Hello everyone, my name is Aidan, and I am pretty new here. I am a student of game design, and some friends and I discussed the merits and flaws of designing a game that plays two or three different ways, different control schemes, different game mechanics, genres, the whole nine yards. Some games have nudged this a little, such as the japanese RPG Persona 3, while a dungeon crawling RPG at heart, it has large segments that feel a lot like a japanese dating sim. These conversation based segments still had an effect on the monster fighting portions. But in the end this is more of a case of two genres blended together into one, rather than two disticnt experiences. This led us to wonder how different you could make the two genres and still create a cohesive game experience. Ideas were thrown around of RTS/RPGs, and Action/Strategy RPGs, or Strategy FPS, with random thoughts on how to create one game experience, but keep the two gameplay styles distinct. Then I came to think, what is the one genre that is so different from any others, it requires its own custom controller? Thats right, Music games, such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Thusly I proposed a game that was part adventure, part Guitar Hero, about a would be rock guitarist and his reach for the top. It was of course mentioned that many people may not want to switch controllers throughout the game, some people loved the idea, others... not so much. We discussed how the adventure portion of the game wold work and how it would affect the musical portions. From that came a single page high concept and a more in depth design doc I am creating now. This is the one page concept, let me know what you think, not only of my idea, but of the whole idea of creating a game with two gameplay styles, or genres, combined, not blended into one, but kept as separate experiences. So You Wanna be a Rock Star? Genre: Music/Adventure Players: 1-2 Platforms: X360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PC Rating: T for Teen Concept: With the groundbreaking success of Rock Band and the Guitar Hero series music and games have started a new relationship, “So You Wanna be a Rock Star?” takes the experience to a whole new level. Experience the life of a rising rock star, put the band together, practice, do odd jobs to make enough money for new gear, plays big gigs, meet the right people and get famous! Overview: “So You Wanna…” is a game that plays like no other. It will be playable with the controller only but will be best played when utilizing the popular guitar controllers in over 500,000 homes. You play as an aspiring rock guitarist, hoping to hit it big! During the adventure portions of the game it will be played with the standard controller. It will be built like a small open world-like scenario, with places to go to make money, spend money, and of course find and play gigs. You will also have adversaries throughout the town that may want to challenge you, either to a fist-fight or other competitions. These activities, as well as the odd jobs, affect your stats which in turn affect your ability to do the jobs, as well as play on stage. When it is time to play a gig or practice, it is time to switch to the guitar controller (which can be connected as player 2 for convenience), and the game plays just like a Guitar Hero/Rock Band clone, with different ranking and song unlocking systems. The game will not ship with a guitar controller; just take advantage of the current ownership of the products. As long as no exclusivity is given the publishers of the guitar controllers should have no problems. Also these segments of the game can be joined by another player on bass, with either a standard or guitar controller signed in as player 3. However the second player can do nothing outside of a practice/gig. It would be a great opportunity to have some original music made, or select a local/indy band and use their songs to represent the in-game bands “original” songs to play alongside licensed “cover” songs. Key Features: • Get more use out of that expensive guitar controller. • Play “original” songs as well as awesome well known covers! • Takes the experience of becoming a rock star to whole new levels. • Customize the look of your character with plenty of different clothes and accessories. • Depending on the co-operation of Harmonix/EA, the gig segments could be played with the drums or microphone as well. Sorry if this post is super massive, I just wanted to explain the scenario that led to the birth of this idea. [Edited by - AGreen on April 21, 2008 5:28:34 PM]

This is an interesting concept. I do have concern that the switching of controllers will be a real bitch though. I remember when I had my joystick and was flying planes in the old BF1942 using it. It just wasn't practical on the ground though. It was really annoying having to shift in and out, especially when you had to do it fast.

hehe exactly what I was thinking. I have this funny vision of this full leather wearing, all sorts of body parts studded with chromed steel, long black hair rocker walking around this Spyro-esque world and having random rock battles with the innocent creatures who just look scared poopless.

Cool, thanks for the feedback guys!
I agree about the controller switching thing, and it does say in the document that the game is playable entirely on the standard controller, but is compatable with the guitar ones as well.
I for one would have no problems switching up controllers, so long as the switch was never sprung on me and I always had some advance notice to get ready.
But I sure can understand not wanting to have to go through the trouble.

Would you guys be interested in seeing the final Concept doc when it's done?

Depends if you're nice enough to finish it while I'm concious. If I'm unconcious I won't be so interested, but between the hours of 1pm and 2pm I should be vaguely aware of my surroundings. :P