CybMusic - A text-based record label tycoon/management game in AGS? You betcha!

[ShiverMeSideways]

Hello, lads and lasses, since I'm very eager, I'm gonna formally announce this baby:

CybMusic
Basically, you take the reigns of a new record label, trying to butt in amongst the behemoths and other stragglers of the music industry.

Before I show off the screenshots, keep in mind that the game is currently in pre-alpha stage, meaning that I'm coding the mechanics and the inner-workings of it, not focusing on pretty design. I'm horrible at aesthetics anyway.

So, what will you be able to do?



Scout around for talent and find your future label powerhouse!



Then, do the proper thing any record label would: take advantage of them and try to steal as much from them as possible in the contract negotiations! Hey, they'll be hungry, but at least you'll be rich!



Since they're your little pets now, put them to work! Also, stare at their files for hours on end to make them think you're about to kick them in the streets! Fear will definitely put down any rebellious behaviour...



While bands keep pouring into your roster, watch as they eat your money away and prepare your whips!

Also, these features will be implemented:

* country-based popularities: what's popular in Denmark won't necessarily be cool in Norway...
* continually-morphing game world: bands break up, people die, other people retire; popularities fluctuate based on record sales and just plain' ol' randomness.
* record albums, singles; write original stuff or just cover someone.
* use personnel and facilities to boost the quality of your recordings; you can't produce and your band sure as hell can't, so get someone in here, fast!
* artists traits: some people just have addictive personalities, others are just plain meanies, while others are primadonas; chances are someone, somewhere is getting the be-jesus kicked out of them.
* The Cyb Data Editor: want to complete the default database with your favourite bands, genres, labels, shoe types, kitchen sink manufacturers? Or maybe you want to make a completely new game, based only on your favourite genres or subgenres? No problem, just use the editor. Then, share the database you made with the world!
* more

Also, I'd like to mention that genre popularities, bands, artists, etc. will be generated randomly, so it'll be a slightly different experience every time you start a new game.

The crüe involved with the game so far:
* Me - Lead Guitar, Coding, Initial Horrid Design
* Dualnames - Drums, Programming Consulting, Alpha Testing, Beta Testing

Things I'll be needin':
* AI Design and Coding - I'm shi not very good at advanced programming and programming logic and that sort of stuff, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to need help with this.
* Soundtrack - I want to compile songs made by just about anyone who offers 'em. I'll then implement a in-game music player that'll shuffle, arrange by genre, etc.
* Graphic designer - As can be seen, the current Alpha design is utter crap, so when the beta phase rolls around, I'm going to need someone who's not aesthetically-challenged in order to streamline and just make pretty the overall interface.
* Beta Testing - It's going to be a pretty hefty game to bug-test, and I suck at testing anyways; haven't got the patience. So if you would be so kind...

For now, however, I don't really need any help, so please don't offer me any. After I'm done with the alpha and the thing actually works, I will proceed to actually need people to move on to the next stage. I'll let you guys know then

Alpha Progress/Diary:
* 10/June/2010 - Most of what I've been doing up to this point is implementing the basic structures that will allow me to add more and more functions. I haven't got too much to show for it, since most of it is behind-the-scene-coding-type stuff (like making sure the database is loaded correctly, that all the structs are interconnected properly, basic random artist and act random generation, etc.)
* 19/April/2011 - Picked this up again and I've implemented staff and guess what, the bands can write their own songs now!
* 20/April/2011 - Finished songwriting. Implemented messages. Time to move on the next monster step.

Lines of blocky clunky bloody redundant code written so far: 2000.
Current focus: Recording.
Version: Alpha 1.0

Well, that's about it for now. Feel free to post suggestions, swearing, and poo-head-calling! Also, please ask me any questions regarding gameplay mechanics, plans etc.

[ddq]

Daaaaayum! This looks fantastic! Okay, it "looks" pretty ugly right now, but the actual game sounds amazing! I'll have to keep my eye on this one.

[Dualnames]

I like the Lead Guitar, Vocals, Drums thing!!
Looks good, and that logo is splendid!

[R4L]

Awesome! Some nice bands you have incorporated, especially Riot. Looks good so far man!

[tzachs]

The idea is brilliant, I'm really excited about this one 

[Dualnames]

Also, on popular demand and for me, just put Poison and of course Def Leppard!!

[abstauber]

Awsome... I've played those a lot back then.
Rockstar Ate My Hamster ftw

Right now all the gray screens put me off a little, but I'm sure AC will take care of that

Good luck with it!

[ShiverMeSideways]

Ok, let's clear the air on some stuff...

First of all, thank you all so-so much for all your enthusiasm and support. It will not go unrewarded, rest assured!

Some nice bands you have incorporated, especially Riot.

Riot was just a random name I put in the game to generate a random band... I didn't know it was a real band up until now. Only Metallica and AC/DC are, so far, hand-added to the database, the rest of the artists are randomly generated based on a database of forenames and surnames and on randomly generated instruments and stats.

Which brings me to...

Also, on popular demand and for me, just put Poison and of course Def Leppard!!

All the genres will get exactly 3 major bands added by hand in the database. Unfortunately for a lot of people who will be hoping to see their favourite artists, about 90% of the database of acts will be randomly generated. This is because I haven't got the energy or the willpower to manual add 50 bands (which would equal about 150 artists as well). This implies research and a ton patience, which I lack heavily.

However, I have witnessed the power of what a fan and what a community can do, so that's why I'm trying to make the database as easily accessible as possible. You can even edit it with notepad! If you think that a band should be in there, more power to ya, put 'em in!

Right now all the gray screens put me off a little, but I'm sure AC will take care of that

Yes, the focus at the moment is on functionality, and on coding. Later, the handsome man known as AngelicCharon will be able to make the game actually look-able!

[xenogia]

Shiver I love you.  This  is fantastic.

[Wyz]

Good luck! I'm very much looking forward to play this.

btw, Olivia Jones, shouldn't be that Jon Oliva

[ShiverMeSideways]

Hey, this isn't dead, not by a long shot!

UPDATE:

19/April/2011 - Picked this up again and I've implemented staff and guess what, the bands can write their own songs now!

Also, I want to make a short video showing how that works and answering a few questions, so please post here any questions you might want answered in the video. I hope to have it up tonight or, at the most, tomorrow night.

Cheers!

[Dualnames]

I hope to have it up tonight or, at the most, tomorrow night.

So that's why you're always missing the meetings. That makes sense. 

[ShiverMeSideways]

I wish I would've used that time for important stuff, Duals...

By the way, here's another screenie, showcasing the repertoire and the fact that bands actually do write their own songs now:



Everything you see if functional, except the recordings bit because I haven't gotten to actually implementing recordings. However, the writing of songs is 99% complete.

I've also implemented messages.

I'm thinking about the next step... probably making recordings? That's a very big step, since I need to also implement countries and regions. Of course, this would be the sensible thing to do, since it would lay the groundwork for touring, because you can't tour if you haven't got places to play.

Excitement level: BURSTING AT THE SEAMS!

[Ubel]

Very promising! I love the idea! I wish you best of luck with carrying it out!

Can't wait to try it.

[gameboy]

I must have missed this thread before. This looks awesome! I once played around with a similar idea in my head, but never got to making anything. Best of luck!

[ShiverMeSideways]

Thank you so much, Pablo and Gameboy, for the support!

And here's the video I've been promising, where I talk about the game and my plans with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3eR-aHGPeA

Hope you like it!

[straydogstrut]

Wow, I missed this first time around too but it looks awesome! I'm not a huge music enthusiast - I mean, I do like music, how could I not? - but this really appeals to me=D

I like simulation games. Not to the extent that I like crunching numbers, but the story you make up as you play. Like you said in your video: 'you have to use your imagination'. The thing I liked about the old Sim City games was the little newspaper reports and advisors that talked to you. I get a real kick out of coming up with my own goals and stories involving the characters.

I recently played quite a bit of GameDevStory on my iTouch. It's quite good for what it is - I liked naming my games and trying to bring back point and click adventures;-) - but the mechanics are quite shallow. Without the characters' personalities that you're suggesting, it didn't really hold my attention for long. If you manage to implement lots of that kind of thing, and lots of customisation options (let me name the bands), i'll be happy=D

When beta-testing rolls around, i'd be happy to lend a hand if you'll have me.