Game idea - need some pointers for starting

[Mercutio]

Well, I’m basically mulling some ideas for a game.

It would be a (probably sideways scrolling) semi platform shooter but maybe something slightly more 3D over the shoulder style (open to suggestions at the moment).

I don’t really have bagloads of experience on the coding front but... certainly a bit to get by and I pick things up fairly quickly.

What sort of base engine does this sound suitable for? (assuming sideways first, think something like Prince of Persia or Another World/Flashback). I have a few extra “gimmicks” and themes I’ll be laying over the top but suggestions for a good engine to start with would be appreciated.

 

[Mercutio]

A sideways scrolling over-the-shoulder style?

How does that work?

Either/or

or who knows, isometric (magicka) style. I'm just after engines to look at and have a play with at the moment.

For 3D, Unity is very easy to pick up in my experience. There's a great community forum too, and chunks of code to do near enough anything available from the market if you don't want to/can't code yourself

Ahhh, indd. I think castle story was/is Unity wasn't it?

 

[Mercutio]

Assuming I get to grips with an engine I can do it in, either kickstarter or greenlight would be the destination for it aye. Fairly long way away from that as I've got a lot of learning to do on the way but I think the "gimmick" if done right could be quite novel/engaging.

Will start having a poke around with unity later and see how I get on

 

[Mercutio]

Just curious.....but do you need any programming knowledge for the simplest of 2d game design? Where does one start?

Couldn't tell you. I have a habit of biting off more than I can chew on the "project" front. I've got a fairly long background in a variety of programming languages, some computer modelling skills and a reasonable knack for getting my head around stuff so fingers crossed it'll be enough

Please do not include any of the following if taking it to kickstarter:

1. Zombies
2. Zombies
3. Apocalypse
4. Nano-infected Zombies
5. Vampires

It'll fail to get funding, do something really original with it if you decide to go for kickstarter, people are Zombie/vampired out.

I'll try my best Zombies are like the "empty crates/boxes" of the "enemies" world - a bit bland and "easy" so aye, will try and make it smarter. If I get a basic working design I should be able to drop it into almost any "story" so I might re-visit this for ideas at a later date.

Seriously though, (while I'm sure not many will/would) no holding breath on this it's just an idea at the moment