Wondering about the potential of a game.

[-fedexer-]

The project i currently have in mind is a space rts game, which in reality will probably end up following many of the others like O-Game, i was wondering if this is a smart idea, is there much more room for another space rts? Or should i try to think of a new concept, a new game idea?

All input greatly appreciated.

[Nox]

Well should it be just like O-game then I don't see a reason why anyone should play it instead. If nothing then I find it quite immersive and with nice graphics, and the new version has breathtakingly wonderful graphics

But I personally dislike a large portion of it's game design and consider it largely incomplete, there's plenty of things that could be made better, for example means of communication within alliance is almost none. That's actually why I stopped playing it, not lack of time but frustration from the game mechanics and design

Plus ask about yourself - would you like to have just another copy or rather make it better and unique?

I surely think there's a room for another game....I often dislike opinions like "there are too many games (of genre X)" or "genre X is tired now" *. Of course noone is granted success just like that, but with a good idea and delivery it can certainly work, even if only in a smaller scale

*) I recently came across gamasutra.com and found an article saying "FPS genre is tired now and nothing new there"....lol, there was almost nothing nothing revolutionary in it in like two decades, yet so many tons of people still enjoy it, but a guy came and says it's tired so it's done. We should of course stop playing football, baseball etc. as well because they're not modified so they must be boring

[Chris]

Improved O-Game sounds good (and definitely better than "a completely new and original game" since these are unplayable by default )

[-fedexer-]

How very interesting, thanks for your input guys, especially you Nox for such an indepth reply. I haven't played O-game in a while so wasn't aware of this new update they have, however the base would be space war (RTS). There are many differences from many of the space war games i have played which i would like to create, however all of this will require some  thorough planning on my part, as all of this game is just currently floating thoughts.

And thus i hit another snag, i don't have much experience in planning a project, i never did like planning anything i did What would be the best way of going about planning a project like this from your experiences?

[Nox]

You're welcome

What would be the best way of going about planning a project like this from your experiences?

I'd be interested in that too

Check this thread btw: http://community.bbgamezone.net/index.php/topic,2563.msg17496.html there are many good points there and made me also see a number of downsides in my game design too

[-fedexer-]

Yeah it does seem to be a problem, being able to design an efficient project, before actually being able to program it. I would hope there would be a general layout or scheme at best for this sort of design?

[Chris]

What would be the best way of going about planning a project like this from your experiences?

Write down what the game is about. Then rewrite it until you can fit it on half a page or less.

My best games fit in 3 sentences, those that needed more space to write turned out to be at most average. Althrough, it might be personal, not general.

I would hope there would be a general layout or scheme at best for this sort of design?

Such general design guidelines/scheme does not exist.

[Nox]

Well, sure they are some
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3384/the_anatomy_of_a_design_document_.php
http://downloads.gamedev.net/features/design/ctaylordesign.zip
http://www.gamedev.net/reference/list.asp?categoryid=23

Just found them, so if anyone know about some more they consider good...

Btw does anyone know about an editor suited for such document or just everyone writes it as one endless column in a text editor?
I looked at onenote, evernote, but didn't really like them

[Chris]

Well, sure they are some

To clarify, I meant that I do not believe that design guidelines that *work* exist (articles that do more harm than good is another thing, these exist in abundance

[-fedexer-]

Thanks for the links Nox, and your input Chris  

I have started trying to get my ideas down now, so that they are not all floting around in mind space to either be forgotten or missed. Interestingly i am actually using evernote, simply because my xperia x1 has an evernote panel, and i find it exceedingly useful to quickly change to this panel and jot down some of the ideas which come to me or even edit some as i'm sitting around with plenty of time to spare.

Fair enough it isn't the prettiest of applications i've ever seen, but it does a decent job atleast.

I was actually planning on making a thread to let you guys read through my notes and comment on them, see if you like the basic ideas of my game, what you would change etc?

[Chris]

I was actually planning on making a thread to let you guys read through my notes and comment on them, see if you like the basic ideas of my game, what you would change etc?

Sure, we (and especially I) like complaining and telling others why their ideas sux and won't work

[-fedexer-]

Haha very well done chris :p well once i get home i'll open a new thread and link to my evernotes public folder. I'm interesting in peoples opinions and criticism, i have ideas but most of the time i can't work out if they would be any good, theasable etc..

You'll discover when you read them that my mind is all over the place when i'm thinking these up, i question myself a hell of alot when i come up with ideas ^^ In the long run i would have a forum alongside my game where i reckon i would take suggestions from playing members as to new content and stuff once the game actually gets up and running, whenever that may be xD (currently in the process of contemplating leaving school to get a full time job before university).

Anyhow, i best go, almost off of this bus and then i need to wait in a hairdressers to get a well overdue haircut!