Lazlo Society Videogame

[Sir Neil]

This idea has been cluttering up my brain for years -- it's time to get it out!

I saw it as an Action RPG style game, like X-Men Legends, DC Heroes, and Hunter the Reckoning. Probably it should be set in December 2006, when the Society retook Cypress Cove. That would explain why there are screens full of enemies. There would be three basic character types: normals (Bert and Holister), vampires (Bloodbane, Celeste), and psychics (AdamaGeist and Shadowstalker). Vampires would be really strong in melee combat, but have limited powers, need to kill enemies to heal, and can't go on daylight missions. Normals would probably be strongest in ranged combat (Holister's shotgun and Bert's M-16) but have no special powers. IIRC, KonThaak was there in spirit form only, so maybe characters could summon him to clear the screen of enemies once per stage or something.

I think the normals' guns will have unlimited ammo, but their grenades will be limited; plus, incorporeal enemies can only be hurt by psychic powers. (In the sequel, that may include rune weapons and ghosthunter guns.) The only psychic in town I that know uses guns is Shadowstalker (MP-5?), which makes him the most versatile character -- but I'm okay with that.

(Sequel characters will be more problematic. Caliburn and Pendragon have vampire melee damage, normals firepower, and some psionics; Willie has vampire strength, normals firepower, and he's faster than other characters except Nemesis; Ghostspider has vampire damage and psychic powers, including teleport; Eilonwy is blind -- she'd be able to see the monsters, but not the level!)

Ideally, several missions would take place simultaneously. For instance, if you send Bert and Adama to the church, you'll have to use a different pair to investigate the mansion. The Society should gain experience and level up as one, so you don't get hosed for not using certain characters. They are psychics, so naturally if you need a special power to get through a stage, any character with that power will insist on going.

[mrloucifer]

If Valve was going to make it, I'd imagine it would be a great FPS... part Doom, part Half life, part Condemned, part F.E.A.R.... all fun!

[mrloucifer]

Funny whenever I've thought of a BTS video game, I've envisioned it as more of a detective/investigative game than a "shoot 'em up" one. Obviously there would be combat, but it would involve a lot of work and research to find things. But that's just me I guess.

Exactly... thats where the "condemned" portion comes in. For those who've never played it, the two Condemned games are some of the best BTS inspirational materials out there. Lots of investigating and combat to be had!

[Sir Neil]

Oh the idea sounds cool.

Hell yeah it does!

Hmm I can see him maybe being limited in what weapons he can use...

I figured it would just be like HTR: humans have a melee and a ranged attack button. Shadow's melee is his tomahawk, Bert's is a bayonet, Holister's is an honest country fist. I like keeping what differences we can, so Shadow should stick with an MP-5 -- let Holister use the shotgun and Bert use an assault rifle (he mentioned an AK-47 once.) After sleeping on it, I think Willie and Nemesis would just give anyone targeting them a fixed miss percentage instead of superspeed -- putting the "auto" back in "autododge".

I can think of several other characters that could, and should be added.

I can, too. In fact, I made a whole list! I was only giving examples of characters, not the intended final roster.

Funny whenever I've thought of a BTS video game, I've envisioned it as more of a detective/investigative game than a "shoot 'em up" one.

You don't read many Lazlo Society posts, do you? The only investigation heavy video games I've played are Bureau 13 and Phantasmagoria. They don't have much replayability.

Is this something that can actually be pitched to Mr. Siembieda, or just something to get off your chest?

Just to get off my chest. S to the M to the BeezyD would insist on keepin' it real, instead of keepin' it awesome. Plus he already has a video game -- he just needs to tweak the character classes, change the MDC to SDC and move it to a platform someone uses.

[Sir Neil]

Nope, read actually very few.

Smart man. IIRC, the adventure I'm stealing for the game was originally solved by someone using a suitcase nuke.

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I guess someone could pitch the idea to the big cheese, Elfgirl, but as a killer for local, state, and federal governments I don't have any videogame connections that would be useful.