Thread: Lucid Dream Game Idea

I've just spoke with the sandman. I have some interest in working on the game. I have 3 years of professional iOS game development - skills of which can easily be translated to another platform. I've heard the plan is to use the Ogre3d engine for the game.

I'm in under some provisions:
We use C++ with Ogre3d or another similar 3d c++ engine
I will never assume lead dev responsibilities.
The other devs are able to setup and use some sort of source code management - git, svn, etc. - We could get a free git host either at github.com (only free if it has public access), or bitbucket.com (free even with private access).

Really, I'm just curious to hear if the other devs have any real experience working on a slightly larger scale game (3d fps), especially in a multi-dev environment using SCM. I don't want to jump into a project that will flop due to inexperience, or in which I'd need to take over as lead and hold a few hands with simple things like SCM.

p.s. Sorry if some of this has already been covered in the thread. 18 pages is a lot to sift through.

Originally Posted by Rawracookie

Here's my summary of what's going on:

Lucid (the game of this topic) will be a cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, more?) commercial indie game by AstralSoft Entertainment Arts. It'll be an RPG with a long linearish story, but with plenty of nonlinear gameplay. At the moment, AstralSoft is a bunch of volunteers. We want to become an incorporated company (LLC in this case) so that we have legal protection and contracts that state that our members will be paid a portion of Lucid profits. Anyways, this costs money. That's something we don't have.

At the moment, we are making 3 fundraiser games. All of the money will go "into" AstralSoft. If we have excess from incorporation, it'll go into other things that need money like servers or even marketing. It's safer from a legal standpoint than Lucid because none of us expect to get paid. I think these games will be targeted to small devices like phones and tablets. These games will be more stereotypically indie. We'll get these out in the coming months. Possibly before, but possible after Christmas. Here they are:

The Cardboard Game: This game is a fusion of card and board games. It will have multiple modes of play designed by our team using standard playing cards and some sort of possibly gridlike board. I came up with the idea, so I'll probably be responisble for quite a bit of it.

Paragon: As near as I know, this will be a short, nonlinear 2D RPG with retro graphics and sound. 16 bit era retro. It'll have plenty of dialogue and action based story decisions.

Some sort of 3D puzzle game: The details of this are still in the works.

Saturday, we had an IRC meeting that decided alot of these details. We're having some sort of project management online program thing set up that will help us assign tasks to members. Programming for the Fundraiser games might even start this week.

As far as Lucid, we've written alot of the story, developed the characters more formally, revised story, and some other stuff. We've begun to learn how to program the stuff we want to do, done graphics and programming conceptualization. We have some 3D models already. Music is being written.

Anyways, I think I hit everything of importance that you guys need to know right now.

You still need money to promote the games that are meant to generate money. Catch-22 -- you need money to get things off the ground no matter what. I think one of the best ways right now to get funding for a game is to start a kickstarter.com page. This allows for people to contribute as little as $1 with benefits attached to different price points. $1 gets you a thanks, $10 gets you a copy of the game when it's out plus thanks in the credits - $25 gets you collector's edition, etc. This would still require everyone involved with the project to promote the kickstarter page and convince people it's a good idea to donate a little money to the game.

Originally Posted by Artelis

I don't want to jump into a project that will flop due to inexperience, or in which I'd need to take over as lead and hold a few hands with simple things like SCM.

p.s. Sorry if some of this has already been covered in the thread. 18 pages is a lot to sift through.

*sigh* I had my post all ready, but then I switched pages without thinking and it was gone...

One reason we're still accepting members is because the more experienced people we have on our team, the more likely it is that our project won't flop, as you say. Three years of game development experience is something to boast about (although I don't recommend it, as people will start to get annoyed ). We could really use your talents, so feel free to apply to be on the team at the link posted by The Sandman.

As for structure, we're doing quite well. Several months ago we moved away from free forums and decided to make our own under our own website. We also can store files in our posts and our headquarters, so we're already set for file management. The website is pretty much maintained by one guy (kudos to Michamic, you're a genius ). Er...I'm pretty sure I'm obligated not to reveal much more, so if you're interested please apply to the team.

I absolutely NEED to know if you guys are using any SCM. All of the devs need to be able to handle this, otherwise working on a multi-dev project is the most painful experience ever.

TheOneirologist, thanks

Artelis, yes, we are using a type of SCM designed for multi-dev environments.
We also have a system set up to allow for people unfamiliar with using SCM systems to upload their files.

Also, as TheOneirologist said, the more experienced people we have on our team, the more likely it is that our project won't flop. That is precisely why we have have the application system on our site (ASEA Developer Headquarters) so we can accept people with higher-experience.

Also, here is an exciting announcement, that probably should have been announced a month ago. We are now a registered LLC based in the United States.

you can't tell me more about the SCM because it's all hush hush? I think this project may be taking itself a little too seriously for me. I also am just now realizing you guys are -actually- expecting to make money off of this. I was hoping this was a just-for-fun community project.

Originally Posted by Artelis

you can't tell me more about the SCM because it's all hush hush? I think this project may be taking itself a little too seriously for me. I also am just now realizing you guys are -actually- expecting to make money off of this. I was hoping this was a just-for-fun community project.

At first I think was for fun, a cooperative project. However, it pretty much exploded and we realized that it wasn't just a fun-and-games kind of thing. We ended up turning into a real company, and thus we decided that we should start acting like one, to some extent. That's why we're pretty selective about what we reveal outside our forums. That's also why we have an application system. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but the dreaming game isn't the only one we're working on. We're actually making multiple small games, that will likely later be available in iOS. Now you see why I'm interested in you.

Wow, just have to say that I thought it was a cool game idea at first and now it's just wow. Good luck guys.

Originally Posted by TheOneirologist

At first I think was for fun, a cooperative project. However, it pretty much exploded and we realized that it wasn't just a fun-and-games kind of thing. We ended up turning into a real company, and thus we decided that we should start acting like one, to some extent. That's why we're pretty selective about what we reveal outside our forums. That's also why we have an application system. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but the dreaming game isn't the only one we're working on. We're actually making multiple small games, that will likely later be available in iOS. Now you see why I'm interested in you.

Ask any company what they use for SCM and they'll tell you. This isn't a proprietary secret.

Just posting to say that the team is celebrating our first birthday! A year ago tomorrow we started the Forumotion forum, which would later be intergrated into our current forum. Just want to give a shout out to all the team here and to everyone else, we are still accepting applications! You can apply to be on the team here! ASEA Developer Headquarters
Thanks everyone for your continued interest, and happy dreaming!
~Alias

Oh, that's rather exciting. Congrats, guys.

I know a bit of the graphics world :O

Blunt,

If you are suggesting interest in the game, I'll be in touch.

Thanks,

The Sandman

I was marked in-active again

I was just wondering if I could be a Beta tester for this game
I don't mind messing up my computer or anything like that
Maybe I could give ideas?
I don't know....
Could I apply for any of these?

Hi boxin20,

Sure you can apply. Just click "Apply" in my signature.

Thanks for your interest.

Originally Posted by The Sandman

Hi boxin20,

Sure you can apply. Just click "Apply" in my signature.

Thanks for your interest.

Applied . Hope you look into it

I applied already, how soon can I expect a reply?

Originally Posted by jak

I applied already, how soon can I expect a reply?

Presumably three days, but a lot of our members seem to be busy as of recently, so it may take a little longer.

Originally Posted by jak

I applied already, how soon can I expect a reply?

jak,

Forgive. I'll be in touch with you within 3 days.

I applied because I was bored and I'm a decent programmer.

Originally Posted by Nakara

I applied because I was bored and I'm a decent programmer.

Thanks Nakara. I reviewed your application. I'll be in touch with you.

Thanks, Sandman.
@Nakara, same boat here, although now this seems like more of an enterprise than a hobby.

Sandman: Okay, thanks
Jak: Yeah but its something to do so why not.