Side-scroller game for OUYA

[user7]

make the game about a magical rabbit! that would be badass. I don't have a video game background but a film background and would be willing to help out with character development and story.

[Paul]

I'm locked into the Caped Soul concept, so no magical rabbits   The basic concept follows the Red Cape legend, of a supernatural being who hides his highly charismatic face with a mask, and who gives his target a choice of Red Cape or Blue Cape (or choose not to play).  The twist with this particular version of the legend is that instead of strangling the target if they choose Blue Cape, instead the Caped Soul possesses them.

So obviously that is very rudimentary foundation, and not really a story.  It is basically the foundation I needed to even begin work on the mechanics of the game (in this case, the concept of enemies choosing a fate and a system for possession).  That said, there is still plenty of room to expand and develop that story, so I'm happy to hear any input you might have.

[user7]

...who gives his target a choice of Red Cape or Blue Cape (or choose not to play).  The twist with this particular version of the legend is that instead of strangling the target if they choose Blue Cape, instead the Caped Soul possesses them.

I have to admit you have completely lost me here. The protagonist gives his enemy a cape then fights him? I have to admit this mechanic is confusing and might be simplified.

[Paul]

No, from a game mechanics perspective, it is a semi-random event.  You target the enemy by pressing a button (Caped Soul removes his mask) and using the left analog stick to "aim", lock on (Caped Soul locks gazes with the enemy), release the button (or lose lock), and one of three things happens:

1) Red Cape (Caped Soul jumps into enemy, and it is killed)
2) Blue Cape (Caped Soul jumps into enemy and possesses it)
3) Refusal (Enemy breaks contact, becomes angry or runs away)

I say semi-random, because the probability will be based on the enemy's "level" compared to the Caped Soul.  Lower-level enemies are more likely to be Red Cape'd, and higher-level enemies are more likely to refuse.  There isn't any exchange of a cape.  The colors are merely a way to tie into the legend.  Visually, the Caped Soul's cape will become red as he jumps into an enemy on Red Cape, or blue as he jumps into an enemy on Blue Cape.

So from a game mechanics perspective, it isn't complicated -- you are just pressing a button and aiming.  The rest is handled by the engine.

[karl_87]

Hi Paul

I might be interested in doing sound work/sound effects for the game. I'm a music producer (typically dance/electronic) but I'm very influenced by early video game sounds and sometimes incorporate them in to my songs. I have quite a good ear for sound effects especially too. Let me know if I could be of any help.

[Vincentmrl]

paul, about the random event thing, what about making this only for semibosses, bosses and big enemies? The capture method being random would also make people get angry easily, so what about something like a quick puzzle or a combo to do to cap (like touching somewhere and swype in the directions the game says like a rhythm game or a combo for android, and moving analogs/pressing buttons and touch surface on ouya)? For small enemies instead you could make them take 2 seconds of watching to control (object falls in the way and you have to redo the thing since it's not anymore "hypnotized before capturing the soul". Also if you can attack with the controlled enemies, what about attacking others and "stunning" them to get more chance to control them (or easier combo)

[JoshaGibs]

Well before you start making any type of 3d models your first going to need a good sketch artist for the character appearance. So I would consider you get someone to do that first. That is when you have found out what you want the characters to be or look like. A sketch artist is usually the best concept maker of the characters development. It's good to have the view through someone elses eyes so your absolutely sure people would like the appearance. Maybe have a vote on the best sketches to find a public appeal possibly could even create a contest based on your descriptions.

[Paul]

Good point.  But even before that, I think the first step is to make a rough demo of the engine, which is something I unfortunately have not had time for.  I never anticipated that owning a house would take so much time.. maybe when winter gets here I'll have more free time HAHA!

[seaking177]

Seeing as I just found this thread, would it be possible to request this would be ran on the nvidia shield as well? I can do the bug testing for it . For free as well.

[Melinda]

Dude, when are we going to start on this huh? 

[Paul]

Depends on the size of the honey-do list...   

[jonsawesome]

Hello guys,

I'm interested in working on the audio side of things, although I'm no professional...
What kind of music/sound style are you guys looking for?

[jasenickson]

do u help with game modding and programming?

[Benrox]

Hellew when I was doing my robot RPG game for college I asked my friend to make a 8-bit song for it and shes actually really good at them ill try and send you song she made and see if she could possibly help with the music you are looking for she's kind of been busy lately but ill see if I can ask her about it at some point. Let me know if this is the kind of thing you are looking for.

[danny19901]

@paul if your planning on bringing a side scroller game try something like http://www.secretmaryo.org/ [nofollow] it's Mario pretty much but open sourced would love to see this on android but you could use some ideas from this