Original Post
Hello Developers, Do you like gradius? If so, please keep reading. I require two developers to begin work on a collaborative game project. This project is designed to be simple in both graphics and game design, so that we can get a monetized version out asap, as well as drilling down to the core of what makes a good game - the gameplay. Overview of the Project: -Top-down 2d shooter similar to asteroids, but played in a massively multiplayer, single shard server. -Graphics are reminiscent of the game "DEFCON" to keep processing down to a minimum. -Designed from the bottom up to be light on bandwidth and graphic processing, to allow for the maximum amount of players onscreen at one time. -Core gameplay, skill, and rewards will come from successfully dodging projectiles ala gradius. An expert player will be able to transcend his ships statistics through skill. -The core audience for this game will be players who enjoy teamwork and feel rewarded by group successes. Generally, these players will have had experience with games such as gradius, asteroids, and other similar shooters. -All game elements such as Combat, Economy, and Communication, will occur on the same playing field, in real-time. -As opposed to most shooters of this class, this game will be include ships of different size classes, that will each fulfill different roles in the game. Most larger ships will be able to hold smaller ships, and while players are docked inside a larger ship, they may chat, or perform various actions that help the larger ship when not in combat. -When a player docks his ship to a larger ship, he joins a community that ranges in size based on the size of the ship. This idea of community can be visualized by thinking of the "tigerclaw" in Wing Commander (the movie). The smaller ships were dependent on the tiger claw for support, fuel, and protection. The feeling of being in "deep" space was similar to being in the middle of the ocean, where ships acted as miniature cities to their crew. -A simple economic/military system that allows players to take territory, and defend it. In Conclusion: EVE-online in a 2d format, stripped down, and with a higher emphasis put on group content and goals with the ability to avoid projectiles and set in a universe undivided by "warp gates". The project is based on flash, with the server back end based on Java. Electro-server will be used for it's expandability. The game will be monetized through our partners used in other projects. We will be using a CPA/Leadgen platform as our main source of monetization. What is Unique? Why will people play this game?: -The clean, simple graphics will allow us to put more players together then most other flash games. -Persistence and a single world are a firm departure from the average multiplayer flash game. Our method creates a meaningful identity and interaction. -Game design that encourages the player to rely on other players to achieve success is absent from most Flash games. The power of group motivation and identity is missing from many games and we intend to exploit this to our advantage. -The “spaceship as a home/city” idea has not been explored by any flash-based games, and very few multiplayer games at all. Flash allows us to make the game instantly accessible to anyone with a browser. How will the game make money?: -By providing persistence, we increase the value of identity and reputation. The game will monetize an advantage in identity (visual perks, similar to many online games such as maple story), and an advantage in the speed of advancement while maintaining overall game balance. Project Openings: Opening 1: requires a developer familiar with Electro Server, Java, and to a lesser extent, Flash. Responsibilities: -Server backend coding -Functions for transferring data between Flash, the database, and Electroserver -Network code designed for maximum bandwidth efficiency -Database management Opening 2: requires a developer well versed in Flash, preferably with experience creating multiplayer flash games (professional or otherwise). Responsibilities: -Game Client code -Simple Graphics and resources Both openings will assist with testing the game and designing the game rules as well as any miscellaneous things that pop up . The estimated time between development beginning, and the first monetized version, is estimated at two-three months depending on obstacles encountered during the development. Technology? Client Platforms: Windows XP/Vista Server Platforms: Windows XP/Vista/Server Client/Server development completed using Flashdev/Javabeans Client Input, Audio, and Graphics: Flash – Web or application based Networking: Based on Electro Server Flash libraries Database/FileIO: SQL Server 2008 Who am I? I am the marketing and PR director for a small technology company based in South Korea (http://www.pickple.com , if you can read Korean) with a technology backround. Recently, we have made a partnership with SuperRewards to monetize some of our software products and I want to use this partnership to monetize a game. I believe that the project I presented here can be created relatively quickly, and because of the strong core gameplay, can be monetized well. Compensation: This project is a collaborative effort that will not bear fruit until the first version is completed and monetized. The estimated time to develop this game, based on the design document, is three to four months due to the simple graphics and high amount of already-completed server backend code in Electroserver. Applicants who are accepted into this project will be paid based on a percentage of the monetized income of the game. More details will be sent to applicants after application, and a contract will be signed stating the particulars. The next step: If you are passionate about this idea and you believe that your skills are up to snuff, please fill out the below information, and send it to my email at: leland(at)pickple.com or xerevius(at)gmail.com I am looking for passion backed by a reasonable level of coding skill. Position Applied: Name: Nationality: Address: Telephone: Date of Birth: Related Experience (Hobby, Mod, Professional) : Education (Degrees, Diploma,School Name): Personal Questions, Concerns, or Related Information: Please note, I will be looking into your history by examining information available freely on the internet. [Edited by - Mavor on April 9, 2009 9:05:08 AM]