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Ideas for original game design

PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:11 am
by minakichan
So I'm taking this Media Industries and Systems class (\o/ for lofty-sounding vague names), which will eventually involve the class breaking up into 4-ish-person teams and making an original video game prototype from start to finish. Students have to come up with the design, so I need to think of some possibilities.

I've done game design before, but I've always had some sort of premise or mechanic provided, so I've never come up with anything completely on my own. To be honest, this is a little hard for me because I don't play that many games. Soooo I'm asking for help. =D

What original video game (or more than one!) would you love to see? I swear I won't just plagiarize your Next Big Hit in Thirty Years, but I am fishing around for inspiration.

The project itself has some limitations but I won't bore you with them. Just hoping to see some raw ideas ^_^;

PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:17 pm
by uc pseudonym
A few random ideas of things I'd find interesting. I don't think they're entirely innovative, but at least they haven't been done to death.

Simultaneous Control Side Scroller: You control two separate characters, one with WASD and the other with the arrow keys. Both have basic mobility but different abilities (for example, one can break down barriers, the other can activate platforms).

Color World: Objects have various colors and interact differently with each one. Say that red objects bounce off blue, annihilate with green, float into the air when above yellow, etc. The player controls something that is colored and interacts according to the same rules (and can also change color via some mechanic). Then I guess they go from point A to point B and you hope that this is amusing enough for people to play the game.

Tower Defense Inverse: I'll admit I don't really like tower defense games, but it would be kind of interesting to have one where you build the enemies and have to survive past defenses. Or you actually get to control said enemies, if you want further involvement.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:54 pm
by blkmage
I've had an idea for an MMORTS, where your persistent character is like a hero from Warcraft III, but with more character customization options, as in a normal MMORPG. Basically, you'd go around from battle to battle building up armies and fighting skirmishes, winning decorations and earning glory, and getting experience so you can improve yourself.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:14 pm
by minakichan
Simultaneous Control Side Scroller: You control two separate characters, one with WASD and the other with the arrow keys. Both have basic mobility but different abilities (for example, one can break down barriers, the other can activate platforms).


I think this one is the most interesting out of the three-- it's not a huge leap but double concentration is pretty interesting, even if it's quite hard. I think the trick is probably to make actions different for the two "characters" though...

PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:05 pm
by Robin Firedrake
Sandboxes win. Make a completely moddable program with different themes (Steampunk steampunk steampunk!) and the ability to control the weather, drop vehicles wherever, drop buildings, wherever, drop natural formations wherever, have a super powered character ECT... Basically no plot, tons of fun!

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:52 pm
by Shiningmonk_e
uc pseudonym (post: 1288772) wrote:Simultaneous Control Side Scroller: You control two separate characters, one with WASD and the other with the arrow keys. Both have basic mobility but different abilities (for example, one can break down barriers, the other can activate platforms).


I literally had this exact same idea lol.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:28 pm
by Robin Firedrake
^I've seen something like that except it wasn't a side scroller.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:55 pm
by Raiden no Kishi
I think a rhythmic action/platformer would be an interesting concept. Obviously, the music world is rich with imagery and inspiration, and it would be a neat melding of two very different gaming worlds. Besides, who doesn't dream of fight sequences with synchronized soundtracks? I know I do. But then, I'm a music lover.

Dang, if I were at all interested in game design, I'd work on a project like that.

.rai//

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:12 pm
by minakichan
I think a rhythmic action/platformer would be an interesting concept.


I just had an image of someone using dance moves to fight when you said that.

Not that it wouldn't be <s>awesome</s> interesting...

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:20 pm
by Raiden no Kishi
minakichan (post: 1288944) wrote:I just had an image of someone using dance moves to fight when you said that.

Not that it wouldn't be <s>awesome</s> interesting...


Can you dig it?

.rai//

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 pm
by Fantasy Dreamer
Raiden no Kishi (post: 1288947) wrote:Can you dig it?

.rai//


I could dig that!

PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:33 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
Robin Firedrake (post: 1288825) wrote:Sandboxes win. Make a completely moddable program with different themes (Steampunk steampunk steampunk!) and the ability to control the weather, drop vehicles wherever, drop buildings, wherever, drop natural formations wherever, have a super powered character ECT... Basically no plot, tons of fun!

http://www.garrysmod.com/

PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:51 am
by Robin Firedrake
^... I love you :D