I Have A Dream...[long... really long]

[Illuminati]

Innovation is, I believe, the most important value that a game producer can have. Without it, games become repetitive, stagnant and boring.
I have reached the point where I no longer will wait with baited breath for the next most realistic-looking graphics. After turning on Anti-aliasing and Anistropic filtering (all the way up, thanks ATI), I had many moments in HL2 where I simply stared at the screen, in near disbelief that the scene on my monitor wasn't pre-rendered.
I've been around the world when it comes to different genres of games. From FPS to RTS to MMORPGs and other acronyms that I can't remember. Thinking back on a lifetime of game playing, I must recognize that a vast majority of "timeless classics" have involved a major innovation. For me, at least, innovative games always hook me.
Here's what I'm asking for, and if it already exists, point me in that direction.
I want a cross between an MMORPG, Counter Strike, America's Army, TFC and C&C.
A hybrid like what I just mentioned could either be one of the most innovative games ever, or look like a litter of puppies born on 3-mile island. I have a dream it might just be a damn fun game to play.
This idea is based very heavily on a couple of accepted "truths" that encourage me that something so complicated could actually work:
1. Responsibility for one's actions, with no "restart button."

In MMORPG's, your character can be deleted, fined, or temporarily kicked for misbehaving. Steam banned people who used illegal versions of HL2. It has already been established that people are willing to commit to an account which they are ultimately responsible for. Password protect it and don't let your 10 year old little brother play.

2. There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that read the instruction booklet, do the tutorial, etc... and those that run into any situation and learn on the fly. Both of these people should be able to play and not get "penalized" for their gameplay style.

I, personally, read the whole instruction booklet, play every "tutorial" possible and I've even done a statistical analysis (albeit amateur) on the shot pattern of each rifle in CS. Half the time, "twitch shooters" will shoot me before I shoot them, but that's just not me. All this comes out of a game I played on the Sega Master System that I couldn't beat to save my life. It was a racing game and I kept losing every race. Turns out (after I traded the game in for a lame "Penguin Land" game) that by holding down both gas and brake, you'd engage the "turbo." If I read the instruction booklet, I'dve known that. So I vowed, so long as I live... etc...

3. Video Game players (especially) will do incredible amounts of work just for a title.

Look at these forums... how happy were you when you finally became an Antlion Guard? Ever play FFXI and finally got your Chocobo License? How about in World of Warcraft when you reach level 35 and finally get to wear your underwear on your head? Ok, I never played WoW, but I think you catch my drift. Video gamers have matured and established themselves to have the ability to (I say that in italics because even people capable of maturity don't always show it) be mature gamers who can set long-term in-game goals and work towards them.

4. People who play video games don't always want to be the "HW Guy" of the team.

Sorry, but the "hero" role is out. Nobody cares about the "glory" of being a lone gunman mowing down row after row of enemy soldiers. The sniper, who waits in the shadows, using patience and cunning to make a kill, the engineer who stays behind and makes sure the technical portion of the equipment used in battle is in tip-top shape, the medic. There are more than enough people willing (and eager) to play the "support" roles needed for my dream game.

My inspiration came from a history-buff friend explaining the many different roles needed on a military ship in the 17th century. I imagined a "mod" where you used the grav gun to pick up and load cannon balls into a cannon. I chuckled to myself and went to sleep that night thinking about it. Eventually, the idea brewed in my head untill I realized that a real-time strategy game could be implemented all the way down to delivery shipments and supplies could be handled by real people. I would find it exciting to drive a truck to the front lines, knowing that the goods in my truck would benefit the people on my team.
Roles requiring training like tank drivers or pilots would actually be handled like a flight sim, with complex and realistic controls.
I also imagine players rising through the ranks to become generals and commanders, and these players who have achieved such ranks also gain the ability to "comment" on lower players. Other players who behave as ordered would be commended, and those who disobey are given demerits.
Could you imagine getting an e-mail as you sit, surfing the internet, from an in-game friend telling you that an attack is being planned and to sign in and get ready to help. If you were given too much warning, just being a lowly soldier, you could perhaps alert someone else on the other team (in real life) and ruin the surprise. Could you imagine ammasing a large invasion front at 3AM Eastern time while most of the players (most) would be asleep and not signed in?
I would imagine that long-term "rounds" would be over when the population of one side outnumbers the other in terms of non-dead players online. Maybe a 70/30 split?
Anyway, I'd like to hear some feedback on this idea, and if it is being implemented in any way.

 

[Sui]

i have a VERY similar dream, that i have thought about in much the same way... especially the part about supplies and actually being the guy who brings supplies to your team. i would love to pilot a chinook like in C+C generals, with a soldier in the back ready to support me when i start loading the supplies into my chopper.

hmmm... please excuse me for a moment... i'm going to prepare a very big post, with quotes from a previous thread i made, and post it here.

*edit* ok.. i've searched through all my threads, and i cant't find the thread i made on this subject AT ALL. Maybe it's been deleted when the forums were changing or something? arg!

 

[Shakermaker]

I want a cross between an MMORPG, Counter Strike, America's Army, TFC and C&C.

The only thing around right now that has a vague similarity to your wish is WWII online but that reaks.

I am hoping Battlefield 2 will turnout a little like what you're describing. The latest IGN-preview described some pretty cool features. For example, there's a real chain of command. You can assign squads with leaders, and there's a commander that can overlook the whole battlefield and use stuff like Predators and artillery strikes. There'll also be official stats with extra's when you reach a new rank. Hopefully DICE can deliver what they promise.





PS Great thread btw.

 

[Sui]

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1107705#post1107705

^^^That's my idea. I've made a new thread about it, you'll understand why if you see how much i have written...

i read your writing, so READ MINE!!! it probally won't take more than an hour j/k

 

[Illuminati]

Suicide, I read all of your post and we have similar ideas, but I differ strongly in my opinions about EXP and "cloning". I don't like the idea of people running around (freelancers) who answer to nobody. It's not realistic. The EXP issue I have is that there is NO way to accurately depict a way to GAIN exp. EXP and "levels" shouldn't make one person more likely to come out alive in a battle. In real life, a team's ability to WORK TOGETHER and follow orders without hesitation mean lives saved.
I prefer to think of this mod as a real war, 100% with the exception that physical fitness is necessary. As someone with a physical disability that prevents me from enlisting and until very recently, participating in most physical activities, I saw this as a very realistic way to encourage team thinking for people who might not otherwise get to "work" with other people in such a way. Or people too lazy to play football, etc.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of EXP because "how true you shoot" shouldn't be a number stored on a computer... it should be about how well you know your individual gun, wind, and your eye-hand coordination with a mouse, perhaps even timing your breaths.

I also don't like the idea of chosing sides. Sorry, when it comes to war, you rarely get to "choose" what side you're on. Some of you might say "Well I wouldn't be a nazi because they were committing genocide, etc..." So what're you gonna do? Defect to the US? You fight because you have to. Sorry, I don't want this thing headed to the political thread...

I just like the idea of people learning responsibility for their actions, while not being in the "fantasy" realm of all the MMORPG's, actually, throw out the RPG element, it doesn't need to be there.

The only MAJOR problem I see with mine is somebody leaking movements and surprise plans to the other side. That's why I think low level people should be kept in the dark untill right before action.

BTW, I think your idea is great, Suicide, but not up my alley. Also, I can't stand "resource management" in RTS games, but I just wouldn't get into that part of the game, would I?

 

[Foxtrot]

BF2 will probably just turn out like all the other battlefield games, and all the chain of command and squad features will be ignored.

 

[Sui]

Illuminati, i love your idea of a game, and many games like to re-create this- but the thing is, most people just dont like not being in control. I mean, poeple would hate not being able to pick teams... they would just quit and rejoin until they got on the right one. I like the idea, and people should NOT be able to "cheat" the score and seem better than they are, but they will do everything they can to do this. You have to give the player a sufficient amount of choice... but then again, that's their problem, not ours.

But i guess we just have different preferences in gaming. We both have the same idea- it's just that i am an RPG fan, with levelling up and EXP- and lot's of choice... and you are an FPS fan, with equal oppertunities, everythting based on skill. it's just a matter of preferance.