Cataclysm
A single-player role-playing game by Fwop_


PROLOGUE
Soon after the death of Idumea, the planet of Edom and its people suffered through tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and pysical upheavals; the structure of the land underwent a complete change. It has been four years since the disasters. People have built new cities and returned to the lives they once had, except with a cost unknown to them -- they are enslaved by the Shadow. Though unaware of this, it is evident in their everyday mannerisms; the Shadow has indeed made puppets of his children.

What is to come of Edom will be reciprocal of Aeson's journey. Continuing now on the shore west of the little town Palm.

GAMEPLAY
Battle System
The battle system will not be complex, so there is no need to learn anything new (unless you've never moved units to cast spells before). Two reasons for this: (1) I had originally planned something very intensive, something which would take up most of my time to trigger, but came to realize that such a system would just be a hassle and (2) I don't want to detract from the story at all. By leaving out any complexity with my systems (at least nothing too complex for anyone) I hope to keep more attention on the plot as opposed to grinding levels to get stronger.

I intend to make the map easy enough where you will never have to deviate off the main objective to get pass a boss, but I also hope to make it flexible enough where you can do such things as low-level or speed runs.

Spells
Easy enough. Move the unit to cast, wait for it to reach 100% health, cast again. Spells can be learned either by leveling or by realizing them through the use of skill points. I won't go into to much detail on the spells themselves until I'm satisfied with what I've come up with and I've implemented them into the map.

Spells so far:
• Heal
• Plural Strike
• Charge
• Doppleganger
• Glass Starburst
• Focusyn
• Rosario Impulse
• Regen
• Dodge

Inventory
I have not decided on how I want to set up the inventory (if I play on even keeping it), but as of now it is controlled by dark swarm. There is no more defiler, I've pretty much abolished my inventory system. There was no reason for me to keep it. Though, there will be things like artifacts or unique items or whatever you want to call them, but those will be seen through the console system.

Console
Use a shuttle to scroll through several menus such as Spells, Items, Quests (subject to my string usage), and Support Character AI. This would have to be the most complex (complex for the player to understand) system in the game -- relatively, anyway, it's not complex at all, I just don't want people confused about using it. Use the console to upgrade or learn spells, view spell or item information, check your standing on quests (subject to string usage), and change the AI for support characters (type of movement, type of battling, etc.). By moving the shuttle you can talk to people, enter buildings, open treasures, and other things.

PROGRESS
• Terrain - 70%
• Story - 15%
• Triggers - 20%
• Overall - 10%

SCREEN SHOTS












FINAL WORDS
Understand that the Prologue I've given is just the text in the mission briefing. There will be much more to the story than that. I purposefully left out information, because it would be just silly to tell you everything I plan to put into the map (story, characters, quests), you will just have to find that out for yourself when you play. Any questions? Just ask. Any comments? Post them. Any suggestions? This isn't your map (just kidding, I'm willing to hear whatever you have to offer).

I will add more information later if enough people bug me about it. But don't expect too much.

Post has been edited 4 time(s), last time on Jan 29 2009, 5:52 am by Fwop_.

I look forward to playing this. Looks very interesting and unique. =) I like RPGs

Dig the console system, but does the spell system require you to hotkey several units? Can't say I approve if it does (I never liked hotkeying more than 4 things: 1 for my character, 1 for upgrades, and 2 for misc).

Right now it would. How would you like it done? I can always add an option to toggle how the spell casting is done.

I'm fond of the dropship or gateway system because it's been tried and tested to be a great solution for quick-cast spells.

Alright, I'll make it an option to use the dropship as a casting system.

Thats a good idea, I might make several different choices for spell casting systems in my RPG if I make it. Let people pick what they are most comfortable with.

i am quite aware of your capabilities, and i must note that this map will be a must play to any big RPG fan. I hope with time you can give away more details of the storyline, and possibly one or two of the missions we can look forward to seeing. I like the idea that you will have all the missions available to be re-readable, this is a very simple add-on but really makes for convenience. I wish you the best of luck fwop, and consider me for testing

I look forward to an immersive and exceptionally-told story.

Good luck.

Despite my not being on B.net or SEN in that past over-week, I have been working on the map. For those fortunate enough to be in my elite posse, I will show them what I have done so far. I've got about 4 scenes done in the first Act, (I'm guessing there would be at least 10 scenes per Act with a plan of four Acts) and I've already hit about 30% string usage, which leads me to think I may have to split up the map if I want to tell the entire story.

I won't be online much because my internet wire got cut, but I will still be working on the map. I have some more screenshots to put up, but, under the circumstances, that may not be for a while. Progress is about 12% and going smoothly.

I'm worried about the same thing

Good to know, get your internet fixed soon, man.

Original post updated. I'll get the new screenshots up soon.

@Kaias: I'm going to try as much as I can to keep it all in one map, but if I have to, I'll split it up. Right now, I think it's looking pretty good.

Looks pretty good, a few minor blocks in terrain, but overall has a good feel.

However...
I hope you elaborate this plot as the game goes on.

I'm sure you can count on that, seeing as how the story is the focus of the map.

What is important will be addressed throughout the map's plot -- what is given in the introduction does not neccessarily imply any significance. That particular bit of information, Rantent, will either be elaborated on or be some sort of theme or motivation to the plot.

Nice job with terrain, this kind of terrain gives a + in any rpg games... i would make more maps and they would be more apreciated if I could do nice terrains like that... I will really need someone to help me doing it...

Anyway, it looks like a fun map and if i would have any suggestion to give i would, but it is not even near beta and it looks already perfect, the way you explain, in addition to the screen shots

Thanks for the comment Dungeon-Master. I tried to make the terrain look asthetically pleasing and functional as well; glad to see my work didn't go to waste. More screenshots are on their way, and when I at least get the first act done, I may release some sort of demo with snippets of the story, just for you guys to see what direction I'm going and a little inside knowledge behind the plot.

It looks sexy... like every other one of your RPG's. hah, i have to say: i learned alot about the dynamics of mapmaking from you.

Thanks, midget man =)

New screenshots are up.

This is like a prelude to Aeson journey before LoA? or after events Fwop?