Ok, well this is something that friends and I have discussed before so I thought I might as well see what other people think. The basic idea is the game would be an MMORPG, only it would be 2d, sprite-based, and web-based. Basically we would use Director and it''s MultiUser functionality to create a simple system that would allow for character creation, stats logging, weapons, armor, world location. Basically a simple RPG, that can be played online from anywhere that has access to a browser with Shockwave. This is also good because using Macromedia''s MUS (MultiUser Server), players can develop their own servers with different specifications. If anyone would be interested in such a project, let me know via IM or Email (both should be in my information).

Well, if you want discussion, you''ve not given enough information to spark a debate. The design forum is (theoretically) going to ignore the technology behind the game and focus on the experience, so the only information provided so far is "I''m making a generic online RPG".

Well the idea is it would be dbase based so it could hypothetically be updated whenever (and on different servers). Basically I was asking what people thought of an idea like this. A 2D MMORPG that can be played anywhere essentially. And any ideas that anyone has would be appreciated, including: Worlds, weapons, enemies, characters, systems, navigation, or anything else that anyone can think of. This is my first game project so feedback would be great.

It is also not limited to MMORPG, I was thinking you could do almost any game type this way, I just wanted to accent the fact of only using 2d(not limiting) and web-browser(shockwave) to create a game that could get people playing all over the place.

well it would be a very good idea if you made it highly addictive. Then it would be great to be able to play it anywhere, any time.

I get that (making it addictive would be good) but I''m asking you guys what suggestions you have to make it so. What do you look forward to in games? What kinds of things do you think should be added? If the graphics are only 2d, should story be more developed? or features?

Okay, let me get this straight. You''ve got a great new game design for a 2D sprite-based MMORPG. You just need a few ideas to help you flesh out certain aspects of the gameplay. Aspects like, I don''t know...

quote: Original post by syphen
Worlds, weapons, enemies, characters, systems, navigation, or anything else that anyone can think of.

What you have there is not a game design. it''s an approach to game design, and it''s not a good starting place.

Perfectly valid responses to this question can range from Tolkien ripoffs to classic literature to The Matrix to Teletubbies. You can''t possibly expect usable feedback from this. The absolute best-case scenario would be for someone who already has a great game idea to post it so that you can steal it lock, stock and barrel.

You need to swing by the Writing forum and browse through the ideas there. I think there are a few holistic game sotry ideeas floating around on the first page. Take a look.

When you have a general schema for what this game will look like and feel like (combat, diplomacy, trade, hacking, espionage, education, etc...) then come back here, post the general idea, and ask for suggestions on ways to refine it or marry it more effectively to your underlying technological intentions.

That said, the idea of making it a Shockwave MMO game is an excellent one. I advise you to start with something fairly small to test the waters. The question is, how big will the download be? Being able to play from anywhere is nice, but having to wait ten minutes to start would be a drag.

Ill be nice and post on the technological aspect of this.

Why would you choose to use shockwave for this? Even less limited to OS, included in most operating systems by default, and more feature packed, would be Java. That is unless you are going to vector artwork, which I highly doubt from the 2d sprites you were mentioning.

Thanks for the suggestion. I mean I have an interesting idea but I need to think more about it. It would be like an MP version of Chrono Trigger only Real-Time attacking. So there would be periods of time along with different sections of the world. About the download time, I was thinking if I made various tiles for the world and then use an online database to store where each tile would go, it would save on download time and would be easy to update/change. As for statistics; it would be based almost on the same system. An online database would store information on your character, what world/time you last played at, and obviously the same info about other players and what/where they currently are (if they are logged in). Weapons system would be a one weapon, one armor, one shield, kind of deal where some things would have advantages/disadvantages. As for the attack system, it would be a traditional RPG style system cross-blended with an RTS. So you would be able to attack enemies along with friends at the same time (without waiting). And enemies and your own health would be like every other RPG (Hit Points-based). Not sure how I would do the buy system maybe have people who would register as sellers or program them to specific positions. Do you guys think that having towns would be better than having everything open, or vice-versa? Anyways, these are just some thoughts I have had about what I would actually do with this and comments are always welcome.

[edit]The reason I'm choosing shockwave is because it's a language I know how to code online and I like shockwave's ability to compress images. Also, just because I'm making it 2d-Sprite based, does not mean I can't make the sprites in vector and save more space.[/edit]

[edited by - syphen on April 4, 2004 2:46:25 PM]

quote: Original post by syphen
...MMORPG... Director...

Whoa!

Sorry, but Director is not appropriate for developing MMO-anything. There''s a reason Macromedia provides JRun (besides being a generic J2EE server). Of course, if you can point to any examples that refute my assertion, I''ll be glad to change my opinion.

Weird post. It doesn''t fit neatly in any particular forum.

Well, like I''ve already said...shockwave is something I know how to code for and something I understand the online code for. Also I''d like to make it easy for someone to run their own server (world/time) without having to worry about too much. Granted I know a little Java (had to learn it) I don''t know enough to be able to create something like this, unless anyone would be interested in piggy-backing this with me.