Need some RPG Input

[Tripp]

Originally posted by morgorath
You know this has always been a question for me... what defines a RPG... Now we all know that D&D laid down the ground rules for RPG's but Squaresoft seams to have defined it... I mean look at like this.

Final Fantasy Tactics & Shining Force are called Strategic RPG
Final Fantasy, Lunar, Skies of Arcada are Turned Based or Turned Based
Baldur's Gate & Gauntlet are being called action games with RPG elements.... that kills me that the company that set foundation isn't even consdiered a true RPG... oh well.

Tripp your game sounds like it has a good foundation... I am wondering is it going to have an anime aspect to it. Like maybe how Lunar did with Anime cut scenes...

Hey thanks for the thoughts you guys. A lot of the ideas you guys said we're already thinking about, but some are actually areas we haven't really decided, and I appreciate all your opinions.

We wanted to create a game that was centered on the cooperative aspect. Not many games exist that allow you to play a RPG driven game cooperatively. Creating a turn-based cooperative play game would just be lame in my opinion. The reason why AD&D is turn based is because there is no way for a game that is story driven in real life to have all the actions happen at one time. Vampire the Masquerade is actually one RPG that allows for live action Role Playing and some actions can happen all at one time, but they still have to keep certain elements turn based because they don't have a computer calculating all the rolls and actions for every character. Our game will have stats, and we're actually thinking of allowing the player to distribute those stats as they see fit, that way the player can customize their character to become more versed in what they want to master, whether it's just brute force or defensive...or just magic-based.

Any game is really an RPG when it comes down to it. If you play the role of someone else it's a Role Playing Game. The rules set down by AD&D were set for a certain genre of RPG. When it comes to computer and game systems, the programming takes over the roles of the DM, the NPCs, the rolls, the exp system. The only focus is you and the control of your character or characters. I think as long as you you implement the main aspects and guidelines that drive most RPGs it can be considered a true RPG. Square made Secret of the Mana and I found that game to be extremely fun. I loved Baldur's Gate and how you could see your characters change on screen as you changed armor and weapons. I definitely consider those types of games RPGs. I also loved the FF games. I don't hate turn-based games. The majority of my RPGs are turn based, but only because that's what most RPG games are. But if you want multiplayer, turn-based just doesn't work well in the enjoyable gameplay area.

I think if you have an experience table, a system of figuring hits or misses due to armor or what not (THAC0 for all you D&D people ^_^), character leveling, variable stats, and being able to relate to your character. These characteristics create what is the true heart of an RPG. Being turn-based or not isn't really an issue.

Another idea. What do you guys think of making it, so you can fight against your friends as well as the option of being cooperative? Basically you can play multi-player but basically your friends can be the bad guys coming at him and you try to kill him lol. Probably allow you to switch from one enemy to another if there are more then one on the screen. Tell me what you guys think. I haven't a clue how we'd program something like that thought, but I think it'd be cool as hell.