Who might be interested in this?

[Quip]

Hello all, some of you may remeber me from the house rules forum, I was kinda active a couple months back. Anyways, I just wanted some input on a project I was working on, see if anyone might be interested and get some idea of where to go with it.

It started as a few (rather weak) attempts at making a final fantasy type rpg, then taking some ideas from those and working on an orignal game, then switching to some other videogame and another idea, etc. Anyone who has tried to make their own game system probably knows the cumbersome unplayable, or downright wierd results that can develop. I think mine were worst than most, but at least I had some fun working on them.

Recently though, the stars aligned, and I came up with something thats not only playable, but I believe has some real potential. A few aspects of the d20 system were simplified, lots of stuff cut out, and a few new rules added. I'm really happy about it, to the point that I'm going to try to publish my work at some point, in some form or another. Thing is, I can't figure out which direction to go with it.

So my question for the boards is this, which of these ideas seems best?

-Create a Final Fantasy inspired game, and post it up on a website.
-Create a general video-game inspired rpg, also provide it for free.
-Develop my original setting, add more detail to the system, and see if I can sell it online as a pdf.

In any case, I want to provide the core rules to the public via the OGL. I would love to see what others could do with it, and I feel it can fill a certain niche better than other current systems.

Thanks in advance for any and all feeback!

 

[Alzrius]

Of the three options you listed, my most visceral reaction is to drop option number three. Campaign settings are a dime a dozen, and only the best of the best really stand out. Being a self-publisher via PDF means that you don't have much chance at all there.

As for the first two options...how are they different? The second one, a general video game inspired RPG, sounds like it'd be moderately close to a FF-style RPG anyway, since FF is the poster-child of an RPG video game. Either way, I'd go with one of those two.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Quip]

Thanks, I never turn down free luck!


I think should clarify the differences in the ideas a bit more.

-Final Fantasy
This one involves alot of catering to the specific archetypes, and drawing as much as possible from the different games in the series. Lots of people like to play in a final fantasy setting, so this would seem to be the most popular choice. Can be a challenge to make some things fit though. And, there are possible copyright issues?

-Generic Videogames
Much more freedom with the details, archetypes are more relaxed, and a wider range of source material can be drawn upon . There is less overall direction though, and probably involves more work to create custom stuff. Your right though, it is simlar to FF in many ways.

-Original Setting
Its not just about the setting actually, this idea of mine would involve some more advanced rules and mechanics, and if I could finish it the way I imagine it, then I believe it stands half a chance in the market. Maybe its not the best way to start off though, as much as I want to go into buisness for myself.

 

[Quip]

*BUMP*

Oh and I also wanted to ask, who here is interested in playing in a final fantasy setting? I've seen a few prestige classes around, and a few complete games. Theres even that d20 one that is sometimes in the ENWorld news, though thats completely opposite approach than mine.

Just want to know how much interest actually exists, and perhaps share what I have so far with a couple of people.

 

[clark411]

It would have to depend on the specific FF setting the game was based on. A book designed around FF 1 would be (to me) of far less interest than one based upon FF 6. FF 9 would be of less interest than FF 10.

The specifics, IE: Job System, Monster creation system, compatibility with 3.5, Races, Setting are enough to make it a challenging proposition to satisfy the largest numbers of fans, and.. that in mind.. makes it very unlikely that any individual PDF would be widely applauded - and that general "thumbs up" is probably what a new pdf fellow would want.

Well.. attempting to make a profit on ideas derived from the intellectual property of Squaresoft is probably not what Ssoft would want, so I'd recommend just going for 1 or 2 how you see fit and just well, tossing it to the public for their opinion. Good luck, the degree to which FF is mainstream and yet still diverse makes it really hard to get the pulse of its community.

 

[Bloodstone Mage]

Sounds good to me

I express a strong interest in video-game-to-RPG conversions. I was thinking of getting couple of my friends together and making our own survival horror booklet with stats for Resident Evil/Silent Hill/Onimusha/Devil May Cry creatures and such. I was also thinking of making an adventure run that sort of splices Metroid with survival horror.
I've been trying to do something with Final Fantasy for months. I don't like much of the stuff flying around on the internet for a Final Fantasy RPG, so I've been trying to come up with my own system. I've toyed around with the FF7 Materia System and the FF8 Junction System, even attempting to combine the two. Personally, I'd like to see some d20 conversions of the Materia System, Junction System, Classic FF/FF9 Job System (which seems to be easiest), and the FF10 Sphere Grid System (which also seems close to the current d20/D&D system already).
Right now, I'm planning on a Final Fantasy solo-campaign to run with a friend of mine using the FF8 spell system (draw, stock, cast). I'm still thinking about it. I was planning on using my own classes and the Elements of Magic system (since it uses mana and seems more balanced that the current D&D spell slot system).

Quip, feel free to e-mail me at bloodstonemage@yahoo.com about your progress, or if you'd like some help or suggestions or feedback.

Cheers!

 

[Quip]

It would have to depend on the specific FF setting the game was based on. A book designed around FF 1 would be (to me) of far less interest than one based upon FF 6. FF 9 would be of less interest than FF 10.

It isn't exactly like any one of the final fantasy games, no more than any two final fantasy games are like each other. It is most similar to the games which feature job systems and job-like archetypes, but I'll take anything from any of the games if I think I can make it fit. I see you aren't a huge fan of the job system types,

The specifics, IE: Job System, Monster creation system, compatibility with 3.5, Races, Setting are enough to make it a challenging proposition

Some things that don't fit with my design are systems that provide abilities by some means other than personal advancement. This includes Espers, Materia, Junctioning, and to a lesser degree the Sphere Grid. Aspects of any or all of these things might be included (especially materia), but not the mechanics they came from. Yeah this wont please everyone, however I think fans of every game should find something to like about it. Dont expect too much as far as compatibility with 3.5, or D&D at all. Mostly its a matter of power levels, and the abilities aren't matched up as equally either.

Well.. attempting to make a profit on ideas derived from the intellectual property of Squaresoft is probably not what Ssoft would want,

There isn't anything about the rules I've developed that is derived from anything squaresoft (or, square-enix now), it only fits the feel of the genre. The stuff thas important is really very general. You'll see what I mean.

Good luck, the degree to which FF is mainstream and yet still diverse makes it really hard to get the pulse of its community.

Tell me about it, thats mainly why I'm trying to get some feedback. I'm sure I wont please everyone, but I'll try for as many as possible.

I was also thinking of making an adventure run that sort of splices Metroid with survival horror.

That actually sounds kinda scary. I mean, being lost on that metroid planet kinda creeped me out as a kid.

I've been trying to do something with Final Fantasy for months. I don't like much of the stuff flying around on the internet for a Final Fantasy RPG, so I've been trying to come up with my own system.

Yeah, thats pretty much my story, too.

I've toyed around with the FF7 Materia System and the FF8 Junction System, even attempting to combine the two. Personally, I'd like to see some d20 conversions of the Materia System, Junction System, Classic FF/FF9 Job System (which seems to be easiest), and the FF10 Sphere Grid System (which also seems close to the current d20/D&D system already).

Yeah, I think those could all be done fairly well, as their own systems. I've messed around with most of that in the past, even an FF8 one with GF's treated as something like sorcerors, spell slots and all.

Right now, I'm planning on a Final Fantasy solo-campaign to run with a friend of mine using the FF8 spell system (draw, stock, cast). I'm still thinking about it. I was planning on using my own classes and the Elements of Magic system (since it uses mana and seems more balanced that the current D&D spell slot system).

That actually sounds alot better that what I had going for it, easier to use definitely.

Quip, feel free to e-mail me at bloodstonemage@yahoo.com about your progress, or if you'd like some help or suggestions or feedback.

You can count on it.