OK... I know you guys have done some retro style games. Here is one that might warrant consideration and an update...

Take a look at Archon for the Commodore 64. I would LOVE to see this revived and updated...

If you don't know what it is, let me fill you in on the premise. It is originally setup similar to a chess board. The "chess pieces" are based on a more mystical heritage rather than a kingdom/knight one. The players are setup in similar style in relation to their "abilities" like chess. In addition, players have certain movement restrictions like chess. These movement restricts don't necessarily mimic that of chess, but the more powerful a player, the more freedom of movement.

However, this is where the similarities between it and chess end. In chess, the last to occupy a space wins, no matter what. In Archon, in order to occupy a space, you have to fight for it, literally. When a challenge is made, the board switches to an arena where the players fight to the death using whatever powers or abilities are bestowed upon them. After using each ability, there is a recharge time before a character can use it again. There are places to hide, so you can use guerrilla warfare tactics (your best hope when having a "pawn" or knight fight a "queen" with magical abilities). Just to add excitement, there is a shapeshifter that takes the form of whatever it is attacking. There are also pieces that reflect the four Greek elements of wind, fire, earth, and water (I think it's Greek). Whoever remains victor of the dual takes the square, and the loser is taken off the board. If you are good enough, you can win the game with the use of a single knight and his sword. I remember doing so on many occasions...

Also, unlike chess, you have to remove all of your opponents rather than just capture the "king".

I am not sure that my description does it justice, but I would hope that if you aren't familiar with it, you would investigate a bit and hopefully consider doing an Ambrosia-style update to it....

Welcome to the boards, heathen.

Sounds like a take on the old battlechess idea. It's an interesting one.

Unfortunately, Ambrosia don't normally take game idea suggestions, since they no longer create games in-house, but publish other developers' works. If you think you can gather a group of people who can actually make such a game, they might be interested.

Have a nice day,
'glove

Actually, it is rather different than BattleChess. BattleChess is still Chess, but only the act of overtaking a square is animated. In Archon, either one may win the square, depending on the outcome of the arena battle.

Actually, after I posted this suggestion, I did some more research (started strolling down memory lane...), and I found this link on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archon_%28computer_game%29

Great overview of the game. You might want to check it out.






That I was a bit unaware of. However, I don't know any groups of programmers. Perhaps some game developers will see this, or better yet, perhaps Ambrosia will see this and put feelers out...

Of course, it is always helpful if people reply that they are interested... I know I would be...

Woah! Now I feel stupid not knowing this. When did this happen? So I guess no new EV game....

Especially not since the guy who wrote EV has said there won't be. I think I heard something about him wanting his wife to stick around...

It's been a while though, I don't remember the details all that well.

'glove