After playing Chalk, I got to thinking about original gameplay ideas... and came up with this:
How about a "Lemmings" type game, except completely controlled by the keyboard with a focus on typing skills. For example, to select Lemming 1, you'd press '1' on the keyboard, then you'd have to type 'dig' to get him to dig. You then press '3' and type 'block' to get Lemming 3 to block. I have lots of specific ideas to add to the flavor, but that is the general outline. I think it could be fun and manic, yet original. I would probably implement having to type random strings of letters instead of actually typing stuff like 'dig,' so as to not make certain commands more accessible than others, etc.
Of course, I should probably worry about releasing a demo of my RPG first. I'm just at work now and can't record this in a .txt file as I usually do.
- http://www.inxerus.com
Actually, I would love to have a text based game like that. The idea you showed me involved the random string stuff and I didn't really like it. I think if I could press 1, and then type "dig" and the guy started digging it would be amazing. Sort of like a text based adventure but not so text based.
The only problem with typing "dig" is that there is no learning curve. Once you remember how to type three letters, you're set. With the random strings, they can become longer in later levels, which adds to difficulty, etc.
Well I suppose I dont understand the ultimate goal of the game. Is it to teach typing, or to emulate lemmings? I mean, the learning curve would come from the levels... they could get increasingly more difficult, where as what you're saying is that the way to activate abilities would become more difficult.
I had thought it was the latter. I don't know, now. Ask Jamiekins.
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Oh, yeah, the idea is that activating the abilities AND the level would become harder as you progress. That's pretty much the whole basis of the game.
I'm not feeling at all inspired to continue it though, between my RPG and that game I made for my niece which my family is now pressuring me to expand and market (err...).
Re: How's this sound?
That's a pretty good idea. You could start with only home keys in the early stages and expand as you go.