This is an idea I came up with a while ago. Hope you enjoy.
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Game Overview
Common Questions
What is the game?
“The Survivors” is a 2D Strategy-RPG. The player assumes the role of the survivors of a plane crash, and must survive long enough in the wilderness to make it home alive.
Why create this game?
I have always been a fan of survival-type games. I hope that players can have just as much fun with “The Survivors” as I did with Oregon Trail, and other games that gave me my inspiration.
Where does the game take place?
The crash-zone of the plane will be randomized. The plane can crash anywhere from snowy tundras, green forests, and hot deserts. The different crash-zones will have different effect on the survivors. For example, snowy areas will make your party very cold, and increase the chance of frostbite. The heat of desert areas will fatigue the survivors much quicker, and increase the chance of heatstroke. This combined with random events, makes it so that no two game sessions are the same.
Who do I control?
The player controls a party of survivors from a plane crash. Each survivor's class will be randomized, or specifically selected by the player on easy mode. The survivor's class can range anywhere from a doctor, an engineer, a soldier, or a regular tourist.
How many characters do I control?
The player controls a randomized number of different survivors, each with their own special and unique skills. For example a soldier can hunt for food with much better results, or a medic can heal injuries or cure certain sicknesses. The choices of what each survivor should do for the day are left up to the player.
What is the main focus?
The player must avoid letting any of the party members die. The goal is to help the party survive, and make it home.
The World
Crash-Zones
Each crash-zone has various stats that effect the survivors, such as predators, climate, food, etc.
The crash-zones are listed below:
- Forest
Savanna
Rainforest
Tundra
Desert
Sahara
Ocean
Travel
The player controls each survivor by selecting them individually, and then they can carry out actions as they wish. Wherever the player clicks on the ground, the survivor will move to that location. Players can also use the “Search Area” action with a survivor to zoom out to a grid-like map, and spread out to find more resources.
Scale
The size of an area is represented by a grid-like map that can increase depending on how much the player uses the “Search Area” action with a survivor.
Objects
Aside from the objects that survive the plane crash, many different objects can be found in the wild to help the survivors stay alive. Various objects can be used as tools, weapons, food, and even clothing.
Day and Night
There is a day/night cycle that works realistically according to the 24-hour time system explained below.
Time
The world works based off of a 24-hour time system. Every second that goes by in the real world, 10 minutes goes by for the survivors. There is also a pause system to avoid days going by in a matter of minutes. During the pause system, the player can take control of each survivor and make them carry out various actions. For example, the player can tell Survivor #1 to build a fire pit, and then tell Survivor #2 to collect fire wood. The player may then unpause, and the survivors will begin each of their designated actions. Depending on the action, it will take a certain amount of time to complete it. So Survivor #1's task would take 1 second real-time, 10 minutes in-game, and Survivor #2 would take 3 seconds real-time, 30 minutes in-game. The game automatically pauses for the player once a survivor has completed their designated action, so that no time will be wasted. However, this feature can be turned on/off in the options.
Stats
Each character class has their own unique assortment of stats that can assist them in surviving. Depending on their stat bonus, it will help them carry out tasks with much better results. Here is an example:
A Tourist uses the “Hunt” action. They have no +Hunting skill, therefore they have a regular 25% chance of bringing anything back from the hunt.
A Hunter uses the “Hunt” action. They have a +Hunting skill. For every “+” on a skill, the survivor has an extra 10% chance to complete the action they are attempting. So in this case, the Hunter has “+” on his Hunting skill. Therefore, he gains an additional 10% to his Hunting skill. That's a 35% chance of bringing anything back from the hunt.
Characters
Overview
At the start of the game, the player is randomly chosen 1-10 survivors (If the player is on “Easy Mode” they are allowed to select the amount of survivors and each of their classes. The player also assumes the role of their own character, and can choose their class. There are 10 different classes, each with their own useful skills and items. Here is a list of the various classes and their perks:
Tourist – No Bonus Stats. Starts with cellphone, extra clothes, 50% chance of lighter and cigarettes.
Soldier - +Combat. Starts with extra clothes, pocket knife, 9mm pistol, plastic water bottle, binoculars.
Doctor - +Heal. Starts with cellphone, extra clothes, two medical kits, plastic water bottle.
Engineer - +Crafting. Starts with extra clothes.
Hunter - +Hunting. Starts with extra clothes, backpack, combat knife, hunting rifle, water canteen, binoculars.
Chef - +Cook. Starts with extra clothes, plastic water bottle, cooking utensils.
Hiker - +Search. Starts with extra clothes, water canteen, backpack
Athlete - +Resistance. Starts with extra clothes, plastic water bottle.
Musician - +Party Morale. Starts with extra clothes, plastic water bottle, guitar.
Scout - +Gathering. Starts with extra clothes, water canteen, pocket knife, backpack, tent.
Creating a Character
The player has the option to choose their character's class and appearance at the start of the game.
Predators
The types and amount of predators depend on the crash-zone's biome, and the higher the “Predator Level” is, the more dangerous they will be. The player can choose to kill these predators to gain various foods and resources.
Single-Player
Overview
The game begins with a plane crashing down in a randomized location. 1-10 survivors walk out, and must survive in the wilderness.
Hours of Gameplay
The single-player mode can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 or 3 hours. However shorter is the point of the game, as it is more casual.
Victory Conditions
The player can win the game in multiple ways. The victory conditions are listed below:
Find Road – After using the “Search Area” action, there is a 5% chance that the player can find a road. If they find a road, they will win the game. A road will only start to appear after 10 days in the game.
Signal Aircraft – Every day there will be a 10% chance that a plane will fly over your camp. You can signal it with various tools, such as a fire, mirror, or S.O.S. sign. An aircraft will only start to appear after 20 days in the game.
Rescue Helicopter – Every day there will be a 20% chance that a rescue helicopter will arrive and save the survivors. A rescue Helicopter will only start to appear after 30 days in the game.
More Info
Game Modes
Easy Mode – Playing on easy mode allows the player to select various customization options at the start of the game. The player has the option to select where the plane crashes, how many survivors there are, and each of their classes. Along with choices, the stats on each of the crash-zones are made easier for the player. However, when Easy Mode is selected the player has the option to choose whether or not the crash-zone, survivor count, and survivor classes are randomized. If they are randomized, there is still a higher chance that they will receive better survivor classes, and a lower chance that they will crash in a Normal or Hard zone.
Realistic Mode – Everything is randomized. The player cannot select the crash zone, and has an even chance of crashing in an Easy, Normal, or Hard zone. The player cannot select the amount of survivors. A number will be randomly picked between 1-10. The player cannot select classes for their survivors. There is an even chance that they will be given any of the 10 classes. Duplicates of classes are also allowed.
Prehistoric Mode – This mode is intended purely for fun. This mode is treated the same as Realistic Mode, however just before the plane crashes, it enters a wormhole. When they come out on the other side, they find themselves transported back in time to the Stone Age. The player must survive against prehistoric predators, hostile cavemen, and even dinosaurs.
Apocalypse Mode – This mode is also intended purely for fun. This mode is treated the same as Realistic Mode, however rather than a plane crashing, you take control of the survivors of a viral outbreak. You must survive against the environment, bandits, and of course, hordes of the undead.
Artwork
I haven't done that much work on the art yet. However, I have created some concept sprites for the 8 classes.
And yes, before someone brings it up, the art style of the game is largely inspired by Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP.
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So, tell me what you think. If you actually read it all the way through, you are my new best friend, and I appreciate it.
Also, I'm pretty new here, so if I'm messing something up I'd love for you to help me out with some criticism. Thanks
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