Hello everyone. I was inspired by TechnoGoth''s RTS vs. EBG discussion to bring forth a game idea that I''ve had. Basically, the game would be a fusion of MMORPG and RTS concepts with a sci-fi flavor. The background would be a galaxy with various alien species. A player plays as an individual of one of the species. Each species has a unique history, physical characteristics, social structure, etc. that affect its members'' gameplay. The idea is for players to try to rise through the ranks within their society so that they can have more control over what their species does in the game. This is where the RTS comes in. Not only are you playing as an individual, but there''s a bigger picture -- your species'' standing in the "grand scheme of things." But you as an individual can only do so much; the decision-making power is (at least theoretically) distributed among all the individuals of a species, yet some individuals have more of that power than others. So, RTS elements will be employed -- gathering different resources, exploration, combat tactics, R&D, etc. Obviously, there would be a lot of wheeling and dealing between players, both within and between species. In other words, this game would be like a simulation of a galaxy full of aliens and their interactions. The social structure(s) of each species will be determined pre-game, so it won''t really be fluid like in EverQuest or Shadowbane with their guilds and such. Also, each area of the society will have its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, a species with a roughly human-analog military structure would mean that you don''t have to worry so much about resources (except on the battlefield, cut off from supply lines), but do have to follow orders all the time (or else you''ll receive "disciplinary action"). Another big -- and, I think, interesting -- aspect of the game will be that you actually explore space. That is, the whole of the galaxy is not already known to you (or your species) when an original game begins. So members of your species would have to make spaceships and actually go out into space and explore what''s there. Who knows what you''ll encounter? Also, you can help colonize other planets, build bases and other structures, and ward off various enemies. There will be lots of NPCs in the form of different alien creatures and more primitive species. So the whole game will have a really immersive feel to it. Of course, it will also be extremely graphics-intensive, and I''m not sure how much detail could be added into the game without slowing it down significantly! That bridge will have to be crossed when we come to it, should this game ever actually get implemented. That''s about all I have so far. What do you guys think? - Rob

I actually began implementing something similar to that as a text-based MUD but got too busy in the musical world to finish it.

To make it simple, I simply organized galaxy into track and sector and used a seed-based generator for each star system.

Each system had a fixed set of orbital tracks and planets and moons were limited to a few simple types. Within a type of planet there were parameters such as the type of atmosphere and terrain etc.

Even with these simplifications, it is a huge undertaking. Doing it graphically is even bigger. Good luck!

I think, if you drop all the MMORP elements, the game would be cool. But I''m prejudiced against MMORP''s so . . .

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Good is the enemy of excellence.

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Original post by ishpeck
I think, if you drop all the MMORP elements, the game would be cool. But I''m prejudiced against MMORP''s so . . .

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Understandable -- I''m prejudiced against them, too! That''s why I want to include RTS elements in this game. But if you take out the MMORP elements, won''t you be left with just a regular space strategy game?

- Rob

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Understandable -- I''m prejudiced against them, too! That''s why I want to include RTS elements in this game. But if you take out the MMORP elements, won''t you be left with just a regular space strategy game?

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This world doesn''t need another MMORP. It needs another Star Control 2!




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Good is the enemy of excellence.

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Original post by ishpeck This world doesn''t need another MMORP. It needs another Star Control 2!

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Perhaps My game idea wouldn''t be dissimilar to the SC trilogy, though.

- Rob