Hi there,
You may or may not be aware of a game called Cyber Nations. For those who aren't, it's a browser based massive multiplayer online nation simulator. For those who are, you'll already be aware of its limits and its mostly stale climate.
The main problem with Cyber Nations is its tendency to fall in to large spells of inactivity (stalemate). The big alliances build themselves in to a giant accumulation of nations, which results in the political climate having too many overpowered forces to even consider engaging in war.
I believe that a game could exist which is similar to CN, yet doesn't suffer the same flaws. Where the focus could be reapplied to simulated war, and not 'stats building'.
One possible way in which this could be achieved is through the use of a real time map. The map need not have a definite limit to its size. The map could consist of hexagons which each represent one tile (think Civilization for those who have played it). These tiles would be visually represented as a type of land (forests, hills, rivers, oceans, deserts, tundra etc) or even ocean. Certain tiles could contain resources with which the occupying nations/alliances could benefit from. Certain tiles could also offer certain tactical advantages.
Therefore the ultimate aim of an alliance would be to occupy as large an area of the map as possible so as to accumulate as many of its benefits as possible. Individual nations (users) would still 'own' the area of the map their territory occupies, but the benefits of its resources could be shared by everyone in the alliance. Therefore implicitly suggesting the idea of belonging to an alliance.
Where alliance's 'borders' come in to contact, the option of war for territorial control could be made available. Though I wouldn't leave this as the only option for war, as it's sometimes beneficial to go to war with non-bordering alliances for political reasons.
The clear inspiration here is obviously Sid Meier's Civilization series. Although I have no intention of copying its game mechanics (i.e. 'Turn-based' progression wouldn't be used), I would like to create something similar for the browser. So I'm looking for ideas and volunteers to help me.
I have experience with creating PHP applications utilising databases for mass users, but this is a project I'd need a little help with. I'd be interested in talking with some other PHP coders, as well as any graphic designers who may be able to contribute (with land designs for tiles, unit portraits etc), and anyone else who has experience with web-based programming (e.g. JavaScript).
Feel free to chip in.
You may or may not be aware of a game called Cyber Nations. For those who aren't, it's a browser based massive multiplayer online nation simulator. For those who are, you'll already be aware of its limits and its mostly stale climate.
The main problem with Cyber Nations is its tendency to fall in to large spells of inactivity (stalemate). The big alliances build themselves in to a giant accumulation of nations, which results in the political climate having too many overpowered forces to even consider engaging in war.
I believe that a game could exist which is similar to CN, yet doesn't suffer the same flaws. Where the focus could be reapplied to simulated war, and not 'stats building'.
One possible way in which this could be achieved is through the use of a real time map. The map need not have a definite limit to its size. The map could consist of hexagons which each represent one tile (think Civilization for those who have played it). These tiles would be visually represented as a type of land (forests, hills, rivers, oceans, deserts, tundra etc) or even ocean. Certain tiles could contain resources with which the occupying nations/alliances could benefit from. Certain tiles could also offer certain tactical advantages.
Therefore the ultimate aim of an alliance would be to occupy as large an area of the map as possible so as to accumulate as many of its benefits as possible. Individual nations (users) would still 'own' the area of the map their territory occupies, but the benefits of its resources could be shared by everyone in the alliance. Therefore implicitly suggesting the idea of belonging to an alliance.
Where alliance's 'borders' come in to contact, the option of war for territorial control could be made available. Though I wouldn't leave this as the only option for war, as it's sometimes beneficial to go to war with non-bordering alliances for political reasons.
The clear inspiration here is obviously Sid Meier's Civilization series. Although I have no intention of copying its game mechanics (i.e. 'Turn-based' progression wouldn't be used), I would like to create something similar for the browser. So I'm looking for ideas and volunteers to help me.
I have experience with creating PHP applications utilising databases for mass users, but this is a project I'd need a little help with. I'd be interested in talking with some other PHP coders, as well as any graphic designers who may be able to contribute (with land designs for tiles, unit portraits etc), and anyone else who has experience with web-based programming (e.g. JavaScript).
Feel free to chip in.
