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xcal
13-12-2009, 09:01 PM
Right, I finally decided to get off my ass and create my entry. Still very roug in terms of an idea, but I need to seriously get started.

The initial game mode is going to be based on controlling the expansion and growth of a small, cell-sized life form. I'll be populating this with a story nearer the time, but for now know that you'll be infecting cells to grow your own army. This whole mode will be a strategy based game, albeit very simple.

As for a second mode... Well I'm not sure yet... I can't make up my mind whether I want it to be some sort of top-down shooter, or a card game that will influence the strategy game. This part is actually really getting me confuzled... Lets just hope that with time I get this side nailed down.

I'll be updating as I make progress!

Bonezmann
13-12-2009, 09:45 PM
but for now know that you'll be infecting cells to grow your own army

In that case, why not call it "virus" or "Infection"? Will the initial game mode be a RTS type of thing then or something like spore?

just btw, I'd like to add that Spore can be referenced at as a multi-genre game, which this comp is all about(I think).

UntouchableOne
13-12-2009, 11:19 PM
some sort of top-down shooter, or a card game that will influence the strategy game.

Top-down shooter! It would be cool to develop the cells and prepare them for battle and then control them through battle instead of letting them combat automatically like most strategy games. I think having it a card game may be a bit too much strategy and not enough mindless killing. Well that's my vote.

xcal
14-12-2009, 08:38 AM
I do have my reasons for calling it Life... Although they are devious and secretive right now! *Evil Genius Laugh*

I actually want to use this competition to slingshot development of the game. I need a firecracker to wake me up and get going. What better way is there than a competition.

First part is purely a simple RTS, borrowing from my pet favourite at the moment, Eufloria. Simple RTS mechanics, all you do is move your units.

But I still haven't settled on the second game mode. I am leaning to shooter of some kind... Just not sure how to execute it.

As for Spore, I immediately thought about it after my wise as crack about Braid on another entry:P
But no, actually it will be very little like Spore. If you want to associate it with something else, somewhere I got ideas from, Eufloria is the place to look.

PS: Does anybody have great digital art skills, animation etc, and a lot of spare time as well as a giving heart? My cells look like trash... :$

Fengol
14-12-2009, 08:50 AM
I think cards is not a bad idea, which you can use to control the evolution of your cell army. Slap a "Cilia" card on your army for faster movement or "Thick cell walls" for extra protection. These random upgrade cards you find when you successfully destory an internal organ (assuming you're fighting in the human body).

The trick with a card game is to see what other uses you can get out of them. Besides the information on the card you can also treat the cards as a type of currency (i.e. discard [read pay] 3 cards to return 1 card to your hand) and can be traded with other players (i.e. Choose 2 cards and pass them to the player on your left).

Cards are more than just the information written on them, they have position (the deck, your hand, the playing area, the discard pile) and there can be card specific or global rules when they are in this position. Cards also have state (face up, face down, tapped) which again can have rules. I'd say that real innovation comes from the interaction of cards in these states and positions rather than the effect of the individual card. Finally cards can be stacked (A card placed on top of another card) to enhance an existing effect or create new one. And this is all without tokens which is another commodity which can be gained, lost, traded and tracked.

xcal
14-12-2009, 10:15 AM
I hear what you're saying... I've played some magic and cards can be very detailed.

But when I though cards I kind of had something much simpler in mind.... It's not a completely formed concept yet, but I almost wanted to have really simple cards, like your average playing card...

The whole concept is based around simplicity. Simple game mechanics that lead to a lot of depth. I'm kinda shying away from complicated rules or structures. But I do appreciate your input.

However, now I'm back to square one with regards to what to throw in with the RTS! :P

SkinkLizzard
14-12-2009, 11:28 AM
you could throw in a mode that costs a resource that you obtain from enemy cells(or whatever)
that allows you to control your cells, I was thinking like a soccer game where you can switch which cell you're controlling and the others are on automatic. you could also perhaps use a 'tactics' mode instead where the action is paused and you can assign manoeuvres skills and attacks to the individual cells.

xcal
14-12-2009, 12:31 PM
I'm leaning very much to the 'soccer game' idea for the top down shooter... But as these ideas form it's becomming more and more difficult to see them as separate concepts...

I want the add on to be able to stand alone by itself if it needs to. Like a whole separate game...

SkinkLizzard
14-12-2009, 12:39 PM
have you ever played mount and blade ?
if so you could do your game in a similar style, have the army building and stuff being your one game mode
and when your units enter battle pause the rest of the action focus on the battle as a tactical squad based soccer style shooter, when battle ends in either victory or defeat return to the rest of the overview and unpause.

xcal
14-12-2009, 01:29 PM
BRAINWAVE! Stay Tuned.... :P