Game concept - we need (honest) opinions!!

We're not even going to think about writing a more comprehensive design document until we've drawn up a concept that is deemed fun and worthwhile by the majority.

I've spent the last couple of hours writing this up. T'is a concept for an kinda fun idea I've had for a game called "Fox-Trot".

The concept doc is attached. I've been following a gamasutra article on design documents, layouts, what not to do etc :)

Tell me what you think and I want honest oppinions all round. I won't be disheartened by complete rejection, I'll just be posting more concepts up here in the days to come.

EDIT: Oh and "warning: massive amounts of corn".

Wordpad locks up when I try to view your file, even after downloading it.

Because you have wordpad setup to open .doc files in your file associations.

Control Panel->Folder Options->File Types tab. Scroll down to the DOC extension and change to whatever you want it to be opened with.

I know how to change what program opens files.

I just don't know WHAT program is supposed to open DOC files other than wordpad. Notepad doesn't read it.

doc is an ms word format. Depending on the version used to create the original document, it may not be compatible with earlier versions of ms word. Unless it's specifically saved as an earlier format I don't think wordpad would be able to read it, particularly if the document has fancy formatting and embedded stuff.

If you don't own ms word, then you could always try openoffice.

I was just going to say what Ken Fitlike said...

I wonder how ahluka managed to make a DOC file with 3 pages in 79.5KB-s?
Usually it comes from 19-30KB-s...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maxorator

I wonder how ahluka managed to make a DOC file with 3 pages in 79.5KB-s?
Usually it comes from 19-30KB-s...

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Encoding, perhaps?

It was created with OpenOffice and exported to MSOffice XP's .doc version.

Could you have chosen a less portable document format?
Or a more exploitable one?

> I just don't know WHAT program is supposed to open DOC files other than wordpad. Notepad doesn't read it.

You don't?... Have you been living under a rock all these years? Heck, it's like not knowing what Coca-Cola is.

Anyways, wordpad reads the file fine. So, i'm not sure what is the problem.

Sorry about all this document format crap.
I'll make it a text document now and upload it in a sec.

EDIT: There. Oh and you'll have to excuse the tragically poor grammar in the document. Well it is very very preliminary so I guess I kinda get away with it.

If everyone(-ish) thinks it's worth pursuing then I'll rewrite the concept, fill in it's many holes and make a start on the design document proper.

I think the story line needs help.
It's good,
But it won't keep the player interested like you want.

What was the link for?

Anyways,

I'm not sure ahluka. You describe a story and a setting. But there is little in the way of a game concept other than a pale description of a platform/shooter and a very generic list of some of the features. I didn't go to gamasutra to check on what they describe as Game Concept. Regardless, your Key Features section is what better describes your game. It's a shame you just use a listing.

So I have little knowledge of what kind of game you plan to create. What king of platform? Scrolling, non-scrolling? Vertical and horizontal? How is the character going to progress? By character levels? Increasingly better equipment? How are enemies controlled? Through AI or paths like with Mario type of games? Will there be a score? Best Scores? Time limits for each level? Do levels have one exit? More than one? How does one exit a level? Killing everyone, through an obstale course as with scrollers? can one save the game at any time? Through checkpoints?... blablabla :)

Okies.
I think tomorrow I should bring my (very small) team together to talk about it, instead of writing something like that up on my own in an afternoon. Only problem is getting us all online at once. It's not a time zone problem (which is why I hate working over the 'net with people not in the same country) the other two are just, well, usually in bed until like 13:00 then out doing stuff all day. They're my age. Makes me think I'm rather sad. :(

We'll keep the same concept (I hope) but create a better concept doc. Much better. I think we'll answer all those questions, Mario.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ahluka

T'is a concept for an kinda fun idea I've had for a game called "Fox-Trot".

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Your game is about a comic?


Quzah.

Game concept seems a bit weak and story line is not strong enough for the player to 'buy' into the concept.

And the main character is a farmer? Very odd. Why does he care about some princess and what is the plane all about?

It seems like a long list of disconnected unrelated events that were thrown together to try to make a story.

I would re-design it a bit and use a more believable and relevant plot. If your player's don't buy into it, then you've lost them.

>> Your game is about a comic?

God darn it.

>> It seems like a long list of disconnected unrelated events that were thrown together to try to make a story.

Well that's 'cause it is.
As soon as I drag the other two out of bed, we're going to get to work. In bed at 11:13am?!? I've been up since bloody 7:25!
Slackers. You can't get the staff these days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bubba

I would recruit an english major to help re-design it a bit and use a more believable and relevant plot. If your player's don't buy into it, then you've lost them.

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fixed.

I could be an English major if I wanted to. Just got to loose some weight and get fit before they let me in. No place for 18-stoners in the Queens Army. Is there?



</zomg_really_bad_joke>

I think your general idea is good.

Are you going to use OpenGL or directX? If you are making it muti-player, perhaps a little interface in Java might come in handy. You are in th first steps, and I think mario's comments were a little harsh, but he was only making his point I guess. Good luck in your pursuit, I look forward to seeing the finished code.

> And the main character is a farmer? Very odd. Why does he care about some princess and what is the plane all about?

In Legend Of Zelda you start as a child.

The game sold millions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bubba

And the main character is a farmer? Very odd. Why does he care about some princess

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Duh, this is a fantasy game. What do you think he wants a princess for? ;)


Quzah.

Theres not much detail for me to give an opinion.
How is the game going to play like? sort of like Golden Axe/Double Dragon type of platformers? what you consider fast paced? 20 levels of doing what exactly - fight enemies/monsters? in which case what monsters? how is the fighting going to be handled? do you get points for beating monsters etc?
See where Im getting at? Most of what you wrote down seems like a description of a level or two. Did you work out technical aspects of the game other than the story line? Again, the more detail the better.
If you did just want us to comment the game's story let me know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by quzah

What do you think he wants a princess for?

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I wouldn't like to say... :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by quzah

What do you think he wants a princess for?

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Ohh, I have no idea whatsoever

...

do you? :D

I do. Question is if I can play too

Ahh.

Someone knows.