[Hajo_]

While being a good programmer and somewhat skilled graphics artist, I think I need help in game, level and quest design. I'm looking for a partner who joins my current project and helps me in these areas - in all steps of inventing, planning and implementing this design. I'm interested in a long term partnership; the project is now running a little more than two years and I excpect we'll need some more years to finish it.


Aim of the project:

Create an RPG set in late medieval or post medieval age. It will feature a map with several cities, and a dozen or more locations that the adventurer can visit during the game. Since I ask for help in game design, you might understand that I can't be precise here - this is actually the part that I need help with.

To make the project doable by a small group of people, I aim at a rather low tech implementation. I.e. grid based levels, mostly unanimated, isometric graphics, simple sound effects. I think those are good enough to make a fun game if the world and quests are well designed. I don't aim at the next technlogoy breathrough. Just make a nice game. Important is to set the goals low enough so that they can be reached in one lifetime.

I do not expect to make money of this project, so I cannot offer money. If you join, you should do it for the fun of creating a nice game. If by chance we should create something sellable, I'd not object to make money of it of course :)


Current state:

I've put together the core of an RPG engine that we can use to create the game. As written above it's simple, and extensions will be needed. I think after getting an initial design of the games world/quests etc. it will be easy to identify the needed extensions.

http://h-world.simugraph.com


First design sketch:

As already said, the games world will be one continent with several cities. I surely need help to design and create the cities. then depending on the quests we'll need further locations on this continent which the player can visit. I also need help to design the quests and the locations.

The usual equipment will be late medieval stuff, including gun powder and first guns. If possible I'd like to include bot magic, and some technology, even if this breaks the strict "late medival" setting. I think we should at this point try to make an interesting game, and not try to be too realistic.


My background and references: I've got more than 15 years experince in programming, thereof more than 12 year doing C and 7 years doing C++. I've studied computer science and I think I'm quite good in designing and implementing even complex software systems. So far I've developed one of my game projects to a well playable state: http://www.simutrans.de

I've got some limited skills as a graphics artists although this isn't really my strong side: http://www.simugraph.com/en/gallery.html

I think I can be a reliable long term partner. Simutrans was developed since 1997, so you don't need to be afraid I'll let you down half the way. On the other hand, I work on several projects in parallel, so there will be times when the other projects require a noticeable amount of my time. I just tell this to avoid misunderstandings.

Your skills should supply mine, this measn your strengths should be my weaknesses - best if you are the artistic, inventive type with a background in writing/storytelling. Graphics and music/sound design skills won't hurt either.

Interested? Seriously? Let me know, I'm listening :)

c.u.
Hajo

[Hajo]

I was logged in when I wrote the above. Why does it say it was written by guest?! How long is the timeout? I started it this morning and finished it this afternoon. Can't the forum software keep me logged in until I finish the message ... why do important things always go wrong :(

*sniff*

Edit - 03-Nov-03:

Thank you, moderator, for changing the name :)

[janus]

I'd be willing to help... I don't exactly have tons of free time, but I have a decent amount of skill in graphic/visual design and writing. I really like your screenies - good lighting engine, good graphics, and a pretty solid interface. Drop me an email or an IM sometime and we can chat and see if I will be of any help to you. :)

[Hajo]

Thank you :)

Email is on the way. I hope the address from your profile is valid?