Shmacky-McNuts: I have actually had a few games that used my ideas. But I always gave the ok to do so. Except one time, with an android game. That one was strange. I gave these 2 guys an entire game structure. A few months later I randomly buy an rts game and left a review. It wasnt bad, just meh. I get an email from the lead developer, asking me what was with my bland review....."its the game you wanted....".
Im like...what? A few emails later. He made a game so off the mark from "my design" I had no idea what he was talking about lol
With those guys having a series of games, I only asked for future credit. As in recognition of my name in. He even had my emails stating I didnt care much about getting paid. They still said no. People are strange.
Ueber: How did it happen, that you delivered a whole game structure to a development team you weren't part of?
What exactly was the idea of the game?
While I no longer have the either the pc I wrote it on, nor the information. Writing structure is not the same as a script for a story. If this clears anything up.
Anyone can offer ideas. Most tend to be ignored, because developers have their own. I just went into forums years ago and hung around modders and offered ideas mostly. Many were used. But once in awhile when bored I would write up a structure for a game I thought would be interesting. If someone had a game they just completed, I would send my ideas in an email. Most didnt respond, but a few people did.
As for the original idea, it was something like Neo Scavenger mashed together with Faster Than Light. But the player had deeper options, to keep playing long term. Like the ideas for Stalker Anomaly. The player has optional goals without a time frame. Then the player lives as the character and fills in the gaps, making ones own story. It was a space romp sandbox, with elements similar to Star Command 1988. But instead of having a team from the start. The player has to build a Captain. Gain a crew and ship. Build a life ala Sid Miers Pirates. Build a base in space or on a planet. Its not a 4x though.
Although I have nothing to do with StarSector, the idea has very similar concepts. But my design would have had space ship boarding and taking over enemy ships. Base building and colony building, plus raiding. Then it could evolve into low level sim city stuff and minor 4x-ish options. But any time the player wanted to give up on the deep stuff and just go galaxy exploring, that was an option all along. Maybe similar to the way Dwarf Fortress lets you chuck the deep stuff and set on an adventure.
As for why I wasnt on the team? I was some random person from the internet keeping the boredom at bay, by brain storming all day long and writing game stuff. Then dumping it into game dev email boxes and mod forums. Most people want to get payed. I was and still happen to be satisfied seeing any ideas get used and enjoyed.
Its been about 8 years back now. I no longer write or have any interest in making anything.
