The Magic Editor

Mystic dream features quite a hefty magic and ability system. I wanted an easy way to create powers and abilities not only for myself but for the players as well. My magic editor does exactly this. Using a simple interface and a point and click control system users can manipulate objects to build the desired effect they want painting each object with its own unique animation sequence and applying sounds. The editor also allows users to add and modify the effects of a spell. A list of different types of effects is loaded and users simply click the ones they want. The effects are then added to a list so they can be tweaked and manipulated to the users desire. Powers can then be exported into a special magic file that is read in and understood by the game engine. This editor offers great power and speed to any user it is proving to be a valuable asset to myself even though I'm still perfecting its design.

Non linear questing

Recently I talked about interaction and briefly about quests. In order to create a new experience for users the quest or task based systems should be non linear and should be story driven. But how can we accomplish this with the time and resources available. I feel firstly that most quests involve killing and/or collecting of items as a main focus. This will not expand our gaming experiences in any way. Exploring new options like helping to rebuild a colony, fulfilling a job in a certain town I.E. serving as a smith or fisherman for example, conquering and ruling your kingdom and many other paths. If we open up our minds and view anything as possible we can make it happen in our own virtual worlds. I aim to include as many non linear or unique quests in my project Mystic Dream as possible but I also give my users the tools to create experiences that I couldn't even imagine. Let me know your thoughts and feelings on this.