I was just wondering why it is when anyone ever mentions elves/dwarves/orcs etc, that these races *MUST* be an acient race and be tied to nature. Do we always need to follow the Tolkin-esk/D&D definition of these creatures? I would say, that if you are trying to mix two different settings and want to be unique, don't use elves or orcs, but instead create your own design. If this is your world, make it yours. In a fantasy setting, you get to decide what is possible.

However, this doesn't mean that you can use this as an excuse for random 'deus-ex machina' to appear in your world. You must create rules for why things are the way they are and you must follow those rules at all times. If you do this, your world we be beliveable and people won't have to wonder why the elf is using a hovercraft or why the dwarf is launching boulders with the gun-powered catapult.

Just my thought and a half! Good luck with your game! =)

Is there a particular reason why the vehicles would need to be "hi-tech"? Surely the same principles would apply to more basic versions?

Wheeled vehicles could includes barrows, carts and coaches. Rails could be used for mining carts (hauled by ropes and horses or donkeys). Dragons would fly in a similar way to a helicopter or (slow) VTOL aircraft.

I'm sure even more examples could be found if some form of magic was used to power the vehicles.

You could use the idea Iæm currently using for my game called The Adventures Of Fnelda

Fnelda is a gay guy(<-not funny fuy) that wakes up one morning after consuming vast quantities of alcohol, dressed up in a silly suit with sword and shield. And he is on his quest to get home. On the way, he meets (and kills) the prime minister of norway, and beats the hell out of The Tormentor Of Souls (a big stupid smiling bacteria with a bowlerhat floawting over his head) and gets a new friend (Edgar, Ruler of the dominion of Flesh, which is a completely normal guy with a limp, only one eye, with his favourite weapon; The Bat Of Self-Inflicting Pain (ouch)) Fnelda at last finds his favourite weapon (Magic Fire Extinguisher of Extreme Penetration) And together, they go through their journey back home.. where they marry, and live happily ever after.
The Tormenter Of Souls (the stupid bacteria) is the main goal. He is the evil-doer than prevents Fnelda from getting home.

In this story, you can have as many balloon-cars as you want. (If you want to have balloon-cars.. I can't se why not) and pogo sticks. And you can even have The Flying Bed Of Eternal Peril if you want. (vehicle of my choice)

Let me first start by saying I'm not trying to be insulting or a jerk in any way.

Anyways, you stated your own problem in the subject line. If you feel you have trouble designing a story then why are you starting with an RPG? If you don't even want to get into design, then why START?

I'd suggest you find a writer if that's all you are missing in order to get started on your game.

Edit: "oops. never mind"

It's been mentioned before, your "vehicles" don't have to consist of mechanical parts. You could have people ride horses, Gryphons, chariots, canoes (new gameplay dimension!), etc.

Modelling chariot physics in particular would be interesting because it involves articulated bodies of a sort. (Horses attached to an independently moving vehicle.)

Another interesting thing is that your character could "learn" how to ride a horse better as he levels up. You could model this by setting up some sort of whacked center-of-gravity system (so your character will constantly fall off) that stabilizes as he levels up and/or acquires new skills.

Hope that helped!

I think everyone is on the same two tracks here, either merge the fantasy and technological worlds or go totally one way or the other. If you could come up with a third option, oh great coder, you'd be in business.

Using clockwork style technology is viable (this is similar to steampunk). Basically you design "modern" machines using mostly steam power, gears, wood and iron.

Sure, flaunt your custom av!! LOL

Quote:

Original post by DesCr Anyways, you stated your own problem in the subject line. If you feel you have trouble designing a story then why are you starting with an RPG? If you don't even want to get into design, then why START?

I was wondering that as well.
It's obvious you're more interested in the technical side of things. Vehicle physics, game engine and stuff like that. So I'd think that you should either 1) team up with someone who wants to be a designer, and let him take responsibility of some of this, or 2) Give hell in the design and storyline, and just make the vehicles because you want to. ;)