First serious try at making a game

[gbuchold]

Hi, I'm new to the board as you can tell from my "first post" status, so sorry if I seem like a newbie.

Anyway, here's the concept I've got for a game to make, suggestions welcome:

Name: Pax Arcana (Latin bast., essentially "The Mystic Age")

Concept: Roman empire-themed RPG, hero (working on name... thinking Vir Aequitas (hero of justice)) is patrician, son of a trusted general, has just been promoted to Lieutenant in Roman army and is sent with a contingent to take land from barbarians. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but eventually the Roman sense of honor and political system puts the hero on the outside looking in... main theme will be "Fiat justitia ruat caelum" (Let justice be done though the heavens fall).

Features: No world map - smaller, realistic maps
Large, bustling towns with realistic numbers of people (no 10-man towns)
Both small party and army custom combat systems
CMS
Branching story based on army performance - loss does not necessarily result in game over
Multiple endings
At LEAST 5-10 hours of play per playthrough, hopefully 15+

This is going to be quite an ambitious project, and it will take me quite a while... it may end up being finished on RM2k3 for all I can tell at this point. Still, though this is very rough, what do you ladies and gentlemen think of what I've got so far?

[Nivoraw]

[glow=blue,2,300]Nah, its ok, we were all newbies once werent we? Anyway to your game, if you are a newbie to Rm2K as you are to this board dont take on such a ambitious project. Anyway..if your not i think it sounds like a good game, if you carry it on keep us updated and maybe some screenshots?

Overall: Sounds good

Nivoraw [/glow]

[gbuchold]

I appreciate your candor, Nivoraw, but I've worked a bit with RM2K before, I created the first 4 or 5 hours of a game that was intended just to teach me how the system works - i.e. stock graphics, stock music, just learning how everything works together - and not only did people like it but I ended up learning to sprite-edit and work some basic custom things in. Eventually I want to finish that game, with custom everything I can handle - but I really like the idea of a Roman-themed RPG, and I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Plus I feel - and have experienced - that the best way to learn complex things is to jump in with both feet. That, and study other, successful games/demos.

[Tool 666]

Actually, i do recall seeing a roman-themed game, but then, that was an adaptation of Julius Caesar...

Anyhow, sure go for it. That period of history was sweet.

[AgentLane]

Roman-themed RPG!!?? Sorry, just a little excited. Studied a bit o' the history in college, and it sure was great.

About the details of your game...will it take place in a real-world setting or a fictitious one with Roman aspects? Personally I think that placing your RPG in a real-world setting will make your game all the more intriguing. The Roman political system was fraught with contradicting elements like conspiracies, corruption, unmatched duty, and honor. I can relate a ton of stories I picked up from Livy from the early period of Roman history that would make great themes in your RPG if you are interested.

[Busterman Zero]

Hmm...roman based game. Sounds good. Might not be something totally new but it's still original.