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26 January 2016

Alchemite Rethink

I've given some thought to what I originally wanted for Alchemite. I loved the idea of an infinite world and unlimited creativity combined with the structure a game-like interface provided. As I consider where my creation would lead, it seems to fall short of my intent.

It helps that I drew inspiration from Minecraft, as that game has pieces both brilliant and defective.

I have begun to believe that I went the wrong direction with the project. Although it is true that the pixel-art-like game mechanics and the programable alchemite offer immense creative potential, they do not necessarily rectify Minecraft's problems.

Minecraft has two primary attractions: the ability to create and the ability to play. However, it's creative aspect hampers the game's potential to tell a storyline. There are no true characters and villains. Then, its playability restrictions constrict the player's creativity. To make the engine challenging, certain actions must be rendered impossible. There are no cars in Minecraft.

In light of these thoughts, I have re-structured Alchemite. The essential notion of creative gameplay remains. However, I have a grander scheme in mind.

I have begun prototyping an infinite online world comprised of individual block "maps". The world's behavior is essentially that of an old-school RPG, with items, characters, dialogue, and pop-out-scenes like might be used for battle.

However, the block maps initially contain none of these elements. They are flat and rather unimaginative, generated randomly the first time a player enters one. The difference lies in a player's "discovery" of a new block map.

When a player discovers a block, they gain "god-mode" within its boundaries. This gives them unlimited creative potential, within the capacities of the game. They may script their own items, characters, and rules, as well as re-order the world however they wish: building cities, homes, swamps, dungeons, etc.

However, since this world is both infinite and accessible to all, any number of people may stumble upon their block, or travel to it intentionally. Their creation is available for all to share and enjoy, but not edit. Only the discoverer may change that world.

To begin crafting their own world, a player must explore until discovering a block of their own.

I am not sure how practical the scheme is, although I've done some initial memory and rendering-speed assessments. It might be possible. Moreover, I believe it holds true to the spirit of Alchemite, even if the original effects I intended may be out of place. I will include them where I can.

More to come! :-)