Posted in my journal first...but here is my thoughts on Ghost Busters.
I love Ghost Busters. The first movie was great, and although the second movie wasn't, the franchise has always had continual promise if handled by the right people.
So is this the right people? My opinion NO. I understand the "game play" shown is most likely testing mechanics in the game and nothing more. I also understand that this leak is most likely a controlled leak to see if any interest for the game will be created to see if it is worth proceeding with the project. My answer is, the realistic approach is not going to work...you are striving to recreate our beloved characters too close to how we remember them, instead of reinventing them. In other words, any and all flaws to the presentation will be noticed and remarked upon, and that isn't good.
Instead, how about keeping the realistic portrayal of New York City. The environments shown are very cool, but are going to need to be livened up. Make it more abstract and bizarre...that doesn't mean change the realistic look, but change it...make it appear that New York has been through some tough crap with these ghosts...and really need the Ghost Busters.
Next, do not try for photorealism with the characters, instead create interesting caricatures of each Ghost Buster we know and love. Spend time and capture some of the elements of the original actors, but also design them to fit more there personalities. Design Ego to look nerdy and freakishly tall and skinny. Have fun with the designs. Push this creativity into the world of Ghosts as well.
The game is going to thrive on the Ghosts and Environments...so they need to interact together. Each house/mission/whatever needs to have Ghost with a story. That story is told throughout how the Ghost interacts with people, manipulates (yes manipulates) the environment it stays in. Fighting Ghosts will be part action, part puzzle, and part team work. Yes, the Ghost Busters are first and foremost a team.
Which, gets me to my final point. DO NOT MAKE THIS A FIRST PERSON OR THIRD PERSON ACTION TITLE!!!!!! DO NOT. EVER. PLEASE.
Ghost Busters is a business. Focus on that element, and create some strategy an unique game dynamics to the mix. How about this, splitting teams up into different groups to complete missions. Perhaps swapping between each person to take Ghosts out better...playing online means you can have a person play each member of your team. Or more radical allow the player to clear out two houses/missions/whatever at once by splitting the teams up into two teams of two. Hot Swapping between missions. Perhaps you will be able to clear the missions quicker, perhaps you will have to call in back up for very big dangerous Ghosts.
Concern for Money. Business worries about the bottom line...yet Ghost Busting is a very dangerous and costly affair. You go into a mission with a set rate you charge (earn) for clearing the ghosts. The more damage you do to the house the less return you get...so be careful. The money you earn can help you upgrade your weapons, technology, vehicle, or even buy more vehicles and attempt more missions at once. The game therefore has Sim, Puzzle, Strategy, and action elements to it. This balance of concepts will create a perfect Ghost Buster game...if execution and proper time is given to perfect the design.
Topic: New Ghostbusters game? (Read 14321 times)
