How many ways can you make a town different?

AJ · 2004-06-02T19:06:41

If you want to feel like the towns you''re traveling to in an RPG are different, what are some ways that they can be varied? I''m looking for meaningful, not simply graphical ways-- things that impact your game. Here''s a couple: Crime level - How dangerous it is to walk down the streets at night (or in the day). This could cover how many incidents of various types of theft, robbery and murder you''re subject to. Towns could be known for covert theft, such as pickpocketing, or overt theft, such as thugs who mug you Items available - What you can and can''t buy gives a town alot of flavor, especially if it''s a matter of illegal goods Services available - Whether or not a town has a hospital or weapons outfitter can really impact your game. If services have a quality level, then this adds texture and flavor (such as a hospital that can resurrect a dead character versus one that can only heal minor wounds; or a spaceport that can do a complete overhaul versus one that can only spot repair a few hit points) Any other ways to meaningfully make towns different? -------------------- Just waiting for the mothership...

Game Design and Theory Game Design

Started by Wavinator May 30, 2004 01:45 AM

19 comments, last by Wavinator 19 years, 10 months ago

irbrian

130

June 02, 2004 07:06 PM

Every town has a history that impacts everything from layout of buildings to social dynamic. Regarding layout specifically: A town that sprung up around a new mine 100 years ago might have a lot of low quality buildings sprawled haphazardly around the mine site; a town on a river is likely to be spread most thickly along the river banks, and if there''s no bridge, one side is likely to be much more clustered than the other. There are many more examples but I''m out of time.

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Brian Lacy
ForeverDream Studios

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How many ways can you make a town different?

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How many ways can you make a town different?

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