Topic: A new original Shmup idea... hoping to drum up some interest and find a developer!

Hi. I've been pounding out a written proposal and some shoddy sketches of an idea for an original Shmup game I think should be made for WiiWare... trouble is, I don't have any programming skills or resources myself. I know developers don't often accept unsolicited ideas from the public, but since several (Shin'en: Manfred, I'm looking at you!) WiiWare developers make appearances at NL, I'm hoping to catch a little interest in my game idea here. I've got my "poor man's copyright" and a digital packet (under 1MB) I can email if anyone is seriously interested. After reading their reviews of several of my favorite shmups, I'd be curious to hear Corbie or Sean's thoughts...

Obviously, I don't want to reveal the details too widely, but I think I can safely say the game could be simply described as "Ikaruga meets Braid" I don't expect to be paid for the idea or anything, I just really hope to be able to play a finished product and know that I had a small part in bringing it into the world. And wouldn't it be cool if an awesome, award-winning game was made as a result of a discussion on a games forum? Thanks...

im not interested in developing, but can i see the packet? briunj04@gm...

Not just yet, sorry... I know it seems like a tease, but I don't want to share the details too widely. I'm under the impression that developers like to keep their games under wraps until they're almost done. If someone does pick up the game, I'll probably have to sign an NDA and promise not to show anyone else the packet anyway, right? But if you say the idea interests you as a gamer, that's a good start, and I thank you for it...

what you should probably do is hit up a site like ModDB or CGSociety or 3DTotal. Get some artists or programmers on sites/communities like those. NintendoLife, and it's boards, are for gamers. And there aren't nearly enough gamers out there who know programming or art yet - I'm an artist/animator (and know very, very little programming), but as just one guy, I can't help ya. You really need to post this sort of thread over on a game developer/indie developer website...

First of all, I'm not a game designer. I really need to get that out of the way. While I like the idea of "Bullet-Hell-Meets-Braid" and supporting uniqueness in the industry (especially with the whole "Brown and gray games will sell millions!" that most game companies have), you're gonna have to make some sort of prototype of the game before you get anywhere with your idea. I'd suggest that you read this article because it describes a lot of why your game idea isn't marketable as an idea (no matter how original).

Try sharing your idea with someone at shmup-dev: http://www.shmup-dev.com/forum/ thats probably your only hope at seeing your idea into a game. The article that V8 Ninja posted is very true at least as far as commercial development is concerned. I don't think any of the people from companies that make wiiware games that post here even made a shmup before or would be interested in making one. They are a very niche genre. Any company established company that would make a shmup probably isn't looking for new ideas, especially from someone who hasn't designed a shmup before. Basically, completely forget about your game being made by any established company.

With that said going to a place like shmup-dev and designing a small free game with a developer there would be your best bet though odds are slim in it working out. Still, if it does happen you could then try to develop somethign that you could sell on wiiware, steam, etc. Or other indie sites like tigsource.com. These people make games for fun and are among the few that might actually be looking for doable ideas especially if there is some kind of competition coming up. I saw Eufloria come from a small compo game (dyson) to a commercial product and indie award winner so it is possible. The only way to do it is start very small and keep your expectations low.

I'm gonna have to agree with V8 Ninja. Learn flash, make the game yourself, make it absolutely amazing and addicting and spread the word, and then pray you'll eventually get the business opportunity to put it on WiiWare.

There's plenty of good ideas out there. You wouldn't think it if you look at how static the game world is (yes, I'm looking at you, brown-grey-ish war FPS) but a lack of ideas is not the problem.

And I hate to get even more negative on you, but usually... other people have had that same idea before you. I'm not saying it's exactly like yours, but Viewtiful Joe has a shm'up level with time manipulation...

Hey, thanks for the dose of reality, guys. You see why I started here: NL members can be friendly and helpful, even when delivering bad news. V8 Ninja, that article is fantastic, if discouraging. jbrodack, thanks for the link to shmup-dev. Plan A is still for an established developer to swoop in and say "Yes, your game idea is as brilliant as you think it is!" Plan B will be shmup-dev. They seem to like contests over there, so maybe I'll host a contest with prizes to see who can make the best demo version of the game mechanics...

As for other similar ideas... when I saw a trailer for Zeit 2 (squared) I thought my goose had already been cooked, but it looks different enough... and why not have different versions of a new idea, if it turns out to be fun? Viewtiful Joe? I have the game, but never got very far into it...