STAR CADRE: COMBAT CLASS - GAME CONCEPT


Description

A squad combat game set in the future. Star Cadre: Combat Class (SCMZ)
presents a single player-defined or randomly-generated mission to be
completed by a squad of four space cadets.


Features

* A simple no-nonsense user interface, taking the player straight to
  their first mission without a lot of game setup to get through
  first.

* A range of mission types to choose from: clear out the level, find a
  key item, rescue a hostage, simply escape in one piece.

* Three different weapons to choose from: blade, laser pistol, laser
  rifle.

* Optional body armour and helmet that protect a player at the cost of
  action points.

* A medikit that offers the chance to heal up units.

* A broad-brush mission editor that allows the player to choose a
  mission type and the units to send in.

* A scoreboard to keep the player interested in returning to the game
  for future missions.


Overview

Player motivation: to kill all the enemies; to find a key item; to
rescue an important hostage; to escape the mission unharmed. To rack
up mission after mission of these objectives.

Genre: a turn-based squad-level combat strategy game.

Target player: retro strategy gamer with a liking for science fiction.

Competition: none on the target hardware. Closest equivalents are
Rebelstar, Laser Squad and the X-COM series.

Unique selling point: possibly the only squad level combat game on the
target hardware.

Target hardware: an IBM PC with an 8088 processor and CGA graphics
running DOS.

Design goals: to offer something at the the "quick blast" end of the
spectrum of squad level war games. Something to play in half an hour
when you don't want to get sucked in. A good lunch break game.


Further Details

SCMZ is intended as a prototype for a much larger game. The single
level will allow players and the developer to test and refine the
combat mechanics, providing a fun experience along the way. The later
game can then build from this a series of missions that fit into a
story, at the same time broadening the range of weapons, skills and
mission types.
