Game Ideas you don't want to talk about [Archive]

spmwinkel

01-22-2009, 10:46 AM

I have an idea about topics that I don't really understand the point of. I wouldn't mind those topics getting stolen. ;-)

Just kidding. What would you like to achieve in this topic? Gathering people who also have an idea but don't want to talk about it? (Which wouldn't make sense, I think)
Or are you looking for developers who can help you creating the game? Then you might have better picked a better topic title. :)

PoV

01-22-2009, 10:47 AM

Until the prototype is up and running, I wouldn't bet on any idea.

wastedyuthe

01-22-2009, 10:54 AM

So let me get this straight- you want to talk about games that we don't actually want to talk about?

Hmmm. What's wrong here?

Vende

01-22-2009, 11:13 AM

What an odd topic.

RedStaR

01-22-2009, 11:49 AM

Hi folks,

I have a great game idea for a puzzle game, but I don't want to talk about it... because I don't want the idea to get stolen...

what about you guys?

cheers,
brof

I don't think you have to worry about anyone stealing your puzzle game idea.

I'd rather not have to wait for good games to be released because we have to wait for a puzzle game to get approved.

Long story short....I think you should keep that puzzle game to yourself...& by yourself I mean on your phone only

nickels

01-22-2009, 12:06 PM

I have an idea for a "sport" game that hasn't been done on any platform yet. It would earn whoever makes it a ton of money. It would be perfect for the iPhone - it would use the accelerometer and multi-touch to play it. It could be multiplayer, and it has so many ways on being updated and enhanced. It would have ads in it for revenue but not where it bothers the person seeing the ad.

I have an idea for some alternate sport titles that haven't been made on any platform. They are for small niche groups so they probably wouldn't sell great. The control that I have thought up for these games would make them worth playing for non-fans.

I have an idea for a game that is not so much a game as a relaxing artform that would appeal to kids and creative types. It has never been done on any system to date. The idea is so good I wish I could sell it!

Too bad I don't know how to code. Too bad my artwork sills are still being worked on and I am not far enough to do my own 3D graphics (yet). Too bad I don't have spare money to hire people to create these games for me. Someday I am going to make someone a lot of money, hopefully some of it spills over into my pocket.

I know this thread is a joke, but I am not kidding.

fairlady

01-22-2009, 01:03 PM

Funny responses so far. If I were asked for advice on whom to tell, here's what I'd say:
1. Tell your family and friends. But then don't listen to them when they say it's a great idea, because they'll say that about almost any idea you have, because they like you.
2. Don't tell your ex-friend who is a speedy iPhone developer.
3. Tell your acquaintances who have iPhones and regularly play puzzle games (but who are not devs). If they rave about it, then develop the game.
I guess it's a good thing no one has asked me for advice on this. ;)

BulletDev

01-22-2009, 01:30 PM

If we don't want to discuss them, then what's the point of this thread :P

I have many though, they just need some thought.

HouseTreeRobot

01-22-2009, 02:50 PM

I don't wanna talk about it.

brof

01-22-2009, 03:21 PM

thanks for your responses... I am a little paranoid about that puzzle game :)

but actually I am working on it at the moment, building a prototype for PC (but I can't show it for obvious reasons)...

just wanted to know if some other folks feel the same paranoia about their ideas... that puzzle game is pretty fleshed out, but I can't give away the mechanics... yet.

I make an example: if my idea would have been to put together RPG elements with Bejeweled, Spells, Experience points, how you match gems to gather mana and so on... I could not share ...

really I feel some kind of paranoia :rolleyes:

but I think there are more devs with paranoia out there...

cheers,
brof

Mew2468

01-22-2009, 03:46 PM

I am working on an app that I don't want to talk about. I would tell you the idea, but I don't want to talk about it. Too bad :p.

What exactly is the point of this thread?

wildmatt

01-22-2009, 03:56 PM

I'd love to code for the iPod Touch but I don't have an Apple and don't even know what code it uses... I know HTML, C++, VBasic, PHP, CGI, CSS.... I got an idea for an iPhone game, it's a PSP game ripoff but damn I'd love to make it if I could.

I already have it half assed done (in VB) as a high school program from a couple years back. It's basically the Killzone PSP game for PC, but I could see it work on the iDevices.

brof

01-22-2009, 04:12 PM

What exactly is the point of this thread?

Paranoia

mjonesgraphics

01-23-2009, 07:37 PM

Yup! ;)

Mark
http://www.mjonesgraphics.com

Hi folks,

I have a great game idea for a puzzle game, but I don't want to talk about it... because I don't want the idea to get stolen...

what about you guys?

cheers,
brof

DHrox

01-23-2009, 09:30 PM

>>Looks over shoulder<< Hey, check this out guys. Oh, sorry, I can't 'cuz it's a secret....:p

Mew2468

01-23-2009, 10:35 PM

Paranoia

Ahh. I'm kinda....para-......-noid......:eek:*runs away*

brof

01-13-2010, 09:08 AM

I got a new idea, but I can't tell you about it. But my last game idea is now done. Check out the thread, finally I can talk about it. What a relief LOL

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=40778

cheers,
brof

Dylan1696

01-13-2010, 09:28 AM

brof

01-13-2010, 09:32 AM

shhh, you are not supposed to discuss game ideas here :D

Stroffolino

01-13-2010, 10:21 AM

Such a funny thread!

It's easy to get paranoid and be tempted to keep tight-lipped when one comes up with what they think is a new/novel idea.

But for every good idea, the chances are good that someone else has already thought of it. I've had friends come to me with "great ideas" only to have me point them to an existing app that already does exactly what they describe.

And don't forget that execution is just as important as an idea, if not more so. Flight Control is remembered by most folk as bsing the first line-drawing game, but in reality it's really the first successful one.

Amelia

01-13-2010, 10:26 AM

Personally, even if you didn't talk about it, someone might make it anyways. And if you did, there would be no telling that someone else would do it (maybe no one else would think it's as cool as you do) and/or do it faster.
Paranoia is a waste of time and energy. You're much better off putting your energy into making the game instead of talking about how paro you are.

Good luck!

Dylan1696

01-13-2010, 10:44 AM

I'm gonna make a puzzle game called "Paranoid" and it will have music by Ozzy Osbourne singing the song with the same name! Thanks for the idea!

Ha! Just kidding!

CommanderData

01-13-2010, 10:56 AM

Considering it took you just a week or two shy of an *entire year* to finish that game and put it in the app store, perhaps there was some justification for your paranoia... ;)

brof

01-13-2010, 01:09 PM

Considering it took you just a week or two shy of an *entire year* to finish that game and put it in the app store, perhaps there was some justification for your paranoia... ;)

I had the game running after 3 month, but I did not like it at all... I took a hefty break (did Avoid Hitting Piano), after that break I threw away alot of the generic art assets, added a second hidden, secret game mode (paranoia? yes)
and so on...

Paranoia is my second nature, that is how I roll, does not cost me energy at all... execution is as important as to have a vision... I got a couple of ideas in my scetch book, but I can't talk about it now. maybe 2011 ....:D

cheers

Vingdoloras

01-13-2010, 01:21 PM

Hi folks,

I have a great game idea for a puzzle game, but I don't want to talk about it... because I don't want the idea to get stolen...

what about you guys?

cheers,
brof

I have an idea for an utility that bases on a quite simple ... idea (lol ok idea based on an idea... nice :D).

The idea MY idea is based on has already been used a bit, but my idea adds enhancements to that thing that no dev of these already existing apps has ever thought of...
It also bases on an easily updatable concept...

(btw, I don't get the sense of this thread... all I said is "I have an idea", which is not very special amoung us humans, right? :D)

brof

01-13-2010, 01:25 PM

well, when your idea is safe and out of danger, then you can share it here (my idea is now safe, the game is released), so do the same please. but keep your unfinished ideas secret at all costs

:-)

MindJuice

01-13-2010, 02:00 PM

Ideas aren't worth much on their own. I've got over 60 ideas for iPhone games and apps. Most of them are "pretty good" in my opinion and some are really cool (again in my opinion).

Execution is what matters. Get it implemented and get it polished.

Also, as has been pointed out in previous threads on this same topic, if your idea is truly different and unique, others are less likely to copy it because it hasn't been shown as a successful game formula yet.

By the way, from the way you've worded your posts in this thread, I've figured out what your puzzle game idea is and I am nearly done implementing it. You probably should have just kept quiet.

ElectricGrandpa

01-13-2010, 02:18 PM

I make an example: if my idea would have been to put together RPG elements with Bejeweled, Spells, Experience points, how you match gems to gather mana and so on... I could not share ...

I'm just gonna mention that this sounds exactly like Gyromancer from Popcap and Square Enix :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaP0mo2x0Y0

brof

01-13-2010, 02:51 PM

that was just an example, of course.

By the way, from the way you've worded your posts in this thread, I've figured out what your puzzle game idea is and I am nearly done implementing it. You probably should have just kept quiet.

too bad for you, because I am already out with it as you can see in my signature :p

MindJuice

01-13-2010, 03:29 PM

too bad for you, because I am already out with it as you can see in my signature :p

LOL...I didn't notice the thread was a year old!

Now that it's out, what, in your opinion makes this idea so amazing that you had to keep it a secret?

I really can't tell anything about the game from the screenshots.

brof

01-13-2010, 03:37 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StogFZMaCjQ

maybe this helps?

psionic

01-13-2010, 03:43 PM

i'm making a foot racing game about a doctor that really needs to get to a patient that needs an organ transplant.

watch for it :)

MindJuice

01-13-2010, 04:31 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StogFZMaCjQ

maybe this helps?
Hmmmmm...not sure what to say. I've watched both videos, read your app description and looked at all screenshots.

I honestly still don't have the slightest idea what your game is about, how to play it, the goals or anything really.

Why are there flashing white squares over the artwork? Why is the artwork slowly changing? Why are you trying to turn some of the white squares to red. What is that white line that turns them from red to green? It seems like most of the time you touched the screen nothing happened. Once in a while touching would change a square to red.

Also, why are there butterflies and pears on the other game screen?

Sorry, if this sounds negative, but your app really confuses me, especially since you were so secretive about it.

MindJuice

01-13-2010, 04:34 PM

i'm making a foot racing game about a doctor that really needs to get to a patient that needs an organ transplant.

watch for it :)
I thought I just read about an app like that. Maybe it was you in another thread?

Sounds funny.:) As a counterpoint to brof's game, I already have a good idea what your game is about and I can imagine a couple of ways it might be played.

eJayStudios

01-13-2010, 04:38 PM

I have no ideas, but I'm still paranoid.. :p

brof

01-13-2010, 04:46 PM

It seems like most of the time you touched the screen nothing happened

yeah, that happened cause I was fighting with holding the camera steady and looking through the camera onto the game... so I could not touch very well

the flashing squares and the white line are the side game (As Slow As Possible) to the Main game... the rules for the side game are secret. They have to be explored by the player.

The main game is basically Scrabble and Domino mixed but with colors instead of letters ... the Butterflys help you to save moves, score points, fill your XP bar...

the game is discussed here
http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=40778

if you want a promo code, PM me... let me know your thoughts...

cheers,

Dylan1696

01-13-2010, 04:58 PM

(btw, I don't get the sense of this thread... all I said is "I have an idea", which is not very special amoung us humans, right? :D)

Just keep this thread going until next monday and then you can say "I Have a Dream." Martin Luther King Day (which is very special among us humans)

tblrsa

01-13-2010, 05:17 PM

Oh i have some ideas, pity i´m no coder and i haven´t time to learn it at this very moment. But someday, yeah someday, who knows...

All my ideas are containing strategies which involve looking at a common game mechanic from a different angle. I don´t wanna say more, so i bet i´m spot on with this threads topic. ;)

brof

01-13-2010, 05:31 PM

yes, tabula rasa. Keep it secret... you got it right.

ylyu5

01-13-2010, 08:05 PM

Probably most of the game developers here might have faced the same symptoms. We all have plenty of great idea in our brain(or in our sketch book). It is always exciting to get someone appreciate our idea.

But exposure of the great ideas might be copied by someone. If that "someone" make the game before we do, we might lost the chance to give the first impulse to App Store. This is what we worrying about.
Therefore we always have to struggle between sharing and keeping secret. It is very pain to choose either one of the choice, actually I always have to face the problem.....:p

maybe you can try adding a tagline "Please don't copy my idea" in front your idea. But I don't guarantee the outcome....:)

Sinecure Industries

01-13-2010, 09:38 PM

So... is the puzzle game trying to figure out what the puzzle game is? Anyone ever see The Game with Michael Douglas?

brof

01-14-2010, 01:54 AM

@ylyu5

right, I wan't to share ideas and talk about them, but I can't ... because you always think that you have gaming gold in your mind....

cheers,

M of IMAK

01-14-2010, 08:27 AM

When we started developing iPhone apps, it was partly to develop a really awesome and huge game idea - suffice it to say that upon release, this game will literally be earth shaking with billions of people playing a role in it all over the world. We have now been working on this idea for almost two years, continuously, every day in the back of our minds and while we sleep. We've discussed parts of the idea with a few very close friends, but never the entirety of the idea with anyone. Even within our team, no one of us knows the complete idea. This is to prevent one of us from taking the idea for their own and leaving the rest of us in the cold. Why do I share this great idea with you now? Because that's what this thread is about - sharing great game ideas. How we came up with them (standing in line looking at all the people buying an iPhone), how we refined them (noticing how the world is filled with lots of people who will eventual all know someone with an iPhone), and how we turned them in to the awesome game that they were destined to become (through what I'm sure will be another year or more of caffeine-induced days and sleepless nights). Of course, I'm sure everyone understands that I can't post my game artwork (since there isn't any) or a description of the game (ideas are fluid, and I don't know the complete picture), and I've already put too much in this post that I'm afraid a few folks may have figured out that the game is a MMORPG Oops, dang-it! how do you edit posts, I didn't mean to say that aj248pbvpdp32ujquepiofqu2v 0uf ajkfd fsdjk afdsj0[92ijorqef=39 alf[09;j1 qf u[19 to;gjv;a] fjkal-pjf afdsjlj-2jnkh;x afl

brof

01-14-2010, 08:43 AM

that's the reason I work alone :D I can't trust fellow programmers. They are worse than KGB spies...

/takes a look behind his shoulder

Dylan1696

01-15-2010, 10:27 AM

Hi folks,

I have a great game idea for a puzzle game, but I don't want to talk about it... because I don't want the idea to get stolen...

I am a little paranoid about that puzzle game :)

but actually I am working on it at the moment, building a prototype for PC (but I can't show it for obvious reasons)...

just wanted to know if some other folks feel the same paranoia about their ideas... that puzzle game is pretty fleshed out, but I can't give away the mechanics... yet.

really I feel some kind of paranoia :rolleyes:

but I think there are more devs with paranoia out there...

OH LOOK... Someone stole your puzzle game idea and named it "Numeric Paranoia"!!

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?threadid=40417

brof

01-15-2010, 10:40 AM

I like the name! but good that I was so secretive...

my game is out now, working on my next idea, a sports game some might say if I would be forced...

cheers,
brof

brof

01-22-2010, 05:55 PM

I have a very tiny, tiny idea. I am listening right now to Ravel's Bolero (MIDI fle). It is license free music. So my "idea" is to make a game about that music. From start to end. 11 minutes crescendo. I don't have any gameplay yet, but there is something very gamey about that music...

S2q-gWMAGjw

I am getting less paranoid, I guess :D

cheers,
brof

brof

02-03-2010, 06:02 AM

ha! a new idea submerged... I am going to fix chess (boring graphics, gameplay is like latin ... pretty dead, 8x8 is not fun)

:D
brof

ghostdogstudio

02-03-2010, 05:20 PM

An idea's worth...

http://www.oreillynet.com/onlamp/blog/2005/08/ideas_are_just_a_multiplier_of.html

goldglover411

02-03-2010, 05:23 PM

An idea's worth...

http://www.oreillynet.com/onlamp/blog/2005/08/ideas_are_just_a_multiplier_of.html
Really!!! So if i get a good idea you would give me 20$

brof

02-03-2010, 06:03 PM

ghostdogstudio

02-03-2010, 06:23 PM

Really!!! So if i get a good idea you would give me 20$

I will if it's a good idea. You owe me $20 if it's a crappy one. Deal?

MindJuice

02-03-2010, 06:32 PM

of course execution is as important as a good idea... but sharing ideas is like giving away the headstart... anybody can execute a good idea with time and staff. Execution can be organized, being creative and brilliant is what counts...

cheers
Unfortunately it's not that simple. The idea is just a root.

You can't just expect that "Brilliant Execution" will come automatically given enough time and staff (aka money).

"Brilliant Execution" requires creativity at every step along the way. Having a good root idea is nice, but the idea needs to grow and be improved along the way.

Decisions are made every single day in the development of a game or other product. A bad decision at any point along the way can derail a great idea.

ghostdogstudio

02-03-2010, 06:32 PM

of course execution is as important as a good idea... but sharing ideas is like giving away the headstart... anybody can execute a good idea with time and staff. Execution can be organized, being creative and brilliant is what counts...

cheers

Actually that's not entirely correct. Execution is the hardest part and more important than the initial idea in my experience. Volumes have been written on organization and software processes and no one has it down perfect. You treat it as if it's a solved problem and it's not. Ideas are a dime a dozen. You think creativity and brilliance ends with the idea phase?!?! Please. Those attributes are worth 100x more in the execution phase than the initial vision phase. Give me problem solvers in the execution phase and I'll out produce an army of creative types. Then again, they aren't mutually exclusive. In the 10 years I've worked in the games industry, it's the projects driven by the brilliant and creative idealists that have crashed and burned the most. The pragmatic realists executing on a simple and clear vision have always worked out better.

brof

02-04-2010, 03:16 AM

it is also depending on what the scope of your idea definition is. I don't think that the core gameplay is what has to be protected alone. When I think of ideas, then I think of the complete package. I could tell you that, the idea is a turn-based car racing game. But when I think of that idea, I have much, much more in mind, how I would do that...

so basically, what and how is very valuable information...
or execution and idea is important... so thanks, for clearing up the confusion...