Sometimes I just simply want to get on and make something, I forget that I have to plan things very carefully to see if it would work.

Saying that, I will review the game idea and see if I can create something different and unique that hasn’t yet been done… Easier said than done, I know…

But thanks again for keeping me thinking…

when I said come up with a couple more ideas, I meant it, just run through a quick list of other ideas- you needn’t flesh them out too vividly, but just get a feel of a few more options.

Now onto this idea, as someone who is impartial to your assessment let me just say please for the love of everything interactive don’t stick with this idea. It’s one of those cliches that everyone hopes has died back in 1996. My favourite point of reference for ‘interactive films’ is Dennis Hopper in an interactive movie called simply HELL, which to me speaks volumes – and that was available on the 3DO in 1994, it was just epic fail all round, even Grace Jones was in it I think as one of the devil 3d characters, google it!

But in all seriousness – don’t take offence here Matt, I’m just entirely confident that you can make a much better project, and trust me, the entire team would like nothing better than to never see another interactive narrative in our lives, well except maybe, well, you know.

I’m mostly encouraging this multiple idea generation as I liked your first idea a lot but I feel like if you come up with several, there’s a possibility they could mash into one another, so with your first idea for example, its good but I feel like it needs something fresh to break it out of simply being an RTS / Trading game – if I asked you what makes your game different, what would you say?

I will have to look into the interactive element to this idea a little more to provide those fun controls as you mention.

I appreciate the feedback as it helps me see things from other people’s viewpoint. These ideas so far are barely developed. They are merely a footpool in which I can test the water before I dive in the deep end of the big project.

Thanks again Tom!

First of all, I do think it’s a nice idea – non-linear interactive narratives can be very compelling & exciting, but they can also be, for the most-part…pretty bad – and if you really wanna make it work well, it’s going to take time & great planning (as you’ve already stated!)

My only real issue though is the way in which this is experienced. Interactive narratives are a great idea, but in my experience I’ve ‘played’ each one for about 5 minutes, and then quickly got bored, I don’t think it’s necessarily the storyline – it’s more, ‘do I want to be sat infront of my computer clicking through videos without a GREAT deal of control?’, I could be playing your Mining game whereby I control every outcome!

For that reason (lack of fun controls) I think if you went with this idea, you’d have to explore lots of different ways the user can interact. I’m assuming this would be experienced in a web browser, if so, you could make use of the keyboard, (commands) mouse movements, (maybe having to guide the mouse pointer between lines without touching the edges otherwise an alarm goes off etc.) and having more freedom and choice of paths to take. If it’s not in a web browser, perhaps a mobile app for the Android/iPhone platform? And the challenges like the lock picking can be done with various finger gestures, using the accelerometer etc.

Also Audience, if you want some kinda bloody action killing spree frenzy coolness, then I guess it would be aimed like.. 16+ – so the challenges you would come across would have to step-up in difficulty.

Knowing what makes a good story would also be key to this project, there’s lots to think about, but if you can get a nice balance of interactivity with a decent background storyline, it can work well; just my opinion

Hope at least some of that made sense! Good luck

Being an initial concept idea on whether it would be a good direction, there are still lots of things that need to be fleshed out.

I will have to come up with other ideas like you say, but if that is well within realm of possibility then I will not dismiss it.

Thanks again, your time is much appreciated.

- What is the replayability factor? if a player finds a winning strategy, will the game become dull if they could just stick to it? this comes back to Tom’s point about mixing it up a bit by challenging them further.

- Will a lot of time be spent trading and using GUIs or is a lot of the gameplay point and click based – like settlers, setting up organisation of the workflow visually, how will you maintain interest?

- if the game is as it sounds – a desktop based standalone game – rather than web based – what kind of market is it for? who would play it – whether you like it or not, you need to know your audience.

- if I’m wrong and the game is web based, can you tie it in with facebook via portals such as DimeRocker and monetize it / gather an audience that way?

Just a few things to think on there. However, If I were you I would, for the sake of having done so – come up with at least two more ideas before you sell yourself on this one, just to make sure there’s no other ideas you might like more knocking about in your brain.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

Cheers

Will

If you can really pull of the sheer balance required in strategy games – it’s a sure thing, really. There are lots of elements for the player to turn his/her attention to that you mention.

If it was something you were really going to go along with, I’d invest time in the multiplayer options you mention as well – playing with and against others is just standard/almost expected now in gaming!

As for the core idea, I like it – I’m a fan of Transport Tycoon and similar games (Rollercoaster Tycoon of course) so I think it’s cool!

Plus it is a game that suits the PC setup (point & click through any other system – nightmare of course). You also have a nice, simple aim, but a number of different paths to reach that aim, which is necessary

Think of another way or 2 and how you might jeopardize players’ chances without changing the speed of the game too much (you mention natural disasters, bit like Sim City).

Good stuff!

Thumbs up, and keep it going!

Cheers
Christian,