A working brainstorming session for a game in 4 days project.

Game in 4 Days

Goals (goal):
1 - Addictive Game to be made in four days w/ networking

Metrics (metric):
1 - Show off ability
2 - hone skills
3 - increase personal visibility
4 - *Start donation chain

Basic Strategy (direction):
1 Choose simple gameplay that is fun on its own
2 Work w/ simple readily available resources
3 *Create gameplay that makes players want to get their friends involved
4 Leave room for improvement in version 2.0
5 Keep it simple. Plan for feature creep
6 Wow from the start
7 Plan for user generated content in version 2
8 Capitalize on previously successful strategies

Previously successful strategies (strategy):
1) Developer Present in Game
2) Community Involvement in development process. Development responsive to feedback.
3) Strong social component to actual gameplay.
4) Responsive user controls.
5) Consistent & simple interface
6) Game Balance
7) Strong Tactical Component
8) Strong Cooperative Component
9) Thematic Consistency
a) Lots of Content

Constraints:
1 - From Goal: The game world will be run on a centralized server. Clients will connect via a normal browser. All players will play in the same world.
2 - From strategy 3, 7, and 8: The time players spend on the same "screen" is to be maximized.
3 - From strategy 8, and 3: No antagonism. No Player vs. Player.
4 - From direction 1 and strategy 4: Action based gameplay.


Ideas for Gameplay mechanics and including fun things for all four player types:
Gameplay Mechanics:
Combat
Building
Farming
Exploring
Advancing from point a to b.
Resource Gathering
Item Creation
Terrain Manipulation

Explore:
Travel
Search
Treasure Hunt
Get past barriers

Achievers:
Build stuff
- Houses
- Farms
- Tiny "castles"
Get stuff:
- Equipment
- Animals
Level Up
'Achievements'

Socializers:
Chat Box
A "pub" (Tavern)
Party System
"Public" Map