chide me (and I do mean "chide") for not grinding enough to make certain levels. "Why do you play this game if you're not going to work at it?", some cyber-yelled at me. I left the irony to just lie there in the road.I don't play MMOs for a reason. People get too addicted to them.

I'd rather just play Xbox Live with a few friends on Call of Duty 4/5, or something.

Grinding is not enjoyable.

If it is involves lying and treachery it most certainly is.

I completely agree. In my idea, a player could work as a mercenary, join the army of whatever nation they were "born" in, train as a wizard, run a business, or simply explore.
There are some MMOs vaguely like that, but they are either new and not fully developed and/or they cost. Pirates of the Burning Sea tries to be like that, I hear. I'm not sure if any have gotten the mix just the way I'd like it.

I see. I'm guessing it's more common in MMORPGs than individual PC games?Much more common in RPGs of any sort.

It's a thing strippers do.Yes, because we're all part-time strippers, right? :p
If it is involves lying and treachery it most certainly is.Politically-oriented grinding? ...That sounds like watching a session of Congress on a slow day.

Politically-oriented grinding? ...That sounds like watching a session of Congress on a slow day.

Official business is the brief interlude between the fun.

I wholeheartedly agree with those talking of a true cross-genre game.
Blending various games all in one;
Deus ex/Anachronox/Fallout 2 - Starcraft/Rise of Legends - Escape Velocity Nova/Freelancer - Master of Orion 3/Imperium Galactica 2/Galactic Civilization.
sort of. oh, and in VR also please. ,)

Official business is the brief interlude between the fun."Can't we just go ahead and invade?"

Something like that?

I completely agree. In my idea, a player could work as a mercenary, join the army of whatever nation they were "born" in, train as a wizard, run a business, or simply explore.

I like this idea most of all. *nods*

I like this idea most of all. *nods*It is a good idea.

"Can't we just go ahead and invade?"

Something like that?

No, like:"I see a bright future ahead!" Or: "See to it that little son-of-a-bitch never returns to his room."

Official business is the brief interlude between the fun.
C-SPAN, the Game.

No, like:"I see a bright future ahead!" Or: "See to it that little son-of-a-bitch never returns to his room.""I don't like this guy. Kill him. *guys is dragged off screaming*"

It's the mad emperors all over again! :p

C-SPAN, the Game.I LOL'D. :D

If I could create a game, it would be set in a time when the world just fell apart from war and the character can help to rebuild, fight and establish a domain for his cause or for himself, or push the world into a state of anarchy, or just do nothing and watch as people flock to join him in order to just live life peacefully. Either way, the player is sure to have some impact on the world. Oh, and when the player fails a mission, it opens up new paths in the game, so that the player can decide to do whatever they want, with results.

I think a new version of Victoria with malleable borders and custom provinces would be awesome. HoI2 is too WWII-ish and too brash and gun-em-up style.

WW1 Shooter. I'd try that. Not my Ideal game, just something I'd like to play.

Even better:

US Civil War FPS! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gods_and_Generals_(video_game))

Done. Next? (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/historychannelcivilwar/index.html)

You'll notice I linked to one myself, I wasn't asking for one.

You'll notice I linked to one myself, I wasn't asking for one.

Oh shit. I just saw the title and assumed. My bad.

Something atmospheric - like AVP or FEAR, but with an actual interactive and productive MMORPG element.

I hate the fact that really good fps games... tend to have a 'pvp' mode as the pretty much entire spectrum of interactivity. If that.

I'd also like to add a MMORPG that actually lets you customize your magic.

I'd also like to add a MMORPG that actually lets you customize your magic.I LOVE this idea.

I'd also like to add a MMORPG that actually lets you customize your magic.

How would that work though? Customization is a thing I love in games; it allows the player to chart their own course and creates a more varied and replayable world. I'm just not sure what you have in mind.

Maybe give players choices into what magic they research, rather than having players simply get a certain group of spells with each level? Or allow players to combine different spells for new effects?

How would that work though? Customization is a thing I love in games; it allows the player to chart their own course and creates a more varied and replayable world. I'm just not sure what you have in mind.

Maybe give players choices into what magic they research, rather than having players simply get a certain group of spells with each level? Or allow players to combine different spells for new effects?

Or they could learn about an aspect of what goes into spell casting and use what they learn to make new spells.

Or they could learn about an aspect of what goes into spell casting and use what they learn to make new spells.

I'm just not sure how this would actually work. That said, I know nothing about actual game design.;)

I'm just not sure how this would actually work. It won't be working on modern technology, that's for sure.

It might work next-gen, or next-next-gen.

Like Xbox 1080 or PS5. :p

I'm just not sure how this would actually work. That said, I know nothing about actual game design.;)

Ok, let's say that the spell works on the principal of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. You could learn about the different elements, and do stuff like make jewelry and have them blessed for spirit. Different combination of elements and/or jewelry would have different results. Like a combination of Air and Fire, plus a staff or ring could create a fireball.

You could also have characters earn certain amount of Mana, the more mana they have the powerful the spells they create. n

Ok, let's say that the spell works on the principal of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

The lawyers for the guy who wrote Wheel of Time want to talk to you.:)

You could learn about the different elements, and do stuff like make jewelry and have them blessed for spirit. Different combination of elements and/or jewelry would have different results. Like a combination of Air and Fire, plus a staff or ring could create a fireball.

Interesting. Sounds like a magical equivalent of the tech research trees in some games.

You could also have characters earn certain amount of Mana, the more mana they have the powerful the spells they create. n

This is pretty strait forward and standard, I think.

Ok, let's say that the spell works on the principal of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. You could learn about the different elements, and do stuff like make jewelry and have them blessed for spirit. Different combination of elements and/or jewelry would have different results. Like a combination of Air and Fire, plus a staff or ring could create a fireball.

You could also have characters earn certain amount of Mana, the more mana they have the powerful the spells they create.Oh, I thought you were talking about randomly generated spell effects.

Skill branches (No matter how complex) are much easier than random-generation. :p

I'd like to have an MMORPG which requires a basic IQ test to sign up.

Otherwise, Cold War spy RPG/FPS game set in an open-world Berlin. Separate storylines for KGB/CIA/Bundesnachrichtendienst officers or whatever. Walk around, interact with the locals, buy things for your ostenibly normal spy house and accept missions from control, which involve shooting and zomgstelth. Don't tell me this would not be epic.

Or WWI shooter, except set in the trenches and emphasis on roleplaying and psychological aspects of the war, say enemies which you actually feel bad to shoot.

I'd like to have an MMORPG which requires a basic IQ test to sign up.

YES.

Otherwise, Cold War spy RPG/FPS game set in an open-world Berlin. Separate storylines for KGB/CIA/Bundesnachrichtendienst officers or whatever. Walk around, interact with the locals, buy things for your ostenibly normal spy house and accept missions from control, which involve shooting and zomgstelth. Don't tell me this would not be epic.

Depends on how detailed it was, and the gameplay. Could be great, could be crap. But I can't think of a lot of other games like it, which is good.

Or WWI shooter, except set in the trenches and emphasis on roleplaying and psychological aspects of the war, say enemies which you actually feel bad to shoot.

How do you pull that off?

I'd like to have an MMORPG which requires a basic IQ test to sign up.

I haven't looked at it in a long time, but if I recall correctly, Kingdom of Loathing required players to answer a general knowledge quiz before they could join the chat channels/forums.

(intended to be a computer game thread, but if anyone wants to talk about board games, go ahead).

I'm currently working on a classless, level-less variant of Rolemaster.

Inspired by the graphics vs story thread, among other things.

If you could make any game, what would you do? I'll withhold comment for now (intended to be a computer game thread, but if anyone wants to talk about board games, go ahead).

Tis none of your business! Yar!

I would like to play a game set in the world depicted in the paintings of Bosch and Bruegel.
http://www.boschbruegel.com/

Skill branches (No matter how complex) are much easier than random-generation. :p
The curious thing is, the effect Wilgrove is looking for could be achieved by sticking to the skill-branch methodology, but by making the actual progression of the tree implicit to a character's actions (or unlockable by some other means) rather than using an explicit "select what you want to learn from the skill menu".

Here's an example. There are a number of magical schools, each of which teach spell-casting basics but also provide a thaumatological laboratory. The spells you learn from the schools are simple, like an energy bolt or an elemental effect, but in the laboratory, you can progress along your skill tree by experimenting with combinations and variations of your existing magic. For instance, you could unlock a fire pillar spell in your collection by manipulating fire and air in a vertical pattern, a tidal wave spell with a large number of horizontal rushing water spells, a lightning storm with an electricity and rain combination and so on. You would have to have and be able to use the core elements of the spell (and you could restrict the availability of these to members of a school to ensure specialisation) and have the magical energy/stamina/proficiency/whatever to actually unlock the more complex and potent spells, but once you've "created" a spell, you would progress along the skill tree accordingly.

And yes, I am working on it. >>;

Now, I wonder if you'll agree with me on this. One of the great mysteries of our time. Why the lack of a chess-boxing video game? The potential is enormous. For those who haven't heard of this relatively new sport. Let me describe it to you in its full glory. Think of it like chess, only with more boxing. Or, indeed, boxing, only with more chess. Simply inspired.

Inspired by the graphics vs story thread, among other things.

If you could make any game, what would you do? I'll withhold comment for now (intended to be a computer game thread, but if anyone wants to talk about board games, go ahead).

Scrabble is pretty good, but I also like Settlers.

The curious thing is, the effect Wilgrove is looking for could be achieved by sticking to the skill-branch methodology, but by making the actual progression of the tree implicit to a character's actions (or unlockable by some other means) rather than using an explicit "select what you want to learn from the skill menu".

Here's an example. There are a number of magical schools, each of which teach spell-casting basics but also provide a thaumatological laboratory. The spells you learn from the schools are simple, like an energy bolt or an elemental effect, but in the laboratory, you can progress along your skill tree by experimenting with combinations and variations of your existing magic. For instance, you could unlock a fire pillar spell in your collection by manipulating fire and air in a vertical pattern, a tidal wave spell with a large number of horizontal rushing water spells, a lightning storm with an electricity and rain combination and so on. You would have to have and be able to use the core elements of the spell (and you could restrict the availability of these to members of a school to ensure specialisation) and have the magical energy/stamina/proficiency/whatever to actually unlock the more complex and potent spells, but once you've "created" a spell, you would progress along the skill tree accordingly.

And yes, I am working on it. >>;

It would be very interesting to see how such a tree would turn out.

Also, you could perhaps make certain schools teach certain types of spells. For example, you could have a one school specializing in necromancy, one in mind manipulation, one in battle magic, one in healing, etc. Each might teach certain basic spells, but also I few more advanced combinations. Though maybe this would be too complex?

I'd like to see more games like Dwarf Fortress.. only with slightly better graphics and a control system you can understand..

It would be very interesting to see how such a tree would turn out.

Also, you could perhaps make certain schools teach certain types of spells. For example, you could have a one school specializing in necromancy, one in mind manipulation, one in battle magic, one in healing, etc. Each might teach certain basic spells, but also I few more advanced combinations. Though maybe this would be too complex?
In some sense, the tree itself can be totally arbitrary, though in order for the idea to be best put to use, it should be as broad and large as possible, with a series of spells in each branch being of roughly equal power but with aesthetic differences to make the player feel like the spell is their own creation.

Wilgrove's suggestion to use the classical elements would work if you incorporated the ability to combine different elements to some degree. You could have basic schools of elemental composition in which you learn to control one element, but then expand into other, more exclusive and demanding schools with the ability to teach you to combine elements in particular ways - each school thus comes with its own trunk in the skill tree, and necromancy could be one fire-earth school, healing could be a water school, water-air could teach illusion-casting and so on. It would take some working out to draw the full tree up, but it would certainly look pretty interesting!

In some sense, the tree itself can be totally arbitrary, though in order for the idea to be best put to use, it should be as broad and large as possible, with a series of spells in each branch being of roughly equal power but with aesthetic differences to make the player feel like the spell is their own creation.

When you allow combining different spells, it becomes very complex, because with that even a handful of different spells, the possbile combinations are almost endless.

Wilgrove's suggestion to use the classical elements would work if you incorporated the ability to combine different elements to some degree.

Though I will observe again that his system basically ripped off Wheel of Time. But then, Jordan's a hack, so he probably ripped off a whole bunch of other people.;)

You could have basic schools of elemental composition in which you learn to control one element, but then expand into other, more exclusive and demanding schools with the ability to teach you to combine elements in particular ways - each school thus comes with its own trunk in the skill tree, and necromancy could be one fire-earth school, healing could be a water school, water-air could teach illusion-casting and so on. It would take some working out to draw the full tree up, but it would certainly look pretty interesting!

It would be good if the player had to make some actual choices, rather than enabling the player to quickly master all spells. Perhaps have certain schools be in conflict with each other, or make tuition prohibitively expensive. Or make learning one spell cancel out the abillity to use another (ie, necromancers can't use "light" magic like healing). That way, the player would have to make choices, and every game would be more likely to turn out different.

A Winter War FPS.

It won't be working on modern technology, that's for sure.

It might work next-gen, or next-next-gen.

Like Xbox 1080 or PS5. :p
Not really. The crudest way of doing it would be pretty simple: Just have players learn aspects of spells and then stick them together. So you'd learn, for instance, how to create an area effect with a 10' diameter, how to cast spells a range of 15', and how to create magical fire, stick them together and you've got a Fireball spell. Add on a skill that lets spell effects last for a minute (at the expense of some extra mana or a special component) and you've got a Fire Cloud. Replace the Fire with Death energy, and add another bit that lets you gain health in proportion to the damage that the cloud does, and you've got ... I don't know.
The ideal system would allow players to accidentally kill themselves in hilarious ways while experimenting.
Try to combine Earth and Air magic? You are torn apart by the opposed forces. Cast a fire effect that is centered on yourself without first insuring that you are fire immune? Be burned to a cinder yourself.

I would update and combine two old Intellivision classics: Sub Hunt and Sea Battle.

When you allow combining different spells, it becomes very complex, because with that even a handful of different spells, the possbile combinations are almost endless.
Well, not all possible combinations will create new spells. Sometimes casting multiple spells at once or in series simply causes the effects to happen together (two fireballs, rather than one explosion), and sometimes they'll cancel each other out and the spell attempt will fizzle. Only the right combination of fire and water magic will create boiling steam; otherwise, the water will just extinguish the fire, or might evaporate completely.

All you need is an extensive skill list. You don't need to cover all possibilities, since the end-user is well aware that it's a game (plot-based suspension of disbelief aside), but you can let them have fun working out what possibilities and variations there are, and the experienced (or walkthrough) players can have easy access to a vast array of new skills as soon as their characters are capable of using them.

Though I will observe again that his system basically ripped off Wheel of Time. But then, Jordan's a hack, so he probably ripped off a whole bunch of other people.;)
And how. But nobody has copyright on the classical elements, so just replace Spirit with Light and Dark or somesuch and you're sorted.

It would be good if the player had to make some actual choices, rather than enabling the player to quickly master all spells. Perhaps have certain schools be in conflict with each other, or make tuition prohibitively expensive. Or make learning one spell cancel out the abillity to use another (ie, necromancers can't use "light" magic like healing). That way, the player would have to make choices, and every game would be more likely to turn out different.
Oh, of course. Even in terms of the core elements, it would be impossible for people to learn more than maybe two or three at a time (the third being light/dark/balance depending on your character's alignment?) without cheating or using rare equipment. Even with equipment, your control over its power probably wouldn't be as precise as your own magical energy.

The other side of the coin, though, is that the specialization/generalization dilemma comes into play. After all, the player who plays through the game with only fire spells to his name will always be able to create more destructive and faster fireballs than the one who also learns to control earth and light. On the other hand, when that fire-resistant boss shows up, or when your enemy is so fast that you can't hit him with your fireballs, the earth user might find his earthquakes, mud-traps and sharp diamond missiles to be more effective.

The ideal system would allow players to accidentally kill themselves in hilarious ways while experimenting.
Also, this.

The ideal system would allow players to accidentally kill themselves in hilarious ways while experimenting.
Try to combine Earth and Air magic? You are torn apart by the opposed forces. Cast a fire effect that is centered on yourself without first insuring that you are fire immune? Be burned to a cinder yourself.

Such a system would probably discourage a lot of players from using magic at all. But that works fine with my idea, which would allow players to choose their profession. So a player could train in magic and gain greater power, or they could avoid it and avoid the danger of unintended death.:)

The important thing though is not to make it so hard to survive that the player becomes frusterated and just gives up.

Such a system would probably discourage a lot of players from using magic at all. But that works fine with my idea, which would allow players to choose their profession. So a player could train in magic and gain greater power, or they could avoid it and avoid the danger of unintended death.:)

The important thing though is not to make it so hard to survive that the player becomes frusterated and just gives up.
The easiest way to deal with that would be to create a lab area with a nearby respawn point and death penalties reduced. That would let people get their spells worked out before heading into battle. A lot of players still wouldn't think it was worth the trouble, but the frustration is my mine attraction to it. I love the idea of a game that lets me turn my character to stone or blow up half of my team mates on accident.

The easiest way to deal with that would be to create a lab area with a nearby respawn point and death penalties reduced. That would let people get their spells worked out before heading into battle. A lot of players still wouldn't think it was worth the trouble, but the frustration is my mine attraction to it. I love the idea of a game that lets me turn my character to stone or blow up half of my team mates on accident.

Lucky you.:) For most of us, however, playing the same thing over and over gets tiresome. In my limitted experience playing RPGs, I've found myself excedingly bored by the old die/restart fight/die again routien.:)

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Your conversation has, and hopefully will continue to be, a very interesting read.

Finding out stuff for yourself has always been lacking in games regarding character abilities.

How about if everyone created spells differently?
With a scale of so-and-so much of that-and-that in this-and-that way creating different spells for every character.
It would make the whole experience much more enjoyable, and would indeed make for some dangerous situations.

That way, no one could rush through it all and create a "how-to" guide.

Lucky you.:) For most of us, however, playing the same thing over and over gets tiresome. In my limitted experience playing RPGs, I've found myself excedingly bored by the old die/restart fight/die again routien.:)
Oh, I think you misread me. I don't mean that there should be a random chance of complete failure, but that failure should be based on predictable factors. The easiest example for this is the Flame Shield one.
Dave casts a spell that surrounds his body in magical flames, hoping to protect himself from enemy melee attacks, but (oh no!) Dave has forgotten to make himself immune to flame (by including it in an earlier part of the spell, wearing a ring of protection, drinking a potion, etc). So Dave becomes Extra Crispy Dave, and learns a Valuable Lesson about fire safety. Before he casts the spell next time, he'll add a part to the opening that protects him from it's effects.
An offensive example would be for Dave to cast a spell with a 30' effect radius but only a 20' range.

An offensive example would be for Dave to cast a spell with a 30' effect radius but only a 20' range.

Like mesmerizing yourself in Everquest back in the old days :p

Your conversation has, and hopefully will continue to be, a very interesting read.

Finding out stuff for yourself has always been lacking in games regarding character abilities.

How about if everyone created spells differently?
With a scale of so-and-so much of that-and-that in this-and-that way creating different spells for every character.
It would make the whole experience much more enjoyable, and would indeed make for some dangerous situations.
That's what I'm going for with my idea. Each "spell" would be individually created based upon what sort of abilities the casting character had. Once you were done experimenting, you could give the group of factors a name (Dave's Greater Bitchslap; MC Hammer's Field of Can't Touch; Screw It, I'm Killing Everyone in the Room, Especially Myself) and have it operate at a single click.
That way, no one could rush through it all and create a "how-to" guide.
Unfortunately, no matter how much effort goes into creating balance and variety, there will always be that one guy who finds an exploit that lets easily destroy any player or enemy.

Sandbox zombie MMORPG.

WW1 Shooter. I'd try that. Not my Ideal game, just something I'd like to play.
What like a Africa Front shooter in the Crysis engine?

Sporting clays, except that the clays are replaced with jihadis.

Sporting clays, except that the clays are replaced with jihadis.
'Ideal Video Game', not 'Favourite Bloodthirsty Fantasy'.

MC Hammer's Field of Can't Touch

If this game is ever invented, that's my ultimate defense/invulnerability spell.

Not really. The crudest way of doing it would be pretty simple: Just have players learn aspects of spells and then stick them together. So you'd learn, for instance, how to create an area effect with a 10' diameter, how to cast spells a range of 15', and how to create magical fire, stick them together and you've got a Fireball spell. Add on a skill that lets spell effects last for a minute (at the expense of some extra mana or a special component) and you've got a Fire Cloud. Replace the Fire with Death energy, and add another bit that lets you gain health in proportion to the damage that the cloud does, and you've got ... I don't know.
The ideal system would allow players to accidentally kill themselves in hilarious ways while experimenting.
Try to combine Earth and Air magic? You are torn apart by the opposed forces. Cast a fire effect that is centered on yourself without first insuring that you are fire immune? Be burned to a cinder yourself.

There you go, that's your game. Make it slapstickish, and slightly over the top. Not based on deep realism, but on being a lot of fun to play.

Sporting clays, except that the clays are replaced with jihadis.

Have to hope this is just a joke...

Hopefully Empire total war and Killzone 2 will be it for me <3

No game can fulfil all wishes. If it has a good story, then it'll probably either be linear and thus have low replayability, or it could be like the TES series and have an open world, but be rigid and formulaic. On the other hand, if it's more versatile in gameplay and has more replay value, then it'll usually lack a strong plot.

All I usually ask for is that the gameplay is good and that it has a strong atmosphere

What like a Africa Front shooter in the Crysis engine?

Never played Crysis.

I would love a sandbox Zombie game where you start out with an entire infected city (Of your choice), and have to eke out a living from raiding stores, creating a farm, etc, and defending yourself against zombies. Except the zombies can run. And can jump out windows. And come in massive swarms. And try to block off your escape. And did I mention just a few bites will kill you?

Nearing the Endgame, you'd gather up other survivors and try to take back the country, fighting or joining up with other such groups as time goes on, possibly trading in your guns for more primitive weapons as you run out of ammo.

That would be my gaming fantasy. :D

I would love a sandbox Zombie game where you start out with an entire infected city (Of your choice), and have to eke out a living from raiding stores, creating a farm, etc, and defending yourself against zombies. Except the zombies can run. And can jump out windows. And come in massive swarms. And try to block off your escape. And did I mention just a few bites will kill you?

Nearing the Endgame, you'd gather up other survivors and try to take back the country, fighting or joining up with other such groups as time goes on, possibly trading in your guns for more primitive weapons as you run out of ammo.

That would be my gaming fantasy. :D

Well Left 4 Dead does some of that ... As in your survivors wandering around a city doing massive shoot ups against zombies, you can change weapons the further you go and the zombies regularly attack you with hordes.

Hopefully Empire total war and Killzone 2 will be it for me <3

Ooh Ooh Empire Total War is coming out soon? If its not already...

Ooh Ooh Empire Total War is coming out soon? If its not already...

March 09. I just hope my Laptop will run it. It runs Rome TW okay and Medieval II when on the lowest setting.

Yes, because we're all part-time strippers, right? :p
Politically-oriented grinding? ...That sounds like watching a session of Congress on a slow day.

Elliot Spitzer RPG?

March 09. I just hope my Laptop will run it. It runs Rome TW okay and Medieval II when on the lowest setting.

Aww dammit I'm probably gonna have to upgrade my laptop to handle it.

Well Left 4 Dead does some of that ... As in your survivors wandering around a city doing massive shoot ups against zombies, you can change weapons the further you go and the zombies regularly attack you with hordes.

I have yet to see a slathering zombie leap out onto me from a window, while a horde of zombies close in from the streets. It also misses the 'Survival' aspect, the one I'm talking about at least. It also has a goal/exit point, and lacks the second paragraph entirely.

Aww dammit I'm probably gonna have to upgrade my laptop to handle it.

Me Too. I'm thinking my 1.8 Ghz processor will need to be upgraded, no idea how much it'll be.

I have yet to see a slathering zombie leap out onto me from a window, while a horde of zombies close in from the streets. It also misses the 'Survival' aspect, the one I'm talking about at least. It also has a goal/exit point, and lacks the second paragraph entirely.

*turns into a slathering zombie and leaps onto CM from a window, while a horde of zombies close in from the streets.*

*turns into a slathering zombie and leaps onto CM from a window, while a horde of zombies close in from the streets.*

Now this is more like it! Hey, wait, where'd my arm go?

Now this is more like it! Hey, wait, where'd my arm go?

*quickly eats arm sandwich*

I dunno...;)

A game where your objective is to make a game. Starting with 8-bit working your way up to virtual reality. You control a character in game who is a video game designer. You have the option of living your daily life, but it's considered an acheivment if you can survive a week without getting bored.

Either that or a classic game (Mario, Zelda, etc.) where you get to play as the enemy and see all of the behind-the-scenes planning for all of the dugeons and stuff.

A game where you have to burn the rope.