POStudios Forum

The Royal Archives => General => The Silver Age => Adventure Gaming => Topic started by: Bolter00 on July 13, 2006, 06:23:38 PM

Title: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Bolter00 on July 13, 2006, 06:23:38 PM
Earlyer today on the KQ3 boards:

Ok It seems that there are quite a few game projects out there. Almost all of them are Grade A, well made and thought out games. However all of them stem from past game franchises (I'm not saying that it’s a bad thing. I'm a huge kings quest fan my self) which seem to limit the story and all around development. So I was wondering if we could try and get some of the best current developers  (AI, The Silver Lining, the group formerly known as Tierra...)  and start are own new series from scratch.  All new worlds, characters, and story lines . None of them based of any past games. I would really like to see what some of the most creative minds could create in collaboration.

  Post your thoughts on my idea for Project X. 


  P.S. I know this probably won't be able to happen due to each team working currently on there own projects at the current time, but It still is nice to dream.

A Few Hours Later:

You misunderstand my intentions if it was just about creating an original game I would do it my self. What I want to do is get 4 or 5 of the best teams (IA, AGDI, TSL...) and build a new game "franchise" so to speak. I figure we could create the adventure game to end all adventure games.

I just want to know if IA or any of its fans would like to join or be associated with such a task.

I will also post on the TSL boards to see if I can generate any interest in the untitled project X.

Back To now:

I Would like to say That the invatation is open to all fans and staff of the TSL too.
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Stones Of Stealth on July 13, 2006, 08:08:23 PM
sounds great, can i make textures?im pretty good at photoshop.

but it sounds great. for ideas...i think it should be a medieval theme...with dungeons..somehwat like the game DragonSphere. It would be cool if it was a recent kind of game too. possibly in the year 2004, and you progress to 2006/2008. like a guy walks into a bar, and gets into a bar fight. and he has to find his way around after he is kicked out. he then gets pullled over by the cops and is charged with PI. later on when he is in jail he plans to escape..while he is in his cell he has to find a plan to get out...then when he escapes he has to be stealthy and escape from the guards. then he has, he has to get away from the police. then wehen he escapes he has to find a means of survival...a way to get food, shelter...then at the same time he has to manage to go under the radar with the police.

just a VERY rough idea
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Yonkey on July 13, 2006, 10:39:52 PM
Hmmm, I remember replying to a thread like this or e-mail, years ago. :P

Anyway, the thread title says it all, if this were even possible, it would be a huge task.  Besides the amount of work involved in organizing and tracking assignments done by 4 or 5 teams, there is also the whole notion of creative direction.  As I'm sure you've noticed by now, each fan group and even fan community is different.  The mood alone varies drastically from site to site.  The reason I bring this up is because you deal with a whole range of personalities when you're working together as a team, as opposed to individually.  You need to know how to effiectively communicate, follow/give directions, organize, plan, etc.  Teamwork skills alone are things that not everyone has.

Now if you compare the games themselves, you'll notice different art styles (i.e. 2D vs. 3D), game engines (i.e. AGS/Torque/SLAGE), storylines (i.e. remake/sequel/spin-off), and so forth.  You'll realize there are way too many differences, that realistically, it would just not be possible. :-\

Also, I believe each fan group would prefer their next project to be unique, original and commercial, so that they can actually get paid for the work they've been putting into these games.  However, if you have a massive collaboration like this, you would have to price the game much higher than average to cover all the extra staff & resources, and still you most likely wouldn't be able to break even in today's market.

Now, is it possible?  Yes.  Several fan groups teamed up as Silver Sphinx Studios a year or two ago to develop a game as an April Fool's Joke.  I never played the game personally, but I heard that many fans enjoyed it. :)

So, in conclusion, I really can't see any fan groups merging in the future, unless their projects are so similar that it would make sense.  However, I think it would be interesting for fans from different communities to try to develop a free unique game, inspired by the work of the fan groups they admire.  Still, the logistics involved in managing a team of 50 or more people are very difficult.  I'm presently acting as Project Manager/Co-ordinator over the Art, Programming and Audio depts, and trust me, it's not easy or even something anyone can do effectively.  You'd be surprised about how much time & effort goes into making sure actual work gets done. :P

Also, whatever you do, I strongly advise to stay away from using Sierra or any other company's intellectual property if you do not have their explicit legal permission.  You'll save yourself a TON of legal hassles later if you just steer clear from that stuff to begin with.  8)
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Deloria on July 14, 2006, 05:55:47 AM
Another problem is, that not all of the groups get along very well from what I've seen on some of the forums.  :-\
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Yonkey on July 14, 2006, 06:04:48 AM
Quote from: Deloria on July 14, 2006, 05:55:47 AM
Another problem is, that not all of the groups get along very well from what I've seen on some of the forums.  :-\
Correct.  And if they can't even get along now, can you imagine what it would be like working together? :P

EDIT: Still though, I'll give our fans more credit than the fan groups, because I'm sure they'll be able to work together towards a common goal; just like how fans of the KQ series banded together to develop our project. 8)
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Bolter00 on July 14, 2006, 10:25:19 AM
You guys don't have to point out all the flaws with my idea, I already know that there is absolutely no way that a project like this could or would ever happen. I Just thought I might plant a seed that might in ten or so years turn into an actual project. You never know.

As For Stones Of Stealth I was thing of doing a project around the Isle of the Sacred Mountain. Kind of a riddle of the minitor so to speak.
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Yonkey on July 14, 2006, 11:01:33 AM
Quote from: Bolter00 on July 14, 2006, 10:25:19 AM
You guys don't have to point out all the flaws with my idea, I already know that there is absolutely no way that a project like this could or would ever happen. I Just thought I might plant a seed that might in ten or so years turn into an actual project. You never know.
I actually wasn't trying to point out flaws, I'm just saying why it's highly unlikely for fangroups to collaborate. :P 

Ideally, it would be interesting to see, if nothing else.  I remember years ago when I wasn't on this team asking TSL to try to connect their storyline with AGDI's KQ2+, for reasons similar to the ones you're asking now.  The request was declined for pretty obvious reasons :P, but like you I was trying to plant a seed that might materialize someday.

Realistically, the only way I could see a game like you suggest to work is by having fans collaborate, rather than fan groups.  While I wouldn't be able to participate in such a collaboration (due to lack of time), I would definitely support such a project if it proved itself to be worthwhile. :)
Title: Re: Huge Task..... Mabye.
Post by: Piotyr on July 14, 2006, 03:32:05 PM
Another thing to keep in mind is that throwing more people at a project doesn't make it easier to complete.  In many cases that can make it much more difficult.

It would likely take longer to finish a project with, say, 40 programmers, than it would with 5-10.  Communication and collaboration would have to be perfect to make sure everyone is on the same page and working toward a common goal.