Voluntary "Homework Assignment!"

[Velociryx]

'k....we've got a couple of threads going on different segments of the game....we're talking about society models, and combat engines, and magic systems....but one thing we're not talking about just yet is what demonstrably works!

To that end, I have a little assignment for anybody who's interested....c'mon...it'll be fun, I promise! Best homework assignment you've ever gotten!

What I would like you to do is....play computer games.

Specifically, play turn based, 4x style computer games....old or new, any genre (and if you need some old games, head to: http://www.the-underdogs.org for a quick fix).

Yep...play computer games, and report your findings back here...let's talk about games that have come before and how they executed various elements....we might learn a thing or two....no...strike that, we'll definately learn a thing or two, even if it is to learn what NOT to do!

Case in point: On another thread, I got a recommendation to play EFS (Empire of the Fading Suns - Available on the underdogs site). So...I duly downloaded it and am playing my first game (beginner level, all defaults, yada yada yada). And...it's surprisingly good!

I'll withold my full opinion till I have more time to study the game, but so far, I can say with authority that I like the way they handle in-game diplomacy, and think we could take some lessons from them in that regard, but the combat model is WRETCHED! When two stacks meet in battle, you get a popup box and a generic "explosion" sound happens, then you see unit health bars decreasing....when a health bar goes to zero, the unit is replaced by a skull and crossbones icon...and that's it. There is NO active involvement 'cept for right up front, before the "combat resolution" begins, where you can pick an overall strategy (normal attack, overrun attack, and...something else). Once you pick that though, it's totally out of your hands. They might as well not even HAVE the actual battle popup, cos you can't do anything with it.

So....I'll finish out the critique of the systems we can learn from in EFS, and if anybody else wants to take this "homework assignment" I'd be happy to have help with the research!

-=Vel=-

[xRamsesx]

/me raises hand eagerly and bolts off to the underdog

Vel, I only wish my teachers had given me homeworks like this one!

[Velociryx]

Yeah well....see, I'm thinking I'd be getting all kinds of extra cool points if I was a teacher...LOL!

I'm just thinking....we have, in the Underdog site, a simply *amazing* resource....a library of games (some successful, some not-so-successful, some downright brilliant and far ahead of their time), and there may be lessons we can learn from that, to apply them in our own game. That, coupled with any other game(s) people who venture this way might have on their HDs should give us PLENTY of examples to pick and choose from....different ways of handling combat, diplomacy, magic....anything we can imagine....

My hope is that we'll hit upon a few really innovative ideas this way, be able to combine them with our own ideas to create something new and different, and use THAT as the basis for our implementation....

-=Vel=-

[Chowlett]

Would love to, but CB is eating enough time out of revision as it is!

Maybe in a month or two...

[TCO]

Chowlett are you an undergrad or grad student. What general field is your thesis in and what is title?

[Cyclotron]

I refuse to use the underdogs' site out of principle, so I can't help you there. Of course, that's a different discussion, so I won't go on about that here. Anyway, I'll review the strategy games I have and see what I can think of.

[Chowlett]

Undergrad. My general field would be "Mathematics", and my thesis title would be - erm, how about "Attempting to get a BA in mathematics at a British university, so theses don't come in until after I graduate and try to get a Masters or a PhD."

[TCO]

Well...what the heck are you revising?

And have you subspecialized at all? What appeals to you?

[Chowlett]

Erm, my course work from the last year. I have exams in 4 weeks.

And I'm planning on specialising in pure maths, number theory in particular. I don't really get to do that until next or even 4th year.

[Velociryx]

Was doing a bit of research re: the topic of this thread, and in particular, my own exploration of EFS....found out that the third attack option that I couldn't think of earlier was "Feint" - also found out that it doesn't work....it's exactly the same as making a "normal" attack....so there are essentially only two options to choose from, accessible from a popup w/buttons that overlays the "battle screen" - once you make your selection of attack type, the battle resolves automatically with no further input from you.

One thing we COULD get from this is a roughed out first version for the look and feel of our combat display, but in truth, I'd be disappointed if it stayed that way.

What I'm seeing is that, for the early iterations, we could have a zoom to battle view, with a popup overlaying it, broken out segmentally (by the three firing tiers), radio buttons allowing for the selection of standard or precision strikes for archers, standard or charge attacks for Cav (modified by the possible presence of pike, which would disallow those choices for either troop type).

Then, the current round would resolve...between rounds, you'd get another popup/button that would appear with essentially three things on it

An "option to withdraw" button, a "continue with the same orders" or a "change orders" button (which would bring the popup back up.

-=Vel=-

[TCO]

Originally posted by Chowlett
Erm, my course work from the last year. I have exams in 4 weeks.

And I'm planning on specialising in pure maths, number theory in particular. I don't really get to do that until next or even 4th year.

Oh...you're reviewoing than, not revising. No? Or is this a Brit English thing?

[Chowlett]

Hmm, well I never. The OED has

revise:v...2(Brit.) reread work done previously to improve one's knowledge, typically for an examination.

Y'know, I'd never have thought it was at all regionalised!

[Velociryx]

After reading the description, I am of the opinion that we could learn quite a lot from this game:

http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=2884

I plan on downloading it when I get home tonight, but tonight is "date night" for me....the evening that I head to the retirement home to spend some some time with my grandmother, so I likely will not get to play much with it...but if anybody else is looking for a good "candidate game" this one might just be the ticket....

-=Vel=-

[Chowlett]

And for the benefit of Cyclo - it's freeware...

[Cyclotron]

And, for your benefit, a quote from the Underdogs' site:

We believe that providing games that have been abandoned by their publishers, while technically illegal, is a valuable service to the gaming community...

Hence my categorical objection.