Monday, September 5, 2011

Project RTS

My team is going to focus on recreating a real-time strategy game for a mobile device, most likely a smart phone, which in many ways forces us to rethink the traditional real-time strategy style to uncover more simplified possibilities. Here is a place to organize basic thoughts on concepts, struggles that need-be overcome, comparisons to other games of reference, and more.

Concepts
  • Two opposing, maybe stereotypical forces as factions
    • Humans versus aliens
    • Cats versus dogs or other animal groups
    • Highschool stereotypes (e.g. jocks, emo kids, band students)
    • Cafeteria food fight between students or kids versus adults
  • Controlling all units versus having a single "hero" character and auto-attacking others
  • Side-scrolling handheld game with very simplistic controls
  • Quick-paced two-player game that's playable in only a few minutes
  • Skill-point, research, or funding systems for upgrades - requires cost-benefit analysis
  • Randomly-generated objectives to provide resources and increase spontaneity
  • Each team has a base, the destruction of which causes the player to lose the game

Concerns
  • Limited speed and processing due to the mobile gaming unit
    • Overcome the issue of giving the player gameplay options with limited resources
  • Smaller screen space requires a simple interface and easy controls
    • Usually computer-played RTS games are able to utilize keyboards and mice
  • Minimal time frame to develop, start to finish, a working product
    • Real-time strategy games are usually rather detailed and extensive
  • Needs designing: Units, theme, backgrounds, game rules, options
  • Team needs to create something innovative and unique to pique interest
  • Mechanics need to allow skill-based success without overcomplexity
    • Additionally, "broken games" should be avoided or it won't be fun
  • Difficulty of programming a computer AI player is high
    • Options - Limit the gamer to only playing with a second player present, or...
    •  Provide an AI opponent, but require heavy programming to avoid the computer from responding in predictable patterns

Research
  • "A strategy video game is a video game genre that emphasizes skillful thinking and planning to achieve victory. They emphasize strategic, tactical and sometimes logistical challenges"
    • "Real-time strategy (RTS) is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns" (Wikipedia)
  • To be updated...
  • Essentially, I have a ton that needs to be digitally compiled.

Media References
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