Where did it come from ?
A couple of months ago, I had the idea of testing my programming "skills" by trying to develop a short term application (given my spare time) based massively, if not exclusively, on procedural generation. I also had a few good ideas flying around in my head about a space colonisation game (probably triggered by an Alien movie marathon :) ...) and so it felt natural at the time to give it a shot.
What goals did I set myself ?
Initially, I was thinking of making a 3D game featuring procedurally generated planets, with fractal landscapes, atmosphere scattering, and all the cool effects... But then, a few seconds later, I realized how far I was from my initial simplistic and "short term" goal. I then set of to make a 2D game, and figured it would make the game more original and unsual anyway, as well as making it a lot easier to code. Again, to test my programming knowledge, I decided to settle on making a game that would be modular (allowing new assets to be added externally, support new languages, etc.), as well as small, fast and multi-platform.
What is the game about ?
My project is undergoing changes by the second, but the basic idea remains the same.
The year is 2258 and Human kind is struggling on its old wrinkled planet : Earth. As part of a global emergency project, a massive space colonial project has been initiated in order to explore the universe in search of resources and shelter.
In Biosphere, you play as the commander of one of these "missions", and have been sent to create viable settlements on non-viable planets, frequently lacking any atmosphere, and exposing your fellow settlers to harsh conditions, such as high temperatures, steep landscapes, and much more.
How does it work ?
Hopefully, the concept it quite clear. As for the actual gameplay, that is another question...
In my mind, I picture the game as featuring a 2D sliced view of a random planet with a high level of complexity, providing the player with a powerfull zoom feature. He would be able to manage his settlement from a close up view, as well as admiring his planet and its satellites from far far away (see the pictures below).
After having landed the headquarter module in the similar fashion to a lunar lander game (featuring the planets gravity, etc.), the player would see his first settlers walk around the newly formed
colony, and start building various infrastructures from solar panels to hydrogen generators and greenhouses (technology has evolved quite a bit since) in order to produce energy and food for the settlers to survive and procreate. In the meantime, the player would assign his minions with various tasks, from exploration to mining, as well as altering the planets chemistry, and try and create a viable atmosphere (hence the name : Biosphere).
Once the colony becomes self sufficient, and if an atmosphere has successfully been created, the player would be free to takeoff again and move on to another close unhabited planet.As part of upgrades and bonus for completing levels, the player would beneficiate from resources gathered in the previous planet and sent on demand, as well as special bonus buildings or resources summoned from Earth and sent in huge rockets.
The challenge and fun would remain in the diversity of the planets encountered (dry, sun exposed planet with a harsh landscape, to a flat dark icy planet), the amount of resources available initially, the choice of buildings and strategy, as well as having to deal with alien species (either animal, or plants, which would insure the planets ecosystem, meaning the players action could have disastrous unexpected consequences, similar to what happens when you wipe out the Amazon forest and worry about oxygen afterwoulds).
All in all, this game is intended to be semi-realistic, providing the player with a plausible background, but focusing more on fun, feeling, and gameplay, with a simplistic display and interface, but also fun, crazy and original buildings.
Stay sharp for the first development diary, where I will try and sum up what I have done so far as part of my prototype, and what I am currently working on...
