Trojans, Achaeans And The Gods

7th May 2010

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

The gods are back and they are looking for a fight.

Abstract
A multiplayer mod concept, with loose historical references and a novel way of managing respawning

Over 3000 years ago Zeus and the other Gods caused the death of thousands of warriors in a siege of Troy.

The year is 2879 and New Troy is once again the site of pure carnage.

Idea Background

I first consciously thought of this idea when I was corresponding with a mod developer about another MP idea. I started thinking about how spawning could be incorporated into a game or mod design from the outset rather than designers and players simply accepting the fact it happens.

I have little doubt that it has been done and maybe even this idea too, but as regular readers will know I don´t play MP games or mods.

Of course, we all suspend a certain amount of belief when we plays games and accept things that we wouldn´t normally e.g. how can Gordon Freeman carry so many weapons?. However, the respawning feature has been one that always bugged me.

Concept Overview

Basically, the player is a hero from Homer´s The Illiad and fights against other humans and bots at the same time. Various Gods protect them, depending on the hero they play as.

The setting is obviously Sci-Fi and doesn´t have to be limited to one particular location. The idea of a New Troy could produce a wide range of locations within the city, so that shouldn´t be a problem. Open plaza areas, underground transit tunnels, spires with spiral staircases, industrial sections etc etc.

Respawning

Just as the player is about to die, the God or Goddess that favours them performs some miracle and plucks them to safety. They will effectively have die as far as the mod’s stats are concerned but they will be transported to a new area and return after a few moments. Since dying and being respawnined is so ingrained within gaming, maybe the player is actually killed but brought back to life. The effect is the same, the player “killing” them gets their kill and any other benefit the mod transfers.

Humans AND bots?

The mod would feature both human players and bots. The stories of old, including The Illiad, mention the heroes as well as the soldiers. The soldiers always outnumber the heroes by hundreds to one and this might work in this setting. The bots would be slower and much easier to kill than humans but provide “Honor” that could be redeemed for extra amour or stronger weapons.

They would also be a tactical element because you may have limited control over some soldiers near you and they can be used as defensive items or even distraction against your true enemies; the other heroes.

Artistic and Weapons

I am not suggesting a mod with spears and shields. New Troy is set in the future and the artistic design and be interpreted in many interesting ways. The same for the weapons. The Illiad and Troy should be used as subtle inspiration not accurate historical references. The only thing I would say is that long distance kills should be very rare, this should be an up-close-and-personal mod.

All Yours

Well, there you have it. Do what you will with it.

5 Comments

  1. Grey Acumen

    I’d like some more clarification of the humans and bots section. What I’m getting from it right now is:

    the “hero” players will be fighting by themselves, while non-“hero” players will have the assistance of bots. The fact that non-“hero” players have the assistance of bots is balanced by the fact that they aren’t the best AIs, and when “heros” kill the bots they get points that go towards upgrades which will make them stronger.

    The idea that combat should be close range is difficult to do when you’re dealing with a cyberpunk world. So while I like the concept, I’m having trouble visualizing how that part would be achieved. Theoretically something like lightsabers and maybe electrified gauntlets might work, but I’m assuming that that the Trojan element should be incorporated into the weapons as well.

    1. the “hero” players will be fighting by themselves, while non-“hero” players will have the assistance of bots. The fact that non-“hero” players have the assistance of bots is balanced by the fact that they aren’t the best AIs, and when “heros” kill the bots they get points that go towards upgrades which will make them stronger

      Every human player IS a hero. The bots are just fodder to provide a possible tactical element and “honour” (points) for upgrades.

      1. Grey Acumen

        so everyone is fighting everyone, killing a human gets you actual score points while NPCs get you points towards upgrades?

  2. Joure

    Hmmm, actually, Quake 3 arena had something in their backs tory that dealt with the fact the player or bots could respawn. Basically as far as I can remember these alien gods or whatever created the eternal arena and forced their gladiators to fight an eternal battle. Basically they couldn’t die and always returned to the battle ground over and over and over…

    The idea is quite interesting to have another feasable explanation for it to happen. Thats why I prefer the once your down you have to sit it out and hope your team mates win the fight aproach in mp games, IF I play them, which I hardly do.

    1. Kyouryuu

      There are some things that need no explanation, for any attempt at rational explanation is destined to sound goofier than just ignoring it.

      And yes, I am talking about Unreal Tournament 3’s ridiculously bizarre and all-too-serious explanation for Capture the Flag! X)

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