Stick Figure FPS. Just hear me out... :)
by Josh Albrecht · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 06/09/2002 (3:47 pm) · 36 replies
Seriously, this could be the perfect torque game. It takes NO artistic skill at all, and could be completed by one guy in a matter of months.
The basic premise is this. You play a stick figure who joins the stick figure rebellion (SFR). The goal of teh SFR is to free all stick people from their slavery. They dont want stick people being used on street signs, or hung in games of hangman, etc.
So, there is a short single player aspect of the game, where you play along with the story. The basic gameplay would be quite innovative. Lead would server as both health and ammo (its what makes up stick figures and any weapons they might have). Ink could be used as armor and rarer ammo. This would force people to balance offense and defense, and the fights would center around the pools/stashes of ink and lead.
Some examples of weapons would be the ever-deadly eraser, the inkblot, the standard drawn in bullets, the deadly line (railgun), and some kind of explosive weapon, like a rocket launcher. Each would use a different amount of ammo per shot, and have different uses. For example, the standard bullets would rarely hit the enemy, since it is hard to hit a line (they have very thin limbs). The gun would have a high firing rate to make up for the lack of area affect damage. There could even be a mr. smiley gun, that makes the opponent's head become a smiley face, and grow larger (easier to hit).
You could also have special abilities, like drawing in a an anvil over an enemy and having it crush him, or drawing decoys of yourself, all activities which consume lead and ink.
What do you guys think? There is some serious potential for humor here, and the gameplay, if done correctly, could be quite fun. :)
The basic premise is this. You play a stick figure who joins the stick figure rebellion (SFR). The goal of teh SFR is to free all stick people from their slavery. They dont want stick people being used on street signs, or hung in games of hangman, etc.
So, there is a short single player aspect of the game, where you play along with the story. The basic gameplay would be quite innovative. Lead would server as both health and ammo (its what makes up stick figures and any weapons they might have). Ink could be used as armor and rarer ammo. This would force people to balance offense and defense, and the fights would center around the pools/stashes of ink and lead.
Some examples of weapons would be the ever-deadly eraser, the inkblot, the standard drawn in bullets, the deadly line (railgun), and some kind of explosive weapon, like a rocket launcher. Each would use a different amount of ammo per shot, and have different uses. For example, the standard bullets would rarely hit the enemy, since it is hard to hit a line (they have very thin limbs). The gun would have a high firing rate to make up for the lack of area affect damage. There could even be a mr. smiley gun, that makes the opponent's head become a smiley face, and grow larger (easier to hit).
You could also have special abilities, like drawing in a an anvil over an enemy and having it crush him, or drawing decoys of yourself, all activities which consume lead and ink.
What do you guys think? There is some serious potential for humor here, and the gameplay, if done correctly, could be quite fun. :)
#2
06/09/2002 (4:58 pm)
You could have whiteout grenades as well for those inky enemies... :)
#3
and you could use this rendering technique to display the world
http://www.red3d.com/cwr/npr/
Other weapons could be a grenade which creates a sort of black hole which sucks everyone in.
Anyone interested in making a small project based on this idea ?
06/09/2002 (6:42 pm)
Its a cool ideaand you could use this rendering technique to display the world
http://www.red3d.com/cwr/npr/
Other weapons could be a grenade which creates a sort of black hole which sucks everyone in.
Anyone interested in making a small project based on this idea ?
#4
Anyhow, I'm totally up for it...let's make this game. It should be simple enough to create in a few months with a small team. Most of my skills lie in the design arena, so I'd want to contribute something along those lines (i.e. game design and/or level design). We should start up a simple web page about the game as well as a dedicated forum somewhere. I'll throw out my contact info so people who are interested such as the above posters can get in touch and we can build a team.
Email: a2293@together.net
ICQ: 158016459
AIM: Talasis
I hope to hear from some people soon!
-Kenn
06/09/2002 (8:08 pm)
This sounds like a great project! I've always been a fan of Stick Figure Death Theatre, and this is a lot like something you might see there. In fact someone made a Virtua Cop style shooter with Flash. It's called Xiao Xiao 6 I think...or maybe it's Xiao Xiao 9...ah well I can't remember.Anyhow, I'm totally up for it...let's make this game. It should be simple enough to create in a few months with a small team. Most of my skills lie in the design arena, so I'd want to contribute something along those lines (i.e. game design and/or level design). We should start up a simple web page about the game as well as a dedicated forum somewhere. I'll throw out my contact info so people who are interested such as the above posters can get in touch and we can build a team.
Email: a2293@together.net
ICQ: 158016459
AIM: Talasis
I hope to hear from some people soon!
-Kenn
#5
as far as the game... I could prolly be drawn into helping (eww... bad pun!).
Eric
06/10/2002 (4:49 am)
Heheh, Josh... looks like our chat session, which started out in fun then kind of turned semi-serious, is a success ;) Don't forget about saving all those poor helpless stickmen in hangman and on pedestrian crossing signs! [edit: oops! he DID mention those. :) /edit]as far as the game... I could prolly be drawn into helping (eww... bad pun!).
Eric
#6
06/10/2002 (10:20 am)
Glad I read your message Josh. At first I didn't know if a stick figure game would go anywhere, considering people usually want the BBD (bigger & better deal.) It sounds pretty funny though. The idea about white out grenades is hilarious. I've never made a Torque game before, to be honest. I'd like this to be my first project. My whole life I've been doing art stuff, and I got good ideas. Let me know if I can do anything to help. Maybe one of you could teach me alittle, even if I don't do much. I want to get my feet wet! Maybe I can make the maps. Email me at gunrock15@hotmail.com
#7
Wow, I cant believe people are actually so inspired that they are willing to work on it... :)
I would be willing to provide a little code and some models (those should take about 5 seconds.. :) Heh, we wont even need skins. :)
my contact info: raistlin@rochester.rr.com
ICQ 85906385
I have AIM too, but that is only intended for close personal RL friends (it is my full name)
Log onto the GG IRC channel and I will probalby be there (nick: raistlin)
If anyone else is interested, just contact us (post here too so the thread doesnt die. :)
06/10/2002 (1:00 pm)
Hahaha! Wow, I cant believe people are actually so inspired that they are willing to work on it... :)
I would be willing to provide a little code and some models (those should take about 5 seconds.. :) Heh, we wont even need skins. :)
my contact info: raistlin@rochester.rr.com
ICQ 85906385
I have AIM too, but that is only intended for close personal RL friends (it is my full name)
Log onto the GG IRC channel and I will probalby be there (nick: raistlin)
If anyone else is interested, just contact us (post here too so the thread doesnt die. :)
#8
good to see this project going ahead.
I myself would love to help whereever i can (cant offer a huge amount of time though)
I have alot of ideas as well as can offer a little bit of coding. (though im a beginner) :/
Still could be a fun diversion to make.
You could make the world textured completely in white with buildings as wireframes. Heck even ure guns can be simple black blocks to sort of resemble there real world counterparts :)
and for bullet wounds u get little white specs appearing :)
Fast paced stickman death action OO BABY BRING IT ON
06/10/2002 (6:26 pm)
Hey guysgood to see this project going ahead.
I myself would love to help whereever i can (cant offer a huge amount of time though)
I have alot of ideas as well as can offer a little bit of coding. (though im a beginner) :/
Still could be a fun diversion to make.
You could make the world textured completely in white with buildings as wireframes. Heck even ure guns can be simple black blocks to sort of resemble there real world counterparts :)
and for bullet wounds u get little white specs appearing :)
Fast paced stickman death action OO BABY BRING IT ON
#9
06/10/2002 (6:41 pm)
Hmmm, interesting thought. What do you think people's reactions would be if the whole game were predominantly black and white? I think it could be kind of interesting. And alot easier to make. :)
#10
Besides making things easier it fits well into the stickman theme
buildings e.t.c only have to be completely white with the black outlines and perhaps a lightly grey floor so its a bit easier to traverse inside.
Outdoors the entire terrain can be white with perhaps the odd inkblot (something similar to the quick test world torque comes with)
water can be a light shade of black.
heck even the sun could be well shaded and you do do the usual whiteout whilst looking at it e.t.c.
Enemies would need to have afew distinguishing features to set em apart.
If its single player u could add some interesting puzzles such as using an eraser to get passed a certain wall or as was mentioned in the original post drawing in anvils and whatnot (such as standing on the end of a plank and drawing an anvil on the other end to luanch you ) :)
06/10/2002 (6:55 pm)
I think black and white is the only way to go.Besides making things easier it fits well into the stickman theme
buildings e.t.c only have to be completely white with the black outlines and perhaps a lightly grey floor so its a bit easier to traverse inside.
Outdoors the entire terrain can be white with perhaps the odd inkblot (something similar to the quick test world torque comes with)
water can be a light shade of black.
heck even the sun could be well shaded and you do do the usual whiteout whilst looking at it e.t.c.
Enemies would need to have afew distinguishing features to set em apart.
If its single player u could add some interesting puzzles such as using an eraser to get passed a certain wall or as was mentioned in the original post drawing in anvils and whatnot (such as standing on the end of a plank and drawing an anvil on the other end to luanch you ) :)
#11
We can always add-on. :)
It would also be neat to have certain things be in color... such as the smiley face or some of the weapon f/x.
06/10/2002 (9:12 pm)
I would suggest just making a single mission multiplayer, like "Capture the Flag". Keep it simple and then see what happens in beta.We can always add-on. :)
It would also be neat to have certain things be in color... such as the smiley face or some of the weapon f/x.
#12
By the way, I've written down all the contact info of the people who have said they're interested. If there are no objections, I'll make a simple web page for the project. If someone else has good web design skills let me know because mine are limited to basic HTML.
We should also try schedule a time where we can all sit down and chat about the project...ya know...throw some ideas around like we've been doing talk more about who wants to do what, etc. (it sounds like we have all the basic skills we'll need to go ahead with things...design, art, programming). Then we can start a design doc to keep things as organized as possible.
-Kenn
06/10/2002 (9:23 pm)
We could make it so the the protagonist can learn how to draw new things by finding "How to Draw" books during his adventure. As far as the black and white goes, it should be cool...I think it was Turok 2 that had a line art cheat. My guess is our world will look similar to that, except simpler.By the way, I've written down all the contact info of the people who have said they're interested. If there are no objections, I'll make a simple web page for the project. If someone else has good web design skills let me know because mine are limited to basic HTML.
We should also try schedule a time where we can all sit down and chat about the project...ya know...throw some ideas around like we've been doing talk more about who wants to do what, etc. (it sounds like we have all the basic skills we'll need to go ahead with things...design, art, programming). Then we can start a design doc to keep things as organized as possible.
-Kenn
#13
Anyhow the site URL is
http://home.warfactory.com/stickfigure/
-Kenn
06/11/2002 (12:04 am)
I went ahead and made a quick web site for the game. I'll add to it as I get things to add. I'm open to suggestions for content / changes so feel free to post here or email me. Also, if anyone can and is willing to make a better page, email me and I'll give you the password to the current site. If any of the artists can make better graphics that'd be cool too.Anyhow the site URL is
http://home.warfactory.com/stickfigure/
-Kenn
#14
And some 3d art here http://www.geocities.com/gunrock15/qs.html
06/11/2002 (7:37 am)
Ok sounds good. I have experience in the web design field. If you want to see some things I've done goto http://www.dwdclan.net/dwdindex.html . We'll be in contact.And some 3d art here http://www.geocities.com/gunrock15/qs.html
#15
Not to rain on anyones parade...but I think that something like this has been done. I will have to
go searching but i cant recall any name to search on.
I think i may have seen it in Wired magazine.
The game was certainly black and white-ish. The figures
were not exactly stick figures but they were like
'paper napkin sketches'. And they were simplistic
and there was a humorour bent to it.
However...since i dont think it was stick-figures per-se,
I dont think its a show stopper. However it might be
worth it to see If i can track it down so you all can
avoid ending up with a game too close to this other one.
I think this game was entered into the IGF but I
could be wrong.
06/11/2002 (8:10 am)
I like the sounds of this.Not to rain on anyones parade...but I think that something like this has been done. I will have to
go searching but i cant recall any name to search on.
I think i may have seen it in Wired magazine.
The game was certainly black and white-ish. The figures
were not exactly stick figures but they were like
'paper napkin sketches'. And they were simplistic
and there was a humorour bent to it.
However...since i dont think it was stick-figures per-se,
I dont think its a show stopper. However it might be
worth it to see If i can track it down so you all can
avoid ending up with a game too close to this other one.
I think this game was entered into the IGF but I
could be wrong.
#16
Was called 'pencil sketch'. I did see it in wired
magazine. Here is a link to online version of article
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.04/streetcred.html?pg=7
06/11/2002 (8:15 am)
OK I found it.Was called 'pencil sketch'. I did see it in wired
magazine. Here is a link to online version of article
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.04/streetcred.html?pg=7
#17
Frankly I think our game would look a bit different then that. More like the guys on http://www.stickdeath.com . I don't think this game would be a seller. I do think it would be a cool addition to garage games selection. The project alone will teach me alot, since I'm new.
06/11/2002 (8:56 am)
Thanks for the news. The screenshots from that game are here : http://www.maxminn.com/chiselhead/pw.html . Frankly I think our game would look a bit different then that. More like the guys on http://www.stickdeath.com . I don't think this game would be a seller. I do think it would be a cool addition to garage games selection. The project alone will teach me alot, since I'm new.
#18
***
Some random thoughts:
Not sure if the water should look like an inkpool, or simple waves. It's a suggestion, though.
Also, the makers of Max Payne have some great stick-figure movies based on the game. :)
06/11/2002 (9:00 am)
Interesting looking game, though it is prolly more complex than even what we have in mind. :) ***
Some random thoughts:
Not sure if the water should look like an inkpool, or simple waves. It's a suggestion, though.
Also, the makers of Max Payne have some great stick-figure movies based on the game. :)
#19
-Kenn
06/11/2002 (9:52 am)
I've sent the account info for the web site to GUNROCK. The web development is all his now so we should end up with a good looking web site! Also, I checked out that Pencil Whipped game...it looks cool. We'll have to be careful not to make a clone, though I'm sure it won't be a big problem.-Kenn
#20
Also you guys should start thinking of a name. Stick Figure FPS will be the code name, ya? hehe
06/11/2002 (10:37 am)
Ok I'll contact you in irc. I don't have it but I'll get it. I'm not a web designer, but a flash designer. I can make the site too I'm sure. We'll just have to talk about what kinda of look it's going to have.Also you guys should start thinking of a name. Stick Figure FPS will be the code name, ya? hehe
Associate James Urquhart
However, i was thinking about weapons..
You could have rubbers, ONLY if the stickmen were drawn in pencil,
And if the stickmen are drawn in ink, ink removers.
So you could effectively Rub off Armour, Parts of other players,etc, until they no longer exist(aka they are dead)
You could also have a co-operative side to it... Like players drawing on other players(To give them armour, etc),
Or everyone drawing a ladder to climb over a wall.