Alcatraz Breakout concept/WIP

This is a very early WIP - more a concept of an idea - that I've been mulling over. A couple of screenshots of the work I've done so far, showing some basic modelling and an island scene. Most of the models seen in these shots I've created myself in Blender. The water tower I got from the asset store I think, as well as a couple of shanty town models.

Logo I knocked up in PS

Hope it meets a favorable response.

 

Question: Is it Alcatraz before being shut down, or Alcatraz now?

 

I guess it's Alcatraz present day (now). I'll base the models off the state of buildings as they are today. I have the idea in my head of sort of being trapped on a zombie (zombie prison guards) Alcatraz with the aim of getting off the island alive. OR a multi-player setup where you can choose to be a prisoner trying to escape or a guard trying to stop the prisoner's getting off the island. Haven't decided really. I'm just trying to construct the island as a walk-thru first.

 

A couple more ScreenShots:

 

Well, this is good stuff. I enjoy the look. But for the love of all that is good in the world, please don't do zombies. Please come up with something different - unless this is something you don't plan on ever selling - if it's free or just a fun project, then anything is pretty awesome as a demo of what you can make. I just say that because there are so many zombie games out there, and so many more Indy zombie games going out. You should try to break the mold a little. But that's just my opinion.

 

Thanks for the reply. The zombie theme was only something I thought of in passing. To tell the truth I have no real plan for a game or theme and initially just want to create the island as a scene to walk about in. After I've got the exterior of the island done I'll have a go at the interior - perhaps breaking the different areas of the cell house into separate scenes (main cell house, laundry, hospital, showers, gun gallery, 'D' block etc.) and also I had the idea of creating the sub-terrain tunnels, passages and dungeon. This would provide quite a big playable area in which to design a game around.

That's a theory! early days yet.

Zombies? .... probably not

 

For those interested. Here is a link to the webplayer of a VERY rough WIP - There are many things not even modelled yet and those models already present are basic. But the scene gives the opportunity to see the island and tell me if it looks a viable project.
http://idazle.com/build/build.html

 

The environment is is a prime setting for a mystery - who done it - supernatural - type experience.
I could see the player looking around the environment - not intentionally there for investigative purposes, maybe just exploration, but find reasons to follow clues - with subtle hints at mystery, death, ghostly apparitions, dirty deeds and dealings, escape attempts and such.

Nice progress richardh.

 

Thank you sir for the kind comments. I'll be doing a bit more work on this in the coming months.

thanks again.

 

I've not done anything with this project for about 6 months. I kind of lost heart. But I've just returned and had a walk around the island and I don't think it's at all bad given my level of game/scene making competence!

I might continue even if it's just to complete the island as a walkaround environment instead of a game.
I need a better PC though.

Please take a minute to visit the island and let me know what you think. There are many building placements (blocks) still and a few trees placed where they shouldn't! but, on the whole, it IS Alcatraz.

thanks
LINK

#HHAP

 

If you end up turning this into something, don't use zombies. Try using something more realistic; you're a journalist trapped there by the government because your work is always controversial and anti-government. Or something that you'd believe could happen. Not zombies.

 

No, zombies are not on the cards for this.

Might try an Alcatraz breakout using clues and puzzles and the like. Start in your cell and have to work out how to get out the cell... out the cell block... off the island without being discovered/caught etc.

Not sure where it's going yet. If anywhere.

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think that's a good idea. Going Hitman/Payday style but a unique approach. You and some friends need to avoid sight and guards and escape via boat or something. Then make everything procedurally generated so it's different every time. Would be a ton of fun. And a lot of work unfortunately.

 

I just wanna add, Cod did a zombies map based on Alcatraz.

 

Yep, I've seen that. It looks great but it's not based on a totally authentic version of Alcatraz (from what I've seen).

 

This is an interesting idea.

This sounds like something that would be fun to play.

Another idea - kinda feeding off of ImAldu's idea - maybe as a controversial journalist the player has been trying to get onto Alcatraz for years, to investigate (something) but has been denied access. You (as the player) thinks it's because you are going to uncover (something) that would be bad for politicians, local government, law enforcement, documented history.
The player says screw it! And attempts to break into the prison (instead of breaks out). Mission could start on the banks of the bay - having to get there could be part of the experience.

Once there, inside - the gates shut behind the player and now he can't get out without solving the mystery. - this can be expanded upon a lot.
Ghost guards that keep you from escaping is interesting. Some unique way to defeat or escape from them would be cool, not related to the journalists camera (done before).
Maybe there are ghosts from previous undocumented escapees who try to help you escape, show you how to get out and show proof Alcatraz wasn't as fool proof as everybody wants people to believe?

 

Those are some good ideas. I'll think about those. Did anyone get to load the webplayer LINK and if so what did you think of it so far (the island, models, design etc)? Did it load/work okay?

Thanks again for all the replies.