hmm, after talking to rhoads a bit in IRC, and asking him about the battle system, i think what would really work best, is a chrono trigger/ff3 system, personally, i think that it would be the best for its theme, also, i would really like to help this out, i got alot of suggestions that ill get down on paper, and maybe even make a few level layouts if asked, im all for it, i hope this suceeds <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
Well since everyone esle is getting into this i am gonna jump in to. Here is a sample of my mad spriting skills. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo--> This is the portrait for talking segments.
I think an RPG style similar to CT would work fairly well for NS. First of all, since there would presumably be a party of marines, that would help to emphasize the teamplay and squad aspect that the marines show. This isn't really possible in an action game unless any of you feel like writing netcode (and I'm <b>NOT</b> up for it). We could do a strategy game, but I feel doing an RTS or even some kind of turn-based strategy would be taking too much of NS's thunder. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> Besides, an RPG is fairly easy to code (the battle system, anyway)...and I've done something similar to Chrono Trigger or FF7 previously, so I know the mechanics of it. Should be fun. Although I'm interested in hearing about corky-17, too, just to understand what it's like.
Question is... What will this said game's PLOT be? Based on the fan fictions, or did someone have this planned out? Prequal to the actual NS's plot? In the very middle of the war? The point in which the few heroes emerge to completely destroy the alien threat... (until a NS2 comes that is).
Thoughts?
Pyro "I had no idea it would explode into this" Wolf
Alright, it is great to see we have so much support. I was chatting with Rhoads on IRC, and he said that soon we will need some way of organising all the work, and so that people who are willing to help know what is needed. I'd definitely like something in the shade of Chrono Trigger or Earthbound. For storyline, well, we have yet to work on that. Another thing, would this game be very lighthearted, like Earthbound? Or would we go for a serious theme, with comic relief thrown in at some parts? I'm completely open to suggestions.
SW33T MUTHA <$$$$$> There is NO <$$$$$$$> WAY I don't get a part in this!
I am VERY interested in doing story, and creating the world, the levels and such. I could also assist in the 2dart part of it all. But, if ANYTHING I am helping create the world.
God I sound like a yelping schoolgirl, but I guess I'm excited. Oh yes I almost forgot, a SITE! I'll get on that right now... We need a name
I don't know how much I could do with creating new stuff for something like this, because I'm already up to the hilt with other NS related stuff. But please fell free to rip the guts out of what's in UE already, and to come, and use it how you like. Just try not to copy it word for word and call it yours <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Alright. For anyone that is intersted, we now have an IRC channel on gamesnet, #nsRPG. Anyone interested in production of this, come in there. (make a post in this thread as well.)
1. The "Slapped by fate" hero Build: Male, Average Size, Spiked hair is a must Additude: Adventure craving, thick headed Weapon: Gun/Rifle/Knife Skill: Weapon Techniques involving the different weapon types
2. The friend/semi-rival Build: Male, Big Size, Muscular Additude: Jokingly, Sarcastic, otherwise Stoic Weapon: Proto type Exosuit Skill: Mech Techs, attachments from Exosuit
4. Feild Medic Build: Female, Light size, (Nurse Nushi basicly) Additude: Either Perky or Easily swayed to violence if provoked Weapon: *HUGE* Scalpal Skill: Healing/Enhanced Item Usage
5. Alien turned (or made) good Build: sex = ?, Four legged, less uh... "intimidating" than fellow aliens Additude: animal like, good intention Weapon: Bodily Weaponry - claws, spines, ect. Skill: Alien Techs - attacks with status effects
7. "Heaven" Build: Robotic, "Male" Additude: Robotic, peaceful, "less violent, the better", Protective of "Hell" Weapon: What Resembles Martial Arts, energy Skills: Support - reflect, status upgrades, ect.
8. "Hell" Build: Robotic, "Female" Additude: Robotic, eager for battle, Equaly Protective of "Heaven" Weapon: Techno Scythe, energy Skills: Deadly Arts
Background for "Heaven & Hell"- The experimental pair of robotic intelligence made to be part of the Ultimate Battleship "Purgatory". Heaven having the ultimate aspect of controlling the defense capabilities of the ship while Hell controlled the offensive part. In an unknown accident that befell the ship, it has become nothing more than a ghost ship and without it's living counterparts, Heaven and Hell remain inactive and offline, until given further orders, which the hero team encouters to enlist the andriods asistance.
So far, that's what I can think of for the hero line up, hopefuly they will be able to do combo techs together ala Chrono Trigger. It's the usual 7-8 line up of heroes, though the way they fit into this puzzle of a story is still unclear.
Oh right, and a name for this game? Hmm... I was thinking something along the lines as...
Natural Selection: Celestial Shadow (dum dum duuuuuuummmmm!)
Well in irc, we were talking about how there could be a human generated alien created by humans. So it could very well be a blinky <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
hehe, hmmm the IRC channel sux =D everyone is just idling, and only one person responded in like 2 hours =D (i spose it is some weird time in Europe/US though.)
I had a thought -- if we only have the 5 alien classes as enemies, it's gonna get REALLY boring after a while. I dunno what else we could do...maybe include a rival faction of humans (terrorists or pirates) as well?
Also, I had a thought that the party could initially start off as a squad of marines, each of which has a weapon similar to one of NS's weapons, like one LMG'er, one HMG'er, one grenadier, and one medic or something. I think PyroWolf has a lot of good ideas, though.
For a title, how does "Natural Selection: the Selected Ones" sound? I like it because it plays off the familiar "Chosen Ones" theme that RPG's frequently have.
Yes... i was also thinking that only having 5 enemies would be redundant... I was thinking maybe some rare strains could pop up but we may want to stick more to the whole... NS theme. So maybe.. persay, some msterious new types come into being, those types coming from geneticaly created experiments by a "Human-X" group of baddies. This could be the same place where the good alien and maybe the half alien/half human guy could have "spawned" from. Of course, some baddie humans are bound to happen in every game.
I could see the half human/half alien guy being *PART* Blinky, though I was thinking he could be a little of each strain, but mostly, he should have a humaniod form, that's deformed of course.
The title of the game probably *SHOULD* have something like "chosen" in it, makes sense to the "Natural Selection" part of it.
As for the big boss? I would have just figured it was a... uh.. "QUEEN" strain of alien. The supreme overmind and what not to the whole alien bunch. Or like a human that wants to step up and be this "QUEEN".
Enemies: Malfunctioning turret Hive Bob Egg Fatty Defense Growth (that thing that looks like a tree trunk) Tiny Flyer Blinky Suicidal bob Enraged tiny Bob with a Weilder (joking!) Rebellion marine (like a seperate group of outcast marines) Bob herd
A lvl 5 sounds like a boss enemy to me. And a fatty might be able to make some offensive building like things, not sure about the whole enemy selecion yet though.
Forsure i know level 5 has to be a boss. And the level 2, you could try to chase it down to capture one alive but it keeps running away and throwing up buildings to block your way. Just brainstorming. As for the irc channel, everyones on different times so its hard to get it right and it is active everynow and again.
As to the characters, I like what Pyro has worked out. They seems to be influence highly by Chrono Trigger, but are is still great.
As to the enemys, what you have is a nice list of Aliens.. but remember, fighting aliens in infested space craft is going to be a small (but still important) part of our mod.
In my opinion, the biggest part will be the interaction with, say, frightened colonists scared to death that they will be overrun by infestation, gossipping civilians in seedy bars on spaceliners, or arrogant TSA marines about to embark on a mission.
Rhoads suggested that the characters be a squad of TSA marines, but I disagree. Meeting new characters, and then being surprised when they join you, is part of the allure of role playing games. It also allows the writer to develop the backstory of the individual characters better, rather than just having them suddenly appear all together, formed as a squad.
I'd assume we will have levelling up in the game, I mean, it wouldn't be much of an RPG if we didn't. With that in mind, remember that there will be various levels of enemies. The lower levels could be small indigenous wildlife from various planets (remember this <b>is</b> Science Fiction), medium levelled enemies being Human pirates/rebels/smugglers/evil marines, and the higher levels (towards the end) would be growing numbers of the familiar NS aliens. I think by that point, you would have most of the members of your party, and be nearing the final boss... so a lvl 5 would not be an overwhelming threat.. just a small challenge.
Anyway, keep the ideas flowing, this is shaping up to be a very solid concept.
will there be a good/evil influence <!--emo&:asrifle:--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/asrifle.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':asrifle:'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:tiny:--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tiny.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':tiny:'><!--endemo-->
If it still needs a storyline, I can help as well (I'm sure rob has already offered and I don't feel like wading through the multitude of posts in this topic). Boy, what a great idea!! So how are the levels gonna work and what not? Will it be a traditional RPG with exp points and such?
Yeah, I'm thinking something similar to a standard RPG with experience points and level ups. However, I'd like there to be some possible customization of the characters so they don't turn out exactly the same every time. A system like Diablo might be overkill though, since it's very possible to make a character useless if you're not careful. I think Chrono Trigger had a neat idea with Speed Tabs and Power Tabs, but it could also be a decent idea if your stats increase depending on how you fight. For instance, if you take a lot of damage, your Defense rating increases, and if you use a lot of techs or magic, your ability to do damage with those increases. Kinda like Dungeon Siege. Any thoughts?
That sounds interesting, if it is possible to put in, then I don't see any reason why not. Though I've always relied on Weapons to do the bulk of stat changes hmm...customizable armor/weapons maybe?
And I'm not sure what you mean by "Good/Evil" influence aside from it meaning that the character can choose to be either, which will probably not happen. Maybe some side quests/mini events could go in but not enough to change the overall story, though that raises ANOTHER thing to consider.
Multiple Endings, since I suggested that the Half Human/Alien man may be "Hiden", having him in the party would probably change to ending. So should OTHER things make the end change or does that not seem necissary?
I wouldnt animate them yet since this game wont have magic nor will it use swords so your going to have to make shooting animations and etc. -edit- Silly me forgot to give imput on other stuff. I dont think you should really "level" up in def and stuff when armor should take care of that but rather you get "better" with weapons. So if you use a pistol alot, your pistol level goes up and so does you acc and power with the weapon. That way, it has a kinda real feel to it rather than just leveling up. Those are my thoughts tho.
OOooo i just got an idea. What if one person has a command called call commander. He can call for turrets to be placed down and he builds it really fast and attacks the enemy. It would work like a magic, as you would have to charge/build. Any thoughts?
Comments
This is the portrait for talking segments.
Prequal to the actual NS's plot?
In the very middle of the war?
The point in which the few heroes emerge to completely destroy the alien threat... (until a NS2 comes that is).
Thoughts?
Pyro "I had no idea it would explode into this" Wolf
I'd definitely like something in the shade of Chrono Trigger or Earthbound. For storyline, well, we have yet to work on that. Another thing, would this game be very lighthearted, like Earthbound? Or would we go for a serious theme, with comic relief thrown in at some parts?
I'm completely open to suggestions.
SW33T MUTHA <$$$$$> There is NO <$$$$$$$> WAY I don't get a part in this!
I am VERY interested in doing story, and creating the world, the levels and such. I could also assist in the 2dart part of it all. But, if ANYTHING I am helping create the world.
God I sound like a yelping schoolgirl, but I guess I'm excited. Oh yes I almost forgot, a SITE! I'll get on that right now... We need a name
I am SO interested!
This is going to kick @$$!
I'll also assist in the creation of the world (mapping, if you will).
I could do menu graphics too, maybe (Photoshop)...
THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT!
Anyone interested in production of this, come in there. (make a post in this thread as well.)
___
1. The "Slapped by fate" hero
Build: Male, Average Size, Spiked hair is a must
Additude: Adventure craving, thick headed
Weapon: Gun/Rifle/Knife
Skill: Weapon Techniques involving the different weapon types
2. The friend/semi-rival
Build: Male, Big Size, Muscular
Additude: Jokingly, Sarcastic, otherwise Stoic
Weapon: Proto type Exosuit
Skill: Mech Techs, attachments from Exosuit
3. Bounty Hunter
Build: Female, Average Size
Additude: Competitive, Curious, somewhat philosophical
Weapon: Acient Melee Weaponry (mostly swords)
Skill: Traps, Throwables
4. Feild Medic
Build: Female, Light size, (Nurse Nushi basicly)
Additude: Either Perky or Easily swayed to violence if provoked
Weapon: *HUGE* Scalpal
Skill: Healing/Enhanced Item Usage
5. Alien turned (or made) good
Build: sex = ?, Four legged, less uh... "intimidating" than fellow aliens
Additude: animal like, good intention
Weapon: Bodily Weaponry - claws, spines, ect.
Skill: Alien Techs - attacks with status effects
6. Half Alien/Half Human (Optional/Hiden?)
Build: ????
Additude: Loner, Magus-ish
Weapon: Bio Weaponry - alien blade, ect.
Skill: Psycic Techs - "Black Magic"
7. "Heaven"
Build: Robotic, "Male"
Additude: Robotic, peaceful, "less violent, the better", Protective of "Hell"
Weapon: What Resembles Martial Arts, energy
Skills: Support - reflect, status upgrades, ect.
8. "Hell"
Build: Robotic, "Female"
Additude: Robotic, eager for battle, Equaly Protective of "Heaven"
Weapon: Techno Scythe, energy
Skills: Deadly Arts
Background for "Heaven & Hell"-
The experimental pair of robotic intelligence made to be part of the Ultimate Battleship "Purgatory". Heaven having the ultimate aspect of controlling the defense capabilities of the ship while Hell controlled the offensive part. In an unknown accident that befell the ship, it has become nothing more than a ghost ship and without it's living counterparts, Heaven and Hell remain inactive and offline, until given further orders, which the hero team encouters to enlist the andriods asistance.
So far, that's what I can think of for the hero line up, hopefuly they will be able to do combo techs together ala Chrono Trigger. It's the usual 7-8 line up of heroes, though the way they fit into this puzzle of a story is still unclear.
Oh right, and a name for this game? Hmm... I was thinking something along the lines as...
Natural Selection: Celestial Shadow
(dum dum duuuuuuummmmm!)
Pyro Wolf
Build: <!--emo&???--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'><!--endemo-->?
Additude: Loner, Magus-ish
Weapon: Bio Weaponry - alien blade, ect.
Skill: Psycic Techs - "Black Magic"<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
may i suggest blinky?
Also, I had a thought that the party could initially start off as a squad of marines, each of which has a weapon similar to one of NS's weapons, like one LMG'er, one HMG'er, one grenadier, and one medic or something. I think PyroWolf has a lot of good ideas, though.
For a title, how does "Natural Selection: the Selected Ones" sound? I like it because it plays off the familiar "Chosen Ones" theme that RPG's frequently have.
I could see the half human/half alien guy being *PART* Blinky, though I was thinking he could be a little of each strain, but mostly, he should have a humaniod form, that's deformed of course.
The title of the game probably *SHOULD* have something like "chosen" in it, makes sense to the "Natural Selection" part of it.
As for the big boss? I would have just figured it was a... uh..
"QUEEN" strain of alien. The supreme overmind and what not to the whole alien bunch. Or like a human that wants to step up and be this "QUEEN".
Pyro Wolf
Malfunctioning turret
Hive
Bob
Egg
Fatty
Defense Growth (that thing that looks like a tree trunk)
Tiny
Flyer
Blinky
Suicidal bob
Enraged tiny
Bob with a Weilder (joking!)
Rebellion marine (like a seperate group of outcast marines)
Bob herd
And a fatty might be able to make some offensive building like things, not sure about the whole enemy selecion yet though.
As to the enemys, what you have is a nice list of Aliens.. but remember, fighting aliens in infested space craft is going to be a small (but still important) part of our mod.
In my opinion, the biggest part will be the interaction with, say, frightened colonists scared to death that they will be overrun by infestation, gossipping civilians in seedy bars on spaceliners, or arrogant TSA marines about to embark on a mission.
Rhoads suggested that the characters be a squad of TSA marines, but I disagree. Meeting new characters, and then being surprised when they join you, is part of the allure of role playing games. It also allows the writer to develop the backstory of the individual characters better, rather than just having them suddenly appear all together, formed as a squad.
I'd assume we will have levelling up in the game, I mean, it wouldn't be much of an RPG if we didn't. With that in mind, remember that there will be various levels of enemies. The lower levels could be small indigenous wildlife from various planets (remember this <b>is</b> Science Fiction), medium levelled enemies being Human pirates/rebels/smugglers/evil marines, and the higher levels (towards the end) would be growing numbers of the familiar NS aliens. I think by that point, you would have most of the members of your party, and be nearing the final boss... so a lvl 5 would not be an overwhelming threat.. just a small challenge.
Anyway, keep the ideas flowing, this is shaping up to be a very solid concept.
<!--emo&:asrifle:--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/asrifle.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':asrifle:'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:tiny:--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tiny.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':tiny:'><!--endemo-->
And I'm not sure what you mean by "Good/Evil" influence aside from it meaning that the character can choose to be either, which will probably not happen. Maybe some side quests/mini events could go in but not enough to change the overall story, though that raises ANOTHER thing to consider.
Multiple Endings, since I suggested that the Half Human/Alien man may be "Hiden", having him in the party would probably change to ending. So should OTHER things make the end change or does that not seem necissary?
Pyro Wolf
Wave 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_wave.gif" border="0">
Anger<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_anger.gif" border="0">
Attack<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_attack.gif" border="0">
Battle<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_battle.gif" border="0">
Hurt<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_hurt.gif" border="0">
Front<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_front.gif" border="0">
Front Walk (Front plus shadow)<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walk.gif" border="0">
Front Walk 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walk1.gif" border="0">
Front Walk 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walk2.gif" border="0">
Right Walk 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkr1.gif" border="0">
Right Walk 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkr2.gif" border="0">
Right<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_right.gif" border="0">
Left<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_left.gif" border="0">
Walk Left 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkl1.gif" border="0">
Walk Left 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkl2.gif" border="0">
Wound<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_wound.gif" border="0">
Win 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_win1.gif" border="0">
Back<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_back.gif" border="0">
Walk Back 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkb1.gif" border="0">
Walk Back 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_walkb2.gif" border="0">
Upset Right<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_upsetr.gif" border="0">
Upset Left<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_upsetl.gif" border="0">
Shock<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_shock.gif" border="0">
Laugh 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_laugh1.gif" border="0">
Laugh 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_laugh2.gif" border="0">
Magic 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_magic1.gif" border="0">
Magic 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_magic2.gif" border="0">
Glance Right<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_glancer.gif" border="0">
Glance Left<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_glancel.gif" border="0">
Finger 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_finger1.gif" border="0">
Finger 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_finger2.gif" border="0">
Dead 1<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_dead1.gif" border="0">
Dead 2<img src="http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/Marine_dead2.gif" border="0">
That would be all of the Marine's basic sprites based on FF3's style. If ya'll need moving versions of these I can make those as well.
Pyro Wolf
-edit-
Silly me forgot to give imput on other stuff. I dont think you should really "level" up in def and stuff when armor should take care of that but rather you get "better" with weapons. So if you use a pistol alot, your pistol level goes up and so does you acc and power with the weapon. That way, it has a kinda real feel to it rather than just leveling up. Those are my thoughts tho.
OOooo i just got an idea. What if one person has a command called call commander. He can call for turrets to be placed down and he builds it really fast and attacks the enemy. It would work like a magic, as you would have to charge/build.
Any thoughts?
player: uh... uh... COMMANDER!!!
commander: sup?