Input on what sort of game you'd be interested in

[ChickenFetus]

Tldr: I want your opinions on what sort of animal/ecology based game you’d be interested in playing.

Long version: I've been working two "concept test” games: An ecosystem sim in Unity and an animal survival game in RPG maker (I wanted to do in in XP for multiple reasons, but for various reasons it seems likely it will be made in VX Ace).

Neither game is intended to be major, fully fledged games in their own right. But rather they're experiments to set a basis for future projects and get input from people (hence they'll both be free). My initial plan was to release both at around the same time, see how people felt about both and discuss how I would expand the games into serious projects, then make a new game from scratch (a potentially commercial one) based on what people seemed to be most interested in and their opinions on the concept tests. However development on these test concepts has taken far longer than I anticipated. While there’s still a chance of having both made, I think I’ll probably have to sacrifice development in at least one. At the moment the Unity Ecosim has basic functions (simplistic player controlled climate, reproducing flora and fauna with needs, predation and even basic family units for certain animals ) but lacks actual sprites (I have colored triangles and squares represent animals, plants and terrain). The animal survival game has many assets available (custom, modified and third-party), and I managed to set up basic gameplay in VX Ace (but I’m a little uncertain what sort of map I should make).

I decided instead of waiting until the concept tests are released, I would get people opinions on what they were most interested in now. I’ll also likely put more effort into whichever concept (ecosim vs animal survival) people seem most interested in. As you may have noticed in the poll, while I only have one idea for expanding the animal sim, I have lots of ideas of how the ecosim could potentially be expanded. It’s possible I could even merge both concepts if people are in favor of it.

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To explain the poll options in greater detail:

1 - Imagine something like Site B mode from Jurassic Park Operation Genesis (e.g free roaming animals that interact with each other, and the player can alter the landscape), except that the animals and plants can also breed and there’s more than just dinosaurs (possibly fictional animals as well, but I haven't decided yet. I'm leaning more towards real ones). Also dynamic climate and flora that players can manipulate.

2 - Same as above but player's would have to manage resources and public interest to keep environment healthy and usage of it sustainable: perhaps though renting out the land or be commissioned to recreate a certain environment for various purposes. Likely to be in a futuristic setting and only have real animal species (both modern and extinct).

3 - A horror survival game, except players play as wild animal instead of people. Completely unrelated to option 1 and 2. Gameplay would mostly consist of finding food, avoiding being eaten, and trying to keep young alive. (Only real and modern animals). Note that, unlike the other options, this will not include (or at least have far more subtle, non controllable) ecosim elements.

4 - I admittedly don't have a specific concept in mind other than manipulating a fictional ecology in a weird horror setting. But I thought it was an interesting concept that I haven't seen anyone try. I was toying with perhaps something along the lines of "What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord" and Mortasheen, but with a greater emphasis on ecology.

5 - If there's any ecology or animal based game you'd be interested to play that I hadn't mentioned, let me know.

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I have two questions other than the poll above:
- Would you be more open to a game focused only on dinosaurs over one containing both modern and prehistoric (including dinosaurs). If you prefer only prefer dinosaurs, why do you prefer it over a mixture of both dinosaurs, modern animals and other prehistoric animals.
- As a feature for an ecosim, if you had a choice between playing as an animal (most likely a real species) in a world you designed, OR having a very simplistic mix-match creature creation system for npcs, which would you choose?*
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* A spore like creation system is probably out of the question. The most realistic possibility would be simple modding system, though I suppose an "Impossible-Creatures" style mix-match animal system isn’t out of the question (Impossible Creatures is the name of a computer game by the way). However even a mix-match system would probably come at the expense of dynamic animations and individual variation.

[DerVVulfman]

Curious.

It may be beneficial if you gave definitions or descriptions of your poll options, such as the differences between Horror animal survival and Horror Strategy game with ecology.

[ChickenFetus]

Curious.

It may be beneficial if you gave definitions or descriptions of your poll options, such as the differences between Horror animal survival and Horror Strategy game with ecology.

In the example you mentioned, in former you play as an animal but in the latter you don't.

[DerVVulfman]

I thought one looked very familiar. In fact, I was helping out a friend with your #3 option though her game involved surviving as a classic lowly RPG monster versus... um.... EVERYTHING (even against humans).

[MetalRenard]

Option 3 sounds like Spore with a twist. Colour me curious.

[Dr. Ermine]

#3 all the way, as for your follow ups:
- Would you be more open to a game focused only on dinosaurs over one containing both modern and prehistoric (including dinosaurs)
- Dinosaurs only is a-okay with me. Need more dinosaur based games.


- As a feature for an ecosim, if you had a choice between playing as an animal (most likely a real species) in a world you designed, OR having a very simplistic mix-match creature creation system, which would you choose?*
I'd be more open to an Impossible Creature like mixnmatch system; but really, I'd be fine with EITHER if they worked well.


EDIT:
Have you ever played SimLife? It's like the grandparent of Spore. You control absolutely everything in a world; creatures, ecosystems, etc. It's an older game so you can bet those graphics were 2D and very simplistic. I'd love a spiritual successor, as Spore certainly wasn't.

[ChickenFetus]

Option 3 sounds like Spore with a twist. Colour me curious.

I assume your referring to the creature stage and while they're are some similarities, I'd actually think Wolfquest, Saurian are probably closer game play wise to what I'm considering. But yes, there will absolutely will be a twist.

#3 all the way, as for your follow ups:
- Would you be more open to a game focused only on dinosaurs over one containing both modern and prehistoric (including dinosaurs)
- Dinosaurs only is a-okay with me. Need more dinosaur based games.

- As a feature for an ecosim, if you had a choice between playing as an animal (most likely a real species) in a world you designed, OR having a very simplistic mix-match creature creation system, which would you choose?*
I'd be more open to an Impossible Creature like mixnmatch system; but really, I'd be fine with EITHER if they worked well.


EDIT:
Have you ever played SimLife? It's like the grandparent of Spore. You control absolutely everything in a world; creatures, ecosystems, etc. It's an older game so you can bet those graphics were 2D and very simplistic. I'd love a spiritual successor, as Spore certainly wasn't.

Yes I have played SimLife. Iin fact option 1 (and to a much lesser degree, option 2) and the ecosim concept-test I'm working on in Unity were heavily inspired by SimLife and what I was hoping Spore would be. Although my game would likely still be in 2D, the graphics would certainly be better.

If you don't mind me asking, why would you prefer dinosaurs only over a mixture of dinosaurs and modern animals (I should have included that in the original post as part of the question, my bad). I also should clarify the mixmatch system would be npc creation not playables (I fixed the original post in those regards, I apologize).

Not entirely related, but if your interested in Dinosaur games, have you heard of Saurian, Dinosystem or The Isle?

I thought one looked very familiar. In fact, I was helping out a friend with your #3 option though her game involved surviving as a classic lowly RPG monster versus... um.... EVERYTHING (even against humans).

I actually don't think I've heard of her game before.

[DerVVulfman]

Still in the works.