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I am about to bestow upon to you the finest premise for a video game that has ever been uttered from mortal lips. Over the past 15 years I have developed, honed and delicately detailed this concept until the day I saw fit to announce it to the world. I look around and I see X-Boxes, PS2s, Hard Drives, Gamecubes, PCs, widely available broadband capabilties, DVDs and a world full of eager gamers.... and I see that time has come... and you, my friends, are the lucky few. The revelation is nigh.
All Rights Reserved (... not really, I mean, did God patent the Bible? Did Allah patent the Q'uran? I think not... if they did then there might be a load of people in trouble over royalty payments!)
Title: MIRAGE (later to become known as 'the game')
One of the first notable innovations will be the compulsory use of multiple peripherals, sometimes simultaneously. A standard controller, a force feedback steering wheel (w/pedals), a lightgun and a microphone. It would also need high-speed internet connection. A hard drive would probably be needed too... but what the heck, it's a dream game!
The game is set in a massive virtual city, within a relatively normal context, as big as current technology will permit. There would be 1st and 3rd person viewpoints available throught, as well as multiple camera angles. In the style of the current no1 game, GTA3, the idea of vehicles and loads of characters would be important. As a player it is your mission to become top dog of the whole city, acheived by gaining possession of several key items gathered around the city. However, even when you manage to get each item, the game will not finish... because someone can always come along and take those items away from you.
Which leads to the second crucial innovation. There would be no AI characters, because every character in the game would represent a real life player. This might sound strange, and the first few people to play the game might find themselves in an empty city! but, that will give them a distinct advantage, cos they can go grab those items without fear of competition. Why would you want to do that? i hear you ask, well, i'll tell you: each item will grant you a unique ability...
THE ITEMS:
1)The Mayor's Key to the City
This gains you immediate access to ANY building in the city.
2)Police Permit
Prevents any unwanted attention from police, and also allows you to call on police units for your own use (police units are controlled by employees of the game company! each police-chief-player would have control of 20 policemen from the 10,000 strong force within the game! I know that might cost a bit, but like i said, it's a dream game!)
3)Radio Active Super Potion
Turns your character into a superhero with all kinds of unique abilities. Flying, strength, x-ray vision etc
4)Media Monopoly Card
Allows you to broadcast general messages to every player n the game. Also gets you into enertainment venues round the city for free: Arcades(w/retro-fest emulations), Casinos (gamble with your in-game credits) and Cinemas (leading to seperate internet sites where mini-movies could be left periodically by the game developers and contributors)
5)Invisibility cloak
Possibly the item with the most amusement potential.
THE CHARACTERS:
At the start of your game, you get to create a character, which you can adjust the appearance of to a minute detail, like THPS3 etc. The best way to get started in the game is to go out, talk to some other players (on the microphone) and forge some alliances. You'll need buddies if you're gonna try and get the super-potion item off the superhero character! And then when the item is free for the taking, you'll have to stab your newly found friends in the back! But if an individual player gets a reputation for being so cruel repeatedly, then others will probably gang up and track them down, then beat them to a pulp. (they will end up at a hospital, GTA3 style)
Each player can seek refuge in their own building within the city (randomly designated at registration). Here you can lock you door and be in almost complete safety when you want to go to bed (in real life)... because of course, with a real-time online game, while you snooze, another player may be battling for those sacred items. But if you sleep while you've got one of the items, and someone manages to break in (avoiding the various booby-traps to defend your home that you can buy using your in-game credits)... you may return to the game to find your flat and your posessions (car keys, items etc)missing.
VEHICLES
The approach to vehicles would be similar to GTA3 but much more stringent. You can attempt to carjack a car with a driver, but it is very dangerous. You cannot steal locked cars, you need the keys. You can buy cars from one of several showrooms in the city. The beginning of the game will see you with a hefty 20,000 credit to afford a car immediately. But, you may want to buy some very big guns! who knows? And if you want a really flashy car, you'll have to start robbing or doing mercenary work for other players until you've got enough credits. And then you'll probably want to rent a lock-up to make sure no one can steal it should your virtual-home be raided during the night.
Of course, this is where the force feedback steering wheel would come into use. When driving, expect GT3 style realism, accurately reflecting the make of car you have invsted your credits in. However, a fast car is one of many ways to earn credits within the game. You can do getaways for another player who has loads of guns and wants to do a bank job, giving you a slice of the cake... or you can compete against other car-nuts at the city's speedway for big-credit-prizes. Some of the more devious players might prefer to bribe a race driver to rig a competition, then rake it in at the in-game bookies!
WEAPONS
The whole kit-n-kaboodle would be present'n'correct. From ninja throwing stars to shotguns to semtex, all would be avaiable from one of the many in-game shops. And yes, this is where the light gun comes into play...
...just imagine speeding through the centre of this virtual city in a convertible porsche, while you shoot at the traffic lights and passers-by with an uzi... one hand on your steering wheel, light-gun in the other!
Basically its a game that doesn't need a storyline, because the players would constantly be creating one for others to enjoy. You'd have groups of mates, with matching gang colours for their in-game characters just going around and wreaking havoc. You'd have the mischeivous fiends stealing and plotting, and the cunning players amassing cash to buy ferraris, helicopters and to play the Ikari Warriors emulator down the in-game arcade. Missions would come and go, depending on your mood. You might just want to play reatro games, watch the mini films, do a bit of street racing, do a bit of street fighting... or you might want to make a big impact, acquire power through the various means and stop everyone else going aroung their daily business.
It would just be so nice to see such a socially interactive kind of game, where you do actually talk to the other players... either character-to-character, or over the in-game messaging network.
I could go on forever, and that really is no exaggeration.
But... I think that's enough to wet your appetites for now.
KEEP ON DAY DREAMING!
All Rights Reserved (... not really, I mean, did God patent the Bible? Did Allah patent the Q'uran? I think not... if they did then there might be a load of people in trouble over royalty payments!)
Title: MIRAGE (later to become known as 'the game')
One of the first notable innovations will be the compulsory use of multiple peripherals, sometimes simultaneously. A standard controller, a force feedback steering wheel (w/pedals), a lightgun and a microphone. It would also need high-speed internet connection. A hard drive would probably be needed too... but what the heck, it's a dream game!
The game is set in a massive virtual city, within a relatively normal context, as big as current technology will permit. There would be 1st and 3rd person viewpoints available throught, as well as multiple camera angles. In the style of the current no1 game, GTA3, the idea of vehicles and loads of characters would be important. As a player it is your mission to become top dog of the whole city, acheived by gaining possession of several key items gathered around the city. However, even when you manage to get each item, the game will not finish... because someone can always come along and take those items away from you.
Which leads to the second crucial innovation. There would be no AI characters, because every character in the game would represent a real life player. This might sound strange, and the first few people to play the game might find themselves in an empty city! but, that will give them a distinct advantage, cos they can go grab those items without fear of competition. Why would you want to do that? i hear you ask, well, i'll tell you: each item will grant you a unique ability...
THE ITEMS:
1)The Mayor's Key to the City
This gains you immediate access to ANY building in the city.
2)Police Permit
Prevents any unwanted attention from police, and also allows you to call on police units for your own use (police units are controlled by employees of the game company! each police-chief-player would have control of 20 policemen from the 10,000 strong force within the game! I know that might cost a bit, but like i said, it's a dream game!)
3)Radio Active Super Potion
Turns your character into a superhero with all kinds of unique abilities. Flying, strength, x-ray vision etc
4)Media Monopoly Card
Allows you to broadcast general messages to every player n the game. Also gets you into enertainment venues round the city for free: Arcades(w/retro-fest emulations), Casinos (gamble with your in-game credits) and Cinemas (leading to seperate internet sites where mini-movies could be left periodically by the game developers and contributors)
5)Invisibility cloak
Possibly the item with the most amusement potential.
THE CHARACTERS:
At the start of your game, you get to create a character, which you can adjust the appearance of to a minute detail, like THPS3 etc. The best way to get started in the game is to go out, talk to some other players (on the microphone) and forge some alliances. You'll need buddies if you're gonna try and get the super-potion item off the superhero character! And then when the item is free for the taking, you'll have to stab your newly found friends in the back! But if an individual player gets a reputation for being so cruel repeatedly, then others will probably gang up and track them down, then beat them to a pulp. (they will end up at a hospital, GTA3 style)
Each player can seek refuge in their own building within the city (randomly designated at registration). Here you can lock you door and be in almost complete safety when you want to go to bed (in real life)... because of course, with a real-time online game, while you snooze, another player may be battling for those sacred items. But if you sleep while you've got one of the items, and someone manages to break in (avoiding the various booby-traps to defend your home that you can buy using your in-game credits)... you may return to the game to find your flat and your posessions (car keys, items etc)missing.
VEHICLES
The approach to vehicles would be similar to GTA3 but much more stringent. You can attempt to carjack a car with a driver, but it is very dangerous. You cannot steal locked cars, you need the keys. You can buy cars from one of several showrooms in the city. The beginning of the game will see you with a hefty 20,000 credit to afford a car immediately. But, you may want to buy some very big guns! who knows? And if you want a really flashy car, you'll have to start robbing or doing mercenary work for other players until you've got enough credits. And then you'll probably want to rent a lock-up to make sure no one can steal it should your virtual-home be raided during the night.
Of course, this is where the force feedback steering wheel would come into use. When driving, expect GT3 style realism, accurately reflecting the make of car you have invsted your credits in. However, a fast car is one of many ways to earn credits within the game. You can do getaways for another player who has loads of guns and wants to do a bank job, giving you a slice of the cake... or you can compete against other car-nuts at the city's speedway for big-credit-prizes. Some of the more devious players might prefer to bribe a race driver to rig a competition, then rake it in at the in-game bookies!
WEAPONS
The whole kit-n-kaboodle would be present'n'correct. From ninja throwing stars to shotguns to semtex, all would be avaiable from one of the many in-game shops. And yes, this is where the light gun comes into play...
...just imagine speeding through the centre of this virtual city in a convertible porsche, while you shoot at the traffic lights and passers-by with an uzi... one hand on your steering wheel, light-gun in the other!
Basically its a game that doesn't need a storyline, because the players would constantly be creating one for others to enjoy. You'd have groups of mates, with matching gang colours for their in-game characters just going around and wreaking havoc. You'd have the mischeivous fiends stealing and plotting, and the cunning players amassing cash to buy ferraris, helicopters and to play the Ikari Warriors emulator down the in-game arcade. Missions would come and go, depending on your mood. You might just want to play reatro games, watch the mini films, do a bit of street racing, do a bit of street fighting... or you might want to make a big impact, acquire power through the various means and stop everyone else going aroung their daily business.
It would just be so nice to see such a socially interactive kind of game, where you do actually talk to the other players... either character-to-character, or over the in-game messaging network.
I could go on forever, and that really is no exaggeration.
But... I think that's enough to wet your appetites for now.
KEEP ON DAY DREAMING!
Oh yes, and the soundtrack...
Y'know how GTA3 just had the in-game radio stations? Well, this game would come bundled with a free radio (bearing in mind all the peripherals and game would probably cost at least £100, that would be a nice gesture!)...simply turn the real radio on, loads more stations, more realism and infinitely more variety!
Y'know how GTA3 just had the in-game radio stations? Well, this game would come bundled with a free radio (bearing in mind all the peripherals and game would probably cost at least £100, that would be a nice gesture!)...simply turn the real radio on, loads more stations, more realism and infinitely more variety!
I am about to bestow upon to you the finest premise for a video game that has ever been uttered from mortal lips. Over the past 15 years I have developed, honed and delicately detailed this concept until the day I saw fit to announce it to the world. I look around and I see X-Boxes, PS2s, Hard Drives, Gamecubes, PCs, widely available broadband capabilties, DVDs and a world full of eager gamers.... and I see that time has come... and you, my friends, are the lucky few. The revelation is nigh.
All Rights Reserved (... not really, I mean, did God patent the Bible? Did Allah patent the Q'uran? I think not... if they did then there might be a load of people in trouble over royalty payments!)
Title: MIRAGE (later to become known as 'the game')
One of the first notable innovations will be the compulsory use of multiple peripherals, sometimes simultaneously. A standard controller, a force feedback steering wheel (w/pedals), a lightgun and a microphone. It would also need high-speed internet connection. A hard drive would probably be needed too... but what the heck, it's a dream game!
The game is set in a massive virtual city, within a relatively normal context, as big as current technology will permit. There would be 1st and 3rd person viewpoints available throught, as well as multiple camera angles. In the style of the current no1 game, GTA3, the idea of vehicles and loads of characters would be important. As a player it is your mission to become top dog of the whole city, acheived by gaining possession of several key items gathered around the city. However, even when you manage to get each item, the game will not finish... because someone can always come along and take those items away from you.
Which leads to the second crucial innovation. There would be no AI characters, because every character in the game would represent a real life player. This might sound strange, and the first few people to play the game might find themselves in an empty city! but, that will give them a distinct advantage, cos they can go grab those items without fear of competition. Why would you want to do that? i hear you ask, well, i'll tell you: each item will grant you a unique ability...
THE ITEMS:
1)The Mayor's Key to the City
This gains you immediate access to ANY building in the city.
2)Police Permit
Prevents any unwanted attention from police, and also allows you to call on police units for your own use (police units are controlled by employees of the game company! each police-chief-player would have control of 20 policemen from the 10,000 strong force within the game! I know that might cost a bit, but like i said, it's a dream game!)
3)Radio Active Super Potion
Turns your character into a superhero with all kinds of unique abilities. Flying, strength, x-ray vision etc
4)Media Monopoly Card
Allows you to broadcast general messages to every player n the game. Also gets you into enertainment venues round the city for free: Arcades(w/retro-fest emulations), Casinos (gamble with your in-game credits) and Cinemas (leading to seperate internet sites where mini-movies could be left periodically by the game developers and contributors)
5)Invisibility cloak
Possibly the item with the most amusement potential.
THE CHARACTERS:
At the start of your game, you get to create a character, which you can adjust the appearance of to a minute detail, like THPS3 etc. The best way to get started in the game is to go out, talk to some other players (on the microphone) and forge some alliances. You'll need buddies if you're gonna try and get the super-potion item off the superhero character! And then when the item is free for the taking, you'll have to stab your newly found friends in the back! But if an individual player gets a reputation for being so cruel repeatedly, then others will probably gang up and track them down, then beat them to a pulp. (they will end up at a hospital, GTA3 style)
Each player can seek refuge in their own building within the city (randomly designated at registration). Here you can lock you door and be in almost complete safety when you want to go to bed (in real life)... because of course, with a real-time online game, while you snooze, another player may be battling for those sacred items. But if you sleep while you've got one of the items, and someone manages to break in (avoiding the various booby-traps to defend your home that you can buy using your in-game credits)... you may return to the game to find your flat and your posessions (car keys, items etc)missing.
VEHICLES
The approach to vehicles would be similar to GTA3 but much more stringent. You can attempt to carjack a car with a driver, but it is very dangerous. You cannot steal locked cars, you need the keys. You can buy cars from one of several showrooms in the city. The beginning of the game will see you with a hefty 20,000 credit to afford a car immediately. But, you may want to buy some very big guns! who knows? And if you want a really flashy car, you'll have to start robbing or doing mercenary work for other players until you've got enough credits. And then you'll probably want to rent a lock-up to make sure no one can steal it should your virtual-home be raided during the night.
Of course, this is where the force feedback steering wheel would come into use. When driving, expect GT3 style realism, accurately reflecting the make of car you have invsted your credits in. However, a fast car is one of many ways to earn credits within the game. You can do getaways for another player who has loads of guns and wants to do a bank job, giving you a slice of the cake... or you can compete against other car-nuts at the city's speedway for big-credit-prizes. Some of the more devious players might prefer to bribe a race driver to rig a competition, then rake it in at the in-game bookies!
WEAPONS
The whole kit-n-kaboodle would be present'n'correct. From ninja throwing stars to shotguns to semtex, all would be avaiable from one of the many in-game shops. And yes, this is where the light gun comes into play...
...just imagine speeding through the centre of this virtual city in a convertible porsche, while you shoot at the traffic lights and passers-by with an uzi... one hand on your steering wheel, light-gun in the other!
Basically its a game that doesn't need a storyline, because the players would constantly be creating one for others to enjoy. You'd have groups of mates, with matching gang colours for their in-game characters just going around and wreaking havoc. You'd have the mischeivous fiends stealing and plotting, and the cunning players amassing cash to buy ferraris, helicopters and to play the Ikari Warriors emulator down the in-game arcade. Missions would come and go, depending on your mood. You might just want to play reatro games, watch the mini films, do a bit of street racing, do a bit of street fighting... or you might want to make a big impact, acquire power through the various means and stop everyone else going aroung their daily business.
It would just be so nice to see such a socially interactive kind of game, where you do actually talk to the other players... either character-to-character, or over the in-game messaging network.
I could go on forever, and that really is no exaggeration.
But... I think that's enough to wet your appetites for now.
KEEP ON DAY DREAMING!
All Rights Reserved (... not really, I mean, did God patent the Bible? Did Allah patent the Q'uran? I think not... if they did then there might be a load of people in trouble over royalty payments!)
Title: MIRAGE (later to become known as 'the game')
One of the first notable innovations will be the compulsory use of multiple peripherals, sometimes simultaneously. A standard controller, a force feedback steering wheel (w/pedals), a lightgun and a microphone. It would also need high-speed internet connection. A hard drive would probably be needed too... but what the heck, it's a dream game!
The game is set in a massive virtual city, within a relatively normal context, as big as current technology will permit. There would be 1st and 3rd person viewpoints available throught, as well as multiple camera angles. In the style of the current no1 game, GTA3, the idea of vehicles and loads of characters would be important. As a player it is your mission to become top dog of the whole city, acheived by gaining possession of several key items gathered around the city. However, even when you manage to get each item, the game will not finish... because someone can always come along and take those items away from you.
Which leads to the second crucial innovation. There would be no AI characters, because every character in the game would represent a real life player. This might sound strange, and the first few people to play the game might find themselves in an empty city! but, that will give them a distinct advantage, cos they can go grab those items without fear of competition. Why would you want to do that? i hear you ask, well, i'll tell you: each item will grant you a unique ability...
THE ITEMS:
1)The Mayor's Key to the City
This gains you immediate access to ANY building in the city.
2)Police Permit
Prevents any unwanted attention from police, and also allows you to call on police units for your own use (police units are controlled by employees of the game company! each police-chief-player would have control of 20 policemen from the 10,000 strong force within the game! I know that might cost a bit, but like i said, it's a dream game!)
3)Radio Active Super Potion
Turns your character into a superhero with all kinds of unique abilities. Flying, strength, x-ray vision etc
4)Media Monopoly Card
Allows you to broadcast general messages to every player n the game. Also gets you into enertainment venues round the city for free: Arcades(w/retro-fest emulations), Casinos (gamble with your in-game credits) and Cinemas (leading to seperate internet sites where mini-movies could be left periodically by the game developers and contributors)
5)Invisibility cloak
Possibly the item with the most amusement potential.
THE CHARACTERS:
At the start of your game, you get to create a character, which you can adjust the appearance of to a minute detail, like THPS3 etc. The best way to get started in the game is to go out, talk to some other players (on the microphone) and forge some alliances. You'll need buddies if you're gonna try and get the super-potion item off the superhero character! And then when the item is free for the taking, you'll have to stab your newly found friends in the back! But if an individual player gets a reputation for being so cruel repeatedly, then others will probably gang up and track them down, then beat them to a pulp. (they will end up at a hospital, GTA3 style)
Each player can seek refuge in their own building within the city (randomly designated at registration). Here you can lock you door and be in almost complete safety when you want to go to bed (in real life)... because of course, with a real-time online game, while you snooze, another player may be battling for those sacred items. But if you sleep while you've got one of the items, and someone manages to break in (avoiding the various booby-traps to defend your home that you can buy using your in-game credits)... you may return to the game to find your flat and your posessions (car keys, items etc)missing.
VEHICLES
The approach to vehicles would be similar to GTA3 but much more stringent. You can attempt to carjack a car with a driver, but it is very dangerous. You cannot steal locked cars, you need the keys. You can buy cars from one of several showrooms in the city. The beginning of the game will see you with a hefty 20,000 credit to afford a car immediately. But, you may want to buy some very big guns! who knows? And if you want a really flashy car, you'll have to start robbing or doing mercenary work for other players until you've got enough credits. And then you'll probably want to rent a lock-up to make sure no one can steal it should your virtual-home be raided during the night.
Of course, this is where the force feedback steering wheel would come into use. When driving, expect GT3 style realism, accurately reflecting the make of car you have invsted your credits in. However, a fast car is one of many ways to earn credits within the game. You can do getaways for another player who has loads of guns and wants to do a bank job, giving you a slice of the cake... or you can compete against other car-nuts at the city's speedway for big-credit-prizes. Some of the more devious players might prefer to bribe a race driver to rig a competition, then rake it in at the in-game bookies!
WEAPONS
The whole kit-n-kaboodle would be present'n'correct. From ninja throwing stars to shotguns to semtex, all would be avaiable from one of the many in-game shops. And yes, this is where the light gun comes into play...
...just imagine speeding through the centre of this virtual city in a convertible porsche, while you shoot at the traffic lights and passers-by with an uzi... one hand on your steering wheel, light-gun in the other!
Basically its a game that doesn't need a storyline, because the players would constantly be creating one for others to enjoy. You'd have groups of mates, with matching gang colours for their in-game characters just going around and wreaking havoc. You'd have the mischeivous fiends stealing and plotting, and the cunning players amassing cash to buy ferraris, helicopters and to play the Ikari Warriors emulator down the in-game arcade. Missions would come and go, depending on your mood. You might just want to play reatro games, watch the mini films, do a bit of street racing, do a bit of street fighting... or you might want to make a big impact, acquire power through the various means and stop everyone else going aroung their daily business.
It would just be so nice to see such a socially interactive kind of game, where you do actually talk to the other players... either character-to-character, or over the in-game messaging network.
I could go on forever, and that really is no exaggeration.
But... I think that's enough to wet your appetites for now.
KEEP ON DAY DREAMING!