Help Wanted: Strategy/RPG internet game idea

["GameProgrammer.Com" <bob@pendleton.com>]

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GameProgrammer.Com: Help Wanted: Strategy/RPG internet game
idea
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By James Mathe on Saturday, May 13, 2000 - 09:54 am:

I'm putting out a "feeler" to see if anyone is interested in
working on a new internet gaming project... probably open
source but yet to be decided.

ABouT ME:

I have over 15 years experience in programming, databases,
design, and my company owns a web server already. We also
run several popular RPG web sites (accounting for 3 million
banner displays a month). Our most popular site is already
host to a unique Java virtual table-top application called
"WebRPG Online" and has over 80,000 users! See URL's in
signiture below.


THE CONCEPT:

"An internet turn-based fantasy strategy/RPG gladiator
game." - ok that's a mouthfull... but the concept is rather
simple: an isometric view with modifiable camera, a player
party with strong role-playing character development,
tatical battle maps with treasures and powerups, multipler
mode over the internet to battle other player parties or
gladiators, and a strong story line. Players take turns
moving/actions/attacking against other player parties (good
or evil) or computer AI monsters. The beauty of this style
of game is that its realitivly simple yet fun and rewarding.


SIMULAR TO:

This concept is simular to some older play station games
like:

"Vandal Hearts"
http://www.epinions.com/game-Titles-Consoles-SonyPlaystation-All-Vandal_Hearts

or "Final Fantasy Tactics"
http://www.epinions.com/game-Software-All-Playstation-Final_Fantasy_Tactics (I highly recommend you try them). As well as adding some elements from "Hero's of Might and Magic" and "Rage of Mages". One could also say its like a "Warhammer 40k" game of "Fanatasy General".

One of the founders of this game category: Ogre Battle is
now prepairing a new release on the N64:
http://www.atlus.com/ogre_battle_64.htm


THE HOST:

A game like this can be done without publishers and offered
from a web site that has a server to manage games and player
rankings and scheduling duels and the like. I already run a
server simular to this at WebRPG.com so the concept is
sound. Offer the software for free up front - generate a lot
of usage - sell ads for the usage and then a preimium
membership for more options/armies.


WHATS NEEDED:

- Developers, artists, modelers, sound engineers, the
works...

- An Engine to start with - suggestions?


WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?

Well it's a fun hobby without a ton of presure as I know
we're all busy people - but a site like this can easily
generate well over $2000 a month in ad revenues alone
(WebRPG again is proof of that) and there can always be
premium memberships too.  Of course all this would be shared
after the operating costs. The idea of being involved is
more for the joy of being involved and learning new things
then the dollars [ :) ]


REVENUE MODEL:

Free download to play:
 - advertising banners
 - play alone or against others
 - online game challenges
 - chat rooms / online community

Membership:
 - additional spells and units and weapons
 - rankings and tournaments
 - more parties stored on server


Feedback, comments, ideas are all welcome!
James
Minion Development Corp.

RPG Host Webmaster         WebRPG Webmaster
webmaster@rpghost.com      webmaster@webrpg.com
--------------------------------------------------
PC Game Watch Webmaster    SavedGame.com Webmaster
webmaster@pcgamewatch.com  webmaster@savedgame.com
--------------------------------------------------

   RPG Host - FREE Role-Playing Aids:
       http://www.rpghost.com

   PC Game Watch - Gateway to Future PC Games:
       http://www.pcgamewatch.com

   SavedGame.com - Game Saves, Trainers, Cheats, &
Walkthroughs:
       http://www.savedgame.com

   WebRPG - FREE Tabletop Gaming:
       http://www.webrpg.com

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