Board Game Creation

[Dosjetka]

Hello folks! :D

 

Well, a post just to ask people’s opinion.

 

I’m in the beginning process of creating a home-grown game based in either the 30k or 40k universe. I am unsure of which time span to choose and then which legion/chapter to choose for the game. My basic idea was a 3D games board made primarily of the GW city ruins and other bits and bobs and I’m trying to figure out what the first scenario will be. All my models will be converted and the Astartes will be *drum roll* TRUE SCALE! Yes, I am going to attempt true scale marines! Folly, I know ;)

 

Anyway, please help me and I will post updates when I can!

 

Thanks, :)

 

BBL

[Hellios]

Hello folks! ;)

 

Well, a post just to ask people’s opinion.

 

I’m in the beginning process of creating a home-grown game based in either the 30k or 40k universe. I am unsure of which time span to choose and then which legion/chapter to choose for the game. My basic idea was a 3D games board made primarily of the GW city ruins and other bits and bobs and I’m trying to figure out what the first scenario will be. All my models will be converted and the Astartes will be *drum roll* TRUE SCALE! Yes, I am going to attempt true scale marines! Folly, I know ;)

 

Anyway, please help me and I will post updates when I can!

 

Thanks, :)

 

BBL

 

I don't think scenario should be your first concern, your first concern should be what makes it different to other games especially GW games and 40k. So EPIC, Aeronautica Imperialis, BF Gothic, Necromunda, Inquisitor, space hulk and so on.

[Brother Tyler]

To add on to what Hellios said, I wouldn't even worry about the "true-scale" (and don't get me started on so-called "true-scale").

 

You really need to develop the concept of the game, with the first two elements (in my opinion) being the theme and basic mechanics. In a sense, you've touched on the theme deficiency already by trying to identify the setting of the game. As far as mechanics go, you really need to get these hammered out, or at least roughed out, before you progress and put work into components (e.g., board and minis) that you might not need. Which you focus on first (theme or mechanics) is a personal choice. Some game designers are considered to focus on mechanics, slapping themes on afterwards (Reiner Knizia is one of those), while others focus on the theme and then develop the mechanics from that. It's also possible to balance it all (which is what I try to do) - once you figure out the basic theme of your game, figure out how the mechanics might support game play.

 

I heartily recommend that you check out the Board Game Designer's Forum (I've linked to the Game Design page), and also take a stroll through the Board Game Geek.

 

How large of a board do you intend to use? Will it be a tabletop setting like most of GW's games? A modular setup such as Space Hulk or the less well known Lost Patrol? A fixed board like chess?

 

What will you use for conflict resolution? Dice? Cards? An abstract system such as chess or checkers? Something else?

 

How many players do you intend to play the game?

 

How complex will the game be?

 

There are far too many questions, so I really think that you need to do a little bit more brainstorming before opening the floor to input, otherwise you'll end up with a hodge podge of ideas that you'll try to make work, with potentially disastrous results.

[Octavulg]

Sounds a little like you're trying to recreate Space Crusade.

[Fire Lord Captain]

Well since you have the city ruins for scenery, why not make a tightly-knit set of streets for a close quarters street fighting game? (don't include Ryu though.)

Could even make it trench warfare? Where one group is attacking and another group is defending, include rules for traps that the defenders can lay out.

Maybe have different floors for the buildings?

You could make up some special rules for sniper rifle wielding characters where they stay hidden unless the target does some sort of initiative check. Lots of ideas to go at when thinking about creating a board game.

 

You stated that you wanted it to be true-scale, if you are serious about creating a board game i would get the rules out of the way first, then concentrate on the modelling side, else just make a diorama.

 

But making board games is a hobby of mine, if you have any questions or need some ideas just PM me :o

[Dosjetka]

(don't include Ryu though.)

What's Ryu?

But making board games is a hobby of mine, if you have any questions or need some ideas just PM me

Thanks, I will now :D

[Fire Lord Captain]

(don't include Ryu though.)

What's Ryu?

 

Ryu was/is a character from the arcade game "Street Fighter". It was a bad pun on my part :D