Quite a while back I started spriting out of boredom from a setback in my studies in 3D modeling. I had an idea for a game that could be quite addictive if executed properly. But knowing I couldn't code, I just kept it at spriting for it. I wanted to draw enough sprites so a coder could attempt to create the basic engine of it if they wanted.
Sadly I didn't came that far. However, I still think this could be a great game if someone else is willing to take it over.
Here is the sprite sheet I had:
Gameplay:
As you might have noticed it's an isometric game. But it isn't turn-based or fixed-to-a-grid gameplay. The character is free to roam on all four directions and can jump.
The basics of the idea came from The Binding of Isaac. You travel through 'rooms' (in this case they won't all be square, they differ from room to room) and once you found the boss you proceed to the next world. Each world consists of maps (just like rooms on each level of Isaac). Each world contains at least one Upgrade Shop and two bosses.
Controls:
I wanted to have smooth and easy controls. So with the basic wasd-controls and arrow keys you move around and shoot. You can only shoot in one direction so you can't drive 'diagonally'. The speed of the tank and whether it has a slow start from standing still or not depends on the upgrades you have on it.
Spacebar is jumping, usually just one block high, certain upgrades can higher this.
The keys E, Q, F and R can be used for certain activated abilities, consumables or what not.
The key gameplay element:
The key element, which actually gave it its name, is Scrap.
Whenever you kill an enemy or a crate/container you have a chance of getting scrap. Scrap is your only currency and is vital to your success.
Scrap buys you health, upgrades, consumables, blueprints, ammo and secrets. Most of these things cannot be aquired otherwise except for rare occasions.
Items, Upgrades and Blueprints:
Each item or upgrade in this game will be unlocked through a blueprint. Most of these blueprints have specific requirements to unlock them, the better the item, the harder it is to find the blueprint for it. Once you acquired a blueprint, it will have a chance of spawning in the Upgrade Shop.
The Upgrade Shop allows you to buy Items and Upgrades, Health and Ammo with Scrap. Only a certain number of Upgrades appear in this Shop and these are always random. Some only spawn on later worlds though.
Upgrades can be things like faster fire, a different effect on your bullets, speed and acceleration. Heck, perhaps you can give yourself wings and fly!
So upgrades will vary a lot, I wanted to do my best to keep those varied and interesting, so that each playthrough will be interesting.
So whether your successful at game of Scrappers is heavily depending on your choices and what the game will give you.
I also had the idea of random merchants. These guys rarely appear and sell you a rare upgrade, but they might stab you in the back later in the game.
Worlds, Maps and Bosses:
Each world would be heavily themed to create a certain vibe during gameplay. Each world consists of Maps, these maps don't always have to be cleared from the enemies that roam them, but it would be wise to go for their Scrap. There are maps that 'lock up' until you've cleared the map.
Each world contains an Upgrade Shop, but it's always random where it might be, so you might need to find it quickly if your health or ammo is running low.
The further you get the more maps the worlds will have and the bigger those maps will be.
Each world will have several exits, each exit is 'guarded' by a Boss. Defeating the boss will allow you to pass to the next world it is guarding.
Some special or secret worlds will need certain requirements or random chance to appear.
(I used Maurice's viewpoint code to get a visual of this).This is an extremely small example of what it would look like as a map. (ignore the red and checkered block)
The actual thing would have more flat surface to make combat easier and it would have walls and a background to make it more pleasing to the eye, this simply seems a bit depressing to me. Each map would have nice exits and level design.
The story:
You are a character stuck in a world where resources are scarce. You managed
to find some people you trust to form a group with, to survive.
The lack of resources made humans turn on each other, they use old machines
and materials to build tanks and the likes to kill each other.
You are sent out to try and collect as many scrap as you can while you explore
the place. Your teams dream is to create a safe heaven for people. A fort that
nobody can breech. So they give you, the most experienced driver a stock PAAV
(Personal Armored Assault vehicle).
Will you get back alive with enough scrap to start this Safe Heaven?
Notes:
- It's clear that there will be a need of huge amounts of enemies, upgrades and environment. So this will create the need for a load of sprites.
- I'm not sure if the isometric-action setup of gameplay is as achievable as I want it. I think it is, but it would be very hard, wouldn't it?
- I want a large amount of 'secrets' in this game, I want players to think outside the box a bit more. It makes the rewards ever so sweet.
- A Co-op feature would be a dream, but that's not important until the actual game itself is completed.
- I was thinking of a more interesting storyline behind it... but I kind of forgot it... Sorry.
- And lots more I can't remember right now.
Final words:
So yeah, that's about it for now. I wanted this idea out because I'd love to see this happen, but you all know I'm not a coder and I have a different hobby I want to focus on.
So if anyone wants to take a serious take at this feel free to do so. I will make some sprites every now and then, but I haven't focussed on this in ages (that's why it's here). If you are completely serious about trying to make something out of this I'm willing to help (mainly with spriting and ideas, so simply ask me), but you're free to use this idea for yourself too.
If I tried to code this myself it would just be aweful, as my coding skills might cause the end of the world.
I hope you guys like this idea, feel free to sprout out more ideas if you wish. It's always fun to come up with ideas.
