The We're Alive Game

[Sp1vo]

Heya, I know I'm new here and stuff but I wanted to jump right into things and what I basically joined the forums for. So anyways I wanted to propose an interesting idea. You've clearly gathered the idea from the title so it's time to elaborate. I've worked with teams on indie games before but they always become inactive or something, regardless I figured the community here is somewhat small but active and hopefully talented.

What I have in mind is an old school top down pixel art shooter rpgish kind of game. I can hopefully offer coding as I learn it and possibly music composition. I use the program Game Maker 9, I find it easy and quickly adaptable and we could collaborate through drop box. Anyways, I anyone is good with sprites or artwork of somekind and can contribute or fluent in a code relevant to whatever platform we decide to use.

There's obviously alot that needs to be decided like how to incorporate the audio from were alive, that's if kc is cool with it, and game design specifics, character roles, etc.

So... Thoughts??

[j0be]

Here's kind of the problem. A lot the story wouldn't lend itself to a game without a fairly large rewrite. A lot of dialogue happens in WA, because it is an audio drama. In video games/movies you have something to break that with the visuals. I'm not saying it can't be done. It's just that it will take a lot of work.

[nrtv20]

Always fun to expand the We're Alive universe... How about a fun Tower Defence game? O_o

[reaper239]

Always fun to expand the We're Alive universe... How about a fun Tower Defence game? O_o

now that is something you could do, seems like every chapter they have to hold off something from trying to break down the walls. you could have waves of zombies and mallers, different types of zombies (sprinters, jumpers, little ones, behemoths, etc) and have the mallers use different weapons (pipe bombs, guns, rpgs, etc.) and on the last level, zombies and mallers attack and it plays out kind of like the season 2 finale, you hold out with half your normal resources until back up arrives. then the tower falls and you play the escape sequence from the finale, along with some stills, maybe like comic action frames or something. the tower defence idea really lends itself to this series, since for the first two seasons they are in a tower.

[nikvoodoo]

Please remember that "Everything Else" is a spoiler free zone. I know we're talking about the show tangentially with this thread, so proceed with caution in terms of the plot points. Thanks!

[Sp1vo]

Here's kind of the problem. A lot the story wouldn't lend itself to a game without a fairly large rewrite. A lot of dialogue happens in WA, because it is an audio drama. In video games/movies you have something to break that with the visuals. I'm not saying it can't be done. It's just that it will take a lot of work.

Well I was thinking more of the dialogue as a cutscene sort of thing mostly, or just exclude it and have text dialogue. I feel like tower defense wouldn't give any room to showcase the story.

[MrScott101]

I really like the idea of tower defense game!

[Magrat]

The tower defence game sounds like a solid idea. Can't wait to see what comes of it.

Anyone else's thoughts on a We're Alive board/card game? You could have a 'you are the rat' card, sort of like the cylon card in the BSG game. WIth certain characters attached to certain abilities/specialties. Team-based fighting that can boil down to an us vs them mentality if you want to 1 on 1 it?

Hmmm... I need to think more about this.

[reaper239]

The tower defence game sounds like a solid idea. Can't wait to see what comes of it.

Anyone else's thoughts on a We're Alive board/card game? You could have a 'you are the rat' card, sort of like the cylon card in the BSG game. WIth certain characters attached to certain abilities/specialties. Team-based fighting that can boil down to an us vs them mentality if you want to 1 on 1 it?

Hmmm... I need to think more about this.

the only problem with a board game is production and distribution. with a video game you can distribute it over the internet, ensuring to reach the maximum audience. regarding the dialogue and cutscenes and what not you could just overlay the dialogue on top of the action, sort of like a timer. but if you really want to stay away from tower defense, then check out dead frontier: top down-esque, free roam, action oriented, not complicated. the only thing you would need to watch out for is leaving things opaque when you walk under them (my only real beef with that game). that style would allow you to take on different characters for different missions, for instance, in chapter one you play as either saul angel or michael, securing the guns and fighting off a wave as the door is opened. in chapter two you choose from the same and clear the tower. etc. character selection would be based on the chapter, and would determine gear (ie m16 or saw in chapter 2). and you could release it in chapters, much like the show itself.

[Magrat]

the only problem with a board game is production and distribution. with a video game you can distribute it over the internet, ensuring to reach the maximum audience. regarding the dialogue and cutscenes and what not you could just overlay the dialogue on top of the action, sort of like a timer. but if you really want to stay away from tower defense, then check out dead frontier: top down-esque, free roam, action oriented, not complicated. the only thing you would need to watch out for is leaving things opaque when you walk under them (my only real beef with that game). that style would allow you to take on different characters for different missions, for instance, in chapter one you play as either saul angel or michael, securing the guns and fighting off a wave as the door is opened. in chapter two you choose from the same and clear the tower. etc. character selection would be based on the chapter, and would determine gear (ie m16 or saw in chapter 2). and you could release it in chapters, much like the show itself.

Nice. I like the idea. I still think a board game/card game type thing would work (even as a separate idea to the video game, which would be awesome!). Probably card more than board as printing them out would be easier than printing out an entire board. but possible.

[reaper239]

Nice. I like the idea. I still think a board game/card game type thing would work (even as a separate idea to the video game, which would be awesome!). Probably card more than board as printing them out would be easier than printing out an entire board. but possible.

thinking about it, you could plan it out like a board game and then program it, kind of like parker brothers did with monopoly, except we'd do it in reverse: if the "board game" video game was really popular, pitch it and have it manufactured, even if it was just sold online to a niche community.

[Sp1vo]

Lot of good ideas, I feel like a board game would be cool but that would be harder to program. I think a we're alive tcg would be cool, each card would be either mauler, tower, or zombie class. With neutral cards like straggler, or colony cards. And a deck would be one faction. If anyone else would help I'd consider a td game, but if I'm alone, I'll continue the top down work... Maybe I can get a beta out soon.

[zombeh-kitteh]

Ahh...I had an idea for a "We're Alive" game as well, played in the style like a Call of Duty, Halo, or even like Left4Dead, but a little more basic...(this would obviously be more of an expensive version of the game, like maybe it could be optioned by a game company)

First off: The game would begin with a cutscene, Michael getting the phone call at school from Angel, and him driving, witnessing the first zombie attack, and getting to the base. Basically til the point where they are in the vault. Then, the game would progress into Mission 1: Escape from the Base.

Then the game could progress in the same fashion (mission by mission), but I think it would be cool if there was a "tag-team" like option. Let me elaborate: No one goes on missions alone in the story, therefore, you'll always have at least one NPC on your team...what I'd like to have is the option to switch between the characters at will during Player One gameplay. Let's say you're low on health, or get stuck away from the other character...We've all seen the horrors of an AI-driven NPC, and I think this would solve it: Tag out and select the other character that's with you, and control them (then the character you first selected would become the NPC).

Each character would also have a special skill, or ability. For instance, Riley's bow won't miss unless you're not aiming at a zombie, but the damage is conditional on where the zombie gets hit. Or Saul will toss you a health item when you need one, Pegs throws a flowerpot (distraction item?), etc. (I know that this part sounds similar to other games like the ones I mentioned above, but work with me here)

Interwoven into the missions, there would be audio segments from the show, maybe outlining the beginning of each "chapter."

Basically, my idea would be like a video game version of the show, but with a couple of side quests, (like maybe a Skittles mini-game, or a Mr. Whiskers side mission to escape the...you know what.) Also, in the "Tower" there would be secret rooms to get into to get upgraded weapons, and maybe a first-person "Rat" side quest (that way the identity of the person is still secret).

I don't know what you guys may think about this, but I thought it would be pretty damn awesome if we got a big-platform "We're Alive" game.

[Red Shirt]

Ahh...I had an idea for a "We're Alive" game as well, played in the style like a Call of Duty, Halo, or even like Left4Dead, but a little more basic...(this would obviously be more of an expensive version of the game, like maybe it could be optioned by a game company)

First off: The game would begin with a cutscene, Michael getting the phone call at school from Angel, and him driving, witnessing the first zombie attack, and getting to the base. Basically til the point where they are in the vault. Then, the game would progress into Mission 1: Escape from the Base.

Then the game could progress in the same fashion (mission by mission), but I think it would be cool if there was a "tag-team" like option. Let me elaborate: No one goes on missions alone in the story, therefore, you'll always have at least one NPC on your team...what I'd like to have is the option to switch between the characters at will during Player One gameplay. Let's say you're low on health, or get stuck away from the other character...We've all seen the horrors of an AI-driven NPC, and I think this would solve it: Tag out and select the other character that's with you, and control them (then the character you first selected would become the NPC).

Each character would also have a special skill, or ability. For instance, Riley's bow won't miss unless you're not aiming at a zombie, but the damage is conditional on where the zombie gets hit. Or Saul will toss you a health item when you need one, Pegs throws a flowerpot (distraction item?), etc. (I know that this part sounds similar to other games like the ones I mentioned above, but work with me here)

Interwoven into the missions, there would be audio segments from the show, maybe outlining the beginning of each "chapter."

Basically, my idea would be like a video game version of the show, but with a couple of side quests, (like maybe a Skittles mini-game, or a Mr. Whiskers side mission to escape the...you know what.) Also, in the "Tower" there would be secret rooms to get into to get upgraded weapons, and maybe a first-person "Rat" side quest (that way the identity of the person is still secret).

I don't know what you guys may think about this, but I thought it would be pretty damn awesome if we got a big-platform "We're Alive" game.


The first thing I thought of when I read the thread title was a Half Life 2 Mod.

A lot of what you describe is already built into the code of HL2. The base game has a squad following function that allows up to four NPC's to follow you, it also lets you tell them where to go as well. Some mods built to be the foundation for further modding have expanded the squad function to 12-16 NPC's. In both cases, they will offer you ammo and health when you are low.

As far as the NPC AI in HL2 is concerned, it's not that bad, especially when you get into the dev console and start fiddling with the skill switches. When you start cranking up the numbers a bit, it gets real interesting.

Also, there is a vibrant community of modders who have already done a lot of the work. There are numerous player skins (http://www.gamebanana.com/hl2/skins/cats/117), weapons (http://www.moddb.com/mods/smod-tactical/images) and vehicle models (http://www.fileplanet.com/154086/150000/fileinfo/Half-Life-2---Wheels-Vehicle-Add-on-Pack-v1) available for download. Many of the custom maps may also be usable as well.

Oh, and one other thing, SMOD added a shovel (http://smod.wikidot.com/weapon:shovel) as a melee weapon. There you go Michael. Swish. Bong. Win.

[Burgerbros]

A card game would be cool but it might not be very fun. I have been thinking that maybe a Tiny Tower type game. You would have to manage Food, Water, and other things. also you would have to fortify you place. You could grow crops, but it would take out some of the water you had. You could send out parties to look for supplies. Defend against mallers and zombies in fun mini games. You would also have to manage the Parking garage. I think that this could become a cool game and if WA could talk with Nimblebit it would be a big hit.

[Miharu]

I was really hoping there could be a game like Heavy Rain for this. Or Telltale's The Walking Dead, though I really like Heavy Rain's design a lot better.

Make We're Alive even more famous, KC (:

[Vuzok]

I'd like to make one, I have experience making games but need to know if KC would be cool with it