Questions for furry gamers

[Aurifer]

Those of us thinking of creating a furry video game need your input on what you prefer:
-Which genre? (Sports, Action, Adventure, RPG, FPS, etc)
-What mood? (Light and Cartoony, Serious, Dark)
-Characters and Stereotypes? (Would we have a cute fox and lonesome wolf and muscular bull and athletic leopard, etc? Also, what species?)
-Magic and Tech? (Semitechnological with some magic, dark-ages with magic, futuristic tech with no magic, etc?)

Myself, I like an RPG element, so you grow throughout the game. I like collecting items that do things, and I like a certain element of adventure. A certain amount of action is a must, too, and there should be some amount of strategy, in form of specialized items (using a sword to cut down vines, and a spear to attack enemies with long reach, for example). So really, a mix of everything. We could add a scoring system and multiplayer, and turn it into a sport and a shooter and racing, at the same time.
I like any mood, as long as it's well-executed. Not too too cartoony.
'Relatable' characters hold no interest to me, so I'd prefer something more like idealizations. I'd make the characters something like their most popular references in the community. For example, a muscle-bound bull, a hunky wolf, a slim hot fox, an athletic leopard, basically what I put in the example for the question. It would have to have the most popular animals, like the wolf, fox, horse, rabbit, otter, and cat, with as many others as could be fitted in. Ideally, there should be options for everything, or maybe make it possible to make your own.
I like an element of magic, but it's probably best to keep it subtle instead of all that 'fire' and 'bigger fire' and 'biggest fire' spells. The idea of working for your magic seems appealing. Meanwhile, something like 'fallen tech' would be good: something like an advanced medieval era, with random bits of stuff from modern-day or future, like steam engines and a couple laser-beam artifacts.

[Harle]

I've always loved the idea of a furry RPG, and anything added to that, genre-wise, is just bonus.

I like the idea of animals representing different 'races' with wolves sort of having their own culture and cities that sort of represent their idealizations, while other races have their own cultures and cities. To just evoke a well-known period; the Romans might have been eagles or horses, while the Guals would be boars or bulls, and the Celts would have been deer or something.

That sort of thing appeals to me. Especially if the game establishes a 'stereotype' and then introduces characters that show how the individual can deviate from it. I love world-building, which is full of generalizations, and I also love individual characters, who represent how the generalizations are exactly what they are; just generalizations. As opposed to presenting characters everyone expects.

I enjoy magic in a setting, but only if it's subtle and adds something to the story. I'm not convinced it makes a good 'default setting detail,' so to speak. Good fantasy only introduces magic when it's relevant, not just as something to help the story along. In that case it's just a writer's crutch. A bit of deus ex machina.

Mostly, I'm interested in a story about individuals and cultures and ideologies. That's kind of what makes being a fur special.

[Senri]

I would agree with harle. I would definitely be a furry rpg fan, and with different races, like wolves, felines, avians so on so forth. if each class, or race i guess had some more advantages over others, yet still had their weakneses too... I guess i'm thinking a bit along the lines of final fantasy chrystal chronicles. where the selkie are faster than the others, but their defence is weaker by a bit, those bird thingies are good magic users...

also i would like a game that has magic, but its optional to use, and one levels up with experience and grows stronger.

too tired to think of what else to say.....
take care, Arctic

[Lycus]

Also, being able to customize your your caracter would be cool. Like for instence, make the muzzle longer,change lhe length of the tail the size you want. A bit like creating in the game Oblivion. But then again, would it be better 2D or 3D? Anyways, it would be a great accomplishment of realizing the game .

[Weasel]

Sounds like you want the creature editor/creator from Spore =o

[PyroVulpes]

Damn, it sounds like you furs want a remake of Oblivion with fewer "hyoo-maan" races and more furry ones. Of course, I wouldn't mind that one bit .

I'm pretty much in agreement with everything said so far, but here's a question: Should it be an MMORPG, single player only, or single player with a multiplayer option?

[Chinook_the_orca]

Personally I loved oblivion (I was an argonian).  I'd love to see an oblivion style RPG with fur races, that would be an awesome idea!  But I'm far more of a sci-fi guy than a fantasy guy.

[Fenris]

Oblivion is awesome! I'd like to see another game like that but with more furries. 

[happy.knot]

I love MMORPGS, and it's even better when you can play a race that isn't human.
There is only one thing that is more fun for me than playing an anthro-character...playing a were character!
My first taste of this was in DIablo II expansion: the druid that could transform in to a werebear and my favorite, the werewolf.

I would love to see that idea expanded one day - and maybe add some flying races to that.

[Riley]

This is all what I’d LIKE, not what I think it should have.

-Which genre? In my personal opinion, I’d like a (Open World) Third or First  Person Shooter with light Puzzle and RPG elements mixed in, but also has good writing (A la Portal).  I’d also like  it to be online or have co-operative game modes ( I.e. Co Op  during the main story mode)   

-What mood? A Serious mood that emphasizes on realism and the world around it. Though there should be various mood lifters and jokes, things to make it seem lighthearted, but at the end still carries meaning. Nothing overly Cartooney and nothing overly Serious will be fine.

.
-Characters and Stereotypes? I think it’d be best to have a creator, even if it’s only limited to race and a couple of default fur patterns, choice of character will be a big hit with furs,  though, if it were to go the way of preset characters. . .  I think that what Harle said is good.


-Magic and Tech? I could really care less, as long as it’s not to Dependant on magic, and the tech isn’t super advanced.

Anyways, I’d probably play it if it’s executed well, and fun. Other then that, I couldn’t really care.


Also, I love Oblivion, I was a. . . Aa. . . . . . Cat Person? Back then I thought Anthros were cool( Still do now), but the agility and stealth bonuses were great.

And as with PyroVulpes, I’m in agreement with everything too.

(Also, the Spore creature editor + Anthro's = Awesome. Least in my books )

P.S.: It'd also be awesome to have a zombie game, though, I would'nt know how Anthros would get worked into it

P.P.S: I wish I could help, though, being in grade school, the only knowledge I have is how to make Models in Wing's 3D, that and experience ( Alot of it) as a beta tester submitting bug reports and logs and such.

Good luck, I hope this project gets going, I'll help in any way's that I can. ( Alright, maybe not financial wise, but, other then that )

[Aurifer]

It's great that we're all in agreement. So points:
-Good storyline
-Accurate representations of classes and nations
-Research is a must. If we don't have any historians, I'll research peoples and places myself, to give the game maximum authenticity.
-The game should be more or less realistic with fun highlights; not too toony, and not dark.
-Different races will have racial attributes. Flying, digging, running speeds, etc. are a must.
-No overt 'mage class'. Magic will be something much more subtle. There will be classes that use magic, but not one in which magic is all there is.
-Each thing should level up on its own, which would kind of eliminate classes. Alternately, we could do something like Blizzard's Diablo II, where each class has a whole whack of unique skills, and each skill can level up.
-3D Characters are a must, even if they're in a 2D platform world. 3D characters are easier to scale and to modify (especially if you want to modify certain characteristics, like muzzle length).

A huge difference, I find, between quality games and crap are the ease of the controls and the range of ability. If you can walk, jump, and attack, and maybe run, it's not usually a good game (unless it preserves 'flow' through simplicity).
The characters should be able to climb, jump, fly, walk, run, sneak, dig, and even use sounds and smells to their advantage.

[Riley]

Everything there seems good, though, the only potential problem there I would think: Simple controls can work well by preserving flow, as you stated. But over complicated controls could remove flow through over complexity.  But it depends on what type of game you're going for, everything sounds good in theory, I can't wait to see it implemented in a actual game.

[AlanTabby]

What I'm still waiting for is a game where ya play a real animal. You are born & grow-up,have to survive predators, gotta hunt, find a mate & family.  Should be able to choose from seveal types of animals like wolves,bears,horse,deer,rabbits,, birds etc.  I'd say wolf if ya could only choose one animal for the game cause most ppl will play as a wolf & ya could have a pack.  Be cool to be able to customize your character as well.   Also, being able to mark territory & encountering humans from different eras like stoneage etc?

[Aurifer]

@AlanTabby:
I've actually heard of a game (was it through our last board?) where you play as a wolf and join a wolf-pack. I'm not sure if it's still in development, though.

And the game 'Spore' lets you create your own 'animal', though you can choose things with three legs and stuff like that, so I'm not sure that appeals to your aesthetics.


@Grey:
As for overcomplexity, you're right. The key is to make things intuitive and fluid, in a delicate balance between complexity and simplicity. As a gamer, I just can't STAND those horrible pauses between things. I can understand a game loading, but to be immobilized while a graphic flies about just gets tiring, especially if it's something I'm doing over and over again. Like in Final Fantasy IX, where over half of each battle is spent just waiting around for things to happen.


However, I'm making demands on game performance without even getting a good idea of what kinds of resources we have.

[Kyvr]

I love the immersive, open-world RPGs. Customization to the max!!!

My idea is a near-future world, where humanity has become isolated and live in huge, city-domes called arcologies (like the ones from the Deus Ex sequel), that war with each other over ideological differences. In the background, a group of rouge scientists have created human-animal hybrids, for mysterious reasons.

You play as a anthromorphic animal, who was grown in a rogue science facility. You wake in a liquid-filled tube and smash your way out as the facility is under attack. One of the key game mechanics that I would want to introduce is a learning system, where your character begins as a kind of blank slate. They can recognize language, and basic functions, but they have to learn how to make things work, from elevators to firearms. Your character can "learn" (go up in skill) just be simply observing someone perform the skill (learn how to operate a gun by watching someone fire one), to extensive training (to get expert level of skill, because simple observation can only take you so far).

The story would explore the complex issue of identity (which I believe is a intrinsic theme of the furry nature). As the story progresses you explore your characters identity. Why were they born/made? Are they more than just laboratory experiments/freaks? What do they do with their newfound freedom? Perhaps there is something more metaphysical to your nature than being a simple collection of DNA put together by some mad scientist.

Intrigued yet? 

[PyroVulpes]

Kyvr, that. sounds. AWESOME! The way you describe the gameplay kinda reminds me of System Shock 2 (also maybe Bioshock, but I have yet to play that one), but obviously with a completely different storyline.

In terms of advancing the storyline of such a game, I can think of three different methods. The first one is what I call "Half-Life style" where the main character is mute and you just listen in on scripted conversations. The second option is similar to the first, but the main character gets a voice too, kinda like in Prey. The last (and obviously most difficult to make) option is where you interact in conversations, choosing between several pre-made responses, like in Vampire - The Masquerade - Bloodlines.

As for system requirements, like any good game it should be very scalable, aiming for very low minimum requirements, but still capable of "wowing" those of us with higher-end systems. Loading screens don't bother me so much, as long as they aren't excessive.

[Kyvr]

In terms of advancing the storyline of such a game, I can think of three different methods. The first one is what I call "Half-Life style" where the main character is mute and you just listen in on scripted conversations. The second option is similar to the first, but the main character gets a voice too, kinda like in Prey. The last (and obviously most difficult to make) option is where you interact in conversations, choosing between several pre-made responses, like in Vampire - The Masquerade - Bloodlines.

Have you played Mass Effect? I totally love that style of character interaction! Make it as cinematic as possible, with a decent range of emotional and textual responses. If you don't want to talk to a person, then you should be able to growl at them and walk away! You choose from a number of responses that are given to you after a character says something to you (including a growl-and-walk-away option), but, unlike dialog options (where you pick exactly what your character says) you just pick a general response then watch and listen as your character responds.

In terms of first or third perspective, I have to go for third-perspective (over-the-shoulder style, like in Resident Evil), but with the option of going into first-perspective for aiming and looking (like Oblivion). After all you want to see your pretty character don't you? 

It really angers me when in first-perspective games have levels when you have to do a lot of jumping and climbing, first-perspective is not the best view for acrobatics! 

Speaking of Oblivion, I was kinda disappointed with the Khajit race. I wanted to make a big, muscle-bound lion man (naturally  ), but they are all skinny, agile bodies that favor thief classes 

[PyroVulpes]

Have you played Mass Effect? ... You choose from a number of responses that are given to you after a character says something to you (including a growl-and-walk-away option), but, unlike dialog options (where you pick exactly what your character says) you just pick a general response then watch and listen as your character responds.

In terms of first or third perspective, I have to go for third-perspective (over-the-shoulder style, like in Resident Evil), but with the option of going into first-perspective for aiming and looking (like Oblivion). After all you want to see your pretty character don't you? 

It really angers me when in first-perspective games have levels when you have to do a lot of jumping and climbing, first-perspective is not the best view for acrobatics! 

Speaking of Oblivion, I was kinda disappointed with the Khajit race. I wanted to make a big, muscle-bound lion man (naturally  ), but they are all skinny, agile bodies that favor thief classes 

Unfortunately, no, I haven't played it, although I like your idea for character interaction.

Yes, having both first and third person perspectives is almost a must in a game like this.

I know exactly what you mean here...

You can create a decent Khajiit warrior, but unfortunately the body-types of all the characters remains the same, regardless of their stats.

[Aurifer]

I agree with that first-to-third thing. I've always prefered that close-range-third-person, because first person is just far too restrictive. I hate any form of tunnel vision, because I use my peripheral vision to such extent. Playing first-person is like being forced to play games with one eye closed, to me. Meanwhile, I understand that a lot of people like it that way. We should also have camera options, so you could set the camera far away, too (unless that would change gameplay. We'll take it up as it comes).

Anyway, about that learning thing. I think learning is a must, and I really agree with the not-set talking options. But, while it's easy to create a character with whatever strength or constitution or dexterity, it's rather hard to either limit the player's intelligence or to expect more from them. We could certainly exercise it by letting them interact with everything, and maybe they'll have to throw a board across a gap to get across, but to make them start out with no knowledge of things EVERY SINGLE PLAYER would know would be just a bit much. I don't think we'd get much support for that.

Identity is good, certainly. I'll have to research all the furry hot topics, like "what is furry" and stuff like that, and make the whole game an immersive exploration into one's furry center.

One thing I haven't considered, though, is stuff like war. In war-ish times, it's easier to play such a game. You could move from town to town, and there would always be something to do. In a world of few resources, there would also be quite a bit to do.

On another note, I hate World of Warcraft because I'd do something (give some guy an antidote, or heal some plainstriders), and it just doesn't matter. I get some experience, but if I defeat a horde of attackers or kill a demon who was ravaging the lands, they'll just respawn right away. Add the fact that they weren't actually ravaging the lands, but were just wandering. In this game, we'll have to do something where your quests add to the world. You can help bring gold or materials to build houses, for example, and the towns would actually grow.

The game also shouldn't have too much jumping or climbing. Honestly, how much of that do you do in a day? There'll usually be slopes everywhere, or steps. No-one ever has platforms a couple feet apart that you need to jump across.

[Tiger_Dusk]

Starfox anyone o.o? ^^ it's a full furry game :3 Fox McCloud is so cool x3 oh and so is Wolf, hehe ^^ not to mention Krystal rawr cute!