The ultimate strategy game

[Nick]

Hello. This is the first new thread I created in months.

I`ve been designing this strategy game for years now. I`m trying to come up with the design for the ultimate strategy game. Not a simple game, though easy to use at first. I like games where it takes ages to learn everything, but easy to learn the basics. It`ll be 3D, as 2D won`t allow for everything I want to be included.

One day I`d like to start making this, but for now I`m still coming up with ideas and fitting the jigsaw together. It`ll be a hightech strategy game, Dune like (completely different, but just to clarify its not turnbased and not like a realtime UFO etc).

Has anybody got that thing that you really like in a strategy game, or something that you`ve always wanted?

Anyway back to designing it.

Thanks

[Nick]

Hehe I`m a graphic artist with limited programming knowledge. That wouldn`t be my department. I`m determined to do something with this. SOme of the ideas I`ve got would kick anything I`ve ever seen, by far.

[Nick]

Line of sight is alreadyd part of my plane, though I haven`t done anything about it. I haven`t got to any indepth stuff.

Well I`m "fully booked", graphics wise at the moment. After I`ve done my current stuff I`d like to start my owm project, though If I do I don`t know.

Speaking of graphics for strategy games. Anybody interested in helping me create the units for Realms Of Power? (not related to my strategy design).

[Nick]

Wow. Some good replies there. I`ve had to open the reply page in a different browser so i can go through all the answers :-)

When I say "Dune" I meant DuneII.

@T_Bone

Warzone 2100 was one of the main inspirations behind this, though not the one that started the original idea off. Its a great game even if I haven`t played it. I`ve watched and helped Cyka_Delik play it enough to know about 80% of what there is to know.

A few of you are getting at the point I`am. Its just too easy for people to get through games without using a massive amount of strategy. I won`t go into all of my idea of how to get around this, as thats the core behind all this. I thought I`d try and put even more ideas in the pile while I thinking about it.

@iamaboringperson

Do you like treading on people`s dreams? or is it your job? :-) No I haven`t made a game before. I`ve been involved (and still are) in making a few games. I`am sure I said I`m not a programmer, so I`m obviously not going to program it. I know 3D is more difficult than 2D. It has another dimension for a start. :-) I don`t know why I bother sometimes.

24bit would be good, but I think 16bit would be good enough. 8bit is too old now. This is supposed to be a modern game. How can you create the ultimate strategy game with bad graphics!?

@Matt

Cool. I already want each untit to have pretty decent damage. It has to be done really. I always like getting damage in games. Losing bits of your plane in B17:Flying Fortress was the best part!

@Micha1701

Your right. How did you know that? :-D

@r_o_o_s

Wow, nice reply. I think thats my point exactly, though we`ll have to see if we`re on exactly the same wavelength later. Oh yeah.....Welcome to this place. :-)

@PMC

I`ve been desiging a game like that for even longer, but that is truly a HUGE peroject. I`ll stick with this one.

@Im>bE

"Click faster" indeed. :-D

Thanks people, though I`ll ignore Odin`s answer
:-D

Keep the ideas coming. I`ve got a list of new ideas already.

Thanks

[Nick]

Hehe when I said you can`t have the ultimate strategy game without good graphics I didn`t mean sacrificing gameplay. I`m fully aware that thats important. Almost all of my ideas are in that area, but the best ever can`t be spoilt with substandard graphics. Just imagine the best strategy game. It would have incredible payability AND very good graphics. It would in my mind anyway.

[Nick]

@Jeffimix

Isn`t anybody listening to me. I said the ULTIMATE! My definition of Ultimate means the best of everything. Best playability AND graphics. I don`t mean think more about graphics than playability as yes that is the biggest part of it, but graphics are still important to a certain extent. I`m not arguing that graphics are more important. I`ve been saying that a lot of new games seem to have better graphics than anything else. I agree with that fully.

[Nick]

I agree with what your saying about adding stuff which isn`t required, but the other stuff has to be perfect, for its function. No loose ends, if you get what I mean?

This has turned from a request for ideas, to a small depate. Cool :-) Best way to get the best ideas.

Thanks Im>bE. I`ll take that onboard.

[Nick]

AI is very important in my eyes too. A good example is GT3. Damn good graphics (though not as good as GT:Concept), very good physics (very important in a driving sim), but the AI sucks. I can beat a much more capable car than mine. They make up for lack of AI with a bit of tuning instead. Annoying when you stick to a none tuned race car and they go and cheat, by having more straight line speed. There is more to the AI than just good driving. It would be much better if there was some AI in the setup of the car too. Very complicated, but worth it.

AI should be a major part of games now, but it is lagging behind physics. I like games with the most realistic physics, but AI seems to be strapped onto the game at the last second in many cases. Hopefully in the case of GT, GT4 will fix that. I HOPE! :-)

One annoying thing in some strategy games (and others) is computer player which has abilities which you know are only there to make up for the lack of AI. I like equal opportunities! Yes I know the computer will in a lot of games have abilities you can`t have, cause thats the game, but in the case of Dune II they can build on top of your units. THATS NOT FAIR! :-)

[Nick]

So.

Does anybody have any original ideas for this game? Surely theres something you`ve always wanted in a game? You`ve always said "why didn`t they do that!?" etc.

Thanks for all the replies. Some good points.