I've thought of a new and interesting game concept at least IMHO. The idea behind the concept is inspired by a book series by an author named Frank Peretti of whos two novels subject is a war currently going on between the forces of Good/God and Evil/Satan which is being conducted by Angels and Demons with humans whos souls are the very focus of the struggle are caught in the middle and whos actions can be influenced by both sides via the means of Sins/Evil and Virtues/Good. The basis of the game concept is that you start as the lowest class of demons or angels tasked to influence the individuals in single family and with the goal of advancing up the ranks of the above armed with more and more serious sins or virtues until you attain the title of Demon Prince/Evil or Principality/Good and are able to influence everyone in a city through contending with the enemy and destroying their works through influencing the actions of individuals via the aforementioned use of Sins and Virtues with the result of city or parts of the city becoming good or evil which is depicted by the sinfulness and goodness of individuals or chaotic or peacefulness state of the the city of parts thereof. Aspects of the game would bear a similarity to some of those in The Sims and Black & White franchises. The player would influence people to perform either a good or evil action through a context sensitive menu of various sins or virtues so that the individual would perform an evil or good act. One particular scenario at the start of the game would be the player is tasked by the local Demon Prince as a low class demon representing Lust tasked to destroy the marital harmony of a particular household via the use of a minor sin, in this case lust. The setting of the scenario would be a small apartment housing a young married couple and the apartment would look similar to one found in the game The Sims 2 and like that game its possible for the game characters to throw parties and upon this occasion the husband has a conversation with a woman who perhaps may be one of his workmates and they appear to get along quite smashingly which the player as a demon notices and thus comes up with the idea that this is perfect oppurtunity to complete his goal so therefore uses the only weapon in his arsenal (Lust). So he brings up the menu and selects lust and the character is filled with lustful thoughts about the woman, but the result isn't instantaneous nor is the goal of the mission complete. Depending on the personality, religiousness or moral integrity of the character it may take longer or quicker for the feelings to turn into actions. The setting changes to the characters workplace. The progression might start with a longing glance every now and then , a chance touching, manufactured meetings, phonecalls, intimate chats in out of the way places, kisses, and finally intercourse (obviouly not depicted)which leads to the major sin of adultery. Thats the first coup of the player as every major sin the character commits provides the player with points to fill up the Vice meter which eventually leads to him advancing up the ranks with bigger responsibilities. The meter also allows the player to have a greater affect on the game characters by using that particular sin on them. The sin of adultery also affects the spouse as well once she intercepts a phonecall between the husband and his mistress. The sin of adultery causes Jealousy, Anger, Strife, and perhaps eventually divorce whereupon the goal of the mission is achieved and then the player is tasked with the responsibility of the husbands workplace or apartment complex along with the use of other demons representing other sins. The good player could be tasked with saving the marriage with the virtue of faithfulness which would be affected by the same things as the Sin of lust was for the evil player. It could work as in a multiplayer dynamic as well. What do you guys think?

I think that you have proposed a mission in a typical RPG in which the player can take either the good or evil path.

I really like the sound of the idea. Kinda of a cross between The Sims and Black & White.

I have several questions.

What would be the Demon powers through the game?
Would it be the 7 deadly sins?
If so what Angel powers would oppose them?

As the levels progress would the powers affect more than one person?
Also would there be different types of people to affect, such as Priests, Politicians, Police etc which would be easier/harder to affect?

Have you thought about the setting of the game throughout its levels? By that I mean would it start in a small town/village and progress through to the worldwide scale?
Also what type of world would be the setting? (I'm partial to fantasy worlds myself).

Would there be building types that could affect the conversion of people? E.g. Good/Evil Shrines & Temples.

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Original post by CIJolly I think that you have proposed a mission in a typical RPG in which the player can take either the good or evil path.

I disagree, sounds like a pretty good idea. It's interesting that while lots of people are emphasizing 'moral ambiguity', as in there shouldn't be any labeling for write or wrong, that you are making morality the entire centre of your concept. I think there are many pitfalls you would face, but it could be a very fun/amusing/intriguing game if made intelligently, good luck.

I think it's interesting that you've put more into describing the kinds of offensive tactics that evil can use rather than the defensive tactics that good can use.

I think it sounds like a lot of sitting around watching/waiting. So your power is to inspire feelings in the humans, but you can't directly influence them? You click lust on the guy and then wait to see if he is swayed? Too indirect.

Maybe if you could, as the demon, possess the woman in question? Or perhaps you could pop up on the shoulder of the guy and influence with dialoge, akin to the dialogue paths/options of a monkey island game or something.

I dunno...the concept is decent, but the execution you've described would probably be a little boring.

just my opinion

It's decent, but I would change Principality/Good to ArchAngel/Good. [smile]

I was kinda disapointed when they canceled the making of Piercing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, great books.

It's alright.

Sorry, someone beat you to it... and I like their idea better.

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Original post by ApochPiQ Sorry, someone beat you to it... and I like their idea better.

Sounds like a standard RTS to me.

As to the Heaven and Hell concept... it reminds me of Ghost Master, where you use the powers of ghosts to scare human beings out of their house. I really liked the concept of that game, but it grew tiresome after a while.