M Shield

Choosing a Major Project Idea

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 Posted in BAIMP, Uni Life, University

Hey all!

Yup I am back again… It has been a while since I last put something on here, but that is because I have a job now… A miracle I know, however it only lasts the summer. It would be nice however to continue throughout next year with a day here and there to help with University funding…

Anyway enough about that, the real reason I am writing this post is that I am wanting to type out an initial idea I have for my major project for my third and final year at uni. So below I have typed out all the ideas that I have jotted down on paper. I will then be going around and asking people for their opinion on whether it would be a good route to go down. If I get a large amount of positive feedback, then I shall develop this idea further… If not, then I shall continue on and hunt for another idea to present to the masses.

So without much further ado, below is my idea, let me know what you think in the comments/on twitter/etc

Unity 3D Game

Title Ideas:

• - Mine Millions
• - Million Miner
• - Power Miner

Inspiration Sources:

• - Mine a Million Board Game
  (aka The Business Game)
  Owned by Waddingtons
• - Transport Tycoon
  Owned by Chris Sawyer + MicroProse

Idea:

To create a 3D business simulation game based loosely on Mine a Million and Transport Tycoon. A player will start with a single mine and they have to transport ore to a number of locations, using vehicles and boats, which is then sold to make money. As the game progresses, more transport options will be available, and more locations in which to sell ore. The game will continuously change and provide challenges which the player has to overcome.

Aim:

To make £1 million in the quickest time

Possible Features to Include:

• - Can sell the ore at the mine cheaply as a means of quick money (useful for when people have little money to pay for transport)
• - Start off with one location to sell at, and others will become available over time
• - Ore Prices will rise and fall over time at each location (requires strategic skills)
• - The amount of ore produced at mine fluctuates over time
• - Player starts off with access to one vehicle (truck) and more will become available to buy over time (trains/barges/container ships)
• - Upgrades to vehicles can be purchased (increase speed/capacity/efficiency)
• - Transports and locations can be subject to events that change value and outcomes (fire/flood/breakdowns/stolen goods etc) – adds an element of chance
• - Other method of increasing mine production can be awarded/purchased (second mine head/more workers etc)

Other Possibilities

• - Make the game multiplayer capable, so people can race to make the money first
• - Feature cut-scenes and live video which highlights certain events
• - The game can be connected to a website and server, to allow score submission and assets storage
• - Create an online shop which allows people to purchase addons/extras

So there you have it. Its just one idea (the only one at the moment) I have for my major project next year. As I have said, I would love to know what you think. Whether its simply saying you would or wouldn’t play a game like this or you write an essay providing lots of other cool ideas and possibilities to add, I don’t mind.

The game would be made using the Unity 3D engine, so I have a number of formats I could produce this on. Would you like it as a downloadable program for win and mac, a web based game (like those flash games on various websites) or even possibly an iPhone game. Let me know what platform you would prefer.

Thanks all! I look forward to your comments

Tags: BAIMP, ideas, IMP, major project, million, mine, unity 3d, University, year 3

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