The planning stage is probably the longest and most important part of the entire project, and will decide if this becomes more than a hobby for me.
Anyway, so I'll let you in on the concrete ideas I have so far:
It will be browser based, and the server side processing will be in PHP (utilizing the CodeIgniter framework), database with mySQL (of course), and javascript utilizing jQuery for interactive features. Still up in the air - Some aspects of the game may require Flash and/or Java.
The setting is high fantasy, allowing for a unique world wherein amazing races, technology and the like can exist.
Upon account activation/creation: Players can create a character, and then choose whether they want it to be a worker or adventurer. This way there is a clear distinction between crafting, gathering, etc, and adventuring, battling, etc. Workers choose a profession, and advance by playing mini-games that are only available to their profession. Adventurers start off without a class, simply called Adventurers, and advance in the typical experience method, quests, killing etc.
That brings us to Adventuring classes, after X amount of levels (a tutorial period if you will) players will be given some class choices. A lot of this is still subject to change (as stated above), but I want there to be a large number of class choices, branching paths etc. with varying abilities. I also want to make sure there is a clear distinction between lower tier classes (IE, Initiate is a low tier magic using class, that may grow over time into higher tiered classes like the Necromancer). That way, as the character grows, their class truly becomes more epic, at the bottom fighting simple wolves, to the top destroying demonic overlords.
Another idea I have up in the air is a Family system. This basically is unique to every player account. Say a user creates an account, and is brought to a dashboard, with a family selection screen. They'll have, say 3, slots for creating a Family. Each family created can belong to a faction, so that every character created within that family is a member of that faction. Family's could share a player house, and share moneys (maybe?). One thing that's unique to this concept is it allows a new aspect for workers. Say your family has a few workers, and depending on their profession and level, they bring in a certain amount of in-game moneys per week (discontinued if the player hasn't logged on in awhile). In-game shops can be set up for a portion of that weekly money. I dunno, once again this feature is still being debated.
I'll leave you guys with that, let me know what you think, any suggestions are appreciated. And let me know if you'd like to be a part of the brainstorming process.
