[Jaesun]

I typically do not like romances because they usually do not cater to me *cough* (which is fine) I'm a very small minority.

I'd rather they spend all the developer zots on other things.

Romance *could* make an interesting angle, and... change the mood in this setting, if done really well. Which is utterly subjective, but could have an interesting impact upon the game.

[UbAh]

Hell as long as any romance is optional and not an what the story is built around why not.  If you don't like it don't go down that path, if thats your bag then you make the choice to go there when you play the game.

[Deviija]

Absolutely.  I think romances and interpersonal relationships in your party/suvivors/bunker camp would be a key driving force -- if not THE key driving force in an open-ended RPG -- for narrative.  Getting along with people, emotions, high stakes, betrayals, risks, desperation, conflicting morals, waning sanity, keeping community moral and cooperation up, etc and so much more.  Though you may be the 'leader' and think the game revolves around you, I think having to make tough decisions and sort out other people's issues, messes, dilemmas, quests, needs, and so forth would play a heavy role on you. 

I doubt it simply is 'I'm the leader, I get say what goes and what gets done, no questions' or that the PC somehow has ultimate authority over everything and everyone.  That makes it more one-dimensional and more 'Chosen One can do no wrong' cliche, in my eyes.  I can see it more being the PC needs others to help him/her, to keep survivability, to venture into the dangerzones for supplies with, to fend off zombies/enemy humans that try to assault your 'bunker,' so she will need not to butt heads and mistreat and abuse everyone and her 'power' in order to keep the peace, keep everyone working together well, meet the needs of others, and keep mutinies from killing her in her sleep. 

This is why I think seeing a lot of options similar to what Vince suggested -- 'picking a woman that might already be married too woowoo with' -- may not work out in absolutes.  If there are serious reprecussions or consequences for morale, loyalty, and personal needs, then I'm all for the morally grey and twisted.  For example, what's to stop that couple from conspiring to kill the PC for splitting up their marriage so the PC could have a stress reliever?  The 'wife' could resent you and run a railroad spike in the PC's brainbox next time the PC comes calling for late-night kissyface, and then she and her hubby could take over your shelter for themselves.  Things like that when dealing with people makes it seem like it would behoove the PC's cause/protection/self-interest to keep a party working smoothly together.

As for romances, be it anything from taking physical comfort in another living person to feel like you're still human/alive, to some kind of emotional love of two people who found each other through great odds, to a bond forged in the blood of battle and 'I got your back' loyalty, to seducers -- men and women alike -- that want easy entry into your bunker or to information you have so that they can bump you off and take what's yours.  I can see all kinds of reasons and angles for 'romance'/lust/companionship from a story and relationship perspective.  Gay, straight, hetero; as long as they're all optional, I don't see the harm in them -- only what it could enhance. 

   

[Nojh]

Hi there. I noticed your announcement of a "serious" Zombie RPG on The Escapist and decided to hunt you down. Luckily they made it easy. I plan to make a point to look around and see what is happening but sadly my free time is limited. But what little I have read, it sounds like Double Bear is off to an exciting start! I look forward to see what you're going to make, I've already stolen your RSS and twitter feeds, and mostly I just wanted to post to show support for your idea. I'd love to play a serious zombie RPG game and complete the spectrum of zombie game choices I have for any mood.

Also just as retro-active commentary since I didn't have this avenue of communication before (sorry for going off topic), but I loved playing through Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines for its stories.

Okay was that sufficient for fan-boying? I'm new to this. Or should I finish the post with an ominious 'I'll be watching you!' comment? Hmm... Nah the "Hunt you down" comment is probably creepy enough... right?

[inhuman]

They don't let fanboys live for long around these parts. You better close with some negative but justified criticism.

[Palathas]

This sounds like a great idea. Although technically not zombies, I preferred the antagonists from 28 Days Later to the shambling masses in things like Dawn of the Dead and the like. These survival / post apocalyptic games seem to be a bit popular of late and personally I think they are a good change to the standard fantasy setting.

[mcgraves]

Saw an article involving the ZRPG on StumbleUpon it's also on Digg and got really excited. Like cream my pants excited. I've read like 20 articles and interviews and finally ended up here. I've read a few pages and suggestions in this thread but haven't had the time, nor patience, to read everything in here so if I bring to light anything that has already been mentioned, though I'm still brainstorming my own ideas and suggestions to bring to the table, I apologize.

I'd also like to offer myself as a beta tester when this bad boy gets that far into the stages of production.

[leeratsin]

i absolutly love this idea.. i personally would like a more fallout 3 style game so as to keep the flow of the game constant.. the bunker or shelter parts would be neat. also coming across some random person and him asking you for ammo for a gun, he will give you something of value to you.. also i like how you could have a moment to decide what you wanted to do with the whole V.A.T.S. deal.. it was a neat concept..  i've been talking with a friend about this concept for a while now.. sadly i'm not capable of doing much more then discussing it due to not knowing the right people.. awesome idea's and great work.. hope this turns out to be  what i've been looking for.. keep up the good work..

[DDToxic]

Sry but Fallout 1 or 2 were much better than 3 but that is my opinion!
Fallout 3 had nice graphics and gore and that`s it.
Liked the Turn based Combat,the humor also the world, if i must rate Fallout 1 was even better than 2.
Hmm i think I just play a round of Fallout 1...

[VonVentrue]

i absolutly love this idea.. i personally would like a more fallout 3 style game

Van Buren never saw the light of day, so what "Fallout 3" are we talking about? There is no Fallout 3.

[DDToxic]

There is:

http://fallout.bethsoft.com/eng/home/home.php?fbid=2-vTmlIX4CW

it`s just more an Shooter with RPG elements or an RPG with Shooter elements your call...

[UbAh]

out of all the fallout games my favorite is still the first one, "wasteland"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasteland_(video_game)

run it in DOSBox


edit to correct spelling

[DDToxic]

@UbAh

Oh yeah I remeber this, it was awesome
i have it as part of the ultimate RPG Collection (along with all Bards Tale, Dragon Wars, Underworld  1+2 and so on)
i wish they would make another Ultima Underworld...and no Arc Fatalis was nice but not Ultima Underworld...
Back to retro > Play Eye of the Beholder 2 :-)