The Night Angel Trilogy (as a legitimate videogame)

[Victor Johnson]

I wasn't surprised to find this topic here. While I think that its a great idea to not only promote the books, but also add to the user-created content for Morrowind, I have a slightly different agenda.

When I got into the second book, I saw great potential for a console (possibly a PC too) game. Upon reading the third book, I saw it as a challenge and (with the proper amount of work done) a successful franchise.

I have a rather light (in my opinion) background in game design. I can easily come up with gameplay mechanics and concepts for just about every aspect of the story, which would likely follow Kylar from Azoth/Kylar from beginning to end.

I have prior work experience in the games industry. I was a tester, but I worked with the designers and learned quite a bit from them, though not as much as I would've liked. Getting back on topic, I still have a few of those contacts, so issues and questions can get some kind of response. While I can't guarantee professional development, I think it would be a fun endeavor.

Who knows, once the design doc is complete, Mr. Weeks may just find a publisher/developer to pick it up and finish it.

So, I guess what I'm looking for now is an artist and or 3D renderer to help bring some of this to life. Publishers love content after all. I can't say that anyone who's involved would ever see a dime for the work, personally I just want to flex my design muscles and see if I can hack it.

Anyone interested in helping out with Project Night Angel?

Mr. Weeks, what do you think? If some of your fans presented you with a (near)complete design document in a few months would you be interested in trying to find someone to create a game out of it?

This would strictly be a "whenever you have the spare time" kinda project. More for fun, less for profit, but if there's a payment at the end I doubt anyone would decline it haha.

Alright, I'm done babbling. Discuss!

[Victor Johnson]

Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm not gonna take all the credit though, Ghostface (a conscript in my NA Game Army) has brought some fine topics to my attention and if I had forgotten them, while I likely would've, this thing would've crashed and burned fast. :P

Anyone think a minigame for poison-making would be a good idea? Most people hate minigames, but I figure in this case its a valid reason. I'm thinking of maybe adding a note to that portion of the design document that says the player gets extra exp (for leveling up attributes/buying powers) when they use poisons to take out a target.


Also, I thinking of something like Fable's "Quest Card" system for contracts. There'll be a varied delivery system for notices that tell you the Sa'Kage want to speak to you or something.

Opinions?

[Fipe Naz-Mero, JK]

I like the mini-games, specially if they help you build abilities or win items which you cna use later. I got this from the FF games. Specially VII and VIII. Another minigame you could think of is Stealth Training. Training to be invisible before someone sees you. not only would allow you to develope your ability, but also to what level you could play comfortably before breaking all hell loose on a situation...

Just an idea... Will think of more later...

[Victor Johnson]

I definitely wanna list Kylar's training by Durzo as interactive. The early Azoth parts would most likely only be there for the whole "This is how you walk around, this is how you jump, this is how you crawl, etc." The Durzo training however would be "this is how you punch, kick, slice, etc."

I have to consider the combat system too, that's gonna be tough.
Kylar only goes over-the-top with his attacks in a few parts, take the fight with Logan for example.
I'll have to consider that for a bit, there's a fix, I'm just not thinking hard enough...

Stealth training sounds like a good idea though Fipe, especially before you get the ka kari lol

[E.J. Niedzielski]

I like the quest card idea. For the poison minigame, as long as it's not unbeattable or takes forever to finish, and you can't progress in the game without beating it

[GhostFace]

Very few games have managed to create a good sword-play mechanic.

I believe "the Witcher" had an interesting take on sword play AND poison/potion making. Try track down a copy.

In terms of stealth:
I loved splinter cell's use of the mouse button to control your sneak speed....it was intuitive and organic.
SC also handled ambient noise quite cleverly. At any time your HUD showed how much ambient noise was in the area and how much noise you were making in relation to it. If you made more noise than the ambient noise.... you might be noticed.

[Victor Johnson]

Damn, I was gonna pick The Witcher up a while back but heard bad reviews so I didn't.
Should really get that design mindset back haha. A bad game does not equal pointless, just shows you how NOT to do something :P

Then again, the people I heard it aren't very patient so I might love it for all I know.

I remember reading about SC's stealth system and I agree, it would definitely be the best system to use as a model for what NA could have.

[Fipe Naz-Mero, JK]

Another thing you can think of later is the infinity array of possibilities that the Ka'kari has to offer. In the story Kylar was amazed of it when he said is there anything this thing can't do. So, that will give you the liberty to expand the abilities, traits and even weapons that this has to offer. Maybe there is something in a mission that the Ka'kari is the only thing you could use as a weapon or tool.

Think about it... the perfect Multi-tool... and it is not duct-tape... hahahaha

[Victor Johnson]

Very true, the Ka'kari is a developer's dream and nightmare because of everything it can do. Not only can some "artistic liberties" be taken with it, but it could also push the boundaries of "superpowers" in modern gaming. Seriously the more I think about it, the more I wonder why this isn't already in development. (Or maybe it is and we don't know about it :o )

[Fipe Naz-Mero, JK]

True very true... Could be one of those hush-hush don't-tell-anyone-or-we-will-kill-you projects...

But, like you said, the Ka'kari is the real challenge...

Hmmm, do you think it could give Kylar flying powers? Interesting indeed if he could, right?

[Victor Johnson]

Longer and higher jumps, but no flying. Maybe a gliding move for when he's in Night Angel form.

[Fipe Naz-Mero, JK]

Hmmm Just like Batman that had wings that went rigid after an electric current was applied to the fabric? And there it goes... Batman again in this forum. Can't believe the amount of influence he has on everything. Hmm, since we are in the topic, how about adding the fighting special effects from the 60's tv show. Of course without the musical dadanana dadanana dadanana background... lol....

[Victor Johnson]

Hahaha BIFF! BAM! BOOM!
I don't think they would have the same effect without the music in the background :P