Project Posibility: CCG

Greetings,
I have been tossing around the idea of creating a CCG (Collectable Card Game, I.E. Magic the Gathering, Shadowfist, YuGiOh (or whatever it is called) etc.) in world, however I don't believe I have all the resources myself to complete this venture, most significantly in the art department, although I could also use help in the game rules/playtesting arena also. I do believe I have the scripting skills necessary for this task, however assistance in that category could be good also, especially since defining a couple of hundred scripts (for the cards) is just a daunting typing job. Of course two heads are better than one anyways. No dead set "I _am_ going to do this" ordeal yet, however if others are interested, especially in the art category, please let me know.

That's a really good idea. I'd be happy to help you with scripting/playtesting/ideas for cards. Drop me an IM if you still need people.

One problem with a game like this: There is no private information except text.

In other words, you can't build anything that only one player can see. You can only IM them privately with information. So if a player looks at their hand, it has to be sent to them as text. No pretty graphics or anything. One the cards are played, they can be a graphical as you like, but the whole text limitation is sort of ugly and clumsy.

Something like this would only really work well if graphical HUDs were implemented by LL.

Yes, that is definately a current issue, and custom HUD or being able to lock the camera would make it prettier. But the game would still be functional just knowing what the cards are and what they do. I don't think IM is too practicle of a solution, since the 10 second delay set on it, however there is definately potential for llDialog(), which I believe is instantaneous.

Actually, now that I am thinking about it, yes there is graphical feedback. When llGiveInventory() gives a texture to an avatar, a window pops up with the image. Grant you, that takes security down a little, but it would work.

The biggest part of a CCG is being able to collect the cards and to buy packs of cards. I would be interested in knowing how you would go about this : cards as objects? Or 'Decks' as objects and 'booster packs' as objects that update decks and cards as something more abstract? The second way may be easier to deal with game mechanics in an automated way.

I definatly think that a combination of llGiveInventory(image) and llDialog() is the way to go as far as user interaction.

I would be very interested to see what kind of actual game you design, as well as how it is implemented.

If you want some help typing out all those cards, I would be more than happy to lend a hand. I am also good for bouncing ideas off of both game/balance wise and other.

Ama,
Yes, there will definately be a mother "deck" object. I had to rethink that strategy since there is actually no way to make a played card return to the players or another objects inventory (that I know of). Thus each card would actually be a script, with a generic card object (and generic wrapper script) that could be rez'd when a card is played, or traded.

I definately could use help with some of the game mechanics, not certain which direction I will take (whether to blatantly rip of concept A for game 1 and concept B from game 2 or actually create something all together original....)

Now if someone got realy ambitious they could go and build models for each of the cards. Like right now I'm working on a kreeble from the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG but even that lil thing is a bugger cause I gotta put in all it's lil spikes of hair

an arena.. a physical arena.

..stadium seating on either side, player stands on either end, a battle area in the middle, scoring displayed center "stage": higher above.. as well as in the player stands..

..fighting objects(monsters, etc) could be rezzed in the arena, even if they're just a 2 prim object (front/back & side/side illustrations on 2 perpendicular slats).. maybe with certain effects enabled (fire, water, lasers, whatever..)

..well, you get the idea..

..i think this could be awesome! ..an arena might work even better by the new urban area coming soon to the west!

We noise tanks tried this back in Mid-Beta. We ran into many, many issues..

First, of course, was how to draw cards, and have them in your hand (secretly).

Our only solution was to have an it broadcasted to you by IM. (IM delegation scripts for no delay). Its a bit cumbersome.

Another was just getting the dang thing to work! We never really got a good prototype out.

Also was the problem of making the deck itself. We thought of having someone buy a master "deck" object, and info would be uploaded into it when they bought a booster pack. If they are allowed to have whatever cards they want.. well, thats just silly, isnt it?

A problem with that solution, though. Stack heap collisions.


We were doing that, too.

You're back Lance? hmm

Given the nature of SL wouldn't it be a more fantastic and entertaining idea to create a new type of game that uses collectability but not neccesarily cards?


You're able to create non-copy objects so it would be possible to keep players from copying thier collectables. You could have players transfer thier collectables into something like a deck which would be a scripted object that controls the game-play.

If you want to stick with cards, why not have them be text when strategetizing, only to come to life when played?

I only know the rules for a couple card gams, M:tG and Yu-Gi-Oh. The latter has a few states cards can be in. They might be in your deck, graveyard, out of play, or on the field. If they're on the field then they can be face down.

That's a good way to do it in SL as well. A face down card could be represented by an object that has no specific properties. That way the other player knows something has been played but not what.


Maybe I'll try making a collector game later.


Probably not. I could make a lot of better games than that.

.."gems" instead of cards..

a 1 prim "gem" = 1 card

each "gem" has a notecard explaining properties

colored "gems" according to element?

could also have "rez-able" "monster/etc" within the "gem" for use on/in an arena

this also solves the "they can see my stuff" problem, as was previously suggested, just taken a step further.

would it be possible to auto-rez a "monster" if a "gem" was placed in a player stand in the arena set-up?

..next?

EDIT: Lance.. happy noodle boy! one the best comic characters .. ever!

I think your onto something!

Instead of having cards for each individual monster or effect there is a pool of those "gems" you were talking about. Each turn a player could randomly draw a set number of gems. Now lets say for example red stands for monster and gems stand level, he draws 3 red "gems" and says "Hey! I'll play these all now!" so he returns those 3 gems to the pool and is able to summon one or more of his monsters with a combined level of 3 or below. This method would require very little scripting(aside from the pool of gems)but could use scripting in the monsters to make things more interesting. Also using this method it would remove the need for boosters or decks because the monsters could just be kept as items and bought individualy based on their power/level. Obviously with this method would have a score and the first person to reach this would win(it could be reached by destroying enough levels of monsters or something). Anyway I think this is very possible, let me know what you think!

oh yes by the way I have no scripting skills what so ever, but I am handy with building things with the in game tools so I'd be happy to help build some of these arena's and monsters if we ever get something going

... Gems could be sold, but (no copy) (no modify)

either from "official" game dealers or between players

..("hey, i've got a level 3 monster for L$##.. or would you like to trade for that level 3 spirit Gem"

..in the arena you could rez the object from the Gem onto the playing field... and the fight ensues, the crowd goes wild.. beer and popcorn flying everywhere! ... um .. heheh ..

Alondria.. have we run off to never neverland with your idea? or are you digging these suggestions?

Some most excellent ideas! I agree that there is no reason an item in SL needs to be a card to be collectable.

I do like the gems idea. One trick though is that other players can see the content of an object. Which means no descriptive names.

Having a 'Jewel Box' that you put the gems for your game into (ie the ones that would be in your deck) that randomly rezed the gems as play progressed would be great.

Your 'hand' could be nuetral colored gems lined up in front of you. While in your hand they respond to a touch to give a notecard to the owner only. When played they could change color to match what they are, or change shape or both, and maybe rez something as well.

There would definatly be some technical hurdles. But I think they could be overcome.

I like the idea that with the gems you could potentialy not need a hand and just keep your monsters/spells or what not in your inventory and just call them out when you trade in enough gems of the right type.

Uhh, Yeah, I'm back. My internet connection was down for a good while... why do you ask?

Angel thought you were banned for sending her death threats, Lance.

*HUGS A LANCE* Welcome back! I've noticed your big wood over Cordova lately. Be sure to leave a hole in it so that people working on rockets don't get a nasty surprise!

I was working on my elevator there for a while and it ran into your big wood.


My elevator is working to my satisfaction now, by the way. You might like to check it out! It's at the Abbotts Aerodrome in Abbots. If you can see the main structure, it has a bridge leading to the Airship pen. There is a smaller bridge leading from that brdige to my elevator.

I'm pretty confident that my elevator is the best physical elevator in Second Life currently. Though it still has room for improvement, I think it's stable enough for my satisfaction.


It can be a little slow on the way down though, so be patient.

I just joined SL and am really digging it. The idea of an inworld CCG is awesome and I like some of the ideas you've had so far, the idea of using something besides cards is great. But there's a slight problem with trying to co-opt systems from outside the world into this one, the freedom of creation that SL provides. What's to stop everyone from making THE "card" (i.e. Black Lotus from M:tG) or making "cards" that are broken that make the game to easy to win? I'd try to come up with some sort of open-source rules system that allows for the creative freedom, but within a set form of guidelines. Also, try to keep it simple. No need for Wizards of the Coast mechanics with timing and graveyards and such. It could really be as simple as a game of War (compare two cards, higher card wins)but with modifiers.

The collectability factor would come from the fact that everyone would want the "card" that you've made. ("Ooh...where did you get that?!)

Just some things to thing about. I'd love to help out. I've made custom cards for various RL CCGs, have good art skills and am pretty proficient at modelling.

Rhys

Closed sourced API would ensure that people could not cheat/create bogus cards, etc... I believe that allowing an open API would tend to cause there to be corruption, both due to cheating and also due to improper use of the API causing games to fall apart.

I do however see potential in "leaseing" the API to other parties so they can add to the card-set, but to insure value/gameplay/system stability, etc. I do believe this would need to be controlled and not use a general open source model.

I definately do dig the concept that the actual "object" does not need to be a card. I could see a variety of methods to implement the gameplay.

Perhaps all interested should form into a group to help with tossing ideas around...

[/B]

I think a group of those interested would definitely help move this thing along.

I like the idea of leasing it out or at least allowing the members of the group to have access to it. They could be the "Great Cardsmiths" heh heh.

err.. death threats? When was this? More to the point- WHO was this?



EDIT: Not to hijack the thread, or anything.

Well... since you're lame enough to act this way...

The death threats you made were posted on the forums during your long suspension, alot of people read them. If you want to play games and pretend that you don't know what this is about, I can make it very clear for you and everyone.

Maybe you should crawl back under your rock now.

Sry for Lance blowing this back up in your thread Alondria, he
must still be craving attention.

Excuse me? Long suspension? I told you- my internet has been down for over a month!

I had to switch to DSL from cable, and I had issues with the delivery of my new modem, and the setup.

I don't know what you think I did, or whatever, but I haven't been suspended- at least not to my knowledge.