Here's a list of questions I wrote up that will help us all get a more precise idea of the setting you're envisioning. Some of these may or may not be relevant relative to your vision, but by answering them, at least we'll know. :) I know some of this was in the milestone 2 info, but even that could be restated here, just so we have a single reference point. After it's all answered, we can post it on the wiki / forums so we have a single place to reference answers, while also being able to add more questions if we need clarification or if there are more questions.
World-Building Questions _Relating to Overall Plot_ Are we trying to tell a story, or is the focus primarily on gameplay? Who is the Old Man? For what reason is he battling the Gods? Are the Gods good or evil? Why is the Player chosen by the Old Man? How did the Player die / find themselves in the Void?How do we plan on conveying the plot to the player? (Linearly, up to the point of Choice, or giving questions and decisions along the way)
_Relating to Setting_ Are there going to be towns with NPC characters in the game? What is the structure of government in the towns?Is each town an individually governed entity, or are they part of a larger nation / city-state?
Are there multiple nations / city-states?What is the relationship between the various nations / city-states? (militarily, diplomatically, economically)
What is the relationship between the various towns?Are the people patriotic, or just trying to get by in whatever situation they find themselves in?
What role to the Gods play in the everyday life of the people, if any?What type of society exists in the towns? (Feudal, communal, caste, nobility/peasant, etc.)
What is the average standard-of-living? (Are people rich, poor, etc)What type of people live in the towns? (farmers, laborers, craftsman, nobles, etc.)
What is the level of technology in the world? Is it sciencey-tech or magicy-tech?Is it common for people to come “back from the dead”, or however we describe the player's state? What is the overall tone of the world? (Impoverished, Mysterious, Magical, Mundane, etc)
Does the world have a Mythology? What is the level of education among the NPCs?Will NPCs have pre-existing knowledge of the Player's character before the game begins, or will he be a new face?
How do the NPCs treat strangers? Is travel common between towns / nations / city-states?Is there a method of mass-communication, or merely word-of-mouth and messengers? (How connected are the various locations?) Is the world populated by “normal” animals (our world, medieval fantasies) or by Monsters / Demons / otherworldly beasts? Where do these monsters / demons / otherworldly beasts come from, should they exist?
Is there magic in the world? How commonplace is magic?Are there relics of ancient civilizations (dungeons, castles, ruins) dotting the landscape, or is this the first growth of civilization?
_Relating to Game Layout_Is each chapter going to find the player in a separate set of zones, disconnected from those of other chapters (think Neverwinter Nights), or is the entire world going to be connected regardless of chapter (a la Final Fantasy)? Is the player going to be a silent protagonist, or a vocal force in the gameworld?
Is the player going to be solo, or controlling a party of characters?In the end, is the player going to have free control of the camera (a la NWN, WoW, etc) or a fixed / preset camera view (a la Final Fantasy X and earlier FFs)
eric drewes wrote:
hold on lemme hit the pause button hereOn Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 1:31 PM, katie cook <ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:ERIC, IM NOT BLAMING YOU OR POINTING A FINGER, I am just holding you accountable for the things you say and do. There is no, your fault my fault in this situation, just what happened for us to both understand perspective. --- On *Sun, 11/15/09, eric drewes /<figarus@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:figarus@xxxxxxxxx>>/* wrote: From: eric drewes <figarus@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:figarus@xxxxxxxxx>> Subject: [project1dev] Re: an idea, what do you guys think? To: project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 10:11 AM you literally are pointing a finger at me and blaming me. "then you emailing me after it was done saying you wish I would have done some things differently or added some things..." that is totally INCORRECT. the only thing i said was, lets try to add some exhaust pipes because i thought it would look neat to add those on, that was literally the only thing i said afterwards about it! Like, you tell me you want feedback, i give you feedback and now you are complaining about that. re: biobeast, in MAY you said you liked the concept art (I forwarded the email to the list for your reference) and could work off of it, that is why when you asked what you could do i said "Biobeast?" How does reminding you that you have a project assigned to you with already approved of concept art do NOTHING FOR YOU? you also said: My first qalm, YOU DON"T HAVE A NAME YET???????What am I supposed to do with that. I get the scaffolding, framework, tools. Not sure about the box of light bulbs, because if they are actually going to LOOK like like bulbs, then there are some things to think about first before doing that, like for instance the lighting...Modeling a light bulb doesn't make sense to me to do unless we know how we plan on lighting it... * * the name isn't important because we just need the beginnings of the sign being built, all of which you even say you get here, the box of lightbulbs is a box of unlit lightbulbs, if you didn't understand something or needed more details about it, you should have asked... as far as: also katie, are you interested in working on some art design for some characters for me? I emailed you that I was interested...heard nothing back. well you had a project on your plate that you said you were clear on and were ready to work so i figured i'd wait until that got finished before moving on. On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM, katie cook <ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote: Okay, Eric Let me spell it out for you... Biobeast? :P I dunno - ask nick to send his temple props list for now and see if anything grabs you How does that address the biobeast. You put Biobeast? That does NOTHING FOR ME. That just says to me hmmm. I don't know and I'm blowing that off for now. Then went on to say that nick should send his list of temple props and and see if anything grabs me. Why should I ask nick send his temple props list, shouldn't you be the one going through and delegating to people what you want done and how? Or maybe... just asking nick to POST IT, so everyone can see it, then speak up about what they want to do? NEXT- - - OK i want a sign for the carnival for in front of the brick walls like big billboard style but i want it to be "under construction" like have it being put up but not even 25% finished if that makes sense. i will send you some pics of my idea to your email I sent you an email detailing exactly what we needed for this prop, including images for reference and a general overview of what it was going to be when it was finished - you replied 3 days later that you'd get started on it!!!!!!!! Just cause you saw it 3 days later doesn't mean I posted three days later. Besides the point though, thats being petty... I will give you that this is a good STARTING POINT..But You didn't send me an email detailing exactly what you needed, this is what you sent me... Well we don't have the name yet so really we just want the beginning stages of the sign, like the poles its going on, scaffolding, tools, boxes of light bulbs, etc. My first qalm, YOU DON"T HAVE A NAME YET???????What am I supposed to do with that. I get the scaffolding, framework, tools. Not sure about the box of light bulbs, because if they are actually going to LOOK like like bulbs, then there are some things to think about first before doing that, like for instance the lighting...Modeling a light bulb doesn't make sense to me to do unless we know how we plan on lighting it... we could have building materials, paint buckets, boxes of light bulbs etc. on the ground next to the sign This is reiterating what you just said, no new input.... also katie, are you interested in working on some art design for some characters for me? I emailed you that I was interested...heard nothing back. I get that your trying Eric, and Im not trying to point a finger at you. I'm not blaming you or getting mad at you. I just saying that this is my perspective, and sometimes its not always so clear what your wanting. Especially since I posted the wagon at least twice and emailed you wanting to know if you wanted anything specific on it or what not and never got any input other than the initial picture, and then you emailing me after it was done saying you wish I would have done some things differently or added some things... Katie On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM, katie cook <ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Eric, Its like we are swimming through mud. Anytime you've given me something to do, it always been just kinda a jist of something you want. Normally I have to pick at you like a scab for more details. And lately I have been just winging it, then afterwards you speak up about how you wish I would have included something or done something. Well not to be a bitch or anything, but speak the frick up. I am in this to follow your vison and do whatever you want. BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL ME. After the fact is aggravating and doesn't help me any. Can you please reveal to me where it is that you have this all mapped out and that the art people know what they are supposed to be doing. Obviously I'm not the only one that is left wondering, which would make one curious as to WHY we don't know. Katie --- On *Sat, 11/14/09, eric /<figarus@xxxxxxxxx>/* wrote: From: eric <figarus@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: [project1dev] Re: an idea, what do you guys think? To: project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 3:06 PM I mean, I'm on my phone but I would say really, people know what they need to be working on and there are fairly extensive design documents for pretty much every system that needs developed - this current milestone has had its tasks laid out multiple times and people available to answer any questions anyone has... Really you can lead a horse to water but you can't make em drink... If you guys are thirsty, slurp away. Frankly I'm tired and aggravated of people complaining about a lack of direction, every member of art team has an assignment! Some tasks have been assigned since may with little/no progress. Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message----- From: gabriel taylor <aidyn66@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=aidyn66@xxxxxxxxx>> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:35 To: <project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> Subject: [project1dev] Re: an idea, what do you guys think? I agree with Katie here. From what I've been able to glean so far, it seems that the overall direction of the game does not exist in any written format right now. Without a clear perspective on the Whole project, by which I don't mean the details of coding/shading/artistry, but rather the Scope, Setting, Story, Length, it's difficult not only for people to work ahead on things that may not be immediately needed, but difficult for everyone to be certain they're on the same page with regard to setting, tone, desired functionality, etc. I think it would be useful for everyone if we were able to flesh out the world and story behind the game, in order to create a more consistent tone and direction between everyone's work. Once we have the setting and the story, which will help create each other as they're created, then we can divide the game into section/zones/areas (however you want to distinguish parts of the game), and work on sub-pieces from there. Also, we'd be free to drum up basic area design and layout before hammering out too much detail on something that may later be changed. It'd definitely be more useful to the art team, and it couldn't hurt for the design and coding teams as well. ~gabriel katie cook wrote: > I just meant like what you said you are feeling too. > > The art people are waiting on the coders, the coders are waiting on > the art people. > > It would be good to flush out the game first, then worry about intricacys. > > Lay the foundation. Start to build up from there...Frame work, > insulation..etc. > > So figure out what we want in the game as far as areas, length, > storyline, plot, etc. whatever. Then figure out what each area would > entail, length, objective, etc. Then maybe lay out a map or floorplan, > then figure out what would be necessary to make those areas functional > based on the map and objective, then start laying out temp models so > guys can start scripting stuff, and figuring out what the hiccups > would be, then when that is at a good spot, then start thinking about > the intricacys, details, nicer models, etc. > > That way art people can always be working on models, etc, while not > interupting the scripters, etc. vice versa. > > > --- On *Sat, 11/14/09, Alan Wolfe /<alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx>>/* wrote: > > > From: Alan Wolfe <alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx>> > Subject: [project1dev] Re: an idea, what do you guys think? > To: project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 11:29 AM > > Thanks for the feedback Katie. > > How so on trying to build the house without a foundation? > > What kinds of things or steps do you see us missing as we are > moving forward? > > Thanks (: > > (and ps if anyone has feedback about anything please feel free to > speak up - or if youd rather email eric or i in private please > feel free!) > > On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:23 AM, katie cook <ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx>>> wrote: > > I think crappy temp models/temp art could be very helpful in > flushing things out. > > And working in a linear fashion isn't necessarily all that > important. > > I think option # 3 is a good idea, because even if we work > linear, we could always want to go back to an area and spice > it up or modify it if we see that something else might work > better functionally or what not. > > Alan, I think you are heading in a good direction with that idea. > > It has been feeling a bit like we are trying to build a house > without laying a foundation first. > > > > Katie > > --- On *Sat, 11/14/09, katie cook /<ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx>>>/* wrote: > > > From: katie cook <ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=ktmcook@xxxxxxxxx>>> > Subject: [project1dev] Re: an idea, what do you guys think? > To: project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> > > Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 11:13 AM > > It seems like the focus has become more about just getting > the game made verses trying to build a game that we are > proud of and having fun making along the way...WTF???? > > Didn't know we were so concerned getting it cranked out by > a certain time... > > Anyway, just my thoughts. > > I had the impression that part of the goal of the game was > so people could use this as a stepping stone for portfolio > pieces, etc. > > Personally, I'd be embarassed to show anyone the game, and > I'd just show them my individual work if we went this > route, but it looks like we have already begun going that > way anyway... > > Katie > > --- On *Wed, 11/11/09, Alan Wolfe /<alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx>>>/* wrote: > > > From: Alan Wolfe <alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=alan.wolfe@xxxxxxxxx>>> > Subject: [project1dev] an idea, what do you guys think? > To: project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > </mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://mc/compose?to=project1dev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> > Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:09 PM > > Hey so i think one thing we've learned from working on > the RPG so far is that it takes A LOT of art :P > > Even with a lot of artists theres just a ton of art to > make and art takes quite a bit of time and effort. > > i was thinking of a couple ideas to help with this... > > #1 - finding free / cheap 3d models and textures on > the net and using them for things that we don't care > alot about (ie furniture perhaps or simple props and > things), that way we spend our "art time" on the > things we want custom which is the cool stuff like > bosses and specific items and characters perhaps? > > #2 - we could try to make some efforts to make art > re-useable. This is hard for the void area since it's > very unique, but for the mine we worked on last, we > could have for instance made "generic cave walls" art > in a way that it was re-useable. When we have a > library of re-useable art, building areas should go > quicker cause we already have art assets made. We > have the ability in game to colorize art > programatically so we can recolor and reuse models as > well too. > > #3 - we could change our workflow. Instead of trying > to push towards milestones and have every area 100% > done before we move on we could change it up. We > could just build things up functionally with whatever > junky art we had (ie the temple as is would be fine > lol). As long as things are working functionally we > can move on. I think if we went a route like this it > would be good to keep a list somewhere of what needed > to be done artistically such as "the temple needs real > art and a decoration pass". The benefit to going this > route would be that we could just keep building areas > and moving the game forward. It may not look pretty > but it should be playable and it could be made pretty > over time. > > but hrm, just throwin some ideas out there what do you > guys think? Maybe we just say "meh" to art quality > and get the game built with a whole bunch of temp / > programmer art and worry about making it pretty later > on / at our leisure? > > It would be nice to move onto the next area and start > getting some story together and real game play and > stuff (: > > > > > .
