Maybe you could elaborate on the Falling Sand idea:

http://chir.ag/stuff/sand/

Well, I have to sy I wasn't sure about the falling sands game idea, but having just tried it, it is really addictive. I'm loathe to copy anything directly, but it ould definitely be fun to play with that idea some more. I think it has helped me decide that I'd like to try and keep a sandbox play element in the game as an optional method of play. I think I shall give the game objectives, but allow the user to deviate from them without penalty should they choose. perhaps even including hidden challenges granting the player special bonuses.

I'll have to think on it some more, but it defnitely food for thought.

Fournicolas: Yes I had thought in that vein as well, using the cursor to provide momentum to the object through explosions or something. Im not 100% sure about it though as my instinct is telling me that this would create an awkward unnatural gameplay that could detract from the drawing element, but perhaps combined with another idea this could work.

Thanks for the replies so far :) Please keep them coming!

Steve

*EDIT* Hmm, I'm starting to think now of an idea of players each controlling some kind of base, elements pouring down from the sky and players using said elements in an attempt to destroy the enemies base before their own is destroyed. Again of course, this would be suitable for multiplayer games (or single player). Again, this is not a final idea... I'm still toying with it!

Imagine a senario with 2 player each controling a "horde" of small units (near particle size, but with a definite facing)

the player controls his horde by issuing commands with the mouse. every particle within "earshot" of the command tries to follow orders.

The commands would consist of lines drawn on the screen. (think Madden showing play action)

the faster the line is drawn, the quicker the particles move.

Several things would affect particle interaction. If the particles are facing each other, they will do little damage, but the will try to push each other. if a particle is attacking anothers flank or rear, it will cause much more damage, while pushing it little. The fastera particle is trying to move, the less damage it can do.

There could be different particles... blah blah blah. The real issue is the control. a highly defensive stance would be a group where every particle faces outwards. draw a bunch of lines towards the center with a quick jot outwards at the end. tada!


It would be a fun game for mouse macros. :)

Well, this thread is certainly not failing to impress me. That's a fantastic idea. I'd always had in mind some form of RTS game without resources, i.e. a skirmish game.

I imagine the pace of a unit would have to be slow enough that you could formulate a plan and sit back and watch it take shape (literally!). Heh, thinking about it, players could share tactics in the form of geometric patterns which sounds pretty innovative :)

Perhaps taking the best elements of both of these ideas could work. Add in a couple of different unit types that react in a similar manner to the elements in the sand game. We could have fire based units burn some units while being put out by water based units. Explosive units that when burnt take out all surrounding units be they friend or foe (kamikaze units if you will).

I can definitely see fantastic potential for this idea... so much so that I'm almost convinced enough to start working on something like this right away, provided nobody takes offense at me using these ideas (I just think this game would be great!).

Cheers,

Steve

I think I've seen something like that particle RTS game, as a student project or indie game or something, but it would probably be fine if you make your own game with that control scheme.

One idea is to have a drawing game where you guide a person around, instead of an inanimate object like a ball. Of course that would be harder, since you would have to model their AI on top of the physics. But it could also be more fun. (maybe practice making a fun game with inanimate objects first) I was thinking of making a game based on this cool animation, where you control the guy. But it could also work where you control the landscape! See what you think.

The coolest drawing game would be something like Pencilmation! It would be very difficult to do though.