Game design

[Anguille]

Sounds cool...looking forward for more goodies.

[Zaimat]

I want to point out a few things it is friday after all

Every race has their own techs/tree, that means as the human player it will be practically impossible to have access to ALL techs in the game.

The alien races in Horizon typically don't like to share their goodies, they consider race-specific techs (advantages) as a matter of the highest value.

There won't be artificially set 'unachievable' levels, if you can't achieve something it will be due to many factors including economics and other game conditions.

Another thing I want to point out is, if you reach the highest levels of human weapons, it will be as powerful (albeit different) as any of the other alien race techs in it's own right.

RobH description isn't far off of where we are going with the techs...

[Ravana]

I think you're both spot on.

I'd agree wholeheartedly with your interpretation of events Sobriquet, but we don't have a definitive idea of time and any constraints it may impose in-game. Perhaps we will have the wherewithal to "conclude" tech-tree levels and stay outside victory conditions.

Who knows, and I'm not too bothered really, as I like RobH's examination of typical games and Horizon's move away from the norm. I just don't want to run into any more facile rules or total abscence of explanation telling me I can't do something. That isn't so much to ask for is it..?

[Sobriquet]

I see your point, and to this . . .

[Sobriquet]

[Sobriquet]

[Ravana]

[Alex Poff]

Hi everybody! Just wanted to pop in and wish you every success and to also say hello to Joseph and all the other MOO3'ers who have made their way here! Good luck and continued success!

[Queeg 500]

[Sim-Mania]

I also found this website from the Moo3 forum, and after reading this particular thread I was intrigued by your ealier comment



"On the other hand a galactic war is possible (similar to world war2 on earth) where two groups of "empires" with diametrically opposed views battle for control of the galaxy. And you may involve yourself (or have no choice in it) in such a conflict."



Many games like Moo3 and Civ3 have very interactive diplomacy features, however it is rarely the case that you can establish alliances with numerous allien races such that you can form a type of coalition like the Axis and Allies in wolrd war two. Usually in these games you can ally yourself with two different allien races, except you cann't establish an interlaced alliance between yourself and the two other allien races, so that each race has an alliance with each other (like I said a coalition). (If you undstand what I mean.)



Does your comment mean (and I hope it does), that you will be able to establish coalition type alliances, and say organise your war efforts and other movements as a team so too say???

[Zaimat]

Horizon was inspired a lot by Babylon5 (TV series), Star Control 2, MOO. But I have played just about every TBS game since the beginning of the PC-game industry. So you can imagine it has been influenced by a number of games.



Will the "Galaxy" be generated "New" (i.e. different} each Game?



The Galaxy is generated everytime you start a new game, the number of stars, star systems and other objects. Their positions, the location of alien races and even their relative strength.



Maybe Horizon can implement some sort of system which will allow the player to tweak the humans. Change stats or attributes to give them a different flavor.



Yes. While you get to play the humans, you are given many options to customize the race before starting. From the skill of your pilots in space combat, to the quality of your homeworld, population growth, how good your race is at research, at trade etc.



Regarding playing different races. In my opinion the only game in this genre that has done somewhat of a good job with races is BOTF (Star Trek: Birth of the Federation) where you can play the klingons, ferengi or the Cardassians and it actually gives you a sense of playing them. In other games the non-human races are basically pre-made custom races.



For Horizon this would have been very difficult (impossible for us). It would have involved doing a lot more artwork, cut-scenes, interface screens and scripts to really bring alive each race beyond anything seen in previous TBS games. We would not even consider doing it if we couldn't do something that approached how starcraft allows the player to play the different sides. And they only had to do for 3 races and we don't have the resources of Blizzard



I was wondering if you are going to present past actions as a historical log.



I don't believe it would be too hard to implement. The game does list events of the turn but I see what you mean. I will add it on the list of suggestions.
_________________
Horizon - Lead Designer

[JosEPh]

Quote "And while there are limited conclusions to each game, every game develops differently."

---------------------------------------------------------

Replayability is what you are saying here I hope!?



Will the "Galaxy" be generated "New" (i.e. different} each Game?



Since you have Mentioned Moo1, Ascendancy, Gal Civ, and another one can we assume that these type games have been "borrowed" from conceptually? They are the Games that gave you the Ideas for Horizon? I'm sure that's what you said but just for clarification I had to ask.

<img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley16.gif"> <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley14.gif">

[Sobriquet]

ooops! i said 'moo'



The MOO comparison is inevitable. the original MOO is the standard bearer, whereas the the latest MOO is a shining example of how NOT to continue a franchise.



shame there is only one race to play. not so bad for me as i usually play humes [or modified humans] tho i imagine this will disappoint some ppl. one of the most interesting aspects of games like moo is the ability to create a race, then try it out. this in itself can give players a lot of gameplay.



I agree, eventhough I rarely play humans when given the chance. Maybe Horizon can implement some sort of system which will allow the player to tweak the humans. Change stats or attributes to give them a different flavor.



"Will my experiences and decisions as a leader be catalogued throughout the game?"

I'm not sure what you mean by this . . .



I was wondering if you are going to present past actions as a historical log. Something the player could reference, a biography of sorts. This would give the player the chance to look back and see how certain past actions affected future events. i.e. on 2315A.D. Pusillaminous Smegma insulted the Gargantuan emporer which is why they are now bombarding your planet. In the larger sense, I am asking about feedback. how will I know what decisions resulted in what actions.



. . .you will never need to click on 20 colonies every turn to make sure they have the latest improvements.



'macro tools' ala MOO1?



How far are we away from some screenshots, or any other pictures that would help descibe the gmeplay. I have already seen the teaser (it is good), but gimme, gimme gimme!!!



(See I told you we were a demanding lot!! <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley4.gif"> )
_________________
i am sofa king we todd it

[synchro]

shame there is only one race to play. not so bad for me as i usually play humes [or modified humans] tho i imagine this will disappoint some ppl. one of the most interesting aspects of games like moo is the ability to create a race, then try it out. this in itself can give players a lot of gameplay.



ooops! i said 'moo'.

sorry.

possibly i should've said '4x' style games [but i came across this site at the atari moo3 forums so i formed a connection].



i hope this game works out fine. we really need this.



das

[Zaimat]

"Does this mean that the standard 'last man standing' formula is not the primary means to win a game? Tell me more . . ."



Let me just say that it will be very difficult (I hate to say impossible but pretty much) to advance and build such an empire to be able to challenge the whole galaxy.



On the other hand a galactic war is possible (similar to world war2 on earth) where two groups of "empires" with diametrically opposed views battle for control of the galaxy. And you may involve yourself (or have no choice in it) in such a conflict.



"Are you going to implement some role playing elements?"



Yes. Although not as much as I originally wanted this is something we plan to expand if possible once other goals are achieved.



"Will my experiences and decisions as a leader be catalogued throughout the game?"



I'm not sure what you mean by this.. But if you mean your past actions will have consequences, they most certainly will.



For example you may allow the trading of slaves in your territory of space. While these will most certainly be rewarding economically and may keep traders happy (which may even be crucial to your survival) they may cause you headaches later on or even immediately.



"Will I 'level up' or gain abilities depending on the decisions I make?"



Not you as a person. Other objects in the game gain experience and level up.



"Or are improvements going to be reached through the classic tech tree advancements approach for my empire?"



Not all are tied to research. There are different types of advancements. Some improvement require a technological level others require industrial and economic capacity.



A race weak in technology can still achieve much through economic and/or industrial means. But they will be weak militarily.



"Will I employ subordinates (i.e. system or planetray leaders) or will I reign supreme in all aspects of decision making?"



All decisions will be in the player's hand. But your options will be limited by your situation and previous actions.



For example you get to decide how to develop a colony, the game is very straight-forward. You don't have to jump through multiple windows or clicking 5 places to get something done and you will never need to click on 20 colonies every turn to make sure they have the latest improvements.
_________________
Horizon - Lead Designer

[Sobriquet]

[Zaimat]

You get to play the humans. The game story literally starts not too far from our current timeline.



We are a little more advanced than today but not by much. Ready to explore and discover what lies beyond our solar system.



Not all major races start at the same level, in fact none of them do. The strategy in Horizon isn't just about conquering the galaxy or other races. It's about interaction, discovery, survival among other things.



As their leader you get to make choices and see the consequences and results. And while there are limited conclusions to each game, every game develops differently.
_________________
Horizon - Lead Designer

[Zaimat]

Thank you Alex and welcome.

[Lexx_Luthor]

Wow! Just Browsing through, coming from GalCiv website (thinking about getting it--maybe) and then we see this... <img border="0" src= "http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-happy.gif">



Zaimat::

[Sobriquet]

No other Space Strat game ever gave me the "feel" of MOO~1.



For me, too. My most memorable gaming moments was the very first time I became "Master of Orion'. No game has really ever came as close to matching original MOO's absorption/immerison factor. Truly a masterpiece.
_________________
i am sofa king we todd it