lifesim Plugins and Features for LifeSim/OpenWorld Game

[jet_black 0]

Hello guys,

 

for some time I was tinkering with the thought of starting to work on a project of a Life-Sim / Open-World game. Of course not something like Skyrim in Rpg Maker or stuff like that.

I´d like to develop a game that takes place in a small modern village/town. There are no battles, no typical quests and nearly no fantasy elements. Just stripping off that whole JRPG mechanics. Focus of the game should be the everyday life in the village that creates the "story" and plot. Everyday you have things do, have a sleep cycle, needs, you can interact with all other people in the village, events will happen, etc.

 

Features will be things like:

- Day-/Night- Cycle

- Needs (Eating, Drinking, Sleep, etc.)

- Relationship-Level with the other people in town

- People will react differently every day

- The game should get an overall eerie feeling (not sure yet how to acchieve it)

 

I don´t want the game to be finished in a short amount of time, nor do I want to win a price with it. 

But I´d like to know, what features or things in general you´d suggest or would like to see after the stuff you have read so far.

 

I´m excited to read your posts 

PS: I guess I should mention that I don´t already know how to create all these features, so plugin suggestions for all those features are very welcome. And the combinations, for example, I know there is a plugin for day and night. But I don´t know how to create the gameplay mechanics that the people act different through the days, new events will happen, etc. It shouldn´t just be about ever-repeating tasks like working and surviving, but feel more like you´d really "live" the game as an experience.

 

Greetings,

jb

Edited May 6, 2016 by jet_black

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

Ooooo, this sounds amazing.

 

A feature I would like to see is maybe a job system?

The main "life-sim" (excluding the Sims) is any Harvest Moon game, or games similar (such as Stardew Valley), but they all involve "self employment". You work when you feel like it - basically.

 

I'd like a mechanic that would maybe allow the player to look for a job and then, get that job.

I suppose that system could be built up like a quest-like system where, you have to do x and y before the end of the day.

If you do, your job performance can go up - once a certain percentage is reach, you can get a promotion (maybe a short "interview/Q&A" to give a final test if you get that promotion) and once promoted, you gain more money, and more responsibilities to take care of during work - making it harder as you get better at your job.

 

Of course, skipping work can eventually get you fired, as well as doing a poor job.

 

 

I think that would be a nice way to earn money, and still be interactive. Maybe as you help each customer/client, you gain/lose relationship points also.

 

 

Another feature I would love: pets. 

Cats, Dogs = fair amount of responsibility but nothing to demanding.

Small caged animals = bit of responsibility. Cleaning cage and filling food/water bowl frequently throughout the day.

Fish = nothing challenging. Just remember to feed them every so often.

 

You already have the key elements noted, so I already have faith that you can accomplish this challenge

I do hope to hear about this project in future and hope you do manage to give it a good try ^^