[Your] Crazy Zany Video Game Ideas Here

Renault on 15/7/2009 at 22:28

Back to the topic at hand, if I may...

Here's what I want - a huge sandbox first person game, in a space setting where the “world” is actually a galaxy and the player has access to dozens of planets (as opposed to just different areas of a city). A Blade Runner/Firefly type setting would be ideal, most civilizations are rough and raw, with minimal authority.

You play a scavenger/pirate/mercenary Han Solo type who takes jobs from various crimelords or leaders of certain factions, either smuggling goods, stealing info, assassinating scumbags, delivering/dealing arms, destroying bases, rescuing hostages, escorting passengers, etc. You can also do some freelance "treasure hunting" if you choose. This is not a true RPG with hitpoints or any skill point system, but you would be able to upgrade your equipment and modify your ship so you could reach new locations further out in the galaxy. Actual space combat would be minimal, the game would be more centered on the different worlds you visit rather than the distances between them. There may be some outrunning of the “Government” as they try to crackdown on pirates, or maybe trying to break through a blockade if a planet is on lockdown.

Mostly, you perform missions, odd jobs and errands - gaining cash, with the reward being access to more areas and more complex things to do. There are also at least two or three central plots that you can engage in, but they are not required (similar to the Guild quests in Oblivion). You are always on your own time and agenda, and can do what you want whenever you want to, you have no destiny and are not “the chosen one.” But it would be cool if the actions you performed did in fact visibly affect the “world” around you, be it from opposing factions gaining control of certain areas of the galaxy, or gaining friends and allies who are suddenly available to give you new jobs.

You “finish” the game by attaining a certain amount of credits and retiring. This will of course require the completion of several endgame type missions with huge payoffs. Some type of ultimate heist or major score.

So, basically part Kotor, Freelancer, Thief, Stalker, Oblivion, Red Faction Guerrilla, and Hitman. Not too much to ask.

Dresden on 15/7/2009 at 22:29

I really want a true, realistic survival game. As in hunting game, gathering supplies, building things, defending against hostile wild animals.

It starts in Summer, you have nothing. No clothes but a loincloth, no shelter, nothing. Making things is like the old adventure games. Pick up a rock, sharpen it. Pick up a long stick. Use sharpened rock with long stick = spear. You could also make traps with the physics engine (think Garry's Mod - ropes, tripwire, pulleys, giant swinging logs, pits, etc). Slowly it gets harder as you get to Winter, the hardest season. If you survive that, you start a new year that is a little bit harder (less small game, more big game/monsters, etc). All of the wilderness is procedurally generated.

Kuuso on 15/7/2009 at 22:35

Mowing the lawn, I had an awesome idea:

Bartending game for Wii. Just think about it. It could be managering/bartending game, where you create and manage your bar with gameplay being mostly bartending with (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flair_bartending) flairing giving bonuses (enough tricks fill up a meter that gives something for example). There could be flair-competitions once in a while too.

Could work!

demagogue on 15/7/2009 at 23:34

Quote Posted by Brethren

Here's what I want - a huge sandbox first person game, in a space setting where the “world” is actually a galaxy and the player has access to dozens of planets (as opposed to just different areas of a city). A Blade Runner/Firefly type setting would be ideal, most civilizations are rough and raw, with minimal authority.
[...]
You “finish” the game by attaining a certain amount of credits and retiring. This will of course require the completion of several endgame type missions with huge payoffs. Some type of ultimate heist or major score.

This is actually very close to one of the first ideas I posted here for a Hardwar-inspired game.
(http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1847244#post1847244)

Hardwar itself does a great pirate/mercenary mechanic set on a "wild west" planet, taking jobs, getting better ships, you can follow a story (with the jobs you take) or just play it open sandbox and become a legend trader or pirate.

And exactly what I wanted to add was the ability 1. to fly your ship to other planets and 2. FPS, so you can get out of your ship, walk around, interact, fight... I also had inspiration from Firefly, but also the section of Heinlein's novel Time Enough for Love when the protag. homesteads on a wild planet.

Renault on 16/7/2009 at 05:16

Quote Posted by Kuuso

Mowing the lawn, I had an awesome idea:

Actually, if you stop right there, you might be on to something.

Tonamel on 16/7/2009 at 05:34

(http://www.kongregate.com/games/HotAirRaccoon/get-off-my-lawn) Like this?

Thirith on 16/7/2009 at 08:41

It's not all that crazy/zany, but it'd be so cool if someone gave the makers of Planescape Torment the funds to do an RPG set in China Miéville's New Crobuzon. The story should be a new one, but it could occur around the same time as Perdido Street Station, for instance. It would be a great world to explore.

However, it's essential to note that the funding would include a rigorous QA process, and the game wouldn't come out too soon.

nicked on 16/7/2009 at 12:23

Quote Posted by Brethren

Back to the topic at hand, if I may…

Here's what I want - a huge sandbox first person game, in a space setting where the “world” is actually a galaxy and the player has access to dozens of planets (as opposed to just different areas of a city).

See, I think this idea would also make a fantastic MMO. My ideal MMO is halfway between World of Warcraft and EVE Online.

Renault on 16/7/2009 at 13:54

Quote Posted by nicked

See, I think this idea would also make a fantastic MMO. My ideal MMO is halfway between World of Warcraft and EVE Online.

I'm only interested in single player, but it sounds like Star Wars Galaxies would fit the bill for this type of game in MMO form. Only played it for like 10 minutes once, so I have no idea if it is (was?) any good or not.

Edit: And also of course, the upcoming SW: The Old Republic.

nicked on 16/7/2009 at 16:34

Yeah, but then it all has to be star wars. I think the best thing MMO developers can do is stay away from licences because it seriously limits creative freedom, which is essential in such mutable games as MMOs.