If you were to write a game . . . .

[Dru Lee Parsec]

If you were to write a game what would it be?

Having just played the demo of Uplink http://www.introversion.co.uk I was so impressed that I bought the game (Can't wait for it to show up in the mail). It's a hacking game that works in Windows and Linux and it only cost $25 and most importantly IT'S FUN! Wow! Gameplay! What a concept.

So, if you were part of a small scratchware game team ( http://www.theunderdogs.org/scratch.php Check this link for definition of "Scratchware") What game would you code?

Don't tell me "An awesome 3D fully immersive first person shooter" because let's face it, those games A) are way too complex to write with a small team, and B) have been done to death. A game like Uplink is fun and yet I could easily see how it could take a small, talented team less than a year to code up the whole thing (maybe even just 6 months).

So what would you write? Of course the followup to this thread might turn out to be "Who wants to start a Sourceforge Project and actually write it?"

Let your imaginations free! I can't wait to hear your ideas.

[Danger Fan]

I would like to join. Unfortunately, I've been trying to think of a small game to code for ages now.

I don't have any ideas yet :(

But I'd love to start a project!

[TheLinuxDuck]

Has anyone played Toejam and Earl2 for the Sega? It's a side scrolling game, but I love it!

It's silly, fun, funny, weird, and all that good stuff.. I'd want to make a game like that. Something that was just flat out weird. one of the enemies in the game would have to be a hillbilly looking guy that's walking backward, all bent over, with his butt hanging out of his overalls.. his weapons are obvious.. yea, it's a little vulgar, however, wouldn't that make the game play a little more fun!? And it's not all sexual and totally inappropriate.

I could come up with all sorts of qool concept ideas for a game, if I knew a group of people that were willing to help write it!

[Shadoglare]

Originally posted by Dru Lee Parsec:
[QB]So, if you were part of a small scratchware game team ( http://www.theunderdogs.org/scratch.php Check this link for definition of "Scratchware") What game would you code?
[QB]

I find it pretty interesting that they chose Cheapass Games as a model of their philsophy - especially as Cheapass is one of my favorite game companies.
Cheapass games are games that are simple, fun, and cost anywhere from $2-7... a couple "high-end" ones have reached $10 now. (we're talking actual card or board games here BTW, not computer games).
And they're not *incredible* games at all - it is, in fact, true that if you were to shop around and spend $40 on a board game it will probably have more depth and gameplay than a Cheapass game for $3. But that's almost beyond the point - because for $3, even if I have fun playing it just once or twice, that's well worth my money. And I think that's what this Scratchware philosophy is going after. Sounds cool to me, except I don't see how this is different then a lot of other shareware out there.
As far as my game preferences, I'm actually not real big into the 3D-first-person etc etc etc.... But I like something that takes some thought and strategy to play, and it's always a *big* bonus when it's an idea I haven't already seen revamped 500 times.

[kmj]

I've played a couple of those Cheapass Games... starship Jeff I think was one of 'em. oh, could someone post the definition of scratchware? I couldn't get underdogs to load, that site never seems to load for me.

[kuber]

A Metal Slug clone.

[Shadoglare]

What is scratchware?

The phrase scratchware game essentially means a computer game, created by a microteam, with pro quality art, game design, programming and sound to be sold at paperback book store prices.

A scratchware game can be played by virtually anyone who can reach a keyboard and read. Scratchware games are brief (possibly fifteen minutes to an hour or so), extremely replayable, satisfying, challenging, and entertaining.

Why the term scratchware?

Scratch; chump change; nickles and dimes.

Ware; warez; software.

Why do we need scratchware?

We need scratchware because game programs cost too much for most people. Games are running $35 for last year's model and upwards of $55 retail for the latest title. Most aren't worth that much money.

Consider the one-time-through linearity, lack of replayability and derivative gameplay that many games suffer from, then reconsider the price that the publishers of these games are demanding again and again and again...

Cheapass Games is a board game company that manufactures and sells award winning board and card games for $3 to $7, and very successfully. It might be said that scratchware is to commercial computer games what Cheapass Games is to commercial board games.

Like Cheapass Games, the philosophy of scratchware embraces the idea of value; of worth. This philosophy provides for a new frontier of thoughtful ideas, reasonable design goals and careful and dedicated craftsmanship.


* * *
We also need scratchware because development teams are too large.

Imagine writing a song or a poem with ten other people. Imagine weaving a tapestry or painting on canvas or writing a novel with twenty people.

Now imagine making big budget computer entertainment. The design team for an Unreal based 3D shooter game, for example, would be comprised of fifty to one hundred people.

On the other hand, imagine making a computer game with one or two other multiskilled people. They might even be your friends or family members. Imagine doing this without the restraints imposed by deadlines or bureaucracy. Imagine actually being in control of content, gameplay, art and design rather than subordinating it to someone else. Imagine a game that can actually be made and make it.

Imagine scratchware.


* * *
We need scratchware because there is more than one way to develop good computer games. Corporate computer game making is in a panic right now. Game publishers seem clueless and in denial. They aren't willing to admit that they may be insufficient judges of developer maturity, management ability, audience intelligence or design originality.

Meanwhile scratchware game designers, by their honest indifference to the computer game industry at large, can ignore all of this nonsense and simply create great games...

[Ludootje]

Originally posted by Dru Lee Parsec:
<STRONG>If you were to write a game what would it be?

Having just played the demo of Uplink http://www.introversion.co.uk I was so impressed that I bought the game (Can't wait for it to show up in the mail). It's a hacking game that works in Windows and Linux and it only cost $25 and most importantly IT'S FUN! Wow! Gameplay! What a concept.</STRONG>
i downloaded it too.. i don't get it.. it says something about a first mission and blablabla, but how do i start it or whatever?

[tecknophreak]

i downloaded the demo, but i'm not sure if i want the rest. i'd like to hack one of the banks on there, but you need good hw/sw. any chance you can look at any of those "files"? did you get the real version yet?