Curse

actionjack · Feb 01, 2006, 07:34 AM // 07:34

Ever wonder how there seems to be only 2 things to do in GW? 1) Run to Point A to kill some stuff or 2) Kill some stuff to get to Point B. I am sure a lot of people already agree that mini games would bring positive benefits to GW. Now, I am aware that there are several post out there already on this topic, but I will be vain and egoistic, and put up my ideas on it as well. (uncle Jack told me to do it…)

I would categorize mini game into 3 groups. And since I don’t know the proper name for them, I will do the next best thing, and make up names for them. So they are 1) Questing Mini Games, 2) Scoring Mini Games, and 3) Arena Mini Game.

Questing Mini Game
This could be consider as a alternative game inside a game. Within the boundary of the game world, it give players some extra “things” to do. Sometime it would make you grind for them, and other time it would be incorporated well into the game world, but overall, they does not have substantial impact over the overall story line (but some would give good loot as reward). A lot of J-Rpg have them (training up your pets, collecting some magical items, etc). Fishing in WoW could be consider such group as well. So, here might be some idea on how they would fit into GW. (Note: some of those ideas will not be workable in the current GW, since new items and game play mechanics will also needed to be introduce for it to work)

Drinking Game: In each town, there is a certain NPC (will call them town drunk for now) that you can try to out drink. Every characters have a hidden “tolerance level”, which are low at first, so that you will get drunk in just few drinks. You must “train” your self by drink more often, as well as a hidden formula where if you drink X drink after Y drink, you will build up that level faster (of course, that is for player to find). As you progress in town, the town drunk will be harder and harder to beat, thus you must drink hard to meet such challenge. Of course, you would also get some reward.

This is also a gold sink for those who want to play. Also more drinks (in different potency) will be needed. (you can even make your own!)

Gardening Game: This will be for a farm area. (like a really small instantize area), and/or part of the Guild hall upgrade. Here, there will be a plot of land that you can grow stuff. You can find different type of seeds in you adventure, and you can plant them here, which they will grow up into flowers or fruits or herbs. The grow time will be about 3-4 days. Of course you also need to take care of it often, come by to it from time to time to water them, take out the weeds, and other gardening stuff, else they won’t grow, or won’t grow as well. After while, those plants will die, and you will have to plant new one.

The plants will have small use when you harvest them. A fruit might give you +10exp when you eat them, some flowers can be turn into dyes, herbs can go into potion making (more on that later), feeds to your animals (see below), and such. You could also trade them, or sell them for some pocket change. But the main purpose is of course to look at them and feel proud about your produces, or to show off. (I can already imagine a Veggy Contest). Also there are regular and rare seeds as well that can be found.
Animal Rising Game: Buiding on the Farm idea, you also get a chance to rise some farm animals. You cann’t take them with you to adventure (not like ranger’s pet), and they will only stay in their zone. Like plants, they will grow from small to big over time. You can have more than one too, where some animals will go well together, while some won’t. You will also need to feed them as well. And with some inbreeding and special feeds, you too can have your own Golden Moa Bird too!

Herbalist Game: Like the Red Iris Flower in pre-sear, add more plants that you can find in exploration areas. (flowers, mushrooms, leafs, etc). Also added will be Herbalist NPC in certain exploration areas. They will offer to make you some “potions” if you have the right herbs with you. (what is ask will vary from one to another, and so are its effect) Potions are not items, but rather like donation to gods, just a minor boost of certain effect while you are in that exploration area. Also the Herbalist can offer to Mix herbs for you. (you could experiment with different components and get different random effect, or get an items call Potion Recipe (a one time use item) that will describe when herb is needed to make a potion of greater effect)

Quote:

More detail on Herbalist: As said before, effect of Potion would only be limted to the map, and would not be an item. It is immeditaly use after you turn in your stuff into the NPC herbalist. (I would not make it an item because it would make GW aother item game, espcially in PvP)

some idea for effect might be.... (of couse depend on what kind of potion... it duration will be vary)

- Increase your movement speed
- Increase your attack power
- Incerease your energy by X

etc etc (i am sure you can think of lot more)
Its effect would only be minor. Also the location of the Herbalist would be place in "strategic locations". (so maybe a easy to find herbalist would make only weak effect potions, while one deeper in the zone would make better ones). Again, this is more or less for casual gaming, for those who feel like carrying and collect different herbs and plants, and not like something where you MUST use the potion to get pass an area...

Also like Iris, you can sell any of the herb and plants you find for few coins.

Mystical Creature Hunting Game: when you enter an exploration area, there are a small chance where that map might spawn a Mystical Creature. You might found trace of it (like foot prints and such) that give hints that they are there, or just meet them by chance, or pay some NPC, where they might tell you about some rumor of where they might appear. Once you found them, you could try to kill them, which they will drop a nice salvage item, charm them (some will allow be charm as a new pet, while other won’t), or befriend them (which they will help you fight enemies on this map). Also a way to track such encounter (like a trophy or a badge/record in your stats window) would be nice.
(this is also part of the encourage more exploration of exploration areas, and randomness in exploration suggestions)

More detail on hunting:

Quote:

I see it as two way, one passive, and another active. Passive would be where you just see it while are exploring (since there could be lot more things added to make exploration more attractive, this being one of them), like suddely seeing a Bigfoot in the forest.

An active would be one who are activly trying to find them. They would be entering a map back and forth, trying to find it. (however, a mechanic should be added to discourage that) You can also talk to some hunter NPCs (in wildernss or some traven in town), give them some gold, and hear some rumor about possible wearbouts of such beast. (like they would say "Yeah, the last time I was at Salted Flat, I saw the Track of Unicorn!") However, I would say it would still be a 50/50 chance of that map instanizing with a Unicorn (could have better chance if party with someone who also have the same rumor). Oh, and the rumor are random too. Also you still need to explore the map to find out where they are (unless you got real lucky, and they spawn right in front of you...)

Also you would get a hint of that such beast exist on your map (which added some more incentive to explore the whole map). There will be certain "Hot spot" that give you such hint (like your ranger henchman might stop, and said "Hmm.. I smell Crystal Bird in the air", or a message pop up about you seeing the track of some strange creature, etc)

Since the mysticl creature are not combat orientated, more liberity can be give to thier special ablity and AI. some example might be...

Legendary Bunny of Swift: will be moving real fast, and alays run form you. Thus hard to catch (unless you have someway to make it cripple or posion) and really need to clear the whole map of mob if want to catch this one.

Steel Turtle: Slow moving, but have a really really high AL.

Phenoix: Ablity to Rez itself again and again.

Ethreal Gull: Must kill/capture it real fast, else it will teleport away.

Great Panda: A Bear with black and white fur. Can be charmed.

ShadowTiger: Aggressive Beast, very strong (like a lv 30 boss), that will be actually hunting you. Can teleport in when you are weak, and out when its hp runs low.

Golden Wolf: leads a pack of other wolf, aggressive.

I am sure you can think of lot more.

As for rewards, well, if you kill them, probably will get a unique salvage/crafting item, as well as maybe some good amount of gold or weapons. Also could made into unique items that shows off. (like a Crafter would ask for 3 Phonix Feather to make you a Phonix Feather Headgear, with all the feathers on flame (maybe a low AL but +1 fire mastery and 5% of auto rez). This make the drop item very valuable.

-Some can also be charmed as ranger Pet,which make the rangers look real nice.
-Can also try to capture it (maybe with a sig of capture or some other item when its hp is running low, much like ranger charming it) which you can sell to a Beast dealer for good gold or put it in your Farm/guild hall.

I think that is all I can think of for now, and start getting tire from all that writing.. so moving on…

Scoring Mini Games
Or a pop game. Those are like the small flash or java game that we play online. Often they test your reflex, your memory, or just your luck. Fable has a good example of those. When played, you will leave out of your character for a moment, and be presented with only the mini game area. They would be best found in a new Tavern area, or as part of the Guild hall upgrade. For some of those games, after play, your score would be announce to all near by players. Also a score board would be kept, where it will track the who the top ten score of the day, and highest score of all. Maybe will also be charge a small fee to play, and possible give out small reward. Such game might include:

Dart Board Throwing.

Memory Card Game

Guess the Box

Fastest Hand

Cup Stacking

I am sure you can think of more.

Arena Mini Game
Those will be like that Snow ball Arena (a game suggested by “someone” in the forum, wink wink). They are not PvP, but more like a sports game. Briefly put, they will be something like:

Race:

Pig Chasing Soccer:

Flag Ball

Since it is getting late, and being typing too long, I won’t get into too much detail on some of the last two type of mini game ideas. Maybe I will add more to it in later time. Feel free to add ideas to mini games that would be good for GW, or give some comments on what is above. Thxs for reading, uncle Jack says Bye.

Hockster · Feb 01, 2006, 09:15 AM // 09:15

Uhh, no. You want somethng different, go play some thing different. Or just stick with FF series.

Bhaaltazar · Feb 01, 2006, 09:30 AM // 09:30

AJ i agree with u on herbalist idea.. i think there should be more usefull thing to collect in game besides materials for Armors.... Herbalist is good idea ( making some potions in a city at alchemist NPC ), there should be some other crafting NPCs as well since developers ignored the Crafts developing on chars ( most of other games has it - blacksmithing, herblist, enchanter, fisherman, etc... )

actionjack · Feb 17, 2006, 07:39 AM // 07:39

Since not seeing much interesting suggestion to follow.. I will bump this old thread of mine... (sad it never got any reviews...)

And briefly adding two more Questing Mini Game type idea

A Love Interesting (Date Sim) : Where you try to earn the heart of one NPC girl or guy (some selection to choice from) YOu can buy and give such NPC items (such as flowers, etc) to get get in their good grace. (an internal "Love Meter" is counted) Also they will like you more if you see and talk to them more often, as well as they would tell you and ask you things (like they might tell you her favorit color is red,... and few days later as you what her favorit color is... and if you answer right.. more points for you... but if wrong.. a step back). Once you become "good friends", they could do "Favorits" for you (depend on the NPC) Things their own custom crafting weapons, give you exp.. or gold.. and etc.

Skill Gem/Skill Gem crafting: Always want the skill gem to be back. I think I have another thead about that too... so won't go into too much detail here... But just sorta think of Cards in RO, that needs recharging. (will put up more on that maybe next time)

EnvyHax · Feb 17, 2006, 07:49 AM // 07:49

I think you played Ragnarok Online to much, lol.

Killin_Frenzy · Feb 17, 2006, 10:03 AM // 10:03

Lol, umm sry but IMO cup stacking and dart throwing...don't go well with a game like guild wars...

broodijzer · Feb 17, 2006, 10:04 AM // 10:04

I like the ideas

Poison Ivy · Feb 17, 2006, 10:22 AM // 10:22

I'm too lazy to read what you typed...try shortening it...the thread didn't get any reviews for reason.

Nevin · Feb 17, 2006, 12:01 PM // 12:01

I like the Mythical Creature idea, really adds to the alure of a ranger. Hunting downa specific animal to capture and use as his own.

I'm guessing they'll be less common then spiders? Hopefully, and be twice as hard to get.

ColaManiac · Feb 19, 2006, 12:46 AM // 00:46

i would realy want 1 of those as one of my pets because they sound unique
and i can imagine what they would look like, but then we would need some kind of pet storage or something (for Xmoney i can keep care from you pet until you come and get it (+Xmoney for every new pet to take care of))

and those games would be good too because i get bored fast to farming and normal PvP, it's fun then when i do pvp with my guild but they are only online at weekends. so something to spent time would be great...

Urias Skult · Feb 19, 2006, 02:23 AM // 02:23

I like your ideas.

The Gardening one is especially amusing. You have 9 online members in your Guild and you are planning to mission Hell's Precipice. There is one too many Warriors.

"Guild Announcement: Umm....maybe you can tend to the tomatoes while we are gone? Oh, and careful how you water the spinach too. Salad when we get back ppl?"

But seriously, Id be happy if things like this were added. They are in other games yes, but maybe people want to stay in the GW world doing other things when not doing primary quests instead of going farming...

benmanhaha · Feb 19, 2006, 05:21 PM // 17:21

I really like these ideas. Some people are just so closed minded about this game. They want is to be very cut and dry, farm or fight. There is hardly anything to do in your downtime. I think the idea for the mythical beasts is great.

Lampshade · Feb 20, 2006, 08:17 AM // 08:17

Farming might be a little too much, but I sure could have a lot of fun playing blackjack in the guild hall

Sai of Winter · Feb 20, 2006, 10:09 AM // 10:09

Drinking game! =D

That would be so fun and loving the ideas. Something to do when you finish the game or just bored. Still voting for Actionjack to work for Anet!

Sister Spice · Feb 20, 2006, 12:27 PM // 12:27

I love the farming, herbalist and animal idea
all seem very much in keeping with guildwars in my view

(after all you can herd pigs and pick flowers in pre searing)

Would really really really like to see this.

Would love some more objectives that are different to 'run to x, fight x'

Sister Spice

Bbickford · Feb 20, 2007, 01:53 AM // 01:53

I like the ideas. Sometimes there is just nothing to do at my house, so I get on GW to look for fun...but when I get on I find myself just as bored as I would be if I hadnt gotten on.

I have also heard the complaint "there is almost nothing to do in GW, but kill, kill, kill, and get killed!" I find this Very true. It is fun for a little while, then you get a gold drop and it gets funner, but in about an hour your bored...again.

I did however notice that the ingame titles are sort of like a grinding aspect in GW. In that you have to do something over and over again to earn the title (in most cases anyways). Most of these titles req. money however (drunkard, suggar tooth, skill hunter, treasure hunter etc...) so it is then back to kill, kill, kill.

One thing that might work would be like a "festival isalnd" (i dont know what else to call it...) sort of like a battle island like randon arenas, but insted there is the roller beatle raceing there, snowball/dogball fights, those "games of chance" from the dragon festival, and stuff like what you have menchioned (like drinking games, or darts, cards) could be put in here.

Sometimes you just want to do something different.