Tell me what ya think...
by Koury Casey · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 05/10/2004 (5:52 pm) · 19 replies
I've been working pretty hard on this idea and I was wondering what you guys think of it.
This game is a turn-based strategy RPG. The meat of the game will be the battles (there will be parts where you can walk around in town. Think Shining Force style).
Eventually you will have 11 people on your side. Each of your members will be one of 59 classes (If your interested, I'll post all the classes. Just gotta ask.) and every class is seperated into 4 groups. There are 5 starting classes (Lvl 1 classes), 9 intermediate classes (Lvl 2 classes), 16 advanced classes (Lvl 3 classes) and 29 master classes (Lvl 4 classes).
I'm not entirely sure how you will progress between the class lvls, but every class will add one 'ability' to the character for a total of 4 abilities per person. When an ability is used in battle it will drain points from an AP (ability points) bar. The more powerful the ability the more AP it costs. There will also be a HP and MP bar. Some abilities are offensive (such as the Assassins 'Assassinate'), some are tactical (such as the Manipulators 'Teleport') and others are supportive (such as the Clerics 'Healing Circle'). BTW, magic using classes may get an ability that is a 'spell'. If they do, then when they use it it will drain AP, not MP (For example, Ice Mage gets 'Blizzard'). If you guys want, I can post the ability of each class along with a little description of what they do.
Statistics for each character include Attack, Defense, Evade %, Agility, Magic Power (Mg.Pw), Magic Resistance (Mg.Rs), Movement, HP, MP and AP. Damage is determined by a simple Attack - Defense calculation (minimum of 1). Magic damage is done the same way using Mg.Pw and Mg.Rs. Agility decides who goes first, Movement is how far you can move and Evade % is a flat out chance to dodge an attack.
You will be able to equip your people with weapons (Raising Attack or Mg.Pw), armor (Raising Defense), boots (raising Agility, Evade % or Movement, depending on the boots) and rings (Raising all of the abilities. I don't mean at once, I mean rings raise one ability but it could be any one). I'm thinking of a limit of 2 or 3 equipped items per person.
Thats about it I think...If I didn't explain something clearly, ask me and I'll try to clarify. Also, if you want the class or ability lists, just ask.
-KC
This game is a turn-based strategy RPG. The meat of the game will be the battles (there will be parts where you can walk around in town. Think Shining Force style).
Eventually you will have 11 people on your side. Each of your members will be one of 59 classes (If your interested, I'll post all the classes. Just gotta ask.) and every class is seperated into 4 groups. There are 5 starting classes (Lvl 1 classes), 9 intermediate classes (Lvl 2 classes), 16 advanced classes (Lvl 3 classes) and 29 master classes (Lvl 4 classes).
I'm not entirely sure how you will progress between the class lvls, but every class will add one 'ability' to the character for a total of 4 abilities per person. When an ability is used in battle it will drain points from an AP (ability points) bar. The more powerful the ability the more AP it costs. There will also be a HP and MP bar. Some abilities are offensive (such as the Assassins 'Assassinate'), some are tactical (such as the Manipulators 'Teleport') and others are supportive (such as the Clerics 'Healing Circle'). BTW, magic using classes may get an ability that is a 'spell'. If they do, then when they use it it will drain AP, not MP (For example, Ice Mage gets 'Blizzard'). If you guys want, I can post the ability of each class along with a little description of what they do.
Statistics for each character include Attack, Defense, Evade %, Agility, Magic Power (Mg.Pw), Magic Resistance (Mg.Rs), Movement, HP, MP and AP. Damage is determined by a simple Attack - Defense calculation (minimum of 1). Magic damage is done the same way using Mg.Pw and Mg.Rs. Agility decides who goes first, Movement is how far you can move and Evade % is a flat out chance to dodge an attack.
You will be able to equip your people with weapons (Raising Attack or Mg.Pw), armor (Raising Defense), boots (raising Agility, Evade % or Movement, depending on the boots) and rings (Raising all of the abilities. I don't mean at once, I mean rings raise one ability but it could be any one). I'm thinking of a limit of 2 or 3 equipped items per person.
Thats about it I think...If I didn't explain something clearly, ask me and I'll try to clarify. Also, if you want the class or ability lists, just ask.
-KC
#2
05/11/2004 (3:35 am)
Will it be FPS, 3d person or top down (like shining force) ?
#3
Lvl 1 Classes
Soldier
Thief
Healer
Apprentice
Archer
Lvl 2 Classes
Fighter
Fencer
Thug
Priest
Acolyte
Bard
Wizard
Bowman
Scout
Lvl 3 Classes
Gladiator
Knight
Warrior
Rogue
Ninja
Cleric
Bishop
Sage
Oracle
Sorcerer
Mage
Specialist
Marksman
Hunter
Ranger
Spy
Lvl 4 Classes
Defender
Berserker
Lord
Paladin
Baron
Lancer
Vigilante
Assassin
Samurai
Savior
Shaman
Archbishop
Prophet
Hierophant
Imperial Priest
Manipulator
Summoner
Archmage
Scientist
Pyromancer
Ice Mage
Sniper
Bowmaster
Stalker
Calvary
Pyro-Archer
Holy Archer
Master Spy
Agent
Every class (with the exception of 4th lvl) has 2 ways they can go when they advance a class. For example, Soldier can go to Fighter or Fencer, Fighter can go to Gladiator or Knight, Fencer can go to Knight or Warrior, Gladiator can go to Defender or Berserker, Knight can go to Lord or Paladin and Warrior can go to Baron or Lancer (Thats all the paths that a Soldier can go. A total of 8 ways. Because every class grants a different ability, and because abilities vary greatly between classes [not in power, but in what they do] that means that every path will produce a teammate that can be used differently...Thats not too confusing, right?)
If you want, I'll post the ability list too.
Th-th-that's all folks...
BTW, in case you couldn't tell, I had to think a little outside the box comming up with some of these (mainly Scientist and Imperial Priest). If you have ideas for replacements then feel free to tell me.
Also, is there some special name for archers that light thier arrows on fire (Pyro Archer was the best I could do...)? And can anyone think of a better name for Ice Mage (like Pyromancer for the 'Fire Mage')?
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Oh, and I'm planning on top down view.
05/11/2004 (9:38 pm)
OK.....The Class List:Lvl 1 Classes
Soldier
Thief
Healer
Apprentice
Archer
Lvl 2 Classes
Fighter
Fencer
Thug
Priest
Acolyte
Bard
Wizard
Bowman
Scout
Lvl 3 Classes
Gladiator
Knight
Warrior
Rogue
Ninja
Cleric
Bishop
Sage
Oracle
Sorcerer
Mage
Specialist
Marksman
Hunter
Ranger
Spy
Lvl 4 Classes
Defender
Berserker
Lord
Paladin
Baron
Lancer
Vigilante
Assassin
Samurai
Savior
Shaman
Archbishop
Prophet
Hierophant
Imperial Priest
Manipulator
Summoner
Archmage
Scientist
Pyromancer
Ice Mage
Sniper
Bowmaster
Stalker
Calvary
Pyro-Archer
Holy Archer
Master Spy
Agent
Every class (with the exception of 4th lvl) has 2 ways they can go when they advance a class. For example, Soldier can go to Fighter or Fencer, Fighter can go to Gladiator or Knight, Fencer can go to Knight or Warrior, Gladiator can go to Defender or Berserker, Knight can go to Lord or Paladin and Warrior can go to Baron or Lancer (Thats all the paths that a Soldier can go. A total of 8 ways. Because every class grants a different ability, and because abilities vary greatly between classes [not in power, but in what they do] that means that every path will produce a teammate that can be used differently...Thats not too confusing, right?)
If you want, I'll post the ability list too.
Th-th-that's all folks...
BTW, in case you couldn't tell, I had to think a little outside the box comming up with some of these (mainly Scientist and Imperial Priest). If you have ideas for replacements then feel free to tell me.
Also, is there some special name for archers that light thier arrows on fire (Pyro Archer was the best I could do...)? And can anyone think of a better name for Ice Mage (like Pyromancer for the 'Fire Mage')?
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Oh, and I'm planning on top down view.
#4
Ogre Battle (I and II)
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
I believe these games are almost exactly what you are describing?
05/11/2004 (9:41 pm)
You should play:Ogre Battle (I and II)
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
I believe these games are almost exactly what you are describing?
#5
As to those being what I'm describing...Sort of. I kinda don't like saying that because I thought of those classes and abilities for all of them w/o even thinking of other games. But there is no way to avoid it so...
Battles will be along the lines of Shining Force, FFT and FFTA, but you won't get new classes available by learning abilities. I haven't decided on a method for lvling up between classes yet, but I'm leaning toward something like Tactics Ogre (Dont know how similar the lvling up is to Ogre Battle) where you get a certian amount of lvls and eventually can change into a new class.
05/11/2004 (9:51 pm)
Beaten FFT and FFTA.As to those being what I'm describing...Sort of. I kinda don't like saying that because I thought of those classes and abilities for all of them w/o even thinking of other games. But there is no way to avoid it so...
Battles will be along the lines of Shining Force, FFT and FFTA, but you won't get new classes available by learning abilities. I haven't decided on a method for lvling up between classes yet, but I'm leaning toward something like Tactics Ogre (Dont know how similar the lvling up is to Ogre Battle) where you get a certian amount of lvls and eventually can change into a new class.
#6
also will you have animals ... like shining force had the phoenix! and a number of other animal people which helped.. the phoenix owned though!
05/11/2004 (11:29 pm)
The only thing I can think of is .. Ice Lord or Frozen Lord ... not that great I know...also will you have animals ... like shining force had the phoenix! and a number of other animal people which helped.. the phoenix owned though!
#7
You should probably change "Apprentice" to something that sounds more mage-like (conjurer?).
It's a good idea, but make sure you keep your plan flexible so that you can cut features if necessary.
05/12/2004 (7:19 pm)
Unless you have an army of artists already on your payroll, you should reduce the number of characters.You should probably change "Apprentice" to something that sounds more mage-like (conjurer?).
It's a good idea, but make sure you keep your plan flexible so that you can cut features if necessary.
#8
If you choose only a primary: you can achieve 100% of skills/abilities from the class
If you choose a primary and secondary: you can achieve 90% of skills/abilities from primary class and 60% of skills/abilities from the secondary class
If you choose a primary, secondary, and tertiary: you can achieve 85% of skills/abilities from primary class, 50% of skills/abilities from secondary, and 30% of tertiary
... and so, there are 15 distinct gameplay combinations drawn from the content/code of 3... By multiclassing, we are able to concentrate on 3 strong classes and then mix it up to taste. You can of course name these combinations anything you want :)
Something like this may work for you...
05/12/2004 (7:59 pm)
We've got three classes total (+ a general skill set)... Yhe player can choose a primary, secondary, and tertiary class ... If you choose only a primary: you can achieve 100% of skills/abilities from the class
If you choose a primary and secondary: you can achieve 90% of skills/abilities from primary class and 60% of skills/abilities from the secondary class
If you choose a primary, secondary, and tertiary: you can achieve 85% of skills/abilities from primary class, 50% of skills/abilities from secondary, and 30% of tertiary
... and so, there are 15 distinct gameplay combinations drawn from the content/code of 3... By multiclassing, we are able to concentrate on 3 strong classes and then mix it up to taste. You can of course name these combinations anything you want :)
Something like this may work for you...
#9
@ Steve: I was already aware of the amount of time just creating character models was going to take. I realized that when I counted up all of my classes.
@ Joshua: That sounds interesting. It wouldn't work in this game though because each of the four classes any given player gets will add only one ability. I couldn't give someone half of an ability.
Oh and only Daniel was able to think of an alternative? Well I suppose Steve suggested Conjurer.
Any other suggestions/advice out there? Planning is nearing completion and I suppose next up would be building the game. *Cue scary music*
05/13/2004 (5:39 pm)
@ Daniel: I wouldn't want to use Ice Lord or Frozen Lord because I already have a class named Lord. As for the animals, no. Having to come up w/ 59 different looks for just regular people is hard enough. The pheonix did rock though. His name was Peter. @ Steve: I was already aware of the amount of time just creating character models was going to take. I realized that when I counted up all of my classes.
@ Joshua: That sounds interesting. It wouldn't work in this game though because each of the four classes any given player gets will add only one ability. I couldn't give someone half of an ability.
Oh and only Daniel was able to think of an alternative? Well I suppose Steve suggested Conjurer.
Any other suggestions/advice out there? Planning is nearing completion and I suppose next up would be building the game. *Cue scary music*
#10
gelid warrior
and
cryogenic mage
any use?
I still reckon their should be an animal which fights.. even if its only one.. it could be a rare/secret char which you can get..?
What are you going to build it in, torque?
05/13/2004 (11:13 pm)
I thought of two more.. gelid warrior
and
cryogenic mage
any use?
I still reckon their should be an animal which fights.. even if its only one.. it could be a rare/secret char which you can get..?
What are you going to build it in, torque?
#11
Maybe make the four Animal ones
Phoenix, Turtle, Dragon, and the White Tiger. Although i have seen them in alot of games tho......
Added
Maybe Hielo Mage (Hielo is Ice in spanish [Sounds cooler than Ice Mage])
Maybe Fuego Archer also spanish for fire.
Llama is Flame in spanish.
According to my site that i am learning some spanish.
05/15/2004 (11:28 am)
Koury Casey, Hows the game coming?Maybe make the four Animal ones
Phoenix, Turtle, Dragon, and the White Tiger. Although i have seen them in alot of games tho......
Added
Maybe Hielo Mage (Hielo is Ice in spanish [Sounds cooler than Ice Mage])
Maybe Fuego Archer also spanish for fire.
Llama is Flame in spanish.
According to my site that i am learning some spanish.
#12
glacies : ice.
That is latin maybe Glacies Magus? Magus means Magical.... And/or Warlock, Wizard, Sorcerer ect. Glacies Magus has a good ring to it i think... ;) If you want i can help you with some more latin, latin is great for games like this. It's a rarly (as i know of) tap'd source for names... Hehehe ;)
Edit: Good had one less o.....
05/15/2004 (8:14 pm)
Glacialis : icy, frozen, full of ice. glacies : ice.
That is latin maybe Glacies Magus? Magus means Magical.... And/or Warlock, Wizard, Sorcerer ect. Glacies Magus has a good ring to it i think... ;) If you want i can help you with some more latin, latin is great for games like this. It's a rarly (as i know of) tap'd source for names... Hehehe ;)
Edit: Good had one less o.....
#13
05/19/2004 (7:55 pm)
What about Alchemist? They're always cool.
#14
@ Luke: The games comming along nicely, albeit very slowly (as expected though). The animal we were thinking of adding is probably going to be either Phoenix or White Tiger. As for the spanish, I don't know...*smiles* We should use Llama Archer, because it's funny. Thats exactly the type of creative suggestions I was looking for though. Thanks. I'm not the only one thats making all the choices and if a majority likes it, it will probably be implemented.
@ Zoe: Same thing I said to Luke. The names from different languages is very creative and I doubt any of us would have thought of it. Thank you. Perhaps you could give a list of the latin version of some of the class names? Especially the blander ones, like scientist. Also try to list some of the others that sound interesting. If you do it, then thanks for that in advance.
@ Jordan: I agree, Alchemist is a cool class. The problem that I have with it is I associate it with FFTA right away. But then again, I'm pretty sure all of my others have been used in other games too, and it would be a good replacement for scientist...Hmmm...I'll see what everyone else thinks. Good idea. Much appreciated.
Another thanks to all that have contributed ideas. Please continue suggesting ideas as they come.
05/20/2004 (9:19 pm)
@ Daniel: Hmmm...Gelid Warrior...I don't know. Cryogenic Mage is a no because it sounds too advanced/futuristic. As for the animal(s), I ran the idea by a few people and, while nothings been written in stone (nothing is at this point), they liked it. It would almost have to be a character found later in the game, after 4th lvl classes are available (that would eliminate any need for worrying about it raising class and would only make one more model to make). Probably will be found only as a secret char.@ Luke: The games comming along nicely, albeit very slowly (as expected though). The animal we were thinking of adding is probably going to be either Phoenix or White Tiger. As for the spanish, I don't know...*smiles* We should use Llama Archer, because it's funny. Thats exactly the type of creative suggestions I was looking for though. Thanks. I'm not the only one thats making all the choices and if a majority likes it, it will probably be implemented.
@ Zoe: Same thing I said to Luke. The names from different languages is very creative and I doubt any of us would have thought of it. Thank you. Perhaps you could give a list of the latin version of some of the class names? Especially the blander ones, like scientist. Also try to list some of the others that sound interesting. If you do it, then thanks for that in advance.
@ Jordan: I agree, Alchemist is a cool class. The problem that I have with it is I associate it with FFTA right away. But then again, I'm pretty sure all of my others have been used in other games too, and it would be a good replacement for scientist...Hmmm...I'll see what everyone else thinks. Good idea. Much appreciated.
Another thanks to all that have contributed ideas. Please continue suggesting ideas as they come.
#15
I just feel like the class list and structure is taken from Ogre Warriors (or whatever) for the N64. It also feels like it was from Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA...
George
05/21/2004 (7:57 pm)
The whole game idea sounds really interesting!I just feel like the class list and structure is taken from Ogre Warriors (or whatever) for the N64. It also feels like it was from Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA...
George
#16
Heres a list of the classes I think are originals (very good chance I'm wrong on at least one of these. If you see one you know was used in another game tell me which one and the game. I'm a little interested to see if any of them are original).
Possible Originals
Acolyte
Specialist
Lord
Vigilante
Savior
Archbishop
Prophet
Hierophant
Imperial Priest
Manipulator
Scientist
Holy Archer
Those 12, I believe, are unique to this game and offer a little bit of proof that the names were thought of independantly...Sorry, I worked hard thinking of 59 names and I don't like the idea of people thinking all I did was copy classes from other games.
-KC
______________
Don't take life too seriously; you'll never live through it.
05/21/2004 (11:12 pm)
George...I know that I'm gonna be hearing it from a lot of people as I show/explain this game to them but I can't help but feel a wee bit (I'm Irish. I'm allowed to say "a wee bit") disappointed when people draw comparisons between other games (mainly FFTA and Shining Force) and ours in respect to the class list. I believe that I said before that me and one other thought of all the classes ourselves, w/o resorting to referencing other games. Heres a list of the classes I think are originals (very good chance I'm wrong on at least one of these. If you see one you know was used in another game tell me which one and the game. I'm a little interested to see if any of them are original).
Possible Originals
Acolyte
Specialist
Lord
Vigilante
Savior
Archbishop
Prophet
Hierophant
Imperial Priest
Manipulator
Scientist
Holy Archer
Those 12, I believe, are unique to this game and offer a little bit of proof that the names were thought of independantly...Sorry, I worked hard thinking of 59 names and I don't like the idea of people thinking all I did was copy classes from other games.
-KC
______________
Don't take life too seriously; you'll never live through it.
#17
scientia : knowledge, science, skill.
Physiologus Would be the best 'Scientist'
ars : strategem/ science, art, skill/ craft.
Call skill's that instead of skill's?
nex : violent death, slaughter, death.
^ Call your kills that? ;)
OH OH OH!! novus : new, fresh, young, inexperienced, revived, refreshed. That can be the name of the first level class's? ;)
medicor : to heal, cure. < That can be a 'Healer' insted.
proeliator preliator : fighter, warrior, combatant.
pugno : to fight.
territo : to fighten, terrify, intimidate.
bellator : fighting man, warrior.
praesagus : prophetic. or vates : bard, prophet. For well... 'Prophet' LoL
explorator : scout. For, you know. :-P
arcus : bow (BOW and arrows), arch, bend, arc. For Archer(s).
oraculum : a solemn statement, oracle, prophecy, words of a god. For Oracle.
antistes : bishop. episcopus : bishop. pontifex : bishop. All mean bishop, so why not use at least one? LoL
Ok im a little tired.... I will try and tihnk a few more if you need them, ok? Oh and i was looking up latin, and other languages for thing's in my game that's why i thought of it.... And that i need to make/have made a few languages for my game... ;)
05/23/2004 (1:46 am)
Physiologus : a natural science. scientia : knowledge, science, skill.
Physiologus Would be the best 'Scientist'
ars : strategem/ science, art, skill/ craft.
Call skill's that instead of skill's?
nex : violent death, slaughter, death.
^ Call your kills that? ;)
OH OH OH!! novus : new, fresh, young, inexperienced, revived, refreshed. That can be the name of the first level class's? ;)
medicor : to heal, cure. < That can be a 'Healer' insted.
proeliator preliator : fighter, warrior, combatant.
pugno : to fight.
territo : to fighten, terrify, intimidate.
bellator : fighting man, warrior.
praesagus : prophetic. or vates : bard, prophet. For well... 'Prophet' LoL
explorator : scout. For, you know. :-P
arcus : bow (BOW and arrows), arch, bend, arc. For Archer(s).
oraculum : a solemn statement, oracle, prophecy, words of a god. For Oracle.
antistes : bishop. episcopus : bishop. pontifex : bishop. All mean bishop, so why not use at least one? LoL
Ok im a little tired.... I will try and tihnk a few more if you need them, ok? Oh and i was looking up latin, and other languages for thing's in my game that's why i thought of it.... And that i need to make/have made a few languages for my game... ;)
#18
05/26/2004 (9:10 pm)
That's latin, right?
#19
05/27/2004 (6:28 pm)
Yep. That's latin. BTW thanks Zoe. Much appreciated.
Luke Green