As I was reading through the news archive yesterday, I managed to, for some reason, combine Let's Retire the Reboot [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/writersroom/8382-Lets-Retire-the-Reboot] and No More Movie Games for EA [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/105692-No-More-Movie-Games-for-EA] into a single idea.
So: Through some ridiculously convoluted and unrealistic happenstance, you have been given the opportunity to make a game with nearly limitless budget and freedom. You don't have to concern yourself with whether the game will be commercially viable, you've been given carte blanche to make the game of your personal dreams. There are, however, three caveats.
Caveat 1) The game must be realised on a current-generation console or modern pc with peripherals that are widely available.
Caveat 2) The game must be a remake\reboot\reimagining of an existing video\computer game.
Caveat 3) That game must have been licensed, and based on an intellectual property that did not start out in the video game industry. (so no remaking Pokemon mystery dungeon)
What game would you remake, and how would you change it?
Personally, I'd reimagine: Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
I would add role-playing as a mechanic, and make the continent of Cerilia into a sandbox-style world. You would still have access to all the strategic screens from the old game (just prettier) but could also make all your decisions while in character, discussing with your advisors. You would be able to earn bonus regency through role-playing diplomatic encounters, taking part in courtly intrigue and other things.
The mass combat system would be the only part I ditched in its entirety, replacing it with one where tactics mattered. Adventuring would be integrated into the sandbox, but overhauled so that it would become interesting and reflect current standards.
The graphics would of course be updated to match current standards.
One important mechanic would be the ability to create seneschals and ambassadors to circumvent the long travelling distances. These characters could make decisions in your place and interact with other courts. So your ruler could go on a very long journey without you losing the ability to control your holdings and provinces.
EDIT: Actually, there's one more part I'd replace entirely. The writing of Gorgon's Alliance was atrocious and I'd hire George R. R. Martin to redo the storyline.
So: Through some ridiculously convoluted and unrealistic happenstance, you have been given the opportunity to make a game with nearly limitless budget and freedom. You don't have to concern yourself with whether the game will be commercially viable, you've been given carte blanche to make the game of your personal dreams. There are, however, three caveats.
Caveat 1) The game must be realised on a current-generation console or modern pc with peripherals that are widely available.
Caveat 2) The game must be a remake\reboot\reimagining of an existing video\computer game.
Caveat 3) That game must have been licensed, and based on an intellectual property that did not start out in the video game industry. (so no remaking Pokemon mystery dungeon)
What game would you remake, and how would you change it?
Personally, I'd reimagine: Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
I would add role-playing as a mechanic, and make the continent of Cerilia into a sandbox-style world. You would still have access to all the strategic screens from the old game (just prettier) but could also make all your decisions while in character, discussing with your advisors. You would be able to earn bonus regency through role-playing diplomatic encounters, taking part in courtly intrigue and other things.
The mass combat system would be the only part I ditched in its entirety, replacing it with one where tactics mattered. Adventuring would be integrated into the sandbox, but overhauled so that it would become interesting and reflect current standards.
The graphics would of course be updated to match current standards.
One important mechanic would be the ability to create seneschals and ambassadors to circumvent the long travelling distances. These characters could make decisions in your place and interact with other courts. So your ruler could go on a very long journey without you losing the ability to control your holdings and provinces.
EDIT: Actually, there's one more part I'd replace entirely. The writing of Gorgon's Alliance was atrocious and I'd hire George R. R. Martin to redo the storyline.
