So I have this idea for a custom magic creation system. Based around allowing the player to create a spell on the spot while playing. I don’t want to give to much away quite yet because it’s my baby. But I did some math and to get it to work how I envision it would take nearly 500million lines of code. The system I have in mind would require a player to hit a combination of buttons to build the spell.
Ex.
1 create
2 element
3 fire
4 type of fire
5 target
6 shape
7 execute
By having the player create the spells on the spot allows for thousands(279,936 with my current build idea) of possible spells while adding a built in debuff of limiting movement while they build the spell. Encouraging them to form parties with more combat related roles. So my question is would this be a system players would enjoy or should I just stick with a hard spell list.
And if I do decide on building it anyone interested in helping?
Your system sounds like the spell casting system used in Arrowhead Games’s Magicka – Magicka on Steam
I’ve been considering doing an implementation of that system for one of my games, but I can’t figure out how to get enough “left hand” keys for the casting system while still allowing for the WASD and mouse aim mechanic that I prefer for my top down games.
Have fun designing your system though. The unique casting (and learning of new spells) that Magicka made a huge impression on me and I still think of this game probably a decade after having played it.