I've been thinking about my next project. I'm not going to start anything right away but the sooner I decide on something the better, because I can carry it around in my head and gather inspiration.There are a few paths I could choose to follow and every one has some very appealing elements and something that could become a big obstacle. Some would call it "a challenge" but making games in itself is a challenge, so there is no need to make it any harder for oneself just for the sake of it.
Let's sum up:
1. Motorbikes, in 3D, old-school Road Rash-style bike races with chain and baseball bat fights while driving. Could be fun, but would require a full 3D engine and a whole new graphical style to go with that. Creating engine sounds could be fun, but extra care required to add variety so it doesn't become boring. Different play modes, split-screen multiplayer, challenges, time trials, online high-scores etc.
2. Football. Soccer, that is. Multiplayer with split screen, but also good AI absolutely essential. Already read some materials about soccer AI, could be done, but would require a sh*tload of play-testing. Not sure I'm fine with that.
3. Flying simulator. Not just flying, you fool. Shooting down enemy planes, of course. Russians, Iraqi, terrorists, alien spacecraft, whatever. Would be very fast, simple to control and easy to learn. Like F29: Retaliator in many aspects. Would probably require a terrain, city and road generator, 3D engine, AI for enemy pilots and 3D models of planes.
4. A cartoon-ish fighting game, Street Fighter style, only all characters and backgrounds would be, somehow, cut out of paper. Not sure about this one, would require massive playtesting, decent fighting AI and would probably bore me after a few weeks. Maybe a Double Dragon style game could work a little better, with less advanced AI. The sound for this one, however, could be truly hilarious by itself.
5. Hmmm.... how about a MMORPG? (Just kidding!)
6. No no no, wait. I got it. I now have my super-secret upcoming project! Codename: Project 6.