I am currently writing a design document on a new MMORPG I am "hopefully :)" creating. I've had some great ideas, but I am currently stuck on what theme I want to base it on. (A theme is the thing the world is based on like Sci-fi and Fantasy.) I've recently had an idea about a human/mytholgical theme where a human race would have its counterpart in it's mythology. The theme would be this: Romans - Minotaur Egyptians - Jackals (Look up Anubis) Chinese - Some type of demon Etc. While I think this is a pretty cool idea, I am stuck on finalizing the idea and I feel as if I don't have completed ideas on it to make it work. (This is also a general theme suggestion thread, if you do not wish to suggest for this theme, please feel free to suggest your own idea on a theme.) (Main ideas on this theme would be race ideas) The game will be a 2 faction war. I am undecided on what each faction should be. I am stuck between 2 ideas on this, as I feel each could have a compelling storyline to follow them. The first, is humans vs. mythologicals. The story could be that the gods were angry at their worshippers and have allied, and the humans ally to fight back; or it could be that the humans were tired of worshipping or the way the gods were treating them. The second, is humans and their counterparts against other humans and their counterparts. In other words; Romans, Egyptians and their counterparts against Chinese, (Ally) and their counterparts. The story could follow some type of world dominance. I think the Alliances could be based on geographical positions (Romans and Egyptians are close to each other so they are allied.) Or based on some history relation I could find. (Ideas are needed for what the factions are, and story behind it) Should the world be earthly based (Actual geological location now) or should it be some new world. I was thinking that the story could be that the humans were transported to the gods world, or something along those lines so that we could create a whole new world with our own designs, unless of course we decide to use geological locations. Any other theme ideas are appreciated. Also, if you have any special ideas, you'd like too see even if it has nothing to do with the theme, please include them, I'd love to hear any ideas you may have. Thanks

Thoughts:
Mythology seems to be a popular theme. There are many variations on this theme because taking the mythology as is can be too common. For example, in Gundam, instead of taking the mythology word for word, the mythology is used for the designs of the mobile suits (The Gundams are based on samurai, and the Zakus are based on demons). If you appreciate this type of twist I would recommend you give some more thoughts about the theme and the possibility of mixing themes.

That's good advice.

If you want to associate cultures with mythical beings, you might want to take a look at cultures with rich pantheons.

The Greeks are good, because they have a humungous (and fairly well-known) bank of myths and they had a highly developed method by which to wage war. That makes for easy design.

Egyptians are tricky. Less is known about their mythology, so you'll have to make some of it up. Egyptians also tend to have a broad gulf in capability between the natural and supernatural. Even the least of their mythical beast or beings would be a match for any mortal army.

The Persians (typified by the 1001 Arabian Nights) are a great option, because it's fraught with bizarre creatures and amazing feats of derring-do. The Jinnee are powerful, but bound by rules (and susceptible to divine smiting under certain circumstances), and things like the ebony horse or human magicians could be included in a balanced game.

Native American myths, though often overlooked, are a bounty of fascinating stories and spectacular ideas. Hiawatha wrestling with the wind, or the animals stealing fire for mankind, provide such rich worlds with such diverse inhabitants that it would be hard not to do a good job incorporating them into a game.

So, totem animals versus a pantheon of incredibly powerful, yet bored gods who would lose as soon as win, depending on which was more entertaining to them? Sounds like a fun world to me.