Simple Native linux games idea...

[Gibbz]

Hey guys, im intrested in hearing some feedback from linux users on a idea we are working on developing.

Basically we are working on a simple game(something like bomberman) but expanded a little.

Some features planned are currently
-3D engine OGL engine(we have this done)
-8 player network/shared screen support(currently network is not available)
-Several maps with tools included to build your own levels(using 3ds max)
-ai players(this is done)

Currently the plan is to release a windows version of something similar to steam(but more simplified) where you can get the demo, if you like you can then purchase the fullversion.

Also a possibility that we will put up user made maps for a small fee. The author of the map will recive a percentage of each sale.

So what do you guys think of a native linux version. Most likley the max price for any game would be about $10AU( i think around $5-6US). And something cheap for maps(or map packs), which we havent planned any price yet.

So my question is, who would be intrested in this kind of thing if we ported to linux?

Does the price/idea sound fair in your mind?

Any extra comments :)

Cheers

PS. Ill post a screenshot later if anyone would like to see a current wip...

[Artificial Intelligence]

For $5-6? Sure. The kids loves bomberman and clones, so do I :)

Have you any website yet I can look at?

[Gibbz]

No website yet, nothing to look at either. Been busy developing the game ;)

EDIT:

img included, its is a wip...

http://www.users.on.net/~firefox/explosive_wip.jpg

[Artificial Intelligence]

Will it be possible to choose character? Perhaps making it so that a player can choose diffrent character with their own strengths and weakness'. Just an Idea

[Gibbz]

No customised characters. But there will be some nice powerups there ;)

[mcmuffy]

Looks very nice. The more quality games linux has the better (free or retail).
For your game editor, allowing people to use blender as well as 3dmax may be an idea as 3dmax is so farkin' expensive.

[Biased turkey]

-Several maps with tools included to build your own levels(using 3ds max)

So what do you guys think of a native linux version. Most likley the max price for any game would be about $10AU( i think around $5-6US). And something cheap for maps(or map packs), which we havent planned any price yet.

Any extra comments :)

Cheers

PS. Ill post a screenshot later if anyone would like to see a current wip...

As far as I know ( I might be wrong ) 3ds max doesn't run on linux so how can I build my own levels ?

[Gibbz]

yes max doesnt work on linux :( , we are developing in windows.

Ill find out about a blender exporter... It may be more a case of if there is a demand for it(that goes for maya, xsi, etc. also)

Thanks guys :)

[stoffe]

The idea is nice and the price is right. I think it might be hard to charge for maps though and it would probably be better to try and boost game sales with free extra maps. Map contributors probably usually do it for the fun of it anyways, and compensations probably would be minimal.

You should really support more 3D programs if those are necessary, at least Blender and maybe Maya if you want a Linux audience. Blender is open source, and Maya has really nice programming interfaces, so neither should be too hard. I do fail to see why a 3D program should be necessary for level editing though, wouldn't it be better to have a "tile" system and a simplistic editor that could use existing objects? If that is what you already do, well then at least people can build levels, just not add new objects which is pretty ok if there's a few to choose from. :)

Also, if you are looking for alternatives to Steam for distribution/sales, check out garagegames.com (http://www.garagegames.com/) - they have pretty good deals for small developers, and I have had good experiences with them before. They demand that the game runs on at least two platforms as a general rule, which would not be a problem in your case. =)

In either case, good luck! There's plenty room for more native Linux games, small and big.

[dolny]

I'm interested. But it would be great if the owners of the game could download new sets of characters - for example, I don't know, squirrels :)

I mean, I like bomberman, and I played to many variants on DOS, Windows, Dreamcast and NES that I'm bored with the standard characters. Some original characters, or for example more human-looking ones would be far better imo.

If the players and developers would add some other characters I would buy it for sure.

PS. The Bomberman version for Dreamcast is very nice, you should check it if you have the possibility :)

[Gibbz]

I dont own a dream cast, but if you know the name of the version I'm shure i can find some reviews/pics.

I like the idea of a basic tile editor. That shouldnt be to hard...

Thanks for the comments guys...

[Gibbz]

Hey guys, does anyone know of a installer style program that works on windows and linux thats free?

Cheers!

[Artificial Intelligence]

I don't with windows, but Loki installer may be a good option. http://www.lokigames.com/development/setup.php3

[BathroomNinja]

Looks good! I'd drop $5 to play and help support you.

[barfos]

Looks like a good screen shot. If I pay any money at all, it had better work without much hassle! I'm still trying to get ubuntu's sound working with all the games.

Customized characters sounds cool, reminds me of bomberman 64.

barfos

[Gibbz]

Just an update...

Should be starting the port to linux fairly soon. Its comming along nicley at the moment(the windows version).

At this stage i think it will be an online installer, that is you get a singlefile which will download and install the game to the directory of your choice. If that doesnt pan out, we might just have it in a zip file so you can download extract it and run it from the folder. I think this is the easiest way :)

Edit: it runs fine in wine last time I tested it also, thats worst case scenario...

[stoffe]

Edit: it runs fine in wine last time I tested it also, thats worst case scenario...
I probably never will pay for something I have to run in Wine... however, if it runs fine under Wine as it is, then maybe compiling it with Winelib (http://www.winehq.com/site/winelib) would be an easy way to get Linux binaries.

[Gibbz]

Yeah thats worst case scenario, hope it doesnt come to that ;P

But it runs under wine therfore it shouldnt be very hard to port to linux, is what i meant there ;)

[Gibbz]

a small update.

ingame shot, sort of ported, a few issue to work out with the game/engine code.

Heres a screenshot of the game(windows version)

Click for screenshot (1.1mb) (http://users.on.net/~firefox/fab/spacemaze0.jpg)