Angels and Demons
by Shiraz · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 01/14/2007 (9:17 pm) · 9 replies
Here's an idea that I've been knocking around. No plans to make it yet but I thought I'd share it anyways. If someone makes it before me you can help me sue for a %! :-)
It's an MMO. You can choose to either be an Angel or a Demon. If you choose to be an Angel then you live in Heaven and interact with other Angels in that community. There is a hierachy where higher levels support the lower levels and can buff them for missions even when they're not online or make a short intervention when they are online, to save their protege's butt. You can choose the route of a holy warrior or a caster of godly might or something in between. Items and abilities are granted from higher players to lower players or from the divine for players who do not have or want mentors. However, the game mechanics work so that you are more powerful with proteges and mentors.
On the other hand, you can choose to be a Demon. Higher level Demons need lower level Underlings to give them extra power. The more Underlings you have the stronger you become. Underlings also benefit from the relationship by having access to their Master's stronghold for protection and powerful wards he grants. Unlike in Heaven, in Hell you can move up the chain by PVP, taking out other players around your level in one on one battles or assaults with your Underlings. There is no death in Hell. So winning a battle can either oust a Demon from a fortress which you can then move into, knock him down the ranks of Evil, or possibly drain some of his power (experience) and send him to an upper level to claw his way back down with revenge on his mind. Now there are many levels to Hell and as your character gains experience he can move onto the lower levels which offer nicer rewards, better strongholds, cooler weapons and powers, etc. As you get more powerful you also grown in size and the portals from level to level grow as well. This means that very powerful Demons cannot get back to the higher levels to attack the smaller ones, though there's nothing to stop small demons from venturing too deep into Hell, if they're that bold or crazy. In Hell you can gain items and abilities from your Master or venture into treacherous areas in search of them.
Now here's where the MMO gets really interesting. The war between Heaven and Hell is fought on Earth. The period is your typical time of kings and knights and the battles are all about them. If you're an Angel you can "listen to prayers" and go to the aid of those you think need your help. (Pick from a list of missions.) If you're a Demon you can allow yourself to be summoned by a sorcerer. (Switch to summoning mode and the game selects a mission for you.) Once the sorcerer tells you what he wishes of you, you can either accept his service or try to break free of his control. If you choose to break free and cannot best him then you lose experience. If you do best, you can kill him for experience or try to get him to yield an item or power for his pitiful life. (Your chances of defeating him vary but are often slim.) While Angels can pray for divine intervention from their mentors online or buffs from mentors offline when the going gets tough, Demons can try to summon Underlings online or NPC versions of Underlings offline.
It's an MMO. You can choose to either be an Angel or a Demon. If you choose to be an Angel then you live in Heaven and interact with other Angels in that community. There is a hierachy where higher levels support the lower levels and can buff them for missions even when they're not online or make a short intervention when they are online, to save their protege's butt. You can choose the route of a holy warrior or a caster of godly might or something in between. Items and abilities are granted from higher players to lower players or from the divine for players who do not have or want mentors. However, the game mechanics work so that you are more powerful with proteges and mentors.
On the other hand, you can choose to be a Demon. Higher level Demons need lower level Underlings to give them extra power. The more Underlings you have the stronger you become. Underlings also benefit from the relationship by having access to their Master's stronghold for protection and powerful wards he grants. Unlike in Heaven, in Hell you can move up the chain by PVP, taking out other players around your level in one on one battles or assaults with your Underlings. There is no death in Hell. So winning a battle can either oust a Demon from a fortress which you can then move into, knock him down the ranks of Evil, or possibly drain some of his power (experience) and send him to an upper level to claw his way back down with revenge on his mind. Now there are many levels to Hell and as your character gains experience he can move onto the lower levels which offer nicer rewards, better strongholds, cooler weapons and powers, etc. As you get more powerful you also grown in size and the portals from level to level grow as well. This means that very powerful Demons cannot get back to the higher levels to attack the smaller ones, though there's nothing to stop small demons from venturing too deep into Hell, if they're that bold or crazy. In Hell you can gain items and abilities from your Master or venture into treacherous areas in search of them.
Now here's where the MMO gets really interesting. The war between Heaven and Hell is fought on Earth. The period is your typical time of kings and knights and the battles are all about them. If you're an Angel you can "listen to prayers" and go to the aid of those you think need your help. (Pick from a list of missions.) If you're a Demon you can allow yourself to be summoned by a sorcerer. (Switch to summoning mode and the game selects a mission for you.) Once the sorcerer tells you what he wishes of you, you can either accept his service or try to break free of his control. If you choose to break free and cannot best him then you lose experience. If you do best, you can kill him for experience or try to get him to yield an item or power for his pitiful life. (Your chances of defeating him vary but are often slim.) While Angels can pray for divine intervention from their mentors online or buffs from mentors offline when the going gets tough, Demons can try to summon Underlings online or NPC versions of Underlings offline.
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#2
Sounds like a fun theme.
Random thoughts:
I *hate* the name Elric. It's ridiculously overused: Moorcock's Stormbringer series, Fullmetal Alchemist, etc., etc.
Sounds like PvP is the normal order of things on the Demonic side. Is there an alternative on the Angelic side?
Are higher-level players completely segregated from lower-level players by the portals? If so... that would suck if there's a significant difference between your level and your friends'.
01/14/2007 (11:47 pm)
Is there life after the afterlife?Sounds like a fun theme.
Random thoughts:
I *hate* the name Elric. It's ridiculously overused: Moorcock's Stormbringer series, Fullmetal Alchemist, etc., etc.
Sounds like PvP is the normal order of things on the Demonic side. Is there an alternative on the Angelic side?
Are higher-level players completely segregated from lower-level players by the portals? If so... that would suck if there's a significant difference between your level and your friends'.
#3
I was thinking on the Angelic side you just try to get to maximum level (Arch Angel) like in most other MMORPGs. No PvP because it's Heaven and everyone loves each other. It's more PhP (Player helps Player).
You can still go on team missions with your friends and, of course, be their Underling or let them be yours.
01/15/2007 (12:08 am)
For me Elric is medieval equivalent of Joe. I could edit the post and change it to Joe but, seriously, who'd want to storm Joe's castle?I was thinking on the Angelic side you just try to get to maximum level (Arch Angel) like in most other MMORPGs. No PvP because it's Heaven and everyone loves each other. It's more PhP (Player helps Player).
You can still go on team missions with your friends and, of course, be their Underling or let them be yours.
#4
:P
It sounds like an interesting premise and with some medieval over/under tones ;)
As an aside, I wonder how many people will flock to heaven vs hell. That alone would make it worth building! It seems to me that Heaven might end up being pretty empty without something meaty to do... (meaning internal conflicts)
Wasn't there a game a while back called "Afterlife" or something? What was the premise of that?
Shaz, this brings to mind "The Prophecy" series of films and I wonder if elements of that idea could be incorporated to make Angels more interesting...?
Sounds like quite the undertaking but interesting, I think you should continue to develop it.
Cheers!
:)
01/15/2007 (3:54 am)
How 'bout Cedric?:P
It sounds like an interesting premise and with some medieval over/under tones ;)
As an aside, I wonder how many people will flock to heaven vs hell. That alone would make it worth building! It seems to me that Heaven might end up being pretty empty without something meaty to do... (meaning internal conflicts)
Wasn't there a game a while back called "Afterlife" or something? What was the premise of that?
Shaz, this brings to mind "The Prophecy" series of films and I wonder if elements of that idea could be incorporated to make Angels more interesting...?
Sounds like quite the undertaking but interesting, I think you should continue to develop it.
Cheers!
:)
#5
http://www.gamesecke1.de/html/preview__angels_vs__devils_-_s_0.html
01/15/2007 (6:29 am)
Sounds cool, Have you ever seen the angels vs devils FPS ?http://www.gamesecke1.de/html/preview__angels_vs__devils_-_s_0.html
#6
Well, I pictured Heaven as the more safe area. It'll attract more newbs, younger players and people who don't like to have to randomly defend themselves everytime they're online. It's pretty much the safe zone you see in other MMOs where you can trade and chat and emote to your heart's content. Most of the action takes place on Earth. But I welcome any ideas to make the place interesting.
In Hell there really isn't a safe area. You can stay in stronghold held by your Master but are still subject to raids. (Strongholds exist on all levels with portals inside them to keep Demons segregated.) There's a market area where people SHOULD behave but it's Hell. There're no rules. You get with a group of people and watch each other's backs until you see an opportunity to stab those backs instead. If you really "get it" then when someone pulls something incredibly deceitful and manipulative on you resulting huge losses, you should be angry but also you should admire the evilness of the execution and possibly send a "Well done!" message. Well, that could be the last line of a really seething hate mail, but you get the point.
@Jeff - I looked at those screen shots. Cute. Not at all what I have in mind though. And Angels and Demons is just a working title. It could be Heaven and Hell, Divine Might, Faith, Who Is This God Person Anyway, etc.
01/15/2007 (11:29 am)
@James - Cedric? ... Cedric???Well, I pictured Heaven as the more safe area. It'll attract more newbs, younger players and people who don't like to have to randomly defend themselves everytime they're online. It's pretty much the safe zone you see in other MMOs where you can trade and chat and emote to your heart's content. Most of the action takes place on Earth. But I welcome any ideas to make the place interesting.
In Hell there really isn't a safe area. You can stay in stronghold held by your Master but are still subject to raids. (Strongholds exist on all levels with portals inside them to keep Demons segregated.) There's a market area where people SHOULD behave but it's Hell. There're no rules. You get with a group of people and watch each other's backs until you see an opportunity to stab those backs instead. If you really "get it" then when someone pulls something incredibly deceitful and manipulative on you resulting huge losses, you should be angry but also you should admire the evilness of the execution and possibly send a "Well done!" message. Well, that could be the last line of a really seething hate mail, but you get the point.
@Jeff - I looked at those screen shots. Cute. Not at all what I have in mind though. And Angels and Demons is just a working title. It could be Heaven and Hell, Divine Might, Faith, Who Is This God Person Anyway, etc.
#7
01/17/2007 (10:10 am)
I can picture what you're describing :) it sounds fun, I was just letting you know about the other one to avoid conflicts
Torque Owner Shiraz
I think this set up addresses some issues that people have been compaining about:
1) How to handle death. There is none!
2) Players making a difference. You can fight for the rank of top Demon if you want with all the accolaids and treasures that the post brings. You can become a powerful Angel in heaven, respected by all your peers.
3) Asshole players. The portals to lower levels of Hell prevents powerful players from killing weaker ones. (Though if they really hate you, they can send in their Underlings but at least you have a chance against them.)
4) Style of play. You have choice of worlds based on how you like to play in. Ordered and co-operative where you're guided by your Mentor to become a demi-god, or back-biting and brutal where you can dream of becoming strong enough to defeat your own Master.
As for life on Earth, some things will change as the game progresses but how much really becomes different in the world of man? As Demons you look for any chance at chaos. As Angels you seek to protect the weak and smite evil.
So questions? Comments?