I have a good collision detection engine in place (I think so anyway), and am working on the animation system now. My problem is I'm not sure of what theme to use. I like the feel of HappyLand, and am willing to use those gfx (until I can show an artist my game, and hopfully he can create some custom art for me), but don't want to copy that game. I have soooo many ideas about what the game should be, and points, and plots, that I can't really put them together.

I would like to know what would interest you in a platform game? This is kinda like market research.

P.S.
I'm leaning towards a squirrel type character, or on the other hand maybe a contra type (I loved that game).

Unless you do a "platform RPG" like Out of this / Another World or Flashback (two really good games BTW)

I wanted to add some story line in with the jump and run. Some cut scenes and so forth.

I like the boomerang idea, didn't think of that. I also was going to have little seeds that act like a machine gun, and walnuts that are like shotguns.

I want a kindof Metal Gear Solid type story. Lot's on twists and turns. You guys know of any good storytellers on these forums. Maybe I'll ask that person when I have a little demo.

Yeah, break off storylines would be great. Then I could really add some twists and turns. These ideas are great. Please keep them coming.

I would love a combo of the 2. I like the idea of puzzles. You don't realy see puzzle that much in platform games do you? Like Silent Hill type puzzles.

something that could be cool in this squirrel type of environment would be a "flying" move, where you can glide over dangerous obstacles for a short amount of time, kind of like the leaf powerup in SMB3. flying squirrels!

also, a ledge hang/climb move. you jump up to get on a ledge but don't quite make it, so your character hangs onto the edge, and can just hang there, or choose to drop down or climb up. imagine his long tail hanging down while he holds on, seems like a good place for a cool animation that really shows your character is a squirrel, and helps the atmosphere/feel of the game.

(speaking of squirrel games... remember Conker's Bad Fur Day on N64? brilliant game)

IonBlade

You took the words out of my mouth. Those are great ideas. But now I have a problem. I love the squirrel ideas, but am leaning towards a fox. A female Fox called (what elese) Foxy. Give her a Lara Croft type look, and attitude. It's like everyday something else pops into my head. How do I choose?

The squirrel has possible good animations, where the fox doesn't, but as far as characters go, I think the Fox idea would stick better. The fox would make a better franchise then the squirrel. Damn these creative thoughts.

OK. I actually need that. I will stick with the squirrel. Thx.

make the squirrel the main character, and Foxy a character in the storyline, and possible NPC!

The squirrel could probably be a really good looking character.. maybe some kind of cross between those disney-squirrel guys ("arbuckle" and something..?) and a flying squirrel.

In sweden we have the ones with big tails - they look pretty cool too, as the scurry around and jump insanely from branch from branch

EDIT: A thing that is characteristic of squirrel motion is that they can stop on a 10th of a dime - they don't neccessarily go that Far in every one of their 'rushes' - but they're very quick once they do, and afterwards they stop to scope stuff out - not like Sonic-motion, you see - it should probably have pretty high speed when moving, but no annoying "accelleration" phase - just instant action --> instant stillnes

These are great ideas.
Today I'll put in gliding (flying squirrel). I'll have to think about the vertical wall climb. Maybe they can only climb tree sides. I'll make it so you have to hold down a key in order to climb on the side of the tree. And you can jump when climbing also. That could make for some interesting vertical levels.

No drunk squirrel. This character is going to be a girl squirrel (say that 10 times fast). I think I'll add a hang meter, and a glid meter, so you can only do it for so long before it goes back to normal.

Good idea. And you will have to collect something to get your stamina up.

I was thinking about that, but that's the way most stamina bars work. I would like to make the player work for the stamina. Instead of having to just wait for a time period. This way I can put secrects where you can get with only a hang or glid. Then not only do they have to find the secrets, but they need the stamina to get them.