Tropico, a Carribean Island (Game Idea, Players Wanted)

Started by Dashenka, June 20, 2010, 03:57:58 AM

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Dashenka

Right I have thought about this idea for a while and tried to work out some details of it. Of course as all my games none of it are set rules and everything is discussable, to make it work for everybody.

As the title might suggest, for those who know it, the origin lies with a computer game called Tropico. This is a city builder/strategy game where you are the ruler of a caribean island. The player can rule the island anyway he likes. Lot's of tourism or export of goods, communist style or capitalist style, democracy or iron fist. Before you stop reading because it's from a computer game, please read on a little bit more, I'm going to explain my game idea now.

We are going to play Tropico's citizens and just live our daily lives. This could vary from being raped for fun to teaching children how to grow banana's. In other words, what happens on the island is completely up to the players. The only one who can steer the way we live is 'El Presidente' who is the ruler of the island. He or she lives in the palace and governs the island in anyway he or she seems fit.

So what kind of roles was I thinking about?

Well first of all, the most important player in the game will be 'El Presidente'. This character can be anything you like but the more outrageous, the better I think. For example a pompous religious zealot would be a lot more fun than let's say, Gordon Brown or Barack Obama. He/she will rule the island and in this case I can imagine an inquisition being brought to life. As you see a lot of things depend on El Presidente.

Furthermore there are the simple jobs like barmaid, waitress, builder and farmer. This are the low paid jobs obviously. A step higher are the highschool jobs. Think of policemen, El Presidente's personal guards, journalists, clinic workers, factory workers etc. The highest jobs are College degrees. Whether or not we can choose this depends on El Presidente's decision to either build a college or to let foreigners onto the island. Jobs like this are surgeons, priests, factory CEO's etc.

You are free to think of a job you would like of course but please try to keep in mind that this is a very small island and that jobs like archeologists simply won't pay enough. Also, don't play multiple jobs when it's a rare job. For example, there can never be too much farmers, but I would prefer a max of 1 CEO. If you have any doubts on what job to take, you can always ask me. I won't bite without permission...

Tell me more about the setting. I'm liking it so far.
As I said, everybody is free to play whatever he or she wants. When you are a barkeeper, I can imagine you describing the daily routine of the bar. It would also be one of the general game area's. Your housing will be corresponding with the job you have. If you have a low paid job, you most likely live in shacks or simple communist tenements. Highschool jobs earn better so they can live in apartment blocks or detached simple houses. College jobs or dual incomes can afford large condominiums or mansions, again depending on what El Presidente has decided to build.

And what is the plot?
There isn't any. For the first time in a while I'm setting up a game without a plot. Everybody is free to think of their own plot. I just create the setting and some public places, for the rest, you are free to play whatever, however, whenever you like.

I will add some pictures of the game later to give you a little bit of the atmosphere I was searching for. In the mean time, if you are interested in this game, get your name down. When there is enough people I will get this game started.

Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Stan'

This could be interesting.

I'm tempted to play the role of a Police Commissioner-type character.  His station is far too small to police the island, even though the land itself is tiny.  If there's a crime or disturbance, then the same two-or-three officers are always involved.

Arion

Paint me interested.  I'd go with the owner of a bar.
"The flesh surrenders itself.  Eternity takes back its own.  Our bodies stirred these waters briefly, danced with a certain intoxication before the love of life and self, dealt with a few strange ideas, then submitted to the instruments of Time.  What can we say of this?  I occurred.  I am not... yet, I occurred."     -Frank Herbert

"I've rambled with the worst of them, fell in love with a harlequin, saw the darkest hearts of men, and I saw my self staring back again, and I saw my self staring back again."    -Bartholomew, The Silent Comedy; If you do not think that this is one of the greatest songs ever written... You.  Are.  Wrong.

<a href="https://www.f-list.net/c/arion99">My F-List

OldSchoolGamer

I don't think I'd be interested in the RPG...but the computer game really was underrated.  It's not epic like Civ or Baldur's Gate or The Sims, but if you can snag it anywhere in a $9.99 discount bin, and you're at all into city-building or resource management sims, definitely do so.

Major Major

I wouldn't mind having a go; maybe as "El Presidente" himself, or even as a shadowy "Man behind the Man" advisor?

Vostroya

I would be up for this, Ive played the game and found it fun to play. I would be interested in playing a CIA type of character trying to keep the small country's resources in the United States best interests.

Dashenka

Okay thanks all for the interest. Going to wait a bit more for more players. Preferably some female characters.
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

jazz

I'd be interested. 

I was thinking my character would be a widow with her husband's death being surrounded by rumours about him crossing the wrong people.  She owns a small shop.  Mostly it is a ladies high-end boutique but in the front of the shop coffee and pastries are served.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. ~ Pablo Neruda

Arion

Maybe the boutique is across the street from the bar?


For my concept, the bar's likely where many of the characters show up from time to time.  My character would double as a kind of information broker, in the know on a lot of what goes on across the island.
"The flesh surrenders itself.  Eternity takes back its own.  Our bodies stirred these waters briefly, danced with a certain intoxication before the love of life and self, dealt with a few strange ideas, then submitted to the instruments of Time.  What can we say of this?  I occurred.  I am not... yet, I occurred."     -Frank Herbert

"I've rambled with the worst of them, fell in love with a harlequin, saw the darkest hearts of men, and I saw my self staring back again, and I saw my self staring back again."    -Bartholomew, The Silent Comedy; If you do not think that this is one of the greatest songs ever written... You.  Are.  Wrong.

<a href="https://www.f-list.net/c/arion99">My F-List

Dashenka

It's only a tiny island. Maybe in total around 1000 people so the city would be very small too. Some people would live on farms across the island but most would live in the city. So the bar would indeed be a place where a lot of people go to.

As for the boutique, I like the idea but for an island that size it might be a bit too specific. Just a boutique with women's clothes would be okay with the coffee and pastries.. not the high end as it's too specific in my opinion.


Just another side note. Being a small far away tropical island, there will be probably be corruption and bribes etc, so sex and 'heavy' sexual acts will occur. Please sign up, even if you hesitate. You can always just drop out of the game if you don't feel like playing anymore (just drop a note)
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

jazz

Okay, didn't quite realize the size.  How about a simple General Store with basics and a place people can order specialized merchandise.  And then the Coffee and Treats as well.

I am excited to get started.  The character is beginning to come together in my head.  Maybe a shady past from before marrying her late husband, so she's not totally innocent to the coruption going on about the place.  She just appears innocent on the surface
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. ~ Pablo Neruda

Dashenka

Sounds good... I'm still hoping for some more female characters... but I will start it by the end of the week at latest. So all think of a character who signed up. Also think of something you want your character to do. I mean there is no plot but I guess you need something your character should do. Like revenge your husband, protect El Presidente, or whatever :) Also make some friends of you on E aware of this game so they might join in as well..
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Major Major


RubySlippers

I want to be an online (or mail) ordained minister of some sex cult on the island, loyal to El Presidente naturally and known for their religious compund growing high grade reefer for "religious use". Come on why be so serious ...

;D

Dashenka

Oh no need to be serious at all!!

How do you see your role in the game? I mean how does the sex cult fit in the island? And what would your role be?
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Major Major

Incidently, which Tropico are we using? Original flavour, or Tropico 3?

Dashenka

A bit of both I guess... doesn't really matter...
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Arion

Question:  how familiar with the game do we need to be?  To be honest, I've never even heard of it before.
"The flesh surrenders itself.  Eternity takes back its own.  Our bodies stirred these waters briefly, danced with a certain intoxication before the love of life and self, dealt with a few strange ideas, then submitted to the instruments of Time.  What can we say of this?  I occurred.  I am not... yet, I occurred."     -Frank Herbert

"I've rambled with the worst of them, fell in love with a harlequin, saw the darkest hearts of men, and I saw my self staring back again, and I saw my self staring back again."    -Bartholomew, The Silent Comedy; If you do not think that this is one of the greatest songs ever written... You.  Are.  Wrong.

<a href="https://www.f-list.net/c/arion99">My F-List

jazz

Hopefully not much.  I too have never heard of it before now
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. ~ Pablo Neruda

Dashenka

You don't need to be familiar at all.
My idea is based on the game but that's it. I will add some pics later on to give you all an impression on what I was thinking but don't worry if you never played the game....
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

RubySlippers

Quote from: Dashenka on June 23, 2010, 03:07:13 AM
Oh no need to be serious at all!!

How do you see your role in the game? I mean how does the sex cult fit in the island? And what would your role be?

I was thinking it would a sex resort attracting tourists to pay a flat rate, hook up with escorts not likely cultists but ones brought in from other countries to work and are employees and naturally smoke all the reefer they want. The cult could be the official faith and back up the El Presidente with a clear Bible-based theology that is radicalthink Family of Love Cultish. There would be a church and he could visit the sex cults own place anytime to relax on the official retreat. My character a good-looking foreigner would run it and see that the people are happy with some funds from the resort ,besides the jobs working there as staff, would go to bettering the citizens.

Dashenka

Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Major Major

If El Presidente is a character, should he be the one to come up with the back story to Tropico?

Dashenka

Yes I think that would make sense. But maybe we could try and decide to work a background details out together but El Presidente should decide whether or not it's a capitalism or communism and how the island deals with it's rebels :)
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Vostroya

Also can I get a character sheet from you, that way I can start thinking up my character if you wouldn't mind.