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!

[Jeffrey]

I have never heard such a perfect description lol no really I haven’t! What would be the different types of enemies would the player would be facing, (Archers, spearmen) how many at a time, will there be a great variety? And will there be free roaming around in the game in between missions? (collecting crap) Like how Assassins’ Creed does it. Should a banking system be in this as well like what they are putting in Assassins’ Creed 2? To buy and upgrade weapons? I think being able to jump from roof top to roof top will be very important in this game. And a night and day factor.

[GhostFace]

You have a mighty big job on your hands.

What game engine would you want to build it in - assuming it's a 3d game? Some engines work with shadows better than others. Some are easier to code around than others. You have a lot of research to do.

These guys are re-building the Thief series using the Doom 3 engine. Link.
Might be worth while looking at their work.

[Victor Johnson]

Somewhat yes, though I'm not looking to do any of the more technical parts of development. Basically I'm looking to come up with gameplay ideas based as closely off the books as possible. I tend not to consider what engine it could run on until all the wacky ideas are out of my head and on paper. Then its a simple matter of elimination either the possible engines are eliminated or the problematic gameplay elements haha.
Thanks for the link though, I'll check that out first thing in the morning. I need to recuperate after he orgy of explosions that was Transformers 2

[GhostFace]

So basically you want to do all the fun work and then hand it over to some techies who will build it for you.


just kidding ;)


yeah...we've had quite a bit of discussion about this on some other threads. There are two general directions you could go with this.

1. open world ( e.g. Oblivion) This would not really be a night angel game as much as a Midcyru.game.
2. Stealth/action game. (e.g. Thief, Splinter cell, Assassins creed, Hitman)

I personally think the second option would be easier to nail.

[Victor Johnson]

No, you're right actually. That's the magic of design :P
If I had the equipment and manpower, I wouldn't mind helping in overseeing the actual hard stuff's development, heh. Besides, I doubt the developer/publisher would mind that the design doc was already done for them.


Aye, second option is where I'm taking the doc, although it would likely have some RPG elements like skills/powers that level up. I know for sure that I don't want the player to become a god when they get the ka kari (invisibility anyone) so perhaps a time limit for the amount of time you can be invisible will fix that.

[Ryan]

I made a character for Durzo in morrowind- It was fun. I just kept killing everyone. Carried around lots of garlic *breathes* How can Momma K stand that smell?

[E.J. Niedzielski]

It would be really cool to mod Assassin's creed or Assassin's creed 2 into The night angel trilogy, and make Altair or Ezzio into Kylar.

[GhostFace]

I've never played assassins creed. I've heard mixed things about it. Is it a stealth game or more like prince of persia ?

Mixing RPG elements in would be good. Hitman did a fairly good job of this. At the end of each mission you could spend your cash on customizing your weapons. It really helped with replay because each time you played through you would blow your cash on different things..completely changing the gameplay.

Jedi knight was also quite good at mixing in some RPG character building elements into the game without making it an actual RPG.

I think a NA game could work as mix between Prince of persia, Thief and Splinter cell.

Thief : great atmosphere, amazing story/lore.
Prince of persia : freedom of movement .
Splinter cell : interesting stealth dynamics, fantastic level design.

[Victor Johnson]

I really should've given Hitman a second chance...


I think I'm gonna set up a gaming night at my friend's place soon so he and I can grab a few titles that have good NA qualities. This way, a nice solid structure can be built much easier.
Recommend some more titles!

[D]

@GhostFace

I entirely agree with you, Thief, Splinter cell and Prince of Peria (although I've never played PoP...but i have played Assassin's Creed)

I was thinking possibly if the game went as the book reads with the changing point of view and different characters..but maybe that would make things slightly confusing? If done right anything is possible for a NA game. Not sure if that made any sense (having a hard time describing things ._.)

[Dark Hunter]

I reckon this is a brilliant idea! i dont have any experience with game making or designing but i am just letting you that this is the best idea and if it was made into a game i would definately buy it! keep up the good work champ!

[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?