-Target platform: NDS.
-Use stylus as a dedicated control, not a gimmick.
-SIMPLE controls.
-Easy to pick up and play for couple minutes.
-Gameplay should be audio-oriented (think Patapon, Lumines, etc).
-Same rules for single and multiplayer (think Super Puzzle Fighter).
I've developed commercial games for NDS already, so I more or less understand what I'm tackling. The trick is - I'm gameplay programmer and designer. Usually between me and ugly world of VRAM and the like stood like a guarding angel engine, or at least high level API like SDL or XNA. First on the schedule - write a (very) simple graphics engine that will allow me to StartTopScreen2DMode() and so on.
So far I managed to get devkitPro toolchain to compile and created this awesome base for my game:
PS: Oh yeah, my graphics will be typical 'programmers art', so bear with me. Artists will come after gameplay is done ;).
PPS: Don't you like word 'developing'? I could say it all day. Developing developing developing developingdevelopingdeveloping!
Interesting first substance post, but I have a question. I've not touched the DS before as a Repolved, and I wonder just what the heck that screenshot is! Is it tall due to being both for the top and bottom screen on the DS? Does the DS automatically split it up for you? I think more explanation is in order!
Gnipolved!