A Developer’s Journal

Feasibility

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:38:11 -0600

It’s starting to sink in that a RISK/RTS might not be possible to complete in nine months as one person. Let us list a few other options:

• An RPG board game/video game.
• RISK/RTS, but simplified battles, possibly turn based, RPG like battles.
• An iPod/Internet app that tracks your groceries, matches what you have against a database of recipes and gives you suggestions. Also could track commonly used recipes and suggest other recipes based on other users that use the similar recipes. Would allow users to submit their own recipes. Perhaps could integrate with local grocery stores. Users could have a card they bring with to, say, Hornbacher’s, which is scanned at checkout, adding all purchased items to the user’s database. Items would stay there until they are used, or their expiration date, if applicable. Hornbacher’s could also include coupons/deals/etc. in the app. App could also offer reminders for expired items.
• iPod Battleship. As a starting point, at least. Could be fleshed out to be far more awesome.
• A multiplayer game played with iPod Touches in combination with a computer.

Two weeks to the second proposal draft, seven weeks to the final draft. Plenty of time to think.

Mulling

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:27:37 -0600

A number of ideas have been raised through the poll as well as through my own mulling over, and one of the most thought after concepts is that of RISK meets Civilization/Real Time Strategy Game/First Person Shooter.

One of the major problems with an RTS in this instance is how to allow two (or more) players to control their units on one screen. Some options:

• Split Screen — Vertical Split Screen would work well on a large, wide screen television in my mind. This would allow for screen peeking, however, which would prove a pain, I'm sure.
• Turn Based Fighting — Obviously, this is no longer "Real Time," and maybe no longer warrants a digitized version. And screen peeking is still possible.
• iPod Touch — Or a laptop, or a DS, or a... Regardless, were the warring parties to control their armies from a hand held device, two things would happen: 1) No more screen peeking. 2) The main screen is freed up. This means a) there is no main screen, just little screens, b) the main screen can be used to show off the battle to uninvolved players, or c) the main screen can be used by the heretofore uninvolved players. Perhaps a Battlefield system could be investigated. That is, the two (or more. The thought of launching attacks with allies sounds very intriguing.) opposed players handle troop movement, while allied players on either side move down to ground level and control individual troops.
• Microsoft Surface — Far beyond my budget, but an interesting thought. That thought being, what if the board were in fact a Microsoft Surface computer? Rather than physical pieces, graphical representations would be dragged around by hand. When a battle is initiated, the screen would zoom down to maximize visibility, and the opposing sides would control troop movement via touching the screen. The trick here is making sure the other person doesn't move your troops about. It also eliminates the need of an Xbox/PS3/etc.

Some other random thoughts, not with any particular purpose attached:

• It has also been suggested that more in depth city/state management be implemented, à la Civilization.
• How to win battles? Control points? Domination?
• Can attackers retreat?
• Are all involved units brought in en masse at the beginning of the battle, or trickled in as others die, à la Star Wars Battlefront?
• Does this take place on Earth?
• Does this take place exclusively on land? Water? Air? Space?
• Are units granted like RISK or built like Civilization?
• Do city defenses come into play? Terrain differences?
• How in depth should selection of units be? Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery? Specialization within each? Boats? Airplanes? Upgradable?
• Cities or Nations? Do they grow? With time, or based on money?
• Resources?
• Turn process. One person does everything, then the next person? Or everyone does one thing, then the next thing?

If anyone has any thoughts on any of these questions, leave a comment or shoot me an email. I'm open to any input people have.

Getting the Ball Rolling

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:07:25 -0600

Hello World,

Here's the dealio: I have until December 2009 to create the most bad ass Graphic Communications Senior Project Minnesota State University Moorhead has ever seen. And with any luck, the most bad ass thing ever.

To that end, I have decided to create a board game. But not just any board game. A board game... With a computer chip inside! Perhaps several computer chips inside!

Why computer chips, do you ask? Why not, say, Ruffles? I will tell you, my friend: Computer chips are magical creatures; Magical creatures with the power to communicate with other computer type devices. In this instance, a computer. Or even, a video game system.

Why would I want to do something so absolutely cradiculous (That's "crazy" and "ridiculous" rolled into one. Clever, right?) as that? Because, dear reader-

Okay, I can't talk like that anymore. The thought behind the project is that most DVD board games are lame, but the idea of a board game combined with a video game is still awesome. Logically, the next step is to create a board game that directly communicates with a video game.

Which leads us to a few important questions: What are we hooking this bad boy up to? A desktop/laptop? A PS3/360/Wii? An iPod/PSP/DS? Perhaps the board should be a touch screen running some intense Microsoft Surface craziness. Also, what sort of game should this be? RISK/Civilization meets CoD4/Command & Conquer? A Clue style mystery game? An RPG of DOOM?! And finally, where on earth will Chris Fried find the time and money to complete this monstrosity? Would drafting a legion of coders nullify this project's place as Chris Fried's Senior Project?

All of these questions (and more!) will hopefully be answered very soon, so that I can move onto the actual creation process.

To that end, I have created a poll, seeking the input of others:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cHZLNWJHOVF1WWIyYmJsbFNINEVWT3c6MA

If you could find a spare moment to complete it in the near to immediate future, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll do my best to keep you, the World, updated to my very important affairs through this humble blog.

Thank you, Dear Reader,
Goodnight