Here's an idea I haven't seen--that doesn't mean it hasn't been suggested, just that I haven't seen it. One of the big questions people always ask about AGS is "Can I make a role-playing game with this?" and the answer is always an emphatic "yes". So, how about a competition for people to try to make the best RPG with AGS? It would involve a little creative scripting, so it might not be a good competition for people new to the program, but it would be great for people with a little experience trying to get a little more. Here's an idea for how it could work:
The Arpygags Competition
("Arpygags" = RPGAGS)
Create a role-playing game using only AGS as the engine. The game MUST include:
-AT LEAST 5 different "stats" for the playable character(s). These stats could be the traditional "hit points" and character attributes, or they could be something more creative. Other ideas are a "Quest for Glory" type skill system, something similar to the "Eder Scrolls" games, or the Dungeons & Dragons system of stats used in games like "Baldur's Gate"
-It must be possible to improve the character(s) stats over time through the actions of the player. The most traditional way of doing this has always been killing monsters of some sort to get "experience points", but players are encouraged to go against traditional and be innovative.
-There must be some kind of combat system. This could be an action system, a timed-command type system like Diablo or Icewind Dale, a pure menu-based system like Final Fantasy, or something completely new and different. It should be possible to enter combat at least TWICE in the game.
-There must be AT LEAST 3 "side-quests". A side-quest for these purposes is defined as a task the player is not required to perform to win the game, but which improves the character(s) in some way--i.e. by improving his/her stats or by giving them a useful inventory item.
-Competitors are not required to have more than "joinable" character in the playable party, but they are encouraged to have at least two characters that the player can control.
Competitors could have 3 months in which to submit their RPG, to give plenty of time to make a good one. The winner would be chosen by a voting system similar to the way MAGS works. As for how the thread would be maintained...right now I just see this as a one-time competition, but if people want more rounds, it could be done. Perhaps whoever wins each round could add one new rule to the requirements.
This is just an idea. From the requirements, you can see that even a bare-bones RPG would be acceptable. Of course, if someone builds a seventy-skill system and has a complex battle system which is used many many times and includes twenty side-quests to boot, they will probably be more likely to win.
Any thoughts?
The Arpygags Competition
("Arpygags" = RPGAGS)
Create a role-playing game using only AGS as the engine. The game MUST include:
-AT LEAST 5 different "stats" for the playable character(s). These stats could be the traditional "hit points" and character attributes, or they could be something more creative. Other ideas are a "Quest for Glory" type skill system, something similar to the "Eder Scrolls" games, or the Dungeons & Dragons system of stats used in games like "Baldur's Gate"
-It must be possible to improve the character(s) stats over time through the actions of the player. The most traditional way of doing this has always been killing monsters of some sort to get "experience points", but players are encouraged to go against traditional and be innovative.
-There must be some kind of combat system. This could be an action system, a timed-command type system like Diablo or Icewind Dale, a pure menu-based system like Final Fantasy, or something completely new and different. It should be possible to enter combat at least TWICE in the game.
-There must be AT LEAST 3 "side-quests". A side-quest for these purposes is defined as a task the player is not required to perform to win the game, but which improves the character(s) in some way--i.e. by improving his/her stats or by giving them a useful inventory item.
-Competitors are not required to have more than "joinable" character in the playable party, but they are encouraged to have at least two characters that the player can control.
Competitors could have 3 months in which to submit their RPG, to give plenty of time to make a good one. The winner would be chosen by a voting system similar to the way MAGS works. As for how the thread would be maintained...right now I just see this as a one-time competition, but if people want more rounds, it could be done. Perhaps whoever wins each round could add one new rule to the requirements.
This is just an idea. From the requirements, you can see that even a bare-bones RPG would be acceptable. Of course, if someone builds a seventy-skill system and has a complex battle system which is used many many times and includes twenty side-quests to boot, they will probably be more likely to win.
Any thoughts?