if you could make your own game

[SMOGZINN]

Lum is primarily a measure of your characters strength. The quirk to this is that as your strength increases you become a magnet to the monsters. You actually become a bigger target for them faster than your strength grows. One of the choices players have to make when building a character is how much Lum they're going to have. There's no limit to your total Lum, only a practical limit based on what you can handle.

Different skills add different amounts of Lum. Crafting and support skill trees add greatly reduced amounts of Lum and characters with most of their skills in those trees can be very stealthy. By mixing groups with high and low Lum players you can be much more effective. Alternatively, you can try different mixes for solo play and get very different experiences.

This is a really interesting idea. It turns character advancement on it's head, instead of killing monsters to earn XP to level, you get skills that causes monsters to try to kill you. The game then becomes more about mastering the skills you have chosen instead of trying to kill enough monsters (or complete enough quests) to get the skills you want to use. I like the idea.

In this system characters could be made fast, in just a few minutes perhaps, and played with. I think this game would work really well with permanent death.

The game could be part ARPG, part horror survival, part FPS.


Here is a idea to go with that, instead of one character, you control a small town of 30-50 people. You have to take control of each character and assign him/her skills (by adding Lum) and give them a job in your town. Some of the characters are going to be adventures that go out and gather supplies for your town, some are going to be craft people that make things with the supplies you gathered. The problem here is that the more Lum there is in an area the more demons that are attracted to the area. So, you need to build defenses. Stuff like weapons for the characters, reinforced walls, automated turrets, robotic sentries, land mines, what ever. The problem is that the more you build the more powerful the demons get. Make a new system called Tox, all made-made things create Tox, the higher tech the item the more Tox it generates. Spend to much Lum and you draw too many demons to your town, build your town too fast and you will generate to much Tox and the demons that do come will be to powerful for your characters to kill. On top of this when a character dies you lose him permanently (which does reduce your Lum that is summoning demons), if you are not careful eventually your town might have too few people to continue.

Even with all this the focus on the game should be adventuring away from town.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

A game that mixes every genre possible. RTS commanders that set up towers and spread out forces. Musical games/puzzle games played to actually fabricate the towers and build forces faster. They also buff guys. MOBA guys controlling heroes and subgroups. Those subgroup guys are real humans in a mix of 3rd person cover players and 1st person fps grunts. Everyone levels up. There' s two guys playing as god per team and they can make it rain/hail/call on their giant cow monster to poop on people. There's one guy who is the ubergod and he can form the universe in a sandbox environment and mess with the gravity. You also have huge air battleships that require 100 different keys to use and they can drop out tiny airships and tanks and the tanks require a min of 2 people to control. When you die you become a zombie and you can zombify people. The actual game arena will be massive and it wil require a garmin powered gps in-game or you can use a usb cable and hook up your gps to your computer. You will have guys that have race between cities on motorcycles and then llamas when crossing mountanous regions to deliver in-game messages because there will be no global chat. You can only talk to those within 100 yards. There will also be sandbox guys who terraform the planets because the battles can spread across planets. You will also be able to trade pokemon. If you install the mobile app if you happen to run into another player in real-life, you can trade hats with them or a casual drawing game.

I'm going to call it Spr0n because if you buy the adults only add-on you will be able to do other things that involve adult situations.

 

[Ferzerp]

If I (or most of us) could design our own game it would suck.

Games are a huge trade off of what is feasible, and what is good. We can all come up with a pie in the sky realistic, fully simulated environment, but you can't write that. If you could write it, you couldn't afford to make it, and even if you could afford to make it, no one's PC could run it.

The trick is making a game that is still good despite the limitations.

 

[QuantumPion]

I'd like to see the guys that made Starbase Orion (iOS Master of Orion 2 remake) make a similar remake of Master of Magic. I'd pay $100 for it...

 

[QuantumPion]

Oh I forgot Dwarf Fortress with proper mouse support and modern graphics!

or this. A "real" game based on the idea of DF would strike the earth!

 

[Magusigne]

I'd like to see the guys that made Starbase Orion (iOS Master of Orion 2 remake) make a similar remake of Master of Magic. I'd pay $100 for it...

Everything you said..WIN.

I would like Star Control MMO. 2D top down...with elements of Imperium Galactica/Pax Imperia for fleet management. Persistant World...Factions control various sectors which yield varying types of resources that players may receive as a daily bonus.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

or this. A "real" game based on the idea of DF would strike the earth!

thanks for the respect, seriously why hasn't a nerd made mouse support and a graphics update for DF? I'd love play DF more but oh man the interface.

 

[Stringjam]

An FPS / RPG hybrid taking place in a seamless level.

However, I would place enormous resources into creating fewer, but MUCH more intelligent A.I., as well as much broader scope of NPC characters than you typically see in games like this.

I want NPC's who will sneak up behind you and slit your throat if you're not paying attention. NPC's who can run as fast as you, shoot as accurately as you, and take / use cover in a realistic way. Anybody who likes mindless run-n-gun FPS would hate my game.

I would place a huge emphasis on driving this game with a meaningful story. Characters close to you would get top-shelf writing and voice acting, and extensive effort given to character development.

IMO, if you don't genuinely care about the characters in a story, you don't really care what happens to them. This game would hinge on that dynamic.

I would place a lot of importance on shooting and movement mechanics, using a lot more utilization of randomization of sound and character moves. I want the player to feel like THEY are moving through the environment, not just controlling a camera with some arm models. Movement would all be manual (no auto crap)....with leaning, crouching, prone, crawling.....stealth would depend on skilled use of movement mechanics.

Sound engineering, and especially Foley work, would be the highest quality I could possibly get away with. I would also probably spend way more than would be feasibly possible with creating a bank of dialog....I don't want my characters saying the same thing over and over 10000 damn times (Skyrim comes to mind here).

The environment would likely be similar to the Ozarks I live in now, which is something not really very common in games. A great mixture of hills, plains, bluffs with steams and rivers. Modern cities in certain areas, and abandoned old farm towns, and various towns reflecting the time periods they thrived in (60's, 70's, etc..).

There's nothing creepier than a big old weathered farm house with an old barn in the countryside. It's a perfect atmosphere for some supernatural activity.

There would be no "garbage collecting" in this game. I want the story to be the focus, not rummaging through every shelf and chest to find menial items to throw in your inventory.

Weapons and ballistics would be modeled around existing weapons, with "clip" based reloading instead of "ammo pools." Ammo would be weapon specific, as well as the handling of said weapons. It wouldn't be a sim, but it would be towards that direction. There would also be elements of hand-to-hand combat present (think some of the moves in F.E.A.R.) and advanced ways to use knives.

Optics would only magnify what is viewed through the scope....not the entire screen (why does only one developer get this?)

There would be no cross-hairs on screen and no HUD. You can carry a backpack and would need to pay attention to weight. Heavier packs mean you run more slowly, can't jump as well, and lose stamina more quickly.

The game would operate on day / night cycle, with various weather situations that may require the need for cover. The player would need to eat and get adequate levels of sleep to remain focused and healthy. I like the FarCry2 method of dealing with injury, so I would probably look into a similar method (getting injured more severely requires finding cover and performing a more time-consuming "self-surgery" to get back into good condition).

There would be no levels of difficulty. This game would be difficult and that's it. Think S.T.A.L.K.E.R. played the way it was intended.

I would build it on CryEngine3, because great physics would be integral to this game, and CE3 can easily handle seamless open worlds without loading screens, and also has the capabilities of generating some very complex A.I. navigation.


Well, I've rambled too long....nobody is going to read that much. Fun to think about and pen down, though.

 

[Bobisuruncle54]

If I (or most of us) could design our own game it would suck.

Games are a huge trade off of what is feasible, and what is good. We can all come up with a pie in the sky realistic, fully simulated environment, but you can't write that. If you could write it, you couldn't afford to make it, and even if you could afford to make it, no one's PC could run it.

The trick is making a game that is still good despite the limitations.

If everyone was limited to smartphone grade level hardware that would be true, but you could do a hell of a lot more with games today on up to date PC hardware. Things like 1300 players on one Just Cause 2 multiplayer server with explosions, gun fire and crashes going on everywhere with perfectly acceptable performance that doesn't even stretch the hardware. The Infinity Engine demo was done on a Q6600 and 4890, the list of what's possible goes on and on.

You only need to look at the development of the newest game engines with an emphasis on real-time and procedurally generated graphics and physics to realise that certainly doesn't have to be the case, it's just that most people enjoy playing games like COD which push no boundaries apart from trying to be "shocking" on occasion. It is console hardware and console gamers that ultimately limit what is released on the market, not the cutting edge DX11 graphics cards and the relatively few who buy them.

 

[micrometers]

I'd make a game that taught you principles of physics and chemistry in the puzzles.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

A remake of the old and defunct Origin Systems game called Wing Commander: Privateer and Privateer 2 video games for the pc as single player game.

So many fond memories..."They stole my stealth-tec gun!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfdMLcD01pw

There's something about the FMV acting in this game that makes me giggle inside in a good way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nycy5NLz6E

It would use a brand spanking new 3d game engine capable of seamlessly rendering space environments and planet environments which could have many explorable populated cities on them of varying degrees alongside explorable wilderness areas, etc. The game would also have voiced actors for many (if not all NPC's) and a distinct art styles which vary between inhabited planets and species of in game aliens.

While it would focus on space combat and a central grand space opera style story-line it would still allow you to do your own thing in a sandbox mode style universe made up of 100's if not 1000's of solar systems which all have planets you could land on explore, trade on, run side missions and businesses on and eventually do some ground base combat and further environmental exploration (outside of what you could also do in space) which could reward you with completion of many, many side-story plots alongside those that could be completed up in space.


Speaking of which there would be a system of repercussions. In other word you can't just go blowing up space stations, death stars or planets (yikes!) without people getting mad at you and sending everything they got against your character. There would also be reciprocal events such as maybe that space station/death star, etc you blew up had side quest npc's that would of helped you in other quest lines and made them easier to tackle those story elements. Thus there would be a ripple effect for your actions through the game world depending on how game changing your decisions are in the game world. For example if you choose to be a space pirate then certain quests would be off limits and certain planets, space stations and regions of space would only be accessible if you play covertly, if you decided to be lawful merchant then the same would apply in but in the opposite direction and if you decided to be a neutral character who walks a fine line then you'll have to play balancing game ensuring that you are not seen as a threat by either side, etc.

 

[moonbogg]

A game that mixes every genre possible. RTS commanders that set up towers and spread out forces. Musical games/puzzle games played to actually fabricate the towers and build forces faster. They also buff guys. MOBA guys controlling heroes and subgroups. Those subgroup guys are real humans in a mix of 3rd person cover players and 1st person fps grunts. Everyone levels up. There' s two guys playing as god per team and they can make it rain/hail/call on their giant cow monster to poop on people. There's one guy who is the ubergod and he can form the universe in a sandbox environment and mess with the gravity. You also have huge air battleships that require 100 different keys to use and they can drop out tiny airships and tanks and the tanks require a min of 2 people to control. When you die you become a zombie and you can zombify people. The actual game arena will be massive and it wil require a garmin powered gps in-game or you can use a usb cable and hook up your gps to your computer. You will have guys that have race between cities on motorcycles and then llamas when crossing mountanous regions to deliver in-game messages because there will be no global chat. You can only talk to those within 100 yards. There will also be sandbox guys who terraform the planets because the battles can spread across planets. You will also be able to trade pokemon. If you install the mobile app if you happen to run into another player in real-life, you can trade hats with them or a casual drawing game.

I'm going to call it Spr0n because if you buy the adults only add-on you will be able to do other things that involve adult situations.

Not surprised to see someone else with same basic idea as me, since its a great idea. I was thinking simply a true BF style game where a commander, or group of commanders setup the game in RTS fashion, even moving real players across the battlefield and then once everything is in place, turning them loose to do battle in FPS style with support from the RTS role commanders.
There would be manned tanks with 1st person control, but other tanks controlled by commander in RTS fashion, but with people manning the turrets. It would be great and epic.
I think a game like this would really strengthen that great feeling you get from intimate teamwork and reliance on team mates.

 

[BurnItDwn]

My game wouldn't have much story, it would simply have a very steep learning curve, be very open (sandbox type gameplay), and it would be very deep simulation/strategy and rpg. Something like if you mashed together the X series of games with Mount and Blade and mashed that Together with Europa Universalis/Crusader Kings/Victoria style gameplay ...

Start out as a regular guy with nothing .. grow until you control your own kingdom, then, grow your kingdom until you take over the world, then you grow to take over other worlds ... cover many many generations, from some sort of ancient time until many centuries in the future...

 

[thespyder]

Honestly, I have always thought that you could make a pretty good game based on the Steven Brust books about Vlad Taltos. the world is so rich that you could have just about any type of game and make it a hit. You wouldn't even have to have it "About" Vlad.

Imagine, for instance, an RPGesque game where you play a minor baronette, the lowest rung of the aristocracy, working your way up the chain in the local Mafia (House Jhereg). Or you are some Dragon lord defending your house. Or maybe you are secretly the next Phoenix? Or you have to kill the next Phoenix? Do you play true to your house? Or do you break from them in disgrace and join the Jhereg? or spin a web of intrigue and deceit to increase your own power? the sky is the limit.

It could be part free roaming game like the GTA in a fantasy setting or Skyrim series but you would have to "Manage" your area or house or territory. And as you advanced, there would be aggressors that would want to move in on your territory. Or you might want to move in on theirs.

It could be an assassins creed type game in that respect as well or just a straight combat game, or adventure or political intrigue, depending on your interest. You pretty much pick your path. If you went magic, you could go either Sorcery or eastern magic (or both). There are Psionics also. As far as straight fighting, there are a number of different discipline styles to choose from, including assassination. And different houses, wall with their own strengths and weaknesses.

and then there is the political intrigue. Lots of that of course. Particularly the higher you got in the organization. You could make powerful friends (or enemies). Have lots of side quests along the way. And a decision engine in game that would change certain elements based on what factions/friends/enemies you have made while you play.

And then there is the magic aspect. Do you have a magic spell breaker? Are you using a Great weapon? Or simply a Morganti blade? Or simply a knife in the eye? Maybe you just use a great sword as you Dzur Blitz your opponents. Or maybe you use black magic to conjure up powerful spells. Or maybe you work for the B!@ch patrol? or they work for you?

so it would be a combination of GTA/Skyrim/AC/GoT all rolled into one. Of course, you would have to have Mr Brust on the creative staff. And I can imagine loads of content, plus sequels galore.