Chain game ideas and discussion 2022-20??

[Moosetroop11]

It feels like soldier might be TOO much of an all rounder if they can deal lots of damage and also heal? I like the fact they can protect non fighters and healing themself with a medpac is quite cool but maybe healing other party members would make them too useful and make people not think of using support members? Other than that, looks very cool : )

[Fisherson]

It feels like soldier might be TOO much of an all rounder if they can deal lots of damage and also heal? I like the fact they can protect non fighters and healing themself with a medpac is quite cool but maybe healing other party members would make them too useful and make people not think of using support members? Other than that, looks very cool : )

Technically that describes Juno to a tee and I suppose she was over powered. Hard to tell as Odyssey had such a strange plateau for the endgame when it came to over leveling but that was the thing about her. High damage output with the ability to heal or regen EP at the cost of active turns. The balanced thing I remember we did with her was having EP stat enhancers but they were optional or rewards at the end of dungeons. I think that could help.

[Moosetroop11]

Juno was the main character though so that makes it a bit better. If we're selecting a party of specialists then we want a reason to pick certain classes over others.

[CherryWine]

This is a thread full of ideas. I hope you don't mind me noting down few of them and improvise it for my future use.

[Prpl_Mage]

Allright, just gonna come clean.

Lots of stuff in life is killing my vibe to work on the chain game and the game is still just a skeleton framework a month later, not much of a start.
I have like 10+ different WIP resources of things I intended to do and finish such as battlers, battle animations, tilesets, charsets, interface etc. Just not finding it to finish them, some are barely started.
I find myself putting off working on anything because it feels like a lot of effort, so I end up finding excuses to do something else.

Like, I want to work on the NPC charsets, well I need to know where they should be, so I should map out an overlay for the dome. Oh, I don't have a chipset for the dome maybe I should work on that? It would be easier to visualize... Hmm, these objects would look cool, like a place, how about adding this archetype of character to this area? I better write that down in my document so I don't forget it. Maybe this should also be a playable character? What class would suit it? Oh, maybe I should make room for 3 of each kind of class for events and such to make everything nice and neat in the future. I kinda dig that idea though - Maybe I should make that NPC charset first...

So in summary, I am procrastinating which means the project is going nowhere.
Right now I feel like sending it to someone else who can start it seems like a better idea than me holding onto it.

The skills are in the project, statuses, elements, a few items, a few test enemies. Just two maps because I never finished my tileset. There is a (terrible) template for a copy of Momekas Grimoire system. 3 mini games for gathering resources and a bunch of events with NPC comments and their relations to each other.

[Momeka]

Yeah, I feel you. Work has been really stressful the last couple of months haven't really had time or energy to put into making art for you. Seemed to have calmed down a bit now though, so I can get started on the tileset tomorrow.

An issue with the plan we have is that it front loads a bunch of system and design on you. But I don't think we should forget it's a chain game and an iterative process. You could do one class, one minigame or subsystem. Work around that to put together a starting area that introduces the world and let the rest of us add to it as we go.
If you do want help with some system or anything let me know, I can do a system or two and send it back to you as well.

Or if it feels too complicated of a plan we can try and retrofit it into a normal chapter based chain game?


Edit:
Started on the base chipset. Made it kinda similar to the spring valley city one

I'll try to finish it tomorrow

[Momeka]

Finished the base chipset:



And here's a door with open animation. Also a blinking red locked version. Figured the locked doors mark doors you need to get a key to access, while the purple doors in the chipset is just a door you will never be able to enter.


Also made a larger alien "tree" didn't put it in the chipset as I felt there was enough of them for a base chipset.

So in summary, I am procrastinating which means the project is going nowhere.
Right now I feel like sending it to someone else who can start it seems like a better idea than me holding onto it.

If you really want to I can give it a try. But it might take a while, I'm unsure how much spare time I will have for a while going forward. So my "chapter" will probably be pretty small and more of a set up to start from

[Prpl_Mage]

Looks great Momeka,

I can send you what I have so far.

Also, this is part of the current WIP map of the colony, funny how well it suits it.

[Momeka]

Any objection to me starting or is there anyone else that would rather do it?

[Moosetroop11]

I'm happy for you to start : )

Thanks guys, don't worry prpl it's no big deal! I'm personally happy to not start this one, I know it's a lot of work.

[Momeka]

I've slowly started by doing some art and maps. Thinking of having the winning condition of the game to max upgrade the base and having progress locked behind the base upgrades. So upgrading the base unlocks items and equipment you need to access new areas in the world. That way we can easily split the game among us with base upgrades.
So the next person would take Base Level 2 - 3, add a new area and whatever comes with that base upgrade etc. What do you think?


Here's also some random screenshots:

[Moosetroop11]

Looks really cool. I guess as the base upgrades, story can also emerge.

[Fisherson]

So played the 'demo' and have to say I like the mining/resource gathering systems. Big fan of the Specialists' gold armor, the visuals are nice, if a little edited Spring Valley and the enemy design looks fun! I also think the title is suitable and it's awesome I didn't have to name one! =D I have you all trained!....Er we're not as lazy I mean. <.<; Yes.

I've slowly started by doing some art and maps. Thinking of having the winning condition of the game to max upgrade the base and having progress locked behind the base upgrades. So upgrading the base unlocks items and equipment you need to access new areas in the world. That way we can easily split the game among us with base upgrades.
So the next person would take Base Level 2 - 3, add a new area and whatever comes with that base upgrade etc. What do you think?

Damn those shuttles making me wish I didn't have the personal rule not to turn this into a space explorer like Juno...<.< But I must. Also like the Upsidedown Stranger Things fungi everywhere so far. So basically like what we did with Dustbowl then in the last game? Just...more directly unlockable and less tied to the story? I think I can handle that. I need to practice my mapping skills though so I can actually do the maps I want and not end up using old stuff or asking you guys for things. Hmm also have to adjust my mindset to open world deving. Never done it before even when I wanted to make my own Minecrat mods...Think I'll make a little sampler test area to get my mindset in it.

[Prpl_Mage]

Thanks Fish.

I think that as long as there is an incitement to explore open world will be fine.
We could add collectibles of different kind, such as the birds in Heart of Gold. Or place resources of different kinds that are needed in difficult to reach places.
Or just take the metroid route and place stat upgrades and unique weapons and upgrades out there.
Regardless, gotta make it feel alive somehow.

Also, realized that I had removed the npc map with character notes. So here they are instead. Feel free to use or dismiss, didn't come up with names for them all.

Henderson - governmental official, knows most things about what's going on, both in the colony and the powers beyond, keeping tabs on the people there.

Davidson - Henderson's bodyguard, Spectre. Doesn't speak, just intimidates.

Captain B. Fletcher - military official in charge from first ship. Will not admit that anything is going awry. Keeping things away from the population is the best for the colony. The best for humanity as a whole.
 
Sergeant Cochrane - second in command from first ship, went from a hopeful military man to a nihilist opportunist while stuck on the planet. Agrees with most of the captains decisions but is known to meet other parties of power in the colony. While the colony is the most important thing, its people aren't.

Captain J. Dionys - military official from latest ship, wants to work towards solutions instead of retaining a meaningless status quo. Is pushing for more corps recruitment and activity.

Ethel Damina - Part of a dynastic corporate family who have participated in all of Sol's terraforming projects over the generations. Has contacts in high places within the colony. Believes birthright is the most important factor in life. Social darwinism at its extreme. With the colony breaking down, and she having the knowledge of it she has set up an enterprise to give loans to the citizens which will eventually end with them in debt to her, and not being able to pay back, be forced into servitude as per the contract.

Suzette Damina - Ethel's younger sister. Fully and completely trusts in Ethel's decisions, but has far more humanity and empathy. More of the official face of the family in the colony while Ethel is working behind her back. Is not aware of the loaning plot.

Chuck Stegaare - The current highest ranking board member of Planitas Defensive Equipment of Sol on the  planet. Is aware that they have a monopoly on a lot of equipment that people need. Is not interested in giving it away. Business is business. PDES as a company has a long standing feud with the Daminas.

Stavros Lambert - Previous highest ranking employee of PDES on the planet, while hard to begin with, softened with the years on the planet and contributed a lot to the colony's continued survival. One of the original supporters of the XX corps. Is no longer in charge because of Stegaare's arrival, not happy with the new direction.

Diane Megaddo - One of the renowned scientists in the colony, everything found and encountered should be studied and tested to its limit. Breakthroughs are waiting around the corner. It is their duty to try everything. Costs and casualties does not matter if it could potentially lead to a better future.

Elmo Carius - Science is made for the people, therefore nothing should be hidden. Every new piece of information should be shared with the community. Only the individuals themselves are responsible for how they use this information, or how they choose to react to the discoveries made.

Varina Rodonovich - discoveries made can improve the human genome, for humanity to survive they must evolve further with scientific aid. Mechanical or biological does not matter as long as progress is made. No act is too evil if the end gives results.

Ayrian Venotny - leading scientist from first ship, is not happy that new scientists have come to take over his work. His biggest breakthrough has been hidden from the public, and most of his other theories have either already been established or disproved by the scientific advancements during his years away.


Survival - values her own survival over the lives of the squad, at the end of the day you need to look out for number one. Working with other people is a means for their continued survival.

Failure - his inaction during a mission lead to the rest of the squad getting hurt and the objective was lost. Will do anything to avoid future failures. Including avoiding any challenges and harder missions.

Peer pressure - is often pulled along for the ride because the people she grew up with are doing things. Joining the corps was such a thing, but she is determined to live up to the expectations set by her peers.

Curiosity - is curious about the mysteries on the planet and has let other social relations gone to dirt to feed that itch. Childhood friend with, sister of

Guilt - Guilty that her squad mate was sent on a mission instead of her in which the friend died. Now suffers survivor's guilt and blames herself.

Desire - is determined to turn a bad situation around to fulfill their dreams and come home
Instability - has suffered by the loss of squad mates over the years and reacts in-proportionally emotional to everything that happens.

Widower - lost the mother of his child and is trying to be a good father while also doing his duty. Has a hard time finding that balance and instead creates conflicts.

Love - Joined the colony defense to protect his family and the woman he loves. Childhood friend with

Loyalty - Family woman with grown kids who dotes on her squad members and makes sure that everyone is doing well. Will put herself in harms way.

Honor - is stuck in a relationship with a person they no longer love, however, their families are keeping them together because of status and standing. The honor of the family is more important than individual honor, everything can work out if you just change yourself enough.

Obedience - An old soldier who've been at it for some time. Doing his part is all that he knows, he does not consider himself to know better than the leaders, and neither should anyone else. They've made it this far right?

Vengeance - lost his brother to a specific type of monster and is determined to kill every last one of them. Convinced that they are all the same and in some way connected to some sort of plot to rid the planet of humans.

Inequality - was dismissed for a promotion and his rival was chosen instead because of the families they were from. Has given up on that promotion, is not interested in doing anything about it. But is determined to prevent any other inequality from affecting the colony.

Unfulfilled - life just isn't what it was supposed to be. He got the promotion he wanted and the relationship he wanted. But he is still not happy. Pushes himself too hard to find that happiness.

Perfection - strives to perfect every skill there is to be the best at, try everything and elevate the field to new heights. ¨

New chances - lived a bad life where her skills and education was being wasted, left all the trouble behind to start life anew and make something meaningful out of it.
Egoist - since realizing the dream was not possible has left his duties more and more to search for personal achievements and fulfillment.

Virtuous - a bit of a recluse to the other squad mates but is actually just a good person who doesn't know how to make things better which brings him down. Wants to do a big gesture to make everyone, both old and new believe in the colony once again.

Freedom - believes that the colony should belong to its people and not Sol, especially since being stranded on the planet. Tried to perform a coup but failed.

Hatred - Decided to join the corps to vent all her anger at the situation they are in. All the broken promises and unfulfilled expectations has left her loathing the planet and wishing nothing less than to destroy and mold it into what it should have been.

Dishonor - Considers himself to have been dishonored by the old colonists when he arrived, even when explaining the rules and laws and how things are supposed to be people aren't respecting his opinion or experience.

Pride - is fueled by the pride of doing and important part to the colony and takes pride in the work, but is also unable to step down.

Greed - is only in it for the paycheck, status and safety of being armed with high tech gear. Is not willing to share any of that with anyone else.

Revenge - lost her position when the new ship arrived, when confronting the authority about it was dismissed. Is now determined to get her revenge by rising in rank and earn more status to make their lives a hell.

Lust - Is a married man but is infatuated with poster woman of the corps, dislikes when people criticize her choices and actions. Feels a new to protect her

Jealousy - is unhappy that her crush is dating someone who isn't good enough for him and is determined to do anything to screw that up, is now joining to be close to the guy and taking loans to impress outside as well.

Overworker - works long hours and puts all energy into the work, has neglected her relationship with her husband the last couple of months which is one the verge of a divorce. She believes the good her work does should trump her husbands desires.

Power - manipulates and scams people to achieve his goals, using other people without regret such as winning in gambling or collecting debts.

Anxious - former scientist, now collector who is determined to save everything from being forgotten, both people, the things they brought and the things they are adapting to.


Death - lost most of family in an accident caused by the terraforming, is determined to make their death's count, to make sense if the injustice of it all.

Humiliation - he was made fun of and berated during training because of his issues, blames himself and is determined that if he only works harder he can make up for it. And not be the brunt of the joke again.

Pain - was not made for the soldier life but is not smart or ambitious enough for science either. Tries their best to avoid missions as they know they will end up in trouble.

Rejection - he was dismissed as being nothing but a loaf and golddigger by his crush's siblings and deemed unworthy to get close to her. Is determined to prove everyone wrong.
Loss - Her only son was lost during a mission, didn't return.. Wants to find his remains to give a proper burial. To know what happened.

Regret - did not do enough for his sister when she still lived and is now disappointed with himself for not being a better brother and being unable to help her. Does not believe things can change and is therefore broken by this.

Shame - made a mistake and is now convinced that he is not worthy of the people in his life, has trouble loving himself and therefore a hard time understanding that other people are there for him and not just for obligations.

Old scars - used to be close friends with one of the leaders, but had a fallout because of different values on a topic. Has now realized that the whole thing was petty, hopes to heal those wounds.

Tsundere - Totally doesn't have a crush on the captain, and totally doesn't consider the player to be a friend.

The goatherd - was sent to the planet to tend to the goat population, but the goats were changed by the planet because the terraforming failed and he is now waiting for a solution to arrive. Carries a tube with a goat fetus.

The golden ticket - she and her family won a competition which allowed them to travel to the planet. Some people dislike this as they aren't overly useful for the colony, others because they worked hard to secure their place.

Role model - veteran of the corps and presented as the epitome of the corps, both a skilled soldier and an empathetic individual who is a good model for the youngsters and new recruits. Can't step out of line or risk taking the faith in the corps down with her.

Hero - veteran of the corps and been at it since the first ship. All the old colonists look up to him and his opinion matters more than the authority to the common people. After all, he's actually done something.

The doppelganger - is trying to win the same kind of respect that other people in the colony receive by doing the same as them. But kinda suck at most things.

New blood - leader of the first kids born on the planet, not old enough to do anything for the colony yet but is determined to have their voices heard.

[Momeka]

Awesome, with the characters, prpl. My intention is to use the story/lore you posted before. Not sure how much of the politics and characters will be in the start, writing and story isn't my strongest side. But feel free to go back into my part and flesh it out.

Here's how I'm thinking about the open world: You can't leave the main base to go directly into the wilderness. Instead you take a shuttle. When you take the shuttle you see a world map and get to pick a zone to be dropped of in. Each zone is a larger area to explore and they are tied to the base level. So upgrading the base level also adds a new zone to the map.
Thinking there can be barricades between the zones as well, so you can buy items from the base to destroy them and interconnect all the zones into a larger open world (like Pokémon HM)

Also thinking of having a special resource, a crystal or something. Each zone only have one of them and one is always required to upgrade the base to the next level. So if we have main story events we want to happen in a zone we can gate the crystal behind those events. Think it will be a pretty effective way of making the player experience what we want and forcing them to explore each part of the world.

Doesn't mean we can add events and new things in previous zones as well as the game progresses. Think it would be fun for the player to return and have to explore older areas. And with a Pokémon HM style system we can have smaller sub areas in previous zones that you can go back to and unlock.


Also not sure what you guys think about it. But I was thinking of removing gold and experience from fights. So instead you just get items from defeating monsters. Some of these items can be sold for gold and other can be traded in for Research Points (RP). And these RP can be used for various things in the base, one being leveling up your character. Thinking you could also put in RP to research new gear and such in the base, that gets added to a shop. But I'm not sure yet, depends a bit how long everything else takes to make.



I also like the idea of collectible side quests. We should definitely put something like that in.


Also here's a swamp