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Over the years there have been many successful and complimentary partnerships in videogames: Toejam & Earl, Sonic & Tails, Banjo & Kazooie, Jak & Daxter, Abe & Munch, to mention but a few.... and the other day whilst walking, I had a little idea of my own which I think would make an interesting and original gaming partnership.
It was a bright sunny day, and as I wandered along the pavement I became aware of my shadow, and I thought to myself, "Hmmm, this would make a good game...."
What the hell I am on about?
Well, within the gameworld of an adventure/platformer, I thought that the "lead character's shadow" would make an ideal and unique partner.
As with every dynamic gaming duo, each character usually has very different abilities allowing each one to be more suited to certain tasks.
So in my game, imagine if the main character was pretty much a normal human being with average human abilities, but with one major trick up his sleeve: he has a magical shadow.
At the right moments (during the game) you could switch control from the human character to his shadow, and move forward into the gameworld as this elusive dark character who has completely different (and superior) abilities to his human counterpart.
As the wafer-thin shadow you could slide beneath locked doors, sneak undetected past guarded areas, stealthily eliminate enemies with perhaps a suffocation attack, climb normally insummountable surfaces, etc.
In other words, as the shadow you could do countless things that the human character couldn't do.
So with the human and his magical shadow we would have two very different interchangeable characters with greatly differing abilities.
----------
But here's the subtle gameplay twist:- you would only be able to switch control to the shadow in the right atmospheric conditions, that is, when the light (whether natural light or artificial light) was strong enough to cause a shadow to be cast from the human character's body.
----------
If the human character is situated where his shadow isn't visible, then you would'nt be able to call upon his magical partner-in-crime.
This would obviously limit the opportunites when you could switch control to the more effective shadow.
Perhaps the gameworld's weather would be changeable, so if it was cloudy your options would be greatly affected, as control of the shadow would be temporarily ruled out.
Or perhaps the game's difficulty level would distinguish the availibility of the shadow, i.e. on easy level the weather would nearly always be sunny, thus the shadow would nearly always be available. On a harder difficulty level the weather would be more cloudy, and the shadow would be less accessible.
Basically, the game would consist of the shadow clearing a safe path for the weaker human character to tread, and if the shadow wasn't available, then the human character would have to rely solely on his average and normal abilities until he had the opportunity (i.e. the right light conditions) to call again on his extraspecial partner.
Well, that's my simple idea. The basic outline for a different kind of gaming partnership: The Wanderer & His Shadow.
It was a bright sunny day, and as I wandered along the pavement I became aware of my shadow, and I thought to myself, "Hmmm, this would make a good game...."
What the hell I am on about?
Well, within the gameworld of an adventure/platformer, I thought that the "lead character's shadow" would make an ideal and unique partner.
As with every dynamic gaming duo, each character usually has very different abilities allowing each one to be more suited to certain tasks.
So in my game, imagine if the main character was pretty much a normal human being with average human abilities, but with one major trick up his sleeve: he has a magical shadow.
At the right moments (during the game) you could switch control from the human character to his shadow, and move forward into the gameworld as this elusive dark character who has completely different (and superior) abilities to his human counterpart.
As the wafer-thin shadow you could slide beneath locked doors, sneak undetected past guarded areas, stealthily eliminate enemies with perhaps a suffocation attack, climb normally insummountable surfaces, etc.
In other words, as the shadow you could do countless things that the human character couldn't do.
So with the human and his magical shadow we would have two very different interchangeable characters with greatly differing abilities.
----------
But here's the subtle gameplay twist:- you would only be able to switch control to the shadow in the right atmospheric conditions, that is, when the light (whether natural light or artificial light) was strong enough to cause a shadow to be cast from the human character's body.
----------
If the human character is situated where his shadow isn't visible, then you would'nt be able to call upon his magical partner-in-crime.
This would obviously limit the opportunites when you could switch control to the more effective shadow.
Perhaps the gameworld's weather would be changeable, so if it was cloudy your options would be greatly affected, as control of the shadow would be temporarily ruled out.
Or perhaps the game's difficulty level would distinguish the availibility of the shadow, i.e. on easy level the weather would nearly always be sunny, thus the shadow would nearly always be available. On a harder difficulty level the weather would be more cloudy, and the shadow would be less accessible.
Basically, the game would consist of the shadow clearing a safe path for the weaker human character to tread, and if the shadow wasn't available, then the human character would have to rely solely on his average and normal abilities until he had the opportunity (i.e. the right light conditions) to call again on his extraspecial partner.
Well, that's my simple idea. The basic outline for a different kind of gaming partnership: The Wanderer & His Shadow.
Excellent. Seriously, that's fantastic.
Here son, have a cigar. ;0)
Here son, have a cigar. ;0)
VERY good. I can't believe I missed this the first time round!
Normads idea of that merger sounds very appealing.
I'm not sure what good bringing it to Swordspines attention would be, but I'm sure Grix will be impressed. :-)
Normads idea of that merger sounds very appealing.
I'm not sure what good bringing it to Swordspines attention would be, but I'm sure Grix will be impressed. :-)
Could be called Rickoss and Vast :-)
Damn I need to get a games developers address :-)
Damn I need to get a games developers address :-)
RiCkOsS wrote:
> Nice idea :-)
>
> It would be a very nice breath of fresh air in a ame. Maybe using the
> shadows to do tasks like slipping under a door, getting the key from
> inside and open the door for your human counter-part.
>
> It could work very well. Good luck on getting in touch with some game
> companies! :-)
*
Maybe if your trickery ideas and Vast's shadow partnership ideas were merged together in one game we'd have a classic on our hands? I think we would. :)
> Nice idea :-)
>
> It would be a very nice breath of fresh air in a ame. Maybe using the
> shadows to do tasks like slipping under a door, getting the key from
> inside and open the door for your human counter-part.
>
> It could work very well. Good luck on getting in touch with some game
> companies! :-)
*
Maybe if your trickery ideas and Vast's shadow partnership ideas were merged together in one game we'd have a classic on our hands? I think we would. :)
Nice idea :-)
It would be a very nice breath of fresh air in a ame. Maybe using the shadows to do tasks like slipping under a door, getting the key from inside and open the door for your human counter-part.
It could work very well. Good luck on getting in touch with some game companies! :-)
It would be a very nice breath of fresh air in a ame. Maybe using the shadows to do tasks like slipping under a door, getting the key from inside and open the door for your human counter-part.
It could work very well. Good luck on getting in touch with some game companies! :-)
Thanks Totoro. I might just do that, although I don't really know where to start(?).
I like the shadow-boxing idea!
I like the shadow-boxing idea!
Amazing idea!
Brilliant concept!
Write off to a few games companies and they might be interested.
As a mini game or bonus game you could also do some shadow boxing against your shadow :)
Brilliant concept!
Write off to a few games companies and they might be interested.
As a mini game or bonus game you could also do some shadow boxing against your shadow :)
Cool idea V. I like it, especially the bit where if the light isn't strong enough the shadow isn't available. Excellent.
Over the years there have been many successful and complimentary partnerships in videogames: Toejam & Earl, Sonic & Tails, Banjo & Kazooie, Jak & Daxter, Abe & Munch, to mention but a few.... and the other day whilst walking, I had a little idea of my own which I think would make an interesting and original gaming partnership.
It was a bright sunny day, and as I wandered along the pavement I became aware of my shadow, and I thought to myself, "Hmmm, this would make a good game...."
What the hell I am on about?
Well, within the gameworld of an adventure/platformer, I thought that the "lead character's shadow" would make an ideal and unique partner.
As with every dynamic gaming duo, each character usually has very different abilities allowing each one to be more suited to certain tasks.
So in my game, imagine if the main character was pretty much a normal human being with average human abilities, but with one major trick up his sleeve: he has a magical shadow.
At the right moments (during the game) you could switch control from the human character to his shadow, and move forward into the gameworld as this elusive dark character who has completely different (and superior) abilities to his human counterpart.
As the wafer-thin shadow you could slide beneath locked doors, sneak undetected past guarded areas, stealthily eliminate enemies with perhaps a suffocation attack, climb normally insummountable surfaces, etc.
In other words, as the shadow you could do countless things that the human character couldn't do.
So with the human and his magical shadow we would have two very different interchangeable characters with greatly differing abilities.
----------
But here's the subtle gameplay twist:- you would only be able to switch control to the shadow in the right atmospheric conditions, that is, when the light (whether natural light or artificial light) was strong enough to cause a shadow to be cast from the human character's body.
----------
If the human character is situated where his shadow isn't visible, then you would'nt be able to call upon his magical partner-in-crime.
This would obviously limit the opportunites when you could switch control to the more effective shadow.
Perhaps the gameworld's weather would be changeable, so if it was cloudy your options would be greatly affected, as control of the shadow would be temporarily ruled out.
Or perhaps the game's difficulty level would distinguish the availibility of the shadow, i.e. on easy level the weather would nearly always be sunny, thus the shadow would nearly always be available. On a harder difficulty level the weather would be more cloudy, and the shadow would be less accessible.
Basically, the game would consist of the shadow clearing a safe path for the weaker human character to tread, and if the shadow wasn't available, then the human character would have to rely solely on his average and normal abilities until he had the opportunity (i.e. the right light conditions) to call again on his extraspecial partner.
Well, that's my simple idea. The basic outline for a different kind of gaming partnership: The Wanderer & His Shadow.
It was a bright sunny day, and as I wandered along the pavement I became aware of my shadow, and I thought to myself, "Hmmm, this would make a good game...."
What the hell I am on about?
Well, within the gameworld of an adventure/platformer, I thought that the "lead character's shadow" would make an ideal and unique partner.
As with every dynamic gaming duo, each character usually has very different abilities allowing each one to be more suited to certain tasks.
So in my game, imagine if the main character was pretty much a normal human being with average human abilities, but with one major trick up his sleeve: he has a magical shadow.
At the right moments (during the game) you could switch control from the human character to his shadow, and move forward into the gameworld as this elusive dark character who has completely different (and superior) abilities to his human counterpart.
As the wafer-thin shadow you could slide beneath locked doors, sneak undetected past guarded areas, stealthily eliminate enemies with perhaps a suffocation attack, climb normally insummountable surfaces, etc.
In other words, as the shadow you could do countless things that the human character couldn't do.
So with the human and his magical shadow we would have two very different interchangeable characters with greatly differing abilities.
----------
But here's the subtle gameplay twist:- you would only be able to switch control to the shadow in the right atmospheric conditions, that is, when the light (whether natural light or artificial light) was strong enough to cause a shadow to be cast from the human character's body.
----------
If the human character is situated where his shadow isn't visible, then you would'nt be able to call upon his magical partner-in-crime.
This would obviously limit the opportunites when you could switch control to the more effective shadow.
Perhaps the gameworld's weather would be changeable, so if it was cloudy your options would be greatly affected, as control of the shadow would be temporarily ruled out.
Or perhaps the game's difficulty level would distinguish the availibility of the shadow, i.e. on easy level the weather would nearly always be sunny, thus the shadow would nearly always be available. On a harder difficulty level the weather would be more cloudy, and the shadow would be less accessible.
Basically, the game would consist of the shadow clearing a safe path for the weaker human character to tread, and if the shadow wasn't available, then the human character would have to rely solely on his average and normal abilities until he had the opportunity (i.e. the right light conditions) to call again on his extraspecial partner.
Well, that's my simple idea. The basic outline for a different kind of gaming partnership: The Wanderer & His Shadow.