MetaTech (3rd person sandbox game mixed with RPG and RTS)

WIP games, tools & toy projects Archived Projects
#1

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/new-logo-300x187.png

For those who would like to follow the development of the game I have a blog
http://infernosstudio.com/johny/

The game is still in early stages, there is almost no content, but the engine is working.
I’m working with one of my friends, he is helping me with ideas, testing, marketing(making videos) and other thing.

The game is still not fully defined, I’m still gathering ideas and changing things.

Current ideas:

  • 3rd person sandbox game mixed with RPG and RTS
  • Multiplayer, the servers will be player-owned
  • From Stone Age to Future (research system)
  • Magic but not the magic you’re used to (“once you research magic it becomes technology”)

In the game you will control one main character like in RPG games.
You will also be able to give orders to computer controlled characters if you will pay/convince them.

Starting from nothing and just raw landscape, you will have to gather items and use them together to create more advances tools and machines, progressing through a tech-tree.

Few screenshots from v0.00.0126 - v0.00.0229

PathFinding + Map overview

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/javaw-2012-09-04-15-25-51-63.png

Different size light sources

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/javaw-2012-12-12-10-32-43-30.png

1300 Lights

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/javaw-2012-12-12-10-56-51-01.png

Unidirectional (Laser) Light

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/javaw-2012-12-14-23-36-35-01.png

PathFinding

http://infernosstudio.com/johny/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/javaw-2012-09-26-17-25-30-40.png

For recent updates visit my blog

#2

This game looks pretty interesting. I will surely follow the progress. :wink:

Will there be research “resource”, all researches will be made using classic resources or in another way?

#3

Thanks (btw. you are the first one following the game)

The research system will be major part of the game.
At first it will be simple, and as you progress through the game it will get more advanced.
It will be easiest to give few example so you can get an idea of how it will be done.

At first you will have to find small stone, break few branches off a tree and get vines.

Tier 1

Stone Axe (Pick axe, hammer, knife, chisel will follow the same procedure expect for shape)
Gathered resources: 2 stones, stick, vines/rope
1 - Shape the stone using the other stone (of find one that is already shaped)
[~50% success rate, there will be few options for the shape]
2 - Split one end of stick using the sharp stone[~30% success rate,] (or knife[~80% success rate,will increase the chance of success])
3 - Place the sharp stone and tie it up using either vines or rope [~80% success rate]
When failing to craft an item you can loose some or all of the components.

Stone “Furance”(still not sure about the name)
Gathered resources: at least 3 stones (including one that will be flat)
Stones (o) placed in this shape
oooooooo <- 1 big stone
oo oo <- 2 small stone
Will create a basic “furance” that can be used to cook food or smelt ore
Adding fuel and setting it on fire will activate it

Tier 2

Will require some way of making notes:

  • Chisel/Knife(stone) and stone/wood plank
  • Paper and ink
  • Notes book
  • Computer

Mine carts (parallel with rails)
Required: Metal, Wheel(research), Axle(research), Container(research)
(all you need is research notes, but using the items will speed up the research)
Combining Wheel with Axel and Container will give you a mine cart prototype.
Then a mine cart will have to be placed on rails to test it.
Then you can start producing mine carts.

Rails (parallel with mine carts)
Required: Metal and Wood
The shape of rails will have to be researched and combined with wooden planks to create rail prototype.
Then a mine cart will have to be placed on rails to test them.
Then you can start producing rails.

This is only a brief description of the crafting and research system.
I will be posting a detailed crafting and research system notes on my blog in few days.

#4

Thanks,
I still have few things that I will need to finish before releasing the first test version.
For example only one light type can be on at the time (I would either have to turn on normal light or unidirectional). PathFinding only works with 1 of the slope tiles(its simple to add the rest, but it will take time to test all of them).

There is only 25 different tiles (mostly “block” full tiles, few slopes and a tree).
The trees are still not finished(trees will not be “blocks” and will grow instead of just appearing) for now I have the trunk and branches working, I will still need to add leaves.

I could release the test version now but it would be pointless as all you could do would be place tiles through the “Admin Panel” and test PathFinding, well actually I’m rewriting the GUI now, so you will not be able to do anything…
Once It will be worth testing(for me and players) then I will release it.

EDIT:
Also I will need to set up a forum(almost done) for feedback before first test release.

#5

Hey guys i am the second developer working on the game with Johny Cilohokla.

My jobs are marketing, design, concept creation/development and general management of the project.

Here is a link to my blog were you guys will find stuff more about whats in the game as appose to how it works and how it was built.

Kilgals Blog

ps. New video coming soon, it will show some of our lighting systems so far

Enjoy ~ Kilgal

#6

You should pause the ideas taken from minecraft, and create some new stuff indeed :slight_smile:
I know the tools are necessary, but minecarts / rails is a little to much.
Maybe add something like roads first.

Your other ideas are awsome, but he minecart system will be enough to get you a lot of angry fans :).

#7

Thanks, on that point the minecarts and rails were just a example for you guys to familiarize what we want to achieve with the game. I do however agree with you we will get angry fans either way even if it has nothing to do with minecraft.

Here is the video i promised.

fTETkhTm9bE

#8

The minecarts/rails where used just as one example of research.
Minecarts where not taken from Minecraft(Minecraft didn’t invent minecarts), but there were first way to transport goods from mines.
We will have much more ways of transport that that.
Sorry for not releasing the research system info as I was in previous post, but the lighting system needed a rewrite and it took all my time.
The whole tech tree will be split into part:
-Primitive
-Mechanical (minecarts, gear based elevators…)
-Electric
-Electronic
-Future
-Meta/Magic
There will be more of them and there will be stuff from biology and chemistry in it.

#9

Add more chemistry stuff! And don’t call it alchemy.

#10

Noted :slight_smile: how about we call it chemistry? - keep an eye on my blog i will be going into a lot of detail about these things. also comment. We will add it.

#11

Chemistry and alchemy are 2 different things.
Alchemy is converting 1 metal into another by using Magic(“once you research magic it becomes technology”).
Both will be added.

#12

Really, if you have magical alchemy, then just make it all alchemy. It was the precursor to modern day chemistry anyway. The profusion of categories for the sake of rigorous classification does nothing for fun.

#13

Chemistry will be there from the very start.
Alchemy will be part of meta-science, as it didn’t study pre-chemistry but beyond chemistry, it will be the end game stuff.
I’m sure transmutation is closer to Nuclear engineering than to chemistry.
And that elixir of life/immortality is closer to magic or technology we haven’t researched yet.
I’m aware of the fact that gunpowder, dyes and other things were considered Alchemy.
But it is mainly related to because of elixir of life, transmutation and potion making.
I’m still not sure if it will be called alchemy in the game.

#14

I guess if there’s a tech tree you could just put chemistry after alchemy. Otherwise, I recommend keeping it a game, not a taxonomy system.

#15

I’m not creating a “taxonomy system”, but 6-7 tiers of technology to group alike.
Making it simpler for the player to follow the game.
I already have a rough idea on how to split the tiers, name them and what should be included in those.
Alchemy will be part of end game technology, so I can not put it before chemistry.
I would really prefer to hear your ideas about what should be included.
Then if it is suitable, I have the possibly to add it in or create the engine is such way that it is easy to add.

#16

Okay guys so our new forum is done. Start getting your accounts ! we need as much feed back as possible to make this game awesome.

http://metatechgame.com/forum/

#17

It’s hard to give feedback when there’s nothing to give feedback on. :wink:

#18

Start a forum with only 1 board. Only create new boards when there is a need for it. Otherwise your forum will feel empty, which deters people from posting.

#19

Interesting game though. It’s the kind of idea that got me into programming in the first place.

I hope this gets done.

#20

Over next few days I will be filling it in with content, I’m aware of the fact that it fells empty.
There are 2 boards that new users can post in General Discussion and Ideas which is split into Electricity, Liquids and Gases, Transport, Weapons and Tools to keep it grouped.
I already have lots of stuff on paper, but I will need to copy it over.