Achievments and Progression

[Admin]

A friend recently suggested releasing a demo version of the game. I wasn't sure if the game is ready for that yet and he asked me a question that got me thinking. "Are there achievement to motivate the player?"
The answer is... not really? I guess a game like this doesn't need a sense of progression as much as other types of games, but still... it got me thinking. I realized that what motivates me most in simulation and strategy games is research, tech trees, unlocking boni. So how could I add that to Film studio Tycoon?

1. I could do it the classic way. That would mean certain options would have to be unlocked in the game. Things like script topics, 3D technology and so on.

2. After reading the newest dev blog entry for Showtime!2 a new idea came to me. I really like the concept of collectible cards that the player could use to boost certain aspects of a movie. I would like to add something like that to Film Studio Tycoon.
Cards would come in packs (of three? four? five? cards). These packs could be bought for (in-game) money, earned through certain achievements/challenges or through random events. However in the beginning these packs would only include a limited, basic choice of cards. Better cards with bigger buffs would have to be unlocked.
I did a quick brainstorming session yesterday to come up with ideas for cards. Just to give you an idea, here is a short excerpt:

Great Ensemble
Experimental Narrative
Groundbreaking Visual Effects
Stunning Cinematography
Great On-Screen-Chemistry
Deep Themes
Fresh Idea

I collected about 30 of those so far and have ideas for many more.

So... what do you guys think? is that something you would like to see? Or do you prefer a more freestyle, self-motivating gameplay?

[joe]

Personally I don't really enjoy achievements like the above. They break the immersion, especially unlocking things, whereas the cards I'd just ignore.

For me winning Emmys/Golden Globes/Oscars in game are the biggest achievement, especially if they are a challenge. That's my favourite thing about HMS.

Things like having a movie in the all time top 10 etc are part of the challenge too.

P.s. if/when you're going out with a demo, I'd happily play test for you. Have poured so many hours into Showtime and HMS (and other similar text based tycoons).

[godfather]

I also think that your game does not need cards or achievements: it will never bore because there are many things to do and combinations to try.

[Admin]

Personally I don't really enjoy achievements like the above. They break the immersion, especially unlocking things,

Would you enjoy it more without the achievement/unlocking factor? I want to find a way to implement the fact that some movie just stand out from the rest in certain aspects. Like Star Wars's special effects stood out, or Dirty Dancing's chemistry between the main actors stood out or Mementos complex narrative structure stood out. You know what I mean? I want the player to experience that. The feeling that they've created a master piece while being aware what made the movie to so great.
Maybe special events might work?

[joe]

Jan 5, 2018 20:15:53 GMT Admin said:

Personally I don't really enjoy achievements like the above. They break the immersion, especially unlocking things,

Would you enjoy it more without the achievement/unlocking factor? I want to find a way to implement the fact that some movie just stand out from the rest in certain aspects. Like Star Wars's special effects stood out, or Dirty Dancing's chemistry between the main actors stood out or Mementos complex narrative structure stood out. You know what I mean? I want the player to experience that. The feeling that they've created a master piece while being aware what made the movie to so great.
Maybe special events might work?

I know what you mean but I'd enjoy these more, as you say, passed under special events with a narrative.

i.e. the two leads of Dirty Dancing have started to date - do you arrange for them to be split up or allow it to continue? Could either lead to them staying together, but falling out mid-filming and ruining the overall film, or to great chemistry on screen if they stick together.

Maybe not best example but you know what I mean. 

Something like Memento's narrative could be achieved by allowing a writer a further six months of research, or paying for them to attend an expensive retreat etc etc

[nikitamears]

I don Mind having achievements and unlocks. Maybe just do a sandbox mode for those who doesn't like achievemebts and do a campaign mode for those who wants to unlock achievements. I assume that Awards are separated between TV Shows and Movies right? (I mean there's a Best Actor in a TV Series and there's Best Actor in a Feature Film). For tv shows maybe u need to have a certain reputation to unlock TV Networks. The more TV networks are there, the longer the player plays. Not All stars especially the A-List stars are available if ur just a start up film studio. Also I would like to ask, Can TV networks ask you to make a show for them? Or they'll offer u a script with actors, writters and directors attached to it?

[joe]

Jan 28, 2018 7:22:26 GMT nikitamears said:

I don Mind having achievements and unlocks. Maybe just do a sandbox mode for those who doesn't like achievemebts and do a campaign mode for those who wants to unlock achievements. I assume that Awards are separated between TV Shows and Movies right? (I mean there's a Best Actor in a TV Series and there's Best Actor in a Feature Film). For tv shows maybe u need to have a certain reputation to unlock TV Networks. The more TV networks are there, the longer the player plays. Not All stars especially the A-List stars are available if ur just a start up film studio. Also I would like to ask, Can TV networks ask you to make a show for them? Or they'll offer u a script with actors, writters and directors attached to it?

I personally wouldn't want that last option (networks offer us scripts) as it's quite unrealistic.

I think what might work is packaging. Certain agents will package shows which you could bid for, as in real life, like they'll attach a writer, director and perhaps a movie star all represented by their agency and sell that package.