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The Greenlight Game - Part 1
🕑 Added 2016-09-18 02:53:41 +0000 UTC Multi part post about making a game AS WE MAKE IT?! OK, here we go!So, like I mentioned last week, I want to make a game for Greenlight. A short little game that we put less resources into so if we mess up it's ok. A $1 game.
First step is coming up with ideas. That's the easy bit. I sat around for a bit and came up with a few concepts that could work, then I narrowed them down to just two. A re-build of Systems Nominal and a short, clever choose your own adventure game. Let's have a look at these games.
1. Systems Nominal HD (As i keep calling it while giggling) would be a Unity based re-doing of Systems Nominal. Basically just like the game currently is but expanded an built upon. New art, new levels, new modes etc etc.
Pros: Well, we've built this game once so it's more of an advanced porting job than anything. The game was never released on steam so it'll find a new audience (The original has over 1000 paid downloads on humble even though it's explicitly free elsewhere.) and it should get us through greenlight nice and easily. (Also we'll update the humble one to the new version. Adding 90% more game is a hell of a patch. :p)
Cons: Well, it's a bit dull isn't it? I do like the game but it's something I already designed once. Also there's a possibility of coming across as a "one trick pony" kind of developer. It might be better suited as a random appearance a while down the game dev track.
2. The Choose Your Own Adventure Game would be a commentary on that very collection of words there. "Choose Your Own Adventure". That's not the case though is it. You never choose your own adventure. You choose your own path through an adventure. Imagine a game where you actually could choose your own adventure. How would that work?
Here's an idea. You're in a room. There's a stain in one corner and some cards in the other. Picked the stain? You're a detective solving a murder. The cards? You're a magician waiting to go on stage. Wildly different stories emerge depending on what you do. You truly choose your own adventure.
I played with this idea for a while and, while it seems kinda cool, it makes me ask a question. Where's the game? How do I add a game to this? Also how to I write all these possible combinations? This is supposed to be a small game dammit!
Well, after much notebook doodling and showers I came up with a neat way to keep it lighter on the writing, tie the stories together and THEN twist that even further for a neat ending. I don't want to talk about this just yet because it's full on spoilers but I think there's a memorable 15 minute game to be had here.
So. I guess I gotta go write this and make Rebecca do that art thing. More next week! (Probably, I mean we just started the whole house buying thing and oh god where did all my already non-existent free time go? Also most of this week we've been looking after our dog Regan because she had a tumor removed. She's doing good! Yay!)
Sing like nobody is listening.
- Dan x
Comments
Systems Nominal all the way. You've already got it down and would be a super easy way to get used to using Steam as a platform.
m0sifer
a 100% choose your own adventure game feels like it's been done before but idk.
Depends. If update involves going VR then systems nominal. Otherwise adventure game.
i would say go choose your own adventure idea it sounds interesting and would stand out
Zemeon12
I'd say go with the choose your own adventure idea, while a upgraded systems nominal would be neat, I just find it bland compared to the other idea, that and I honestly didn't like systems nominal in the first place. It was well made, but it just wasn't my type of game.
Tail Of Truth
A choose your own adventure game that sounds a little like the Stanely Parable... make that one. Totally make that one!
im all for the choose your own adventure game...sounds really interesting
Daku
While I would happily pay for an upgraded systems nominal I would much prefer to see this choices game you speak of.
The adventure game sounds better to me. It sounds extremely interesting compared to every other "choices" game and something i'd love to play.
Jack Graham
the choose your own adventure part reminds me of the yahwg
James A Goodin
Would the game really be 1 dollor? Cause I lterally got 1 USD and 1 cent in my steam account.
Chris Graden (DinoDoesStuff)
I love this do more kthxbye
Theo Athinou
I believe that an actual Choose your own adventure game would be interesting and something to remember. My personal idea would be working in the high life or the low life, each with its different advantages. If you are rich you would have all you could desire, apart from someone to love or to be friends with. If your poor you have to find a job with the help of friends who care for you.
Etienne (Shado792)
Also if you struggle to add gameplay you can ad quick-time-events for an high quality game experience in any game .:)
Samppa Alatalo
Both ideas sound really cool. I believe you, if anyone, would be able to create something unique with the old genre that is choose your own adventure. Systems Nominal HD (teehee) sounds good as well. I imagine a Systems Nominal with more depth and a VR mode (which you mentioned you had pictured already). But I do agree that Systems Nominal HD (teehee edition) would possibly work better as a later-down-the-line surprise
Your kids don’t like falafel
Much like everyone else is saying, 'Systems Nominal HD' (heheh) is a fun idea, but the second game sounds incredible. Also, good luck with the house finding thing!
Mathieu Marlaire
Second game defenitly looks the most interesting. In my opinion, a remake of SN is a good idea but not as your first project on greenlight. Not because it wouldn't have succes, but like you said it would be kinda dull.
Niklas Jensen
both ideas seems like something i would love. one is a brilliant new idea and the other a redo or add on to an older brilliant idea. i'm excited for both games although i'd say go for the "choose your own adventure" one first. we couldn't have you grow bored with gamemaking because your stuck with that same thing too long ;-)
ViralDragonRider
The choose you own adventure would be an awsome idea...sounds like an interesting and different game. Also the cons far out ways the pros for the SN-HD
We can dance if you want to, we can leave your friends behind! Cuz if they won't dance and if they don't dance, then they're no friends of mine! -- I would love number 2 to be made into a PC game as well as having an Android/iOS&watchOS port would be welcomed. Perhaps SN-HD could wait a until your games company is more established?
Matt Eden
If that Choose Your Own Adventure game had Stanley Parable-esque commentary by Ashens...oooh...But that would be going too far.
Sam Seidel
I would urge you to go with the choose your own adventure game. Doing a completely new game would make you seem more like a game developer and less like someone who made a game once. If you've released multiple (good) games then that makes you seem more serious and not just another YouTuber branching out. PS. please note that I said good games so pi fight is off the table.
Eian Klock
I'd prefer the choose your own adventure thing. I'd love a Systems Nominal again but you've made like 3 games so far so something new would be good.
Deadface2001
I'm fine with a re-release of systems nominal with some bits added
Both of these ideas sound pretty great. I like the idea of the choose-your-own-adventure game having little nods to the actions of other adventures you've completely (though I have no idea how difficult that would be to program). But really, I'd be happy either way. Can't wait to see what you come up with, Dan.
Well good luck with it dan! I'll be sure to play the hell out of whatever it is you make.
What about a systems nominal choose your own adventure game?
