Hi- Forgive me if I seem to be copying a game that''s already been done, as I only have limited funds and time to buy and play games, therefore one of this type may have escaped me, But I believe that I have a rather unique sub-genre of Real Time Strategy Games. I call it an Evolutionary RTS (ERTS). It was inspired by the thought, "What if Man''s ancestors never picked up that very first stick-weapon?" or some other slight change in man''s evolution. Eventually this became an idea for a game. The gameplay would start with a small tribe of Pre-Humanoid beings. Not necessarily apes, just something way back on the evolutionary timeline. The traditional Technology-tree would be replaced by a massive Evolutionary/Tech tree. Gameplay would follow almost standard RTS tradition, with the exception that a player would be forced into the concept of Survival of the Fittest and would not be able simply use a memorized strategy. Different environmental conditions, along with the evolutionary path taken by the other tribes would warrant completely new solutions. Suppose this particular player thought it would be wise to, instead of developing hands, remain quadrepedal. This player would undoubtedly no longer have access to the traditional hand held weapons. This player is now set on entirely new evolutionary/technological course. He may now decide that this species doesn''t need much in the way of technology and creates a biological arsenal, something similar to the zerg in starcraft. The possibilities become endless, and the fun not only lies in defeating an opponent, but coming up with interesting races. How often have you completely filled out the limited tech trees in other games such as Starcraft and C&C and thought, "This is it?" I get the same technologies every time. Winnning comes because you learned a strategy from rote and repetition. Boring! I just thought I''d share this idea, hopefully it is original and seems somewhat interesting. I''d appreciate any feed back and suggestions. Oh, and, if there are any big-time game producers out there that want to do this game, I have many more things I held back so email me with offers of big-bucks @ miwrn17@hotmail.com - lol Use the WriteCoolGame() function Works every time

Hmm this has been done in part, but not to the extent that you describe. Other games include Evolva and Gene Wars(?) from Bullfrog (ages ago).

The main obstacle is complexity. Sure it''s easy to have a few choices here and there, four legs or two, claws or fins, hair or razorblades, etc but to really get it done right you would need to code a complete genetic make up and that, my friend, takes time!

I was thinking more along the lines of a complex evolutionary/technology tree instead of a completely evolvable species along a couple hundred paths. Enough so that even the most hardcore gamer would most likely never be able to research or develop ALL the high end technologies and evolutions. I was thinking that the gameplay would take place on a globe in times ranging from the beginnings of man(or whatever alien species you choose to evolve) to quite aways into the future. Spaceships and such, or evolutions that would allow a biological creature to survive the abyss. Gameplay would end when a specific goal was accomplished, or the other species are destroyed.

Use the WriteCoolGame() function
Works every time

This could concievably work as a single player game, but the length of time required would make it unfeasible as a multiplayer game.

Nice ideas though.

Not necessarily. I would think it would be somewhere along the lines of Age of Empires where there would be some form of period division. It would be more fluid transitions, rather than just clicking a button and you''re in the next age. Care WOULD have to be taken to make sure gameplay progresses reasonably quickly, and most likely the choice of a starting period would be given. You wouldn''t always have to start in prehistory. In those case you would possibly given points to pre-buy certain technologies you could have already had by then.

Use the WriteCoolGame() function
Works every time