Survivor: Mars



Very poor mockup of the main game view. That clip art is wonderful isn't it? Really puts to shame my actual artistic ability. Note to self, use more clip art and less self.

What I want for my game is to be a strategy simulation type, where you manage a mars mission. It obviously fits the theme, because these scientists on the mission do not get a return trip. We are colonizing mars! The catch of course, is the only way to fund such a mission is to turn it into a reality tv series. You will have to balance personalities and various psychoses in the crew, the ratings and revenue the program generates, and the actual health of the crew members and the mission. Low ratings? Encourage a love triangle or put someone in danger. Is someone's ego really becoming a problem which might jeapordize the mission? Put them out the airlock!

I like the idea, but as usual I have no idea how it will actually be a game. I'm going to spend most of tomorrow writing a design document, in as much detail as I can. I tend to do very little solid planning for my games, while tackling somewhat experimental ideas. I'm going to try to devote the planning this needs to come up with something that's actually playable. I'm also open to suggestions if anyone has some concrete elements to add.

Sidenote: why am I so obsessed with games where little people are involved? My early exposure to House on a Disk, otherwise known as little computer people, may have something to do with it.

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Hey, that is my idea! Except for the tv-show, that's a really cool idea. I guess it will be hard to implement the personalities and social interaction. Good luck!
Oh yes, the mars colonisation theme! I like it. I've been wanting to make a colonization strategy one day, until I found out about Space Colony ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm2JyJNfV9M ) - they did a better job there then I would ever have :)
Maybe you can draw some inspiration there.
TV show mars colony...

Sounds fun. Is the deal that you have to build enough to get off?
I have not yet thought of what the end state will be. Hmm, goal of game - not get fired. Another option is to last long enough for the resupply team to arrive, and then be scored on how successful the colony is at that point. Maybe there should be a show you are competing with, and the goal is actually to ensure you are the number 1 show be the end of the season? I haven't really decided yet, I'm still in brainstorm stage.