Author Topic: What you would like to see in a new SW  (Read 11139 times)

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
What you would like to see in a new SW
« on: July 13, 2014, 04:49:59 AM »
Hello,
My name is Chris Brooks and I am going to be working on a new version of Spirit Wars.  I am a former player as well so that helps.  I have analyzed as much of the code and data as I could up to now and have been able to reverse engineer the maps and some of the spirits.

I would like to know what some of your favorite spirits were and how they worked as some of that is not clear in what I have found in the code.  I was very much into blue and white when I played but I did not play as much green and yellow etc.

I would also be interested in knowing what you as former players would like to see in a new version.  Should we stick to the letter of the old version as much as possible or go in a different direction?  What is it you always wanted to see in SW?  For example, for me I always wanted to play against multiple opponents on a larger map.  Perhaps random maps etc. 

If you have any questions about me or my plans feel free to ask as well.

Thanks,
Chris Brooks (rivstyx)       

Lyn Chase

  • Administrator
  • Newbie
  • *****
  • Posts: 44
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2014, 10:07:47 AM »
Hi Chris!  I'm so happy to see you here!  I'll talk to Eric about how to send out an e-mail to ask message board members to come visit and express their thoughts. 
Lyn

Psyclone

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 43
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2014, 06:10:11 PM »
hey chris.. good luck with the re-code. i have all the maps and spirit data in noth spreadsheets and a mysql database.

i would vote for keeping the game the same for the most part.

Here are some of my opinions/suggestions...

• Make unique map icons for each spirit (except spells of course which arent placed on the map) along with the spirits stats

• I always liked the idea of randomly generated maps.  I played A LOT of SpiritWars and after a while I knew some of the maps and where the enemy castle or certain homelands were from the start of the game and I thought it was a huge and unfair advantage.

• Develop an AI so players can play against the CPU. This will also open up other possibilities such as multi-player raiding, campaigns, etc.

Good Luck Chris!

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2014, 06:48:18 PM »
Yeah I was thinking that instead of using the standard shield, horse and arrow icons to use a smaller thumbnail of the spirit artwork as well.  When you hover over the icon a bigger image and description would appear.

If you have some spreadsheets I would love to see them.  I have converted the access data into CSV's and am going to be porting that into SQL Server but mainly as a reference.  The new architecture will be nothing like the current system but I am trying to duplicate as many of the spirit abilities as I can.  I would be curious to see your MySQL version as well.






Psyclone

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 43
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2014, 01:31:55 PM »
cbrooks... i messaged you with the dump file.  Just paste it into notepad and you should be able to access it.  If it didn't work, just send me your email address and i will send you the MySQL dump file, it's only 182 KB.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2014, 01:34:48 PM by Psyclone »

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2014, 08:41:42 PM »
Yep.  I received it.  Thank you.  It looks like it is comprised of one de-normalized table.    Very easy port to SQL Server.  Brings back memories :)  The new design will not need to store nearly as much metadata in the database.

Bruno

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 9
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2014, 04:26:24 PM »
I actually like the idea of playing against more than one opponent.  However, in my experience, this has rarely led to a fair game.  Two friends ganging up on the unknown player seems to always happen.  My only idea for the game is the maps be randomly generated.  Completely generated for each game.  Before there seemed to be a lot of maps, however they seemed to be picked from that that large list.  Players were gaining huge advantages by having these maps stored on their cpu and knowing exactly where your castle was just by playing enough games.  Basically each game played gave them experience and another map for their list.  I would like to see SW come back as original as possible and then build from there.  In the end, players are missing the thrill of playing SW and talking in the lobby with gamer "geeks" they can truly relate too.  As many headaches as the game brought to me, the challenges and thrills it created have never been replaced by any other game.

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2014, 02:48:35 PM »
Randomized maps will definitely be the default. I'll have to make sure the engine does not generate cursed/impassable terrain that makes it impossible to win. I am tossing around allowing players to choose from that large list of prebuilt maps if they want a nonranked challenge.  Unlike the original game, prebuilt maps would show the terrain all of the time. The fog of war would only obscure spirits.  This way players could agree to play on a map they like but it also allows all players to know where each others castles are the whole time.

I never memorized the maps. Probably why I always had to ask for repops :)

Bruno

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 9
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2014, 11:20:16 PM »
Re-pops were one the best parts of the game.  At least for me anyway.  Remember there was an abort game button too if a map would come up impassable or unplayable.  Players should understand an abort in that situation.  Keep up the good work and hope to enjoy SW for xmas.  It would be an awesome gift to all returning. 

Lotar

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • What's the time?
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2014, 06:41:27 AM »
Very cool... I'm digging the idea of a come-back.

I always wanted to watch others play!  It would be great if there were an arena to view a match in progress and see everything as it happens.  The down-side is using that to cheat... a second account logged in to see what the opponent is doing.

I also wanted a "hurry-up" button to get my opponent to make a decision and keep the game moving.  Perhaps a time limit for turns?  Maybe only for tournaments?  IDK... just something to keep somebody from walking the dog while I wait on them to move.

I always experimented with colors and enjoyed how each had a different strategy.  Black was a favorite... and I always liked green/blue.  I'd love to see it stay as much to the original as possible.

In addition, to get this to be monetized and popular (without PTW... buying spirits) you'll need to go where the people are.  as much as I hate to say it, facebook could be helpful for promotion and re-building a fan base.  Also, the iPad... I would love for this to become an app-based game!  I spend more leisure on the ipad now than on the cpu.  But first thing is first... it must work before the next steps.

Best of luck, Chris... and shout-out for help if you need it.

... it's time to get ill!

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2014, 10:46:54 AM »
I am planning on keeping all of the original maps and retro spirits but staying 100% to the original game probably won't yield a substantial player base.  There has to be new features, mechanics, modes and an updated GUI to make it desirable to new players. 

As far as the PTW model goes it can be done right if you allow a full path to success that a player could achieve without paying.  For example, you can earn gold or you can buy gold. Either way "Booster" packs cost gold.   The paying player does not gain anything over the nonpaying player other than time.
For example, I play Hearthstone and have never purchased a card yet consistently I am in the high rankings by the end of any season (a month).  The game stays balanced regardless of whether I purchased cards or earned them.  I just have to do my daily quests and grind a bit to get gold to buy packs.

Games that force you to pay to win or you have to beg your friends to win are definitely a blight on gamers everywhere :) but the free to play with minor perks for paying is fine as long as you provide a path to win for everyone. You should never penalize your players for not paying.

That said this will be a subscription model if it ever gets completed so it is a mute point :)

Targeting multiple platforms is definitely the way I plan on going.  Phased in approach but eventually we may support all browsers, pc, mac, ios, android, windows store, xbox and hopefully ps4.  No Wii U or 3DS. Sorry Nintendo :)  I have been working with Unity 3d a lot as of late and though this is a 2d game it will do nicely.

Thanks,
Chris

Lotar

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • What's the time?
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2014, 10:14:33 AM »
Another thought I had was based on how Galaxy Online II handled auxillary income.  They had character "cards" that had special abilities, etc... that you could buy with points, particiapate in weekly events (random draw style), or trade in an open market.  the last point was what made it such a draw.  You could sell the 'cards' to other players which is what drove the majority of trading.  As long as you have ways to earn the currency that doesn't involve having to buy it (if not for very small amounts) then you fit into the concept of a game that is possible to win without buying into it.  The free market was great as people would earn items in the game and then sell them to generate currency to buy what they wanted.  Just another thought...
... it's time to get ill!

cbrooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2014, 02:32:35 PM »
This sounds similar to Steam Badges.  Not a bad idea.

Vampira

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 28
    • View Profile
Re: What you would like to see in a new SW
« Reply #13 on: June 06, 2017, 11:43:27 PM »
still working on it...if so contact me... please more than willing to help.