Hi all, I''m not sure if I''ll have time to be able to make this post as long as I''d like, but I''ll give it a shot. Something swimming in my mind at the moment is what kind of game to make for my next project. Well technically it''s my old project as I''ve had a long time out and am coming back to work on it again. I have a level editor in progress for a FPS style game. The original idea being to make an RPG or something of that nature. As I''ve found out though, I have too many distractions to be able to devote the time to create a fully fledged RPG by myself, though I have made good progress with my level editor. Anyhoo, this leads me to my topic. I''m wondering what can be done to improve the FPS genre. Specifically I have had some ideas I consider somewhat original (original to me at least). My idea is to create a FPS based in a fantasy setting, this alone isn''t too common an occurance as most FPS focus on present day or futuristic action, though I''m sure some do exist. My twist would be in adding interesting modes of gameplay that differ from your standard capture the flag, deathmatch and tournament modes of play. Perhaps for instance, we could add to that list some of the following suggestions and/or any other ideas anyone has. Hunt Mode - Players compete to collect the most hunting trophies within a set time limit. Players compete against the environment and NPC animals, with PvP combat optional. Race Mode - Players race against one another to reach numbered checkpoints in order, perhaps suffering a time penalty if taken out via combat en route. No set race track, the players can negotiate the map via a route of their choosing. Manhunt Mode - Players race around an NPC populated map, attempting to uncover and aid/kill a disguised spy, penalties given for killing innocents and/or innocents act socially and attack anyone who kills a fellow innocent. Mass Goblin Genocide Mode - Players duke it out over a map infested with neutrally offensive goblins (or other dispensable grunts). Points are scored for killing goblins, but better points are awarded for taking out players. KotH mode - Classic King of the Hill action, seen before, but always fun!! Capture the flag - Classic capture the flag mode Lycanthrope Mode(Last man standing) - One player starts out cursed with lycanthropy(sp?) and must chase down and infect an enemy. Every player infected becomes a werewolf themselves and joins the hunt for the remaining players. Points are scored for successful infection and time spent uninfected. Possibly co-op versions of previously mentioned modes. Anyways there''s just a few ideas to spice things up. I''m basically looking at making a FPS something a little more involving than point and shoot. Other ideas include the ability to control pet style NPC''s in a fight, or to perhaps command a unit in a skirmish. RPG style stats/character advancement. RPG style spells, teleportation, offensive, defensive and other utility spells (all of which I have more specific ideas for that I don''t have time to fully explore here). Okay anyway I feel this is only half written as it stands, and in my usual style it is written as I think it up, but there are some of my ideas before I head off out. Feel free to comment on my ideas, to add your own, or to ramble on generally about things that could be done to revitalise FPS games as they currently stand into something more interesting/involving. More game mode ideas would be cool! I am actually considering making this of course, though perhaps not quite to the extent of my ideas as I''m not quite sure if I''m capable of implementing everything I''d like to, though I''ll give it my best shot. So if you''re interested in helping out, drop me an email to mephs@hotmail.com. Cheers, Steve AKA Mephs

Some of those ideas are pretty good! I like the Lycanthrope mode. I'd really like to play that. Maybe if an uninfected player killed an infected player the killed player would just respawn somewhere else, but if the infected player killed the uninfected player, the uninfected player would of course become infected.

I've been wondering about what kind of new FPS game types could be made. Sounds like you're off to a good start.



[edited by - EvilProgrammer on January 29, 2004 7:06:24 PM]

Heh, we used to call that Vampire Tag back in the day.

Anyways, I''ve been playing UBISOFT''s XIII on the PS2 lately. Freaking beautiful game. In terms of gameplay its a bit dull, but the game has so much style it''s nearly busting at the seams. How is it not cool to have a 3-comic-panel headshot cam whenever you use a sniper-scoped weapon. And the main menu keeping all of that conspiracy infomation, secret documents. Great stuff. You may work out a better game if you can find more things that work together in dragging the player into it''s world.

quote: Original post by Mephs
Manhunt Mode - Players race around an NPC populated map, attempting to uncover and aid/kill a disguised spy, penalties given for killing innocents and/or innocents act socially and attack anyone who kills a fellow innocent.

Check out Dueling Machine (scroll down this page), part of Indie Game Jam 0.

Also check out Surviving the Game.

I''ve been trying to come up with an effective "Highlander" type gametype. If you gain power when you defeat other players, though, the game becomes swiftly unbalanced.

Maybe you could gain a new superpower or upgrade every time you respawn, so that in a last man standing match with 5 "lives", the first "life" is like a standard human, as in Rainbow Six or the like, where a bullet to the noggin will take you down. Next, you come back as a tougher version, with some generic HP, but still vulnerable to headshots and the like. The third and fourth incarnations would be increasingly difficult to kill, with faster running, higher jumping, and harder hitting. The fifth would be nigh invincible. He might fly, or hurt other players by proximity, or have a giant plasma rifle, and maybe have some kind of auto-heal, like the shield in Halo.

I''m not sure, it''s a tough thing to work out. But with proper balancing, it could be a really neat gametype.

From the looks of things, you''re looking for more of an Unreal Tournament situation, with a bunch of interesting gametypes, and are willing to sacrifice things like story and characters to execute it well. That''s good. I hope it works out.

First, these are some neat game modes.

Second, FPS/RPG - Played Deus Ex or No One Lives Forever II or System Shock II? The important difference in your game is the setting. . . mostly because of the different weapons. Since you are talking about multiplayer, you''ll need to make the classes balanced.

You might want to check out the Jedi Knight series. I could see this working in the framework of Jedi Knight. Warriors could have lightsaber-esque abilities, rangers/theives could throw daggers or shoot arrows, mages could use force-like abilities (different stuff of course with different effects, but I would avoid making them simply fireball spewers. Let them do other cool things that involve player movement too).

If I were you, I would wait for Half-Life 2 to come out before starting this game. There is a strong chance that HL2 mods will rule the roost for a bit. . . unless you are going for a strong artistic style and have the ability to execute it. I''m convinced that a cell-shaded FPS with good controls will do great. XIII is such a disapointment. . . so much potential but the poor control makes it a pretty peice of garbage.