!CFP2! Let's agree on a game idea, Currently: Gameplay discussion

First of all, welcome to the new CFP, or CFP2 as it is called.
Once we have a solid engine to build up on, we will eventually get our own subboard to go deeper into development.
Until then, we will have to use stickies.
Note: All topics that are made concerning the CFP without authorization by the Organisation Team will locked instantly!
Only the information in the stickies here is the official one!

General rules on how to behave in CFP topics:
- Use proper grammar and spelling and keep your messages as short as possible!
If you don't, your posts are likely to be missed out. Whatever you have to say, put it in easily readable sentences or list-points.

- Do not post stuff about story yet. We will come to that later!

- Discuss in the topics only what the topic title and the first post say!
If something related to some other topic comes to your mind, you should also post that same idea in the other topic, just to make sure it is not missed out.

Let's go!




In this topic, we discuss the GAMEPLAY.

Our suggestion:
This was discussed with Dex and Tri, and everyone I've talked to yet, says it's a good idea to start out with that concept.
- We start out with a generic platforming engine
- We have the four plumbers playable (Mario, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi)
- They differ only in terms of several specifications (speed, jump, acceleration, ...)
- Each one has a unique ability that should be accessible at all places in gameplay and should have the possibility to open new paths in levels.
- The only moves that the four characters should have are the same as you have in Super Mario Bros. 2: Run, Jump, Pick up stuff (note: This does not mean "stand-on-objects-to-pick-them-up!!!), Ladders, Duck. Plus said special abilities.
- All the characters will have the same levels at their disposal and as the player you should not be forced into one character (think: Sonic Adventure 2)

If you agree on our suggestion, please try to answer all of these questions:
1. How will we proceed in the game?
Worldmap? One level after the next? Something else?
2. How will we switch between the Bros.?
Checkpoints? Constant ability to change during gameplay? Special points on the map? SMB2 style choice before the game starts? Something different?
3. Name special abilities that would work for the individual bros.
e.g. Wario can Charge, Mario can Wallkick.... note: each character should get only ONE special ability!
4. Health System?
Suggest a system on how you can die in the game. Health, Hearts, Power-Ups, One-Hit-and-the-next-bro-takes-over, ......... The more original the better.
5. Collectables?
Basically stuff that keeps the replay value. What do we collect? The more innovative your idea is, the better!
Make sure to answer to ALL of the questions. Even if it's just "I don't know". That way we can make sure that you have read everything.
If you have more questions concerning gameplay, directed towards the members, please post it and I'll update here.

If you do not agree:
Improve the concept. Easy as that. If you have a better suggestion, give it to us. However I think that the suggestion above is pretty much open for everything (as long as it's not complicated, and complicated stuff is something that ruined the old one, so yea), so I don't think there would be many people against it.



IF YOU LOCATE AN IDEA THAT YOU LIKE LOWER IN THE TOPIC, PLEASE COMMENT ON IT. THAT WAY WE GET AN IMPRESSION OF WHICH DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO!

1. How will we proceed in the game?
One level after the next
2. How will we switch between the Bros.?
Constant ability to change during gameplay, maybe you could pause the game then switch during gameplay
3. Name special abilities that would work for the individual bros.
I liks the idea of Wario's Charge, Mario can Wallkick, Luigi's flutter type jump (SMA), Waluig.... um I havent a clue...
4. Health System?
I'm not sure
5. Collectables?
A-cions please

1. Map screens are ideal for platforming games and especially, if we are going to have multiple exits in levels.
2. I personally like having SMB2 style character select (Choose before starting the level and after you die). It also prevents annoying design, that forces the player constantly switch between the plumbers.
3. I pretty much agree what's been said. Waluigi, he may be able to run up wall or on water. He also should be the fastest runner.
4. Health meter. Different enemies do different amount of damage.
5. How about items that expand the heath meter? Or currency that's used to access extra levels? These items may also be obtained after completing a special task (time attack/minigame).

This post has been edited by Ultramario on Aug 6 2008, 11:49 AM

1. SM64 style, with a main level and different parts of that level contain the main levels
2. How will we switch between the Bros.?
SM64DS style, pick a character before a level, but if you find a hat in a level it turns you to a different character
3. Mario: has a hammer, Luigi can super jump (like in SMB2), Wario can charge, and waluigi can slide kick (like in megaman)
4. Health System?
I think we should use classic mario power up or SM64 health
5. Collectables?
I think we should make hidden characters you unlock by beating the game, like Bowser, Peach and Yoshi,
Boss Battle mode
level editor

Everything's going good Guinea, and you guys. I basically agree with all of Ultramario's suggestions.

1. How will we proceed in the game?
Preferably a HUB world (a la SM64) in which you enter doors to go in a level.

2. How will we switch between the Bros.?
Being able to pause and select a character in a menu.

3. Name special abilities that would work for the individual bros.
Mario can wallkick and is the well rounded character, Luigi has his flutter jump, Wario can charge, and Waluigi can throw Bob-ombs.

4. Health System?
Health bar (SM64 style).

5. Collectables?
Maybe Ace Coins can be found in some levels, to unlock special features like minigames, health expansion, new powerups, more levels, etc... Also extra types of gameplay, like a Hard Mode or Boss Rush.

This post has been edited by Yoshbert 1-Ups on Aug 6 2008, 12:01 PM

I really have to agree on everything here

As for the collectables, why not add in a sound test, as well? Those are always good additions. Perhaps even an extra boss by beating all the levels in a certain way, like collecting all the collectables or finding all the exits.

1. World map is definitely the best option. Pretty much what Ultramario said is what I think.

2. In my opinion, do something like SPM, where some abilities are needed at certain times, but you can use whatever character you like best because there's no switching to 3D. That also makes it easier to find other paths in levels that require seperate abilities.

3. Well, obviously Wario has the charge-dash thingy, so that would destroy blocks and stuff. I think Wall Jump is kind of a lame special move for Mario, but it may be hard to come up with something better. Luigi could maybe have the high-jump from SPM, just minus the paper like effects. And Waluigi... What UM said.

4. Again, I'd like to go back to SPM and say something similar to the health in that. It rises as you beat certain levels (Or level-up, depending on how the whole point/stat system would work in the game). Whether you just use numbers or a health bar, it should work fine.

5. Well, coins are the obvious one, but that isn't really enough. I say add keys or something in secret spots that you can keep in an inventory, that unlock other levels and such. Also, there should be shops along the way both on the world map and in levels so you can buy things with coins, like mushrooms that restore life.
I also thing levels should contain NPC's, like in towns, that could be asking for certain things that you may find in a level, then they give you a reward if you give them the item. Adding this RPG-like feel tothe game could really benefit it.


But yeah, if you've noticed, I think it should be pretty similar to SPM when it comes to gameplay.

This post has been edited by Glukom on Aug 6 2008, 12:18 PM

Pretty much teh same, maybe much larger health than that, but that enemies do a lot of damage, think SPM sized bar, but enemies that do more damage to make it challenging

1. How will we proceed in the game?
Map screen
2. How will we switch between the Bros.?
By clicking a button to switch one bro with another.
3. Name special abilities that would work for the individual bros.
Mario: Wall kick
Wario: Charge
Luigi:Super jump
Waluigi:Bomb throw
4. Health System?
Super PaperMario style
5. Collectables?
Yellow Coins: for more points in the ranking (if your going to have a HighScore Bar)
Green Coins: Double the points in the ranking
Blue Coins: Triple the points in the ranking
Red Coins: Find all 8 to unlock a hidden stage
Crystals: Get enough crystals to unlock special features

I disagree with Waluigi throwing bombs, it makes the game feel un-marioy, I say we should use my idea of the slide kick or a power stomp or punting picked up objects or something

and I have have an idea to get our klik team using buddies involved: Have them make games and gadgets (think Mario Party advanced) that we store in the gamemaker executable and export them when the player unlocks something,

How are bombs "un-mario-y"?
And especially since when is a sliding tackle more mario-y than bombs?

I found out that I haven't given my own answers yet:

1: I'm for a world map. A world map would make things clean and uncomplicated.

2: Selecting at checkpoints would be what I have in mind (and of course on the mapscreen before entering a level).

3: Mario -> Wallkick, Luigi -> Something that has to do with jumps, Wario -> Charge, Waluigi -> I like the idea with the bombs.

4: A hit system with few hits. But I wouldn't have a problem with the SPMish idea either.

5: Different paths should be in it in any case. And I also like the idea with a currency that you can buy stuff with. Probably also the special coins to find in the levels and you'd get stuff gradually, not only for when you got all of them. I think this would keep motivation higher.



Other than that, when there are no more ideas, we'll have to finally AGREE on one. So there will sooner or later be a topic with the most nominated ideas TO SELECT from, and so we will choose a winner.

Keep ideas coming, that's only one page, what's up?

I disagree with a bomb throw, simply because picking up and throwing things is a basic thing that every character should do, and if you need an explosion or something, pick up a bob-omb.
The special moves need to be balanced out so only one bro can do anything close to it, and no other bro can ever emulate.

I also disagree with bob-omb throwing. It gives Waluigi unfair advantage over the other plumbers.

You have a point, yes...

I personally think Mario's hammer would be a good special move, Luigi could have his spring jump from SPM. I don't have a clue what the other bros could do, however.

I'd agree with hammer, if it didn't serve the same purpose as Wario's charge, which it pretty much would have to.

Eh, yeah, but I suppose it could be used for other things, like hitting switches and stuff. Honestly it doesn't matter to me, I just want to see this go somewhere.

Well you want to make sure you see it off in the right direction, Dex. Tossing ideas together without a care isn't exactly good form.