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[Oracle]

Random Suggestion: I was considering making a fighting game with a single health meter, that functioned somewhat like a game of tug of war. There would be a dot in the middle of the meter, and each time the player hit his opponent, it would push the dot closer to their opponent's side (and vice versa). If the dot passed a player's edge of the meter, that player would lose. "Tough" characters would have more space between the dot and edge to start. This would make fights between two evenly matched players epic, since either player could easily make a comeback. On the other hand, a system like this would be much more difficult to implement in a game where over two fighters are allowed, and it may be too gritty a system for a light-hearted game. But it might be something to think about.

Battle Stadium Don has a similar energy bar thingie...its fun, but the smash the hell out of the screen character thingie from smash bros its more fun. IMO
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ioFFZRHUNME

[Ixis]

I also like SSB's launching finish blast the character off the stage attacks (and the power-pellet collecting thing), but then the game would be seen as too closely mimicking SSB (and even if we knocked the ball out of the park I doubt we could ever live up to the polish of SSB, and the comparisons would inevitably arise.)

If we could come up with something just as novel and cool as SSB's knocking the enemy off the screen thing I'd be all for that.

EDIT: Also it'd make an interesting and satisfying end to any match.

[Xion]

Power Stone + Smash Bros = Win

[Oracle]

Personally, i just love the multiple gameplay modes in multiplayer that "Mario Wars" has to offer.
Like, "chicken" "Tag" "Star Shine" "Jail" "Classic","Capture the flag" etc... different kind of customizable rules would be awesome i think, as they make a really rich multiplayer experience.

So instead of worrying about ripping one game style...lets rip them all!

[Xion]

So instead of worrying about ripping one game style...lets rip them all!

Even better!

[threesided]

So instead of worrying about ripping one game style...lets rip them all!

Even better!

Totally this. The more the better I say, but then again, I'm not a programmer.

Sorry for the hiatus, xmas holidays you see. I'll start recontributing what I can for this.

[skaldicpoet9]

Structure: Non-traditional
Control: 2 button
Combat: I would like it to be timing based but ultimately I don't know how you could keep it from denigrating into a button mash since most who aren't too adept at fighters ultimately end up mashing.

Personally, i just love the multiple gameplay modes in multiplayer that "Mario Wars" has to offer.
Like, "chicken" "Tag" "Star Shine" "Jail" "Classic","Capture the flag" etc... different kind of customizable rules would be awesome i think, as they make a really rich multiplayer experience.

So instead of worrying about ripping one game style...lets rip them all!

You, my friend, are a genius.

Multiple modes akin to SMW would rock my fucking socks off!

[Xion]

Combat: I would like it to be timing based but ultimately I don't know how you could keep it from denigrating into a button mash since most who aren't too adept at fighters ultimately end up mashing.

Which is why they lose.
And when they lose so often they either quit or get better, leaving the non-mashers to beat on a new generation of mashers thus repeating the cycle. I'm still sort of equating this to Smash brothers, where although the moves are incredibly simple, those who know what does what will always beat the crap out of a butt'n masher.

[skaldicpoet9]

Combat: I would like it to be timing based but ultimately I don't know how you could keep it from denigrating into a button mash since most who aren't too adept at fighters ultimately end up mashing.

Which is why they lose.
And when they lose so often they either quit or get better, leaving the non-mashers to beat on a new generation of mashers thus repeating the cycle. I'm still sort of equating this to Smash brothers, where although the moves are incredibly simple, those who know what does what will always beat the crap out of a butt'n masher.

Agreed

[Ixis]

seconded (or is it thirded?)

[Joseph]

I think it would be cool to have a fighting game where the objective isn't to rack up damage a la SSB or to drain a life bar a la SF; what if the objective of the game was to literally disable/destroy your opponent? The players goal would be to attack vital areas of their opponent (eyes, groin, knees, liver, throat) and render him/her defenseless. There would be a lot of movement options (rolling, bobbing, weaving, jumping, dashing etc.) also things like parrying, grappling, reversals etc. The focus would be on setting your opponent up for special critical attacks that target specific areas of the body. Fights could last a really long time or they could end in an instant, and there is no second round...
 I don't know how feasible this is but its been an idea in my head for a long time.

[Shoot-em-upper]

I think it would be cool to have a fighting game where the objective isn't to rack up damage a la SSB or to drain a life bar a la SF; what if the objective of the game was to literally disable/destroy your opponent? The players goal would be to attack vital areas of their opponent (eyes, groin, knees, liver, throat) and render him/her defenseless. There would be a lot of movement options (rolling, bobbing, weaving, jumping, dashing etc.) also things like parrying, grappling, reversals etc. The focus would be on setting your opponent up for special critical attacks that target specific areas of the body. Fights could last a really long time or they could end in an instant, and there is no second round...
 I don't know how feasible this is but its been an idea in my head for a long time.

No.  That might work for an FPS or Worms-type game, but that kind of accuracy just isn't possible in a beat-em-up.  It would lead to a lot of random and annoying deaths.

I have an original idea of my own.  Platforms could have health meters, and after enough attacks, would disappear.  They'd regenerate quickly, of course - the point would be to keep players on their toes.  Having walls in addition to platforms would be interesting, too.

[Stij]

I think it would be cool to have a fighting game where the objective isn't to rack up damage a la SSB or to drain a life bar a la SF; what if the objective of the game was to literally disable/destroy your opponent? The players goal would be to attack vital areas of their opponent (eyes, groin, knees, liver, throat) and render him/her defenseless. There would be a lot of movement options (rolling, bobbing, weaving, jumping, dashing etc.) also things like parrying, grappling, reversals etc. The focus would be on setting your opponent up for special critical attacks that target specific areas of the body. Fights could last a really long time or they could end in an instant, and there is no second round...
 I don't know how feasible this is but its been an idea in my head for a long time.

No.  That might work for an FPS or Worms-type game, but that kind of accuracy just isn't possible in a beat-em-up.  It would lead to a lot of random and annoying deaths.

Plus, it seems kind of realistic for an otherwise cartoony game. Having Quote punch out Gomez's liver just seems kind of out of place...

Good idea though.

[shinygerbil]

Active (i.e. non-passive) scenery would be great. (Breakable floors, walls, etc.)

Possibly some simple physics-y type stuff, like a platform with one central support, so it tips if the weight on it is not even. Or am I getting too silly?

[cag]

What about, say, an entire physics engine.
Plop Box2D in there and go crazy with restraints, torque, rotational inertia, density, etc. Have damage reduce density and go SSB with torque, restraint breaking (arms fly off? walls fall down?),  things flying everywhere, projectiles actually sending energy towards another foe, blablabla. :D

[Blaster]

I'm definitely for the active scenery. It's a great way to take out a whole bunch of stuff from the games, depending on what levels we choose.

As for controls. Non-traditional, platformer-esque is probably the best way. I'd like as few buttons as possible, but at the moment I'm for 3 buttons:
1 button for attacting (combine with directional buttons for alternate attacks)
1 button for defending (which could be combined with timed directional buttons for counters/push-backs/all that sort of stuff)
1 button for jumping (to allow the directional imput with out jumping automatically)

Regarding button-mashing/timed attacks, I also don't really get this. I don't want rhythm based combos, I don't find those very intuitive, if that's what you mean by timed. But I do want careful timing of your attacks to give you an advantage.

[Ixis]

Just a reminder, voting ends tomorrow at midnight (so Monday morning-ish.)

My votes go towards SSB style combat, 3-button control (attack, guard and special) with N=jump, and simple combos (SSB style.) If this becomes a multiplayer brawl with moving stages, items, special modes and 4-player online combat (which seems to be the case) I think combos wouldn't work well, if at all.

[Xion]

button 1 = attack
button 2 = jump
button 3 = block

block + attack = grab
block + jump   = evade
attack + jump  = powerful/special/ranged attack

attack = weak hit (3 types; crouched, standing, midair)
direction + attack (simultaneously) = strong hit (3 types: up, fwd, down)
direction + attack (while moving)   = dashing hit (3 types: up, fwd, down)

then there could also be character-specific fighter-type combos, such as
dwn->dwn+fwd->fwd + attack = missile
or
dwn->up + jump = high jump

? ? ?

[Joseph]

I think it would be cool to have a fighting game where the objective isn't to rack up damage a la SSB or to drain a life bar a la SF; what if the objective of the game was to literally disable/destroy your opponent? The players goal would be to attack vital areas of their opponent (eyes, groin, knees, liver, throat) and render him/her defenseless. There would be a lot of movement options (rolling, bobbing, weaving, jumping, dashing etc.) also things like parrying, grappling, reversals etc. The focus would be on setting your opponent up for special critical attacks that target specific areas of the body. Fights could last a really long time or they could end in an instant, and there is no second round...
 I don't know how feasible this is but its been an idea in my head for a long time.

No.  That might work for an FPS or Worms-type game, but that kind of accuracy just isn't possible in a beat-em-up.  It would lead to a lot of random and annoying deaths.

I have an original idea of my own.  Platforms could have health meters, and after enough attacks, would disappear.  They'd regenerate quickly, of course - the point would be to keep players on their toes.  Having walls in addition to platforms would be interesting, too.

It is possible to do it in a beatemup actually, I was thinking the attacks would be scripted to target certain areas, basically tracking. So the there would be a punch that targets the jaw, another punch that targets the liver, a kick that targets the knee, etc. etc. and it would always seek that target when you issue the command. Maybe. I dunno i'm not a coder or anything, I just do animation but I think it would be really cool to sneak in a low blow or an eye gouge and take out your opponent instantly.

[Blaster]

As far as realistic damage, etc, is concerned... Sure, it is feasible in a fighter, Bushido Blade has a lot of the elements you mention (though, crippling or fatal, critical hits are much more simple when you're using swords...)

But it isn't really feasible for this game, even if it was it wouldn't be the way to go. As this is a completely unrealistic cross-over of entirely different games, the theme/feel of the game will likely be rather light-hearted. With the bizarre range of likely cast, it isn't even really possible. (Gomez attacks Gish in the eye with chainsaw!)