What should it be...

I have been working on the engine for an RPG map that will revolutionize the mapping industry. It possesses an extensive inventory system as well as a spellbook that allows one hero to cast over 80 spells. However I've come to the part in the developement process where I must make an important choice. Should I make this map as a single player map w/ an intense story line RPG or a co-op multiplayer which will greatly decrease the story line and a number of the features that can only work with single player or the other option is an 8 man FFA where the last hero standing or first to complete the last mission wins. The last choise was my first idea but I didn't know if it would fly on b.net. I need very honest answers because this will determine the future of my map. Any additional input would also be greatly appreciated.

-EDIT- decided to stick game details at the top.

Anyway I think for now I'll work on the single player version. The map is a combination of the greatest RPG games I've ever played. Diablo 2, Ultima Underworld 2, Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, and the magic circle idea from Lords of Magic.

You will begin by choosing your race; each has a few special abilities as well as a large bonus to one spell mastery and a small bonus to 1 or 2 others. You will then be able to choose your class in a number of ways; either by answering a series of questions, choosing your class from a list, or custom creating your class. Once you have done that you are on your way.

Your race options are as follows:

Undead: +15 to Death Magic, +5 Chaos Magic
Increased HP Regain, Immune to disease, Hurt by
healing spells.

HighElf: +15 to Life Magic, +5 Order Magic
Increased Mana Regain, Immune to Disease, Receives
extra healing from healing spells/items

Centaur: +10 to Earth Magic, +5 to order and Life Magic
Immune to Earth Magic, 25% resist melee damage,
25% weakness to Air Magic

Druid: +10 to Air Magic, +5 to Chaos and Death Magic
Immune to Air Damage, 25% less damage from spells
25% weakness to Earth Magic

Troll: +10 to Water Magic, +5 to Order and Life Magic
Immune to Water Magic, Increased Mana Points
25% weakness to Fire Magic

Deep Orc: +10 to Fire Magic, +5 to Chaos and Death Magic
Immune to Fire Magic, Increased Hit Points
25% weakness to Water Magic

Demon: +10 to Chaos Magic, +5 to Fire and Air Magic
Increased chance to reflect spells

Human: +10 to Order Magic, +5 to Earth and Water Magic
increased chance to absorb spells into mana

The skills are as follows.

Death Mastery
Life Mastery
Earth Mastery
Air Mastery
Water Mastery
Fire Mastery
Order Mastery
Chaos Mastery
Resist Earth
Resist Air
Resist Fire
Resist Water
Warmth (Passive- Increase Mana Regain)
Reflect (Reflect Magical attacks back at attacker)
Absorb (Absorb Magical attacks damage into mana)
Melee Mastery (Increased melee damage)
Pick Lock/Trap Disarm
Speechcraft (Ability to talk with NPC's and make the like you,
attack you, or be frightened of you)
Runic Research (Ability to determine the properties of Runes and
what Rune combinations will create a spell)
Meditation (Increased Life Regain when resting)

Special Features:
-In depth story line.
-Interchangeable inventory to include rings, amulets, staves,
cloaks, potions and more.
-Runes: There are many runes scattered all over the world and
with the proper knowledge you can arrange these runes in
certain ways to create superior spells and to summon creatures
and items.
-Fatigue gauge that determines how tired you are. (The lower
the fatigue the lower the chance to cast spells)
-Total freedom to do what you want from killing the locals to
stealing to saving a damsel in distress.
-There are many guilds to join as well as becoming a member of
one of the 3 great houses. The more you do for these fractions
the higher in rank you go and the greater you reputation grows.
-10 spells per spell mastery plus over additional spells from the
runes.
-Ability to reflect magic. By pressing a button you can attempt to
reflect incoming magic.
-A series of quests required in order to complete the main quest
in rank.
-A reputation that is determine by how many quests you have
completed or by how many crimes you've committed. A person
high in positive reputation may be given special privileges or
praise and a sinful man may be attacked on sight by the local law
or refused admittance into towns/cities.

That's all I can reveal for now but know that this is one lengthy project and since I plan on doing it alone for the most part it may take a number of months. But I keep you guys updated from time to time and tell you when the beta release is out.

Any kind of input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I say a singleplayer map. Your hard work would most likely be wasted on Multiplayer, and would take a LONG time (if it IS an intense story line) to get through, time most of us dont have.

So, my vote is Singleplayer. Have any good story ideas?

Though I love multiplayer, go for the storyline in an RPG.

It really sucks to play RPGs on multiplayer now. People leave, people sheep around, and people leave. It shouldn't be Multiplayer, and it is a waste if it isn't in Singleplayer.

I vote for few things

- Multiplayer (Coop) RPG, playing alone sucks.

- Team vs Team Gamestyle (AoS Unit Spawn?)

- also cool would be a "new" style of playing, like 8 ppl ffa named "Mage Wars". Everybody can select one of X mages (Good Magic, Neutral Magic, Black Magic, Divine Magic, Summoner, ..., ...) and then you have your mage tower and can do stuff.

Someone actually made a game called Mage Wars already :D Anyway I think it should be a multiplayer Open RPG ! I loved Open RPG like Legends in StarCraft and I can't play Ganon's open RPG... :( If you wanna do something with storyline you could release a single player version with a story, and release the open RPG version which takes place in the same world, but acts sort of as a sequel to the single player version?

By the way it sounds a lot like something I was working on. Guess I might have to give up that idea :( Oh well if you decide to do a single player version I'll keep working on mine so people can play on bnet.

This was my first idea but I didn't think it would become popular because any newbie to the map would likely be defeated by someone who knows there way around. Whish could lead to people rejecting the map as unfair. However it could have the opposite effect making someone want to try harder and become good at it.

-EDIT-
I moved the details to the top of the post.

solo RPG best:D . i dont like open rpgs. people leve dont like story line or player and whine and then you tell them to shut up and then thy kill you also it lags up sometime becus thers that 56ker that died and wont leve. solo has none of that. no idiots no whiners NO LAG:gsmile:

sounds really cool

I'm deffinitely sticking with single player. It seems to be the consensus and has the least restrictions.

If u do a multiplayer map i suggest u make it a 2 or 3 player map.
I see that u have player Heroes of Might and Magic :D

uber awesome.. if you need help, PM me :)

U still working on this?

Ih ope so, it sounds very impressive. I voted for Single PLayer btw. I think Storyline is a key to RPG's.

-Fiery_Maelstrom