Dragon Age: Origins - An Idea

[Beskar]

Mabari War Hound is called Centurion.

Anyway, the Warden is a female, in the official comic.

[Secura]

In this game, the Warden will be female; whomsoever has the fortune of getting the character will have a small choice in the customisation of it, principally race and class. I'm still working that part out. I'd really appreciate input for this game; Beskar told me it was attempting to be too flashy and would end up confusing, so feedback on that would help me refine things.

The Mabari Warhound was always going to be a character, and has been customary for me since I started playing DA, it will be called Beskie.

[Niklas]

This sounds like a very nice idea.

I'd really appreciate input for this game; Beskar told me it was attempting to be too flashy and would end up confusing, so feedback on that would help me refine things.

I've looked over the rules, and I really like what I see so far. That said, Beskar's warning is fair and valid. You should make sure that abilities and items are balanced for this game, not strive to make it true to the original. That's the number one pitfall when designing a game based around your favorite setting, whatever that setting may be. Be sure that you have a set of core rules for this game that works out well, and then worry about how to map those rules back to the setting.

As I said, I think there are several very interesting ideas from your rules. Ability upgrades/character specializations is a really cool idea, complex personal goals is a must for any RPG-esque mafia game. I also like the idea of using Bodahn Feddic as a neutral auction.

Two things I'm less certain about. The hit points mechanic seems a bit complex for a mafia game, is there any reason it cannot be simplified down to a vitality stat like the one ATPG uses in Resident Evil? You could still call it hit points. Also, story-wise I would think it somewhat weird if there was an Archdemon hidden among the characters. Archdemons tend to be quite hard to miss after all... I think Beskar is right in that regard, about trying to make it more epic/flashy than it really needs to be. How about making the mafia some different faction that is still humanoid? A blood mage cabal perhaps? I realize that makes the Warden less of an obvious protagonist though, but a full Blight isn't really a subtle threat that lends itself well to a mafia game methinks.

[Secura]

You should make sure that abilities and items are balanced for this game, not strive to make it true to the original. That's the number one pitfall when designing a game based around your favorite setting, whatever that setting may be. Be sure that you have a set of core rules for this game that works out well, and then worry about how to map those rules back to the setting.

The abilities were generally the standard mafia faire with fancy names relating to the game, mixed in with some skills that add resistance to certain attacks and such; a mechanic I saw utilised in Sigurd's Star Wars game and really liked.

As for items, they were generally to affect incoming and outgoing attacks or increase health and such. Those would obviously need changing if I removed the health system.

Ability upgrades/character specializations is a really cool idea

I wanted something that would keep players interested whether they were the Grey Warden or just Darkspawn; a motivational tool to not just sit back and lurk through the game.

complex personal goals is a must for any RPG-esque mafia game.

I totally agree.

I've played and replayed the game repeatedly to come up with personal goals for every single character; some of them are straight emulation of the game (companions, for example), while others are related to background or circumstances.

Needless to say, everyone would be playing as a proper character rather than "Generic Orzammar Guard #18" and such. :3

I also like the idea of using Bodahn Feddic as a neutral auction.

And Sandal, naturally... :P

The hit points mechanic seems a bit complex for a mafia game, is there any reason it cannot be simplified down to a vitality stat like the one ATPG uses in Resident Evil? You could still call it hit points.

This mechanic was considered because I wanted to try to mirror the kinda epic feel that the game has, which would be taken away if the Archdemon was a role and ended up lynched... game over, technically.

There were meant to be several things in place to stop the Archdemon role from being one-shotted, including it's HP, the fact only a handful of roles could deal the finishing blow, it's general resistance to damage... >.<

Also, story-wise I would think it somewhat weird if there was an Archdemon hidden among the characters. Archdemons tend to be quite hard to miss after all... I think Beskar is right in that regard, about trying to make it more epic/flashy than it really needs to be. How about making the mafia some different faction that is still humanoid? A blood mage cabal perhaps?

This was a major problem I had; I wanted to include the High Dragon, Broodmother and Archdemon (the latter two in particular were going to be very important roles), but their sheer size doesn't really lend well in terms of a mafia-esque storyline.

There's plenty of other characters that work out fine, it's just getting them into a setting that would work in terms of narrative, which in some cases (Dalish or Dwarven characters, for example), might be tough. >.<

I realize that makes the Warden less of an obvious protagonist though, but a full Blight isn't really a subtle threat that lends itself well to a mafia game methinks.

Well, a Warden can be a hero in any setting, really... :P

[Centurion1]

You name your mabari Beskar too!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats so exciting great minds think alike.

good i want to take a screenshot now.

[Beskar]

I named mine Centurion out of affection. You did yours as an OMGUS.

[Double A]

Mabari War Hound is called Centurion.

Anyway, the Warden is a female, in the official comic.

I didn't think Morrigan was bisexual though...

In this game, the Warden will be female; whomsoever has the fortune of getting the character will have a small choice in the customisation of it, principally race and class. I'm still working that part out. I'd really appreciate input for this game; Beskar told me it was attempting to be too flashy and would end up confusing, so feedback on that would help me refine things.

SEXISM!!!!1111111

This sounds like a very nice idea.

I've looked over the rules, and I really like what I see so far. That said, Beskar's warning is fair and valid. You should make sure that abilities and items are balanced for this game, not strive to make it true to the original. That's the number one pitfall when designing a game based around your favorite setting, whatever that setting may be. Be sure that you have a set of core rules for this game that works out well, and then worry about how to map those rules back to the setting.

As I said, I think there are several very interesting ideas from your rules. Ability upgrades/character specializations is a really cool idea, complex personal goals is a must for any RPG-esque mafia game. I also like the idea of using Bodahn Feddic as a neutral auction.

Two things I'm less certain about. The hit points mechanic seems a bit complex for a mafia game, is there any reason it cannot be simplified down to a vitality stat like the one ATPG uses in Resident Evil? You could still call it hit points. Also, story-wise I would think it somewhat weird if there was an Archdemon hidden among the characters. Archdemons tend to be quite hard to miss after all... I think Beskar is right in that regard, about trying to make it more epic/flashy than it really needs to be. How about making the mafia some different faction that is still humanoid? A blood mage cabal perhaps? I realize that makes the Warden less of an obvious protagonist though, but a full Blight isn't really a subtle threat that lends itself well to a mafia game methinks.

CFC has more complex crap than us, and they get along fine. May be due to the 40 posts per page, though.

Also, the AD could have transmogrified himself. Like how in Koopa Troop, my cover role was bigger than my actual role, only reversed.

Or he could be pulling a Harbinger, mind controlling some mook during the day, and he go out and kill someone at night.