One last suggestion (no more, I promise)

[espeorb]

Okay. Well, this would require a good few major updates, HOWEVER Variaz does amazing work with lightning fast bugfixes and complete overhaul updates that he makes look easy.
This would be a major change, however.
I suggest an optional game mode.
Play Z+Angband or any of the slightly more recent ZAngband (even though it's not updated anymore, ergo Z+) versions, and you will automatically dive into a COMPLETELY random world.
Far more random than ToME or even Vanilla itself - the overworld itself is uniquely crafted with various terrain features. And I'm not talking about the (IMO) dull random aspect of the overworld of Pern, ToME and even Portalis. You know what I mean - the mostly grass or mostly water overworld with a individual terrain tiles scattered around. I'm talking nearly hand-crafted with rivers, bridges over the rivers, volcanoes, huge mountain chains, forests, farmlands, etc. Even randomly generated towns, shops and outposts and randomly generated randomly generated dungeons. Or, I suppose, random entrances to random dungeons with random dungeon themes. Or something.
A completely random game with perhaps an overarching "final boss" to kill eventually.
In your own way, Variaz, you already have most of the algorithms necessary for this. Your random dungeon algorithms are near-perfect IMO. Add some more terrain features and get the algorithms to where the randomly generated overworld map looks maybe remotely even like this:




I have seen the Lua magic you do with Portralis. Try and tell me it's not possible and I will shoot that down. Heck, I probably wouldn't believe it if you told me a randomly generated plot was impossible - and I'm not talking about kill-the-big-bad-at-the-end-of-the-dungeon.

Remember, this is just a hardy suggestion. The key thing with roguelikes is that it's hard to go through a even slightly constricting plot with multiple characters over and over - that is why most roguelikes have been made a little like this - the RNG being the real ultimate overlord.
Oh, and I forgot to mention. If you do decide to make some alternate game mode, how about making it a startup option rather than replacing the respectable storyline you worked so hard on, howsoever short?

[Gando]

I can't say Id much enjoy playing something like that though it would look pretty with fancy graphics and all.

I once did create a fairly smooth background plot developing software program (in C++) using some fairly nifty random algorithms a friend showed me. Sadly that program died with the hd it was on and I never bothered to replicate it.

[Variaz]

Well, the current boring wilderness is meant to be improved in future versions. I actually thought about putting more stuff(random towns and stuff), but it looks like this release won't have it.

Alternate game mode...hmmm... well, that's something to think about. But to be honest, I'd rather put more random content in the actual main game(as optional quests and such) than putting an alternate game mode. Right now, Portralis has a nice blend of random and static content, and I think it works well.

Static content does have it's advantages. For example, right now, you know where to get the weapons and armors you want, you know where to get certain artifacts, etc... Making everything completely random would certainly add unpredictability, but may make it so that it takes a while to make certain character builds really strong because you can't get the item you need to make it work.

Optional game mode would still require quite a bit of work, and I'd rather put randomness in places where the main game can benefit from it(more Flow ruins, fun wilderness, etc...) than work on a new game mode.

[espeorb]

Apr 26, 2009 18:48:24 GMT -5 Variaz said:

Well, the current boring wilderness is meant to be improved in future versions. I actually thought about putting more stuff(random towns and stuff), but it looks like this release won't have it.

Alternate game mode...hmmm... well, that's something to think about. But to be honest, I'd rather put more random content in the actual main game(as optional quests and such) than putting an alternate game mode. Right now, Portralis has a nice blend of random and static content, and I think it works well.

Static content does have it's advantages. For example, right now, you know where to get the weapons and armors you want, you know where to get certain artifacts, etc... Making everything completely random would certainly add unpredictability, but may make it so that it takes a while to make certain character builds really strong because you can't get the item you need to make it work.

Optional game mode would still require quite a bit of work, and I'd rather put randomness in places where the main game can benefit from it(more Flow ruins, fun wilderness, etc...) than work on a new game mode.

Well, if you decide to put more RNG-controlled randomness in the main game, hopefully my suggestion will spark an idea or two - I know ive got a lot of 'em in there.