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Original theme -- not explored for a reason?

8 replies [Last post]
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 10:46
LordRooster
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Joined: 02/19/2012

Long time viewer, first time poster.

I've developed the mechanics for a straightforward wargame where you assume control of a pack of dogs looking to gain dominance over the local neighbourhood. Immediately, my thoughts were "I'd hate for this game to be seen as promoting dog-fighting", so I took steps to ensure that:

1) The units don't physically harm each other, they just "bark" at each other until one becomes submissive.
2) The units don't die, they just enter a submissive state where they have to retreat to their HQ before they can return to play.

There's a lot more to the mechanics than what I've described, but I'm now wondering if a dog-themed wargame seems a little forced.

Open to your thoughts.

LR

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:14
#1
Cogentesque
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No way dude, controling a

No way dude, controling a pack of dogs looking to gain neighbourhood dominance sounds awesome.

I see it more as something like gangs crossed with 101 Dalmations, or some other movie or what not that himanizes animals. Cats Vs Dogs is it? Or Rango, or animal farm, or any other nathropamorfix thing - sounds cool :)

I would think you would probably get more fans than less fans with this theme - althought that is my own skewed opinion :)

Sounds cool! Man! What kind of set up is it? Sounds Dicey to me?

sam

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:23
#2
LordRooster
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Mostly dice-free, actually.

Mostly dice-free, actually. Dice will be a factor for leadership checks and NPC movement. The ranged "barking" uses a push-your-luck mechanic which amounts to a game of of chicken against the other player.

Cats, ducks and squirrels do feature in the game, but not as combatants.

Appreciate the support. I tend to get tunnel-vision on projects like this and want to check in every so often to ask the question -- is this dumb?

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:31
#3
Orangebeard
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Joined: 10/13/2011
Could work...

I think this has some potential...certainly with the right art and marketing, I think this could work (but I love dogs so I am biased!) I suppose if you are worried about the dog fighting perception, you could give a nickel per game to the local humane shelter or something...

Hmmmmm...developing a game for charity could be fun....

Good luck with your project!

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:09
#4
ilSilvano
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Joined: 07/31/2008
yeah!

This sound like a very good theme to me... BUT you better stick to some cartoony graphics in my opinion.

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:33
#5
Cogentesque
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Grat idea

Grat idea Oranegbeard!!

That's totally what you do man, try and keep it combat free then donate 10p (10cents) to a local dog home or what have you per game sold. :)

Super idea.

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 13:19
#6
LordRooster
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As it happens, the Humane

As it happens, the Humane Society donations were already part of the plan!

The intention is that dogs will be somewhat anthropomorphized (but not in a...y'know...weird way). There are a few fun cameos planned in there too.

One follow-up question, and I suppose it belongs in the Mechanics forums, but whatever...

I've got an order-system where you prioritize the actions of all the (5-10) units in the game by placing face-down numbered tokens next to them in order for those actions are resolved in a specific order. Catch is, when people are placing their tokens face-down, I'm anticipating they're either going to place the 1st priority token first, 2nd priority token second, and so forth, thus giving away your plans to the enemy and eliminating the value of the entire exercise...or they're going to get confused as to which units have which face-down tokens on them. The mechanic is great, the execution feels clumsy. Any bright ideas on a better way?

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Wed, 02/22/2012 - 13:26
#7
Horatio252
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Think About Your Audience

It sounds like a good game idea. My only concern is making sure you think carefully about your audience. The dogs theme would work well as a family game or as a light to medium weight game. I am more skeptical about that theme working for something with the weight or length of wargame. When I say "I am more skeptical..." I do not mean, it won't work, I mean, you should think carefully about this. Otherwise, it sounds interesting. Good luck with it.

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Thu, 02/23/2012 - 07:16
#8
Catelf
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Joined: 10/05/2009
It sounds like a good idea.

LordRooster wrote:
Appreciate the support. I tend to get tunnel-vision on projects like this and want to check in every so often to ask the question -- is this dumb?

If it is well done, the "dumbness" ... or rather sillyness in this case, would just make it even better!

Unlike orangebeard, i'm not biased towards dogs (look at my name :D ), but i may be biased towards Animal anthros, since i have enjoyed all things "furry" for most or all my life.

It do sound like you have a good idea going there.

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