THEME discussion

Of the both of those I would say the least used is WW2... Plus this theme gives you a lot of online content to simply search through via the web (like Google and Wikis).

A Sci-Fi (not because I don't like it - on the contrary my current game is Sci-Fi) leaves a lot of things to be developed. You have to create content above and beyond the game itself. For example, you need to "invent" races and the stories behind them. Personally I would prefer to focus on the game itself.

For my game, I created a "human" race known as the *Exterra* (as in meaning Ex Terra or "from Earth"). I kept things pretty simple and hope my artist will be able to properly render them. What I am also doing is planning to produce the *Exterra Edition* of the game and then approach a publisher asking them if they would like to develop other races for the game (I would like to design 3 more races). This would imply that the game could be played with 4 players, each one playing a different race... That really excites me.

So I guess a Sci-Fi theme gives you a chance to "broaden" the scope of your game and a WW2 theme gives you a lot of existing content to work from.

I will add one last thing: I was designing a video game in the Star Wars universe. Simply by searching online for Wikis and pages concerning all things Star Wars (Ships, Officer ranks, Wonders, Planets, etc.) I had SO MUCH CONTENT it was fantastic. I loved the depth of the information from timelines in the universe to specifics about characters. So I guess a WW2 theme would probably be the same: plenty of things to borrow from.

Best of luck with your game!

Note: I was told to stay away from Zombie games and Medieval Merchant games! Just as an FYI.

If I have a specific mechanics vision then I try to think of a theme that tightly matches the feel of the game. The theme also has to capture my imaginition and increase my motivation.

Like if I had a card game that is mostly about small group card combat where the tableau is never forced to reset, then WW2 doesn't feel that way to me. I'd be looking at something that fits the scale and is intriguing like a prison yard or barroom brawl. That way the feel of adding new combatants into a continuing fight feels right.

[quote=Corsaire]I'd be looking at something that fits the scale and is intriguing like a prison yard or barroom brawl.quote]

The last bit of this sentence I accidently read as a Ballroom brawl! Ha ha ha.

Everyone here has given some pretty good advice. I have an idea for an asymetrical WWII tank game. Hopefully it works out. The nice thing is that, like someone else said, you don't have to make anything up (unless your making an a-historical WWII game). Everything is already out there for you.

Yeah, and in it comes a CD with a free copy of "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet! *Commences jam session*

Actually, Capoeira is basically a dancing martial arts form. It's pretty awesome!

Use what you love.