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Novice Member
Joined: 2/24/08
Posts: 2
"Spread your fins and fly like a fish!"
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Project name:
Project Phoenix.
Game Name:
Phoenix Realms: The Three Cities (initial release)
Target aim:
To create an MMORPG in our own original universe, drawing upon fantasy settings such as Warhammer and Lord of the Rings for inspiration. However we have several important goals:
* To develop an engaging, immersive and consistent multiplayer online game with an emphasis on roleplaying.
* To create a unique and characterful fantasy game world.
* To test some of the ideas and concepts put forward by the original Warhammer Online development team with regards to game mechanics.
* To engage the roleplaying elements of the new Warhammer Online forums within the structure of the game.
* To draw on the knowledge of other similar gaming communities around the world in order to fuse some of the best elements and aspects of other MMORPGs together.
* To LISTEN to our community and their advice.
* And last but not least - to have fun doing all of the above!
'Brief' description:
"A while back (2004), a group of fellow Warhammer Online fans, heart-broken by the cancellation of that great game, took it upon themselves to create their own game, a simple side project to fill the void that they would have dedicated to WO. Well, it may had started as a foolish idea, but two months later, we are starting to see our world take shape, and our imaginations take life upon the pieces of dev papers that are now the design notes for our races, cities, factions, and gods.
Originally we started out with the idea that we would make a mirror world to that of Warhammer, but change a few name so their wouldn’t be any copyright issues. Yet it wasn’t enough, and with the ideas we had, we found that we could make our own world, an original one, one that we found would be at least as interesting as Game Workshop’s (creators of Warhammer).
First of all, we had long debates about magic. Warhammer had a very brilliant magic system, complete with its different schools, and the sense of danger that came with the chaos taint. We couldn’t use this, and so discussions of a new magic system began.
We're working on a system which reflects the Winds of Magic, using different forms of magic with different characteristics. There will be an element of danger when casting a spell, and we hope to have some sort of daemon manifestation event included.
So far we are content with the magic system, and all we have left are little bugs, and how to implement this into the game. Right now, we are busy on is the creation of our starting realm, the Three Cities, which is a loose confederation of City-States, who, due to our roots as Warhammer fans, are meant to resemble Middenheim, Altdorf, and Nuln. In addition, each of these cities have their own patron deity.
The northern city of Aeladon is a thriving, bustling port city, which generates its wealth through sea-borne trade. It has a very cosmopolitan feel, and its citizens tend to be more tolerant of outsiders. It’s patron deity is Mananwe, the Sea God and Teller of Dreams. To the south, among a plain landscape filled with farms, lies Malwendale, the largest of the three. It’s citizens have built up a reputation for moderation and neutrality and so it has become the main administrative and political centre of the realm. Trade opportunities are plentiful, as the city is located on a crossroads of the two main roads through the realm. Its patron deity is Lodwin, Guardian of the People and Bringer of Life. Finally, at the southern end of the continent, is Thrond, the main industrial centre of the realm. To the casual observer, Thrond is a dirty, ugly place, where the people are rude, loud and uncaring. Yet in truth, its citizens are extremely patriotic even if they hold a distrust of outsiders. They tend to hold strong views concerning matters of honour, and once their trust is earned they can show extreme loyalty and generosity. The patron deity of Thrond is Urkan, the Wanderer and Father of Beasts.
One of the game mechanic systems that we are most proud of is our career system. The idea behind it is to nagate the need to 'level-grind' and to increase the depth and role-playing emphasis of the game. So, instead of saying "I'm a level 25 Warrior" you will be able to say "I'm a Mercenary Sergeant based out of Malwendale, but I used to be a Hunter before I decided to join a Mercenary company and managed to gain myself a promotion." We also want every player to have an impact on the game world, its politics and its economy, no matter how directly the participate."
However, despite all of our work, we fell into a phase of 'limbo' after the announcement that Warhammer Online was back in production under the new name of Warhammer Age of Reckoning (or WAR). Alas, it isn't the same game as the orignal would have been, and after almost two years of inactivity, we're finally back! And this time we mean business.
Compensation:
At this stage we are still working with volunteers, in people's free time. What have we to offer? A good time, fun and a great community atmosphere and spirit!
Technology:
A lot of the programming details have yet to be decided definitively. However we are using the Crystal Space engine to create the graphics for the game. Take a look at Planeshift for an indication of the graphical quality this provides.
Talent needed:
The new Team is in the process of being decided, after the recent restart of Project Phoenix, and will shortly be up here to view. If you think you have what it takes to join us, read on. We are in desperate need of a whole new Programming Team! For obvious reasons this side of things is very important!
However, we are also currently looking for any of the following positions:
-Designers
The Designer is a highly creative role for individuals of good conceptual, gameplay and technical skills. Using whatever tools they can, the designers create and populate the game world, considering the features which need to be implemented in the game engine for the game to play according to the design. The Designer constantly evaluates the gameplay and "fun factor" of the project, and alerts other members of the team when issues arise in these areas. The Designer is a flexible role, and they should be able to take on a variety of tasks as and when they are required.
Skill Requirements:
* Demonstrate the skills necessary to develop and produce "concept" and "design"
documents.
* Possess a good working knowledge of design tools, map editors and design
techniques.
* Demonstrate a working knowledge of the technical restrictions and specifications
of PCs and the Windows OS.
* Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, essential in sharing
ideas and concepts with other team members.
* Display a passion for design work, video games and roleplaying.
-Programmers
The Programmer is part of the inner workings of the Development Team, working on the game engine, the design features, implementing the AI, and maintaining the network capabilities of the game. The Programmer must have a very logical working manner, and must be able to work independantly while making sure that the material they produce can be easily incorporated into the current game code.
Skill Requirements:
* Demonstrate a good knowledge of C++.
* Demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of the technical restrictions and
specifications of PCs, the Windows OS and networking.
* Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, essential in sharing
ideas and concepts with other team members.
* Display a passion for design work, video games and roleplaying.
-Artists
The Artist will have a range of opportunities to work on the project. The main requirements of the Artist are creative talent, commitment, and a love of the fantasy genre, although they must be able to show their proficiency in either 2D or 3D art. The Artist will provide concept sketches for the Designers, as well as artwork and graphic design to be used to add character and depth to the game.
Skill Requirements:
* The ability to produce artwork to a high degree of quality and style.
* Great collaborative skills, and a strong creative drive a must.
* Must have the ability to conceptualize, present and execute ideas.
* Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, essential in sharing
ideas and concepts with other team members.
* Display a passion for design work, video games and roleplaying.
-Modellers/Animators
The Modeller creates the game objects to be used in the game engine using 3D software to design (and animate where necessary) models for the characters, items and landscape objects to be found in the game world. The Modeller must possess a mixture of technical and artistic ability, and must be able to infuse life and energy into computer controlled objects.
Skill Requirements:
* A proven ability to create material using 3D Studio, Maya or other 3D software.
* Good artistic ability, and a strong creative drive a must.
* Must have the ability to conceptualize, present and execute ideas.
* Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, essential in sharing ideas and concepts with other team members.
* Display a passion for design work, video games and roleplaying.
-Sound Engineers
The Sound Engineer will have a range of opportunities to work on the project. The main requirements of the Sound Engineer are creative talent in the field of sound and music, commitment, and a love of music and the fantasy genre. The Sound Engineer will provide ambience music and sound effects for the Designers, as well as sound to be used to add character and depth to the game.
Skill Requirements:
* The ability to produce music and sound effects to a high degree of quality and style.
* Great collaborative skills, and a strong creative drive a must.
* Must have the ability to conceptualize, present and execute ideas.
* Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, essential in sharing
ideas and concepts with other team members.
* Display a passion for design work, video games and roleplaying.
Most importantly, all members of the Development Team must be flexible, adaptable, confident, imaginative, enthusiastic, passionate, organized and highly self-motivated.
Team structure:
I am head of organisation. The Team, as explained earlier on, is still in the process of being reconstructed/constructed after two years of 'extended break', so it is difficult to post it here. However I'll put what I have already up (this is a flexible list and prone to sudden change):
Currently unallocated members: Malicki/seb1024 and Spirit.
Organisation:
General Organisation: Shadowmancer
Marketing Management: ???
Website Administrator: ???
Wiki Administrator: Pendrako
Monthly Newsletter Editor: ???
Conceptual Realisation:
Chief of Art: White_Wolf
Artists: ???
Chief of Sound: Sycophant
Sound Engineers: ???
Chief of Modelleling/Animation: ???
Modellers/Animators: ???
Design Team:
Lead Designer: ???
Designers: Lord_Inquisitor,
Tech Team:
Core Programmer: ???
Programmers: ???
***
New Applicants:
Pending: Drakoor (Designer), Sloam (Designer), Mad_Panda (Designer), MangaPip (Artist)
Wannabe Developers: Currently there are no new applicants on trial.
Website:
www.phoenixrealms.co.uk
This is our new website, currently heavily under construction. We also have new forums, the link is on our site, and a new wiki. The wiki is updated daily and we're still in the process of uploading all of the old material before we move onto new stuff. Having a wiki will make a large difference to how easy it is for an internet community to work on a project like this one. (there is a problem with images showing on the wiki, but this should be fixed very soon).
Contacts:
[email]eccentric.productions@gmail.com[/email] or go to our forums, accesible via the main site (see above link).
Additional Info:
I'd just like to stress the fact that the whole Project only just restarted and that it will be some time before we find our feet and a steady work rythym once again -new applicants will however speed up this process and rekindle peoples' interest. |
