Supernatural Mod -Recruiting-

[thefoofighter]

Hi,

Im looking for team members to help build a mod on the Source Engine. Supernatural will be based around the universe of the TV show Supernatural. Due to copyright infringement and other issues we cant just make a game based on Sam, Dean, the colt and the Impala but we can still make a wicked Mod based on the show.

About me.
Im 22 from Ireland and i just finished my 4th and final year in a Games development course where i picked up alot of experience in Programming,Artwork,3D modelling and Webdesign although i would like to think my primary strength is as a coder so i will assume that role for the project.

I was approached by another member of Moddb not to long ago asking to help with the audio for the mod so ive taken him on board too.

What i now need first of all before any development starts is a writer(s) and an artist(s). I know from the 4 years of study that you dont just dive into a mod and start coding, you must plan everything and more importantly document everything. I will start with the High concept document which isn't entirely needed since we are not looking for funding or publishing the game but its still an important part of the process in my opinion as it gives a broad overview of the game.

What do i know about source? Ive studied Source indepth for the last 3 years spending quite a few euro on Noesis Interactive DVD's and quite some time on the VDC. Ive made models and compiled them for the engine, ive coded a few interesting quirks and mapped a bit also. Im certainly no expert but im very familiar with the architecture.

Why Source? and not UDK,CRY? another valid question. Im not totally sure why but i have a deep love and respect for the source engine and although i know UDK and Cry are stunning for graphics i think we could achieve everything we need via Source both in functionality and Graphics.

So as i mentioned the next step is a high concept/Pitch document and then the Design document.
Before i can begin work on these i need to have a solid story and foundation that the team agrees on before development begins.

Although i would like experienced Artists, modellers, writers i will accept newcomers so long as they can accept constructive criticism and work as part of a team.

tl;dr;

Need Writers and Artists for a supernatural mod based on the TV show of the same name. all welcome.

Kind regards
Foo

[Smurftyours]

I highly suggest you reevaluate your recruitment process and come back once you have an well presented idea (A completed design document) of what you want to achieve in the mod and at least a small portion of media to prove that its not a fluke. Trust me, you don't want to be like every other person who comes here with an idea and nothing to back it up. It won't end well.

[Major Banter]

You're 22 with a games design degree? I expect a far, far superior pitch to this.

The idea is flawed and weak, lacking originality and a wide audience. There is no mention of how this is to be achieved, the style of the game - all the absolute fundamentals before you even begin writing. Who? Why? Where? When? And above all, how? Your role as coder is vital, but you have no framework to recruit within. Let me give you an example.

Let's say you're going to use magic. You have to:
-Create a design document with each of the powers, effects, balancing issues, colours etc.
-Code in the basics
-Get a 2D artist to make your textures
-Get a particle guy to handle each of the effects
-Code them in, along with any additional elements such as HUD changes
-Get custom models rigged
-Animate models
-Get your level designers to understand how the magic will impact on the environment and how they have to incorporate it, along with what's available and when.

Ideas mean nothing. Documents, facts, plans and so on mean something. Your age and education make it all the more bizarre that you haven't got these things together. I mean, the statement "High concept document which isn't entirely needed since we are not looking for funding or publishing the game" is absolutely laughable. You may as well say 'we don't need a skeleton'. It's what the entire thing is based on; build a house with no foundations and it will fall.

Ideas with more solidity than yours have suffered that. My own included.

I am not here to insult you or annoy you - I am here to help you. And the first thing you need to do is completely reconsider what you are asking and whether it is achievable. Remember, all games companies ask you to make something before they hire you. We are no different here. Words are words. Work is work. The latter means you have put heart, soul and energy into something, not just idle thought.

[DonPunch]

I don't think you guys even read this post.

He is asking for people to help him create a gdd. He is looking for people interested in this theme.

[Major Banter]

He is asking for people to help him create a gdd. He is looking for people interested in this theme.

Where's the evidence that he understands what's involved in a games design document? Why is the post full of useless information? What's the overall objective? Why should we be interested? How can we be persuaded? Where are examples of previous work to indicate it is a not a complete waste of my time to get involved?

[Epifire]

Where's the evidence that he understands what's involved in a games design document? Why is the post full of useless information? What's the overall objective? Why should we be interested? How can we be persuaded? Where are examples of previous work to indicate it is a not a complete waste of my time to get involved?

Maybe you should have asked that first. Because as far as I see it, he wants to see what people are interested in the idea. Now I know he could have come up with a design doc first, but apparently he is scouting out forums to see who is interested, or what people's opinions are.

So that being said we could ask for his prior work, and inquire on details or other things he has ideas on. Badgering some one on all the things they are doing wrong, with little concern of their actual project/idea just pushes new comers away.

Now that I have said my piece I wouldn't mind hearing from Foo, what he intends to do and where to go with the start. I personally would like to hear more.

[nub]

I get the jist of his post. He should address it more clearly though. Just saying. Not trying to badger or anything. Interlopers has always been known for its tough love but I agree that we can spare new users of it every now and then.

If you think this is rough, you should have been there during my "initiation." I still have nightmares...but I'm glad I stuck around here. One of only two online communities I actually enjoy being a part of.

[Jordash]

I'm not a big fan of Supernatural and I don't know what happens after season one, but where is the appeal in making a mod in a universe without the main characters? Why not make your own universe influenced by supernatural and other similar sources.

I know you say you are looking for a writer before you try and set anything down, but do at least have any gameplay or story ideas? Is it multiplayer or singleplayer? coop? is it a series of unrelated maps or a campaign? is it a shooter or more of an adventure game? Having those decisions made are more important than recruiting people to help you and if you have decided, tell everyone, there is no reason to keep it a secret.

[Stormy]

I usually give fellow artists a hard time when they do the whole ideas man thing, but if you're a coder I tend to give you the benefit of the doubt. Have you got any videos of stuff you've coded? That would be your best bet. It doesn't have to be anything amazing, just something that shows you have a grip on the engine.

I agree that basing it on the supernatural universe is a bad idea. Here's a tip, base it on the [url="http://www.scp-wiki.net/top-rated-pages"]SCP foundation[/url]. Then you have your universe very well planned out, a great niche audience and most of your writing handled. Also I think their community would be very happy to see another game for them.

[srredfire]

Supernatural always looked pretty cheesy in my opinion.

[vcool]

Supernatural always looked pretty cheesy in my opinion.

It's supposed to be that way. It's not a serious show. Maybe originally it was supposed to be more serious but it evolved into a black humour/satire/pop culture/homoerotica kind of thing that often makes fun of itself. I mean, the show is in the show, man!!!

Hey Spencer we should play EYE today maybe. I'll be home late though.

[MayheM]

Supernatural always looked pretty cheesy in my opinion.

Ill be honest, I always thought the same things until I watched a few episodes. The detail they put into some of the aspects of the story is really cool. The characters are well developed and it is far less geared towards teeny bopper viewers than you would think. Its on netflix, you should check out a few shows.

[thefoofighter]

Oh wow! Where to begin?
Well i suppose i should thank each of you for your interest as well as apologize for the delay in the reply as ive been all over the net with this ^^.

Anyway first items first.
Although what Major banter said cut me to the bone he is right and after re-reading what i submitted above i know i should have provided a much clearer picture of what it is im trying to accomplish here.

Those of you who mentioned that this thread was infact to get help in designing the High concept document are not wrong either. Ive sat down and read through my template design documents and tried to piece together what i know that this game will have any well it hasn't surmounted to much as of yet.

What i can tell you i know about the game is.

It will be Single player
at first it will be from the First Person point of view (possibly with an option to switch to Third)

It will be released in increments that will most likely be called chapters that will bear resemblance to Episodes from the show.
For Example you will play as the main character and you are tasked with working a case, you must gather evidence and track down the enemy and deal with it appropriately. And in a similar way to the show most chapters will play a part on the road to unveiling a greater plot/story arc.

Now these chapters i plan to release 1 each month or so after the initial release but this is of course pending on development. The reason for this development model is to protect interest in the Game such that rather than releasing the whole game as one and having interest peak and fizzle out at the same time we would keep the fans interested into following the updates. Each Chapter will be at least an hour of game play long to make it worth while.

The reason i havent drawn up a clear document to date is because of the many "unknown" factors. I certainly could spend a few days preparing one but i have no story to go by and anything i add would simply be my opinion and what I would like to see in the game. Plenty of mods and games have failed because of dictators running the show.

Anyway this here is probably the biggest issue thats prevented me from creating the document.
A:Im torn between two minds right now as to what the overall theme the game will be built on. On one side the game can be based directly on the show and include the same characters,icons and story or even just as a spinoff with plenty of references to the show.
B Or the game can be based very loosely around what the show represented (A Supernatural/paranormal hunting game) with its own Characters and story.

With A i run the risk of creating a decent game and getting a working demo out only for Warner to learn of its existence and shut it down.
Also the game is limited to those who know or are interested in Supernatural the show.
But
If we do go down that route we are writing a good story, not entirely original based around a solid foundation laid out by the show that caters for one of the most watched shows in the world using icons such as the main characters, the impala and the colt.

On the other hand with B would need an entirely original cast, story and will need to generate its own icons.
It does though provide creative freedom, Its kinda original and cant be sued by Warner.

So...
Im just not entirely sure where to go from here.
I know ive said i have a games development degree but i have no industry experience when it comes to documentation only what ive learned.

Im not even sure if i want to develop for Source anymore, The other Engines are looking quite more suitable for the world we will end up developing.

Regarding my own experience with Source i havent got a whole lot but you can view my portfolio here http://sourcemodding.com/portfolio/index.html

I'm sort of looking for guidance here as well as relative information. Ive taken on a talented young writer who im hoping will provide a creative story arc that we can work chapters into.

I think i got it all and i know it probably isnt enough Major but im trying and i appreciate your help.

Kind Regards
Foo

[Major Banter]

I am hugely impressed that you took on board what I said. Believe you me, you've taken a bigger step than many, many mods out there.

[thefoofighter]

I am hugely impressed that you took on board what I said. Believe you me, you've taken a bigger step than many, many mods out there.

Thank you.

Well im most certainly not there yet but one thing ive kept saying to myself is "if im going to do this i need to do it right" because a half arsed attempt will only get you so far and i really want to take pride in this project and say to a potential employer "Yea, I worked on that".

Anyway Now that ive got my writer we are gonna huddle and try and come up with something solid i appreciate all of your input so far.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what direction we should take?

And for the guy who asked about media. Here is an old wiki i set up a few years back when i originally envisioned the concept. Please forgive the artwork. Like i mentioned i am primarily a programmer and this would most certainly fall into the category of programmer art.

http://supernatural-source.wikispaces.com/
Have a look at the progress page.

I hope the above wiki goes down better than it did on valvetime.com It got completely ridiculed over there to the affect of having to delete the thread. The main thing i want to highlight on that wiki is the impala model which i will admit i didnt make but payed €100 for back in 2009 or 2010. I could probably model it no problem now but i bought it well before i had experience in XSI. impala

Kind regards
Foo

Ps Major: I had a look through your portfolio on carbonmade, some interesting concept sketches. The piece you wrote on team play/lone wolf issue in gameplay was well written and an interesting read.