As some people already know, I'm working on a semi-RP Harry Potter game. The only problem is I'm running out of ideas. What feature would you want in a Harry Potter game that hasn't been done yet?
I already have:
- "Experimental" Alchemy system
- Deeper Quests
- No tedious book reading to level.
- Spells are enabled by DblClick instead of by verbs
- Muggle World
- Backstory
ID:1233577
 Apr 11 2013, 11:49 am
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It can never be said enough. I for one, am tired of hearing about "doing things the BYOND way." We need to change the "BYOND" way.
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Ter13 wrote:
It can never be said enough. I for one, am tired of hearing about "doing things the BYOND way." We need to change the "BYOND" way. First of all, I would like to applaud you for being likely the most intelligent person on the forums. My game is (being) made with the specific intent of revolutionizing the "BYOND" way. Especially for the fan games. The only problem is that the original games that don't use BYOND's interface are usually ignored because the designers either make really horrible interfaces, or don't give a good tutorial. I really can't stand the people I always see on the forums complaining about people not making good, original games, but they have yet to work on their own "revolutionary" game. | |
I strongly dislike the phrase "if you could do better, why haven't you?".
I demonstrate better approaches to problems presented on this forum daily. I aid dozens of people in getting their ideas off the ground. I'm not the most knowlegable programmer, or smartest person here, but I'm one of the more experienced people here. It's easy to talk about your plans for a game. It's hard to come up with a concept that merits following through, and harder still to do so. Right now, I'm caught between three projects. Working with carnage on his project, working with Ashe on his, and putting together tutorials and libraries for the benefit of others. Before we play the superiority game, let's not forget that the burning of bridges really should be done with caution. That said, it's interesting to see the phrase "revolutionize BYOND" so very often. Perhaps you have the wrong ambition if that's what you are up to. Instead, i'd advise trying to implement features and mechanics that you see in professional games, because you'll find that a polished generic game is always going to have more appleal than a game that is different for the sake of being different. That means you should utterly avoid verb panels, and handle interaction by a minimalist keyboard interface, as well as try for a slick, clean, unintrusive interface design. Don't worry about what BYOND gamers think, because if you concern yourself with their needs, you'll actually find yourself without an audience aside from within BYOND. Honestly, though, the advice of avoiding the HP franchise is probably pretty good. The HP world and mythos doesn't really lend itself to enjoyable game mechanics, largely due to the fact that there isn't actually that much adventure you can excuse within the parameters of a hogwarts setting. Harry potter's universe did little but progress a narrative and build characters. I think you'll find it easier to implement solid game mechanics in a universe of your own design. | |
I have thought about dropping the HP concept like you said. I would like to, but I am emotionally attached to the concept. I have always dreamed about creating something like my project since I was 8(that's 7 years), but to be honest: My original plan wasn't even a GAME. My plan was to create a Harry Potter themed avatar chat with a few fun features. It would basically be club penguin with the Wizarding World. But, you're right.
The Harry Potter lore, as interesting as it would be as a linear action game, will never conpletely succeed as an open world RPG unless it was expanded into something that almost isn't Harry Potter. Therefore, I am officially dropping the HP concept and will shorty be converting my game into just an original wizarding game with my own story. Another reason my game won't succeed is because of the average HP fans on BYOND. They don't want something new, they want a boring ass TWC style game where you bore yourself to death macroing the "read" command for 2 hours. This wouldn't be a problem I it wasn't them or noone, which it almost is. The other people who want an HP MORPG aant really boring ideas which would not suit an entertaining game. | |
An original universe and storyline that isn't related to Harry Potter would be best. Best for them, best for you or best for Byond? | |
People tend to have more success with creating something they enjoy and are enthusiastic about. If he's more enthusiastic about creating a game based on the Harry Potter franchise, then he's more likely to stick with it and succeed.
An original game centered around witches and wizards would be great, I'd be more keen to play that than a Harry Potter game. However it's all down to what the developer feels more passionate about. Lets not forget what BYOND stands for. | |
Build Your Own Net Dream.
Not Build a fangame, based off of and usually using an existing piece of work. | |
One can dream of creating a fangame, what's wrong with that? I encourage people to create original games, but never fault them for wanting to create a fangame. If there's a game I don't like or agree with (fangame/rip/original) then I simply don't give it any thought.
Fangames here tend to have a bad reputation because of the outbreaks of leaked source code and infringing graphics used in the game. It doesn't mean some people won't put the effort in and create it as it should be done, with original graphics, code and no profits. | |
Danny Roe wrote:
It doesn't mean some people won't put the effort in and create it as it should be done, with original graphics, code and no profits. But they don't. | |
Vrocaan wrote:
Danny Roe wrote: Using what my game was going to be as support, I disagree. While games that do this kind of crap are unfortunately in the majority (if not all of them), a fan game using original graphics and code is definitely possible. | |
GamerMania wrote:
Vrocaan wrote: It's only been done on this site a mere handful of times, but it has happened. | |
Ter13 wrote:
[...] I'd advise trying to implement features and mechanics that you see in professional games, because you'll find that a polished generic game is always going to have more appeal than a game that is different for the sake of being different. Sweet mother of Jesus, thank Christ! This. That is all I have to say about it. GamerMania wrote: First of all, I would like to applaud you for being likely the most intelligent person on the forums. Oh, don't blow up his ego. It's bad enough as is. Lol. :P Danny Roe wrote: One can dream of creating a fangame, what's wrong with that? I encourage people to create original games, but never fault them for wanting to create a fangame. This is also true. If people aren't allowed to create the games they want, then what's the point of creating a game here anyways? I used to be the lead programmer for an old game called Death Note: Unlimited. It's obviously a fangame but it was so different from anything else like it that I had fallen in love with it the first time I played it. As long as your game breaks the mold of the traditional bad BYOND fangame, then it'll probably be great. Just remember that professionals do it their way because that's the way that's been proven to work. They have many years over us in game development, so their decisions should never be taken lightly by an indie developer. | |
Solomn Architect wrote:
GamerMania wrote: Working on that. Sorry. | |
Most of you aren't really seeing the real issue. It's not the fact that I intended to build a fan game, but one based off of a story that would make a boring open world MORPG. Harry Potter games will never be "fun" unless you were to expand on the lore to the point to where it's almost not even Harry Potter anymore.
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It also looks like you're designing your game to be specifically better than an existing BYOND game. Can't people make games that don't have the crappy BYOND game style deeply rooted in their design?
Make a good game with DM, not a BYOND game, nor even a good BYOND game. Then, you would have a good, unique game that you could show off to anyone without looking like an idiot. :)