⬩➤ Let’s take one small, but achievable step towards a dream – one that is not so out of reach as you may think. We are now in a world where real-life RPG-style combat, multiplayer raids even, is technically possible! Take a look at this to see what I mean: Sword Art Online is FINALLY REAL
⬩➤ To be clear, the scope of this game is nowhere near the daunting task of making this a reality. The goal of this project is just a small, realistic step in that direction. For us to create something very basic that could simply be described as “Mixed Reality combat”, and nothing more, would be a success. I am excited about the idea of more, of fleshing out a deeper combat and progression system, but that may be outside of the scope, depending on how challenging implementing the fundamentals of Mixed Reality will be.
⬩➤ Let me just say, if that bigger dream is one you share, there’s no reason not to start on it now. No, we’re not ready for a full-on RPG, or for multiplayer, but the few elements in our game would be how to start that dream game anyway. We’re just setting the goal post way, way, way closer. My point is, instead of working on some completely different type of game to what you really want, let’s make an equally realistic, limited-scope game that’s effectively like working on the big game. It’ll be a foundation for more games along this path to come, whether you stick with this team for the next step, or another one.
⬩➤ And as for Mixed Reality itself, I am confident it’ll be a much bigger thing soon enough. I am inspired by recent titles by Petricore Games like Mythic Realms: Mythic Realms | There's A DRAGON In My Office In This Mixed Reality Adventure!
‣ I also don’t live too far away from their studio in Worcester, MA. Perhaps we can grow to the point of collaborating with them.
‣ Really what inspires me is creating games where people come together in person. That’s why I am choosing Mixed Reality. This game is meant to be the foundation for future multiplayer shared experiences. If you’re not too concerned about the risk of a market in its infancy, you can be a leader in the field by the time the tech is robust.
⬩➤ See the design document (especially ‘Project Goals’) for more info: https://app.notion.com/p/MR-Combat-Game-3aba76e8a59e80b58aaec70c91a58eb2?source=copy_link
‣ ⚠️ At the top of the document is an AI-generated image to give an idea of what the experience may look like (or at least, what the stretch-goal looks like). However, I want to be clear that we won’t be using AI assets. Even for this… getting a concept artist to recreate it would be nice.)
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⬩➤ My experience:
‣ In terms of real skills, I can do music and SFX. I haven’t done so for video games before, but I have ~15 years of on/off hobby ‘EDM bedroom producer’ experience. I tried my hand at making a sci-fi weapon sound effect once and was happy with the result. I have a modest amount of experience in Unreal Engine, having followed a good handful of tutorials… blueprints, level design, VFX in niagara, a touch of Blender. I attempted to start my own project with difficulty. So, not enough of all that to be useful directly, but enough to appreciate how much goes into implementation. For a Mixed Reality game, though, we really should be using Unity, which I don’t have much experience with. I have done a few tutorials for Unity to get started.
⬩➤ My role:
‣ Game direction, game design/balance, music, SFX, playtesting. I will be maintaining the design document and assigning tasks with Notion. Though I won’t be programming, when it comes to simple things like tweaking data table values for balance tuning, I can be in-editor.
‣ I would like to spend as much time involved in design and communicating with people, which means getting as many people I can manage to keep coherent around the vision. The more the merrier, honestly. The more people, the more justified the role of director and designer becomes, which I want to learn to do.
‣ To fill my time, music and SFX.
‣ When I say playtesting, I also mean recruiting outside playtesters and parsing feedback. I also have a local gamedev community in my area with whom I plan to share progress in person and get feedback along the way.
‣ I can fill in small gaps in terms of hands-on stuff if we really can’t find anyone else to do them, particularly VFX. I would be very much learning along the way, though, and I feel my time would be better spent on audio.
‣ I would say I’m doing story as well, but it mostly falls outside of the scope. Maybe it’ll just be a few lines of dialogue in the beginning, but insofar as there is a story… basically, the antagonist is rogue AI.
‣ On that note… it’s okay if this is very much a learning experience for you as well. Of course I would love experienced members, but beginners are welcome. Frankly, commitment isn’t mandatory either, though I’m sure the right people will stick around. I’m embracing the likelihood that some people may need to be replaced. My point is, no pressure. Just come by and say hello; tell me what excites you as a game developer, and just aim to complete 1 simple task. See if you enjoy being part of the team. Getting the project finished is my job, not yours.
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⬩➤ Seeking…
#️⃣ Programmer(s): I would appreciate your input in setting up source control, if you have any preferences. If this is your first time using source control, that’s okay. Mine too, though I set it up once I haven’t really used it on a shared project. Next, we need to set up the foundations of MR like passthrough and such. At a glance, it doesn’t seem uniquely difficult, but you tell me. There are a few versions of enemy spawning/behavior we can discuss to suit your experience and preference.
💎 3D Modeler(s): To start we really just need 1 simple 3D placeholder model to be our enemy. It can be as low-poly as it needs to be. Priority is in getting the combat experience functioning and feeling solid before we need multiple models for content. But if you’re here and ready to model more, why not? Up to you if you prefer quantity or quality since we won’t be bottlenecked by this for a little while.
🏃 Animator(s): Maybe our 3D modeller(s) can do this, but if anyone has a primary interest in animation/rigging that would be awesome!
🎨 Concept Artist(s): We don’t necessarily need one but welcome one (for enemy design). I am not too set on a specific design for the enemies, so here is a place to be creative, unless we get a 3D modeller first who is already very clear about what they want to make. Keep in mind the theme for the enemies is “AI”, but that is meant to be extremely flexible, perhaps nanobots that can assemble into anything.
⚙️ UI/UX Designer(s): I have specific ideas for the UI, some of which is seen in the concept image, but if you have preferences let me know. Basically it comes down to making it diegetic, something appropriate for VR/MR. And if we do go past the plan for the MVP, and into the more exciting ability system I have in mind, there is the challenge of displaying a deep system of abilities in a way that’s intuitive to a simple VR headset controller. I propose a way in the design document.
🔥 VFX Artist(s): To start we really just need 1 projectile particle effect. A simple laser projectile will do, or even a fireball. I don’t necessarily want to limit this to sci-fi. If we reach past the MVP we need particle effects for various kinds of player and enemy abilities.
💡 Other: If you have something else you can contribute, let me know!
💸 P.S. The opportunity for Revshare is definitely still here, I just didn’t want to make any promises and to do it right would mean actual contracts and such with all sorts of considerations. But when we’re nearing the finish line, if it seems like this is really worth charging for, even just $1, I will do my best to accommodate everyone still involved in the project, and anyone else who made a big impact.
‣ Final note: If we have truly done everything we can and Mixed Reality is proving to be an insurmountable hurdle, we can pivot to a traditional VR version of the game. The Mixed Reality is really only essential for co-located multiplayer, which isn't part of this game. I just figured we might as well give it a shot and learn it now since that's the trajectory.
⬩➤ Please leave your Discord name here or send me a message on Discord u/saucythighs with some info about yourself. I will send you an invite to the Discord server.